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Placental trophoblast syncytialization potentiates macropinocytosis via mTOR signaling to adapt to reduced amino acid supply [Developmental Biology]
2dDuring pregnancy, the appropriate allocation of nutrients between the mother and the fetus is dominated by maternal–fetal interactions, which is primarily governed by the placenta. The syncytiotrophoblast (STB) lining at the outer surface of the placental villi is directly bathed in maternal blood and controls feto–maternal exchange. The STB is…
Orthosteric-allosteric dual inhibitors of PfHT1 as selective antimalarial agents [Pharmacology]
2dArtemisinin-resistant malaria parasites have emerged and have been spreading, posing a significant public health challenge. Antimalarial drugs with novel mechanisms of action are therefore urgently needed. In this report, we exploit a “selective starvation” strategy by inhibiting Plasmodium falciparum hexose transporter 1 (PfHT1), the sole hexose transporter in P. falciparum,…
In silico dynamics of COVID-19 phenotypes for optimizing clinical management [Engineering]
2dUnderstanding the underlying mechanisms of COVID-19 progression and the impact of various pharmaceutical interventions is crucial for the clinical management of the disease. We developed a comprehensive mathematical framework based on the known mechanisms of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, incorporating the renin−angiotensin system and ACE2,…
NASA Let Astronauts Feast on Space-Grown Vegetables
2dSpace Veggies Last week, NASA astronauts on the International Space Station bit into some fresh-grown radishes that they had grown in orbit. The radishes, which by coincidence were a New Year’s treat for the ISS crew, were the first vegetables grown and eaten in orbit other than some leafy greens, according to United Press International . The meal is a promising development in NASA’s ongoing effo
Climate change caused mangrove collapse in Oman
2dMost of the mangrove forests on the coasts of Oman disappeared about 6,000 years ago. Until now, the reason for this was not entirely clear. A current study now sheds light on this: It indicates that the collapse of coastal ecosystems was caused by climatic changes.
Advanced materials in a snap
2dA research team has successfully used machine learning — computer algorithms that improve themselves by learning patterns in data — to complete cumbersome materials science calculations more than 40,000 times faster than normal.
Leaf fossils show severe end-Cretaceous plant extinction in southern Argentina
2dThe asteroid impact 66 million years ago that ushered in a mass extinction and ended the dinosaurs also killed off many of the plants that they relied on for food. Fossil leaf assemblages from Patagonia, Argentina, suggest that vegetation in South America suffered great losses but rebounded quickly, according to an international team of researchers.
Repeated ketamine infusions reduce PTSD symptom severity
2dRepeated intravenous (IV) ketamine infusions significantly reduce symptom severity in individuals with chronic post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the improvement is rapid and maintained for several weeks afterwards, according to a new study.
Protecting the global food supply chain
2dNew research examined how to protect food chains from environmental shocks — everything from floods, droughts, and extreme heat to other phenomena like natural hazards, pests, disease, algal blooms, and coral bleaching.
Massachusetts lawmaker wants to name official state dinosaur
2dA Massachusetts state lawmaker is asking for the public's help to select an official state dinosaur.
Remote sensing data sheds light on when and how asteroid Ryugu lost its water
2dRocks on Ryugu, a 'rubble pile' near-Earth asteroid recently visited by Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft, appear to have lost much of their water before they came together to form the asteroid, new research suggests.
Protecting the global food supply chain
2dNew research examined how to protect food chains from environmental shocks — everything from floods, droughts, and extreme heat to other phenomena like natural hazards, pests, disease, algal blooms, and coral bleaching.
Self-controlled children tend to be healthier middle-aged adults
2dSelf-control of one's thoughts, feelings and behaviors is one of the personality traits that makes a child ready for school. And, it turns out, ready for life as well. A large study tracking 1,000 people from birth through age 45 has determined that people who had higher levels of self-control as children were aging more slowly than their peers at age 45. Their bodies and brains were healthier and
Evolving the surgical microscope
2dExperts explain how surgical microscopes are modified into slightly different optical configurations and equipped with specific imaging modalities and platforms for different surgical applications.
Drought of the century in the Middle Ages — with parallels to climate change today?
2dThe transition from the Medieval Warm Period to the Little Ice Age was apparently accompanied by severe droughts between 1302 and 1307 in Europe. Researchers write that the 1302-07 weather patterns display similarities to the 2018 weather anomaly, in which continental Europe experienced exceptional heat and drought.
Sweat, bleach and gym air quality: Chemical reactions make new airborne chemicals
2dOne sweaty, huffing, exercising person emits as many chemicals from their body as up to five sedentary people, according to a new study. And notably, those human emissions, including amino acids from sweat or acetone from breath, chemically combine with bleach cleaners to form new airborne chemicals with unknown impacts to indoor air quality.
Bone fracture risk may increase when critical enzymatic processes decline
2dA loss of enzymatic processes within the body can increase a person's risk of bone fracture.
It’s Over
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2dRepublican Trump Georgia
Walk toward the White House during the final days of the Trump presidency, and you’ll get an unmistakable feel of a government under siege. Buildings near Pennsylvania Avenue are boarded up in anticipation of street violence. Monuments are choked with fencing. A tall metal barricade has been erected at Lafayette Square, just north of the White House, and is covered top to bottom with signs—welcom
We Know Almost Nothing About Giant Viruses
2dIn garden ponds and in oceans, in desert soil and in industrial water-cooling towers , matters of life and death are playing out unseen by the human eye. Here, giant viruses prey on single-celled hosts such as amoebas or algae. This microscopic bloodbath can happen on such a large scale that massive algae blooms visible on the ocean surface turn white, as dead algae fade to reveal their colorless
Extra oxygen for mom during birth doesn’t benefit baby
2dProviding supplemental oxygen to mothers during childbirth doesn’t benefit the baby, an analysis of 16 previous trials shows. Babies who suffer oxygen deficiencies during birth are at risk of brain damage that can lead to developmental delays, cerebral palsy, and even death. To prevent this, most women in labor undergo continuous monitoring of the baby’s heart rate and receive supplemental oxygen
On the road to invisible solar panels: How tomorrow's windows will generate electricity
2dResearchers demonstrate the first transparent solar cell. Their innovative technique rests on a specific part of the solar cell: the heterojunction, made up of thin films of materials responsible for absorbing light. By combining the unique properties of titanium dioxide and nickel oxide semiconductors, the researchers were able to generate an efficient, transparent solar cell.
Germany toughens lockdown as it struggles to control second wave
2dUnprecedented travel ban among raft of measures agreed by Merkel and leaders of 16 federal states
Retracted scientific paper persists in new citations, study finds
2dA small portion of scientific papers are retracted for research that is in error or fraudulent. But those papers can continue to be cited by other scientists in their work, potentially passing along the misinformation from the retracted articles.
Identifying Canada's key conservation hot spots highlights problem
2dTo stop biodiversity loss, Canada recently committed to protecting 30% of its land and sea by 2030. But making conservation decisions about where to locate new protected areas is complicated. It depends on data both about biodiversity and about a range of benefits (e.g. freshwater, climate regulation, recreation) that people get from nature. Despite the size of the country, new mapping suggests th
Routine eye scans may give clues to cognitive decline in diabetes
2dAs they age, people with diabetes are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders than are people without diabetes. Scientists at Joslin Diabetes Center now have shown that routine eye imaging can identify changes in the retina that may be associated with cognitive disorders in older people with type 1 diabetes.These results may open up a relatively easy method for ear
Some English bulldogs thought to have cancer may have newly identified syndrome
2dSome English bulldogs diagnosed with a common cancer may instead have a newly described, non-cancerous syndrome called polyclonal B?cell lymphocytosis. The discovery was made by Morris Animal Foundation-funded researchers at Colorado State University during a study to better understand B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (BCLL). The team published their findings in the Journal of Veterinary Intern
On the road to invisible solar panels: How tomorrow's windows will generate electricity
2dResearchers demonstrate the first transparent solar cell. Their innovative technique rests on a specific part of the solar cell: the heterojunction, made up of thin films of materials responsible for absorbing light. By combining the unique properties of titanium dioxide and nickel oxide semiconductors, the researchers were able to generate an efficient, transparent solar cell.
Climate change caused mangrove collapse in Oman
2dMost of the mangrove forests on the coasts of Oman disappeared about 6,000 years ago. Until now, the reason for this was not entirely clear. A current study of the University of Bonn (Germany) now sheds light on this: It indicates that the collapse of coastal ecosystems was caused by climatic changes. In contrast, falling sea level or overuse by humans are not likely to be the reasons. The speed o
Super-Flexible Display Could Enable Real-Life Active Camouflage
2dSmart Camouflage A team of engineers from Rutgers University have created a stretchy, 3D-printed material that can change color on demand — an exotic material that could lead to an entirely new type of military camouflage. As detailed in a new study published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces this month, the smart gels were inspired by the color-changing skin of cuttlefish, octopu
Daily briefing: Apps predict your risk of catching COVID
2dNature, Published online: 05 January 2021; doi:10.1038/d41586-021-00012-3 COVID risk calculators, the EPA finalizes its controversial ‘transparency’ rule and seven world science advisers tell how they tackled the pandemic.
People from different places don’t taste bitter stuff the same way
2dEthnicity may play a role in how sensitive a person is to the bitter taste found in for example broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and dark chocolate, researchers say. By letting test subjects taste the bitter substance PROP, two studies show that Danish and Chinese people experience this basic taste differently. The reason seems to be related to an anatomical difference upon the tongue surfaces of thes
Meet One of the Curators Behind the Smithsonian's 640,000 Birds
2dHelen James' work on avian extinction helps in understanding how bird species today respond to threats like human encroachment and environmental change
Your Partner's Genome May Affect Your Health
2dA study using data from more than 80,000 couples finds evidence of indirect genetic effects on traits ranging from smoking habits to mental health.
Get Help From a Mental Health Professional Without Leaving Your Home
2dIt’s a cliche at this point to talk about how awful a year 2020 was. But it’s nevertheless true . As a result, more and more people are turning to online counseling platforms to help cope with the seemingly endless torrent of hardship and grief that the year has brought. And if you’ve been considering it for yourself, Online-Therapy.com has everything you need to find the professional mental heal
What the landmark Brexit deal means for science
2dNature, Published online: 05 January 2021; doi:10.1038/d41586-021-00009-y The eleventh-hour UK–EU trade agreement came as a relief to UK researchers because it means that they can be funded by EU programmes.
Daily briefing: 2020 — an extraordinary year for science
2dNature, Published online: 04 January 2021; doi:10.1038/d41586-021-00003-4 The breakthroughs to look out for this year, science grapples with a fast-spreading COVID variant and everything there is to know about vaccination.
American teens see bullying immigrants as more ‘okay’
2dWhile youth think all bullying is bad, non-immigrant adolescents object less to bullying when the victim is an immigrant, according to a recent study. However, the researchers found that the more contact immigrant and non-immigrant children had with each other, the more strongly they objected to bullying. “We know that bystanders can play a key role in stopping bullying, and wanted to better unde
Evolving the surgical microscope
2dA clear view of anatomical structures is vital for the success of surgery—especially in microsurgery where narrow anatomical cavities or proximity to vulnerable organs and tissues can pose significant risks to patient health. The surgical microscope has evolved to become a powerful tool for improving surgical visualization.
Sweat, bleach and gym air quality
2dOne sweaty, huffing, exercising person emits as many chemicals from their body as up to five sedentary people, according to a new University of Colorado Boulder study. And notably, those human emissions, including amino acids from sweat or acetone from breath, chemically combine with bleach cleaners to form new airborne chemicals with unknown impacts to indoor air quality.
Heat treatment may make chemotherapy more effective
2dHeating up cancer cells while targeting them with chemotherapy is a highly effective way of killing them, according to a new study led by UCL researchers.
Heat treatment may make chemotherapy more effective
2dHeating up cancer cells while targeting them with chemotherapy is a highly effective way of killing them, according to a new study led by UCL researchers.
Remote sensing data sheds light on when and how asteroid Ryugu lost its water
2dLast month, Japan's Hayabusa2 mission brought home a cache of rocks collected from a near-Earth asteroid called Ryugu. While analysis of those returned samples is just getting underway, researchers are using data from the spacecraft's other instruments to reveal new details about the asteroid's past.
Leaf fossils show severe end-Cretaceous plant extinction in southern Argentina
2dThe asteroid impact 66 million years ago that ushered in a mass extinction and ended the dinosaurs also killed off many of the plants that they relied on for food. Fossil leaf assemblages from Patagonia, Argentina, suggest that vegetation in South America suffered great losses but rebounded quickly, according to an international team of researchers.
In 'remarkable shift,' four out of five Texans say climate change is real. Now what?
2dDuring his time representing Fort Worth in the Texas House, Lon Burnam recalls a member of the governor's staff issuing a stern warning: Keep the words "climate change" in a piece of legislation, and the bill will be "dead on arrival."
Advanced materials in a snap
2dA research team at Sandia National Laboratories has successfully used machine learning — computer algorithms that improve themselves by learning patterns in data — to complete cumbersome materials science calculations more than 40,000 times faster than normal.
Climate change caused mangrove collapse in Oman
2dMost of the mangrove forests on the coasts of Oman disappeared about 6,000 years ago. Until now, the reason for this was not entirely clear. A current study now sheds light on this: It indicates that the collapse of coastal ecosystems was caused by climatic changes. The results are published in the journal Quaternary Research.
Retracted scientific paper persists in new citations, study finds
2dUniversity of Illinois information sciences professor Jodi Schneider is leading an effort to prevent the spread of retracted research.
Low genetic diversity in two manatee species off South America
2dA new study finds low genetic diversity in the Antillean manatee off the coast of South America between Venezuela and Brazil. There is no interbreeding with the overlapping Amazonian manatee. The study gives recommendations for conservation actions for these at-risk populations.
Novel method identifies areas most suitable for conservation of black lion tamarin
2dThe black lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysopygus) once inhabited most forest areas in the state of São Paulo, Southeast Brazil, but currently occupies only some Atlantic Rainforest remnants there. In recent years, after various studies of the endangered species, environmental NGO Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (IPÊ) moved groups of these animals to areas from which the species had disappeared
New COVID-19 test gives positive result in just a few minutes
2dResearchers report the development of a new COVID-19 test that reduces testing time from 30 minutes to less than five and delivers accurate results.
Congress Is Investigating the Collapsed Arecibo Observatory
2dTime To Rebuild In December, the radio telescope at Puerto Rico’s Arecibo Observatory abruptly collapsed after enduring months of structural damage. Now, Congress is calling for a progress report from the National Science Foundation (NSF), which is investigating the damage as well as what it would take to rebuild the iconic bastion of astronomical and SETI research, Space.com reports . Details ar
More infectious Covid variant forces review of UK workplace guidance
2dB.1.1.7 virus is estimated to be between 60 and 70 per cent more transmissible
Novel method identifies areas most suitable for conservation of black lion tamarin
2dThe black lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysopygus) once inhabited most forest areas in the state of São Paulo, Southeast Brazil, but currently occupies only some Atlantic Rainforest remnants there. In recent years, after various studies of the endangered species, environmental NGO Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (IPÊ) moved groups of these animals to areas from which the species had disappeared
Imminent sudden stratospheric warming to occur, bringing increased risk of snow over coming weeks
2dA new study led by researchers at the Universities of Bristol, Exeter, and Bath helps to shed light on the winter weather we may soon have in store following a dramatic meteorological event currently unfolding high above the North Pole.
New bacterial culture methods could result in the discovery of new species
2dMicroorganisms are the most abundant and diverse form of life on Earth. However, the vast majority of them remain unknown. Indeed, only a small fraction of the microorganisms of our planet can be cultured under traditional conditions, leaving a world of unculturable organisms out of our scope. This is especially true for bacteria thriving under extreme conditions as the harsh conditions are hardly
Low genetic diversity in two manatee species off South America
2dWorldwide, marine megafauna are at risk of extinction due to climate change, habitat loss, pollution, overhunting, population fragmentation, and hybridization with related species in areas disturbed by humans. Genetic studies can help determine the conservation status of marine animals, identifying threats to species conservation and informing interventions and policies, such as the protection of
Watch this ‘nonswimming’ bird swim like a champ, giving clues to evolution of penguins
2dFinding suggests the bird transition from air to water may have been easier than thought
New bacterial culture methods could result in the discovery of new species
2dMicroorganisms are the most abundant and diverse form of life on Earth. However, the vast majority of them remain unknown. Indeed, only a small fraction of the microorganisms of our planet can be cultured under traditional conditions, leaving a world of unculturable organisms out of our scope. This is especially true for bacteria thriving under extreme conditions as the harsh conditions are hardly
Low genetic diversity in two manatee species off South America
2dWorldwide, marine megafauna are at risk of extinction due to climate change, habitat loss, pollution, overhunting, population fragmentation, and hybridization with related species in areas disturbed by humans. Genetic studies can help determine the conservation status of marine animals, identifying threats to species conservation and informing interventions and policies, such as the protection of
Drought of the century in the Middle Ages—with parallels to climate change today?
2dThe transition from the Medieval Warm Period to the Little Ice Age was apparently accompanied by severe droughts between 1302 and 1307 in Europe; this preceded the wet and cold phase of the 1310s and the resulting great famine of 1315-21. In the journal Climate of the Past, researchers from the Leibniz Institutes for the History and Culture of Eastern Europe (GWZO) and Tropospheric Research (TROPO
Researchers regenerate deactivated catalyst in methanol-to-olefins process
2dThe MTO process, which was first commercialized in 2010, is a catalytic process converting methanol—which is typically made from coal, natural gas, biomass, and CO2—over a SAPO-34 zeolite catalyst. It's becoming one of the main streams for producing light olefins, including ethylene and propylene, from non-oil resources.
Finger pointed at poachers after rare lynx killed in France
2dA lynx, one of Europe's rarest mammals, has been found shot dead in eastern France in a suspected killing by poachers, local officials said Tuesday.
Finger pointed at poachers after rare lynx killed in France
2dA lynx, one of Europe's rarest mammals, has been found shot dead in eastern France in a suspected killing by poachers, local officials said Tuesday.
Research news tip sheet: Story ideas from Johns Hopkins Medicine
2dResearch News Tip Sheet: Story Ideas From Johns Hopkins Medicine
Bone fracture risk may increase when critical enzymatic processes decline
2dA loss of enzymatic processes within the body can increase a person's risk of bone fracture. This new insight was recently published in eLife by an international team of scientists and engineers led by Deepak Vashishth, the director of the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies (CBIS) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Evolving the surgical microscope
2dMa and Fei explain how surgical microscopes are modified into slightly different optical configurations and equipped with specific imaging modalities and platforms for different surgical applications.
Drought of the century in the Middle Ages — with parallels to climate change today?
2dThe transition from the Medieval Warm Period to the Little Ice Age was apparently accompanied by severe droughts between 1302 and 1307 in Europe. In the journal Climate of the Past, researchers from the Leibniz Institutes for the History and Culture of Eastern Europe (GWZO) and Tropospheric Research (TROPOS) write that the 1302-07 weather patterns display similarities to the 2018 weather anomaly,
Machine learning improves particle accelerator diagnostics
2dOperators of Jefferson Lab's primary particle accelerator are getting a new tool to help them quickly address issues that can prevent it from running smoothly. The machine learning system has passed its first two-week test, correctly identifying glitchy accelerator components and the type of glitches they're experiencing in near-real-time. An analysis of the results of the first field test of the
Danish and Chinese tongues taste broccoli and chocolate differently
2dTwo studies show that Danes aren't quite as good as Chinese at discerning bitter tastes. The research suggests that this is related to anatomical differences upon the tongues of Danish and Chinese people.
Anticoagulants reduce the number of brain metastases in mice
2dBrain metastases can only develop if cancer cells exit the capillaries and enter into the brain tissue. To facilitate this step, cancer cells influence blood clotting, as scientists have now been able to show in mice. The cancer cells actively promote the formation of clots, which helps them to arrest in the brain capillaries and then penetrate through the vessel wall. Drugs that inhibit thrombin
New Alexa Device Scans Your Body Using Radar
2dAmazon is reportedly developing a new Alexa-enabled device capable of tracking your breathing for signs of sleep apnea while you snooze. The device can sit on a nightstand and measure your breathing using a no-contact radar system, sources close to the project told Business Insider . There aren’t yet many details on what the final product will look like, but BI reports that it’s been given the in
Heat treatment may make chemotherapy more effective
2dThe study, published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry B, found that "loading" a chemotherapy drug on to tiny magnetic particles that can heat up the cancer cells at the same time as delivering the drug to them was up to 34% more effective at destroying the cancer cells than the chemotherapy drug without added heat.
Sweat, bleach and gym air quality
2dOne sweaty, huffing, exercising person emits as many chemicals from their body as up to five sedentary people, according to a new University of Colorado Boulder study. And notably, those human emissions, including amino acids from sweat or acetone from breath, chemically combine with bleach cleaners to form new airborne chemicals with unknown impacts to indoor air quality.
Theoretical plurality, the extended evolutionary synthesis, and archaeology [Anthropology]
2dThe study of cultural evolution now includes multiple theoretical frameworks. Despite common influence from Darwinian evolutionary theory, there is considerable diversity. Thus, we recognize those most influenced by the tenets of the Modern Synthesis (evolutionary archaeology, cultural transmission theory, and human behavioral ecology) and those most aligned more closely with…
Measuring the subcellular compartmentalization of viral infections by protein complementation assay [Microbiology]
2dThe recent emergence and reemergence of viruses in the human population has highlighted the need to develop broader panels of therapeutic molecules. High-throughput screening assays opening access to untargeted steps of the viral replication cycle will provide powerful leverage to identify innovative antiviral molecules. We report here the development of…
Sparseness and Smoothness Regularized Imaging for improving the resolution of Cryo-EM single-particle reconstruction [Biophysics and Computational Biology]
2dIn this paper, we present a refinement method for cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) single-particle reconstruction, termed as OPUS-SSRI (Sparseness and Smoothness Regularized Imaging). In OPUS-SSRI, spatially varying sparseness and smoothness priors are incorporated to improve the regularity of electron density map, and a type of real space penalty function is designed….
A CRISPR-Cas9-engineered mouse model for GPI-anchor deficiency mirrors human phenotypes and exhibits hippocampal synaptic dysfunctions [Neuroscience]
2dPathogenic germline mutations in PIGV lead to glycosylphosphatidylinositol biosynthesis deficiency (GPIBD). Individuals with pathogenic biallelic mutations in genes of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchor pathway exhibit cognitive impairments, motor delay, and often epilepsy. Thus far, the pathophysiology underlying the disease remains unclear, and suitable rodent models that mirror all s
Brown fat may protect against chronic diseases
2dBrown fat may protect against a range of diseases, researchers report. Unlike white fat, which stores calories, brown fat burns energy and scientists hope it may hold the key to new obesity treatments. But it has long been unclear whether people with ample brown fat truly enjoy better health. For one thing, it has been hard to even identify such individuals since it’s hidden deep inside the body.
Author Correction: A large-scale binding and functional map of human RNA-binding proteins
2dNature, Published online: 05 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-03067-w
Publisher Correction: Key role of chemistry versus bias in electrocatalytic oxygen evolution
2dNature, Published online: 05 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-03141-3
How to cope with the winter lockdown in the UK
2dLockdown in bad weather with little natural light seems daunting but there are routines and techniques that can help us With new national lockdowns coming into force across the UK, we take a look at how to cope – from staying connected to getting out in the open. Continue reading…
Mammal species occupy different climates following the expansion of human impacts [Ecology]
2dCities and agricultural fields encroach on the most fertile, habitable terrestrial landscapes, fundamentally altering global ecosystems. Today, 75% of terrestrial ecosystems are considerably altered by human activities, and landscape transformation continues to accelerate. Human impacts are one of the major drivers of the current biodiversity crisis, and they have had…
ADP-ribose and analogues bound to the deMARylating macrodomain from the bat coronavirus HKU4 [Biophysics and Computational Biology]
2dMacrodomains are proteins that recognize and hydrolyze ADP ribose (ADPR) modifications of intracellular proteins. Macrodomains are implicated in viral genome replication and interference with host cell immune responses. They are important to the infectious cycle of Coronaviridae and Togaviridae viruses. We describe crystal structures of the conserved macrodomain from the…
Single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals the immune landscape of lung in steroid-resistant asthma exacerbation [Immunology and Inflammation]
2dExaggerated airway hyperresponsiveness and inflammation are hallmarks of asthma, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure is linked to the severity of the disease and steroid resistance. To investigate the mechanisms underlying asthma exacerbation, we established a mouse model of LPS-induced steroid-resistant exacerbation on the background of house dust mite (HDM)-induced asthma to…
Doping evolution of the Mott-Hubbard landscape in infinite-layer nickelates [Applied Physical Sciences]
2dThe recent observation of superconductivity in Nd0.8Sr0.2NiO2 has raised fundamental questions about the hierarchy of the underlying electronic structure. Calculations suggest that this system falls in the Mott–Hubbard regime, rather than the charge-transfer configuration of other nickel oxides and the superconducting cuprates. Here, we use state-of-the-art, locally resolved electron energy-loss..
Small-molecule inhibitors for the Prp8 intein as antifungal agents [Microbiology]
2dSelf-splicing proteins, called inteins, are present in many human pathogens, including the emerging fungal threats Cryptococcus neoformans (Cne) and Cryptococcus gattii (Cga), the causative agents of cryptococcosis. Inhibition of protein splicing in Cryptococcus sp. interferes with activity of the only intein-containing protein, Prp8, an essential intron splicing factor. Here, we…
Six-year follow-up study of residential displacement and health outcomes following the 2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami [Social Sciences]
2dStudies examining the long-term health consequences of residential displacement following large-scale disasters remain sparse. Following the 2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, victims who lost their homes were resettled by two primary means: 1) group relocation to public housing or 2) individual relocation, in which victims moved into public housing by…
Climate shock effects and mediation in fisheries [Sustainability Science]
2dClimate shocks can reorganize the social–ecological linkages in food-producing communities, leading to a sudden loss of key products in food systems. The extent and persistence of this reorganization are difficult to observe and summarize, but are critical aspects of predicting and rapidly assessing community vulnerability to extreme events. We apply…
Hegemonic masculinity predicts 2016 and 2020 voting and candidate evaluations [Psychological and Cognitive Sciences]
2dThis work examined whether the endorsement of the culturally idealized form of masculinity—hegemonic masculinity (HM)—accounted for unique variance in men’s and women’s support for Donald Trump across seven studies (n = 2,007). Consistent with our theoretical backdrop, in the days (Studies 1 and 2) and months (Studies 3 through 6)…
The 2018 reawakening and eruption dynamics of Steamboat Geyser, the world’s tallest active geyser [Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences]
2dSteamboat Geyser in Yellowstone National Park’s Norris Geyser Basin began a prolific sequence of eruptions in March 2018 after 34 y of sporadic activity. We analyze a wide range of datasets to explore triggering mechanisms for Steamboat’s reactivation and controls on eruption intervals and height. Prior to Steamboat’s renewed activity,…
Cryoelectron-microscopy structure of the enteropathogenic Escherichia coli type III secretion system EspA filament [Biophysics and Computational Biology]
2dEnteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) utilize a macromolecular type III secretion system (T3SS) to inject effector proteins into eukaryotic cells. This apparatus spans the inner and outer bacterial membranes and includes a helical needle protruding into the extracellular space. Thus far observed only in EPEC and…
The decline of mammal functional and evolutionary diversity worldwide [Sustainability Science]
2dBiodiversity is declining worldwide. Because species interact with one another and with their environment, losses of particular organisms alter the function of ecosystems. Our understanding of the global rates and specific causes of functional decline remains limited, however. Species losses also reduce the cumulative amount of extant evolutionary history (“phylogenetic…
Childhood self-control forecasts the pace of midlife aging and preparedness for old age [Psychological and Cognitive Sciences]
2dThe ability to control one’s own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in early life predicts a range of positive outcomes in later life, including longevity. Does it also predict how well people age? We studied the association between self-control and midlife aging in a population-representative cohort of children followed from birth…
Prediction of Alzheimer’s disease-specific phospholipase c gamma-1 SNV by deep learning-based approach for high-throughput screening [Engineering]
2dExon splicing triggered by unpredicted genetic mutation can cause translational variations in neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, we discover Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-specific single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and abnormal exon splicing of phospholipase c gamma-1 (PLCγ1) gene, using genome-wide association study (GWAS) and a deep learning-based exon splicing prediction tool. GWAS revealed.
Induced transparency by interference or polarization [Applied Physical Sciences]
2dPolarization of optical fields is a crucial degree of freedom in the all-optical analogue of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). However, the physical origins of EIT and polarization-induced phenomena have not been well distinguished, which can lead to confusion in associated applications such as slow light and optical/quantum storage. Here we…
Kallikrein directly interacts with and activates Factor IX, resulting in thrombin generation and fibrin formation independent of Factor XI [Medical Sciences]
2dKallikrein (PKa), generated by activation of its precursor prekallikrein (PK), plays a role in the contact activation phase of coagulation and functions in the kallikrein-kinin system to generate bradykinin. The general dogma has been that the contribution of PKa to the coagulation cascade is dependent on its action on FXII….
Cellular autofluorescence is magnetic field sensitive [Chemistry]
2dWe demonstrate, by direct, single-cell imaging kinetic measurements, that endogenous autofluorescence in HeLa cells is sensitive to the application of external magnetic fields of 25 mT and less. We provide spectroscopic and mechanistic evidence that our findings can be explained in terms of magnetic field effects on photoinduced electron transfer…
Observation of liquid glass in suspensions of ellipsoidal colloids [Physics]
2dDespite the omnipresence of colloidal suspensions, little is known about the influence of colloid shape on phase transformations, especially in nonequilibrium. To date, real-space imaging results at high concentrations have been limited to systems composed of spherical colloids. In most natural and technical systems, however, particles are nonspherical, and their…
Effect of “finite pool of worry” and COVID-19 on UK climate change perceptions [Psychological and Cognitive Sciences]
2dResearch reveals that a “finite pool of worry” constrains concern about and action on climate change. Nevertheless, a longitudinal panel survey of 1,858 UK residents, surveyed in April 2019 and June 2020, reveals little evidence for diminishing climate change concern during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, the sample identifies climate change…
Acute skin exposure to ultraviolet light triggers neutrophil-mediated kidney inflammation [Immunology and Inflammation]
2dPhotosensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) light affects up to ∼80% of lupus patients. Sunlight exposure can exacerbate local as well as systemic manifestations of lupus, including nephritis, by mechanisms that are poorly understood. Here, we report that acute skin exposure to UV light triggers a neutrophil-dependent injury response in the kidney…
Hepatitis B virus X protein recruits methyltransferases to affect cotranscriptional N6-methyladenosine modification of viral/host RNAs [Microbiology]
2dChronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections are one of the leading causes of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of cellular and viral RNAs is the most prevalent internal modification that occurs cotranscriptionally. Previously, we reported the dual functional role of m6A modification of HBV transcripts in the viral…
Diversification of mammalian deltaviruses by host shifting [Evolution]
2dHepatitis delta virus (HDV) is an unusual RNA agent that replicates using host machinery but exploits hepatitis B virus (HBV) to mobilize its spread within and between hosts. In doing so, HDV enhances the virulence of HBV. How this seemingly improbable hyperparasitic lifestyle emerged is unknown, but it underpins the…
Immature HIV-1 assembles from Gag dimers leaving partial hexamers at lattice edges as potential substrates for proteolytic maturation [Biophysics and Computational Biology]
2dThe CA (capsid) domain of immature HIV-1 Gag and the adjacent spacer peptide 1 (SP1) play a key role in viral assembly by forming a lattice of CA hexamers, which adapts to viral envelope curvature by incorporating small lattice defects and a large gap at the site of budding. This…
LGI1-ADAM22-MAGUK configures transsynaptic nanoalignment for synaptic transmission and epilepsy prevention [Neuroscience]
2dPhysiological functioning and homeostasis of the brain rely on finely tuned synaptic transmission, which involves nanoscale alignment between presynaptic neurotransmitter-release machinery and postsynaptic receptors. However, the molecular identity and physiological significance of transsynaptic nanoalignment remain incompletely understood. Here, we report that epilepsy gene products, a secreted p
New Quantum Algorithms Finally Crack Nonlinear Equations
2dSometimes, it’s easy for a computer to predict the future. Simple phenomena, such as how sap flows down a tree trunk, are straightforward and can be captured in a few lines of code using what mathematicians call linear differential equations. But in nonlinear systems, interactions can affect themselves: When air streams past a jet’s wings, the air flow alters molecular interactions, which alter t
Bose built a new kind of workout earbud to keep you safe while you sweat
2dThey're not as small as other wireless earbuds on the market. (Bose /) Music is a wonderful motivator when you’re running or biking around town. But, packing your ears full of earbuds and blocking out the outside world is a good way to get yourself mashed by a vehicle you never heard coming. Bose hopes to remedy that conundrum with its new $199 Sport Open Earbuds , which hover over your ear holes
Breaking through the resolution barrier with quantum-limited precision
2dResearchers have developed a new method of distance measurement for systems such as GPS, which achieves more precise results than ever before. Using quantum physics, the team has successfully overcome the so-called resolution limit.
Rare footage captured of jaguar killing ocelot at waterhole
2dIn what may be a sign of climate-change-induced conflict, researchers have captured rare photographic evidence of a jaguar killing another predatory wild cat at an isolated waterhole in Guatemala.
Cities Face Withering Heat under Worst Warming Scenarios
2dTemperatures could rise by more than 4 degrees Celsius by 2100 in some cities around the world — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Trump Administration, in Parting Gift to Industry, Reverses Bird Protections
2dThe rule change means companies will not be punished for killing migratory birds. It came a day after a new regulation restricting the use of scientific studies in policymaking.
ADDF presents vision of a consortium to accelerate research into speech and language biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease
2dIn a commentary in Exploration in Medicine, Alzheimer's experts lay out a vision for a worldwide research consortium that can give clinicians — and patients — the answers to which speech and language changes may signal Alzheimer's in the form of digital biomarkers.
Self-controlled children tend to be healthier middle-aged adults
2dSelf-control of one's thoughts, feelings and behaviors is one of the personality traits that makes a child ready for school. And, it turns out, ready for life as well. A large New Zealand study tracking 1,000 people from birth through age 45 has determined that people who had higher levels of self-control as children were aging more slowly than their peers at age 45. Their bodies and brains were h
Journal article reviews century of data showing COVID-19 likely to impact the brain
2dDecades of data paint a compelling case for why COVID-19 survivors, even those with few symptoms, could experience long-term effects on the brain and central nervous system. A global research program supported by the Alzheimer's Association includes researchers from the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Anto
Protecting the global food supply chain
2dThe University of Delaware's Kyle Davis led a collaborative effort to research how to protect food chains from environmental shocks–everything from floods, droughts, and extreme heat to other phenomena like natural hazards, pests, disease, algal blooms, and coral bleaching.
Repeated ketamine infusions reduce PTSD symptom severity
2dStudy offers a key finding in the development of a promising treatment
Remote sensing data sheds light on when and how asteroid Ryugu lost its water
2dRocks on Ryugu, a 'rubble pile' near-Earth asteroid recently visited by Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft, appear to have lost much of their water before they came together to form the asteroid, new research suggests.
Pollen levels might trigger flares of urologic chronic pelvic pain
2dAs anyone living with hay fever can attest, days with high pollen counts can bring attacks of sneezing, nasal congestion and other allergy symptoms. Now, a new study suggests rising pollen levels may also trigger flare-ups of pain and other symptoms in patients with urologic chronic pelvic pain syndrome (UCPPS), reports The Journal of Urology®, Official Journal of the American Urological Associati
Never too late: how a retired teacher's 'fungi hobby' led to her finding 20 new species
2dAt the age of 58, after decades of working as a teacher, Pamela Catcheside retrained as a researcher, transforming a lifelong passion into a career Name: Pamela Catcheside Age: 80 Continue reading…
Harvard Astronomer Argues That Aliens Visited Us in 2017
2dLater this month, Harvard astronomy researcher Avi Loeb will publish a book with the provocative title “Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth.” In the book, Loeb doubles down on his controversial theory that ‘ Oumuamua , an interstellar object spotted by astronomers in 2017, may be an alien probe that was sent by an advanced extraterrestrial civilization. According to
Bedside EEG test can aid prognosis in unresponsive brain injury patients
2dAssessing the ability of unresponsive patients with severe brain injury to understand what is being said to them could yield important insights into how they might recover, according to new research.
Trump and His Heirs Dream of Endless Victory
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2dTrump Georgia Republican
If you can spare an hour, do listen to the full tape of the conversation between the president of the United States, Donald Trump, and Georgia’s secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger. Whichever adjective you use to describe Trump— delusional , demented , narcissistic —this recording shows that he is unwell. His grip on reality is loose. He is by turns insulting (“They’re going around playing you
Leaf fossils show severe end-Cretaceous plant extinction in southern Argentina
2dThe asteroid impact 66 million years ago that ushered in a mass extinction and ended the dinosaurs also killed off many of the plants that they relied on for food. Fossil leaf assemblages from Patagonia, Argentina, suggest that vegetation in South America suffered great losses but rebounded quickly, according to an international team of researchers.
Novel method identifies areas most suitable for conservation of black lion tamarin
2dThe researchers used modeling to show which areas are suitable in terms of forest cover and climate for occupation by the endangered species, which is endemic to the state of São Paulo. Their study is a contribution to translocation initiatives that move groups of these animals to areas from which the species has disappeared.
Imminent sudden stratospheric warming to occur, bringing increased risk of snow over coming weeks
2dA new study led by researchers at the Universities of Bristol, Exeter, and Bath helps to shed light on the winter weather we may soon have in store following a dramatic meteorological event currently unfolding high above the North Pole. Weather forecasting models are predicting with increasing confidence that a sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event will take place today, 5 January 2021.
Estimation of US SARS-CoV-2 infections, symptomatic infections, hospitalizations, deaths
2dData from public health surveillance of reported COVID-19 cases and seroprevalence surveys were used in this observational study that reports an estimated 46.9 million SARS-CoV-2 infections, 28.1 million symptomatic infections, 956,174 hospitalizations and 304,915 deaths occurred in the U.S. through November 15, 2020.
New clues to prostate cancer
2dAustralian research has identified a new mechanism in which prostate cancer cells can 'switch' character and become resistant to therapy. These findings, just published in Cell Reports, are an important development in unravelling how an aggressive subtype of prostate cancer, neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC), develops after hormonal therapies.
Islands may fix a flaw in Darwin’s theory of life’s origins
2dIslands jutting up from the world’s oceans provided environmental conditions necessary for early life to flourish, a new study suggests. Significantly, the finding offers important evidence supporting one of the most popular ideas about the origins of life on Earth—Charles Darwin’s notion of “warm little ponds.” The researchers describe their new theory in the journal Nature Geoscience . In his w
3 ways companies can support grieving employees | Tilak Mandadi
2dWhen we experience loss, grief travels with us everywhere — even work. What can companies do to support grieving employees? Sharing his own story of unimaginable heartbreak, Tilak Mandadi offers three ways organizations can cultivate a culture of workplace empathy, creating an environment that encourages community, productivity and joy. (This talk contains mature content.)
Study shatters the myth that BDSM is linked to early-life trauma
2dBDSM is a kind of sexual expression and/or practice that refers to three main subcategories: Bondage/Discipline, Dominance/submission, and Sadism/Masochism. It has been widely speculated that many BDSM practitioners or people who enjoy the BDSM lifestyle are drawn to it because of sexual trauma they experienced in the past. This 2020 study claims that BDSM practitioners deserve perception as norm
Bedside EEG test can aid prognosis in unresponsive brain injury patients
2dAssessing the ability of unresponsive patients with severe brain injury to understand what is being said to them could yield important insights into how they might recover, according to new research.
Lerskred er almindeligt i Norge – herhjemme lurer en anden fare i jorden
2dPLUS. Omkring 110.000 nordmænd bor på områder med kvikler. Den ustabile undergrund er også udbredt i Sverige og Grønland. I Danmark er der andre problemer, især plastisk ler.
Machine learning improves particle accelerator diagnostics
2dOperators of the primary particle accelerator at the U.S. Department of Energy's Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility are getting a new tool to help them quickly address issues that can prevent it from running smoothly. A new machine learning system has passed its first two-week test, correctly identifying glitchy accelerator components and the type of glitches they're experiencing in ne
Breaking through the resolution barrier with quantum-limited precision
2dResearchers at Paderborn University have developed a new method of distance measurement for systems such as GPS, which achieves more precise results than ever before. Using quantum physics, the team led by Leibniz Prize winner Professor Christine Silberhorn has successfully overcome the so-called resolution limit, which causes the 'noise' we may see in photos, for example. Their findings have just
New bacterial culture methods could result in the discovery of new species
2dA new microbial study explored the bacterial diversity of the Tabernas Desert located in the south-eastern Spain. Using simple tweaks of the traditional bacterial culture methods, the researchers isolated more than 250 bacterial strains of which 80 could be possible new bacteria species.
Using solar energy and agriculture to limit climate change, assist rural communities
2dCo-developing land for both solar photovoltaic power and agriculture could provide 20% of total electricity generation in the United States with an investment of less than 1% of the annual US budget, new researchers found.
Machine learning improves particle accelerator diagnostics
2dOperators of Jefferson Lab's primary particle accelerator are getting a new tool to help them quickly address issues that can prevent it from running smoothly. The machine learning system has passed its first two-week test, correctly identifying glitchy accelerator components and the type of glitches they're experiencing in near-real-time. An analysis of the results of the first field test of the
On the road to invisible solar panels: How tomorrow's windows will generate electricity
2dIn a new study in Journal of Power Sources, an international team of researchers, led by Prof. Joondong Kim from Korea, demonstrate the first transparent solar cell. Their innovative technique rests on a specific part of the solar cell: the heterojunction, made up of thin films of materials responsible for absorbing light. By combining the unique properties of titanium dioxide and nickel oxide sem
Story tips: Nanoscale commuting, easy driver and defect detection
2dORNL story tips: Nanoscale commuting, easy driver and defect detection.
Diet and lifestyle guidelines can greatly reduce gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms
2dGastroesophageal reflux disease is a common condition affecting 30% of the US population and often controlled with medication. While doctors commonly recommend specific dietary and lifestyle changes to control symptoms, there is little evidence about their effectiveness. Results of a large-scale study suggest such changes, including regular exercise, can reduce symptoms substantially.
Non-immigrant kids respond differently when immigrant children are bullied
2dA recent study finds that, while youth think all bullying is bad, non-immigrant adolescents object less to bullying when the victim is an immigrant. However, the study found that the more contact immigrant and non-immigrant children had with each other, the more strongly they objected to bullying.
The Man Without a Country
2dResidents of Palm Beach are not amused . There has long been speculation that Donald Trump intends to take up postpresidential residence at Mar-a-Lago, the waterfront club he owns in Florida. Neighbors now point to a 1993 deal whereby Trump, in return for permission to turn a private estate into a profit-making business, agreed that no club member would live on the premises for more than 21 days
PLOS ONE retracts paper purporting to be about lung ultrasound for COVID-19 but that had suspicious overlap with pre-pandemic article
2dPLOS ONE has retracted a paper on pneumonia in people with Covid-19 after the authors could not allay concerns about the integrity of their data. The article, “Lung ultrasound score in establishing the timing of intubation in COVID-19 interstitial pneumonia: A preliminary retrospective observational study,” appeared in September and was written by a group from … Continue reading
Using solar energy and agriculture to limit climate change, assist rural communities
2dCo-developing land for both solar photovoltaic power and agriculture could provide 20% of total electricity generation in the United States with an investment of less than 1% of the annual US budget, new researchers found.
Neither liquid nor solid
2dDiscovery of liquid glass sheds light on the old scientific problem of the glass transition: An interdisciplinary team of researchers has uncovered a new state of matter, liquid glass, with previously unknown structural elements – new insights into the nature of glass and its transitions.
Viewing upper gastrointestinal cancers in a new light
2dResearchers report the use of Linked Color Imaging, an innovative modality that specifically combines selected wavelengths of light for illumination in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. This method, by enhancing the subtle variations in red and white hues that indicate mucosal transformation, greatly improves the early detection of upper gastrointestinal tract neoplasms as compared with convention
Making therapeutic sense of antisense oligonucleotides
2dResearchers have devised a molecular structural modification that boosts the efficacy of antisense oligonucleotide-based drugs by replacing the RNA strand of a heteroduplex oligonucleotide with DNA. This advance expands the scope and clinical applicability of nucleic-acid therapeutics across an ever-widening swathe of intractable diseases including neurological disorders.
Catalyst transforms plastic waste to valuable ingredients at low temperature
2dResearchers have used a novel catalyst process to recycle a type of plastic found in everything from grocery bags and food packaging to toys and electronics into liquid fuels and wax.
Integrator: A guardian of the human transcriptome
2dResearchers have characterized a cellular activity that protects our cells from potentially toxic by-products of gene expression. This activity is central for the ability of multicellular organisms to uphold a robust evolutionary 'reservoir' of gene products.
Deep neural network predicts transcription factors
2dA joint research team has developed a deep neural network named DeepTFactor that predicts transcription factors from protein sequences. DeepTFactor will serve as a useful tool for understanding the regulatory systems of organisms, accelerating the use of deep learning for solving biological problems.
New imaging method reveals if antibiotics reach bacteria hiding in tissues
2dResearchers have developed a new imaging method to see where antibiotics have reached bacteria within tissues. The method could be used to help develop more effective antibiotic treatments, reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance.
Rare footage captured of jaguar killing ocelot at waterhole
2dIn what may be a sign of climate-change-induced conflict, researchers have captured rare photographic evidence of a jaguar killing another predatory wild cat at an isolated waterhole in Guatemala.
Making therapeutic sense of antisense oligonucleotides
2dAntisense oligonucleotides (ASO) hold great promise for pharmacotherapy. Now, researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) and Ionis Pharmaceuticals, advancing their earlier work on a heteroduplex oligonucleotide (HDO) model, have demonstrated augmentation of ASO-based drugs by replacing the RNA strand with DNA.
Rare footage captured of jaguar killing ocelot at waterhole
2dIn what may be a sign of climate-change-induced conflict, researchers have captured rare photographic evidence of a jaguar killing another predatory wild cat at an isolated waterhole in Guatemala.
An Evening With Martin Sheen and 24 Other Smithsonian Programs Streaming in January
2dKick off the New Year with Smithsonian Associates' virtual multi-part courses, studio arts classes and study tours
How Dung Beetles Roll Their Food in a Straight Line
2dAs they craft their humble lives from piles of manure, the insects look to the skies for direction
DeepTFactor predicts transcription factors
2dA joint research team from KAIST and UCSD has developed a deep neural network named DeepTFactor that predicts transcription factors from protein sequences. DeepTFactor will serve as a useful tool for understanding the regulatory systems of organisms, accelerating the use of deep learning for solving biological problems.
Integrator: A guardian of the human transcriptome
2dIn a joint collaboration, Danish and German researchers have characterized a cellular activity that protects our cells from potentially toxic by-products of gene expression. This activity is central for the ability of multicellular organisms to uphold a robust evolutionary 'reservoir' of gene products.
Making therapeutic sense of antisense oligonucleotides
2dAntisense oligonucleotides (ASO) hold great promise for pharmacotherapy. Now, researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) and Ionis Pharmaceuticals, advancing their earlier work on a heteroduplex oligonucleotide (HDO) model, have demonstrated augmentation of ASO-based drugs by replacing the RNA strand with DNA.
DeepTFactor predicts transcription factors
2dA joint research team from KAIST and UCSD has developed a deep neural network named DeepTFactor that predicts transcription factors from protein sequences. DeepTFactor will serve as a useful tool for understanding the regulatory systems of organisms, accelerating the use of deep learning for solving biological problems.
Integrator: A guardian of the human transcriptome
2dIn a joint collaboration, Danish and German researchers have characterized a cellular activity that protects our cells from potentially toxic by-products of gene expression. This activity is central for the ability of multicellular organisms to uphold a robust evolutionary 'reservoir' of gene products.
Nyhedsanalyse: Danmark kan ikke bare købe sig til en bedre plads i vaccinekøen
2dPLUS. Med henvisning til blandt andet Israel og Tyskland vil nogle debattører bryde med EU-fællesindkøb af vacciner og overbyde markedet. Men så enkelt er det ikke.
Neither liquid nor solid
2dDiscovery of liquid glass sheds light on the old scientific problem of the glass transition: An interdisciplinary team of researchers has uncovered a new state of matter, liquid glass, with previously unknown structural elements – new insights into the nature of glass and its transitions.
Catalyst transforms plastic waste to valuable ingredients at low temperature
2dResearchers have used a novel catalyst process to recycle a type of plastic found in everything from grocery bags and food packaging to toys and electronics into liquid fuels and wax.
Anticoagulants reduce the number of brain metastases in mice
2dBrain metastases can only develop if cancer cells exit the capillaries and enter into the brain tissue. To facilitate this step, cancer cells influence blood clotting, as Heidelberg scientists have now been able to show in mice. The cancer cells actively promote the formation of clots, which helps them to arrest in the brain capillaries and then penetrate through the vessel wall. Drugs that inhibi
Bedside EEG test can aid prognosis in unresponsive brain injury patients
2dAssessing the ability of unresponsive patients with severe brain injury to understand what is being said to them could yield important insights into how they might recover, according to new research.
Breaking through the resolution barrier with quantum-limited precision
2dResearchers at Paderborn University have developed a new method of distance measurement for systems such as GPS, which achieves more precise results than ever before. Using quantum physics, the team led by Leibniz Prize winner Professor Christine Silberhorn has successfully overcome the so-called resolution limit.
Reopening Florida schools followed by uptick in COVID-19 infections, Ben-Gurion U. study
2d"Our analysis has implications for countries trying to determine whether to keep physical schools open as they battle rising infection rates," Miron says. "Vaccines will not be given to children initially, so managing infection rates through temporary remote learning is of paramount importance."
In-utero exposures associated with increased risk of thyroid cancer
2dA recent study shows that thyroid cancer is related to in-utero exposures.
Danish and Chinese tongues taste broccoli and chocolate differently
2dTwo studies from the University of Copenhagen show that Danes aren't quite as good as Chinese at discerning bitter tastes. The research suggests that this is related to anatomical differences upon the tongues of Danish and Chinese people.
Magnets dim natural glow of human cells, may shed light on how animals migrate
2dNew research shows how X-Men villain Magneto's super powers could really work. Researchers in Japan have made the first observations of biological magnetoreception – live, unaltered cells responding to a magnetic field in real time. This discovery is a crucial step in understanding how animals from birds to butterflies navigate using Earth's magnetic field and addressing the question of whether we
Kvindelige læger vil ikke finde sig i pension på smalkost
2dKvindelige læger får mindre udbetalt i pension årligt, hvis de er meldt ind i Lægernes Pension før 1998. Det har fået Anne Poulsen, overlæge på Sjællands Universitetshospital, og fem andre kvindelige overlæger til at klage til Ligebehandlingsnævnet. Nu bakkes de op af Institut for Menneskerettigheder, der mener, at der er tale om forskelsbehandling.
Nihilism Is Destroying Our Democracy
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2dTrump Georgia Republican
Members of Congress will gather tomorrow to count electoral votes and establish Joe Biden as the winner of the presidential election. Usually, this is a pro forma process without much excitement. But a handful of Republicans in the House and Senate are planning to feed President Donald Trump’s delusions of voter fraud by formally contesting the election—an action that has no chance of succeeding
Change in the weather: German storm names to be more diverse
2dSymbolic #WeatherCorrection is part of campaign for inclusivity in society Move over, Siegfried. Ahmet is on the way. A journalists’ group has named a low pressure system bringing low temperatures, dark clouds and snow to Germany after the boy’s name of Turkish origin in an effort to increase the visibility of the country’s increasingly diverse population. Continue reading…
The Chinese Billionaire Jack Ma Has Disappeared
2dWithout a Trace Chinese billionaire and founder of e-commerce platform Alibaba Jack Ma has been unusually absent from public view for the last two months, Reuters reports , causing speculation in the Western media about whether he’s run afoul of the watchful eye of the Chinese Communist Party. Spurring speculation on social media, Ma didn’t appear on a final episode of a TV show called “Africa’s
Er der liv i atmosfæren på Venus? Diskussionen fortsætter
2dPLUS. Hvis molekylet fosfin findes i atmosfæren på Venus, kan det meget vel være dannet på biologisk vis. Men da det kræver komplicerede metoder at finde det meget svage fingeraftryk, fosfin sætter i strålingen fra Venus-atmosfæren, er forskerne uenige om, hvorvidt det er tilfældet.
How plants adapt their root growth to changes of nutrients
2dNitrogen is one the most essential nutrients for plants. Its availability in the soil plays a major role in plant growth and development, thereby affecting agricultural productivity. Scientists were now able to show, how plants adjust their root growth to varying sources of nitrogen. They give insights in the molecular pathways of roots adaptation.
Uncovering how grasslands changed our climate
2dGrasslands are managed worldwide to support livestock production, while remaining natural or semi-natural ones provide critical services that contribute to the wellbeing of both people and the planet. Human activities are however causing grasslands to become a source of greenhouse gas emissions rather than a carbon sink. A new study uncovered how grasslands used by humans have changed our climate
Shape-shifting hydrogel mimics octopus skin
2dInspired by the color-changing skin of cuttlefish, octopuses, and squids, researchers have created a 3D-printed smart gel that changes shape when exposed to light and can become “artificial muscle.” The smart gel may lead to new military camouflage, soft robotics, and flexible displays. The engineers also developed a 3D-printed stretchy material that can reveal colors when light changes, accordin
2021 Could Be a Banner Year for AI—If We Solve These 4 Problems
2dIf AI has anything to say to 2020, it’s “you can’t touch this.” Last year may have severed our connections with the physical world, but in the digital realm, AI thrived. Take NeurIps , the crown jewel of AI conferences. While lacking the usual backdrop of the dazzling mountains of British Columbia or the beaches of Barcelona, the annual AI extravaganza highlighted a slew of “big picture” problems
Impurities boost performance of organic solar cells
2dAn electrochemical method for stabilizing a reactive molecule can help the development of higher efficiency solar cells.
Neither liquid nor solid
2dDiscovery of liquid glass sheds light on the old scientific problem of the glass transition: An interdisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Konstanz has uncovered a new state of matter, liquid glass, with previously unknown structural elements – new insights into the nature of glass and its transitions.
DeepTFactor predicts transcription factors
2dA joint research team from KAIST and UCSD has developed a deep neural network named DeepTFactor that predicts transcription factors from protein sequences. DeepTFactor will serve as a useful tool for understanding the regulatory systems of organisms, accelerating the use of deep learning for solving biological problems.
New imaging method reveals if antibiotics reach bacteria hiding in tissues
2dResearchers at the Francis Crick Institute and the University of Western Australia have developed a new imaging method to see where antibiotics have reached bacteria within tissues. The method could be used to help develop more effective antibiotic treatments, reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance.
Integrator: A guardian of the human transcriptome
2dIn a joint collaboration, Danish and German researchers have characterized a cellular activity that protects our cells from potentially toxic by-products of gene expression. This activity is central for the ability of multicellular organisms to uphold a robust evolutionary 'reservoir' of gene products.
One Free Press Coalition Spotlights Journalists Under Attack – January 2021
2dThis month’s focus is on Zhang Zhan, who had been posting reports from Wuhan since early February. She was arrested in May.
26 Movies We Want to See in 2021—One Way or Another
2dFrom Dune to Black Widow, a ton of films got delayed due to Covid-19. Here are the ones WIRED is hoping to see, whether at home or (finally) in a theater.
Travails of an intrepid platypus counter
3dNature, Published online: 05 January 2021; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-03650-1 For more than a decade, Josh Griffiths has been trapping the elusive venomous mammals to survey the status of their population.
Eurasian eagle owl diet reveals new records of threatened big-bellied glandular bush-crickets
3dBird diets provide a real treasure for research into the distribution and conservation of their prey, conclude scientists after studying the Eurasian Eagle Owl in southeastern Bulgaria.
New clues on why pregnancy may increase risk of organ transplant rejection
3dA research study has found that in pregnancy, while the T cell response to a fetus becomes tolerant to allow for successful pregnancy, the part of the immune system that produces antibodies (known as the humoral response) becomes sensitized, creating memory B cells that can later contribute to the rejection of a transplanted organ.
Looking forwards rather than backwards safeguards wellbeing during Covid-19 lockdowns
3dPracticing gratitude and looking to the future will help safeguard our mental wellbeing during Covid-19 lockdowns, a new study in the Journal of Positive Psychology reports.
Dental experts discover biological imbalance is the link between gum and kidney disease
3dAn imbalance of the body's oxygen producing free radicals and its antioxidant cells could be the reason why gum disease and chronic kidney disease affect each other, a new study led by the University of Birmingham has found.
Catalyst transforms plastic waste to valuable ingredients at low temperature
3dFor the first time, researchers have used a novel catalyst process to recycle a type of plastic found in everything from grocery bags and food packaging to toys and electronics into liquid fuels and wax.
Making therapeutic sense of antisense oligonucleotides
3dIn a significant extension of their previous research work, researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) and Ionis Pharmaceuticals, USA, have devised a molecular structural modification that boosts the efficacy of antisense oligonucleotide-based drugs by replacing the RNA strand of a heteroduplex oligonucleotide with DNA. This advance expands the scope and clinical applicability of nu
Viewing upper gastrointestinal cancers in a new light
3dResearchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) report the use of Linked Color Imaging, an innovative modality that specifically combines selected wavelengths of light for illumination in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. This method, by enhancing the subtle variations in red and white hues that indicate mucosal transformation, greatly improves the early detection of upper gastrointest
New clues why gold standard treatment for bipolar disorder doesn't work for majority of patients
3dLithium is considered the gold standard for treating bipolar disorder (BD), but nearly 70 percent of people with BD don't respond to it. This leaves them at risk for debilitating, potentially life-threatening mood swings. Researchers at the Salk Institute have found that the culprit may lie in gene activity–or lack of it.
Rare footage captured of jaguar killing ocelot at waterhole
3dIn what may be a sign of climate-change-induced conflict, researchers have captured rare photographic evidence of a jaguar killing another predatory wild cat at an isolated waterhole in Guatemala.
Using solar energy and agriculture to limit climate change, assist rural communities
3dCo-developing land for both solar photovoltaic power and agriculture could provide 20% of total electricity generation in the United States with an investment of less than 1% of the annual US budget, a new paper by Oregon State University researchers found.
Wood-inspired cement with high strength and multifunctionality
3dNature often offers promising inspiration for biomimetic man-made materials. In a new report now published in Advanced Science, Faheng Wang and a team of scientists in advanced materials, engineering and science in China developed new cement materials based on unidirectionally porous architectures to replicate the designs of natural wood. The resulting wood-like cement material showed higher stren
Plastaffald vælter op på Balis strande under monsunsæsonen
3dMyndighederne på Bali kæmper igen i år med at rydde op i de tonsvis af plastaffald, der skyller op på turistøens strande.
Ibrutinib with rituximab in previously untreated CLL: indication of added benefit over FCR
3d. The new drug combination prolongs overall survival in patients in good general health. No study data are available for other patient groups.
COVID-19 news from Annals of Internal Medicine
3dTrio of articles suggest that a single dose of vaccine, even if less effective than two doses, may have greater population benefit: Three articles published today in Annals of Internal Medicine discuss the most effective vaccination strategy for maximum impact against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Researchers uncover a potential treatment for an aggressive form of lung cancer
3dDALLAS – Jan. 5, 2021 – Researchers at the Children's Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern (CRI) have discovered a new metabolic vulnerability in a highly aggressive form of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These findings could pave the way for new treatments for patients with mutations in two key genes – KRAS and LKB1. Patients whose tumors contain both of these mutations, know
Mid-term clinical trial results show similar outcomes in promising cell therapies for CLI
3dMid-term results of the first clinical trial designed specifically to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of two cell therapies that are showing early promise in treating angiitis-induced critical limb ischemia were released in STEM CELLS Translational Medicine.
How to motivate people to follow restrictions: 13 principles for COVID-19 communication
3dBased on a large body of existing research, four leading researchers of self-determination theory, Frank Martela (Aalto University), Nelli Hankonen (University of Helsinki), Richard M. Ryan (Australian Catholic University) and Maarten Vansteenkiste (Universiteit Gent) have crystallised 13 communication principles to foster voluntary compliance in a crisis such as COVID-19. The paper been approved
South African SARS-CoV-2 Variant Alarms Scientists
3dAn additional mutation in the spike protein of the coronavirus may help it elude antibody recognition, and scientists are investigating if current vaccines will protect against it.
3D-printed smart gel changes shape when exposed to light
3dInspired by the color-changing skin of cuttlefish, octopuses and squids, engineers have created a 3D-printed smart gel that changes shape when exposed to light, becomes 'artificial muscle' and may lead to new military camouflage, soft robotics and flexible displays. The engineers also developed a 3D-printed stretchy material that can reveal colors when light changes.
New study on circadian clock shows 'junk DNA' plays a key role in regulating rhythms
3dResearchers have been trying to figure out what regulates molecular circadian clocks, in search of new insights into diseases like Alzheimer's, cancer and diabetes. Until now, that research has focused on what is known as clock genes. But new research reveals the discovery of a new cog in the circadian clock – a genome-wide regulatory layer made up of small chains of non-coding nucleotides known a
A robotic revolution for urban nature
3dDrones, robots and autonomous systems can transform the natural world in and around cities for people and wildlife.
Chemists succeed in synthesis of aminoalcohols by utilizing light
3dSo-called vicinal aminoalcohols are high-quality organic compounds that are found in many everyday products. However, their production is difficult. In their recent study, scientists have found a solution for the production of a special variant of aminoalcohols.
Scrambled supersolids: Soft form of a solid discovered
3dSupersolids are fluid and solid at the same time. Physicists have for the first time investigated what happens when such a state is brought out of balance. They discovered a soft form of a solid of high interest for science. Researchers report that they were also able to reverse the process and restore supersolidity.
A Farewell to Adobe Flash—and the Messy, Glorious Web
3dThe software helped create an amateur internet. It’s a far cry from the glossy, corporate one we know now.
Researchers regenerate deactivated catalyst in methanol-to-olefins process
3dResearchers from DICP regenerated deactivated catalyst in industrially important methanol-to-olefins (MTO) process by directly transforming the coke deposited on the zeolite catalyst to active intermediates rather than burning off to carbon oxide.
Superflare detected on an ultracool star
3dUsing Xinglong observatory's Ground-based Wide Angle Cameras (GWAC), astronomers from China and France have detected a new superflare of an ultracool star known as SDSS J013333.08+003223.7. The newly found event, designated GWAC 181229A, appears to be one of the most powerful flares on ultracool stars so far discovered. The finding is reported in a paper published December 28 on arXiv.org.
A clear path to better insights into biomolecules
3dAn international team of scientists led by Kartik Ayyer from the MPSD has obtained some of the sharpest possible 3-D images of gold nanoparticles. The results lay the foundation for obtaining high resolution images of macromolecules. The study was carried out at the European XFEL's Single Particles, Clusters, and Biomolecules & Serial Femtosecond Crystallography (SPB/SFX) instrument and the result
Reading out qubits like toppling dominoes: A new scalable approach towards the quantum computer
3dCreating a powerful, large-scale quantum computer depends on a clever design such that many qubits (the building block of a quantum computer) can be controlled and read out. Researchers at QuTech, a collaboration between TU Delft and TNO, have invented a new readout method that is an important step forward on the road towards such a large-scale quantum computer. They have published their findings
Researchers report new state of matter described as 'liquid glass'
3dDiscovery of liquid glass sheds light on the old scientific problem of the glass transition: An interdisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Konstanz has uncovered a new state of matter, liquid glass, with previously unknown structural elements—new insights into the nature of glass and its transitions.
First direct observation of magnetic field affecting autofluorescence of flavins in living cells
3dResearchers in Japan have made the first observations of biological magnetoreception—live, unaltered cells responding to a magnetic field in real time. This discovery is a crucial step in understanding how animals from birds to butterflies navigate using Earth's magnetic field and addressing the question of whether weak electromagnetic fields in our environment might affect human health.
New imaging method reveals whether antibiotics reach bacteria hiding in tissues
3dResearchers at the Francis Crick Institute and the University of Western Australia have developed a new imaging method to see where antibiotics have reached bacteria within tissues. The method could be used to help develop more effective antibiotic treatments, reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance.
People feel coronavirus lockdowns were mismanaged by government, survey shows
3dThere is widespread public support for coronavirus restrictions, but most people believe local lockdowns this autumn were mismanaged by the Government, a new survey shows.
Shedding light on one of environmental policy's most under-the-radar strategies
3dIn the leadup to this month's presidential inauguration, environmental advocates across the country are theorizing about how a new administration might advance policy on issues like climate change and biodiversity. But UC Santa Cruz associate professor of environmental studies Sikina Jinnah says there's one particular channel that's typically overlooked by both advocates and policymakers alike: tr
First direct observation of magnetic field affecting autofluorescence of flavins in living cells
3dResearchers in Japan have made the first observations of biological magnetoreception—live, unaltered cells responding to a magnetic field in real time. This discovery is a crucial step in understanding how animals from birds to butterflies navigate using Earth's magnetic field and addressing the question of whether weak electromagnetic fields in our environment might affect human health.
New imaging method reveals whether antibiotics reach bacteria hiding in tissues
3dResearchers at the Francis Crick Institute and the University of Western Australia have developed a new imaging method to see where antibiotics have reached bacteria within tissues. The method could be used to help develop more effective antibiotic treatments, reducing the risk of antibiotic resistance.
A New Tool in Treating Mental Illness: Building Design
3dResearch into the health effects of natural and man-made surroundings is spurring the development of psychiatric facilities that feel more residential and welcoming.
Harvard Astronomer Still Believes Interstellar Object Was Alien Technology
3dThis artist’s impression shows the first interstellar asteroid: `Oumuamua. This unique object was discovered on 19 October 2017 by the Pan-STARRS 1 telescope in Hawai`i. Subsequent observations from ESO’s Very Large Telescope in Chile and other observatories around the world show that it was travelling through space for millions of years before its chance encounter with our star system. `Oumuamua
Exams in core subjects may still go ahead in England this summer
3dWilliamson to tell MPs he has asked Ofqual to come up with plan to replace GCSEs and A-levels Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage despite the extended lockdown, according to plans being considered by Gavin Williamson. The education secretary is due to make a statement in the Commons on Wednesday after the prime minister called for schools to close and said summer exams
The Lost History of Yellowstone
3dDebunking the myth that the great national park was a wilderness untouched by humans
A third of rivers in US found to be changing from blue to green and yellow
3dA team of researchers with members from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Colorado State University reports that approximately a third of the rivers in the U.S. have changed color over the past 34 years. In their paper published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, the group describes their study of thousands of satellite images taken of the U.S. and what they learned fro
Rethinking travel in a post-pandemic world
3dNature, Published online: 05 January 2021; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-03649-8 Climate scientists recommend ways to boost the value of virtual conferences and reduce carbon footprints even when travel curbs ease.
Dozens of nations miss deadline to boost climate ambition
3dMore than half the world's nations failed to submit upgraded commitments by year's end to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, straggling behind the schedule of accelerated climate ambitions set out in the Paris Agreement.
Full mitochondrial control for the ultimate anticancer biohack
3dInsofar as variants for mitochondrial disease are supposed to be rare in the genome, don't think for even a minute that it can't happen to you. In fact, the closer one looks at the full mitonuclear genomes of normal folks, the more one realizes that no one is actually normal—we are all, shall we say, temporarily asymptomatic.
The daily grind: How to cut carbon emissions from coffee by 77%
3dFor many of us, coffee is essential. It allows us to function in the morning and gives a much needed boost during the day. But in new research, we revealed the effect that our favorite caffeine hit has on the planet.
Retrofitting unused spaces can help South African cities adapt to climate change
3dThere are two approaches to dealing with climate change: slowing it down, and adapting to it. The first is about reducing greenhouse gas emissions and absorbing more carbon. The second is about resilience to the impacts of climate change. Cities, which house more than half of the global population, have a big part to play in both approaches.
US Officials Debate Efficacy of Half Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine
3dThe head of Operation Warp Speed says that by spreading out doses of the Moderna vaccine, more people would be able to get some level of protection sooner, a strategy opposed by other experts.
Full mitochondrial control for the ultimate anticancer biohack
3dInsofar as variants for mitochondrial disease are supposed to be rare in the genome, don't think for even a minute that it can't happen to you. In fact, the closer one looks at the full mitonuclear genomes of normal folks, the more one realizes that no one is actually normal—we are all, shall we say, temporarily asymptomatic.
3D Printed Smartgel
3dIf you follow science and technology news closely over years certain patterns emerge. First, most advances are incremental. True “breakthroughs” are rare, despite how overused that word is in reporting. At best there are milestones – an incremental advance that reaches a critical level that will likely change the application of a technology. Second, most advances do not pan out. They add to our t
Supercomputers simulate new pathways for potential RNA virus treatment
3dUniversity of New Hampshire (UNH) researchers recently used Comet at the San Diego Supercomputer Center at UC San Diego and Stampede2 at the Texas Advanced Computing Center to identify new inhibitor binding/unbinding pathways in an RNA-based virus. The findings could be beneficial in understanding how these inhibitors react and potentially help develop a new generation of drugs to target viruses w
Supercomputers simulate new pathways for potential RNA virus treatment
3dUniversity of New Hampshire (UNH) researchers recently used Comet at the San Diego Supercomputer Center at UC San Diego and Stampede2 at the Texas Advanced Computing Center to identify new inhibitor binding/unbinding pathways in an RNA-based virus. The findings could be beneficial in understanding how these inhibitors react and potentially help develop a new generation of drugs to target viruses w
Digital Sky Survey maps the entire sky, providing new data to astronomers
3dThe fifth generation of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey is collecting data about our universe for Vanderbilt University astronomers and other project members to use to explore the formation of distant galaxies and supermassive black holes, and to map the Milky Way.
How to convert text articles into audio (and why you might want to)
3dWhen you don't have time to read, listen instead. (Screen Post / Unsplash /) You spend your day browsing the web and, from time to time, you’ll stumble across an interesting story. You don’t have enough time to sit down and read it, so you open it in a new tab and tell yourself you’ll save it for later. But a week later it’ll probably still be there, waiting for you to catch up, or for your brows
Restraining and secluding students with disabilities is an urgent human rights issue
3dAcross Canada, children with disabilities are disadvantagedwhen it comes to the support they receive in schools. While Canada espouses a commitment to inclusive education, the right to it remains elusive for some students.
Watch a Robot Dog Learn How to Deftly Fend Off a Human
3dKick over this robot and it’ll quickly right itself—not because someone told it how, but because it taught itself to overcome the embarrassment.
The Nokia 5.3 Is a Dependable Phone for Under $200
3dIf your budget is tight, this Android smartphone is a smart buy.
De fleste danskere skal vaccineres i 2021: Derfor skal du stikkes to gange
3dDet andet stik får dine celler til at huske, hvordan virusset skal bekæmpes.
Microreactor for synthesis with Grignard reagents
3dIn 1912, Victor Grignard was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his discovery of what came to be known as Grignard reagents. Since then, these compounds have come to play a key role in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Now, in a development by Fraunhofer researchers, a new type of microreactor will not only make reactions with these reagents faster and safer but also yield a purer
Catalyst transforms plastic waste to valuable ingredients at low temperature
3dFor the first time, researchers have used a novel catalyst process to recycle a type of plastic found in everything from grocery bags and food packaging to toys and electronics into liquid fuels and wax.
Making methane on Mars
3dAmong the many challenges with a Mars voyage, one of the most pressing is: How can you get enough fuel for the spacecraft to fly back to Earth?
Populism erupts when people feel disconnected and disrespected
3dAmerican society is riven down the middle. In the 2020 presidential election, 81 million people turned out to vote for Joe Biden, while another 74 million voted for Donald Trump. Many people came to the polls to vote against the other candidate rather than enthusiastically to support the one who secured their vote.
Collective action around common resources could help vulnerable communities
3dTwo separate economic studies point to a grim current economic reality in South Africa. Close to 3 million jobs lost due to the COVID-19 lockdown in April were not recovered again by June 2020. Also by June, one in every two households living in shack settlements did not have enough money to buy food at the end of the month.
New dancing girl ginger species found in Yunnan, China
3dThe genus Globba (the dancing girl ginger) is one of the largest genera of the family Zingiberaceae and comprises about 110 species distributed in Sri Lanka, India, Southeast Asia and Australia.
DYNAMO achieves first observation of the 'charge separation effect'
3dThe University of Michigan has successfully demonstrated the "charge separation effect," predicted over a decade ago, which has important potential for direct conversion of light to electricity without the thermodynamic losses typical of photovoltaic (solar cell) technology. The results are expected to be important to future developments in ultrafast switching, nanophotonics, and nonlinear optics
Paying for emissions we've already released
3dThe planet is committed to global warming in excess of 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) just from greenhouse gases that have already been added to the atmosphere. This is the conclusion of new research by scientists from Nanjing University, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and Texas A&M University, which appears in the latest edition of Nature Climate Change.
Combining solar energy and agriculture to mitigate climate change, assist rural communities
3dCo-developing land for both solar photovoltaic power and agriculture could provide 20% of total electricity generation in the United States with an investment of less than 1% of the annual U.S. budget, a new paper by Oregon State University researchers found.
New dancing girl ginger species found in Yunnan, China
3dThe genus Globba (the dancing girl ginger) is one of the largest genera of the family Zingiberaceae and comprises about 110 species distributed in Sri Lanka, India, Southeast Asia and Australia.
Use of ocean resources changed as Dungeness crab fishing industry adapted to climate shock event
3dAn unprecedented marine heat wave that led to a massive harmful algal bloom and a lengthy closure of the West Coast Dungeness crab fishery significantly altered the use of ocean resources across seven California crab-fishing communities.
Researchers uncover unequal effects of human activity on mammals
3dWalking along the Tech Green, you are likely to see squirrels, birds, and the occasional chipmunk scurrying along among passing students. These small critters seem to be thriving in urban environments across the world, but are these the same animals you would see if you took a walk in the same spot 200 or even 2,000 years ago?
A plant's way to its favorite food
3dNitrogen is one the most essential nutrients for plants. Its availability in the soil plays a major role in plant growth and development, thereby affecting agricultural productivity. Scientists at the IST Austria were now able to show, how plants adjust their root growth to varying sources of nitrogen. In a new study published in The EMBO Journal they give insights in the molecular pathways of roo
Beyond past due: data to guide US school reopenings
3dNature, Published online: 05 January 2021; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-03647-w President-elect Joe Biden must coordinate efforts to gather COVID-19 infection data.
Scientists identify transition metal for highly-efficient carbon dioxide activation
3dThe atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) has been increasing over the past century, imposing severe consequences for global climate change and planetary temperature increase.
How to untie magnetic nano-knots
3dSkyrmions—tiny magnetic whirls that appear in certain combinations of materials—are considered promising information carriers for future data storage. A research team from RWTH Aachen University, Kiel University, and the University of Iceland has discovered that these magnetic nano-knots untie themselves in two distinct ways. Using a magnetic field, the probability to succeed in untying can be var
Use of ocean resources changed as Dungeness crab fishing industry adapted to climate shock event
3dAn unprecedented marine heat wave that led to a massive harmful algal bloom and a lengthy closure of the West Coast Dungeness crab fishery significantly altered the use of ocean resources across seven California crab-fishing communities.
Researchers uncover unequal effects of human activity on mammals
3dWalking along the Tech Green, you are likely to see squirrels, birds, and the occasional chipmunk scurrying along among passing students. These small critters seem to be thriving in urban environments across the world, but are these the same animals you would see if you took a walk in the same spot 200 or even 2,000 years ago?
Summer temperatures could rise faster in the UK than average global rates
3dThe U.K. could be facing a future of extreme heatwaves according to a new study in which scientists mapped almost 40 years' worth of trends to project what lies ahead.
A plant's way to its favorite food
3dNitrogen is one the most essential nutrients for plants. Its availability in the soil plays a major role in plant growth and development, thereby affecting agricultural productivity. Scientists at the IST Austria were now able to show, how plants adjust their root growth to varying sources of nitrogen. In a new study published in The EMBO Journal they give insights in the molecular pathways of roo
Uncovering how grasslands changed our climate
3dGrasslands are managed worldwide to support livestock production, while remaining natural or semi-natural ones provide critical services that contribute to the wellbeing of both people and the planet. Human activities are, however, causing grasslands to become a source of greenhouse gas emissions rather than a carbon sink. A new study published in Nature Communications reports how grasslands used
Georgia’s Billion-Dollar Bonfire
3dHere are some of the ways that $443,210,038.26 could have been spent in the state of Georgia in 2020. Each time someone filed for unemployment—4.2 million claims have been processed since March, more than the past nine years combined—that person could have received a $100 bill. Roughly 100,000 of the state’s 1.4 million residents who are living through a global pandemic without health insurance c
4 Numbers That Make the Pandemic’s Massive Death Toll Sink In
3dOver the past month, COVID-19’s death toll in the United States has regularly risen by roughly 2,000 or 3,000 a day . With numbers so large, the pain and heartbreak behind each individual death often doesn’t register. Perhaps people would be less numb to the death toll if it were scaled down to a more human level. A change in time frame might help: Consider, for instance, that during the month of
3-D-printed smart gel changes shape when exposed to light
3dInspired by the color-changing skin of cuttlefish, octopuses and squids, Rutgers engineers have created a 3-D-printed smart gel that changes shape when exposed to light, becomes "artificial muscle" and may lead to new military camouflage, soft robotics and flexible displays.
Twitch Is Having a Political Renaissance
3dCandidates and organizers are flocking to the platform, with the hope of reaching voters who would normally be disengaged.
A 25-Year-Old Bet Comes Due: Has Tech Destroyed Society?
3dIn 1995, a WIRED cofounder challenged a Luddite-loving doomsayer to a prescient wager on tech and civilization’s fate. Now their judge weighs in.
University of Miami leads groundbreaking trial for COVID-19 treatment
3dUniversity of Miami Miller School of Medicine researchers led a unique and groundbreaking randomized controlled trial showing umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cell infusions safely reduce risk of death and quicken time to recovery for the severest COVID-19 patients, according to results published in STEM CELLS Translational Medicine in January 2021.
UC-MSC infusion helps repair COVID-19 damage in severe cases
3dThe Cure Alliance reports results of a groundbreaking randomized controlled trial from a team led by Dr. Camillo Ricordi, director of the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) and Cell Transplant Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, showing UC-MSC infusions safely reduce risk of death and quicken recovery time for the most severe COVID-19 patients. At one month 100% (<85) given
Losing Ground: Climate Change Is Altering the Rules of Ecosystem Hierarchy
3dSea-level rise is letting a tiny crab drastically alter marsh landscapes — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Sturgeon says Scotland has acted faster than Johnson at curbing Covid crisis
3dFirst minister defends decision to include places of worship in Scotland’s new lockdown Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage Nicola Sturgeon has said Scotland acted faster than Boris Johnson’s government in London to control the latest Covid-19 crisis, as she defended ordering churches to close. The first minister was pressed to justify a decision to include places of wor
Losing Ground: Climate Change Is Altering the Rules of Ecosystem Hierarchy
3dSea-level rise is letting a tiny crab drastically alter marsh landscapes — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Britisk epidemiologs formel vækker stor opsigt
3dEn simpel beregning viser, hvorfor kontakttallet er mere afgørende end dødeligheden, når det gælder covid-19-varianter. Vi bringer formlen til fri afbenyttelse.
Singapore’s police now have access to contact tracing data
3dThe news: Police will be able to access data collected by Singapore’s covid-19 contact tracing system for use in criminal investigations , a senior official said on Monday. The announcement contradicts the privacy policy originally outlined when the government launched its TraceTogether app in March 2020 and is being criticized as a backpedal just after participation in contact tracing was made m
Japan vil sende verdens første satellit af træ i rummet
3dDen japanske træ-virksomhed Simutomo Forestry er gået sammen med Kyoto University om at udvikle en bæredygtig satellit af træ.
3D-printed smart gel changes shape when exposed to light
3dInspired by the color-changing skin of cuttlefish, octopuses and squids, Rutgers engineers have created a 3D-printed smart gel that changes shape when exposed to light, becomes "artificial muscle" and may lead to new military camouflage, soft robotics and flexible displays. The engineers also developed a 3D-printed stretchy material that can reveal colors when light changes, according to their stu
A plant's way to its favorite food
3dNitrogen is one the most essential nutrients for plants. Its availability in the soil plays a major role in plant growth and development, thereby affecting agricultural productivity. Scientists at the IST Austria were now able to show, how plants adjust their root growth to varying sources of nitrogen. In a new study published in The EMBO Journal they give insights in the molecular pathways of roo
Trump Betrays the Party of Lincoln
3dThe GOP proudly calls itself the party of Lincoln, in tribute to the first president elected on the Republican ticket. Abraham Lincoln demonstrated an enduring faith in the importance of free elections and democratic political institutions. Today, however, the Republican Party is led by a man who has repudiated the legitimacy of the electoral process. Donald Trump may be Lincoln’s successor, but
Techtopia #174: Hvad kan GPT-3?
3dGPT-3 har sat nettet og folk med interesse for kunstig intelligens på den anden ende, siden den blev introduceret i juli. Den er et stykke maskinlæring, der kan skrive om alle emner mellem himmel og jord.
A CIA spyplane crashed outside Area 51 a half-century ago. This explorer found it.
3dStealth A-12 jets were never meant to be seen, then one went missing in the Nevada desert. (US Air Force/) “Oxcart” was an odd nickname for the plane that killed pilot Walter Ray. Oxcarts are slow, cumbersome, and old. Ray’s A-12 jet, meanwhile, was fast, almost invisible, and novel. Among the US’s first attempts at stealth aircraft, it could travel as quickly as a rifle bullet, and fly at altitu
‘All done. I'm going to survive’: Martin Kenyon gets second Covid vaccine dose
3dMan who shot to fame after his first jab says process second time round was ‘very efficient’ Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage When Martin Kenyon went to receive his first coronavirus vaccination, his pithy responses after being accosted by a TV crew outside Guy’s hospital in London secured him “national treasure” status. He’d had trouble parking, and had consumed a “n
Researcher linked to author with 52 retractions loses a paper for duplication
3dAn engineering researcher alleged to be part of a four-group ring of authors who have “repetitively published their own work in ways that call into serious question” the validity of hundreds of papers has had a paper retracted. As we reported in August, Mostafa Jalal, a postdoc at Texas A&M, is alleged to have “engaged … Continue reading
Author Correction: Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi exposure elicits ex vivo cell-type-specific epigenetic changes in human gut cells
3dScientific Reports, Published online: 04 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41598-020-79464-y
Author Correction: Nuclear Translocation of Glutaminase GLS2 in Human Cancer Cells Associates with Proliferation Arrest and Differentiation
3dScientific Reports, Published online: 04 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41598-020-80651-0
Will self-driving cars really mean no need for traffic lights, street signs, street lights etc.?
3dIs this way too over-optimistic and road signs etc. act as a failsafe if the network goes out etc. by being "hard copy" of data in a more permanent printed form? submitted by /u/SubaruToyotaFan1986 [link] [comments]
AMP Robotics raises $55 million for AI that picks and sorts recyclables
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First glimpse of polarons forming in a promising next-gen energy material – Could be relevant to solar energy exploiting perovskite material science
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Is it realistic for the human race to survive for billions of years with interstellar travel?
3dConsidering that we become so advanced with interstellar travel that humans reproduce in the trillions throughout the universe, is it plausible to make it until the death of the universe? (Unless we discover a way to jump to another universe?) submitted by /u/Hot_Improvement_3598 [link] [comments]
US Department of Energy backs five advanced nuclear reactor concepts
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Portable device can quickly detect plant stress: Sensor developed by SMART researchers would allow rapid diagnosis of nutrition deficiency in plants, enabling farmers to maximize crop yield in a sustainable way.
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With cultured meat, every steak could be a premium steak.
3dI'm always thinking about the future of meat, as a meat lover. I'm also an animal lover too and don't want cattle to suffer. I think that when we achieve a viable way to culture meat, there is no reason for us to have bad meat or cheap cuts. Furthermore, I will finally taste premium beef like wagyu, or the best sushi meat not available in my country. Meat will be tastier, cheaper and healthier, s
Artificial neural network that wasn't trained on data found to have perception of numbers, just like human brain
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Using artificial intelligence to find new uses for existing medications
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Carbon negative concrete that's cured by C02 instead of water
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Switching to insect-based pet food could save 112.1 tons of CO2 over the lifetime of a 55-pound dog — the equivalent of flying from London to Barcelona 640 times.
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TED: How we could make carbon-negative concrete | Tom Schuler
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This Year, Autonomous Trucks Will Take to the Road With No One on Board
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Commentary: Cracking the code of biological aging could solve America's health care crisis
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We need a Human Governance Project
3dThe Human Genome Project was great; now can we study how to live together? All current political systems seem to have been discussed in depth – in the 2000 year old writings of the ancient world. I think we need our best and brightest to help figure out how ~7 billion of us can prosper together. I think that this area of study is essential and woefully undervalued. submitted by /u/Nearby-Onion359
Home prices are rising faster in the middle of the U.S. as Covid drives people away from coasts
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Bad space weather may make life impossible near Proxima Centauri
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Scientists Just Created a Catalyst That Turns CO2 Into Jet Fuel
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'Smart bandages' designed to show if a wound is getting infected
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France’s plugin electric vehicle market share hit a new record of 19.2% in December 2020, up 5.6× from December 2019. The full year result was 11.2% plugin share, with local favourite Renault ZOE the year’s top selling plugin once again.
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One Man’s Search for the DNA Data That Could Save His Life – The genetic correlations that could help Bryce Olson find a drug that works against his cancer are a scattered mess. Why don’t we have a better system for analyzing this kind of information?
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Why I'm feeling hopeful about the environment in 2021 "a number of things are coming together to help achieve a low-carbon future. In 25 years of reporting the environment patch I've never been so convinced that the world has the potential to change"
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Wyoming Communities Keep Contact Tracing After State Efforts Stop
3dBy late November, Wyoming saw more than 1,000 new Covid-19 cases on multiple days — and the state’s 130 public health workers quickly became overwhelmed and unable to make any calls to the close contacts of those infected. But some county and tribal contact tracing teams continue to provide a vital resource.
Crystallization-induced mechanofluorescence for visualization of polymer crystallization
3dNature Communications, Published online: 05 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41467-020-20366-y Residual stress in crystalline polymers can lead to material failure, but currently methods which can quantify residual stress in such materials are lacking. Here, by using fluorescent-type mechanochromophores, the authors develop a method to visualize and quantify low degrees of stress that arises from micro
ATP synthase hexamer assemblies shape cristae of Toxoplasma mitochondria
3dNature Communications, Published online: 05 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41467-020-20381-z Structural and functional analysis of mitochondria from the human parasite Toxoplasma gondii reveals that its ATP synthase assembles into cyclic hexamers, arranged together in a form of pentagonal pyramids required for maintenance of cristae morphology in Apicomplexa.
Seesaw conformations of Npl4 in the human p97 complex and the inhibitory mechanism of a disulfiram derivative
3dNature Communications, Published online: 05 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41467-020-20359-x The human AAA+protein p97 plays an important role in cellular protein homeostasis. Here, the authors use cryo-EM to obtain further insights into how p97 interacts with its co-factor Npl4 and they observe three distinct conformational states of Npl4 in complex with human p97, which suggests that a seesaw motio
Sex-dimorphic genetic effects and novel loci for fasting glucose and insulin variability
3dNature Communications, Published online: 05 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41467-020-19366-9 Sex differences in fasting glucose and insulin have been identified, but the genetic loci underlying these differences have not. Here, the authors perform a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies to detect sex-specific and sex-dimorphic loci associated with fasting glucose and insulin.
Green synthesis of graphite from CO2 without graphitization process of amorphous carbon
3dNature Communications, Published online: 05 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41467-020-20380-0 Green synthesis of graphite is a great challenge in the absence of the graphitization of amorphous carbon at high temperatures. Here, the authors report a green approach of synthesizing graphite from carbon dioxide at low temperature in seconds timescale.
Climate warming from managed grasslands cancels the cooling effect of carbon sinks in sparsely grazed and natural grasslands
3dNature Communications, Published online: 05 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41467-020-20406-7 Grasslands, and the livestock that live there, are dynamic sources and sinks of greenhouse gases, but what controls these fluxes remains poorly characterized. Here the authors show that on the global level, grasslands are climate neutral owing to the cancelling effects of managed vs. natural systems.
Long wavelength single photon like driven photolysis via triplet triplet annihilation
3dNature Communications, Published online: 05 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41467-020-20326-6 The use of short wavelength light in photolysis applications in chemistry and biology is limited by photolytic reaction yields, photodamage and photobleaching. Here, the authors report a general long wavelength single photon driven photolysis method using a triplet-triplet annihilation process.
Boosting thermo-photocatalytic CO2 conversion activity by using photosynthesis-inspired electron-proton-transfer mediators
3dNature Communications, Published online: 05 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41467-020-20444-1 Using a single catalyst to mimic the two-step photosynthesis for CO2 conversion remains a challenge. Here, the authors report a simple Bi catalyst that can act as an electron-proton-transfer mediator to spatially and temporally separate H2O splitting and CO2 reduction reactions in CO2-to-CO conversion process
Sunak announces new £4.6bn support package for business
3dMove comes a day after government imposed third lockdown in England to slow Covid spread
Uncovering how grasslands changed our climate
3dGrasslands are managed worldwide to support livestock production, while remaining natural or semi-natural ones provide critical services that contribute to the wellbeing of both people and the planet. Human activities are however causing grasslands to become a source of greenhouse gas emissions rather than a carbon sink. A new study uncovered how grasslands used by humans have changed our climate
Mechanophores: Making polymer crystallization processes crystal clear
3dScientists at the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) have come up with a new technique to evaluate the mechanical forces generated in polymer crystallization as they cool down from their molten state. In a new study published in Nature Communications, they used small, fluorescent molecules to visualize the crystallization process, guiding manufacturers in their goals to optimize polymer ma
Overseas visitors face UK curbs amid fears of fresh Covid variants
3dReports say that arrivals will have to produce a negative test but hauliers will be exempt Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage Travellers entering the UK are to face new restrictions, a senior government minister has indicated, amid reports people arriving from abroad will be required to produce a recent negative coronavirus test. Details of the plans are due to be annou
Optimizing public services after COVID
3dNature, Published online: 05 January 2021; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-03644-z
Africa’s reforestation: European Union and United States should step up
3dNature, Published online: 05 January 2021; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-03642-1
Reburying World Heritage human remains would close window on Barkandji past
3dNature, Published online: 05 January 2021; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-03645-y
Europe’s ‘green deal’ and carbon dioxide removal
3dNature, Published online: 05 January 2021; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-03643-0
Scientists criticize ‘rushed’ approval of Indian COVID-19 vaccine without efficacy data
3dGreen light for Bharat Biotech comes as company is still recruiting volunteers for its phase III trial
Svend Særkjær er ny departementschef i Sundhedsministeriet
3dDen nuværende regionsdirektør i Hovedstaden, Svend Særkjær, har tidligere joket med, at han skulle overtage Per Okkels stol som departementschef i Sundheds- og Ældreministeriet. På mandag er det en realitet.
The pandemic’s biggest tests still lie ahead
3dFurther lockdowns are unavoidable as vaccines are rolled out
Mexican fisherman 'dies after attack on Sea Shepherd conservationists'
3dSea Shepherd says the collision happened after it came under attack in the Gulf of California.
Dansk vaccineforsker: Gambling at udskyde anden dosis vaccine
3dPLUS. Professor bag corona-vaccine fraråder myndighederne at vaccinere i strid med producentens anbefalinger. Nu vil han selv teste, om én dosis vaccine kan være nok.
Study: Warming already baked in will blow past climate goals
3dThe amount of baked-in global warming, from carbon pollution already in the air, is enough to blow past international agreed upon goals to limit climate change, a new study finds.
En af Danmarks ældste havvindmøllepark forlænger livet
3dMøllerne ud for Københavns Havn skal renoveres. Operatøren håber på yderligere 20 års drift.
Vi vil have folk til at vælge grønt
3dEn samtale omkring spisebordet på et kollegieværelse kickstartede hurtigt en brainstorm om,…
Eurasian eagle owl diet reveals new records of threatened giant bush-crickets
3dBird diets provide a real treasure for research into the distribution and conservation of their prey, such as overlooked and rare bush-cricket species, point out scientists after studying the diet of the Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) in southeastern Bulgaria.
Eurasian eagle owl diet reveals new records of threatened giant bush-crickets
3dBird diets provide a real treasure for research into the distribution and conservation of their prey, such as overlooked and rare bush-cricket species, point out scientists after studying the diet of the Eurasian Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo) in southeastern Bulgaria.
Uppsalaforskare ska nedrusta världens kärnvapen
3dIdag finns omkring 13 400 kärnvapen i världen. För att bidra till kärnvapennedrustning har regeringen bett Uppsala universitet att starta ett nytt kunskapscenter under år 2021.
It Spied on Soviet Atomic Bombs. Now It’s Solving Ecological Mysteries.
3dImagery from the Cold War’s Corona satellites is helping scientists fill in how we have changed our planet in the past half century.
Inside the C.I.A., She Became a Spy for Planet Earth
3dLinda Zall is disclosing how she toiled anonymously within the intelligence agency to help scientists intensify their studies of a changing planet.
Unilever taps seaweed to create self-cleaning surfaces
3dTrials to begin for new technology that will have uses from banknotes to odourless shoes
There’s a simple way to green the economy – and it involves cash prizes for all | Henry D Jacoby
3dThe ‘carbon dividend’ is so elegant that it seems too good to be true. Governments should make it a post-pandemic priority Over the past year – when societies around the world have had to grapple with their greatest challenge in decades – climate change hasn’t been at the top of the agenda. But that doesn’t mean it’s gone away. Far from it – in fact, we just experienced the hottest September in 1
Kambo: Frog Poison for Health?
3dThe Kambo fad: people are applying frog poison to burns created on their skin, making them vomit repeatedly and feel terrible. They think this torture has health benefits. There's no evidence that it does anything but poison them. Could anything be more ridiculous? The post first appeared on Science-Based Medicine .
Covid vaccine: unease among doctors as follow-up doses of UK jab delayed
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3dFDA Two Covid Pfizer
Survey finds medics have concerns about scrapping of second appointments Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage Doctors are having their second dose of the Covid vaccine delayed, amid concern from medical organisations about the policy to widen the gap between injections and the threat to medics and their patients if they are not fully protected. A survey of doctors across
Many 'long Covid' sufferers unable to fully work six months later
3dRespondents to global survey report 205 symptoms across 10 organ systems after infection Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage Many people suffering from “long Covid” are still unable to work at full capacity six months after infection, a large-scale survey of confirmed and suspected patients has found. While Covid-19 was initially understood to be a largely respiratory il
'I'm still at half-capacity': long Covid sufferers reflect on brutal year
3dWe speak again to victims of the virus on the slow process of recovery, and the many setbacks they have endured since catching the disease As weeks have turned to months, and months roll into a year, the shadow cast by Covid-19 continues to lengthen – not least for many of those who have survived the disease. Earlier this year, some of those who caught the virus early in the pandemic told the Gua
21 things to look forward to in 2021 – from meteor showers to the Olympics
3dFrom finally seeing the back of Donald Trump to being in a football stadium – the new year is full of promise You probably found a few things to enjoy about last year: you rediscovered your bicycle, perhaps, or your family, or even both, and learned to love trees. And don’t forget the clapping. Plus some brilliant scientists figured out how to make a safe and effective vaccine for a brand new vir
Britain Failed. Again.
3dAfter Britain first went into lockdown to arrest the spread of the coronavirus last year, one had to contend with a number of mitigating factors when assessing the government’s performance. Yes, the country then suffered the worst death toll in Europe, and the worst economic slump, but Boris Johnson had “ followed the science ,” delaying a lockdown on the advice of his government’s medical and sc
We’re the Cosmic 1 Percent But Our Solar System Isn’t a Complete Weirdo – Facts So Romantic
3dAbout half of all stars seem to have “super-Earth” planets on orbits closer to their stars than Mercury is to the Sun, but we don’t. Illustration by Vadim Sadovski / Shutterstock Is Earth unique? Once a grand philosophical question, it has, over the past two decades, become, with the discovery of thousands of planets around other stars—our cosmic cousins—a scientific one. One way to address it is
Singapore says police will be given access to Covid-19 contact tracing data
3dConcerns over privacy as TraceTogether scheme is used by almost 80% of the nation’s population Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage Singapore has announced its police will be able to use data obtained by its coronavirus contact-tracing technology for criminal investigations, a decision likely to increase privacy concerns around the system. The technology, deployed as both
Eurasian eagle owl diet reveals new records of threatened giant bush-crickets
3dBird diets provide a real treasure for research into the distribution and conservation of their prey, conclude scientists after studying the Eurasian Eagle Owl in southeastern Bulgaria. In their paper, published in the open-access, peer-reviewed journal Travaux du Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle "Grigore Antipa", they report the frequent presence of the threatened Big-Bellied Glandular Bush-C
Increase in pleasurable effects of alcohol over time can predict alcohol use disorder
3dA new study out of the University of Chicago Medicine following young adult drinkers for 10 years has found that individuals who reported the highest sensitivity to alcohol's pleasurable and rewarding effects at the start of the trial were more likely to develop an alcohol use disorder (AUD) over the course of the study.
Looking up in wonder: humanity and the cosmos (part one) – podcast
3dThe history of humanity is intimately entwined with the cosmos. The stars have influenced religion, art, mathematics and science – we appear naturally drawn to look up in wonder. Now, with modern technology, our view of the cosmos is changing. It is in reachable distance of our spacecrafts and satellites, and yet because of light pollution we see less and less of it here on Earth. Joined by the a
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