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BioNTech-Pfizer mRNA vaccine largely effective against UK variant, Sera from 40 patients show
1dIn a study evaluating the BioNTech-Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine's ability to neutralize the B.1.1.7 ('UK') viral variant, researchers found no loss of immune protection compared to that against the original Wuhan reference strain.
Trauma surgeons and emergency surgeons positively impact patient satisfaction
1dA large study has found that effective and meaningful physician communication is a more important contributor to the overall satisfaction of trauma patients and those having emergency surgery than it is for patients admitted to the hospital for medical reasons or for elective procedures.
Researchers probe new territory in treating patients with lung cancer during pandemic
1dOn February 27, 2020, the flagship journal of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, published a case study that described two patients from Wuhan, China who recently underwent lung lobectomies for adenocarcinoma and were retrospectively found to have had COVID-19 at the time of surgery.
Reindeer lichens are having more sex than expected
1dScientists thought that reindeer lichens (moss-looking organisms that form a major part of reindeer diets) reproduced mainly asexually by cloning themselves. But it turns out, reindeer lichens are having a lot more sex than scientists expected. In a new study, researchers found that the reindeer lichens they examined have unexpected levels of genetic diversity, indicating that the lichens have bee
End of Trump’s ‘Muslim ban’ a relief to researchers, but obstacles remain
1dScientists and students from several nations were affected
Record-beating pressure mimics carbon inside exoplanets
1dResearchers have created the first model of carbon structures that may make up planets outside the solar system by measuring carbon at the highest pressures ever achieved in a laboratory. Carbon is one of the most prevalent elements in existence. As the fourth most abundant element in the universe, it’s a building block for all known life and forms the interior of carbon-rich exoplanets. “This is
Apps help integration and health of migrants
1dA new study has found that mobile apps can play a vital role in helping immigrants integrate into new cultures, as well as provide physical and mental health benefits.
Synthesizing valuable chemicals from contaminated soil
1dScientists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) and ETH Zurich have developed a process to produce commodity chemicals in a much less hazardous way than was previously possible. In the current issue of Science, the researchers report that they have been able to utilize electrolysis, i.e., the application of an electric current, to obtain chemicals known as dichloro and dibromo compounds, w
CCNY researchers demonstrate how to measure student attention during remote learning
1dThe Covid-19 pandemic has made home offices, virtual meetings and remote learning the norm, and it is likely here to stay. But are people paying attention in online meetings? Are students paying attention in virtual classrooms? Researchers Jens Madsen and Lucas C. Parra from City College of New York, demonstrate how eye tracking can be used to measure the level of attention online using standard w
Arctic warming and diminishing sea ice are influencing the atmosphere
1dResearchers of the Institute for Atmospheric and Earth system research at the University of Helsinki have resolved for the first time, how the environment affects the formation of nanoparticles in the Arctic. The results give additional insight into the future of melting sea ice and the Arctic atmosphere. Until recent studies, the molecular processes of particle formation in the high Arctic remain
Guldberlock och tyg i grav från 200-talet
1dFynden kom slag i slag under grävningens sista dag: en mycket ovanlig guldberlock, två par fibulor – dräktspännen – och obrända ben. Redan tidigare hade arkeologerna hittat brända ben och en fibula i silverlegering. Bara att hitta välbevarade ben i Bohuslän är uppseendeväckande.
Where Did Music Come From? Here Are the Leading Theories
1dDid humans evolve to sing and dance, or did we invent our musical pastimes? Scientists are still debating the origin of this universal behavior.
Reindeer lichens are having more sex than expected
1dIn northern Canada, the forest floor is carpeted with reindeer lichens. They look like a moss made of tiny gray branches, but they're stranger than that: they're composite organisms, a fungus and algae living together as one. They're a major part of reindeer diets, hence the name, and the forest depends on them to move nutrients through the ecosystem. They also, at least in parts of Quebec, are ha
Reindeer lichens are having more sex than expected
1dIn northern Canada, the forest floor is carpeted with reindeer lichens. They look like a moss made of tiny gray branches, but they're stranger than that: they're composite organisms, a fungus and algae living together as one. They're a major part of reindeer diets, hence the name, and the forest depends on them to move nutrients through the ecosystem. They also, at least in parts of Quebec, are ha
A Stunning 3-D Journey inside a Cancer Cell
1dCreated with a technique called Z stacking, this GIF brings the disease to life — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
A Stunning 3-D Journey inside a Cancer Cell
1dCreated with a technique called Z stacking, this GIF brings the disease to life — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Thousands More Satellites Will Soon Orbit Earth—We Need Better Rules to Prevent Space Crashes
1dIn recent years, satellites have become smaller, cheaper, and easier to make with commercial off-the-shelf parts. Some even weigh as little as one gram . This means more people can afford to send them into orbit. Now, satellite operators have started launching mega-constellations—groups of hundreds or even thousands of small satellites working together—into orbit around Earth. Instead of one larg
Ions in molten salts can go 'against the flow'
1dA research group shows, using computer simulations, that ions do not always behave as expected. In their research on molten salts, they were able to see that, in some cases, the ions in the salt mixture they were studying affect one another so much that they may even move in the 'wrong' direction – that is, towards an electrode with the same charge.
Constructing the first version of the Japanese reference genome
1dThe Japanese now have their own reference genome thanks to researchers at Tohoku University who completed and released the first Japanese reference genome (JG1).
An ancient economy
1dAs one of the most experienced archaeologists studying California's Native Americans, Lynn Gamble(link is external) knew the Chumash Indians had been using shell beads as money for at least 800 years.
New psychological model predicts who panic-buys during times of crisis
1dDrawing on animal-foraging theory, a new model predicts psychological factors that may lead to panic buying during times of crisis. The model is largely supported by real-world data from the COVID-19 pandemic. Richard Bentall of the University of Sheffield, England, and colleagues presented these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on January 27.
The Atlantic Daily: The GameStop Saga Isn’t What It Appears
1dEvery weekday evening, our editors guide you through the biggest stories of the day, help you discover new ideas, and surprise you with moments of delight. Subscribe to get this delivered to your inbox . A stock-market revolution is unfolding. Or is it all just a big troll? We caught up with our staff writer Derek Thompson to figure out what’s going on. The Atlantic The conversation that follows
Daily briefing: How psychedelics are shaking up psychiatry
1dNature, Published online: 29 January 2021; doi:10.1038/d41586-021-00276-9 The challenges of studying psychiatric psychedelics, how to support assistance dogs in the lab, and the question on online courses that continue after the lecturer has died.
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Direct coherent multi-ink printing of fabric supercapacitors
1dFiber-shaped supercapacitors are a desirable high-performance energy storage technology for wearable electronics. The traditional method for device fabrication is based on a multistep approach to construct energy devices, which can present challenges during fabrication, scalability and durability. To overcome these restrictions, Jingxin Zhao and a team of scientists in physics, electrochemical ene
Ions in molten salts can go 'against the flow'
1dA research group shows, using computer simulations, that ions do not always behave as expected. In their research on molten salts, they were able to see that, in some cases, the ions in the salt mixture they were studying affect one another so much that they may even move in the 'wrong' direction – that is, towards an electrode with the same charge.
1d
Methane emissions from coal mines are higher than previously thought
1dMethane emissions from coal mines are likely higher than previously calculated, because of emissions from abandoned mines and higher content in deep coal seams.
Tort claim could ensure doctors inform women of risk of stillbirth
1dAs part of standard patient protocol, doctors inform women of the risks of pregnancy. But there is one exception to this standard: stillbirth. University of Arkansas law professor Jill Wieber Lens argues that women have a right to know of the risk of stillbirth, and, consistent with the evolution of informed consent law, this right should be enforceable through a medical malpractice tort claim.
Samsung Believes the Automotive Chip Shortage Could Impact Phones
1dThe ongoing automotive chip shortage is reportedly having ripple effects throughout the industry. Samsung is reportedly concerned that problems in one area of the semiconductor market could spill over into others. The problem is that there’s not enough chip capacity to go around , according to the Financial Times . Automakers have lobbied governments and chip manufacturers for help worldwide. TSM
NASA Begins Building Orion Spacecraft that Will Return Humans to Moon
1dWelding of panels on Artemis III Orion module in Lockheed Martin section of NASA Michoud Assembly Facility on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. NASA is going back to the moon; at least that’s the plan. To get there, the agency has to develop a new generation of crewed spacecraft, including the Space Launch System (SLS) megarocket and the Orion crew module. While the SLS is still in development, Orion ha
COVID-19 rarely spreads through surfaces. So why are we still deep cleaning?
1dNature, Published online: 29 January 2021; doi:10.1038/d41586-021-00251-4 The coronavirus behind the pandemic can linger on doorknobs and other surfaces, but these aren’t a major source of infection.
A Pandemic Is Hard Enough. For Some, Being Single Has Made It Harder.
1d“One day I realized it had been three months since I had touched a human being,” one man said.
72-year-old Scotch whisky fetches over $54,000 in auction
1dA 72-year-old bottle of Glen Grant single malt whisky from Scotland fetched more than $54,000 in an auction in Hong Kong on Friday.
Increasing soil pH reduces fertilizer-derived nitrous oxide emissions
1dA new scientific paper from Teagasc has shown that getting soil pH right through a liming program can significantly reduce emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas. The paper from researchers at the Teagasc Environment, Soils and Land-Use Department in Johnstown Castle, County Wexford has just been published in the scientific journal Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment (AGEE).
A small protein in bacteria overlooked up to now
1dThe biological process of photosynthesis is found at the beginning of nearly all food chains. It produces oxygen to breathe and provides the energetic foundation for using biotechnological processes to synthesize biofuels and chemical feedstock. Therefore, researchers are particularly interested in rapidly growing cyanobacteria. These organisms use light as an energy source and can carry out photo
A small protein in bacteria overlooked up to now
1dThe biological process of photosynthesis is found at the beginning of nearly all food chains. It produces oxygen to breathe and provides the energetic foundation for using biotechnological processes to synthesize biofuels and chemical feedstock. Therefore, researchers are particularly interested in rapidly growing cyanobacteria. These organisms use light as an energy source and can carry out photo
Coffee Talk Has Become a Quiet Success in a Turbulent Year
1dIt’s the one-year anniversary of players creating custom drinks and having conversations with vampires, werewolves, and more in this narrative-driven game.
A Vaccine Enrollment Mess of Epidemic Proportions
1dPlus: The Healthcare.gov rescue, the year’s biggest game changer, and a wake-up call for Wall Street.
GameStop Makes This a Good Time to Rewatch 'The Big Short'
1dIt won’t help you understand the mess any better than you already do, but it could help you untangle the mania behind it.
Mineral often found on Mars discovered deep in Antarctic ice
1dAn international team of researchers has found evidence of the mineral jarosite in ice cores extracted from Antarctica. In their paper published in the journal Nature Communications, the researchers describe how the discovery came about and why they believe it could bolster theories regarding the presence of the same mineral on the surface of Mars.
SpaceX vs NASA: Who will get us to the moon first? Here's how their latest rockets compare
1dNo one has visited the moon since 1972. But with the advent of commercial human spaceflight, the urge to return is resurgent and generating a new space race. NASA has selected the private company SpaceX to be part of its commercial spaceflight operations, but the firm is also pursuing its own space exploration agenda.
Why younger men’s masculinity may be more fragile
1dYoung men, whose sense of masculinity depends heavily on others’ opinions, may be the most triggered by a threat to their manhood. “Our results suggest that the more social pressure a man feels to be masculine, the more aggressive he may be,” says Adam Stanaland, a PhD candidate in psychology and public policy at Duke University and lead author of the study in Personality and Social Psychology Bu
Surround sound from lightweight roll-to-roll printed loudspeaker paper
1dIf the Institute for Print and Media Technology at Chemnitz University of Technology has its way, many loudspeakers of the future will not only be as thin as paper, but will also sound impressive. This is a reality in the laboratories of the Chemnitz researchers, who back in 2015 developed the multiple award-winning T-Book—a large-format illustrated book equipped with printed electronics. If you t
Global farming emissions threaten Paris Agreement goals
1dWithout substantial changes in farming practices, rising emissions from human land-use will jeopardize the goals of the Paris climate agreement, a new study shows. Realigning the United States with the accord was one of President Joe Biden’s first post-inauguration acts. In a paper in Nature , researchers presented the most thorough inventory yet of land-use contributions to carbon dioxide and ot
Misconceptions about Wildfires Are Fueling the Problem
1dThe 2020 wildfire season was the worst in California’s recorded history, with more than four million acres burned and almost 10,500 structures destroyed across the state. The fires were… — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Invasive evergreen acutely reduces water resources in Ethiopia, costing rural livelihoods
1dNew research has revealed how an invasion of the evergreen tree Prosopis juliflora seriously diminishes water resources in the Afar Region of Ethiopia, consuming enough of this already scarce resource to irrigate cotton and sugarcane generating some US$ 320 million and US$ 470 million net benefits per year.
Invasive evergreen acutely reduces water resources in Ethiopia, costing rural livelihoods
1dNew research has revealed how an invasion of the evergreen tree Prosopis juliflora seriously diminishes water resources in the Afar Region of Ethiopia, consuming enough of this already scarce resource to irrigate cotton and sugarcane generating some US$ 320 million and US$ 470 million net benefits per year.
Sources of new ozone-damaging HCFCs traced back to origins
1dAn international team of researchers has located the source of recently discovered ozone damaging HCFCs in the atmosphere. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes using new tools in addition to those used by members of the Montreal Protocol to discover and trace ozone-damaging chemicals emitted into the atmosphere.
Ariane 6 upper stage heads for hot-firing tests
1dThe first complete upper stage of Europe's new Ariane 6 launch vehicle has left ArianeGroup in Bremen and is now on its way to the DLR German Aerospace Center in Lampoldshausen, Germany. Hot firing tests performed in near-vacuum conditions, mimicking the environment in space, will provide data to prove its readiness for flight.
How vitamins, steroids and potential antivirals might affect SARS-CoV-2
1dEvidence is emerging that vitamin D—and possibly vitamins K and A—might help combat COVID-19. A new study from the University of Bristol published in the journal of the German Chemical Society Angewandte Chemie has shown how they—and other antiviral drugs—might work. The research indicates that these dietary supplements and compounds could bind to the viral spike protein and so might reduce SARS-C
Could game theory help discover intelligent alien life?
1dNew research from the University of Manchester suggests using a strategy linked to cooperative game playing known as 'game theory' in order to maximize the potential of finding intelligent alien life.
Study finds increase in menu prices means decrease in restaurant ratings
1dBusinesses beware: A price increase for carryout or delivery food means an increase in negative reviews—and a downturn in restaurant reputation, if not demand.
Endangered Thames eels to benefit from the latest science
1dCritically endangered eels in the Thames will benefit from cutting-edge new work that sheds light on how the creatures swim up the river's estuary.
How vitamins, steroids and potential antivirals might affect SARS-CoV-2
1dEvidence is emerging that vitamin D—and possibly vitamins K and A—might help combat COVID-19. A new study from the University of Bristol published in the journal of the German Chemical Society Angewandte Chemie has shown how they—and other antiviral drugs—might work. The research indicates that these dietary supplements and compounds could bind to the viral spike protein and so might reduce SARS-C
Endangered Thames eels to benefit from the latest science
1dCritically endangered eels in the Thames will benefit from cutting-edge new work that sheds light on how the creatures swim up the river's estuary.
The force to shape an organ
1dCarnegie Mellon University professor of biomedical engineering and materials science and engineering Adam Feinberg, along with postdoctoral fellow Dan Shiwarski and graduate student Joshua Tashman, have created a novel biosensor that reveals the mechanobiological forces that shape organ development. These little-understood forces are of increasing interest to medicine and research and the team's f
Indigenous tribe that worships tigers helps protect the species
1dSpirituality isn't usually considered a factor in conservation efforts. But indigenous peoples who worship wildlife may be helping protect endangered species from extinction.
The force to shape an organ
1dCarnegie Mellon University professor of biomedical engineering and materials science and engineering Adam Feinberg, along with postdoctoral fellow Dan Shiwarski and graduate student Joshua Tashman, have created a novel biosensor that reveals the mechanobiological forces that shape organ development. These little-understood forces are of increasing interest to medicine and research and the team's f
Indigenous tribe that worships tigers helps protect the species
1dSpirituality isn't usually considered a factor in conservation efforts. But indigenous peoples who worship wildlife may be helping protect endangered species from extinction.
Arctic warming and diminishing sea ice are influencing the atmosphere
1dThe researchers of the Institute for Atmospheric and Earth system research at the University of Helsinki have investigated how atmospheric particles are formed in the Arctic. Until recent studies, the molecular processes of particle formation in the high Arctic remained a mystery.
Synthesizing valuable chemicals from contaminated soil
1dScientists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) and ETH Zurich have developed a process to produce commodity chemicals in a much less hazardous way than was previously possible. Such commodity chemicals represent the starting point for many mass-produced products in the chemical industry, such as plastics, dyes, and fertilizers, and are usually synthesized with the help of chlorine gas or
Here's what we often get wrong about wildfires
1dFire is as natural as wind and rain in large forest— and, in fact, needed. The 2020 wildfire season was the worst in California’s recorded history, with more than four million acres burned and almost 10,500 structures destroyed across the state. The fires were heavily covered by the news media, and some reports suggested California had suffered apocalyptic devastation and permanent loss. But the
Svært med strøm til bilen: Nej tak til endnu en stressfaktor
1dPLUS. Selv i København, hvor der er relativt gode forhold for elbiler, endte byboen Bolette Westh med at vælge benzin i stedet for el.
One-dose COVID-19 vaccine offers solid protection against severe disease
1dJohnson & Johnson candidate provides new weapon in vaccine arsenal that could significantly expand world’s supply
Author Correction: Mito-oncology agent: fermented extract suppresses the Warburg effect, restores oxidative mitochondrial activity, and inhibits in vivo tumor growth
1dScientific Reports, Published online: 29 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82411-0
How lipids distribute proteins within cells
1dResearchers have observed how lipids distribute proteins within cells, a discovery that could open the door to understanding the causes of protein transport related diseases, such as cancer or neurodegenerative diseases.
How lipids distribute proteins within cells
1dResearchers have observed how lipids distribute proteins within cells, a discovery that could open the door to understanding the causes of protein transport related diseases, such as cancer or neurodegenerative diseases.
Sake beats other drinks for umami flavor
1dWhich fermented drink has the most umami flavor: champagne, beer, wine, or sake? New research points to the Japanese rice wine. Umami, the fifth basic flavor, has crept into our understanding of food in recent years. In Japanese, umami translates roughly to “savory deliciousness.” It is often associated with the earthy flavors of meat, mushrooms, broth, and vine-ripened tomatoes. It enhances salt
Johnson & Johnson one-dose Covid vaccine shown to work
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1d& Johnson Vaccine
UK has bought 30m doses of product that could transform world’s immunisation programmes Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage A fifth vaccine, made by the US company Johnson & Johnson, has shown efficacy against the coronavirus, giving complete protection against hospitalisation and death, and could transform prospects for protecting both the UK and the rest of the world,
Det haster med at sikre opladning til elbilerne
1dPLUS. Danmark har i modsætning til Holland valgt at lade markedet sørge for infrastrukturen til elbilerne. Det betyder, at vi nu halter efter efterspørgslen.
The South African covid-19 variant is proving to be a vaccine challenge
1dThe news: Two new sets of vaccine results announced today suggest the South African variant of the virus is proving harder to vaccinate against. Novavax and Johnson & Johnson both announced that final-stage clinical trials showed their vaccines are effective at preventing illness—but that this efficacy dropped when dealing with the variant sequenced in South Africa, known as B.1.351. The details:
Ny forskning: Isen smälter i rekordtakt
1dTakten på hur snabbt isen på jorden smälter ökar rekordartat, visar ny forskning. Ett område motsvarande Storbritanniens yta har smält bort sedan 1990-talet.
Johnson & Johnson’s Vaccine Offers Strong Protection but Fuels Concern About Variants
1dThe vaccine’s efficacy rate dropped from 72 percent in the United States to just 57 percent in South Africa, where a highly contagious variant is driving most cases.
Blommande växter fanns redan på juratiden
1dGenom att använda nya matematiska modeller och datorsimuleringar på stora register med fossila data har forskare kommit fram till att blommande växter fanns redan på juratiden, vilket är miljontals år tidigare än man hittills trott. Ännu, 140 år efter Darwins teori om blommande växters ursprung, finns en livlig vetenskaplig debatt om moderna blommande växters ursprung mellan paleontologer, som fr
J&J vaccine shows 66% efficacy for moderate and severe Covid
1dResults tempered by indications jab is less effective against variant first found in South Africa
Mapping the most mysterious planet of all: Earth
1dHumanity knows more about the surface of the Moon than we know about our own planet's seafloor. Ocean explorer Vicki Ferrini is on a mission to change that. Ferrini's work focuses on seabed mapping and characterization, and ensuring that marine geoscience data are accessible to scientists and to the public.
How heatwaves and drought combine to produce the perfect firestorm
1dLong heatwaves during entrenched drought often trigger fears of bushfire. It's easy to imagine rolling days of hot, dry weather desiccating leaves, bark and twigs, transforming them into a potent fuel.
It's elemental: Ultra-trace detector tests gold purity
1dUnless radon gas is discovered in a home inspection, most people remain blissfully unaware that rocks like granite, metal ores, and some soils contain naturally occurring sources of radiation. In most cases, low levels of radiation are not a health concern. But some scientists and engineers are concerned about even trace levels of radiation, which can wreak havoc on sensitive equipment. The semico
Solvation-driven electrochemical actuation
1dIn a new study led by Institute Professor Maurizio Porfiri at NYU Tandon, researchers showed a novel principle of actuation—to transform electrical energy into motion. This actuation mechanism is based on solvation, the interaction between solute and solvent molecules in a solution. This phenomenon is particular important in water, as its molecules are polar: oxygen attracts electrons more than hy
Constructing the first version of the Japanese reference genome
1dThe Japanese now have their own reference genome thanks to researchers at Tohoku University who completed and released the first Japanese reference genome (JG1).
Ancient rivers reveal multiple Sahara Desert greenings
1dLarge parts of the Sahara Desert were green thousands of years ago, evidenced by prehistoric engravings in the desert of giraffes, crocodiles and a stone-age cave painting of humans swimming. Recently, more detailed insights were gained from a combination of sediment cores extracted from the Mediterranean Sea and results from climate computer modeling, which an international research team, includi
Study reveals new clues about Mt. Everest's deadliest avalanche
1dOn the afternoon of April 15, 2015, an earthquake rocked the Himalayas, causing widespread death and damage across Nepal, India and Tibet. The magnitude 7.8 quake—the strongest ever recorded in the region—rattled glaciers and ice falls along a ridge just to the west of Mount Everest, sending an avalanche of ice and snow hurtling towards the base camp below. When the snow settled, 15 were dead and
Unfrozen water content affects thermal-hydro-mechanical characteristics of frozen soil
1dThe content of unfrozen water in frozen soil affects the freeze-thaw cycle, hydrological cycle, water and energy exchange between land and air, vegetation growth and structural strength of soil in cold regions. Currently, theoretical explanations for the presence of unfrozen water include capillarity action, surface effect, adsorption forces and the electrical double layer.
Ecological mechanism behind dredging revealed to mitigate lake cyanobacterial blooms
1dCyanobacterial blooms caused by water eutrophication have become a global environmental problem. Dredging, alternatively known as removal of sediment, has been reported as an effective approach for mitigating cyanobacterial blooms, and plays important roles in enhancing water quality of urban lakes. However, the research on the ecological mechanisms behind dredging is not deep enough.
Your Covid Vaccine Questions, Answered
1dThis week, we field listener queries about the vaccine’s rollout, how state and local governments are handling distribution, and when you’ll get your shot.
A New Way to Restore Hand Mobility—With an Electrified Patch
1dIn a clinical trial, wearing a small stimulator on their necks helped people with quadriplegia build back movement they had lost years ago.
The Jabra Elite 85t Are Premium Earbuds Made To Last
1dThe company's latest in-ears have a two-year water damage warranty, wireless charging, noise canceling, and a mighty cozy fit.
Constructing the first version of the Japanese reference genome
1dThe Japanese now have their own reference genome thanks to researchers at Tohoku University who completed and released the first Japanese reference genome (JG1).
Ecological mechanism behind dredging revealed to mitigate lake cyanobacterial blooms
1dCyanobacterial blooms caused by water eutrophication have become a global environmental problem. Dredging, alternatively known as removal of sediment, has been reported as an effective approach for mitigating cyanobacterial blooms, and plays important roles in enhancing water quality of urban lakes. However, the research on the ecological mechanisms behind dredging is not deep enough.
ExoMars orbiter's 20,000th image
1dThe CaSSIS camera onboard the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter has captured its 20,000th image of Mars.
NASA's MAVEN continues to advance Mars science and telecommunications relay efforts
1dWith a suite of new national and international spacecraft primed to explore the Red Planet after their arrival next month, NASA's MAVEN mission is ready to provide support and continue its study of the Martian atmosphere.
Potent trivalent inhibitors of thrombin from anticoagulation peptides in insect saliva
1dThrombosis, the clogging of blood vessels, is a major cause of heart attacks and embolism. Scientists have now engineered the first inhibitors of thrombin, a protease promoting thrombosis, that is three-fold efficient. In a study published in the journal Angewandte Chemie, the authors demonstrate that attacking three sites of the thrombin molecule is more efficient than attacking only two sites, w
Human activity caused the long-term growth of greenhouse gas methane
1dMethane (CH4) is the second most important greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide (CO2). Its concentration in the atmosphere has increased more than twice since the preindustrial era due to enhanced emissions from human activities. While the global warming potential of CH4 is 86 times as large as that of CO2 over 20 years, it remains in the atmosphere for about 10 years, a much briefer span than CO2,
Potent trivalent inhibitors of thrombin from anticoagulation peptides in insect saliva
1dThrombosis, the clogging of blood vessels, is a major cause of heart attacks and embolism. Scientists have now engineered the first inhibitors of thrombin, a protease promoting thrombosis, that is three-fold efficient. In a study published in the journal Angewandte Chemie, the authors demonstrate that attacking three sites of the thrombin molecule is more efficient than attacking only two sites, w
Days-old baby mice know their mother — and don’t forget her
1dNature, Published online: 26 January 2021; doi:10.1038/d41586-021-00216-7 Even before their eyes open and their fur grows out, young mice can distinguish a mother figure from a stranger.
Internet och sociala medier oskyldiga till polariseringen
1dVäxande politisk polarisering sägs bero på internet och en dramatiskt ökad tillgång av informationskällor. Men medieforskaren Peter M. Dahlgren ser få tecken på att det nya medielandskapet är boven i dramat. Tvärtom visar hans forskning att problemet är mindre än vad många befarar. Peter M. Dahlgren gick in i sitt doktorandarbete med uppfattningen att vi blir allt mer isolerade i så kallade filte
Diamonds Aren’t Special and Neither Is Your Love
1dIn South Africa there are mines full of more diamonds than humanity could ever want or need. You won’t get the chance to see most of them; few are flawless enough to enter the jewelry market. As the stones are excavated, carved, and judged by the four C’s—color, carat, cut, clarity—they are whittled down until only the most perfect remain. This article has been adapted from Saxena’s new book . On
Højt at flyve i podcasten: Liv på fjerne planeter og hypersoniske missiler
1dEr den nye trussel fra hypersoniske våben for et fatamorgana? Hvad kigger forskerne efter, når de leder efter liv i rummet? Hvorfor skal det være så svært at finde en ladestander til sin elbil i Danmark? Det er tre spørgsmål vi prøver at besvare i ugens Transformator.
Readers reply: how can we tell if we see colours in the same way?
1dThe long-running series in which readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific and philosophical concepts Given that we have a naming convention for colours, we all know that blue is blue. So how do we know that if I saw blue through someone else’s eyes, I wouldn’t see it as yellow, or pink etc? David Snell Please send new questio
How I Found the Right Therapist When My Life Was Collapsing
1dSo many of us are struggling with mental health because of the pandemic. These tips can help.
Why Kids Matter in the Quest to Stamp Out Covid-19
1dTesting a vaccine on children takes longer and comes with more challenges. But inoculating kids can protect an entire population.
Lawmakers Take Aim at Insidious Digital ‘Dark Patterns’
1dA new California law prohibits efforts to trick consumers into handing over data or money. A bill in Washington state copies the language.
This Encrypted Gun Registry Might Bridge a Partisan Divide
1dResearchers from Brown University have developed a system that could keep track of firearms while preserving privacy.
The Real Cost of Planting Trees
1dCareful monitoring and up-front investment are necessary to ensure reforestation efforts yield benefits for communities and biodiversity — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Stoppa mitokondrier – nytt sätt att slå mot cancer
1dTumörceller skiljer sig från de flesta av kroppens celler på så vis att de växer och delar sig mycket snabbt och därför kräver extra mycket energi. Cellernas viktigaste energimolekyl, ATP, eller adenosintrifosfat, bildas av mitokondrier, som omvandlar energi från mat och näring. Att hämma den så kallade andningskedjan, alltså mitokondriernas energibildning, har därför varit en lockande väg att kom
The Most Worrying Mutations in Five Emerging Coronavirus Variants
1dHere is a guide to novel versions of the COVID-causing virus—and genetic changes that can make them more contagious and evasive in the body — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Motorleverandør dømt for snyde DSB: Alligevel indgår de forlig
1dPLUS. Selv om den tyske motorleverandør Deutz og virksomhedens danske forhandler er dømt for at snyde DSB i en sag om reservedele til IC3, har DSB i al stilhed indgået forlig og købt ind for 50 mio. kroner hos de dømte. Motorleverandøren er nemlig afgørende for, at DSB kan holde liv i IC3.
The Most Worrying Mutations in Five Emerging Coronavirus Variants
1dHere is a guide to novel versions of the COVID-causing virus—and genetic changes that can make them more contagious and evasive in the body — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Thoughts of Blue Brains and GABA Interneurons
1dAn unsuccessful plan to create a computer simulation of a human brain within 10 years. An exhaustive catalog of cell types comprising a specific class of inhibitory neurons within mouse visual cortex. What do these massive research programs have in common? Both efforts were conducted by large multidisciplinary teams at non-traditional research institutions: the Blue Brain Project based in Lausann
Schools Must Resist Destructive Anti-racist Demands
1dA fter George Floyd’s killing last spring, protests have flowered on many campuses, and so have manifestos demanding that the schools fully commit themselves to an anti-racist agenda. More are likely as the school restarts and we move into spring. Some may feel that the enlightened course is to simply satisfy these demands out of a commitment to America’s ongoing racial reckoning. However, just a
How some viruses give you the sniffles year after year
1dNature, Published online: 29 January 2021; doi:10.1038/d41586-021-00214-9 Mutations in ‘seasonal’ coronaviruses might explain why many people are re-infected time and again.
Listen: Have We Turned the Corner?
1dPeople are getting vaccinated, but it’s not happening quickly enough. Case counts are dropping fast, but a near-record number of people are still sick. Do we have reason for optimism? Or could optimism still get us in trouble? Alexis Madrigal and Robinson Meyer, staff writers and co-founders of the COVID Tracking Project at The Atlantic , join James Hamblin and Maeve Higgins this week to discuss.
The Counterintuitive Workings of the Minimum Wage
1dThe Biden administration and House and Senate Democrats want to raise the national minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $15 an hour. The result would be straightforward: higher wages, but also the closure of mom-and-pop stores; higher prices on everything from gas-station tacos to day care; a rise in unemployment, particularly among teenagers; and strain in low-wage, rural economies. That, at least
What is a figure about budgies doing in four different plant papers?
1dAs Antonella Longo was peer-reviewing a study for the journal Plant and Soil, she became “alarmed by one figure.” The figure’s title — ”Level2 GO terms of Melopsittacus_undulates” — seemed to be a misspelled reference to a bird species called Melopsittacus undulatus. More commonly known as a budgie or parakeet, undulatus is a vibrantly colored … Continue reading
NASA’s Mars helicopter may soon be the first to fly on another planet
1dIngenuity will arrive on Mars on Feb. 18, 2021, attached to the belly of NASA's Perseverance rover. (NASA/JPL-Caltech/) The most sophisticated robotic explorer yet, NASA’s Perseverance, is currently zipping through space en route to its final destination: Mars. Aiming to land in a hazard-laden crater next to an ancient riverbed, researchers hope our SUV-sized robot emissary will help us find foss
Ep. 52: In India, Mismanaging the Monkey Menace
1dThis month: In India, macaque monkeys are a menace — attacking people for food, breaking into offices, and in one state, damaging at least 54 million dollars worth of crops. A sterilization program aimed to curb the population, but some experts and locals question if it’s working or even the right approach.
Book Review: Behind the Myth of a Pioneering Female Physician
1dIn “The Doctors Blackwell,” Janice P. Nimura retells the story of Elizabeth Blackwell, the first American female physician and iconic feminist, and her sister Emily. But as Nimura’s research brings truth to the fore, it’s clear that Blackwell was neither a feminist nor a passionate physician.
Kirsten Busch Nielsen fortsætter som dekan
1dEfter otte måneder som konstitueret dekan for Det Humanistiske Fakultet er Kirsten Busch Nielsen…
Kampen for anerkendelse: Den liberale verdensorden udhules både indefra og udefra
1dAt skifte Donald Trump ud med Joe Biden fører os ikke tilbage til den liberale internationale orden…
Author Correction: Hysteresis branch crossing and the Stoner–Wohlfarth model
1dScientific Reports, Published online: 28 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41598-021-81864-7
Retraction Note: Antibiotic growth promoters virginiamycin and bacitracin methylene disalicylate alter the chicken intestinal metabolome
1dScientific Reports, Published online: 28 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82285-2
Author Correction: Let-7 regulates cell cycle dynamics in the developing cerebral cortex and retina
1dScientific Reports, Published online: 28 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82224-1
Author Correction: Loss-of-function uORF mutations in human malignancies
1dScientific Reports, Published online: 28 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82176-6
Mental activities after dinner increase cigarettes consumption
1dScientific Reports, Published online: 28 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41598-021-81978-y
Diagnostic performance of cone-beam computed tomography for scaphoid fractures: a systematic review and diagnostic meta-analysis
1dScientific Reports, Published online: 28 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82351-9
Fabrication of hollow flower-like magnetic Fe3O4/C/MnO2/C3N4 composite with enhanced photocatalytic activity
1dScientific Reports, Published online: 28 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41598-021-81974-2 Fabrication of hollow flower-like magnetic Fe 3 O 4 /C/MnO 2 /C 3 N 4 composite with enhanced photocatalytic activity
Rapid 14C excursion at 3372-3371 BCE not observed at two different locations
1dNature Communications, Published online: 29 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41467-020-20695-y Rapid 14 C excursion at 3372-3371 BCE not observed at two different locations
Gut bacteria are essential for normal cuticle development in herbivorous turtle ants
1dNature Communications, Published online: 29 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41467-021-21065-y Microbial symbionts can help their hosts metabolise diverse diets. A study on herbivorous turtle ants identifies the cuticular components which are nitrogen-enriched by gut bacteria, highlighting the role of symbionts in insect evolution.
Single cell sequencing reveals endothelial plasticity with transient mesenchymal activation after myocardial infarction
1dNature Communications, Published online: 29 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41467-021-20905-1 Endothelial cells play a critical role in the adaptation of tissues to injury and show a remarkable plasticity. Here the authors show, using single cell sequencing, that endothelial cells acquire a transient mesenchymal state associated with metabolic adaptation after myocardial infarction.
De novo DNA methyltransferase activity in colorectal cancer is directed towards H3K36me3 marked CpG islands
1dNature Communications, Published online: 29 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41467-020-20716-w Aberrant gain of DNA methylation at CpG islands is frequently observed in colorectal tumours. Here the authors use ectopically integrated CpG islands in colorectal cancer cells and find that aberrantly methylated CpG islands are subject to low levels of de novo DNA methylation, and that instead de novo DNA me
Infrared nanospectroscopy reveals the molecular interaction fingerprint of an aggregation inhibitor with single Aβ42 oligomers
1dNature Communications, Published online: 29 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41467-020-20782-0 Our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying pathological protein aggregation remains incomplete. Here, single molecule infrared nanospectroscopy (AFM-IR) offers insight into the structure of Aβ42 oligomeric and fibrillar species and their interaction with an aggregation inhibitor, paving the way
H3K27me3-rich genomic regions can function as silencers to repress gene expression via chromatin interactions
1dNature Communications, Published online: 29 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41467-021-20940-y Mechanisms underlying gene repression and silencers remain poorly understood. Here the authors investigate the role of H3K27me3-rich regions in the genome, as defined from clusters of H3K27me3 peaks, in regulating gene expression via looping.
Electronic spin separation induced by nuclear motion near conical intersections
1dNature Communications, Published online: 29 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41467-020-20831-8 Spin polarization is at the basis of quantum information and underlies some natural processes, but many aspects still need to be explored. Here, the authors, by quantum mechanical computations, show that even a weak spin-orbit coupling near a conical intersection can induce large spin selection, with conseque
Quantum frequency doubling in the topological insulator Bi2Se3
1dNature Communications, Published online: 29 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41467-021-20983-1 Berry curvature dipole (BCD) leads to the nonlinear Hall effect manifested as a frequency doubling in topological materials. Here, the authors report electric frequency doubling in the absence of BCD and magnetic field on a surface of Bi2Se3 due to skew scattering arising from inherent chirality of the topolo
Helle Thorning-Schmidt og Facebooks tilsynsråd deler lussinger ud til giganten
1dI fire ud af fem sager blev Facebooks egne afgørelser underkendt af tilsynsrådet, hvor blandt andet den tidligere danske statsminister sidder. Og giganten får hård kritik for sin håndtering af blandt andet brystvorter og et Goebbels-citat.
Ekspert: Baneforbindelse mellem Helsingør og Helsingborg kan formentlig bygges billigere
1dPLUS. I den strategiske analyse af en HH-forbindelse er der taget udgangspunkt i en omfattende jernbane-løsning, som viser sig samfundsøkonomisk urentabel. Men en baneforbindelse kan gøres billigere, mener ekspert.
Lucka i lag ett hot mot offentlig konst
1dDet finns en lucka i lagen när det gäller bevarande av offentlig konst i byggnader. Kulturmiljövårdens aktörer saknar också kriterier för hur konsten ska värderas och vilka konstverk som är viktiga att bevara för framtiden. Konsten riskerar därför att hamna i privat ägo eller helt försvinna Sedan den så kallade enprocentsregeln infördes år 1937 har stora satsningar gjorts på byggnadsanknuten kons
Markante forskelle i kommuners bevillinger af flash glukosemålere
1dFra ingen til 91 pct. Så store er de kommunale forskelle på, hvor mange borgere med diabetes der får bevilget en glukosemåle. Se, hvor mange flash glukosemålere din kommune bevilger her.
Forty years of coral spawning captured in one place for the first time
1dEfforts to understand when corals reproduce have been given a boost thanks to a new resource that gives scientists open access to more than forty years' worth of information about coral spawning. Led by researchers at Newcastle University, UK, and James Cook University, Australia, the Coral Spawning Database (CSD) for the first time collates vital information about the timing and geographical vari
Researchers map heart recovery after heart attack with great detail
1dResearchers from the Hubrecht Institute mapped the recovery of the heart after a heart attack with great detail. They found that cardiomyocytes play an important role in the intracellular communication after a heart attack. The researchers documented their findings in a database that is accessible for scientists around the world. This brings the research field a step closer to the development of t
Threads that sense how and when you move? New technology makes it possible
1dEngineers have developed a thread-based sensor capable of monitoring the direction, angle of rotation and degree of displacement of the head. The design is a proof of principle that could be extended to measuring movements of other limbs by sensors attached like tatoos to the skin.
'Weak' and 'strong' cells bonding boosts body's diabetes fight
1dScientists have broadened our understanding of how 'weak' cells bond with their more mature cellular counterparts to boost the body's production of insulin, improving our knowledge of the processes leading to type 2 diabetes – a significant global health problem.
Prosopis juliflora acutely reduces water resources in Ethiopia, costing rural livelihoods
1dNew research has revealed how an invasion of the alien evergreen tree, Prosopis juliflora seriously diminishes water resources in the Afar Region of Ethiopia, consuming enough of this already scarce resource to irrigate cotton and sugarcane generating some US$ 320 million and US$ 470 million net benefits per year.
The influence of distance weight on the inverse distance weighted method for ore-grade estimation
1dScientific Reports, Published online: 29 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82227-y
Chimeric synthetic reference standards enable cross-validation of positive and negative controls in SARS-CoV-2 molecular tests
1dScientific Reports, Published online: 29 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41598-021-81760-0
Comparison of DNA sequencing and morphological identification techniques to characterize environmental fungal communities
1dScientific Reports, Published online: 29 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41598-021-81996-w
Biomechanical properties of a novel nonfusion artificial vertebral body for anterior lumbar vertebra resection and internal fixation
1dScientific Reports, Published online: 29 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82086-7
Optimal location of water level sensors for monitoring mine water inrush based on the set covering model
1dScientific Reports, Published online: 29 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82121-7
Risk of postpolypectomy bleeding in patients taking direct oral anticoagulants or clopidogrel
1dScientific Reports, Published online: 29 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82251-y
The role of peripheral type 2 innate lymphoid cells in bronchiolitis
1dScientific Reports, Published online: 29 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41598-021-82096-5
3D characterization of low optical absorption structures in large crystalline sapphire substrates for gravitational wave detectors
1dScientific Reports, Published online: 29 January 2021; doi:10.1038/s41598-020-80313-1
Kirurgens erfarenhet inte avgörande för resultatet
1dAtt en kirurg har lång erfarenhet är ingen garanti för bra resultat efter prostatacanceroperation. Vilken operationsmetod kirurgen använder är heller inte avgörande för resultatet på lång sikt. Det framkommer i en avhandling från Lunds universitet.
Fire ud af fem patienter i Syddanmark siger nej til hurtigere behandling i det private
1dPrivathospitaler er udpeget som en vigtig brik i håndteringen af den udskudte sygehusaktivitet under coronapandemien. I Region Syddanmark har blot hver femte borger valgt at takke ja til et hurtigere behandlingsforløb i det private. »Nærhed og tryghed fylder mere hos patienterne end ventetiden,« lyder det fra regionen.
Patientpukkel er mindre end forventet
1dSelvom færre patienter end forventet har taget imod tilbud om behandling i det private under coronapandemien, er puklen af patienter i Region Syddanmark ikke så voldsom som frygtet. Sådan lyder meldingen fra to af de hospitalsafdelinger, der har måttet udskyde en stor del af deres aktiviteter siden marts.
Bitcoin and blockchain 101: Why the future will be decentralized
1dWe've all heard terms like Bitcoin, blockchain, and cryptocurrency being thrown around in the past few years, but what do they mean? Consider this your crash course. Experts from across the spectrum of money and tech provide a history of commerce dating back tens of thousands of years, explain what blockchain and Bitcoin are and how they work, and offer insights into the differences between centr
Hope And Skepticism As Biden Promises To Address Environmental Racism
1dPeople of color experience more air and water pollution than white people and suffer the health impacts. Can Biden change that? (Image credit: Jenny Labalme)
Forty years of coral spawning captured in one place for the first time
1dEfforts to understand when corals reproduce have been given a boost thanks to a new resource that gives scientists open access to more than forty years' worth of information about coral spawning.
How an Eight-Sided ‘Egg’ Ended Up in a Robin’s Nest
1dAn experiment by evolutionary biologists offers new insights into birds’ brains.
Forty years of coral spawning captured in one place for the first time
1dEfforts to understand when corals reproduce have been given a boost thanks to a new resource that gives scientists open access to more than forty years' worth of information about coral spawning.
Extrema samlare får terapi – och hembesök
1dUpp till 2,5 procent av Sveriges vuxna befolkning beräknas lida av samlarsyndrom – ett tillstånd där man samlar på sig överdrivet mycket saker. Det kan gå så långt att personens bostad blir obrukbar, eller så förfallen att den boende hotas av vräkning.
How effective are J&J and Novavax's Covid vaccines and will they work against variants?
1dEverything you need to know about the trial results for the two new coronavirus vaccines Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage Novavax, made by a US company but trialled and supported in the UK, published its results on Thursday night and, within hours, Johnson & Johnson unveiled the final data from trials across the world of the single-dose vaccine made by its Belgian sub
We are seeing a global vaccine apartheid. People’s lives must come before profit | Winnie Byanyima
1dThe poorest countries are missing out on adequate doses of vaccines – and the health implications should concern us all Nine months ago world leaders were queueing up to declare any Covid-19 vaccine a global public good. Today we are witness to a vaccine apartheid that is only serving the interests of powerful and profitable pharmaceutical corporations while costing us the quickest and least harm
UK Covid live: UK secures 60m doses of new Novavax vaccine
1dLatest updates: trial results show the Novavax vaccine is highly protective against variant of coronavirus that emerged in Kent Novavax Covid vaccine shown to be nearly 90% effective in UK trial Healthy young people receiving Covid vaccine in parts of England EU could block millions of Covid vaccine doses from entering UK Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage 10.15am GMT J
Antennen, der er hurtigere end lyset
1dPLUS. Polarisationsstrømme med overlyshastighed kan bruges til at målrette forbindelser i 5G-net og til avanceret radarteknologi.
Novavax-vaccine viser effektivitet på 89,3 procent
1dVaccinen indeholder spike-proteiner produceret af møl-celler inficeret med en genmodificeret virus.
Miami Heat opens doors to fans thanks to COVID-sniffing dogs
1dMiami Heat fans were able to watch a basketball game in person for the first time since the pandemic shut down the NBA last March—in part thanks to dogs trained to detect COVID infections.
Miami Heat opens doors to fans thanks to COVID-sniffing dogs
1dMiami Heat fans were able to watch a basketball game in person for the first time since the pandemic shut down the NBA last March—in part thanks to dogs trained to detect COVID infections.
Tiger that undewent rare hip replacement surgery has setback
1dAn Amur tiger that underwent hip-replacement surgery at a zoo outside Chicago has managed to dislodge the orthopedic implant, veterinarians at Brookfield Zoo said Thursday.
Tiger that undewent rare hip replacement surgery has setback
1dAn Amur tiger that underwent hip-replacement surgery at a zoo outside Chicago has managed to dislodge the orthopedic implant, veterinarians at Brookfield Zoo said Thursday.
Two ADAURA analyses support use of Osimertinib for patients with surgically resected, Stage IB to IIIA non-small cell lung cancer
1dTwo presentations from the ADAURA clinical trial advanced previous research that demonstrated improved disease-fee survival (DFS) outcomes for patients with surgically resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving osimertinib. The data were reported today at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer's 2020 World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) Singapore.
Disabled teachers being 'sidelined' in drive for more inclusive schools
1dOne of the first academic studies to examine the working lives of disabled teachers in England has called for 'urgent change' after finding evidence of significant workplace discrimination and barriers to their career progression.
Novo Nordisk og Eli Lilly kæmper om førertrøjen
1dTo giganter på markedet for diabetesbehandling kæmper intenst om at blive markedsdominerende inden for behandling med GLP-1-midler. Novo Nordisk satte forleden et hårdt angreb ind, men Eli Lilly kan om nogle år sætte Novo skakmat.
Ad-Conned: A Critical Look At CASPer
1dMedical schools are facing a flood of applicants, and have started using for-profit tests alleged to assess people skills as a way to distinguish candidates. The evidence is weak, and lacks transparency. The post first appeared on Science-Based Medicine .
Box seat: scientists solve the mystery of why wombats have cube-shaped poo
1dUnique physiology allows the Australian marsupial to produce square-shaped faeces that may aid communication How wombats produce their cube-shape poo has long been a biological puzzle but now an international study has provided the answer to this unusual natural phenomenon. The cube shape is formed within the intestines – not at the point of exit, as previously thought – according to research pub
A brand-new blue may be the most eye-popping blue yet
1dCombine yttrium, indium, and manganese, then heat and serve. The new blue was synthesized by chemists at Oregon State University. YInMn Blue is the latest character in the weird history of the color blue. The color you're looking at in the unretouched photo above is a stunning new blue called "YInMn Blue." It's the first new inorganic blue pigment developed in hundreds of years. "YInMn Blue" is a
Tantalizing Evidence Hints Ancient Humans Had Stone Tools Before Opposable Thumbs
1dThe origins of our dexterity.
US space shuttle Challenger explodes after take-off – archive, 29 January 1986
1d29 January 1986 : Millions watch as NASA’s space shuttle Challenger explodes in the skies above Cape Canaveral, Florida, moments after launch Washington The future of America’s ambitious space shuttle programme was in complete turmoil last night after a devastating mid-air explosion, just one minute after takeoff, which killed the crew of seven, including the first ordinary citizen on the program
Photos of the Week: Space Bubbles, Frozen Falls, Mountain Movies
1dGiraffes in the Netherlands, bison in the United Kingdom, a beach day in Australia, flowers for International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the arrival of President Biden’s dogs at the White House, tug-of-war practice in Ireland, scenes from Paris Fashion Week, and much more
Shark Deaths Have Left a 'Gaping Hole' in Ocean Life, Chilling Report Shows
1dGuess who overfished them.
Vietnam rushes to contain outbreak of more contagious Covid variant
1dVirus is spreading in northern provinces after almost two months without any infections
Wombats Are The Only Animals Who Poop Cubes, And We Now Know How
1dAustralian fauna never fails to deliver.
Iowa and Ohio team finds strategy to protect developing brain from prenatal stress in mice
1dNew preclinical research from the University of Iowa and University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center demonstrates that mice offspring can be protected from the effects of prenatal stress by administering a neuroprotective compound during pregnancy.
Imaging zebrafish movements in 3D to better understand ALS disease
1dAn interdisciplinary team of the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) used an innovative imaging technique for a better understanding of motor deficits in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The researchers were able to follow the escape behaviour of normal and disease zebrafish models, in 3D. Their results have recently been published in Optica , the flagship journal of the Opti
Genetic screening before prescribing could benefit millions
1dNew research finds that millions of UK patients could benefit from genetic screening (cheek swab) before being prescribed common medications including antidepressants, stomach ulcer treatments and painkillers. More than 95 per cent of the population carry a genetic marker that predicts an atypical response to at least one medicine. The study looked at nine of these genetic markers, affecting 56 me
Obesity may exacerbate the effects of Alzheimer's disease, new study shows
1dNew research from the University of Sheffield has found being overweight is an additional burden on brain health and it may exacerbate Alzheimer's disease.
Human activity caused the long-term growth of greenhouse gas methane
1dDecadal growth rate of methane in the atmosphere varied dramatically over the past 30 yeas with three distinct periods of slowed (1988-1998), quasi-stationary (1999-2006) and renewed (2007-2016) phases. An inverse analysis with atmospheric chemistry transport modeling explained these variations consistently. While emissions from oil and gas exploitation and natural climate events caused the slowed
Alpine plants at risk of extinction following disappearing glaciers
1dNearly a quarter of Italian alpine plant species are threatened by glacier retreat, according to a new study from Stanford University. Glaciers around the world are predicted to disappear within the next decade and the consequences for the plants, animals and societies surrounding them are still uncertain. By combining historical records, current surveys and computational models, the researchers'
Alpine plants at risk of extinction following disappearing glaciers
1dBeyond the ski slopes, one of the most iconic symbols of the Alps are the alpine flowers. These plants are not only beautiful—they are also used in liqueurs and medicines, and they form the foundation of the local food chains. But a recent study in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution shows that, although plant diversity may initially increase with glacier retreat, many of these species may soon bec
Alpine plants at risk of extinction following disappearing glaciers
1dBeyond the ski slopes, one of the most iconic symbols of the Alps are the alpine flowers. These plants are not only beautiful—they are also used in liqueurs and medicines, and they form the foundation of the local food chains. But a recent study in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution shows that, although plant diversity may initially increase with glacier retreat, many of these species may soon bec
Dubai pays price for festive parties as coronavirus cases surge
1dHospitals feel strain even with new restrictions and mass vaccination drive
Drugmakers try to adapt Covid treatments to mutant strains
1dStudies suggest antibody therapies are less effective against new variants
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Ministre tavse om GDPR-koks i folkeskoler: »Jeg mødte en mur af tavshed«
1dFlere kommuner sender blindt børns persondata til tech-giganter uden overblik over de risici, som kan følge med. Men selvom flere kalder på politisk fokus på børnenes sikkerhed, så er minister fortsat tavs.
Covid travel restraints disrupt China’s new year festival
1dBillions of trips normally made home to celebrate holiday but Beijing worried about outbreaks
Novavax offers first evidence that COVID vaccines protect people against variants
1dNature, Published online: 29 January 2021; doi:10.1038/d41586-021-00268-9 Novavax’s experimental shot is highly effective against the variant identified in Britain — but saw a worrying drop in efficacy against a lineage detected in South Africa.
My new year's resolution came to a crashing halt in a lake full of swan poo | Matilda Boseley
1dI had resolved to ride my bike to work every day. The quest was a disaster from start to end As my bike’s front wheel hurtled towards the concrete ledge separating land from lake, two thoughts flashed through my mind. “Oh my God, I can’t destroy another work laptop” and “Well, there goes my new year’s resolution”. Continue reading…
Scientists capture the moments of nascent crystal formation and growth
1dScientists used high-performance TEM to image the process of gold atoms assembling into nanocrystals. It was discovered that the atoms undergo a spontaneous transition between disordered and crystalline states.
Loggerhead sea turtles lay eggs in multiple locations to improve reproductive success
1dAlthough loggerhead sea turtles return to the same beach where they hatched to lay their eggs, a new study finds individual females lay numerous clutches of eggs in locations miles apart from each other which increases the odds that some of their offspring will survive.
Marine heatwaves becoming more intense, more frequent
1dWhen thick, the surface layer of the ocean acts as a buffer to extreme marine heating — but a new study shows this 'mixed layer' is becoming shallower each year. The thinner it becomes, the easier it is to warm. The new work could explain recent extreme marine heatwaves, and point at a future of more frequent and destructive ocean warming events as global temperatures continue to climb.
New catalyst moves seawater desalination, hydrogen production closer to commercialization
1dSeawater is abundant and cheap, making it a tempting resource to meet the world's growing need for clean drinking water and carbon-free energy. Now researchers have reported a new catalyst that can be made quickly and inexpensively, bringing the technology closer to commercial reality.
New study unravels Darwin's 'abominable mystery' surrounding origin of flowering plants
1dThe origin of flowering plants famously puzzled Charles Darwin, who described their sudden appearance in the fossil record from relatively recent geological times as an 'abominable mystery'.
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How Universes Might Bubble Up and Collide – Facts So Romantic
1dReprinted with permission from Quanta Magazine’s Abstractions blog . Since they can’t prod actual universes as they inflate and bump into each other in the hypothetical multiverse, physicists are studying digital and physical analogs of the process. Phil Degginger / Science Source What lies beyond all we can see? The question may seem unanswerable. Nevertheless, some cosmologists have a response:
Skæv fordeling af offentlige ladestandere: Danske byer er dårligt forberedt til elbiler
1dPLUS. Flere danske byer har forsvindende få ladepladser til de tusindvis af beboere i etageejendomme, der er afhængige af offentlig ladeinfrastruktur.
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Bagsiden: Afgørelse om dimsen fra Døllefjelde
1dLæserne har talt: Dimsen fra Døllefjelde er (som udgangspunkt) ikke en pibestopper.
General Motors Aims To Be Carbon Neutral By 2040
1dThe automaker wants to eliminate tailpipe emissions by 2035 and support the expansion of recharging facilities for electric battery-powered cars. (Image credit: Damian Dovarganes/AP)
'Dodged a bullet': Melbourne lockdown may have prevented more deadly Covid-19 variant
1dResearchers say the variant that swept Victoria during last year’s second wave was mutating into something more worrying A variant of Covid-19 similar to the one that spread rampantly in the UK would likely have developed in Victoria during last year’s second wave had Melbourne not gone into an extended lockdown, a leading virologist says. Associate Prof Stuart Turville from the Kirby Institute a
635 million-year-old fungi-like microfossil that bailed us out of an ice age discovered
1dA team of scientists has discovered the remains of a fungi-like microfossil that emerged at the end of an ice age some 635 million years ago.
Putting bugs on the menu, safely
1dThe thought of eating insects is stomach turning for many, but new research is shedding light on allergy causing proteins which could pose serious health risks for those suffering from shellfish allergy. The research identified 20 proteins found in cricket food products which could cause serious allergic reactions.
Wireless brain-to-brain communication steps closer to human trials
1dBrain-to-machine interfaces have existed for years, but wireless and non-invasive interfaces aren't yet precise enough to be useful in real-world applications. In experiments on insects, a team at Rice University has successfully used light and magnetic fields to both read and write brain activity. The team hopes to use the technology to restore vision to the blind, while DARPA hopes to use brain
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The Asteroid Belt: Wreckage of a Destroyed Planet or Something Else?
1dThe asteroid belt is a ring of debris that exists between Mars and Jupiter. What caused it to form — and will it ever become a planet?
Novavax Covid vaccine shown to be nearly 90% effective in UK trial
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1dNovavax Vaccine UK
Government has ordered 60m doses of jab, which appears to work well against Kent variant Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage Another vaccine against Covid, trialled in the UK and bought by the government, has been shown to be nearly 90% effective and work against the UK and South African variants of the virus. The UK vaccines taskforce has bought 60m doses of the Novavax
A Shocking Number of COVID-19 Survivors Have Been Diagnosed With Neurological Issues
1dThe long impact of the pandemic.
Eleanor Torrey West, Preserver of Her Inherited Island, Dies at 108
1dOff Georgia’s coast, the lush 26,000-acre Ossabaw Island had been in her family since 1924. She dedicated her life to keeping it out of the hands of developers.
Novavax vaccine delivers 89% efficacy against COVID-19 in U.K.—but is less potent in South Africa
1dWorrisome variant reduces efficacy to less than 50% in South Africa
The Lancet: Study estimates that, without vaccination against 10 diseases, mortality in children under five would be 45% higher in low-income and middle-income countries
1dVaccinations against 10 major pathogens have a substantial impact on public health in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), according to new modelling research published in The Lancet . The study estimated that from 2000 to 2019 vaccinations have prevented 37 million deaths, and that this figure will increase to 69 million deaths for the period 2000-2030. Most of this impact is estimated
The Lancet Public Health: Ethnic health disparities among older adults in England equivalent to 20-year age difference, even before COVID-19
1dIn 15 out of 17 minority ethnic groups, health-related quality of life in older age (over 55 year-olds) was worse on average for either men, women, or both, than for White British people according to an observational study published in The Lancet Public Health journal.
Scientists find key function of molecule in cells crucial for regulating immunity
1dScientists discovered that AIM2 is important for the proper function of regulatory T cells, or Treg cells, and plays a key role in mitigating autoimmune disease. Treg cells are a seminal population of adaptive immune cells that prevents an overzealous immune response, such as those that occurs in autoimmune diseases.
Breakthrough for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
1dResearchers recently demonstrated a novel technique: plasma-grating-induced breakdown spectroscopy (GIBS).
Oceanic Shark and Ray Numbers Down 71 Percent over Past 50 Years
1dOverfishing is the biggest factor driving these species toward extinction, researchers conclude from a new study.
COVID-19 Deaths Are Still Rising
1dEditor’s Note: The Atlantic is making vital coverage of the coronavirus available to all readers. Find the collection here . Amid a slow and uneven rollout of vaccines and increasing concern about new variants of SARS-CoV-2, the pandemic indicators we’ve been watching since March reveal that outbreaks are easing all over the country. For the second week in a row, new cases and COVID-19 hospitaliz
Scientists Identify New Whale Species In Gulf Of Mexico
1dThe Rice's whale can grow to 42 feet and is critically endangered, with fewer than 100 left. (Image credit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
There’s a new COVID-19 vaccine in the running—but variants could pose a problem
1dThere may be more COVID-19 vaccine doses than we thought. (Pixabay/) Despite being more than a year into the pandemic, there is somehow more news than ever about COVID-19. With a new government administration, the past week or so has been especially news heavy. New plans have been laid for how to handle the pandemic, and as President Biden has signed a multitude of executive orders a whole host o
Lasing mechanism found in water droplets
1dWhen a water droplet interacts with a surface to form a contact angle, the interfacial molecular forces determine the geometry of a droplet resonator. Dramatic mechanical changes at the interface play a significant role in the optical oscillation of droplet resonators.
Robinhood Restricts GameStop Trading—in a Bid to Save Itself
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1dRobinhood GameStop
The online broker blocked users from trading several “meme stocks” on Thursday, as regulators take a close look at the WallStreetBets phenomenon.
Malaria threw human evolution into overdrive on this African archipelago
1dMalaria is an ancient scourge, but it's still leaving its mark on the human genome. And now, researchers have uncovered recent traces of adaptation to malaria in the islanders of Cabo Verde — thanks to a genetic mutation, inherited from their African ancestors, that prevents a type of malaria parasite from invading red blood cells. The findings represent one of the speediest, most dramatic change
Lasing mechanism found in water droplets
1dWhen a water droplet interacts with a surface to form a contact angle, the interfacial molecular forces determine the geometry of a droplet resonator. Dramatic mechanical changes at the interface play a significant role in the optical oscillation of droplet resonators.
Coronavirus latest: Hong Kong’s latest ‘ambush’ lockdown of tenements finds no new infections
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Facebook’s Oversight Board Has Spoken. It Hasn’t Solved Much
1dThe board’s first content moderation decisions show how impossible its task—and Facebook’s—really is.
From heat to spin to electricity: Understanding spin transport in thermoelectric devices
1dThermoelectric materials, which can generate an electric voltage in the presence of a temperature difference, are currently an area of intense research; thermoelectric energy harvesting technology is among our best shots at greatly reducing the use of fossil fuels and helping prevent a worldwide energy crisis. However, there are various types of thermoelectric mechanisms, some of which are less un
People's acceptance of inequality affects response to company wrongdoings
1dPeople who do not accept inequality are more likely to negatively evaluate companies that have committed wrongdoings than people who do accept inequality, and this response varies by culture, according to researchers at Penn State. The team also found that companies can improve their standing with consumers when they offer sincere apologies and remedies for the harm they caused to victims.
Scholars reveal the changing nature of US cities
1dCities are not all the same, or at least their evolution isn't, according to new research from the University of Colorado Boulder.
GM Commits to Ending Sales of Gas-Powered Cars by 2035
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1dGM General Motors 2035
Hard Deadline General Motors, the largest legacy automaker in the United States, announced on Thursday that it plans to stop selling all gasoline or diesel-powered cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs by the year 2035. It’s a huge commitment for an automaker, especially because the vast majority of GM’s sales currently come from gas-burning cars rather than electric vehicles, Axios reports . In GM’s cas
Immune system sets 'tripwire' to protect against viruses
1dScientists are opening new windows into understanding more about the constantly shifting evolutionary arms race between viruses and the hosts they seek to infect. Host organisms and pathogens are in a perennial chess match to exploit each other's weaknesses.
As if They Weren't Weird Enough, Naked Mole Rats Have Culture-Based Dialects
1dHow you chirp tells others you're not from around here.
Immune system sets 'tripwire' to protect against viruses
1dScientists are opening new windows into understanding more about the constantly shifting evolutionary arms race between viruses and the hosts they seek to infect. Host organisms and pathogens are in a perennial chess match to exploit each other's weaknesses.
New biosensors quickly detect coronavirus proteins and antibodies
1dScientists have created a new way to detect the proteins that make up the pandemic coronavirus, as well as antibodies against it. They designed protein-based biosensors that glow when mixed with components of the virus or specific COVID-19 antibodies. This breakthrough could enable faster and more widespread testing in the near future. The research appears in Nature.
Experiments show the record of early life could be full of 'false positives'
1dFor most of Earth's history, life was limited to the microscopic realm, with bacteria occupying nearly every possible niche. Life is generally thought to have evolved in some of the most extreme environments, like hydrothermal vents deep in the ocean or hot springs that still simmer in Yellowstone. Much of what we know about the evolution of life comes from the rock record, which preserves rare fo
New biosensors quickly detect coronavirus proteins and antibodies
1dScientists have created a new way to detect the proteins that make up the pandemic coronavirus, as well as antibodies against it. They designed protein-based biosensors that glow when mixed with components of the virus or specific COVID-19 antibodies. This breakthrough could enable faster and more widespread testing in the near future. The research appears in Nature.
Workplace disrupted – five themes that will define the future of work
1dLast year the Government of India announced ground-breaking measures that ease several registration and compliance requirements to enable employees of IT and BPO companies to work from anywhere, permanently. This was a watershed moment for the future of jobs and workplaces scripted in a country that has 4.36 million ICT workers (almost half of that of the whole of Europe) who are at the forefront
New biosensors quickly detect coronavirus proteins and antibodies
1dResearchers have designed protein-based biosensors that glow when mixed with targeted molecules, such as components of the pandemic coronavirus or specific COVID-19 antibodies. This development could allow for faster, more widespread testing in the near future. Similar biosensors could be designed to detect medically relevant human proteins such as Her2 (a biomarker for some breast cancers) and Bc
Pregnant Women Get Conflicting Advice on Covid-19 Vaccines
1dThe W.H.O. and the C.D.C. provide differing views, and experts partly blame a lack of data because expectant mothers have been excluded from clinical trials.
Immune system sets 'tripwire' to protect against viruses
1dA new study by UC San Diego biologists has revealed insights on the intricate, adaptive mechanisms of a protective system employed by the cells of mammalian immune systems. These defenses have evolved to set a type of tripwire that produces an immune response against attack from viruses.
Experiments show the record of early life could be full of "false positives"
1dFor most of Earth's history, life was limited to the microscopic realm, with bacteria occupying nearly every possible niche. Life is generally thought to have evolved in some of the most extreme environments, like hydrothermal vents deep in the ocean or hot springs that still simmer in Yellowstone.
Covid apps could get a second chance under Biden—but it will take work
1dAs the Biden administration ramps up, it inherits soaring cases and a muddled vaccine rollout— so it’s reasonable to wonder what else can possibly slow the spread of covid-19. Some strategies in the administration’s covid plan are basics, like calling on people to wear masks, doing more testing, and communicating more clearly. But digital technology gets a nod, too: tucked into a list of promises
Fruit Fly Brain Hacked For Language Processing
1dA simulated fruit fly brain has learnt to perform natural language processing tasks.
Politicians Slam Platforms for Halting Wall Street Bets Trades
1dFree Market Politicians are up in arms after the stock trading app Robinhood and other online trading services blocked users from buying shares in companies including GameStop and AMC Entertainment Holdings. The backstory: Redditors in the community Wall Street Bets chose a handful of companies, most prominently GameStop, to target with a campaign that pushed their stock value way, way up . In re
Novavax’s Covid-19 vaccine shown to be 89% effective
1dUS biotech says its jab also displayed ‘significant clinical efficacy’ against two virus variants
Scholars reveal the changing nature of U.S. cities
1dNew findings buck the historical view that most cities in the United States developed in similar ways. Using a century's worth of urban spatial data, researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder found a long history of urban size (how big a place is) "decoupling" from urban form (the shape and structure of a city), leading to cities not all evolving the same–or even close.
Novavax’s Vaccine Works Well — Except on Variant First Found in South Africa
1dAn early analysis in Britain found that the vaccine had an efficacy rate of nearly 90 percent. But in a small South Africa trial, the efficacy rate dropped to just under 50 percent.
COVID fear opens you up to misinformation
1dFear in response to COVID-19 causes people to think more rigidly and makes it harder for them to recognize misinformation and more likely to spread it, according to new research. In the binational study conducted during the early months of the pandemic, researchers examined the influence of fear of COVID-19 on several social and cognitive factors among 565 adults living in Italy and the US. The g
Simulation helps refine pediatric care guidelines for COVID-19
1dDALLAS – Jan. 28, 2021 – Simulation can be a viable way to quickly evaluate and refine new medical guidelines and educate hospital staff in new procedures, a recent study from UT Southwestern's Department of Pediatrics shows. The findings, published recently in the journal Pediatric Quality and Safety and originally shaped around new COVID-19-related pediatric resuscitation procedures at UTSW and
Turn that old bread into pizza in less than 30 minutes
1dJust try saying no to that. (Farideh Sadeghin/) This story was originally featured on Saveur . I could eat pizza all day, every day. But I don’t always have the time to make my own crust. Delivery adds up, and store-bought crusts tend to be pretty low quality. That’s where this recipe comes in. It isn’t even so much of a recipe, per se, but a guideline for happiness. Oftentimes, we have leftover
Marine heatwaves becoming more intense, more frequent
1dWhen thick, the surface layer of the ocean acts as a buffer to extreme marine heating—but a new study from the University of Colorado Boulder shows this "mixed layer" is becoming shallower each year. The thinner it becomes, the easier it is to warm. The new work could explain recent extreme marine heatwaves, and point at a future of more frequent and destructive ocean warming events as global temp
The FAA Said SpaceX Couldn’t Launch Starship, But It Fueled Up Anyway
1dStory so Far SpaceX had been scheduled to test the latest iteration of its Starship rocket today. Then the Federal Aviation Administration announced that it had scrubbed the launch — prompting a furious response from SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. But instead of standing down, SpaceX went ahead and continued fueling up the spacecraft. In fact, at press time, SpaceX had completed the fueling process and mo
Study examines attitudes toward climate change risk
1dA University of Otago study explored factors which influence Americans' levels of concern over climate change, providing discussion on how those factors could impact mitigation efforts.
3-D printing resins in dental devices may be toxic to reproductive health
1dTwo commercially available 3-D-printable resins, which are marketed as being biocompatible for use in dental applications, readily leach compounds into their surroundings. These compounds can induce severe toxicity in the oocyte, the immature precursor of the egg which can eventually be fertilized, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study in mouse oocytes.
Study shows why anesthetic stops cell's walkers in their tracks
1dLike a wrench that gums up the gears, a common anesthetic keeps the motor proteins in your cells from making their rounds.
Management without morals can lead to employees' unethical behavior, study finds
1dAn organization that projects an ethical face but whose managers fail to respond to internal ethical situations sends mixed messages to its employees, which can lead to a lack of employees' moral courage and an increase in unethical behavior, according to a study led by a Baylor University researcher.
Storm batters Bermuda, forces cancelation of flights
1dA heavy winter storm battered Bermuda on Thursday, forcing the British territory to cancel some flights and close schools early.
Study shows why anesthetic stops cell's walkers in their tracks
1dLike a wrench that gums up the gears, a common anesthetic keeps the motor proteins in your cells from making their rounds.
From heat to spin to electricity: Understanding spin transport in thermoelectric devices
1dSpin thermoelectric materials are an area of active research because of their potential applications in thermal energy harvesters. However, the physics underlying the effects of interlayers in these materials on spin transport phenomena are unclear. In a recent study, scientists from Chung-Ang University, Korea, shed light on this topic using a newly developed platform to measure the spin Seebeck
People's acceptance of inequality affects response to company wrongdoings
1dPeople who do not accept inequality are more likely to negatively evaluate companies that have committed wrongdoings than people who do accept inequality, and this response varies by culture, according to researchers at Penn State. The team also found that companies can improve their standing with consumers when they offer sincere apologies and remedies for the harm they caused to victims.
Otago study examines attitudes toward climate change risk
1dA University of Otago study explored factors which influence Americans' levels of concern over climate change, providing discussion on how those factors could impact mitigation efforts.
35 years since Challenger launch disaster: 'Never forgotten'
1dNASA leaders, retired launch directors, families of fallen astronauts and space fans marked the 35th anniversary of the Challenger disaster on Thursday, vowing never to forget the seven who died during liftoff.
Tropical cyclones are nearing land more, except in Atlantic
1dTropical cyclones across the globe, except Atlantic hurricanes, are moving closer to land in recent decades, a new study found.
AI Poised to Revolutionize Longevity, Scientists Say
1dNew developments in both sophisticated machine learning and biomedical research suggest that AI may soon be even better equipped to find new ways to extend our lifespans — and our healthspans — than human scientists. Typically, medical AI is trained to tackle specific diseases or conditions, either from a diagnostic standpoint or as a research tool when hunting for new treatments . But treating o
Climate Change Could Drive Sharks to Fishing Grounds: Study
1dBlue sharks don't dive as deeply in low-oxygen waters—which become more prevalent as oceans warm—effectively pushing them into areas of high fishing pressure.
A little LSD makes mice more social. People too?
1dA new discovery from a study with mice indicates one of the possible mechanisms that lets LSD increase social interaction. The findings, which could help unlock potential therapeutic applications in treating certain psychiatric diseases, including anxiety and alcohol use disorders, appear in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences . Psychedelic drugs , including LSD, were popular in t
Risk analysis helps contend with uncertainty of in-person activities
1dPeople now have access to better real-time information about COVID-19 infection and transmission rates, but they still have to decide what is safe to do. A new model co-authored by mathematician John McCarthy at Washington University in St. Louis helps to contend with the uncertainty.
Study shows when housing quality is poor, children suffer
1dA new nationally representative study in the Journal of Child Health Care , led by researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital, has found poor-quality housing is independently associated with poorer pediatric health, and suggests ways health care providers and housing programs may address those findings.
Paul Crutzen, who shared Nobel for ozone work, has died
1dPaul J. Crutzen, a Dutch scientist who won the Nobel Prize for chemistry for his work understanding the ozone hole and is credited with coining the term Anthropocene to describe the geological era shaped by mankind, has died.
What the New COVID-19 Strains Mean for Herd Immunity, Vaccine Efficacy
1dDisease specialists studying new SARS-CoV-2 variants discuss whether virus mutations could upend herd immunity timelines and thwart vaccine progress.
Counties with more cannabis dispensaries show reduced opioid deaths
1dThis is the first study to examine the association between active cannabis dispensary operations — both medical and recreational — and opioid-related mortality rates at the county level, suggesting that providing alternative pain management could improve public health outcomes, researchers said.
Marine heatwaves becoming more intense, more frequent
1dWhen thick, the surface layer of the ocean acts as a buffer to extreme marine heating–but a new study from the University of Colorado Boulder shows this "mixed layer" is becoming shallower each year. The thinner it becomes, the easier it is to warm. The new work could explain recent extreme marine heatwaves, and point at a future of more frequent and destructive ocean warming events as global tem
Screening asymptomatic health care personnel for COVID-19 not recommended by experts
1dRoutine screening of asymptomatic health care personnel in the absence of confirmed exposures to COVID-19 is not a recommended strategy for preventing transmission of COVID-19, according to a new review. It found that such testing is unlikely to affect the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in health care settings and could even have unintended negative consequences.
WHO Team Hits the Streets to Investigate COVID Origins in China
1dThe investigators dispatched to China by the World Health Organization to investigate the coronavirus’s origins are finally getting to work. Two weeks after entering the country — which was a whole can of worms in itself — the team has emerged from the Wuhan hotel where it quarantined, the Associated Press reports . Now, finally, the scientists can get to work and try to figure out where, when, a
U.S. must unify atmospheric biology research or risk national security, scientists say
1dGlobal circulating winds can carry bacteria, fungal spores, viruses and pollen over long distances and across national borders, but the United States is ill-prepared to confront future disease outbreaks or food-supply threats caused by airborne organisms, says a new paper published in the Ecological Society of America's journal Ecological Applications.
Loggerhead sea turtles lay eggs in multiple locations to improve reproductive success
1dAlthough loggerhead sea turtles return to the same beach where they hatched to lay their eggs, a new study by a USF professor finds individual females lay numerous clutches of eggs in locations miles apart from each other to increase the chance that some of their offspring will survive.
U.S. must unify atmospheric biology research or risk national security, scientists say
1dGlobal circulating winds can carry bacteria, fungal spores, viruses and pollen over long distances and across national borders, but the United States is ill-prepared to confront future disease outbreaks or food-supply threats caused by airborne organisms, says a new paper published in the Ecological Society of America's journal Ecological Applications.
Loggerhead sea turtles lay eggs in multiple locations to improve reproductive success
1dAlthough loggerhead sea turtles return to the same beach where they hatched to lay their eggs, a new study by a USF professor finds individual females lay numerous clutches of eggs in locations miles apart from each other to increase the chance that some of their offspring will survive.
Researchers used ultrabright X-rays to identify lithium hydride and a new form of lithium fluoride
1dA team of researchers led by chemists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory has identified new details of the reaction mechanism that takes place in batteries with lithium metal anodes. The findings, published today in Nature Nanotechnology, are a major step towards developing smaller, lighter, and less expensive batteries for electric vehicles.
Unlocking PTSD: New study reveals why trauma-focused psychotherapy treatment works
1dTrauma-focused psychotherapy is the best-known treatment for PTSD. But how does it work? A researcher may have found the answer by exploring how different parts of the brain talk to one another.
Healthy lifespan analysis using nematodes
1dResearchers have developed an automated measurement system to assess healthy lifespan using nematodes. This system performs a mini-population analysis to classify specific populations of nematodes based on qualitative differences in lifespan. Since there are many similarities between the mechanisms that determine the lifespan of nematodes and humans, this system could make it easier to develop dru
Chloroplast-fortified 3D-printer ink may strengthen products
1dImage that products could be strengthened with the same living materials that provide nutrients to strengthen trees. Professor Qiming Wang's research lab is one of the first to infuse 3-D printer ink with living material. The material has potential for greater strength, to be flexible and self-heal.
Sotorasib provides durable clinical benefit for patients with NSCLC and KRAS mutations
1dIn the phase II CodeBreak 100 trial, sotorasib provided durable clinical benefit with a favorable safety profile in patients with pretreated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and who harbor KRAS p.G12C mutations, validating CodeBreak 100s phase I results, according to research presented today at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer World Conference on Lung Cancer.
Rumen additive and controlled energy benefit dairy cows during dry period
1dGetting nutrition right during a dairy cow's dry period can make a big difference to her health and the health of her calf. But it's also a key contributor to her milk yield after calving. New research from the University of Illinois shows diets containing consistent energy levels and the rumen-boosting supplement monensin may be ideal during the dry period.
Thick lithosphere casts doubt on plate tectonics in Venus's geologically recent past
1dAt some point between 300 million and 1 billion years ago, a large cosmic object smashed into the planet Venus, leaving a crater more than 170 miles in diameter. A team of Brown University researchers has used that ancient impact scar to explore the possibility that Venus once had Earth-like plate tectonics.
Breakthrough for laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
1dLaser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a rapid chemical analysis tool. A powerful laser pulse is focused on a sample to create a microplasma. The elemental or molecular emission spectra from that microplasma can be used to determine the elemental composition of the sample.
Harnessing the power of AI to understand warm dense matter
1dThe study of warm dense matter helps us understand what is going on inside giant planets, brown dwarfs, and neutron stars. However, this state of matter, which exhibits properties of both solids and plasmas, does not occur naturally on Earth. It can be produced artificially in the lab using large X-ray experiments, albeit only at a small scale and for short periods of time. Theoretical and numeric
National laboratories' look to the future of light sources with new magnet prototype
1dWith a powerful enough light, you can see things that people once thought would be impossible. Large-scale light source facilities generate that powerful light, and scientists use it to create more durable materials, build more efficient batteries and computers, and learn more about the natural world.
Rumen additive and controlled energy benefit dairy cows during dry period
1dGetting nutrition right during a dairy cow's dry period can make a big difference to her health and the health of her calf. But it's also a key contributor to her milk yield after calving. New research from the University of Illinois shows diets containing consistent energy levels and the rumen-boosting supplement monensin may be ideal during the dry period.
Arabidopsis cell wall composition determines disease resistance specificity and fitness [Plant Biology]
1dPlant cell walls are complex structures subject to dynamic remodeling in response to developmental and environmental cues and play essential functions in disease resistance responses. We tested the specific contribution of plant cell walls to immunity by determining the susceptibility of a set of Arabidopsis cell wall mutants (cwm) to…
Discovery of a small protein factor involved in the coordinated degradation of phycobilisomes in cyanobacteria [Plant Biology]
1dPhycobilisomes are the major pigment–protein antenna complexes that perform photosynthetic light harvesting in cyanobacteria, rhodophyte, and glaucophyte algae. Up to 50% of the cellular nitrogen can be stored in their giant structures. Accordingly, upon nitrogen depletion, phycobilisomes are rapidly degraded following an intricate genetic program. Here, we describe the role…
A lower-than-expected saltation threshold at Martian pressure and below [Physics]
1dAeolian sediment transport is observed to occur on Mars as well as other extraterrestrial environments, generating ripples and dunes as on Earth. The search for terrestrial analogs of planetary bedforms, as well as environmental simulation experiments able to reproduce their formation in planetary conditions, are powerful ways to question our…
Synchronized eye movements predict test scores in online video education [Psychological and Cognitive Sciences]
1dExperienced teachers pay close attention to their students, adjusting their teaching when students seem lost. This dynamic interaction is missing in online education. We hypothesized that attentive students follow videos similarly with their eyes. Thus, attention to instructional videos could be assessed remotely by tracking eye movements. Here we show…
Early phonetic learning without phonetic categories: Insights from large-scale simulations on realistic input [Psychological and Cognitive Sciences]
1dBefore they even speak, infants become attuned to the sounds of the language(s) they hear, processing native phonetic contrasts more easily than nonnative ones. For example, between 6 to 8 mo and 10 to 12 mo, infants learning American English get better at distinguishing English and [l], as in “rock”…
Antibiotikaresistens sprids lättare än väntat
1dBakterier i människor utvecklar idag antibiotikaresistens betydligt snabbare än väntat. Överföring av resistensgener mellan bakterier, och till människa är en orsak. Det kan finnas överföringsmekanismer mellan mängder av bakteriearter och miljöer, där man hittills trott att det fanns barriärer, menar forskare vid Chalmers. Antibiotikaresistens är enligt WHO ett av de största hoten mot global häls
Healthy lifespan analysis using nematodes
1dResearchers have developed an automated measurement system to assess healthy lifespan using nematodes. This system performs a mini-population analysis to classify specific populations of nematodes based on qualitative differences in lifespan. Since there are many similarities between the mechanisms that determine the lifespan of nematodes and humans, this system could make it easier to develop dru
Top 10 work rrends for 2021
1dThe topics on SIOP's 2021 Top 10 Work Trends list are multifaceted and complex–some have been on prior years' lists and others are very focused trends resulting from the distress of a global pandemic and critical social issues that came to the forefront in 2020.
Viral sequencing can reveal how SARS-CoV-2 spreads and evolves
1dThe article summarizes key insights about SARS-CoV-2 that have already been gained by sequencing of its genome from individual patient samples. It also cites challenges that remain, including the collection and integration of metadata into genetic analyses and the need for the development of more efficient and scalable computational methods to apply to hundreds of thousands of genomes.
Researchers reveal in-situ manipulation of active Au-TiO2 interface
1dAn international joint research team from the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, along with Zhejiang University and the Technical University of Denmark, reported an in-situ strategy to manipulate interfacial structure with atomic precision during catalytic reactions.
A glimpse into the wardrobe of King David and King Solomon, 3000 years ago
1dIn groundbreaking research, archaeologists have recovered scraps of fabric dyed in royal purple from the time of King David and King Solomon. According to the researchers, 'The color immediately attracted our attention, but we found it hard to believe we had found true purple from such an ancient era'.
The Weird Quirks of the Male Libido
2dThe refractory period, the prolactin myth and other mysteries of a man’s sex drive.
Thick lithosphere casts doubt on plate tectonics in Venus's geologically recent past
2dA study of a giant impact crater on Venus suggests that its lithosphere was too thick to have had Earth-like plate tectonics, at least for much of the past billion years.
All hail the queen: Naked mole-rat colonies have their own dialects—selected by their monarch
2dDifferences in the mammals’ chirps serve to distinguish members of the community from foreigners
Elon Musk Lashes Out at FAA For Scrubbing Starship Launch
2dBacklash Machine SpaceX was planning to test the latest prototype of its ultra-ambitious Starship rocket today. Then a space journalist reported that the FAA had scrubbed the launch — prompting a sharp tongued response from SpaceX’s mercurial CEO, Elon Musk. “Unlike its aircraft division, which is fine, the FAA space division has a fundamentally broken regulatory structure,” Musk replied . Past a
Five Things in Biden's Climate Day Orders That Flew Under the Radar
2dItems include permitting for fossil fuel infrastructure and creating jobs to clean up pollution — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
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