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Chimps focus on positive relationships in old age
7dAs they get older, wild chimpanzees seek interactions with other group members in increasingly positive ways, a new study shows. Humans prioritize close, positive relationships during aging, which can support physical and mental health. The researchers have now found these social aging behaviors in wild chimpanzees. The study, published in Science , uses data from the Kanyawara chimpanzee communi
Surprise! The Section 230 Hearing Wasn't About Section 230
7dSection 230 Twitter
Republican senators unloaded on Twitter's Jack Dorsey, but had little to say about reforming the foundational internet law.
Astronomers discover activity on distant planetary object
7dA team of astronomers, earlier this year announced their discovery of activity emanating from Centaur 2014 OG392, a planetary object first found in 2014. As a result of the team's discovery, the Centaur has recently been reclassified as a comet, and will be known as 'C/2014 OG392 (PANSTARRS).'
Researchers examine the decline in average body temperature among healthy adults over the past two decades
7dIn the nearly two centuries since German physician Carl Wunderlich established 98.6°F (37 C) as the standard "normal" body temperature, it has been used by parents and doctors alike as the measure by which fevers—and often the severity of illness—have been assessed.
Researchers examine the decline in average body temperature among healthy adults over the past two decades
7dIn the nearly two centuries since German physician Carl Wunderlich established 98.6°F (37 C) as the standard "normal" body temperature, it has been used by parents and doctors alike as the measure by which fevers—and often the severity of illness—have been assessed.
Antibody screening finds COVID-19 nearly 7 times more prevalent in O.C. than thought
7dTesting a representative sample of Orange County residents for a wide range of coronavirus antibodies, University of California, Irvine researchers found that 11.5 percent of them have antibodies for COVID-19, in contrast to previous estimates of less than 2 percent.
Brazilian researchers discover how muscle regenerates after exercise
7dAdaptation of muscle tissue to aerobic exercise alters the metabolism of muscle stem cells, helping them recover from injury. Findings may contribute to treatment of cachexia, sarcopenia and other conditions associated with lean mass loss.
High-sugar diet can damage the gut, intensifying risk for colitis
7dDALLAS – Oct. 28, 2020 – Mice fed diets high in sugar developed worse colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and researchers examining their large intestines found more of the bacteria that can damage the gut's protective mucus layer.
A drop in temperature
7dIn the nearly two centuries since German physician Carl Wunderlich established 98.6°F as the standard "normal" body temperature, it has been used by parents and doctors alike as the measure by which fevers — and often the severity of illness — have been assessed.
Dull-colored birds don't see the world like colorful birds do
7dBengalese finches — also called the Society finch — are a species of brown, black and white birds that don't rely on colorful signals when choosing a mate. Consequently, when presented with a color-perception test that their bright red-beaked cousins the Zebra finches routinely ace, they seem to be paying more attention to differences in brightness than hue.
Juno data indicates 'sprites' or 'elves' frolic in Jupiter's atmosphere
7dAn instrument on NASA's Juno mission spacecraft may have detected transient luminous events — bright flashes of light in the gas giant's upper atmosphere.
Death rates among people with severe COVID-19 drop by a half in England
7dDeath rates from people with severe COVID-19 in hospital have dropped to around a half of the rate at the peak of the pandemic, new research has revealed.
Liquid nanofoam: A game changer for future football helmets
7dA liquid nanofoam liner undergoing testing could prolong the safe use of football helmets, says a Michigan State University researcher.
Liquid nanofoam: A game changer for future football helmets
7dA liquid nanofoam liner undergoing testing could prolong the safe use of football helmets, says a Michigan State University researcher.
Antiseizure medication in pregnancy associated with twice the risk of autism in child
7dWomen with epilepsy who take the antiseizure drug valproic acid while pregnant are at more than double the risk of having children with autism spectrum disorder and nearly double the risk of having children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a study in the October 28, 2020, online issue of Neurology ®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Study raises questions about role of leisure activity in dementia
7dStudies have suggested that taking part in leisure activities such as playing cards or gardening may be associated with a lower risk of developing dementia. But a new study found no association between taking part in leisure activities at age 56 and the risk of dementia over the next 18 years. The study is published in the October 28, 2020, online issue of Neurology ®, the medical journal of the A
Land Managers Can't Burn the West Fast Enough
7dThe West will have many more summers like this past one. Extreme heat waves, wind events, and droughts will make severe, destructive fires an inevitability. The air will be choked with smoke from July to October, and tens of thousands of people will likely be displaced by wildfires in the next decade. For all of humanity's attempts at setting boundaries between our spaces and wild ones, every sum
Jenisha Watts Joining The Atlantic as Senior Editor for Projects
7dAs The Atlantic grows capacity and ambition for its largest journalism ventures, the editors announced today that Jenisha Watts has been hired as a senior editor on The Atlantic's special projects team. Watts will begin with The Atlantic on November 4; she was most recently the culture editor of The Undefeated. "Jenisha is a brilliant editor and a creative thinker with a deep Atlantic sensibility
Thrifty bacteria thrive on something in the air
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-03037-2 Borrowed genes help E. coli to subsist on the relatively modest levels of carbon dioxide in Earth's atmosphere.
Media Multitasking Disrupts Memory, Even in Young Adults
7dSimultaneous TV, texting and Instagram lead to memory-sapping attention lapses — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Study helps explain why motivation to learn declines with age
7dMIT neuroscientists have identified a brain circuit critical for learning to make decisions that require evaluating the cost or reward of an action. They showed this circuit is negatively affected by aging and in Huntington's disease.
In the Hunt for Planet Nine, Astronomers Eye a New Search Technique
7d"Shifting and stacking" method could unveil the elusive world and other objects in the outer solar system — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
This Neural Network Turns You Into a Zombie
7dPatient Zero A new website uses a generative adversarial network (GAN), a type of artificial intelligence algorithm, to zombify your selfies. The site, makemeazombie.com , works like similar GAN projects : Upload a picture of your or anyone else's face, and let it get to work . It's like the high-effort version of an Instagram face filter, just in time for a Halloween season where parties are bei
Quarantines and other non-medical tactics cut COVID deaths
7dVoluntary shelter-in-place, quarantines, and other non-pharmaceutical interventions can reduce the peak number of COVID infections, daily infection rates, cumulative infections, and overall deaths, researchers report. "High compliance with voluntary quarantine—where the entire household stays home if there is a person with symptoms or risk of exposure in the household—has a significant impact on
Media Multitasking Disrupts Memory, Even in Young Adults
7dSimultaneous TV, texting and Instagram lead to memory-sapping attention lapses — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Media Multitasking Disrupts Memory, Even in Young Adults
7dSimultaneous TV, texting and Instagram lead to memory-sapping attention lapses — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
What to Wear When Battling the Venomous Asian Giant Hornet
7dThe suits worn by Washington state entomologists aren't "official" hornet-fighting armor. But they were affordable—and came up in an Amazon search.
The next-generation bots interfering with the US election
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-03034-5 Data scientist Emilio Ferrara tells Nature that fake social-media accounts are harder to detect than ever before.
In study of 30,000 mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients, antibody responses can persist for five months
7dResearchers who studied antibody responses in 30,000 patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 report that the patients' antibodies were relatively stable for at least five months.
Most people mount a strong antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 that does not decline rapidly
7dThe vast majority of individuals infected with mild-to-moderate COVID 19 mount a robust antibody response that is relatively stable for at least five months, according to research conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published October 28, in the journal Science.
New imaging technique doubles visibility of brain tumors in scans
7dA new three-dimensional imaging technique has been developed that greatly improves the visibility of brain tumors in magnetic resonance imaging scans. The technique will potentially enable earlier diagnosis of tumors when they are smaller and more treatable.
Baking soda treatment may help prevent leukemia relapse after stem cell transplants
7dScientists have discovered that sodium bicarbonate – also known as baking soda or bicarbonate of soda – can reprogram T cells in leukemia patients to resist the immune-suppressing effects of cancer cells, which can drive leukemia relapse after stem cell transplants.
Raptor-inspired drone with morphing wing and tail
7dEPFL engineers have developed a drone with a feathered wing and tail that give it unprecedented flight agility.
Leaving more big fish in the sea reduces CO2 emissions
7dLeaving more big fish–like tuna, sharks, mackerel and swordfish–in the sea reduces the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) released into the Earth's atmosphere.This is because when a fish dies in the ocean it sinks to the depths and sequestrates all the carbon it contains with it. This is a form of 'blue carbon'. Big fish are about 10 to 15 percent carbon.
Burning biomass fuels at home led to 32% of premature deaths from inhaling fine particles in China in 2014
7dThe burning of biomass fuels such as wood and crop residues, which are often used for cooking and heating homes in rural China, contributed to 32% of an estimated 1,150,000 premature deaths caused by inhaling fine particle pollutants in China in 2014, according to a new study. Residential energy use of all types led to 67% of these premature deaths overall, the findings
Scientists discover second key pathway in colon cancer stem cell growth
7dScientists have discovered a link between two key signaling pathways crucial to the development and growth of colon cancer. The scientists identified the link between the retinoic acid or RA signaling pathway and another pathway critical to tumor development, called the Wingless-related integration site or WNT pathway. WNT signaling gone wrong is associated with numerous cancers, likely contributi
Infrared light antenna powers molecular motor
7dLight-controlled molecular motors can be used to create functional materials, to provide autonomous motion or in systems that can respond on command, for example, to open drug-containing vesicles. For biological applications, this requires the motors to be driven by low-energy, low-intensity light that penetrates tissue. Chemists at the University of Groningen designed a rotary motor that is effic
Multi-drone system autonomously surveys penguin colonies
7dA new multi-drone imaging system was put to the test in Antarctica. The task? Documenting a colony of roughly 1 million Adélie penguins.
Arctic sea ice at record low October levels: Danish institute
7dSea ice in the Arctic was at record lows for October, as unusually warm waters slowed the recovery of the ice, Danish researchers said Wednesday.
Controlling monkey brains with light could get easier thanks to open data project
7dOptogenetic tools refined in rodents have been tricky to use in nonhuman primates
Antibody-producing yeast vanquishes deadly gut infection in mice
7dProbiotic engineered to combat stubborn Clostridioides difficile bacteria
Botswana probes as dozens of endangered vultures found dead
7dAuthorities and conservationists have launched a probe after dozens of critically-endangered vultures were found dead from suspected poisoning in Botswana's famed northeastern Makgadikgadi wetlands, a wildlife expert said Wednesday.
Botswana probes as dozens of endangered vultures found dead
7dAuthorities and conservationists have launched a probe after dozens of critically-endangered vultures were found dead from suspected poisoning in Botswana's famed northeastern Makgadikgadi wetlands, a wildlife expert said Wednesday.
Exponential increase of plastic burial in mangrove sediments as a major plastic sink
7dSequestration of plastics in sediments is considered the ultimate sink of marine plastic pollution that would justify unexpectedly low loads found in surface waters. Here, we demonstrate that mangroves, generally supporting high sediment accretion rates, efficiently sequester plastics in their sediments. To this end, we extracted microplastics from dated sediment cores of the Red Sea and Arabian
A twisted visual field map in the primate dorsomedial cortex predicted by topographic continuity
7dAdjacent neurons in visual cortex have overlapping receptive fields within and across area boundaries, an arrangement theorized to minimize wiring cost. This constraint is traditionally thought to create retinotopic maps of opposing field signs (mirror and nonmirror visual field representations) in adjacent areas, a concept that has become central in current attempts to subdivide the extrastriate
Genome integrity and neurogenesis of postnatal hippocampal neural stem/progenitor cells require a unique regulator Filia
7dEndogenous DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) formation and repair in neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) play fundamental roles in neurogenesis and neurodevelopmental disorders. NSPCs exhibit heterogeneity in terms of lineage fates and neurogenesis activity. Whether NSPCs also have heterogeneous regulations on DSB formation and repair to accommodate region-specific neurogenesis has not been explor
Residential solid fuel emissions contribute significantly to air pollution and associated health impacts in China
7dResidential contribution to air pollution–associated health impacts is critical, but inadequately addressed because of data gaps. Here, we fully model the effects of residential energy use on emissions, outdoor and indoor PM 2.5 concentrations, exposure, and premature deaths using updated energy data. We show that the residential sector contributed only 7.5% of total energy consumption but contri
Antibacterial infection and immune-evasive coating for orthopedic implants
7dBacterial infection and infection-induced immune response have been a life-threatening risk for patients having orthopedic implant surgeries. Conventional biomaterials are vulnerable to biocontamination, which causes bacterial invasion in wounded areas, leading to postoperative infection. Therefore, development of anti-infection and immune-evasive coating for orthopedic implants is urgently neede
Induced, but not natural, regulatory T cells retain phenotype and function following exposure to inflamed synovial fibroblasts
7dAberrant number and/or dysfunction of CD4 + Foxp3 + Regulatory T cells (T regs ) are associated with the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A previous study has demonstrated that thymus-derived, natural T regs (nT regs ) prefer to accumulate in inflamed joints and transdifferentiate to T H 17 cells under the stimulation of inflamed synovial fibroblasts (SFs). In this study, we made a head
Scalable microresonators for room-temperature detection of electron spin resonance from dilute, sub-nanoliter volume solids
7dWe report a microresonator platform that allows room temperature detection of electron spins in volumes on the order of 100 pl, and demonstrate its utility to study low levels of dopants in perovskite oxides. We exploit the toroidal moment in a planar anapole, using a single unit of an anapole metamaterial architecture to produce a microwave resonance exhibiting a spatially confined magnetic fiel
Gastrointestinal-resident, shape-changing microdevices extend drug release in vivo
7dExtended-release gastrointestinal (GI) luminal delivery substantially increases the ease of administration of drugs and consequently the adherence to therapeutic regimens. However, because of clearance by intrinsic GI motility, device gastroretention and extended drug release over a prolonged duration are very challenging. Here, we report that GI parasite–inspired active mechanochemical therapeut
Partially exposed RuP2 surface in hybrid structure endows its bifunctionality for hydrazine oxidation and hydrogen evolution catalysis
7dReplacing the sluggish anode reaction in water electrolysis with thermodynamically favorable hydrazine oxidation could achieve energy-efficient H 2 production, while the shortage of bifunctional catalysts limits its scale development. Here, we presented the scalable one-pot synthesis of partially exposed RuP 2 nanoparticle–decorated carbon porous microsheets, which can act as the superior bifunct
Let more big fish sink: Fisheries prevent blue carbon sequestration–half in unprofitable areas
7dContrary to most terrestrial organisms, which release their carbon into the atmosphere after death, carcasses of large marine fish sink and sequester carbon in the deep ocean. Yet, fisheries have extracted a massive amount of this "blue carbon," contributing to additional atmospheric CO 2 emissions. Here, we used historical catches and fuel consumption to show that ocean fisheries have released a
Powering rotary molecular motors with low-intensity near-infrared light
7dLight-controlled artificial molecular machines hold tremendous potential to revolutionize molecular sciences as autonomous motion allows the design of smart materials and systems whose properties can respond, adapt, and be modified on command. One long-standing challenge toward future applicability has been the need to develop methods using low-energy, low-intensity, near-infrared light to power
The inositol pyrophosphate 5-InsP7 drives sodium-potassium pump degradation by relieving an autoinhibitory domain of PI3K p85{alpha}
7dSodium/potassium-transporting adenosine triphosphatase (Na + /K + -ATPase) is one of the most abundant cell membrane proteins and is essential for eukaryotes. Endogenous negative regulators have long been postulated to play an important role in regulating the activity and stability of Na + /K + -ATPase, but characterization of these regulators has been elusive. Mechanisms of regulating Na + /K +
Human and mouse bones physiologically integrate in a humanized mouse model while maintaining species-specific ultrastructure
7dHumanized mouse models are increasingly studied to recapitulate human-like bone physiology. While human and mouse bone architectures differ in multiple scales, the extent to which chimeric human-mouse bone physiologically interacts and structurally integrates remains unknown. Here, we identify that humanized bone is formed by a mosaic of human and mouse collagen, structurally integrated within th
Microscopic scan-free surface profiling over extended axial ranges by point-spread-function engineering
7dThe shape of a surface, i.e., its topography, influences many functional properties of a material; hence, characterization is critical in a wide variety of applications. Two notable challenges are profiling temporally changing structures, which requires high-speed acquisition, and capturing geometries with large axial steps. Here, we leverage point-spread-function engineering for scan-free, dynam
Ethylene signaling mediates host invasion by parasitic plants
7dParasitic plants form a specialized organ, a haustorium, to invade host tissues and acquire water and nutrients. To understand the molecular mechanism of haustorium development, we performed a forward genetics screening to isolate mutants exhibiting haustorial defects in the model parasitic plant Phtheirospermum japonicum. We isolated two mutants that show prolonged and sometimes aberrant meriste
Homeoprotein transduction in neurodevelopment and physiopathology
7dHomeoproteins were originally identified for embryonic cell–autonomous transcription activity, but they also have non–cell-autonomous activity owing to transfer between cells. This Review discusses transfer mechanisms and focuses on some established functions, such as neurodevelopmental regulation of axon guidance, and postnatal critical periods of brain plasticity that affect sensory processing
Rapidly declining body temperature in a tropical human population
7dNormal human body temperature (BT) has long been considered to be 37.0°C. Yet, BTs have declined over the past two centuries in the United States, coinciding with reductions in infection and increasing life expectancy. The generality of and reasons behind this phenomenon have not yet been well studied. Here, we show that Bolivian forager-farmers ( n = 17,958 observations of 5481 adults age 15+ ye
Layer-engineered large-area exfoliation of graphene
7dThe competition between quality and productivity has been a major issue for large-scale applications of two-dimensional materials (2DMs). Until now, the top-down mechanical cleavage method has guaranteed pure perfect 2DMs, but it has been considered a poor option in terms of manufacturing. Here, we present a layer-engineered exfoliation technique for graphene that not only allows us to obtain lar
Twofold improved tumor-to-brain contrast using a novel T1 relaxation-enhanced steady-state (T1RESS) MRI technique
7dA technique that provides more accurate cancer detection would be of great value. Toward this end, we developed T1 relaxation-enhanced steady-state (T 1 RESS), a novel magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pulse sequence that enables the flexible modulation of T1 weighting and provides the unique feature that intravascular signals can be toggled on and off in contrast-enhanced scans. T 1 RESS makes it
Neutrophil-mediated carbamylation promotes articular damage in rheumatoid arthritis
7dFormation of autoantibodies to carbamylated proteins (anti-CarP) is considered detrimental in the prognosis of erosive rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The source of carbamylated antigens and the mechanisms by which anti-CarP antibodies promote bone erosion in RA remain unknown. Here, we find that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) externalize carbamylated proteins and that RA subjects develop autoa
NASA: Asteroid Could Still Hit Earth in 2068
7dCredit: NASA Earth has been bombarded by space rocks throughout its history, but we're lucky no large ones have slammed into the planet lately. Astronomers keep a careful watch on the skies, hoping to spot potential impactors far enough in advance that we can do something about it, and one of the most worrying objects is 99942 Apophis. This skyscraper-sized asteroid might still hit Earth in 2068
Understanding long-term trends of stressors on koala populations
7dAnalysis of three decades of koala rescue data provides new insights into long-term patterns of stressors that impact koala populations in the Australian state of New South Wales. Renae Charalambous and Edward Narayan of Western Sydney University and The University of Queensland present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on October 28.
Leaving more big fish in the sea reduces CO2 emissions
7dAn international team of scientists has found leaving more big fish in the sea reduces the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) released into the Earth's atmosphere.
Bison engravings in Spanish caves reveal a common art culture across ancient Europe
7dRecently discovered rock art from caves in Northern Spain represents an artistic cultural style common across ancient Europe, but previously unknown from the Iberian Peninsula, according to a study published October 28, 2020 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Diego Garate of the Instituto Internacional de Investigaciones Prehistóricas de Cantabria, Spain, and colleagues.
Understanding long-term trends of stressors on koala populations
7dAnalysis of three decades of koala rescue data provides new insights into long-term patterns of stressors that impact koala populations in the Australian state of New South Wales. Renae Charalambous and Edward Narayan of Western Sydney University and The University of Queensland present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on October 28.
Infrared light antenna powers molecular motor
7dLight-controlled molecular motors can be used to create functional materials to provide autonomous motion, or in systems that can respond on command. For biological applications, this requires the motors to be driven by low-energy, low-intensity light that penetrates tissue. Chemists at the University of Groningen designed a rotary motor that is efficiently powered by near-infrared light, through
Floating Offshore Wind Turbines Set to Make Inroads in U.S.
7dThese turbines can be used in deeper waters than existing ones, which opens more areas of the coast to wind power — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Lab-on-a-chip devices could dramatically reduce COVID-19 detection times
7dNewly developed biosensor devices linked to smartphones could help medical practitioners dramatically cut down the real-time detection rates in the battle against COVID-19 and other future viral outbreaks.
Seafood extinction risk: Marine bivalves in peril?
7dMarine bivalves are an important component of our global fishery, with over 500 species harvested for food and other uses. Our understanding of their potential vulnerability to extinction lags behind evaluation of freshwater bivalves or marine vertebrates, and so Shan Huang and colleagues, in analyses presented at the annual meeting of the Geological Society of America, used insights and data from
Tracing the source of illicit sand—can it be done?
7dIf you've visited the beach recently, you might think sand is ubiquitous. But in construction uses, the perfect sand and gravel is not always an easy resource to come by. "Not all sand is equal in terms of what it can be used for," notes Zack Sickman, coauthor of a new study to be presented on Thursday at the Geological Society of America annual meeting. He says concrete aggregate needs sand with
Using a volcano's eruption 'memory' to forecast dangerous follow-on explosions
7dStromboli, the 'lighthouse of the Mediterranean', is known for its low-energy but persistent explosive eruptions, behaviour that is known scientifically as Strombolian activity. This feature has long been an attraction for tourists and volcanologists from all over the world.
Election 2020 chatter on Twitter busy with bots, conspiracy theorists, study finds
7dBots and conspiracy theorists have infested the Twitter chatter around the upcoming U.S. presidential election, USC researchers have found.
Daily briefing: Meet the enigmatic species of the Ediacaran
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-03049-y The fossils of ancient, alien-like animals are allowing researchers to re-examine a pivotal event in evolutionary history, the Cambrian explosion. Plus: climate scientists fly more often than other researchers
Seafood extinction risk: Marine bivalves in peril?
7dMarine bivalves are an important component of our global fishery, with over 500 species harvested for food and other uses. Our understanding of their potential vulnerability to extinction lags behind evaluation of freshwater bivalves or marine vertebrates, and so Shan Huang and colleagues, in analyses presented at the annual meeting of the Geological Society of America, used insights and data from
Researchers map genomes of agricultural monsters
7dThe University of Cincinnati is unlocking the genomes of creepy agricultural pests like screwworms that feast on livestock from the inside out and thrips that transmit viruses to plants.
Using a volcano's eruption 'memory' to forecast dangerous follow-on explosions
7dStromboli, the 'lighthouse of the Mediterranean', is known for its low-energy but persistent explosive eruptions, behaviour that is known scientifically as Strombolian activity. Occasionally, however, more intense and sudden explosions occur, most recently in July and August last year (2019). These are known as 'Strombolian paroxysms'. During such events several of Stromboli's craters are active s
Can gargling saltwater replace nasal swab COVID tests?
7dA new COVID test that relies on gargling with saltwater instead of using a nasal swab shows encouraging initial results, researchers say. Michael Worobey, head of the ecology and evolutionary biology department at the University of Arizona, specializes in the evolution of viruses. He began using the mouth rinse test in limited campus populations after reading a paper from researchers in British C
Deep learning and bioinformatics tools enable in-depth study of glycan molecules for understanding infections
7dWe're told from a young age not to eat too much sugar, but in reality, our bodies are full of the stuff. The surface of every living cell, and even viruses, is covered in a mess of glycans: long, branching chains of simple sugars linked together by covalent bonds. These cell-surface sugars are crucial for regulating cell-cell contact, including the attachment of bacteria to healthy host cells. Gly
Deep learning and bioinformatics tools enable in-depth study of glycan molecules for understanding infections
7dWe're told from a young age not to eat too much sugar, but in reality, our bodies are full of the stuff. The surface of every living cell, and even viruses, is covered in a mess of glycans: long, branching chains of simple sugars linked together by covalent bonds. These cell-surface sugars are crucial for regulating cell-cell contact, including the attachment of bacteria to healthy host cells. Gly
Researchers outline how marine reserves can benefit fisheries across the globe
7dSociety will require more food in the coming years to feed a growing population, and seafood will likely make up a significant portion of it. At the same time, we need to conserve natural habitats to ensure the health of our oceans. It seems like a conflict is inevitable.
The chemistry behind self-driving cars
7dSelf-driving, electric cars have been touted as the next big thing in transportation. While this technology has progressed in recent years, experts caution that automakers will need the chemical industry to help make it a reality. A new article in Chemical & Engineering News, the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society, explains how chemistry can help develop the materials necessary f
Understanding how a catalyst converts methane into ethene could prevent the flaring of natural gas
7dIt would be a triple win—for the climate, raw material resources, and the chemical industry. With their work, scientists at the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society in Berlin hope to create the basis for extracting useful chemical products such as plastics from the methane that is usually flared off during oil production. They are looking into how to design a catalyst that converts meth
Researchers outline how marine reserves can benefit fisheries across the globe
7dSociety will require more food in the coming years to feed a growing population, and seafood will likely make up a significant portion of it. At the same time, we need to conserve natural habitats to ensure the health of our oceans. It seems like a conflict is inevitable.
Sea turtle nesting season winding down in Florida, some numbers are up and it's unexpected
7dFlorida's sea turtle nesting surveying comes to a close on Halloween and like everything else in 2020, the season was a bit weird.
The creators of South Park have a new weekly deepfake satire show
7dThe fake news: A new weekly satire show from the creators of South Park is using deepfakes, or AI-synthesized media, to poke fun at some of the most important topics of our time. Called Sassy Justice , the show is hosted by the character Fred Sassy, a reporter for the local news station in Cheyenne, Wyoming, who sports a deepfaked face of president Trump, though a completely different voice, hair
Scientists Discover Huge, Unknown Coral Reef
7dNew Reef For the first time in over 120 years, scientists found a gigantic new coral reef. Researchers from Australia's Schmidt Ocean Institute spotted the hidden reef, which is a short distance away from the Great Barrier Reef and taller than the Empire State Building, last week during a year-long research expedition to map the oceans around Australia, according to a press release . The new disc
New dataset provides county-level exposure numbers for tropical cyclones, human health
7dHurricanes and other tropical cyclones can severely impact human health in communities across the country, but data for these events is limited, especially in a format that is easy to link with human health outcomes.
Cracking the secrets of dinosaur eggshells
7dSince the famous discovery of dinosaur eggs in the Gobi Desert in the early 1920s, the fossilized remains have captured the imaginations of paleontologists and the public, alike. Although dinosaur eggs have now been found on every continent, it's not always clear to scientists which species laid them. Now, researchers reporting in ACS Omega have narrowed down the list for an unknown eggshell from
Solved: the mystery of how dark matter in galaxies is distributed
7dThe gravitational force in the Universe under which it has evolved from a state almost uniform at the Big Bang until now, when matter is concentrated in galaxies, stars and planets, is provided by what is termed 'dark matter." But in spite of the essential role that this extra material plays, we know almost nothing about its nature, behavior and composition, which is one of the basic problems of m
Illinois launches statewide plan to boost monarch butterfly population
7dMonarch butterflies have flown south for the winter, but efforts to protect them in Illinois are sticking around.
Tupperware shoots for the stars with a device meant to grow vegetables in space
7dTupperware Brands is looking beyond the kitchen by going to space.
Researchers develop artificial cell on a chip
7dResearchers at the University of Basel have developed a precisely controllable system for mimicking biochemical reaction cascades in cells. Using microfluidic technology, they produce miniature polymeric reaction containers equipped with the desired properties. This 'cell on a chip' is useful not only for studying processes in cells, but also for the development of new synthetic pathways for chemi
Sea turtle nesting season winding down in Florida, some numbers are up and it's unexpected
7dFlorida's sea turtle nesting surveying comes to a close on Halloween and like everything else in 2020, the season was a bit weird.
Illinois launches statewide plan to boost monarch butterfly population
7dMonarch butterflies have flown south for the winter, but efforts to protect them in Illinois are sticking around.
This Halloween, trick-or-treating could be down 41%
7dNew data predicts that trick-or-treating could be down approximately 41% for households with children under 14 due to COVID-19. The report, published by the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association , also found: Households handing out candy may decrease by half in 2020. Candy sales will likely decrease as 42% of households plan to consume less candy this year. 47% of households are not like
A Vision for the Next Decade of Human Genomics Research
7dAn article in Nature lays out 10 bold predictions for a field whose extraordinary achievements are just the beginning of what could be possible — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
A new RNA catalyst from the lab
7dEnzymes enable biochemical reactions that would otherwise not take place on their own. In nature, it is mostly proteins that function as enzymes. However, other molecules can also perform enzymatic reactions—for example ribonucleic acids—RNAs. These are then called ribozymes.
SpaceX starts rolling out Starlink internet, hoping it'll fund Mars flights
7dSpaceX, having established a formidable reputation in rocket launches, is starting to roll out what it hopes will be an even more muscular arm of its business: broadband internet service.
A new RNA catalyst from the lab
7dEnzymes enable biochemical reactions that would otherwise not take place on their own. In nature, it is mostly proteins that function as enzymes. However, other molecules can also perform enzymatic reactions—for example ribonucleic acids—RNAs. These are then called ribozymes.
A mathematical model facilitates inventory management in the food supply chain
7dIt is a long journey from harvesting in the field to the cooked dish that reaches the dinner table. The food supply chain covers all those processes and the actors involved in satisfying the consumer's needs. To ensure that the chain is successful requires correct administration of the products in the warehouse, inventory, transport management and coordination between warehouses, transport and des
Election 2020 chatter on Twitter busy with bots, conspiracy theorists, USC study finds
7dUSC scientists find right-leaning bot accounts outnumber left-leaning ones 4-to-1. A combination of right-leaning bots and users were responsible for millions of election-related tweets in the runup to Nov. 3. Besides Russia, foreign interference also has come from Nigeria and Ghana.
Outcomes of salvage low dose RT brachytherapy after EBRT for prostate cancer
7dResearchers involved in the phase II NRG Oncology RTOG 0526 trial studying low dose rate (LDR) prostate brachytherapy (BT) following local recurrence (LR) after external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for patients with low-to-intermediate risk prostate cancer reported late Grade 3 gastrointestinal and genitourinary adverse events (AEs) occurring in 14% of trial participants.
Close to 17 percent of patients recovered from COVID-19 could still carry virus
7dA new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, published by Elsevier, presents new data that address important questions pertaining to the containment of the coronavirus pandemic: When should COVID-19 quarantine really end and which continuing symptoms may be more indicative of a positive test in recovered patients? Investigators report that close to 17 percent of patients considered
Learning the language of sugars
7dWe're told not to eat too much sugar, but in reality, all of our cells are covered in sugar molecules called glycans. Glycans regulate many important processes including infection by bacteria and viruses, but little is known about them because their structures are highly complex. A team from the Wyss Institute has created a new suite of deep learning and bioinformatics tools that enable the compre
This Will Change Your Life
7dJ ordan Schrandt— blond, beautiful, mother of eight, founder of The Farmhouse Movement magazine, which teaches readers how to achieve "a lifestyle of authenticity, simplicity, and kindness"—is a Royal Crown Diamond. Less than 1 percent of the independent distributors who sell essential oils and related products through the Utah-based multilevel-marketing company Young Living reach that top rankin
Fish that eat microplastics are found to take more risks and die younger
7dA team of researchers from Australia, Canada, the U.K. and New Zealand has found that some fish that eat microplastics are more likely to take risks, and because of that, wind up dying younger. In their paper published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the group describes their study that involved capturing young fish, feeding them microplastics and then returning them to the sea
Fish that eat microplastics are found to take more risks and die younger
7dA team of researchers from Australia, Canada, the U.K. and New Zealand has found that some fish that eat microplastics are more likely to take risks, and because of that, wind up dying younger. In their paper published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the group describes their study that involved capturing young fish, feeding them microplastics and then returning them to the sea
Final Clues From Derelict Lander: Comet Interior "Extraordinarily Soft"
7dIn 2014, the European Space Agency's Rosetta spacecraft released a tiny lander called Philae over the surface of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, a comet of ice and rock some 370 million miles from Earth. Philae crash-landed on the comet, failing to deploy its harpoons and bouncing off the surface before disappearing behind a cliff. But now, clues about its final minutes are providing unprecedented ins
'Another piece of populist propaganda': Critics slam the Brazilian government's new COVID-19 drug
7dA trial showed that nitazoxanide, an antiparasitic drug, lowers virus levels in patients. Scientists say it's irrelevant
Unique pan designs for a creative cooking experience
7dInnovative cookware to replace your old pans. (Amazon/) Take your kitchen game up a notch when you invest in creative cookware. These thoughtfully-designed pans stand above the rest, making cooking efficient and—dare we say it—so much more fun. Bring on all the speciality desserts, tasty quiches, and perfectly grilled steak. Best multipurpose design: Anolon Advanced Home Hard-Anodized Nonstick Op
With trust in AI, manufacturers can build better
7dSome people might not associate the word "trust" with artificial intelligence (AI). Stefan Jockusch is not one of them. Vice president of strategy at Siemens Digital Industries Software, Jockusch says trusting an algorithm that powers an AI application is a matter of statistics. This podcast episode was produced by Insights, the custom content arm of MIT Technology Review. It was not produced by
Secrets of 'smasher shrimp' property ladder revealed
7dMantis shrimps carefully survey burrows before trying to evict rivals, new research shows.
Paracetamol poisonings up
7dIn 2003, the painkiller paracetamol became available in Switzerland in tablets with a higher dose of the active ingredient. This correlates with an increase in cases of paracetamol poisoning in the country, as a data analysis shows.
Age and pre-existing conditions increase risk of stroke among COVID-19 patients
7dFourteen out of every 1,000 COVID-19 patients admitted to hospital experience a stroke, a rate that is even higher in older patients and those with severe infection and pre-existing vascular conditions, according to a report published this week.
Validation of ERCC1/2 signature as radiosensitivity biomarker for tumor & normal tissues in NSCLC
7dA genetic analysis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients on the phase III NRG Oncology RTOG 0617 clinical trial assessing radiation dose discovered that high dose radiation therapy is associated with shorter survival times among patients with a radiation-sensitive genotype in DNA repair pathway. These findings were presented at the virtual edition of the American Society for Radiation Onc
Tracing the source of illicit sand–can it be done?
7dIf you've visited the beach recently, you might think sand is ubiquitous. But in construction uses, the perfect sand and gravel is not always an easy resource to come by. "Not all sand is equal in terms of what it can be used for," notes Zack Sickman, coauthor of a new study to be presented on Thursday at the Geological Society of America annual meeting.
Home-time metric needed to judge hospital readmissions, studies suggest
7dDALLAS – Oct. 28, 2020 – Two new studies suggest Medicare's system of penalizing hospitals if too many patients are readmitted within 30 days should also look at whether the patients were well enough to remain in their home during that time.
Researchers break magnetic memory speed record
7dAn international team of researchers has created a new technique for magnetization switching — the process used to "write" information into magnetic memory — that is nearly 100 times faster than state-of-the-art spintronic devices. The advance could lead to the development of ultrafast magnetic memory for computer chips that would retain data even when there is no power.
Reusable grocery bags aren't as environmentally friendly as you might think
7dPlastic bags and other single-use plastics aren't good for the environment, but they are only one component to sustainability. (Unsplash/) Single-use plastics, like plastic grocery bags, are often the poster child for waste. Despite this notoriety, these materials aren't necessarily as wasteful as many consumers may think. According to a new study, there are a number of similar misconceptions abo
Epidemiologist Who Helped Eradicate Smallpox Dies
7dJ. Michael Lane was the director of the CDC's successful program to eradicate smallpox.
Delete offensive language? Change recommendations? Some editors say it's OK to alter peer reviews
7dSurvey finds widespread support for editing, little guidance from journals
A Vision for the Next Decade of Human Genomics Research
7dAn article in Nature lays out 10 bold predictions for a field whose extraordinary achievements are just the beginning of what could be possible — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Great Barrier Reef: Scientists find reef taller than Empire State Building
7dStanding 500m (1,640ft) tall, the "blade-like" reef was found off Australia's far north.
Consumer Reports: Tesla Autopilot "Distant Second" to GM's Driver Assistance
7dNonprofit product testing group Consumer Reports has determined that Tesla's Autopilot driving assistance feature is a "distant second" to General Motors' Super Cruise. Consumer Reports tested a total of 17 vehicles equipped with a variety of active driving assistance systems — which, as Consumer Reports emphasized, is still not the same as a fully autonomous vehicle. "To be clear, active driving
Lab–grown brains and the debate over consciousness
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-03033-6 The chances of mini-brains becoming sentient, and a UK government decision threatens gender diversity in academia.
Social isolation puts women at higher risk of hypertension
7dResearchers at the University of British Columbia are discovering that social isolation affects the health of men and women in different ways–including placing women at higher risk of high blood pressure.
Fish banks
7dSociety will require more food in the coming years to feed a growing population, and seafood will likely make up a significant portion of it. At the same time, we need to conserve natural habitats to ensure the health of our oceans. It seems like a conflict is inevitable.
Cognitive disorders linked to severe COVID-19 risk
7dDementia and other cognitive disorders now appear to be risk factors for developing severe COVID-19, according to research from the University of Georgia.
Sea turtle nesting season winding down in Florida, some numbers are up and it's unexpected
7dFlorida's sea turtle nesting surveying comes to a close on Halloween and like everything else in 2020, the season was a bit weird. The number of green sea turtle nests on central and southern Brevard County, Florida beaches monitored by University of Central biologists were way up during a year they should have been down based on nearly 40 years of historical data.
Artificial intelligence-based algorithm for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's
7dIn a recent study published in the Journal of Medical Imaging, scientists from Texas Tech University employed machine-learning algorithms to classify fMRI data.
A patch that could help heal broken hearts
7dAccording to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide in recent years. During a heart attack, or myocardial infarction (MI), a blocked artery and the resulting oxygen deprivation cause massive cardiac cell death, blood vessel impairment and inflammation. Now, researchers reporting in ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering have developed a cardiac patch
Get up and go: is 54 really the age we lose our passion for life?
7dYou need a combination of passion and grit to maintain a positive mindset. But a Norwegian study has found that by the time we reach our mid-50s we don't seem to possess both Name: Get Up and Go. Appearance : Lively, bold, adventurous. Age: 54. I could swear the concept is older than that. Apparently not. Are you saying that until 54 years ago there was no such thing as get up and go? No, I'm say
The Science of Changing a Loved One's Vote
7dL ately, Sunshine Hillygus has been hearing the same question from some of her politically active friends. They've been writing postcards to voters in swing states and knocking on potential voters' doors, but they want to know if they're channeling their energy toward the right things: What should they be doing, they ask her, if their goal is to influence the outcome of the election? "The thing t
Earth's Magnetic North Pole Has Begun Racing Towards Siberia
7dThe magnetic North Pole has left Canada, passed the geographic pole and is now heading towards Siberia.
Coronavariant fra mink rammer de fleste patienter i Nordjylland: »Særdeles foruroligende«
7dPLUS. Ingen ved hvorfor virussen har bredt sig til over 150 minkfarme, hvor opformeringen i de små rovdyr ændrer den, så vacciner kan vise sig at have begrænset effekt.
If You Want To Keep Your Online Data Safe and Private, You Need To Get a VPN
7dThink about how much of your life revolves around the Internet. There's streaming, shopping, banking, gaming, social media. You video chat with loved ones and store all your precious photos, videos, and important data in the cloud. You pay your bills, you send people money, you work, you go to school. Pretty much everything you do depends on the Internet. So: Have you taken steps to make sure you
Genetic analysis system yields new insights into bacterial pneumonia
7dA team of infectious disease researchers has developed a new method to identify virulence genes in Streptococcus pneumoniae, the leading cause of bacterial pneumonia. Using this technique in a mouse model of pneumonia, they were able to gain new insights into the progression of the disease and its interaction with the flu virus.
Device takes us closer to high-performing wearable and eco-disposable AI electronics
7dEngineers have unveiled a device with unique functionality that could signal the dawn of a new design philosophy for electronics, including next-generation wearables and eco-disposable sensors.
Weak equivalence principle violated in gravitational waves
7dNew research proves theoretically that the Weak Equivalence Principle can be violated by quantum particles in gravitational waves – the ripples in spacetime caused by colossal events such as merging black holes.
Climate change drives plants to extinction in the Black Forest in Germany
7dClimate change is leaving its mark on the bog complexes of the German Black Forest. Due to rising temperatures and longer dry periods, two plant species have gone extinct over the last 40 years. The populations of many others have decreased by one third. According to a new study, more species could become extinct in the next couple of decades.
Renewable energy targets can undermine sustainable intentions
7dRenewable energy targets (RETs) may be too blunt a tool for ensuring a sustainable future, according to new research.
The iPhone 12 Pro is a big upgrade even without the 5G hype
7dThe three-camera array includes a wide-angle, a telephoto, and a super-wide angle as well as a LiDar sensor that helps with autofocus in dim light. (Stan Horaczek /) Back in 2008, when Steve Jobs announced the iPhone 3G, it was a big leap for the device. The update meant that Apple's smartphones could break free of its exclusive relationship with AT&T and its somewhat lackluster EDGE network and
Let's (not) stick together
7dNew research led by the University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering examines the properties of the mucus of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and the role it plays in a pathogens' ability to survive. The new information could have important implications for CF treatment.
Cracking the secrets of dinosaur eggshells
7dSince the famous discovery of dinosaur eggs in the Gobi Desert in the early 1920s, the fossilized remains have captured the imaginations of paleontologists and the public, alike. Although dinosaur eggs have now been found on every continent, it's not always clear to scientists which species laid them. Now, researchers reporting in ACS Omega have narrowed down the list for an unknown eggshell from
New dataset provides county-level exposure numbers for tropical cyclones, human health
7dThe new open source data set can be used for epidemiological research on tropical cyclones.
A new RNA catalyst from the lab
7dOn the track of evolution: a catalytically active RNA molecule that specifically attaches methyl groups to other RNAs – a research group from the University of Würzburg reports on this new discovery in Nature .
Major new African genome study finds varieties that inform African history, migration and immunity
7dMore than three million new genetic variants were uncovered in one of the most extensive studies of high-depth-sequenced African genomes reported to date. The major new study, published today as the cover story in Nature, provides insights into ancient migrations along the routes of populations who speak Bantu languages. Analyses of the whole genomes of 426 individuals from 13 African countries, w
Topology gets magnetic: The new wave of topological magnetic materials
7dThe electronic structure of nonmagnetic crystals can be classified by complete theories of band topology, reminiscent of a 'topological periodic table.' However, such a classification for magnetic materials has so far been elusive, and hence very few magnetic topological materials have been discovered to date. In a new study published in the journal Nature, an international team of researchers has
Answer to Darwin's question
7dIn a paper published in Nature, evolutionary biologist Axel Meyer from the University of Konstanz analyses almost 500 genomes and provides answers to questions concerning the genomic basis of adaptations, the differences between species, and the mechanisms of speciation
International collaboration reveals China's carbon balance
7dAn international team of researchers has compiled and verified newly available data on the country's CO 2 sink, and, for the first time, they have quantitatively estimated the effect of China's carbon mitigation efforts. The results show that China's forest ecosystem has a huge carbon sequestration effect.
The National Human Genome Research Institute publishes new vision for human genomics
7dThe National Human Genome Research Institute this week published its 'Strategic vision for improving human health at The Forefront of Genomics' in the journal Nature. This vision describes the most compelling research priorities and opportunities in human genomics for the coming decade, signaling a new era in genomics for the Institute and the field.
Stanford researchers link poor memory to attention lapses and media multitasking
7dStanford researchers are connecting the dots between attention and memory to explain why we remember certain things and forget others, why some people remember better than others and how media multitasking affects how well we recall.
Giant lizards learnt to fly over millions of years
7dMost detailed every study into how animals evolve to better suit their environments shows that pterosaurs become more efficient at flying over millions of years before going extinct with the dinosaurs.
'Like froth on a cappuccino': spacecraft's chaotic landing reveals comet's softness
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-03043-4 Detective work reconstructs the final movements of the European Space Agency's Philae probe.
Inside a comet: Philae's final secret
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-02999-7 Data from an accidental crash landing reveals comet 67P's hidden interior
150 million years of sustained increase in pterosaur flight efficiency
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2858-8 Phylogenetic statistical analyses, biophysical models and information from the fossil record show that an evolutionary signal of natural selection acted to increase the flight efficiency of pterosaurs over millions of years.
Eye of a skull reveals details of cometary materials
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-02941-x The Philae spacecraft was meant to anchor itself to the surface of the comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, but instead bounced into a hidden grotto. The telltale markings of its passage reveal details of the comet's fragile boulders.
Metal-free photoinduced C(sp3)–H borylation of alkanes
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2831-6 Metal-free borylation of C(sp3)–H bonds by violet-light-induced hydrogen atom transfer is reported, demonstrating high selectivity for the substitution of methyl C–H bonds over other weaker C–H bonds.
Fresh evidence challenges the consensus view of active sites in an industrial catalyst
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-02942-w A study of the industrial catalyst titanium silicalite-1 suggests that the conventional view of the structure of its active sites is wrong. The findings might enable further optimization of related industrial catalysts.
Africa's people must be able to write their own genomics agenda
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-03028-3 Genomics on the continent is finally getting the attention it deserves from international donors — but more funding needs to come from national and regional sources, too.
Memory failure predicted by attention lapsing and media multitasking
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2870-z Lapses in attention before remembering partially account for why we remember or forget in the moment, why some individuals remember better than others, and why heavier media multitasking is related to worse memory.
The landscape of RNA Pol II binding reveals a stepwise transition during ZGA
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2847-y Binding of RNA polymerase II during zygotic genome activation in mouse embryos is determined using the newly developed method Stacc–seq.
Efficient epoxidation over dinuclear sites in titanium silicalite-1
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2826-3 A combination of spectroscopy, microscopy and theoretical calculations shows that the reactivity of titanium silicalite-1 as an epoxidation catalyst is due to the presence of dinuclear titanium sites.
Site-specific RNA methylation by a methyltransferase ribozyme
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2854-z A methyltransferase ribozyme, along with the small-molecule cofactor O6-methylguanine, is shown to catalyse the site-specific installation of 1-methyladenosine in various RNAs, providing insights into the catalytic abilities of RNA.
Contrasting signatures of genomic divergence during sympatric speciation
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2845-0 Population genomic analyses of Midas cichlid fishes in young Nicaraguan crater lakes suggest that sympatric speciation is promoted by polygenic architectures.
Exuberant fibroblast activity compromises lung function via ADAMTS4
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2877-5 Viral infection of the respiratory system induces exuberant fibroblast activity, resulting in extensive remodelling of the extracellular matrix and cytokine release, which promote immune cell infiltration of the affected area at the expense of respiratory function.
Strategic vision for improving human health at The Forefront of Genomics
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2817-4 In this Perspective, authors from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) present a vision for human genomics research for the coming decade.
Tunable dynamics of B cell selection in gut germinal centres
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2865-9 Antibody selection and maturation within B cells found in gut-associated germinal centres is stimulated by the gut microbiota, to a degree that depends on the presence and composition of the microbes.
Single-cell mutation analysis of clonal evolution in myeloid malignancies
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2864-x The evolution of myeloid malignancies is investigated using combined single-cell sequencing and immunophenotypic analysis.
Large Chinese land carbon sink estimated from atmospheric carbon dioxide data
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2849-9 Newly available atmospheric carbon dioxide measurements from six sites across China during 2009 to 2016 indicate a larger land carbon sink than previously thought, reflecting increased afforestation.
Diverse polarization angle swings from a repeating fast radio burst source
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2827-2 Polarization observations of the fast radio burst FRB 180301 with the FAST radio telescope show diverse polarization angle swings, consistent with a magnetospheric origin of the emission.
The Philae lander reveals low-strength primitive ice inside cometary boulders
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2834-3 When the Philae lander bounced on the surface of comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko, it exposed primitive icy-dust material within cometary boulders; the intrinsic strength and porosity of this material is reported.
High-depth African genomes inform human migration and health
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2859-7 Whole-genome sequencing analyses of African populations provide insights into continental migration, gene flow and the response to human disease, highlighting the importance of including diverse populations in genomic analyses to understand human ancestry and improve health.
Parallel ascending spinal pathways for affective touch and pain
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2860-1 Two populations of neurons with distinct anatomy and receptor expression that convey information from the spinal cord to the brain have different functional properties with respect to touch and pain.
Enteric neurons increase maternal food intake during reproduction
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2866-8 A multi-organ circuit is activated in female flies after mating, leading to changes in enteric neurons that increase food intake.
High-throughput calculations of magnetic topological materials
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2837-0 High-throughput calculations are performed to predict approximately 130 magnetic topological materials, with complete electronic structure calculations and topological phase diagrams.
Macrophage-derived glutamine boosts satellite cells and muscle regeneration
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2857-9 Mouse models of muscle injuries and ageing characterized by low levels of intra-tissue glutamine are ameliorated by macrophage-specific deletion or systemic pharmacological inhibition of glutamate dehydrogenase 1, which results in constitutively high activity of glutamine synthetase.
snRNA-seq reveals a subpopulation of adipocytes that regulates thermogenesis
7dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2856-x Single-nucleus RNA sequencing in mouse and human adipose tissue identifies a subpopulation of adipocytes that regulates thermogenesis in neighbouring adipocytes in a paracrine manner by modulating acetate signalling.
Climate change: China's forest carbon uptake 'underestimated'
7dScientists put new numbers on Chinese trees' ability to pull carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Air fryers that will revolutionize your kitchen
7dFeel less guilty about eating your favorite snacks. (Karl Janisse via Unsplash/) If you love fried food, it's probably for the crisp and crunch rather than the grease and calorie count, so why not do away with the downside? With an air fryer, you can make your love for french fries more sustainable by cooking them with a fraction of the oil you would normally need. Make guilt-free fried chicken o
First winged reptiles were clumsy flyers, research suggests
7dAnalysis of early Pterosaurs fossils shows they are likely to have been ungainly in flight Pterosaurs, such as pterodactyl, are some of the largest animals ever to have taken to the skies, but the first reptile aviators were clumsy flyers, only capable of travelling short distances, a study suggests. The research may also shed new light on the evolution of flight more generally. Pterosaurs evolve
Power banks to keep you in charge
7dStay in charge. (Rob Hampson via Unsplash/) In a world where stress is in surplus, the last thing you need is your phone, tablet, or laptop dying on you. We rely on our devices for essential tasks from finding directions, getting help in emergencies, and communicating with our loved ones. So why feel that little pang of stress each time your battery slips into the red? A power bank is a must-have
What Did Pterosaurs Eat? Look Very Closely at Their Teeth
7dAn "infinite focus microscope" reveals characteristic patterns on the flying reptiles' chompers, showing in new detail how they lived—and evolved.
The genomic basis of adaptations, the differences between species, and the mechanisms of speciation
7dHow do new species arise, and how quickly does this happen? Evolutionary biologist Professor Axel Meyer from the University of Konstanz and his team have come one decisive step closer to answering fundamental questions in biology. Upon evaluation of an extensive data set collected during extensive research on extremely young species of cichlids in crater lakes in Nicaragua, empirical evidence sugg
Giant lizards learnt to fly over millions of years
7dPterodactyls and other related winged reptiles that lived alongside the dinosaurs steadily improved their ability to fly to become the deadly masters of the sky over the course of millions of years.
The genomic basis of adaptations, the differences between species, and the mechanisms of speciation
7dHow do new species arise, and how quickly does this happen? Evolutionary biologist Professor Axel Meyer from the University of Konstanz and his team have come one decisive step closer to answering fundamental questions in biology. Upon evaluation of an extensive data set collected during extensive research on extremely young species of cichlids in crater lakes in Nicaragua, empirical evidence sugg
International collaboration reveals China's carbon balance
7dAn international team of researchers has compiled and verified newly available data on the country's CO2 sink, and, for the first time, they have quantitatively estimated the effect of China's carbon mitigation efforts.
Topology gets magnetic: The new wave of topological magnetic materials
7dThe electronic structure of nonmagnetic crystals can be classified by complete theories of band topology, reminiscent of a "topological periodic table." However, such a classification for magnetic materials has so far been elusive, and hence very few magnetic topological materials have been discovered to date. In a new study published in the journal Nature, an international team of researchers has
An artificial cell on a chip
7dResearchers have developed a precisely controllable system for mimicking biochemical reaction cascades in cells. Using microfluidic technology, they produce miniature polymeric reaction containers equipped with the desired properties. This 'cell on a chip' is useful not only for studying processes in cells, but also for the development of new synthetic pathways for chemical applications or for bio
Specific and rapid expansion of blood vessels
7dUpon a heart infarct or stroke, rapid restoration of blood flow, and oxygen delivery to the hypo perfused regions is of eminent importance to prevent further damage to heart or brain. Arterial diameter is a critical determinant of blood flow conductance. Scientists have now discovered a novel mechanism to structurally increase arterial diameter by selectively increasing the size of arterial endoth
Why are some COVID-19 infected people asymptomatic?
7dImmune cells in the lungs are important for the immune system's recognition and fight against viruses. However, the virus that produces COVID-19 is not recognised by these cells, as the virus may hide its genomic material, and as a result the cells' immune system against the virus is not activated. This may help explain why some people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic in the early stages of the dise
Oncotarget: Targeting breast cancer metabolism with a novel inhibitor
7dThe Oncotarget author's data suggest in vitro proof-of-concept that supports inhibition of mitochondrial ATP synthase and ROS generation as contributors to the effectiveness of CADD522 in the suppression of tumor growth
Scientists 3D Print "Biomimetic" Copy of Human Tongue
7dBiomimetic Tongue Researchers from the University of Leeds and Edinburgh in the UK have 3D printed what they call the "first ever biomimetic tongue surface." The synthetic surface mimics a variety of qualities of the human tongue, from the exact topology and elasticity, to the "wettability," according to a statement . These qualities determine how saliva interacts with the tongue, thereby determi
Judges' decisions in sport focus more on vigor than skill
7dResearchers analyzed almost 550 men's and women's mixed martial arts contests, using data collated for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and found the rate at which competitors fight is more likely to result in judges awarding victory than the skill with which they attack their opponents.
Ah Crap: The Arctic Is Releasing a Ton of New Greenhouse Gas
7dGas Leak Figuring out when, and to what extent, the Arctic will melt and release greenhouse gases into the air has been a major challenge for environmental scientists. Now it seems like the process is already underway. A team of Russian and Swedish scientists exploring the Arctic Ocean found that the continental slope near Siberia has already started to give off huge amounts of methane, which is
Machine learning helps hunt for COVID-19 therapies
7dMichigan State University Foundation Professor Guowei Wei wasn't preparing machine learning techniques for a global health crisis. Still, when one broke out, he and his team were ready to help.
How hard is it to vote in your state?
7dA new analysis identifies U.S. states that make it easiest, and those that make it more challenging, to register and vote.
Younger knee replacement patients more likely to require reoperation
7dKnee replacement surgery, also known as total knee arthroplasty (TKA), is increasing among patients 65 and younger. One study projects a potential 183% increase in the number of TKA and revision TKA surgeries by the year 2030 in that age group, raising concerns about poorer clinical outcomes, lower patient satisfaction and diminished joint survival compared to an older patient population.
Models for potential precursors of cells endure simulated early-Earth conditions
7dMembraneless compartments–models for a potential step in the early evolution of cells–have been shown to persist or form, disappear, and reform in predictable ways through multiple cycles of dehydration and rehydration.
Racial disparities in treatment for common lung cancer persist despite gains
7dAfrican American patients with lung cancer are still less likely to receive the most effective treatment for a common type of early stage lung cancer.
Biophysicists modelled the effect of antiseptics on bacterial membranes
7dA team of biophysics from leading Russian research and educational institutions (MSU, RUDN University, and the Federal Research and Clinical Center of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia) developed a computer model that shows the effect of antiseptics on bacterial membranes. The common concepts regarding the mode of action of antiseptics turned out to be incorrect: instead of destroyin
How affordable health care can fight climate change
7dImproving health care in rural Indonesia reduced incentives for illegal logging in a nearby national park, averting millions of dollars' worth of atmospheric carbon emissions, a study finds. The finding indicates that accessible and affordable health care could be a key tool for addressing the climate crisis. Although the link may not be obvious, health care and climate change—two issues that pos
Ny type vindmølletårn kan sænkes ned under vand
7dPLUS. Et nyt koncept for havvindmøller gør det muligt at samle og vedligeholde en havvindmølle ude på vandet – nede ved selve vandoverfladen.
Ferret Study Reinforces Role of Aerosols in SARS-CoV-2 Spread
7dUsing an elaborate apparatus, researchers find that the virus spreads via aerosolized particles between ferrets more than a meter apart.
Secrets of 'smasher shrimp' property ladder revealed
7dMantis shrimps carefully survey burrows before trying to evict rivals, new research shows.
Climate change drives plants to extinction in the Black Forest in Germany, study finds
7dClimate change is leaving its mark on the bog complexes of the German Black Forest. Due to rising temperatures and longer dry periods, two plant species have already gone extinct over the last 40 years. The populations of many others have decreased by one third. In the next couple of decades ten more species could become extinct, researchers from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) and
Judges' decisions in sport focus more on vigor than skill
7dResearchers analyzed almost 550 men's and women's mixed martial arts contests, using data collated for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and found the rate at which competitors fight is more likely to result in judges awarding victory than the skill with which they attack their opponents.
Estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects of PFASs could depend on the presence of estrogen
7dPerfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have received intense scrutiny in recent years because of their persistence in the environment and potential endocrine-disrupting effects. However, their estrogenic activities are controversial, with different studies showing apparently contradictory results. Now, researchers have used a combination of laboratory experiments and computer modeling to reveal that PF
How computer scientists and marketers can create a better CX with AI
7dA failure to incorporate behavioral insight into technological developments may undermine consumers' experiences with AI.
Coral researchers find link between bacterial genus and disease susceptibility
7dCorals that appear healthy are more prone to getting sick when they're home to too many parasitic bacteria, new research shows.
Promising strategies for durable perovskite solar cells
7dPerovskite materials are increasingly popular as the active layer in solar cells, but internal forces in these materials cause distortions in their crystal structures, reducing symmetry and contributing to their intrinsic instability. Researchers examined the mechanisms at play, as well as several degradation factors that influence the performance of perovskite photovoltaics. They clarified the fa
'Fast' MRI detects breast cancers that 3-D mammograms may miss
7dIn a retrospective study of asymptomatic patients, all of whom had a negative 3-D mammogram within the previous 11 months, abbreviated MRI detected roughly 27 cancers per 1,000 women screened.
Estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects of PFASs could depend on the presence of estrogen
7dPerfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have received intense scrutiny in recent years because of their persistence in the environment and potential endocrine-disrupting effects. However, their estrogenic activities are controversial, with different studies showing apparently contradictory results. Now, researchers have used a combination of laboratory experiments and computer modeling to reveal that PF
Secrets of 'smasher shrimp' property ladder revealed
7dMantis shrimps carefully survey burrows before trying to evict rivals, new research shows.
Climate change drives plants to extinction in the Black Forest in Germany, study finds
7dClimate change is leaving its mark on the bog complexes of the German Black Forest. Due to rising temperatures and longer dry periods, two plant species have already gone extinct over the last 40 years. The populations of many others have decreased by one third. In the next couple of decades ten more species could become extinct, researchers from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) and
Lockdown interviews show poor housing quality has made life even tougher
7dLife during COVID-19 has not been a uniform experience. There have been distinct differences in how people have contended with lockdown, depending on whether they have access to safe, secure and decent accommodation.
Ultra-small hollow alloy nanoparticles for synergistic hydrogen evolution catalysis
7dBecause hydrogen fuel has high energy density and does not pollute the environment, it has now shown the potential to replace fossil energy. The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is one of the most promising hydrogen production methods as a half-reaction of the electrolysis of water. Currently, traditional Pt-based compounds are used as the most active electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution react
Direct observation of a single electron's butterfly-shaped distribution in titanium oxide
7dThe functions and physical properties of solid materials, such as magnetic order and unconventional superconductivity, are greatly influenced by the orbital state of the outermost electrons (valence electrons) of the constituent atoms. In other words, it could be said that the minimal unit that determines a solid material's physical properties consists of the orbitals occupied by the valence elect
Rovdjuren dör ut först, när lämpliga livsmiljöer försvinner
7dNär växter och djur förlorar lämpliga livsmiljöer är det rovdjuren högst upp i näringskedjan som dör ut först. Det visar forskare vid Linköpings universitet som har simulerat vad som händer i ekosystem när olika arters livsmiljöer försvinner. Fynden kan stärka insatserna för att bevara biologisk mångfald. Ett av de största hoten mot den biologiska mångfalden är att olika växt- och djurarter blir
Solved: the mystery of how dark matter in galaxies is distributed
7dIn a recent article in Astronomy & Astrophysics Letters , scientists at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)/University of La Laguna (ULL) and of the National University of the North-West of the Province of Buenos Aires (Junín, Argentina) have shown that the dark matter in galaxies follows a 'maximum entropy' distribution, which sheds light on its nature.
Astronomers discover activity on distant planetary object
7dA team of astronomers, led by doctoral student Colin Chandler in Northern Arizona University's Astronomy and Planetary Science PhD program, earlier this year announced their discovery of activity emanating from Centaur 2014 OG392, a planetary object first found in 2014. They published their findings in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. As a result of the team's discovery, the Centaur has recently
Researchers find source of breast tumor heterogeneity and pathway that limits emergence
7dA team of researchers led by Dartmouth's and Dartmouth-Hitchcock's Norris Cotton Cancer Center has identified mammary basal cells as a contributing source to the development of heterogeneous tumor cell subpopulations and found that activation of the PKA signaling pathway can curtail their emergence, providing opportunities for new therapeutic approaches to breast cancer.
Paracetamol poisonings up
7dIn 2003, the painkiller paracetamol became available in Switzerland in tablets with a higher dose of the active ingredient. This correlates with an increase in cases of paracetamol poisoning in the country, as a data analysis by ETH researchers shows.
Genetic analysis system yields new insights into bacterial pneumonia
7dA team of infectious disease researchers has developed a new method to identify virulence genes in Streptococcus pneumoniae, the leading cause of bacterial pneumonia. Using this technique in a mouse model of pneumonia, they were able to gain new insights into the progression of the disease and its interaction with the flu virus.
Nudges fail more often than is reported, experts warn
7dResearch led by Queen Mary University of London has shown that despite the widespread use of behavioural interventions across society, failed interventions are surprisingly common.
NASA Astronaut to Be Sworn Into Space Force in Ceremony Aboard Space Station
7dTransfer Order An intriguing scoop by SpaceNews : the United States Space Force plans to swear NASA astronaut Michael Hopkins into its ranks during a ceremony aboard the International Space Station — a move that seems bound to entangle America's orbital and military ambitions. "If all goes well, we're looking to swear him into the Space Force from the International Space Station," said Space Forc
Click Chemotherapy
7dSo here's an ambitious idea that's about to get a hearing in human clinical trials. A startup called Shasqi is using click chemistry as a drug delivery method, and they have a new manuscript on the idea here at ChemRxiv . The idea is this: you produce a modified version of a hyaluronate biopolymer, decorated with aryl-tetrazine functional groups. The tetrazine/cyclooctene reaction has been exploi
Author Correction: High-power lithium–selenium batteries enabled by atomic cobalt electrocatalyst in hollow carbon cathode
7dNature Communications, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41467-020-19525-y
Publisher Correction: Frequent new particle formation over the high Arctic pack ice by enhanced iodine emissions
7dNature Communications, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41467-020-19533-y
Hurricane Zeta is the fifth named storm to hit Louisiana this year
7dThe National Hurricane Center has forecasted "unsurvivable storm surge" from Hurricane #Laura in parts of Louisiana and Texas. Do NOT underestimate this storm. This is what that kind of water height looks like: pic.twitter.com/ik7EtpFTzn — The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) August 26, 2020
Søren Brostrøm får international toppost
7dFra maj 2021 bliver Søren Brostrøm en del af WHO's globale bestyrelse. Her vil han arbejde for, at Danmark får sat markante aftryk på de globale sundhedsdagsordener.
Træhuse kan spare klimaet 800.000 ton CO2 om året
7dPLUS. Det konventionelle betonbyggeri kan være på vej til at blive afløst af træ. Ifølge en ny forskningsrapport kan mere træ i byggeriet fremme bæredygtigheden i byggebranchen
Deep Neural Networks Help to Explain Living Brains
7dIn the winter of 2011, Daniel Yamins , a postdoctoral researcher in computational neuroscience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, would at times toil past midnight on his machine vision project. He was painstakingly designing a system that could recognize objects in pictures, regardless of variations in size, position and other properties — something that humans do with ease. The syste
Five Reasons to Love Bats
7dMake Halloween the reason to learn to love and conserve these misunderstood mammals
Genetic analysis system yields new insights into bacterial pneumonia
7dA team of infectious disease researchers has developed a new method to identify virulence genes in Streptococcus pneumoniae, the leading cause of bacterial pneumonia. Using this technique in a mouse model of pneumonia, they were able to gain new insights into the progression of the disease and its interaction with the flu virus.
Genetic analysis system yields new insights into bacterial pneumonia
7dA team of infectious disease researchers has developed a new method to identify virulence genes in Streptococcus pneumoniae, the leading cause of bacterial pneumonia. Using this technique in a mouse model of pneumonia, they were able to gain new insights into the progression of the disease and its interaction with the flu virus.
Astronomers discover activity on distant planetary object
7dCentaurs are minor planets believed to have originated in the Kuiper Belt in the outer solar system. They sometimes have comet-like features such as tails and comae—clouds of dust particles and gas—even though they orbit in a region between Jupiter and Neptune where it is too cold for water to readily sublimate, or transition, directly from a solid to a gas.
Climate change drives plants to extinction in the Black Forest in Germany, study finds
7dClimate change is leaving its mark on the bog complexes of the German Black Forest. Due to rising temperatures and longer dry periods, two plant species have gone extinct over the last 40 years. The populations of many others have decreased by one third. According to a new study by Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) and the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), m
Artificial intelligence dives into thousands of WW2 photographs
7dIn a new international cross disciplinary study, researchers from Aarhus University, Denmark and Tampere University, Finland have used artificial intelligence to analyse large amounts of historical photos from WW2. Among other things, the study shows that artificial intelligence can distinguish people and objects in a variety of scenes and even recognise the identity of the photographers based on
Turning a coronavirus protein into a nanoparticle could be key for COVID-19 vaccine
7dOne of the proteins on the virus – located on the characteristic COVID spike – has a component called the receptor-binding domain, or RBD, which is its "Achilles heel." That is, he said, antibodies against this part of the virus have the potential to the neutralize the virus.
Earth's Biggest Telescopes Reopen After Months of COVID Closures
7dObservational astronomy, largely shutdown since March, is getting back to work thanks to slowly declining COVID-19 cases in Chile and new workplace practices.
Should facial recognition software be banned on college campuses?
7dStudents say they were identified with facial recognition technology after a protest at the University of Miami; campus police claim this isn't true. Over 60 universities nationwide have banned facial recognition; a few colleges, such as USC, regularly use it. Civil rights groups in Miami have called for the University of Miami to have talks on this topic. Silicon Valley has led the technological
Our existential flight from death — and wisdom on connecting to grief | Kevin Toolis
7dFor centuries, the Irish funeral wake has served as a time for people to grieve a life lost and celebrate a life lived, together. In this profound and lyrical talk, poet Kevin Toolis laments the fear and denial of death that characterizes increasingly individualistic societies. He reasons that living life fully means embracing our shared mortality — and offers simple ways to reconnect with your c
Soil-powered fuel cell promises cheap, sustainable water purification
7dSoil microbial fuel cells proven to be capable of creating energy to filter a person's daily drinking water in Brazil test.
GSK reassures on profits as standard vaccination levels recover
7dUK group says treatments for diseases other than Covid-19 have picked up after lockdown disruption
Weak equivalence principle violated in gravitational waves
7dThe Weak equivalence principle (WEP) is a key aspect of classical physics. It states that when particles are in freefall, the trajectories they follow are entirely independent of their masses. However, it is not yet clear whether this property also applies within the more complex field of quantum mechanics. In new research published in EPJ C, James Quach at the University of Adelaide, Australia, p
Fireball meteorite offers clues to origins of life
7dA new paper reveals a meteorite that crashed in Michigan in 2018 contained organic matter. The findings support the panspermia theory and could explain the origins of life on Earth. The organic compounds on the meteorite were well-preserved. A meteorite that blasted through the night sky over Michigan and crashed into a frozen lake had another surprise in store. A new study found that it containe
Reduction by reduction: Novel approach to mitigating chromium contamination in wastewater
7dThe element chromium, despite having various applications, has a bad reputation. This is because exposure to chromium compounds leads to a higher risk of respiratory cancer and other damaging effects on human health. To add to this problem, chromium also happens to be a major contributor to water pollution due to its presence in industrial waste.
Knotting semimetals in topological electrical circuits
7dInvented more than 15,000 years ago, knots represent one of the earliest technological breakthroughs at the dawn of human history that kick-started the subsequent rise of human civilisation. Even today, we are still relying on knots in our daily life. Shoelace knots, for instance, have played a critical role in keeping shoes firmly on our feet for generations. Although knots are ancient inventions
Magnetic nature of complex vortex-like structures
7dRecently, observation of new topological magnetic structures represented by skyrmions is expected to provide new paths in constructing spintronic devices. In magnetic bubbles, although these are "ancient" cylinder domains, the type-I bubbles (renamed as skyrmion bubbles with the same topology as skyrmions) have remotivated general scientific interests. On using Lorentz transmission electron micros
Smart fluorescent molecular switches based on boron-based compounds
7dScientists have developed extremely stable molecular switches of high luminosity that self-assemble into 1D nanostructures and form gel-like materials. These molecular switches can be used in biomedicine as fluorescent probes for imaging or sensing, in fluorescent displays, or in memories and information processing devices.
Direct observation of a single electron's butterfly-shaped distribution in titanium oxide
7dA research team led by Nagoya University has observed the smeared-out spatial distribution of a single valence electron at the centre of a titanium oxide molecule, using synchrotron X-ray diffraction and a new Fourier synthesis method also developed by the team. The method can determine the orbital states in materials regardless of their physical properties and without the need for difficult exper
Weak equivalence principle violated in gravitational waves
7dNew research published in EPJ C proves theoretically that the Weak Equivalence Principle can be violated by quantum particles in gravitational waves – the ripples in spacetime caused by colossal events such as merging black holes.
Workplace interruptions lead to physical stress
7dUsing an experiment conducted in a simulated group office environment, ETH researchers have proved for the first time that repeated workplace interruptions cause the body to increase the release of stress hormones. And they do so to a higher degree than the perceived psychological stress.
Secrets of 'smasher shrimp' property ladder revealed
7dMantis shrimps carefully survey burrows before trying to evict rivals, new research shows.
The Pandemic Could End Waiting in Line
7dO n June 8, a crowd of maskless college students gathered outside Harper's Restaurant and Brewpub in East Lansing, Michigan. Like other bars and restaurants in the United States, Harper's had closed when the state imposed a shelter-at-home order in March. When the bar was allowed to reopen in June, at 50 percent capacity, fewer people could enter, and more had to wait. So the inevitable happened.
NASA Detects Bright Flashes of Light on Jupiter
7dA team of NASA scientists has spotted strange flashes of light known as "transient luminous events" (TLEs) in the upper atmosphere of Jupiter. Events like these have never been observed on another world until now — though here on Earth, scientists have observed similar flashes of light that occur far above lightning storms here on Earth, triggered by discharges of electricity in the upper atmosph
Soil-powered fuel cell promises cheap, sustainable water purification
7dSoil microbial fuel cells proven to be capable of creating energy to filter a person's daily drinking water in Brazil test.
Reforestation plans in Africa could go awry
7dAn international team publishes the findings of a study on the biogeographical history of sub-Saharan Africa.
Single-atom alloy: Superb cocatalyst for photocatalysis
7dPhotocatalysis, converting solar energy into chemical energy, has been recognized to be a very promising solution to current energy and environmental issues. The performance of the photocatalytic system depends largely on the surface charge state of active sites (usually co-catalysts), as the Schottky junction between photosensitizer and co-catalyst facilitates charge transfer between them and fin
Safer future for rail transportation of hazardous materials being developed
7dA team of West Virginia University researchers are making railways safer by developing a Band-Aid-like protective jacket for tank cars that haul hazardous materials. The composite material, because of its superior puncture and fire resistance qualities, will prevent spills and leaks caused by accidents, ultimately protecting surrounding communities, the environment and emergency responders from di
Habitat loss is bad news for species – especially for top predators
7dScientists at Linköping University, Sweden, have simulated what happens in ecosystems when the habitats of different species disappear. When plants and animals lose their habitats, predator species at the top of the food chain die out first. The results have been published in Ecology Letters, and may provide information for and strengthen initiatives to preserve biodiversity.
Reduction by reduction: Novel approach to mitigating chromium contamination in wastewater
7dChromium in its hexavalent state (Cr(VI)) is a major water pollutant. It can be treated, however, by converting it into the less toxic trivalent chromium or Cr(III) via 'reduction.' While several methods to facilitate this reduction exist, they are costly and restrictive. Now, scientists have come up with a technique to achieve efficient Cr(VI) reduction with a photocatalytic system in water. This
Knotting semimetals in topological electrical circuits
7dScientists created exotic states of matter using electrical circuit enhanced by machine-learning algorithm
A chemist from RUDN University suggested increasing the efficiency of biofuel production 4 to 10 times using silica-supported heteropolyacids
7dA chemist from RUDN University developed a silica-supported heteropolyacid system to produce ethers from waste products of the wood and paper industry and agriculture. Ethers can be used as biofuels, and the new method increases the efficiency of their production 4 to 10 times, thus reducing energy consumption and making the manufacturing of biofuels cheaper.
Menstrual dysfunction is more common among young athletes than among non-athletes
7dMenstrual dysfunction is more prevalent in young Finnish athletes than it is among non-athletes of a similar age, but athletes experience less body weight dissatisfaction than non-athletes do. These findings are from a recent study at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. The study was conducted among members of sports clubs who exercised at least four t
Exposure to suboptimal doses of antimalarial drugs could, under certain circumstances, increase mala
7dExposure to suboptimal doses of the antiparasitic drug artemisinin could increase the sexual conversion rate of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum, thereby increasing the probability of transmission, according to a study led by the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), an institution supported by "la Caixa" Foundation. The findings, published in eLife , may have public health i
Small brain device proves big game changer for severely paralysed patients
7dA tiny device the size of a small paperclip has been shown to help patients with upper limb paralysis to text, email and even shop online in the first human trial.
How Musk Oxen Make It Through Arctic Nights and Never-Ending Days
7dScientists wondered whether animals living above the Arctic Circle had the same circadian rhythms as the rest of us.
Diabetesmedicin ser ud til at beskytte mod Parkinsons
7dGLP-1-receptoragonister og DPP4-hæmmere ser ud til at modvirke den øgede risiko for at udvikle Parkinsons hos personer med type 2-diabetes.
Brist på vård för långtidsjuka i covid-19
7dTusentals svenskar verkar drabbade av långtidscovid med svåra symtom under många månader. Samtidigt finns bara två specialistmottagningar i Sverige visar SVTs granskning.
Samsung, Stanford Built a 10,000 PPI Display That Could Revolutionize VR, AR
7dAsk anyone who has spent more than a few minutes inside a VR headset, and they'll mention the screen door effect. This refers to the visible mesh you sometimes can see when viewing a screen at very close proximity, and it takes a lot of pixels to truly remove it, though this can vary depending somewhat on which screen technology you deploy. In this case, what Samsung and Stanford have developed i
New Research Reveals the Hidden Downsides of Link Previews
8dThe feature is convenient, but it can also leak sensitive data, consume bandwidth, and drain batteries. And some sites are worse than others.
Sloshing through marshes to see how birds survive hurricanes
8dAs Huricane Zeta menaces the Gulf Coast, residents know the drill: Board up windows, clear storm drains, gas up the car and stock up on water, batteries and canned goods.
Habitat loss is bad news for species – especially for top predators
8dScientists at Linköping University, Sweden, have simulated what happens in ecosystems when the habitats of different species disappear. When plants and animals lose their habitats, predator species at the top of the food chain die out first. The results have been published in Ecology Letters, and may provide information for and strengthen initiatives to preserve biodiversity.
Where's the sea ice? 3 reasons the Arctic freeze is unseasonably late and why it matters
8dWith the setting of the sun and the onset of polar darkness, the Arctic Ocean would normally be crusted with sea ice along the Siberian coast by now. But this year, the water is still open.
Sloshing through marshes to see how birds survive hurricanes
8dAs Huricane Zeta menaces the Gulf Coast, residents know the drill: Board up windows, clear storm drains, gas up the car and stock up on water, batteries and canned goods.
Smart fluorescent molecular switches based on boron-based compounds
8dA molecular switch is a molecule that can be reversibly shifted between two or more stable states in response to external stimuli, such as a change on pH, light or electric current. These molecules are of interest in the field of nanotechnology for application in molecular computers or responsive drug delivery systems. If in one of the two states (on/off) the molecule is fluorescent, the compounds
Habitat loss is bad news for species – especially for top predators
8dScientists at Linköping University, Sweden, have simulated what happens in ecosystems when the habitats of different species disappear. When plants and animals lose their habitats, predator species at the top of the food chain die out first. The results have been published in Ecology Letters, and may provide information for and strengthen initiatives to preserve biodiversity.
Unintended methane release from UK shale gas site equivalent to 142 trans-Atlantic flights
8dFracking operations at a site in Blackpool, UK, have caused an unintended release of methane gas into the atmosphere to the equivalent environmental cost of 142 trans-Atlantic flights according to new research.
Pressenævnet kritiserer Dagens Medicin
8dDagens Medicin får kritik for ukorrekt oplysning og manglende berigtigelse.
Forskere advarer: Methan strømmer op fra enorme depoter i Arktis
8dPLUS. Et hold forskere har observeret høje koncentrationer og bobler af methan, som strømmer op fra havbunden i det Arktiske Ocean. De mener at have fundet beviser for, at de enorme, frosne methandepoter nu er begyndt at blive ustabile.
If a Robot Is Conscious, Is It OK to Turn It Off? The Moral Implications of Building True AIs
8dIn the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "The Measure of a Man," Data, an android crew member of the Enterprise, is to be dismantled for research purposes unless Captain Picard can argue that Data deserves the same rights as a human being. Naturally the question arises: What is the basis upon which something has rights? What gives an entity moral standing? The philosopher Peter Singer argues
The rhythm of change: What a drum-beat experiment reveals about cultural evolution
8dLiving organisms aren't the only things that evolve over time. Cultural practices change, too, and in recent years social scientists have taken a keen interest in understanding this cultural evolution. A new experiment used drum-beats to investigate the role that environment plays on cultural shifts, confirming that different environments do indeed give rise to different cultural patterns.
Coastal Greenland reshaped as Greenland ice sheet mass loss accelerates
8dIce loss from the Greenland Ice Sheet has accelerated significantly over the past two decades, transforming the shape of the ice sheet edge and therefore coastal Greenland.
New strategy for treating common retinal diseases shows promise
8dScientists have uncovered a potential new strategy for treating eye diseases that affect millions of people around the world, often resulting in blindness.
Hurricanes pack a bigger punch for Florida's west coast
8dHurricanes, the United States' deadliest and most destructive weather disasters, are notoriously difficult to predict. With the average storm intensity as well as the proportion of storms that reach category 4 or 5 likely to increase, more accurate predictions of future hurricane impacts could help emergency officials and coastal populations better prepare for such storms — and ultimately, save l
Astronomers are bulging with data
8dFor the first time, over 250 million stars in our galaxy's bulge have been surveyed in near-ultraviolet, optical, and near-infrared light, opening the door for astronomers to reexamine key questions about the Milky Way's formation and history. Using ultraviolet data, and with 450,000 individual images, the team was able to measure the chemical composition of tens of thousands of stars spanning a l
The Press Is Giving Trump a Free Pass, Again
8dYou can teach old journalists the occasional new trick, but two? Forget it. The 2016 election persuaded the press to avoid publicly presuming that Donald Trump will lose and the Democrat will win. The very cautious news coverage about Joe Biden's chances , despite his formidable advantage in polls, makes this plain. But even though reporters are loath to say that the president is a serious underd
Specific and rapid expansion of blood vessels
8dUpon a heart infarct or stroke, rapid restoration of blood flow, and oxygen delivery to the hypo perfused regions is of eminent importance to prevent further damage to heart or brain. Arterial diameter is a critical determinant of blood flow conductance. Scientists of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have now discovered a novel mechanism to structurally increase arterial diameter by sel
An artificial cell on a chip
8dResearchers at the University of Basel have developed a precisely controllable system for mimicking biochemical reaction cascades in cells. Using microfluidic technology, they produce miniature polymeric reaction containers equipped with the desired properties. This 'cell on a chip' is useful not only for studying processes in cells, but also for the development of new synthetic pathways for chemi
Performance test for neural interfaces
8dFreiburg researchers develop guidelines to standardize analysis of electrodes.
Stem cells: new insights for future regenerative medicine approaches
8dThe study published in Open Biology unravels important data for a better understanding of the process of division in stem cells and for the development of safer ways to use them in medicine.
Surrey device takes us closer to high-performing wearable and eco-disposable AI electronics
8dThe University of Surrey has unveiled a device with unique functionality that could signal the dawn of a new design philosophy for electronics, including next-generation wearables and eco-disposable sensors.
SARS-CoV-2 outbreak investigation in meat processing plant suggests aerosol transmission in confined
8dThe importance of maintaining high quality air flow to restrict transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in confined workspaces has been strongly indicated by the investigation of an outbreak of the virus at a German meat processing plant during May and June 2020. The study, published in EMBO Molecular Medicine, concluded that in such confined spaces where unfiltered air is recirculated at low rates of external
Good mental health and better sleep for the physically active
8dQuite a lot of people have modified their exercise habits during the pandemic, but that didn't affect sleep quality for active people.
Socio-demographic determinants of overweight and obesity among mothers in South Africa
8dTo investigate the socio-demographic determinants of overweight and obesity among mothers of primary school children living in a rural Dikgale Health and Demographic Surveillance System Site in South Africa
Single-atom alloy: Superb cocatalyst for photocatalysis
8dThe surface charge state of co-catalyst plays an important role in photocatalysis. However, the regulation on surface charge state of co-catalysts especially by changing their microstructures and coordination environment almost remains unexplored. Recently, Hai-Long Jiang's research group from the University of Science and Technology of China made very interesting progress in this aspect by fabric
The Big Bang, Zebras and the Texture of Our Universe
8dWhat do zebras have to do with the structure of the cosmos? Imagine a single zebra in your mind. With twitching ears, tufted hair, and a visual interference pattern wrapped over muscle and skin, the… — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Researchers find most shark fins in fish markets are from species caught in coastal zones, not the open ocean
8dA team of researchers affiliated with several institutions in the U.S. has found that most shark fins sold around the world in fish markets come from sharks caught in coastal zones rather than in the open ocean. In their paper published in the journal Biology Letters, the group describes their genetic study of fish market fin samples and the habitat modeling that they conducted for sharks.
Researchers find most shark fins in fish markets are from species caught in coastal zones, not the open ocean
8dA team of researchers affiliated with several institutions in the U.S. has found that most shark fins sold around the world in fish markets come from sharks caught in coastal zones rather than in the open ocean. In their paper published in the journal Biology Letters, the group describes their genetic study of fish market fin samples and the habitat modeling that they conducted for sharks.
A new math intervention helps narrow achievement gap among preschoolers
8dBy the time they reach kindergarten, children from disadvantaged backgrounds may already be behind in math. But identifying which students need help—and in what areas—can be challenging for teachers, who often lack knowledge of each child's baseline skills.
Australia's compliance culture breeds Covid-19 success
8dEfficient testing and contact tracing is at the forefront of its virus response
Milan fights against new local coronavirus lockdown
8dFears rise that restrictions in Italy's financial centre will cripple its economy
Q&A: How the human right to a healthy environment can help protect us all
8dFrom the COVID-19 pandemic to the raging wildfires in Australia and the U.S., scientific evidence shows an increase in planetary environmental emergencies that pose a risk to Canadian and global communities.
One quarter of Australian 11- to 12-year-olds don't have the literacy and numeracy skills they need
8dChildren from disadvantaged backgrounds, very remote areas, and Indigenous Australians are up to two times more likely to start school developmentally vulnerable than the national average.
How the Big Bang Governs the Texture of Our Universe
8dWhat do zebras have to do with the structure of the cosmos? Imagine a single zebra in your mind. With twitching ears, tufted hair, and a visual interference pattern wrapped over muscle and skin, the animal has its own contours, which are easy to make out up close. But get a large group of zebras together (a dazzle, by definition), and the individuals blend and meld into a seemingly homogeneous se
Ultra-small hollow alloy nanoparticles for synergistic hydrogen evolution catalysis
8dThe ultra-small hollow ternary alloy PtNiCu, PtCoCu and CuNiCo nanoparticles were prepared via an effective and simple one-pot strategy. Due to moderately synergistic interactions between the three metals of Pt, Ni, Cu and H*, the hollow PtNiCu nanoparticles showed the excellent hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance. In alkaline electrolyte, the overpotential at 10 mA cm-2 is 28 mV versus
Graphdiyne based metal atomic catalyst for efficient ammonia synthesis
8dResearchers cleverly used the rich chemical bonds, highly conjugated large π bonds, super-large surface and pore structures of graphdiyne. The graphdiyne-based zero-valent palladium atom catalyst was efficiently and controllably designed and synthesized through a simple and efficient metal ion anchoring-electron transfer – self-reduction strategy.
A mathematical model facilitates inventory management in the food supply chain
8dA research study in the Diverfarming project integrates transport resources and inventory management in a model that seeks economic efficiency and to avoid shortages
The future is now: long-term research shows ocean acidification ramping up on the Reef
8dA new study has shown ocean acidification is no longer a sombre forecast for the Great Barrier Reef but a present-day reality. The study shows seawater carbon dioxide on the Reef has risen 6 per cent in ten years, matching the rate of carbon dioxide increases in the atmosphere.
Lockdown interviews show poor housing quality has made life even tougher
8dNew research from the University of Huddersfield, in conjunction with the Northern Housing Consortium and Nationwide Foundation, shows the shocking extent of how much people struggled to cope whilst living with poor housing conditions in the north of England during the first lockdown, between May and July 2020
Microbial strains show individualized patterns of stability in the developing infant gut
8dMicrobial strain stability studies of human infants and children, ages shortly after birth (about 6 months) to 6 years, show individualized patterns of microbial strain specificity as the infant gut microbiomes developed.
Magnetic nature of complex vortex-like structures in a Kagome crystal Fe3Sn2
8dThree-dimensional magnetic bubbles were demonstrated from the view of integral magnetizations for the first time, which clarify the physics behind complex multi-ring and arc-shaped vortices obtained from two-dimensional transmission electron microscopy magnetic imaging.
Renewable energy targets can undermine sustainable intentions
8dRenewable energy targets (RETs) may be too blunt a tool for ensuring a sustainable future, according to University of Queensland-led research.PhD candidate Scott Spillias, from UQ's School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, said that, while RETs are a go-to for policymakers, more nuanced approaches were more effective at actually achieving holistic, sustainable outcomes.
Don't worry about your data
8dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-02993-z A meeting of minds.
Ranchers see water, labor as rotational grazing challenges
8dMoving livestock through different pastures or paddocks during the grazing season can help minimize overgrazing and more fully utilize forage. However, the number of ranchers adopting rotational grazing has stagnated despite U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation program incentives.
Scientists discover 500-meter-tall coral reef in the Great Barrier Reef, the first to be discovered in over 120 years
8dScientists have discovered a massive detached coral reef in the Great Barrier Reef–the first to be discovered in over 120 years, Schmidt Ocean Institute announced today. Measuring more than 500m high–taller than the Empire State Building, the Sydney Tower and the Petronas Twin Towers–the reef was discovered by Australian scientists aboard Schmidt Ocean Institute's research vessel Falkor, currently
Ranchers see water, labor as rotational grazing challenges
8dMoving livestock through different pastures or paddocks during the grazing season can help minimize overgrazing and more fully utilize forage. However, the number of ranchers adopting rotational grazing has stagnated despite U.S. Department of Agriculture conservation program incentives.
Why Autopsies Are Proving Crucial During Covid-19
8dAdvances in medical imaging have reduced the need for the procedure, but it is leading to discoveries that may help with better treatments
Mountain gorillas are good neighbors – up to a point
8dMountain gorilla groups are friendly to familiar neighbors – provided they stay out of 'core' parts of their territory – new research shows.
Photovoltaics industry can help meet Paris agreement targets
8dTo meet the Paris Agreement's goal of preventing Earth's average temperature from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial level, one of the best options for the energy economy will involve a shift to 100% renewable energy using solar energy and other clean energy sources. Researchers describe a model developed to predict what is necessary for the solar industry to meet Paris Agreeme
Muskelsmerter og energifyldt blod: Kolesterolmedicin påvirker organerne forskelligt
8dBehandling med statiner påvirker mod forventning blodceller på en anden måde end muskelceller….
Research lowers errors for using brain signals to control a robot arm
8dBrain-computer interfaces have seen a large influx of research in an effort to allow precise and accurate control of physical systems. By measuring brain signals and implementing a clever feedback scheme, researchers from India and the UK have reduced the positional error in brain-controlled robot arms by a factor of 10, paving the way to greatly enhancing the quality of life for people suffering
JNIS: brain-computer allows patients with severe paralysis to text, email, bank
8dResearchers demonstrated the success of a fully implantable wireless medical device, the Stentrode brain-computer interface (BCI), designed to allow patients with severe paralysis to resume daily tasks — including texting, emailing, shopping and banking online — without the need for open brain surgery. The first-in-human study was published in the (i>Journal of NeuroInterventional Surgery, the
COVID-19 vaccine nationalism could cost world up to $1.2 trillion: New RAND Europe study
8dA huge global research effort is taking place to bring a fast-tracked COVID-19 vaccine to the market but there is concern that certain countries may prioritise their own population's access to any vaccines developed. New RAND Europe research shows that if some countries are unable to obtain vaccines owing to vaccine nationalism it could cost the global economy up to $1.2 trillion per year in GDP t
Adults with endocrine disorders have an increased risk of heart disease
8dAll adults with endocrine disorders should be tested for high cholesterol and triglycerides to evaluate their risk of heart attack or stroke, according to a Clinical Practice Guideline issued today by the Endocrine Society.
Fatal police shootings among black Americans remain high, unchanged since 2015
8dOverall, the report found 5,367 fatal police shootings in the five-year span, of which 4,653 were eligible for analysis because both race and age were identified. The researchers calculated that this represented an annual average of 31,960 years of life lost.
New wasp may be a parasite of a parasite
8dResearchers have discovered a new wasp species that may be a parasite of a parasite. A horrifying insect soap opera with vampires, mummies, and infant-eating parasites is playing out on the stems and leaves of live oak trees every day, and evolutionary biologist Scott Egan found the latest character within walking distance of his lab. Egan, an associate professor of biosciences at Rice University
Among Us Was Hit With Pro-Trump Spam
8dThe attack comes just days after US representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez played the game in a wildly popular Twitch stream.
A census of the soil microbiome
8dMany people have experienced the mysterious death of a houseplant. Despite ample water and sunlight, something invisible seems to happen under the soil's surface to sabotage the plant's health. Just as communities of microbes live in the human gut and influence human health, the so-called soil microbiome of bacteria and fungi intimately influences plant health starting at the root.
For the first time, scientists demonstrate self-repair mechanism in cells
8dAs cells bump into each other, forces cause them to move and shake, or even sometimes rupture.
A census of the soil microbiome
8dMany people have experienced the mysterious death of a houseplant. Despite ample water and sunlight, something invisible seems to happen under the soil's surface to sabotage the plant's health. Just as communities of microbes live in the human gut and influence human health, the so-called soil microbiome of bacteria and fungi intimately influences plant health starting at the root.
Hurricane Zeta speeds toward a storm-weary Louisiana
8dHurricane Zeta was speeding toward storm-weary Louisiana and intensifying, with landfall expected as a Category 2 hurricane Wednesday afternoon. New Orleans, where a pump system failure has raised flood risks, was squarely in its way.
For the first time, scientists demonstrate self-repair mechanism in cells
8dAs cells bump into each other, forces cause them to move and shake, or even sometimes rupture.
Teen boys link marijuana use with more, better sex
8dTeen-age boys exposed to pro-cannabis advertising and social media posts are more likely than female peers to associate marijuana use with improving sexual activity, new research from Washington State University suggests.
A new playbook: COVID-19, athletes' hearts and return to play
8dIn a special report published in JAMA Cardiology , sports cardiologists offer guidance for athletes' return to play after they have recovered from COVID-19. The article addresses the most common questions posed by the media, in clinics and athletic training rooms, and during discussions among cardiologists who care for athletes.
Medieskabte symptombilleder bliver omfavnet af sårbare patienter
8dDet er min personlige oplevelse fra almen praksis, at der findes en sårbar gruppe af mennesker, som ofte reagerer på medieskabte symptombilleder med at søge læge. Nogle har længe været overbelastede af vores højhastighedssamfund, og her kan oplevelsen og genkendelsen af symptomer, som er forenelige med symptomer beskrevet som følger efter eksempelvis COVID-19 og HPV-vaccination, blive det, der udl
Get the Edge on Your Competition with Edge Computing by Stackpath
8dYou might not realize it, but not everything you do online and "in the cloud" is equal in terms of performance. Physical proximity between users and the cloud servers they access can affect those two all-important qualities for work done online: speed and performance. Edge computing is the process by which workloads and data are distributed across a number of servers for closer proximity to end u
Bizarre Bugs Found in Big City Show Nature's Weirdness Is Everywhere
8dAn urban expedition reveals nearly 1,000 species — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Bizarre Bugs Found in Big City Show Nature's Weirdness Is Everywhere
8dAn urban expedition reveals nearly 1,000 species — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Ultra-luminous X-ray pulsar Swift J0243.6+6124 investigated with AstroSat
8dUsing India's AstroSat spacecraft, astronomers have performed broadband timing and spectral observations of an ultra-luminous X-ray (ULX) pulsar known as Swift J0243.6+6124. Results of this observational campaign, presented in a paper published October 16 on arXiv.org, reveal more details about the properties of this pulsar.
Renewable energy targets can undermine sustainable intentions
8dRenewable energy targets (RETs) may be too blunt a tool for ensuring a sustainable future, according to University of Queensland-led research. Ph.D. candidate Scott Spillias, from UQ's School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, said that, while RETs are a go-to for policymakers, more nuanced approaches were more effective at actually achieving holistic, sustainable outcomes.
Studying craters on asteroid Bennu shows how long it has been orbiting near Earth
8dA team of researchers affiliated with a host of institutions in the U.S., Canada and Italy has found that studying the craters on asteroid Bennu allowed them to calculate how long it has been orbiting near Earth. In their paper published in the journal Nature, the group describes their study of craters formed on boulders on the asteroid.
Tailoring 2D materials to improve electronic and optical devices
8dNew possibilities for future developments in electronic and optical devices have been unlocked by recent advancements in two-dimensional (2D) materials.
Chickadees slow to return to feeders while predators are nearby
8dChickadees will change their feeding behavior if they think predators are nearby, according to new research by University of Alberta biologists.
ESA seeking dust-proof materials for lunar return
8dWhen humans return to the moon, they'll have formidable challenge lying in wait: lunar dust. The talcum-like lunar regolith is considered the biggest operational problem facing moon colonists. Within a few days of dust exposure, Apollo spacesuits suffered obscured visors, clogged mechanisms and eroded suit layers. So an ESA team is looking into novel material options to serve as the basis of futur
The future is now: Long-term research shows ocean acidification ramping up on the Great Barrier Reef
8dOcean acidification is no longer a somber forecast for the Great Barrier Reef but a present-day reality, a new study reveals.
Chickadees slow to return to feeders while predators are nearby
8dChickadees will change their feeding behavior if they think predators are nearby, according to new research by University of Alberta biologists.
How a company's consistent earnings can get a CEO fired
8dWhen a corporation's earnings are steady, its board of directors is more likely to fire their CEO after a bad earnings period, according to new research from the University at Buffalo School of Management.
New materials help expand volumetric 3-D printing
8dResearchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) have adapted a new class of materials for their groundbreaking volumetric 3-D printing method that produces objects nearly instantly, greatly expanding the range of material properties achievable with the technique.
Laser reveals electronically excited hydroxyl super-rotors in water photochemistry
8dThe presence of high-energy radiation fields in the universe yields various superexcited molecules, which play an important role as a reaction intermediate.
First-ever evidence of exotic particles in cobalt monosilicide
8dAnew study provides the first evidence of exotic particles, known as fourfold topological quasiparticles, in the metallic alloy cobalt monosilicide. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, this comprehensive analysis, one that combines experimental data with theoretical models, provides a detailed understanding of this material. These insights could be used to engineer th
Study documents racial differences in US hospice use and end-of-life care preferences
8dIn a new medical records analysis of racial disparities in end-of-life care, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine and three collaborating institutions report that Black patients voluntarily seek substantially more intensive treatment in the last six months of life, while white patients more often choose hospice services.
Estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects of PFASs could depend on the presence of estrogen
8dPerfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have received intense scrutiny in recent years because of their persistence in the environment and potential endocrine-disrupting effects. However, their estrogenic activities are controversial, with different studies showing apparently contradictory results. Now, researchers reporting in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology have used a combination of laborator
Renässans för häxorna
8dIntresset för andliga strömningar ökar. Konsthistorien omförhandlas och ockulta sällskap vinner nya medlemmar. Tarotkort, astrologi och häxutbildningar har blivit allt vanligare. Delvis i takt med att de första Harry Potter-läsarna blivit vuxna. – Det var en aha-upplevelse för mig när jag insåg hur mycket träning och möda som ofta ligger bakom hur man blir praktiserande ockultist, eller magiker,
Study looks at the energetic impact of brain-infecting parasites on California killifish
8dParasites are well known for sucking energy from their hosts, but can they drain energy from hosts even before infection? A new study by Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences examined this question and found that a species of brain-infecting parasite can disrupt the metabolism of its host—the California killifish
Fertilization threatens grassland stability
8dFertilization is a major threat to the stability of grasslands at the local and larger spatial scale. That is the conclusion of a large international research group, led by researchers from Utrecht University.
High-resolution lithography for nanoporous thin films
8dResearchers at KU Leuven (Belgium) developed a high-resolution lithography process to pattern metal-organic framework (MOF) films. This work, published in Nature Materials, will speed up the integration of these materials into microchips.
Scientists discover new organic compounds that could have helped form the first cells
8dChemists studying how life started often focus on how modern biopolymers like peptides and nucleic acids contributed, but modern biopolymers don't form easily without help from living organisms. A possible solution to this paradox is that life started using different components, and many non-biological chemicals were likely abundant in the environment. A new survey conducted by an international te
Study looks at the energetic impact of brain-infecting parasites on California killifish
8dParasites are well known for sucking energy from their hosts, but can they drain energy from hosts even before infection? A new study by Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences examined this question and found that a species of brain-infecting parasite can disrupt the metabolism of its host—the California killifish
Fertilization threatens grassland stability
8dFertilization is a major threat to the stability of grasslands at the local and larger spatial scale. That is the conclusion of a large international research group, led by researchers from Utrecht University.
'Nearly invisible' leopards rebound in China
8dLeopard populations in northern China are on the mend, according to new research. Most of the world's leopards are endangered and generally, the number of these shy and stunning cats is decreasing. Leopards are fascinating animals. In addition to being sublime hunters that will eat nearly anything and can survive in varied habitats from forests to deserts, they are able to withstand temperatures
Scientists discover new organic compounds that could have helped form the first cells
8dChemists studying how life started often focus on how modern biopolymers like peptides and nucleic acids contributed, but modern biopolymers don't form easily without help from living organisms. A possible solution to this paradox is that life started using different components, and many non-biological chemicals were likely abundant in the environment. A new survey conducted by an international te
Inga gener från bläsgås i Sveriges fjällgäss
8dDe akut hotade svenska fjällgässen har inte gener från den närbesläktade bläsgåsen. Det visar en kartläggning av fjällgässens arvsmassa. Att det inte finns några hybrider kommer att underlätta arbetet med att bevara arten. En oro för att hybrider mellan fjällgås och bläsgås fått fotfäste i den vilda populationen har komplicerat bevarandearbetet med den svenska fjällgåsen. Fjällgåsen är en av de m
How to make restaurants safer during the pandemic
8dIt's a cruel irony that the things that make a restaurant appealing are precisely what currently make it dangerous—the intimacy, the coziness, the groups of people deep in conversation, whiling away the hours over drinks and a meal. Eating in a restaurant is one of the riskiest things you can do during the coronavirus pandemic. To understand why, you need to think about the latest science around
Estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects of PFASs could depend on the presence of estrogen
8dPerfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have received intense scrutiny in recent years because of their persistence in the environment and potential endocrine-disrupting effects. However, their estrogenic activities are controversial, with different studies showing apparently contradictory results. Now, researchers reporting in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology have used a combination of laborator
The Most Glorious Video Game Music to Level Up Your Workday
8dTurns out these soundtracks can help you beat Bowser and boost productivity. Here are our favorite tunes, from high-fantasy suites to retro beats.
Why The Queen's Gambit Is the No. 1 Netflix Show Right Now
8dThe new miniseries, based on the book by Walter Tevis, revels in the joy of watching someone else play a game beautifully—and our obsession with genius.
Estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects of PFASs could depend on the presence of estrogen
8dPerfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have received intense scrutiny in recent years because of their persistence in the environment and potential endocrine-disrupting effects. However, their estrogenic activities are controversial, with different studies showing apparently contradictory results. Now, researchers reporting in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology have used a combination of laborator
Who are science's frequent flyers? Climate researchers
8dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-03000-1 Survey finds climate scholars take more flights on average per year — but make greater effort to offset their emissions.
The Transition Is Already Happening (And It's Going Fine So Far)
8dSometime in early to mid-November, if October polling holds and the infrastructure of our democracy basically functions, Joe Biden is likely to be declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election. At that point, he will have just more than two months to prepare to take over the leadership of a country still in the grips of a once-in-a-century pandemic, with more than 12 million Americans une
Nyt ejendomsvurderingssystem på vej: Næsten hver tredje vurdering er upræcis
8dDen skandaleramte udvikling af Skatteministeriets nye ejendomsvurderingssystem har stået på i fem år, og budgettet er mere end tidoblet siden projektstart. Pt er hver tredje vurdering i det nye system uden for den acceptable fejlmargin.
New Activism by Scientists Can Lead to Partisan Backlash
8dPushback against antiscience politicians could erode public support for research. But there are ways to defuse antagonism — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Holland indfører 30 km/t i boligområder – i Danmark siger politiet nej
8dI Holland har Repræsentanternes Hus vedtaget et forslag om at sænke hastigheden til 30 km/t i beboelsesområder. I Danmark afviser politiet kommunernes ønsker om lignende tiltag.
Sarah Cooper's Humor Is Not What You Thought
8dPress play on a video by the comedian Sarah Cooper, and you know what to expect: Cooper in a blazer, lip-synching to something nonsensical that President Donald Trump has said, her exaggerated facial expressions highlighting the absurdity of his comments. These bite-size, viral impersonations, created on TikTok and popularized on Twitter, have launched her to online fame since she began posting t
America Is About to Choose How Bad the Pandemic Will Get
8dEditor's Note: The Atlantic is making vital coverage of the coronavirus available to all readers. Find the collection here . The president's response to the pandemic should not have been a surprise. In December 2016, a month before Donald Trump was inaugurated, I asked how a pandemic would play out during his term . The question was not idly put: Every recent president before Trump had been chall
These bizarre ancient species are rewriting animal evolution
8dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-02985-z Early fossils with guts, segmented bodies and other sophisticated features reveal a revolution in animal life — before the Cambrian explosion.
New Activism by Scientists Can Lead to Partisan Backlash
8dPushback against antiscience politicians could erode public support for research. But there are ways to defuse antagonism — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
PLO vil ekskludere medlemmer ansat i udbuds- og regionsklinikker
8dDet skal ikke længere være muligt at være medlem af Praktiserende Lægers Organisation, hvis man er ansat i en udbuds- og regionsklinik. Sådan lyder et ændringsforslag af de nuværende vedtægter, som PLO's bestyrelse står bag.
COVID Fatality Improving
8dCOVID-19 is becoming less deadly, due to a variety of reasons that do not seem to include changes to the virus itself. The post first appeared on Science-Based Medicine .
The AI Company Helping the Pentagon Assess Disinfo Campaigns
8dPrimer can quickly sort through hundreds of sources to identify, say, Russian interference in Azerbaijan. It sells its tech to Walmart too.
How to Stop Getting Into Pointless Arguments Online
8dIt's easy to want to keep talking until you "win," but in reality, no one's winning.
What Should You Do About Holiday Gatherings and Covid-19?
8dAmid the Covid-19 pandemic, there's no perfectly safe way to socialize. But here are some tips on how to talk to your relatives about risk—or opting out.
Big Tech's Election Plans Have a Blind Spot: Influencers
8dPlatforms like Facebook and Google are sharing their plans to pause political ads around Election Day. That's won't stop all paid campaigning.
The Garden Trolls of Western Pennsylvania
8dThe garden center that Tom McMeekin owns is packed with pumpkins and crimson-petaled mums this time of year. Generations of neighbors have depended on its greenhouse, located along a winding road north of Pittsburgh, for petunias, tomato seedlings, bags of compost, and clay pots for their patios. My mother bought two rose-of-Sharon bushes there that outlived her and bloom still in my sister's bac
Climate Change Hits Rock and Roll as Prized Guitar Wood Shortage Looms
8dFlooding and a wood-boring beetle threaten supplies of storied "swamp ash" — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Climate Change Hits Rock and Roll as Prized Guitar Wood Shortage Looms
8dFlooding and a wood-boring beetle threaten supplies of storied "swamp ash" — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
5 Questions for Undecided Voters
8dThe debates are over. Early voting has started. Election Day is almost here. If you've studied the issues that are most important to you, and compared the characters of Donald Trump and Joe Biden, and remain undecided about how you'll vote, here's an exercise that could help you make up your mind: Instead of focusing solely on how the candidates would behave in the Oval Office, consider how each
Scientists Find Massive Coral Reef In Australia's Great Barrier Reef
8dThe 1,600-foot-tall coral reef is taller than the Empire State Building, and its base is a mile wide. It's the first time in 120 years since a coral reef this size has been discovered.
Formand for betalingsbro: Vejdirektoratet er forpligtet til at sende os trafikken
8dPLUS. Kronprinsesse Marys Bro syd for Frederiksund er langt fra at løbe rundt. Udebliver trafikken, mener bestyrelsesformand, at der er lovgrundlag for at genere bilister på den gratis konkurrent, til de kører nye veje.
Working for Racial Justice as a White Teacher
8dEditor's Note: In 1988, a teacher most commonly had 15 years of experience. In recent years, that number is closer to just three years leading a classroom. The "On Teaching" series focuses on the wisdom of veteran teachers. One of this year's largest youth-led Black Lives Matter protests took place on June 3 in front of Mission High School in San Francisco , where Robert Roth taught U.S. History
Ny metode udviklet af dataloger giver skarpere 3D-billeder af kroppens celler
8dForskere fra Datalogisk Institut på KU har fundet en metode til at rette op på en særlig…
Reprogramming bacterial protein organelles as a nanoreactor for hydrogen production
8dNature Communications, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41467-020-19280-0 The extreme oxygen sensitive character of hydrogenases is a longstanding issue for hydrogen production in bacteria. Here, the authors build carboxysome shells in E. coli and incorporate catalytically active hydrogenases and functional partners within the empty shell for the production of hydrogen.
Auditory information enhances post-sensory visual evidence during rapid multisensory decision-making
8dNature Communications, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41467-020-19306-7 A conclusive account on how the brain translates audiovisual evidence into a rapid decision is still lacking. Here, using a neurally-informed modelling approach, the authors show that sounds amplify visual evidence later in the decision process, in line with higher-order multisensory effects.
Infrared spectroscopic study of hydrogen bonding topologies in the smallest ice cube
8dNature Communications, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41467-020-19226-6 Spectroscopic studies of water clusters provide insight into the hydrogen bond structure of water and ice. The authors measure infrared spectra of neutral water octamers using a threshold photoionization technique based on a tunable vacuum-UV free electron laser, identifying two cubic isomers in addition to t
A self-powered analog sensor-data-logging device based on Fowler-Nordheim dynamical systems
8dNature Communications, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41467-020-19292-w Designing ultra-low-power sensing and data-logging techniques with battery-free operation of sensor nodes remains a challenge. Here, the authors present a self-powered sensor-data-logger device that records a cumulative measure of the sensor signal intensity over its entire duration.
Inter-hemispheric synchroneity of Holocene precipitation anomalies controlled by Earth's latitudinal insolation gradients
8dNature Communications, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41467-020-19021-3 Solar insolation is not equally distributed on the Earth's surface and such imbalances influence the atmospheric circulation. Here, the authors show that latitudinal insolation gradients synchronized the hydroclimate in the Northern mid-latitudes and the African and South American Monsoons throughout the Holo
Natural variations of SLG1 confer high-temperature tolerance in indica rice
8dNature Communications, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41467-020-19320-9 Understanding the mechanism of high-temperature tolerance will help to breed crops adaptive to warming climate. Here, the authors show SLG1, a cytosolic tRNA 2-thiolation protein 2 encoding gene, is differentiated between the two Asian cultivated rice subspecies and confers high temperature tolerance of indic
YAP and TAZ protect against white adipocyte cell death during obesity
8dNature Communications, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41467-020-19229-3 The expansion of the white adipose tissue during obesity is accompanied by increased cellular stress, but factors that protect adipocytes from cell death are not well known. Here the authors report that the transcriptional co-activators YAP and TAZ are activated in adipocytes during obesity, which increases a
Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Inhibitors using Lung and Colonic Organoids
8dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-2901-9
Equality and diversity efforts do not 'burden' research — no matter what the UK government says
8dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-03027-4 Plans to downgrade university equality initiatives such as Athena SWAN risk being divisive and must be challenged.
Why political campaigns are sending 3 billion texts in this election
8dLast week, the Oklahoma State Election Board issued a warning about a fraudulent text message that claimed there had been changes to polling places. The phone number that the text came from was for a male escort service. This is not new. In 2018, two weeks ahead of the midterms, Monroe County in Michigan warned of texts that falsely claimed that many voters' absentee ballots remained "outstanding
Following Retraction Watch and PubPeer posts, journal upgrades correction to a retraction
8dA year ago, we posted on the case of a paper in the Journal of Cell Science in which editors: allowed a group of researchers in Italy to correct a 2016 paper with questionable images after a faculty member in their institution — and a frequent co-author of the group's — said his investigation found … Continue reading
South Korea to seek carbon neutrality by 2050: Moon
8dSouth Korean President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday pledged his country will try to become carbon neutral by 2050, although he stopped short of promising to achieve the ambitious goal, seen as crucial to the fight against climate change.
In the Hunt for Industrial Brine, a Surfeit of Sinkholes
8dRoughly 35 percent of the U.S. is underlain with a sinkhole-prone network of caverns called karst. And while big sinkholes draw headlines, even minor events — where the ground slumps slowly into a void — can cause damage. New Mexico has a rare chance to identify and fix an area in danger of imminent collapse.
Soil-powered fuel cell promises cheap, sustainable water purification
8dSoil microbial fuel cells proven to be capable of creating energy to filter a person's daily drinking water in Brazil test.
Researchers find confusion over masks for wildfire, COVID-19 crises
8dDrawing from studies on human behavior and responses to past epidemics and wildfire smoke, researchers outline recommendations for communicating correct mask use and suggest areas for further research.
Smokers, especially those who begin young, are three times more likely to die prematurely
8dA large, national study found that smokers faced nearly three times the risk of dying prematurely from heart disease or stroke.Risk was higher among smokers who began before age 15 compared to those who began at older ages, and the risk was highest of all for those who began smoking before age 10.Those who quit smoking by or well before age 40 can reduce their risk of premature death from cardiova
The Catholic Temptation
8dStep inside the world of a Biden campaign ad, and you'll find a young Joey going up to bat in his front yard here in Scranton, Pennsylvania, decked out in his baseball uniform while a baby stands in a crib nearby. Women in '50s-era hats and colorful skirt suits walk up the sidewalk to church. Biden's dad calls him "champ" and dispenses attaboy wisdom: "When you get knocked down, get up." Selling
Asteroid 'fist bump', pooling COVID tests and open-access deal
8dNature, Published online: 28 October 2020; doi:10.1038/d41586-020-02987-x The latest science news, in brief.
Opdatering til Smittestop: Flere vil få varsel om smittefare
8dSmittestop-appen får en opdatering, der blandt ændrer ved grænsen for, hvor lang tid personer skal have været sammen for at få advarsler om mulig smitte fra hinanden.
Deep-diving whale dies after swimming up river
8dRescuers made a "sterling effort" to save the 21ft-long animal found in a tributary of the River Clyde near Glasgow Airport.
Ny metod kan utvärdera läkemedel mot alzheimer
8dLundaforskare har tagit fram en metod som kan mäta effekten av olika lovande läkemedel mot Alzheimers sjukdom. Med den nya metoden har de kunnat se att en specifik läkemedelskandidat hindrar bildningen av de små proteinklumpar som tros skada nervcellerna i hjärnan. Forskarna hoppas nu att deras metod kan underlätta utvecklingen av nya läkemedel mot demenssjukdomen.
Zeta re-strengthens to a hurricane, takes aim at Gulf Coast
8dZeta re-strengthened into a hurricane early Wednesday as Louisiana braced for the 27th named storm of a historically busy Atlantic hurricane season.
Europe to send modules, astronauts to NASA moon station
8dThe European Space Agency says it has agreed to provide several modules for NASA's planned outpost around the moon, in return for a chance to send European astronauts to the lunar orbiter.
How computer scientists and marketers can create a better CX with AI
8dResearchers from Erasmus University, The Ohio State University, York University, and London Business School published a new paper in the Journal of Marketing that examines the tension between AI's benefits and costs and then offers recommendations to guide managers and scholars investigating these challenges.
Reforestation plans in Africa could go awry
8dThe state of mature ecosystems must be taken into account before launching massive reforestation plans in sub-Saharan Africa, according to geo-ecologist Julie Aleman, a visiting researcher in the geography department of Université de Montréal.
Coral researchers find link between bacterial genus and disease susceptibility
8dCorals that appear healthy are more prone to getting sick when they're home to too many parasitic bacteria, new research at Oregon State University shows.
Coral researchers find link between bacterial genus and disease susceptibility
8dCorals that appear healthy are more prone to getting sick when they're home to too many parasitic bacteria, new research at Oregon State University shows.
Mountain gorillas are good neighbours—up to a point
8dMountain gorilla groups are friendly to familiar neighbours—provided they stay out of "core" parts of their territory—new research shows.
Mountain gorillas are good neighbours—up to a point
8dMountain gorilla groups are friendly to familiar neighbours—provided they stay out of "core" parts of their territory—new research shows.
Greater prostate cancer incidence; mortality among Black men linked to genetic alterations
8dProstate cancer tumors from African American men had higher frequencies of certain genetic alterations that may be associated with aggressive disease, compared with prostate cancer tumors from white men.
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