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A Cephalopod Has Passed a Cognitive Test Designed For Human Children
18hCuttlefish show incredible learning and restraint.
Virus Variant in Brazil Infected Many Who Had Already Recovered From Covid-19
1dThe first detailed studies of the so-called P.1 variant show how it devastated a Brazilian city. Now scientists want to know what it will do elsewhere.
Lab-grown black hole analog behaves just like Stephen Hawking said it would
1dLike mad scientists, researchers are creating miniature black holes in their laboratories. Their mission? To see if a mysterious form of radiation predicted by Stephen Hawking exists.
Mars: Nasa's Perseverance rover sends stunning images
18hAmazing images as Nasa's Perseverance rover lands on Mars and seeks signs of past microbial life.
For The First Time, A 'Space Hurricane' Has Been Detected Over The North Pole
17hIt lasted for around 8 hours.
COVID Found Mutating Inside a Baby Born With The Virus, in a World First
1dThere were significant changes to the placenta.
There's a Better Way to Parent: Less Yelling, Less Praise
1dAt one point in her new book, the NPR journalist Michaeleen Doucleff suggests that parents consider throwing out most of the toys they've bought for their kids. It's an extreme piece of advice, but the way Doucleff frames it, it seems entirely sensible: "Kids spent two hundred thousand years without these items," she writes. Her deeply researched book, Hunt, Gather, Parent: What Ancient Cultures
Australia confirms extinction of 13 more species, including first reptile since colonisation
10hChristmas Island forest skink and 12 mammals on list, which also includes the desert bettong, broad-cheeked hopping mouse and Nullarbor barred bandicoot The Australian government has officially acknowledged the extinction of 13 endemic species, including 12 mammals and the first reptile known to have been lost since European colonisation. The addition of the dozen mammal species confirms Australi
Why Greenpeace is dropping huge boulders into the sea
2hFishing community leaders say Greenpeace's action is dangerous and illegal.
Cats are too socially inept to be loyal
1dA new study finds that cats, unlike dogs, will gladly accept food from people who are not nice to their owners.
Researchers read sealed 17th century letter without opening it
1d'Virtual unfolding' is hailed a breakthrough in the study of historic documents as unopened letter from 1697 is read for the first time using X-ray technology In a world first for the study of historic documents, an unopened letter written in 1697 has been read by researchers without breaking the seal. The letter, dated 31 July 1697 and sent from French merchant Jacques Sennacques in Lille to his
Scientists Observe Eight-Hour "Space Plasma Hurricane"
1dSpace Hurricanes A team of scientists have confirmed the existence of a gigantic, 1,000 kilometer-across "space hurricane" swirling hundreds of kilometers above the North Pole, the BBC's Science Focus reports . The team analyzed data in the form of low geomagnetic activity over the North Pole dating back to 2014. What they found was something truly awe-inspiring: an anticlockwise spinning vortex
Extinct atom reveals the long-kept secrets of the solar system
1dUsing the extinct niobium-92 atom, ETH researchers have been able to date events in the early solar system with greater precision than before. The study concludes that supernova explosions must have taken place in the birth environment of our sun.
Human origins: 'Little Foot' fossil's big journey out of Africa
1dHow the priceless skull of an ancient ancestor was brought to the UK from South Africa for study.
Astrophysicist's 2004 theory confirmed: Why the Sun's composition varies
1dAbout 17 years ago, J. Martin Laming, an astrophysicist at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, theorized why the chemical composition of the Sun's tenuous outermost layer differs from that lower down. His theory has recently been validated by combined observations of the Sun's magnetic waves from the Earth and from space.
Data on long Covid in UK children is cause for concern, scientists say
1dWith lack of vaccinations and schools in England set to reopen cases must not be ignored, experts warn Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage Scientists have warned that emerging data on long Covid in children should not be ignored given the lack of a vaccine for this age group, but cautioned that the evidence describing these enduring symptoms in the young is so far uncert
The 'LitterCam' that's watching you
2hAI software can now match footage of motorists throwing rubbish with their car's number plate and issue an automatic fine .
Reversing Trump, Interior Department Moves Swiftly on Climate Change
1dAs Deb Haaland, President Biden's choice for Interior secretary, heads toward a showdown vote, the department she would head is moving ahead on environmental policies.
New Technique Reveals Centuries of Secrets in Locked Letters
1dM.I.T. researchers have devised a virtual-reality technique that lets them read old letters that were mailed not in envelopes but in the writing paper itself after being folded into elaborate enclosures.
Covid: Germany and France under pressure to shift Oxford vaccine
1dBoth countries urged to take action to avoid pile-up of unused AstraZeneca vaccine doses Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage Authorities in Germany and France are under pressure to come up with creative solutions to shift the AstraZeneca vaccine at higher speed in order to avoid a pile-up of unused doses over the coming weeks. On Monday, France's medical regulator revers
Enjoy It While It Lasts: Dropping Oxygen Will Eventually Suffocate Most Life on Earth
13hWe'll run out of oxygen long before the Sun boils away our water.
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Simulations suggest Earth's oxygen-rich atmosphere will last only another billion years
1dA pair of researchers from Toho University and NASA Nexus for Exoplanet System Science has found evidence, via simulation, that Earth will lose its oxygen-rich atmosphere in approximately 1 billion years. In their paper published in the journal Nature Geoscience, Kazumi Ozaki and Christopher Reinhard describe the factors that went into their simulation and what it showed.
Theoretical interpretations of the pulsar timing data recently released by NANOGrav
1dThe North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) is a gravitational-wave detector that monitors areas in the vicinity of Earth using a network of pulsars (i.e., clock-like stars). At the end of 2020, the NANOGrav collaboration gathered evidence of fluctuations in the timing data of 45 pulsars, which could be compatible with a stochastic gravitational wave background (SGW
Documenting emperor penguins in Antarctica
1dStefan Christmann spent almost 15 months in Antarctica alongside 10,000 emperor penguins.
Utah Considers State Park Named For Utahraptor Dinosaur
19hUtah is considering naming a new park in honor of dinosaurs discovered there. Researchers expect to uncover more Utahraptor bones — provided they can get them out of a massive block of rock. (Image credit: Utah Geological Survey)
Trump Is Threatening Republican Prospects in 2022
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1dGOP Trump Republican
The 2021 Conservative Political Action Conference proved that it's still Donald Trump's Republican Party, but then you knew that. So did the organizers, the attendees, and the politicians who attended. It's why the conference moved from its traditional home outside Washington, D.C., to Florida. Oh, sure, COVID-19 restrictions played a part, but CPAC could have chosen any number of places to reloc
Expert: Vaccination Passports Could Become a "Dystopian Nightmare"
1dFor practically as long as the coronavirus pandemic has been raging, officials have suggested that "immunity passports" — or "vaccination passports" now that we're talking about inoculations rather than antibodies — could help society safely reopen . By allowing those who are less likely to catch the coronavirus go to offices, stores, and otherwise participate in the economy, the argument goes ,
Photon-photon polaritons: the intriguing particles that emerge when two photons couple
1dScientists at the University of Bath in the UK have found a way to bind together two photons of different colors, paving the way for important advancements in quantum-electrodynamics—the field of science that describes how light and matter interact. In time, the team's findings are likely to impact developments in optical and quantum communication, and precision measurements of frequency, time and
Brazil variant evaded up to 61% of immunity in previous Covid cases
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1dUK Brazil Covid England
Scientists call for more genetic sequencing of emerging variants like P1 to bring pandemic under control Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage The coronavirus variant originally found in Manaus in Brazil and detected in six cases in the UK was able to infect 25% to 61% of the people in the Amazonian city who might have expected to be immune after a first bout of Covid, res
Benefits of microdosing LSD might be placebo effect, study finds
1dImperial College London researchers conducted largest placebo-controlled trial of psychedelics It became the trend in Silicon Valley and spread swiftly around the world: the latest hack to boost the mood, sharpen the mind and get the creative juices flowing. But for all the entrepreneurs and tech gurus that flocked to the practice, scientists have never been sure whether consuming small doses of
Once Upon a Time on Mars
1dA dune buggy is about to set off on behalf of its human owners to fulfill a primordial yearning.
Billionaire Says He'll Fly Eight People Around the Moon for Free
3hRound Trip Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa announced yesterday that he's inviting eight members of the public to get onboard a SpaceX Starship with him and fly around the Moon as soon as 2023. "I'm inviting you to join me on this mission," Maezawa says in an announcement video , alongside SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. The Japanese fashion tycoon is feeling generous and is willing to "pay for the enti
DR Congo's Virunga National Park: The deadly job of protecting gorillas
8hIn the past year, more than 20 rangers have been killed defending Africa's oldest national park.
Renaissance-Era Letter Sealed For Centuries Just Virtually Unfolded And Read For The First Time
17hThis is actually so cool.
The best defense against authoritarianism? More educated citizens.
18hIt's difficult to overstate the impact of technology and artificial intelligence. Smart machines are fundamentally reshaping the economy—indeed, society as a whole. Seemingly overnight, they have changed our roles in the workplace, our views of democracy—even our family and personal relationships. In my latest book , I argue that we can—and must—rise to this challenge by developing our capacity f
Landmark Study Shows Soil Pesticide Reduces Wild Bee Reproduction by 89%
19hMost bees nest underground, not in hives.
New P.1 Strain Can Re-Infect People Who Already Caught COVID
1dA variant of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 called P.1 seems to be able to reinfect people who already recovered from COVID-19, despite whatever protections their immune systems built up. The variant, which was discovered and began circulating in Brazil back in December, poses a new threat that has scientists worried about the potential for yet another major wave of the coronavirus, The New York Time
Covid vaccines show few serious side-effects after millions of jabs
1dSurveillance of AstraZeneca and Pfizer recipients in UK reports minor complaints but few severe reactions
Reading A Letter That's Been Sealed For More Than 300 Years — Without Opening It
1dA signed, sealed but not delivered letter from 1697 has finally been read with the help of a high-tech scan that looked inside without breaking its seal. (Image credit: Unlocking History Research Group)
Struggling Koalas Get Help from a Bold Breeding Program
1dAustralia's bushfires devastated koala populations, but a first-ever mix of capture and genetics could aid a marsupial comeback — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
What's in a vaccine and what does it do to your body?
8hThere are all sorts of different vaccines but many of them share specific types of ingredients. Josh Toussaint-Strauss talks to Prof Adam Finn to find out what is in most conventional vaccines, as well as what's going on in our bodies when we take them – and why the Covid jabs work differently Continue reading…
Strange Earthquakes in Utah Reveal Volcanic Activity Hidden Below The Desert
9hSleeping with one eye open.
Cuttlefish have ability to exert self-control, study finds
18hDelaying gratification may have evolved in the squid-like creature to maximise efficiency Humans, chimps, parrots and crows have evolved to exert self-control, a trait linked to higher intelligence. Now, researchers say cuttlefish – chunky squid-like creatures with eight arms – also have the ability to delay gratification for a better reward. Researchers used an adapted version of the Stanford ma
Scientists Suggest Farming Fish on the Moon
22hFishy Situation A team of French scientists has a pressing concern. When the European Space Agency constructs its planned Moon Village , what exactly are the astronauts supposed to eat? Thankfully, they have a plan: farming fish on the Moon using live eggs shipped from Earth and water harvested from the lunar surface, Hakai Magazine reports . It sounds outlandish to consider raising animals on th
Renaissance-era letter sealed for centuries just virtually unfolded and read for the first time
22hX-ray scans and digital reconstructions revealed the contents of undelivered letters that were sealed more than 600 years ago.
There's Something Very Different About Tomorrow's Starship Test
23hThird Time SpaceX is ramping up to launch its third full-scale Starship rocket this week — but this time, the company will attempt a new strategy. The prototype, called SN10, could be rocketing high into the sky from its launch pad in Boca Chica, Texas as early as Wednesday afternoon, Teslarati reports , according to flight restrictions announced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This
A quantum internet is closer to reality, thanks to this switch
1dWhen quantum computers become more powerful and widespread, they will need a robust quantum internet to communicate.
Mammal ancestors moved in their own unique way
1dThe backbone is the Swiss Army Knife of mammal locomotion. It can function in all sorts of ways that allows living mammals to have remarkable diversity in their movements. They can run, swim, climb and fly all due, in part, to the extensive reorganization of their vertebral column, which occurred over roughly 320 million years of evolution.
Mammal ancestors moved in their own unique way
1dThe backbone is the Swiss Army Knife of mammal locomotion. It can function in all sorts of ways that allows living mammals to have remarkable diversity in their movements. They can run, swim, climb and fly all due, in part, to the extensive reorganization of their vertebral column, which occurred over roughly 320 million years of evolution.
Testing waters of East Siberian Arctic Ocean suggests origin of elevated methane is reservoir located in Laptev Sea
1dAn international team of researchers has found evidence implicating a deep underground reservoir as the source of high levels of methane in the waters of the East Siberian Arctic Ocean. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes testing three isotopic forms of dissolved methane in the waters.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope completes final functional tests to prepare for launch
1dFebruary marked significant progress for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, which completed its final functional performance tests at Northrop Grumman in Redondo Beach, California. Testing teams successfully completed two important milestones that confirmed the observatory's internal electronics are all functioning as intended, and that the spacecraft and its four scientific instruments can send a
The problems with anti-vaccers' precautionary principle arguments
1dInvoking the precautionary principle is a favorite tactic of anti-vaccers, anti-GMO activists, and various other groups that are prone to opposing scientific advances, but there are numerous issues with this strategy. The exact definition of the precautionary principle is a bit amorphous and variable, but the general concept is that before taking an action that Continue reading ""
Struggling Koalas Get Help from a Bold Breeding Program
1dAustralia's bushfires devastated koala populations, but a first-ever mix of capture and genetics could aid a marsupial comeback — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
5 Medical Appointments You Should Stop Putting Off
1dIf you've been delaying routine medical care in the past year, now's the time to catch up, doctors say. The consequences of missing some key screenings and health checkups can be lethal. (Image credit: Kristen Uroda for NPR)
Miami Says It Can Adapt to Rising Seas. Not Everyone Is Convinced.
1dOfficials have a new plan to manage rising water. Succeed or fail, it will very likely become a case study for other cities facing climate threats.
Eerie Stars of 'Dark Matter' May Be Behind Largest Gravitational Wave Detection Yet
1dDid we detect boson stars colliding?
Trump Is Gone, but Democracy Is in Trouble
4hAfter November 3, I allowed myself to dream that the battered troops of democracy would regain their courage and go on the offensive. For a decade or more, authoritarian populists around the globe had won one upset victory after another. They rose to power in India and Brazil, in the Philippines and the United States. And though Jair Bolsonaro and Rodrigo Duterte were at first mocked as incompete
Stockton's Basic-Income Experiment Pays Off
4hTwo years ago, the city of Stockton, California, did something remarkable: It brought back welfare. Using donated funds, the industrial city on the edge of the Bay Area tech economy launched a small demonstration program, sending payments of $500 a month to 125 randomly selected individuals living in neighborhoods with average incomes lower than the city median of $46,000 a year. The recipients w
Democrats' Only Chance to Stop the GOP Assault on Voting Rights
4hT he most explosive battle in decades over access to the voting booth will reach a new crescendo this week, as Republican-controlled states advance an array of measures to restrict the ballot, and the U.S. House of Representatives votes on the federal legislation that represents Democrats' best chance to stop them. It's no exaggeration to say that future Americans could view the resolution of thi
Unions attack 'sinister' plan to force NHS staff to have Covid vaccine
4hGovernment reportedly considering making jab mandatory for health and care workers in England Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage A government plan to force all NHS and care staff in England to get vaccinated against Covid-19 has been criticised as "sinister" and likely to increase the numbers refusing to have the jab. Health unions and hospital bosses urged the health s
Researchers realize quantum communications milestone using light
5hFew terms are more ubiquitous in the scientific arena these days than "quantum."
Cuttlefish show self-control, pass 'marshmallow test'
6hThey resisted the temptation to eat up the fishy snack knowing they could get a better one if they waited.
The climate crisis can't be solved by carbon accounting tricks | Simon Lewis
9hDisaster looms if big finance is allowed to game the carbon offsetting markets to achieve 'net zero' emissions An astonishing global shift is under way: 127 countries have now stated that by mid-century their overall emissions of carbon dioxide will be zero. That includes the EU, US, and UK by 2050 – and China by 2060. Companies are enthusiastically signing up to similar "net zero" goals . Finall
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Study: COVID-19 Can Kill Heart Cells
20hEven though we're nearly a full calendar year into the COVID pandemic, scientists still don't fully understand how the coronavirus targets and attacks different parts of our bodies. Now, doctors have uncovered that SARS-CoV-2 can attack the heart directly, according to a massive study led by Washington University School of Medicine researchers that was published in the journal JACC: Basic to Tran
Despite Rebounding Cases of COVID, TX to Open State "100 Percent"
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20hTexas Abbott Mask Mandate
The governors of both Texas and Mississippi announced they will be lifting both states' mask mandates and rolling back COVID-19 health mandates, NBC News reports . "It is now time to open Texas 100 percent," Texas governor Greg Abbott told a largely unmasked crowd at a Mexican restaurant in Lubbock, Texas. The news comes just one day after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned
Catholic Archdiocese Calls COVID Vaccine "Morally Compromised"
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21hCatholic & Johnson
There are now three COVID-19 vaccines approved for use by the United States government. By all accounts, this is great news — unless, apparently, you're responsible for the Archdiocese of New Orleans, in which case you're busy telling your community that the newly-approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine is "morally compromised." The Archdiocese released a statement urging Catholics to avoid the Johnso
New UK science body could be used as 'cover for cronyism'
22hAdvanced Research & Innovation Agency will be exempt from existing procurement rules for 'maximum flexibility', says government A new £800m government science and defence research agency will be exempt from existing procurement rules, prompting warnings from Labour that it could be used as "cover for cronyism". Originally the brainchild of Dominic Cummings, the Advanced Research & Innovation Agen
Unusual earthquakes highlight central Utah volcanoes
23hIf you drive south through central Utah on Interstate 15 and look west somewhere around Fillmore, you'll see smooth hills and fields of black rock. The area is, aptly, named the Black Rock Desert. It may not look like much, but you're looking at some of Utah's volcanoes.
How Green Are Electric Vehicles?
23hIn short: Very green. But plug-in cars still have environmental effects. Here's a guide to the main issues and how they might be addressed.
What Happened to Jordan Peterson?
1dIllustration by Vanessa Saba; photos by Rene Johnston; Chris Williamson; Getty This article was published online on March 2, 2021. O ne day in early 2020 , Jordan B. Peterson rose from the dead. The Canadian academic, then 57, had been placed in a nine-day coma by doctors in a Russian clinic, after becoming addicted to benzodiazepines, a class of drug that includes Xanax and Valium. The coma kept
New study finds atmospheric rivers increase snow mass in West Antarctica
1dA new study published today in the journal Geophysical Research Letters used NASA's ice-measuring laser satellite to identify atmospheric river storms as a key driver of increased snowfall in West Antarctica during the 2019 austral winter.
Model describes interactions between light and mechanical vibration in microcavities
1dOptomechanical microcavities are extremely small structures with diameters of less than 10 micrometers (about a tenth of a human hair) inside which light and mechanical vibrations are confined. Thanks to their small size and to efficient microfabrication techniques that enable them to hold intense light energy and interact with mechanical waves, microcavities can be used as mass and acceleration s
NASA Is Testing an All-Electric Airplane
1dGround Control NASA is gearing up to begin tests on the X-57 Maxwell, the space agency's first aircraft to be powered entirely by electricity. For now, the X-57 will remain safely grounded while NASA engineers test its electrical systems and motors, according to a NASA press release . But these preliminary tests will mark an important milestone in the development of all-electric aircraft — and, i
Flexible 'slinkies' form in DNA of archaea
1dNew cryo-electron microscopy images suggest archaeal microbes pack their chromatin into tight coils that can spring open, forming unexpected contortions.
Flexible 'slinkies' form in DNA of archaea
1dNew cryo-electron microscopy images suggest archaeal microbes pack their chromatin into tight coils that can spring open, forming unexpected contortions.
Scientists Discover Glow-in-the-Dark Sharks
1dGlow-In-the-Shark A team of researchers in New Zealand have discovered yet another mystery lurking in the deepest, mostly unexplored depths of our planet's oceans: three species of sharks that can glow in the dark, NBC reports . As detailed in a new paper published in the journal Frontiers in Marine Science last week, the researchers found for the first time that the kitefin shark, the blackbelly
How compassion could save your strained relationships | Betty Hart
1dWhen personal relationships and ideological differences collide, the result can lead to strained relations — or even years of silence and distance. Actor Betty Hart offers an alternative to cold shoulders and haughty hellos: compassion, and a chance for growth and change instead of losing important time with loved ones.
Austria and Denmark to work with Israel on future Covid jabs, saying EU 'too slow'
1dAustrian chancellor says two nations 'will no longer rely on EU' as he unveils manufacturing deal to tackle new variants Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage Austria's chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, described the EU's vaccination deployment as "too slow" as he announced that his country and Denmark would work with Israel on protecting their citizens against new coronavirus v
Study shows conversations rarely end when people want them to end
1dA team of researchers from Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School and the University of Virginia has found that conversations between people usually do not end when either partner in the conversation wants them to end. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes the results of surveys and experiments they conducted r
Photonics discovery portends dramatic efficiencies in silicon chips
1dA team led by Vanderbilt engineers has achieved the ability to transmit two different types of optical signals across a single chip at the same time.
Microsoft's Dream of Decentralized IDs Enters the Real World
1dThe company will launch a public preview of its identification platform this spring—and has already tested it at the UK's National Health Service.
Hvor blev den af? Uddød fugl dukker op efter 173 år
1dDen sjældne fugl er ikke blevet set på Borneo siden 1848.
Supertest evaluates performance of engineering students in Russia, U.S., India, China
1dA group of researchers representing four countries summed up the results of a large-scale study of the academic performance of engineering students in Russia, China, India, and the United States. Supertest is the first study to track the progress of students in computer science and electrical engineering over the course of their studies with regard to their abilities in physics, mathematics and cr
Secrets of sealed 17th century letters revealed by dental X-ray scanners
1dIn a world first, an international team of researchers has read an unopened letter from Renaissance Europe—without breaking its seal or damaging it in any way.
Study of Over 600,000 Women Shows Almost Half Are Getting The Wrong UTI Treatment
1dUTIs are common, but getting the right treatment isn't.
Nearly four in 10 university students addicted to smartphones, study finds
1dResearch finds students who showed signs of addiction were also highly likely to suffer from poor sleep Almost four in 10 university students are addicted to their smartphones, and their habit plays havoc with their sleep, research has found. A study of 1,043 students aged 18-30 at King's College London found that 406 (38.9%) displayed symptoms of smartphone addiction, as defined by a clinical to
Imaginary Numbers May Be Essential for Describing Reality
3hMathematicians were disturbed, centuries ago, to find that calculating the properties of certain curves demanded the seemingly impossible: numbers that, when multiplied by themselves, turn negative. All the numbers on the number line, when squared, yield a positive number; 2 2 = 4, and (-2) 2 = 4. Mathematicians started calling those familiar numbers "real" and the apparently impossible breed of
America's Andrew Cuomo Problem
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4hNew York Cuomo Ruch
Updated at 12:00 p.m. ET on March 3, 2021. Cable-news shows treated Andrew Cuomo like a living legend this summer, thanks to his supposedly superlative handling of the coronavirus pandemic, yet his past few weeks really have been the stuff of myth. But which myth? Is he Icarus, flying too close to the sun in his premature attempt to claim credit for New York's public-health prowess, only to have
Strong T-cell response is good news for battle against Covid variants
5hUS study likely to alleviate some concerns about new strains outsmarting vaccines
Fake News Gets More Engagement on Facebook—If It's Right-Wing
5hFar-right pages that publish misinformation get the most interactions by far compared to other news sources, new research shows.
Anthony Fauci Pleads: Don't Declare Victory
6hThe Covidologist-in-chief says we can't relax on masks and social distancing yet. Hear that, Texas?
Cuba starts final-stage trials of two homegrown Covid vaccines
13hSoberana 2 and Abdala jabs reported to show 'potent immunological response' in earlier trials
Japanese billionaire looking for people who 'push the envelope' for moon flight
15hYusaku Maezawa, an online fashion tycoon, needs to fill eight spare seats on the lunar spaceship being developed by SpaceX It's the sort of chance that comes along just once in a blue moon: a Japanese billionaire is throwing open a private lunar expedition to eight people from around the world. Yusaku Maezawa , an online fashion tycoon, was announced in 2018 as the first man to book a spot aboard
Muskelhukommelsen er din ven, når fitnesscenteret åbner igen
23hDine muskler har klare fordele, når du skal tilbage i træningscenteret, hvis du har trænet før.
Does this Make Sense? Gasoline Delivered to Your Car
23hGas trucks fill your vehicle where it is parked — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Do conversations end when people want them to? [Psychological and Cognitive Sciences]
1dDo conversations end when people want them to? Surprisingly, behavioral science provides no answer to this fundamental question about the most ubiquitous of all human social activities. In two studies of 932 conversations, we asked conversants to report when they had wanted a conversation to end and to estimate when…
COVID-19 cases aren't dropping anymore
1dSocially distanced events will continue to be a reality for a while. (Unsplash/) Click here to see all of PopSci's COVID-19 coverage. If you've lost count (or never started), we are now at week 51 of the COVID era, which officially began on March 11, 2020, when the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. It's been more than a year since the WHO announced there was a mysterious vir
Don't Help Your Kids With Homework
1dSo much of the homework advice parents are given is theory-based, and therefore not entirely helpful in the chaos of day-to-day life. People are told that students should have " grit ." They should " learn from failure ." But it's hard to know how to implement these ideas when what you really need is to support a kid who has a chemistry test and two papers due in the next 48 hours but seems to be
Why Do Virus Variants Have Such Weird Names?
1dB.1.351 may sound sweet to a molecular epidemiologist, but what's the alternative, other than stigmatizing geographical names?
The vaccine rollout makes it clear: the randomness of nationality still determines our lives | Kanishk Tharoor
1dNot one Covid jab had been administered in 130 of the world's poorer countries by mid-February After the news in November of the successful trials of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine, a curious photo spread online. It showed a Turkish immigrant family of six in Germany in the 1970s. The father stood in the middle, arms stretched around his head-scarfed wife and children. A shoeless boy hung off
Sleuths Read Old Booby-Trapped Letters Without Opening Them
1dPeople once folded their correspondence in intricate ways, known as "letterlocking," to keep out snoops. A fancy new imaging technique sees right through it.
Rare Australian bee rediscovered after nearly a century
1dA rare Australian bee has been spotted for the first time since 1923. It was previously believed to be extinct.
Identifying animals in photos is trickier than you might think
1dThylacines at the National Zoo in 1903. (Smithsonian Institution Archives/) After a week of fanfare, an Australian man released photos of what he believes to be a Tasmanian tiger, also known as a thylacine, a six-foot long marsupial carnivore that white settlers hunted to extinction in the early 1900s. The photographer, Neil Waters, is the president of Tasmania's Thylacine Awareness Group, which
How Rivers in the Sky Melt Huge Holes in Antarctic Ice
1dNew research is causing scientists to rethink how polynyas—massive openings in the sea ice—are formed
Astronomers identify faint radio-jets in the galaxy cluster CLJ1449+0856
1dUsing ground-based facilities and space telescopes, an international team of astronomers has conducted multiwavelength observations of a galaxy cluster known as CLJ1449+0856. The observational campaign detected multiple faint radio-jets, what could shed more light on the nature of this cluster. The finding is reported in a paper published February 23 on the arXiv pre-print server.
Intel Discontinues Overclocking Warranties as Hobby Continues to Die
1dIntel has announced the end of its Performance Tuning Protection Plan (PTPP). An end-user who previously bought a PTPP from Intel was guaranteed a one-time replacement CPU if they fried their chip by overclocking it, provided the chip was still within warranty. The program has existed since the Sandy Bridge era, but Intel is bringing it to an end , effective immediately. All previously purchased
How to break free of the bystander effect and help someone in trouble
1dYou can help make the world a kinder place. (Cristian Newman/Unsplash/) When someone gets mugged or is subjected to racist harassment on the street , most people will walk by like nothing happened. Sometimes, no one stops to help at all. In fact, the more people present, the less likely that any one person will intervene—a phenomenon known as the bystander effect. Ignoring someone in danger is a
Fossil-biler skaber langt mere affald end elbiler
1dEn ny analyse viser, at elektriske køretøjer bruger langt færre ressourcer end biler, der kører på fossilt brændstof.
Dads Who Take a More Hands-on Role Their Kid's First Year Have Better Mental Health
1dNew dads get depression, too.
If You Transplant a Head, Does Its Consciousness Follow?
5hIn her new book, Brandy Schillace recalls the unbelievable legacy of a Cold War era neurosurgeon's mission to preserve the soul.
Can you still spread coronavirus after getting the vaccine?
10hEditor's note: So you've gotten your coronavirus vaccine, waited the two weeks for your immune system to respond to the shot and are now fully vaccinated. Does this mean you can make your way through the world like the old days without fear of spreading the virus? Deborah Fuller is a microbiologist at the University of Washington School of Medicine working on coronavirus vaccines. She explains wh
Awkwardly, Research Shows 98% of Conversations Don't End When We Want Them To
12hMeet the 'coordination problem'.
Quick-learning cuttlefish pass 'the marshmallow test'
18hMuch like the popular TikTok challenge where kids resist eating snacks, cuttlefish can do the same! Cuttlefish can delay gratification—wait for a better meal rather than be tempted by the one at hand—and those that can wait longest also do better in a learning test, scientists have discovered.
Nonequilibrium dynamics and action at a distance in transcriptionally driven DNA supercoiling [Biophysics and Computational Biology]
1dWe study the effect of transcription on the kinetics of DNA supercoiling in three dimensions by means of Brownian dynamics simulations of a single-nucleotide–resolution coarse-grained model for double-stranded DNA. By explicitly accounting for the action of a transcribing RNA polymerase (RNAP), we characterize the geometry and nonequilibrium dynamics of the…
Nuclear fusion: Building a star on Earth is hard, which is why we need better materials
1dNuclear fusion is the process that powers the Sun and all other stars. During fusion, the nuclei of two atoms are brought close enough together that they fuse together, releasing huge amounts of energy.
Biden says US will have enough jabs to vaccinate all adults by end of May
1dWhite House announces accelerated timeline after brokering production deal between J&J and Merck
Email and Slack Have Locked Us in a Productivity Paradox
1dFrom PCs to smartphones, office tech has always promised to make us more productive. But time and again, it's come with unexpected side effects.
Microdosing study shows placebo effect of taking psychedelics
1dUK research into LSD consumption reveals expectation of improved wellbeing drives transformation
Scientists: There's Something Lurking in the Center of Earth's Core
53minInnermost Core In school, you probably learned that our planet is made up of four distinct layers: the crust, the mantle, the outer core, and the inner core. But new research by a team of scientists from The Australian National University (ANU) is shaking up the game: like a Russian doll, they say, the inner core has yet another core hidden inside of it. This "innermost inner core" may have been
Researchers unveil issues with nuclear theory, observe no magic behavior at N=32 in charge radii of potassium isotopes
4hMeasuring the size of atomic nuclei has sometimes been useful to probe aspects of nucleon-nucleon interaction and the bulk properties of nuclear matter. The charge radius of atomic nuclei, which can be extracted using laser spectroscopy techniques, is sensitive to both the bulk properties of nuclear matter and particularly subtle details of the interactions between protons and neutrons.
Prehistoric killing machine exposed
4hPreviously thought of as heavy, slow and sluggish, the 260-million-year-old predator, Anteosaurus, was a ferocious hunter-killer.
Prehistoric killing machine exposed
4hPreviously thought of as heavy, slow and sluggish, the 260-million-year-old predator, Anteosaurus, was a ferocious hunter-killer.
A silver swining: 'Destructive' pigs help build rainforests
9hWild pigs are often maligned as ecosystem destroyers, but a University of Queensland study has found they also cultivate biodiverse rainforests in their native habitats.
A silver swining: 'Destructive' pigs help build rainforests
9hWild pigs are often maligned as ecosystem destroyers, but a University of Queensland study has found they also cultivate biodiverse rainforests in their native habitats.
Animals fake death for long periods to escape predators
18hMany animals feign death to try to escape their predators, with some individuals in prey species remaining motionless, if in danger, for extended lengths of time.
Quick-learning cuttlefish pass 'the marshmallow test'
18hMuch like the popular TikTok challenge where kids resist eating snacks, cuttlefish can do the same! Cuttlefish can delay gratification—wait for a better meal rather than be tempted by the one at hand—and those that can wait longest also do better in a learning test, scientists have discovered.
Animals fake death for long periods to escape predators
18hMany animals feign death to try to escape their predators, with some individuals in prey species remaining motionless, if in danger, for extended lengths of time.
It's a Myth That Asian-Americans Are Doing Well in the Pandemic
23hStatistics suggest they are—but numbers often don't include the most vulnerable with limited English — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Data-driven humanitarianism
1dIt's one of the most beautiful places on Earth, but its people are among the most vulnerable. Afghanistan's snowy mountains and fertile foothills give way to arid plateaus, offering a contrast often described as stark and gorgeous. The nexus of ancient East-West trade routes, this landlocked country hosts many languages, artisan traditions, and centuries of influence from Islamic, Buddhist, and H
SpaceX Preparing Third Launch of Astronauts to Space Station
1dCrew-2 SpaceX is getting ready to send the next batch of astronauts to the International Space Station on April 20, Space.com reports . The launch, dubbed Crew-2, could soon mark the third time the space company has launched astronauts into orbit on board its Crew Dragon spacecraft — and the second fully-crewed launch since the Crew-1 mission in November 2020. "Everybody is on track and ready," S
Shift in scientific consensus about demise of Neanderthals
1dIt is still unclear how the Neanderthals died out. For long, one theory seemed most likely: the emergence of the highly intelligent Homo sapiens, or modern humans. This competition hypothesis is no longer the dominant theory among scientists, research among archaeologists and anthropologists has shown. Publication in Scientific Reports.
Plant clock could be the key to producing more food for the world
1dA University of Melbourne led study has established how plants use their metabolism to tell time and know when to grow—a discovery that could help leverage growing crops in different environments, including different seasons, different latitudes or even in artificial environments and vertical gardens.
Plant clock could be the key to producing more food for the world
1dA University of Melbourne led study has established how plants use their metabolism to tell time and know when to grow—a discovery that could help leverage growing crops in different environments, including different seasons, different latitudes or even in artificial environments and vertical gardens.
2 ancient stone coffins for husband and wife unearthed at Israeli wildlife park
1dTwo ancient stone coffins that may have once held the remains of a husband and wife have been rediscovered in a wildlife park near the Israeli city of Tel Aviv.
How Elon Musk Convinced Gwynne Shotwell to Join SpaceX
1dUltimately, their management styles were similar: Don't talk about doing things, just do things.
Image: Hubble looks at a 'black eye' galaxy
1dThis image taken with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope features NGC 4826—a spiral galaxy located 17 million light-years away in the constellation of Coma Berenices (Berenice's Hair). This galaxy is often referred to as the "Black Eye" or "Evil Eye" galaxy because of the dark band of dust that sweeps across one side of its bright nucleus.
As China Rises, the US Builds Toward a Bigger Role in AI
1dAfter decades of staying out of industrial policy, a Pentagon-appointed commission recommends more spending on research and support for US chip makers.
Can Technology Open Spaceflight to Disabled Astronauts?
1dThe European Space Agency wants to make sure its new astronaut class is more diverse. But it will take redesigned gear to make space accessible to everybody.
Humans control majority of freshwater ebb and flow on Earth, study finds
2hHumans have made a remarkable impact on the planet, from clearing forests for agriculture and urbanization to altering the chemistry of the atmosphere with fossil fuels. Now, a new study in the journal Nature reveals for the first time the extent of human impact on the global water cycle.
Human ancestor 'Lucy' gets a new face in stunning reconstruction
3hNew depictions of Lucy and the Taung child are shedding light on the tricky task of facial reconstruction.
Who Is R. A. Lafferty? And Is He the Best Sci-Fi Writer Ever?
5hYou've never heard of him, but your favorite writers have, and his mad-drunk prose will knock you sideways.
Call of the rewild: releasing Britain's rivers to ease flooding
10hConfining rivers creates valuable agricultural land but can lead to greater flood risk downstream For many of us across the UK it has felt like another wet winter; yet again homes have flooded and politicians are under pressure to improve flood protection. Engineering our rivers and building defences might bring reassurance, but recent research shows that doing nothing is often more effective at
Cutting-edge analysis of prehistoric teeth sheds new light on the diets of lizards and snakes
18hNew research has revealed that the diets of early lizards and snakes, which lived alongside dinosaurs around 100 million years ago, were more varied and advanced than previously thought.
Cutting-edge analysis of prehistoric teeth sheds new light on the diets of lizards and snakes
18hNew research has revealed that the diets of early lizards and snakes, which lived alongside dinosaurs around 100 million years ago, were more varied and advanced than previously thought.
Kazuo Ishiguro's Radiant Robot
19hNa Kim This article was published online on March 2, 2021. G irl AF Klara , an Artificial Friend sold as a children's companion, lives in a store. On lucky days, Klara gets to spend time in the store window, where she can see and be seen and soak up the solar energy on which she runs. Not needing human food, Klara hungers and thirsts for the Sun (she capitalizes it) and what he (she also personif
Theodore Roosevelt's North Dakota and 27 Other Smithsonian Programs Streaming in March
22hMulti-part courses, studio arts classes and virtual study tours produced by the world's largest museum-based educational program
Impact of Running Reaches Marrow to Spark Bone Growth in Mice
23hA study offers a new explanation for how exercise strengthens bones and the immune system.
Source apportionment of methane escaping the subsea permafrost system in the outer Eurasian Arctic Shelf [Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences]
1dThe East Siberian Arctic Shelf holds large amounts of inundated carbon and methane (CH4). Holocene warming by overlying seawater, recently fortified by anthropogenic warming, has caused thawing of the underlying subsea permafrost. Despite extensive observations of elevated seawater CH4 in the past decades, relative contributions from different subsea compartments such…
An American Reckoning at the Golden Globes
1dIf this were a normal year, Hollywood's awards season would already be over. This being the opposite of a normal year, however, the Golden Globes have only just aired, and the glitterati of TV and film Zoomed in from their homes, wearing everything from haute couture to homey sweatshirts. One winner, Chloé Zhao —the first Asian woman to win the Globe for best director—toasted the camera with a mu
'I'm the Doctor Who Is Here to Help You Die'
1dThe first thing Dr. Lonny Shavelson thought when he stepped into the room was This is a bad room to die in . It was small and stuffy and there weren't enough chairs. He would have to rearrange things. He would start by pulling the hospital bed away from the wall, so that anyone who wanted to touch the patient as he died would have easy access to a hand or an arm or a soft, uncovered foot. But fir
FAIR Health releases study on impact of COVID-19 on pediatric mental health
1dIn March and April 2020, mental health claim lines for individuals aged 13-18, as a percentage of all medical claim lines, approximately doubled over the same months in the previous year. At the height of the spring wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, this rise in mental health claim lines amounted to 97.0 percent in March and 103.5 percent in April.
Strap on a HoloLens and Step Into the AR Conference Room
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1dMicrosoft Mesh HoloLens
Microsoft's new Mesh software platform helps faraway coworkers meet up and interact in mixed reality. The results are, well, still mixed.
Space hurricane observed for the first time
1dThe first observations of a space hurricane have been revealed in Earth's upper atmosphere, confirming their existence and shedding new light on the relationship between planets and space.
The 'Girl Games' of the '90s Were Fun and Feminist
1dHere's a look back at some of the earliest games for girls—and the role women played in the game industry's early days.
Vaccine Passports Can Help the US Reopen—or Further Divide Us
1dOverly restrictive "yellow cards" could end up disproportionately excluding Black and Latinx citizens from jobs, schools, or even the neighborhood market.
What Do TV's Race Fantasies Actually Want to Say?
1dShows like Bridgerton and Hollywood alter the past in the name of inclusion. It would benefit us more to write the world as it was, as it is.
Valheim Is Changing How We Play Survival Games
1dThe CEO behind the viral success discusses how it became the top-selling game on Steam—and the game's biggest weakness moving forward.
The U.S. Needs Tolerance More Than Unity
1dTolerance allows us to live in harmony despite deep-seated differences — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
What Did I Just Read? A Conversation With the Authors of '2034'
1dElliot Ackerman and Admiral James Stavridis discuss their inspirations, personal experiences, and what keeps them up at night.
Common bacteria modified to make designer sugar-based drug
1dEnvisioning an animal-free drug supply, scientists have—for the first time—reprogrammed a common bacterium to make a designer polysaccharide molecule used in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. Published today in Nature Communications, the researchers modified E. coli to produce chondroitin sulfate, a drug best known as a dietary supplement to treat arthritis that is currently sourced from cow tra
WHO investigators deeply sceptical of China's Covid origin theory
1dMembers of Wuhan team say authorities' claim virus entered city on frozen food highly unlikely
Covid-19: why are we feeling burnt out?
1dIt's getting towards a year since the UK first went into lockdown. That's almost 12 months of home-schooling, staying in at the weekends, and not being able to see groups of friends and family in person. For many, the pandemic has also brought grief, loss of financial stability and isolation. So it should come as no surprise that lots of us are feeling emotionally exhausted, stressed and generall
White House Says US Will Have Enough Vaccine For All Adults by May
10minOn Tuesday, President Joe Biden announced that the United States would have enough doses of the various coronavirus vaccines to inoculate every adult in the country by the end of May. That's a significant improvement over Biden's previous prediction — that the US would secure enough vaccines by the end of July — which he made just last month, according to CNBC . It's some much-needed good news ab
'UK first' nuclear fusion plan for Nottinghamshire power station
24minA Nottinghamshire power station is put forward as a possible site for a prototype reactor.
Scientists find strongest evidence yet of 'migration gene'
2hA team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Cardiff University say they have found the strongest evidence yet of a "migration gene" in birds.
Scientists find strongest evidence yet of 'migration gene'
2hA team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Cardiff University say they have found the strongest evidence yet of a "migration gene" in birds.
Ancient papyrus holds the world's oldest guide to mummification
3hA newly discovered instruction manual for embalming mummies in ancient Egypt contains the earliest known description of these mysterious techniques.
TikTok Played a Key Role in MAGA Radicalization
4hThe platform's absorbing endless scroll and karaoke features have built an overlooked disinformation machine.
Expect more extreme short-duration thunderstorms caused by global warming
5hClimate experts have revealed that rising temperatures will intensify future rainfall extremes at a much greater rate than average rainfall, with largest increases to short thunderstorms.
Ice Age testing reveals challenges in climate model sensitivity
5hKey to the usefulness of climate models as tools for both scientists and policymakers is the models' ability to connect changes in atmospheric greenhouse gas levels to corresponding shifts in temperature. Equilibrium climate sensitivity (ECS) is one such measure, representing the predicted warming after a doubling of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels.
Pandemics and the paradox of human progress
7hThe more we destabilise the planet in the name of advancement, the more pathogens will emerge
Bläckfisk kan "känna" ljus med sina armar
12hBläckfiskar reagerar reflexmässigt på ljus när det hamnar på djurets armar, även om den inte kan se det med sina ögon.
Tempers fray over France's vaccine strategy
13hEmmanuel Macron's government under fire for handling of jabs and lockdowns
Novel drug prevents amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease
17hResearchers have identified a new drug that could prevent AD by modulating, rather than inhibiting, a key enzyme involved in forming amyloid plaques.
Indoors, outdoors, 6 feet apart? Transmission risk of airborne viruses can be quantified
20hThe rush for scientific understanding of the novel coronavirus has focused on biological mechanisms: how people get infected, the response of the human body, and the fastest path to a vaccine. As an aerosol scientist, Tami Bond went a different route, convening a research team that would treat the virus like any other aerosol. This team set out to quantify the dynamics of how aerosols like viruses
Frontiers Removes Controversial Ivermectin Paper Pre-Publication
21hA review article containing contested claims about the tropical medicine drug as a COVID-19 treatment was listed as "provisionally accepted" on the journal's website before being removed this week.
The strongest fishing knots you can tie
21hWhen it comes to finding the strongest fishing knot, sometimes you've got to do a bit of experimenting. (C D-X/Unsplash/) This story was originally featured on Field & Stream . Fishing line has advanced remarkably in the past few decades. Nylon monofilament, fluorocarbon, and so-called "superline" give fishermen tremendous advantages in strength, visibility, and ease of use. Each of the three pri
'Space hurricane' in Earth's upper atmosphere discovered
23hAnalysis of observations made by satellites in 2014 has revealed a long-lasting 'space hurricane' — a swirling mass of plasma several hundred kilometers above the North Pole, raining electrons instead of water.
Insecticide known for killing pollinators found in deer across Minnesota
22hPowerful insecticides are turning up in deer in nearly every corner of Minnesota, raising concerns that the ubiquitous chemicals may be keeping fawns from surviving to maturity or harming deer reproduction.
How the trap-jaw ant got its ultrafast bite
23hPowerful and deadly, the bite of a trap-jaw ant is renowned throughout the animal kingdom. Unlike normal gripping jaws, which rely on muscles to open and close, the trap-jaw latches itself open, storing energy like a stretched spring. When released, the jaws of the ansnap shut on their prey in one ultrafast strike.
How the trap-jaw ant got its ultrafast bite
23hPowerful and deadly, the bite of a trap-jaw ant is renowned throughout the animal kingdom. Unlike normal gripping jaws, which rely on muscles to open and close, the trap-jaw latches itself open, storing energy like a stretched spring. When released, the jaws of the ansnap shut on their prey in one ultrafast strike.
Human DNA methylation signatures differentiate persistent from resolving MRSA bacteremia [Immunology and Inflammation]
1dPersistent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia is life threatening and occurs in up to 30% of MRSA bacteremia cases despite appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Isolates of MRSA that cause antibiotic-persistent methicillin-resistant S. aureus bacteremia (APMB) typically have in vitro antibiotic susceptibilities equivalent to those causing antibiotic-resolving methicillin-re
ASCL2 reciprocally controls key trophoblast lineage decisions during hemochorial placenta development [Developmental Biology]
1dInvasive trophoblast cells are critical to spiral artery remodeling in hemochorial placentation. Insufficient trophoblast cell invasion and vascular remodeling can lead to pregnancy disorders including preeclampsia, preterm birth, and intrauterine growth restriction. Previous studies in mice identified achaete-scute homolog 2 (ASCL2) as essential to extraembryonic development. We hypothesized that
Lipid droplets in mammalian eggs are utilized during embryonic diapause [Developmental Biology]
1dEmbryonic diapause (ED) is a temporary arrest of an embryo at the blastocyst stage when it waits for the uterine receptivity signal to implant. ED used by over 100 species may also occur in normally "nondiapausing" mammals when the uterine receptivity signal is blocked or delayed. A large number of…
Twitch's First Transparency Report Is Here—and Long Overdue
1dThe decade-old streaming platform has for the first time detailed its efforts to safeguard its user base in one place.
Dear Therapist's Guide to Dealing With Regret
1dEditor's Note: With Lori Gottlieb on book leave, Rebecca J. Rosen, the editor of "Dear Therapist," begins another month as The Atlantic 's "Dear Therapist" archivist, pointing readers to some of Lori's most beloved columns. Today marks the first day of March, the third month of Lori's book leave. March is always a time of rebirth, a time when we look ahead to spring. This year, with the emergence
Researchers detects chiral structures using vortex light
1dRecently, the Laboratory of Micro and Nano Engineering, School of Engineering Science, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) has made important progress in the field of structural chirality detection research using vortex light, and found that photon orbital angular momentum can efficiently detect the optical chiral signal of structures.
Wolf social group dynamics matter for infectious disease spread, models suggest
1dBy modeling wolves in Yellowstone National Park, researchers have discovered that how a population is organized into social groups affects the spread of infectious diseases within the population. The findings may be applicable to any social species and could be useful in the protection of endangered species that suffer from disease invasion.
Wolf social group dynamics matter for infectious disease spread, models suggest
1dBy modeling wolves in Yellowstone National Park, researchers have discovered that how a population is organized into social groups affects the spread of infectious diseases within the population. The findings may be applicable to any social species and could be useful in the protection of endangered species that suffer from disease invasion.
Ultracold atom interferometry in space
1dIn 2017, a team of researchers led by Leibniz University Hannover succeeded in generating Bose-Einstein condensates in space within the scope of the MAIUS-1 rocket mission. Bose-Einstein condensates describe a highly unusual state of matter close to absolute zero and can be illustrated with a single wave function. Through time-consuming analyses, the researchers studied different components of the
Toward the development of drugs for aging-related diseases
1dIn the search for ways to effectively combat age-related human disease, the enzyme sirtuin 6 (Sirt6) has recently become a focus of biochemical research. A targeted activation of Sirt6 could prevent or mitigate such diseases, for example some types of cancer. In a paper for the journal Nature Chemical Biology, biochemists from the University of Bayreuth have now shown how the small molecule MDL-80
Toward the development of drugs for aging-related diseases
1dIn the search for ways to effectively combat age-related human disease, the enzyme sirtuin 6 (Sirt6) has recently become a focus of biochemical research. A targeted activation of Sirt6 could prevent or mitigate such diseases, for example some types of cancer. In a paper for the journal Nature Chemical Biology, biochemists from the University of Bayreuth have now shown how the small molecule MDL-80
Three elder sisters of the Sun with planets
1dAn international team led by Prof. Dr. habil. Andrzej Niedzielski, an astronomer from the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun (Poland), has discovered yet another three extrasolar planets. These planets revolve around the stars that can be called elder sisters of our Sun.
Here's how insects coax plants into making galls
1dInsects can reprogram plant growth, transforming ordinary plant parts into intricately patterned shelters that are safe havens for feeding and reproduction.
Here's how insects coax plants into making galls
1dInsects can reprogram plant growth, transforming ordinary plant parts into intricately patterned shelters that are safe havens for feeding and reproduction.
Should the US start prioritizing first vaccine doses to beat the variants?
1dThe vaccine rollout in the United States has been sluggish, hampered by manufacturing delays, logistical challenges , and freak snowstorms. Demand far outstrips supply. Meanwhile, the more transmissible variant circulating widely in the UK is gaining a foothold in the US. Modeling by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests it will quickly become the dominant strain, bringing a sur
Major Physics Society Will Not Meet in Cities with Racist Policing Records
1dThe American Physical Society's new criteria for conference venues seem to be unique among scientific societies — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Littlest shop of horrors: Hungry green algae prefer to eat bacteria alive
1dNew research suggests that the ability of green algae to eat bacteria is likely much more widespread than previously thought, a finding that could be crucial to environmental and climate science. The work, led by scientists at the American Museum of Natural History, Columbia University, and the University of Arizona, found that five strains of single-celled green algae consume bacteria when they a
How #BringBackOurGirls Became an International Rallying Cry
1dIn 2014, more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls were kidnapped. It hardly made global headlines—until a Twitter hashtag took off.
Detective work inside plant cells finds a key piece of the C4 photosynthesis puzzle
1dAn impressive body of evidence published this week reveals the answer to a mystery that has puzzled plant scientists for more than 30 years: the role of the molecule suberin in the leaves of some of our most productive crops. This discovery could be the key to engineering better crops and ensuring future food security.
Detective work inside plant cells finds a key piece of the C4 photosynthesis puzzle
1dAn impressive body of evidence published this week reveals the answer to a mystery that has puzzled plant scientists for more than 30 years: the role of the molecule suberin in the leaves of some of our most productive crops. This discovery could be the key to engineering better crops and ensuring future food security.
Study reveals surprising history of world's largest lizard
1dThe unusual breeding history of the Earth's largest living lizard—the Komodo dragon—has been laid bare in a new study from The Australian National University.
The Milky Way's merging history: Reconstructing the Cetus stream
1dAround the Milky Way, there are many river-like structures made up of stars. They are called stellar streams. How these stellar streams formed remains unclear.
Bahamas were settled earlier than believed, settlers dramatically changed landscape
1dHumans were present in Florida by 14,000 years ago, and until recently, it was believed the Bahamas—located only a few miles away—were not colonized until about 1,000 years ago. But new findings from a team including a Texas A&M University at Galveston researcher prove that the area was colonized earlier, and the new settlers dramatically changed the landscape.
Study reveals surprising history of world's largest lizard
1dThe unusual breeding history of the Earth's largest living lizard—the Komodo dragon—has been laid bare in a new study from The Australian National University.
The U.S. Needs Tolerance More Than Unity
1dTolerance allows us to live in harmony despite deep-seated differences — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Planetary defense experts use infamous asteroid Apophis to practice spotting dangerous space rocks
1dEight years after an asteroid exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia, scientists are taking advantage of a flyby of the infamous asteroid Apophis to practice protecting Earth from space rocks.
2034, Part VI: Crossing the Red Line
1d"Eventually, the Americans would find them. But by then it would be too late."
Recovering from the SolarWinds hack could take 18 months
1dFully recovering from the SolarWinds hack will take the US government from a year to as long as 18 months, according to the head of the agency that is leading Washington's recovery. The hacking campaign against American government agencies and major companies was first discovered in November 2020. At least nine federal agencies were targeted, including the Department of Homeland Security and the
Derek Applewhite's Actin Research Inspires the Next Generation
1dThe biologist's undergraduate-centered lab allows students to play a meaningful role in research.
Designing spaces with marginalized people in mind makes them better for everyone
1dThe pictograms on crosswalk signs haven't always been ubiquitous. (The Voorhes/) In the 1940s, hundreds of thousands of World War II veterans returned home with disabilities. Frustrated by the difficulties they faced, Jack Fisher of Kalamazoo, Michigan, petitioned his city commission to install an experimental curb cut —a gentle slope that brings the end of a sidewalk down to meet the level of th
Common bacteria modified to make designer sugar-based drug
1dEnvisioning an animal-free drug supply, scientists have—for the first time—reprogrammed a common bacterium to make a designer polysaccharide molecule used in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. Published today in Nature Communications, the researchers modified E. coli to produce chondroitin sulfate, a drug best known as a dietary supplement to treat arthritis that is currently sourced from cow tra
Lead up to volcanic eruption in Galapagos captured in rare detail
1dHours before the 2018 eruption of Sierra Negra, the Galápagos Islands' largest volcano, an earthquake rumbled and raised the ground more than 6 feet in an instant. The event, which triggered the eruption, was captured in rare detail by an international team of scientists, who said it offers new insights into one of the world's most active volcanoes.
Forsker om bly i solceller: Forbyd det og undgå miljøbombe
1dPLUS. Indtil videre er det lykkedes solcelleindustrien at overbevise EU om det giftige tungmetals nødvendighed.
Insecticide known for killing pollinators found in deer across Minnesota
22hPowerful insecticides are turning up in deer in nearly every corner of Minnesota, raising concerns that the ubiquitous chemicals may be keeping fawns from surviving to maturity or harming deer reproduction.
Origin of life: The chicken-and-egg problem
1dNew research shows that slight alterations in transfer-RNA molecules (tRNAs) allow them to self-assemble into a functional unit that can replicate information exponentially. tRNAs are key elements in the evolution of early life-forms.
CO2 pollution bounces back, climate goals at risk: IEA
1dGlobal CO2 emissions have returned to pre-pandemic levels and then some, threatening to put climate treaty targets for capping global warming out of reach, the International Energy Agency said Tuesday.
What problems do coronavirus variants pose?
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1dUK Brazil Covid Variant
The hunt is on for the Brazilian variant, and tracking mutations will be necessary for some time to come Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage Of the many coronavirus variants identified so far, there is particular concern about P1, first identified in Brazil, with fears about the extent it can evade the immune system and possibly vaccines . The UK has recorded six cases s
COVID-19 can kill heart muscle cells, interfere with contraction
22hA new study provides evidence that COVID-19 patients' heart damage is caused by the virus invading and replicating inside heart muscle cells, leading to cell death and interfering with heart muscle contraction. The researchers used stem cells to engineer heart tissue that models the human infection and could help in studying the disease and developing possible therapies.
Fireball lights up the night sky above UK as meteor breaks apart
5hAn meteor breaking apart as it entered the atmosphere above the U.K. might be the most well documented fireball meteor ever seen.
Biden Must Take Immediate Action to Reduce the Risk of Nuclear War
1dThe continuing proliferation of atomic weapons threatens the safety of billions — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Placebo effect may explain reported benefits of psychedelic microdoses
21hPositive psychological effects associated with taking small doses of psychedelic drugs are likely the result of users' expectations, suggests a new study.
How Far Away From Perseverance Did the Descent Stage Land?
4hThe rocket lowered the rover onto the surface of Mars before it shot away from the landing site. So where did it end up?
USC study shows promising potential for marine biofuel
1dA device called the 'kelp elevator' tested on the Southern California coast grows the energy-rich algae four times faster than nature, proving the potential for mass-produced seaweed to power vehicles with biofuel harvested from the ocean.
MUSE sheds more light on central kinematics of Messier 15
4hUsing the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE), astronomers have performed observations of an old globular cluster known as Messier 15. The observational campaign delivered essential information about stellar kinematics of the central region of this cluster. The results were published February 24 on arXiv.org.
Should Anyone Actually Care About Ray Tracing?
6hWhat was supposed to be all the rage in graphics quickly turned into a meme. But will it actually improve your gaming experience?
Here's All the Gear You Need to Start Climbing
3hYou don't need a lot, nor do you need to spend a ton. From harnesses to carabiners, here are our favorites.
Food for thought: New maps reveal how brains are kept nourished
17hScientists have created new brain maps featuring unprecedented detail. The insights provided by the new maps are helping answer questions about blood supply and how more active parts of the brain are kept nourished versus less demanding areas.
New Season of The Joy of x Podcast Explores Scientists' Inner Lives
1dI have a confession. As a producer working on the new season of the Joy of x podcast, sometimes I find myself editing episodes and thinking: Who let me in the room? It's almost as if I've wandered into some hotel bar, and the last open seat is next to two folks deep in conversation. I'm listening in as they talk with intensity, passion. But they aren't a romantic couple — they are sharing intimat
High fat diets may over-activate destructive heart disease protein
1dConsumption of a high fat diet may be activating a response in the heart that is causing destructive growth and lead to greater risk of heart attacks, according to new research.
New study gives the most detailed look yet at the neuroscience of placebo effects
17hA large proportion of the benefit that a person gets from taking a real drug or receiving a treatment to alleviate pain is due to an individual's mindset, not to the drug itself. Understanding the neural mechanisms driving this placebo effect has been a longstanding question. A meta-analysis finds that placebo treatments to reduce pain, known as placebo analgesia, reduce pain-related activity in m
Variant Found in Brazil Could Evade Immunity from Past Infection
21hThe P.1 variant, which has also been detected in five US states, could be responsible for cases of reinfection, according to a preprint.
Detection dogs help generate important data for research and conservation
23hIt is often difficult to find out exactly where the individual species can be found and how their populations are developing. According to a new overview, specially trained detection dogs can be indispensable in such cases. With the help of these dogs, the species sought can usually be found faster and more effectively than with other methods.
Rarest seal breeding site discovered
1dScientists have discovered a previously unknown breeding site used by the world's rarest seal species.
Texas lifts mask mandate as US states loosen Covid restrictions
18hActions follow Biden administration warnings against rolling back pandemic rules too quickly
How 'green' are environmentally friendly fireworks?
5hFireworks are used in celebrations around the world, including Independence Day in the U.S., the Lantern Festival in China and the Diwali Festival in India. However, the popular pyrotechnic displays emit large amounts of pollutants into the atmosphere, sometimes causing severe air pollution. Now, researchers reporting in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology have estimated that, although so-call
Maquette Goes Big on Metaphor but Light on Real Emotion
1dThe game follows the arc of a romance—and only when it ends can the puzzles go free.
Rocket Lab could be SpaceX's biggest rival
22hIn the private space industry, it can seem that there's SpaceX and then there's everyone else. Only Blue Origin, backed by its own billionaire founder in the person of Jeff Bezos, seems able to command the same degree of attention. And Blue Origin hasn't even gone beyond suborbital space yet. Rocket Lab might soon have something to say about that duopoly. The company, founded in New Zealand and h
Northern Ireland's five steps out of Covid lockdown: key points
1dPlan for moving from lockdown to relaxation of restrictions will be guided by data Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage Northern Ireland's deputy first minister, Michelle O'Neill, has unveiled a cautious five-step plan to ease the region's Covid-19 lockdown. The plan has no hard dates and will be led by data, notably the reproductive rate of the virus, O'Neill told the St
Big step toward small wires
1dResearchers from Fudan University in Shanghai, Japan's National Institute for Materials Science and QUT's Centre for Materials Science have published the study, "Stable single atomic silver wires assembling into a circuitry-connectable nanoarray," in the journal Nature Communications.
Microsoft's new Mesh platform turns your remote coworkers into holograms
2hSoon after the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many offices quickly and unexpectedly moved to the cloud. Now, these "offices" only really exist in the abstract, relying on a patchwork of real-time messaging services like Slack, e-mail, and a suddenly endless stream of video conferences. The quick switch didn't allow time for the idea of a truly digital office to take shape and deliver on the lofty promise
Raf promotes dimerization of the Ras G-domain with increased allosteric connections [Biophysics and Computational Biology]
22hRas dimerization is critical for Raf activation. Here we show that the Ras binding domain of Raf (Raf-RBD) induces robust Ras dimerization at low surface densities on supported lipid bilayers and, to a lesser extent, in solution as observed by size exclusion chromatography and confirmed by SAXS. Community network analysis…
Study explores link between forestry management and pesticides in aquatic species
1dPesticides used in forestry may threaten species in downstream rivers and estuaries, but little is known about the extent to which this occurs. A new study by researchers at Portland State University found mussels, clams and oysters in watersheds along the Oregon Coast are exposed to pesticides used in managing forests. The results of this study, published in the journal Toxics, have implications
Human arrival and landscape dynamics in the northern Bahamas [Sustainability Science]
1dThe first Caribbean settlers were Amerindians from South America. Great Abaco and Grand Bahama, the final islands colonized in the northernmost Bahamas, were inhabited by the Lucayans when Europeans arrived. The timing of Lucayan arrival in the northern Bahamas has been uncertain because direct archaeological evidence is limited. We document…
Covering metal catalyst surfaces with thin two-dimensional oxide materials can enhance chemical reactions
1dPhysically confined spaces can make for more efficient chemical reactions, according to recent studies led by scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory. They found that partially covering metal surfaces acting as catalysts, or materials that speed up reactions, with thin films of silica can impact the energies and rates of these reactions. The thin silica
Heart disease is in the eye of the beholder
21hResearchers have identified a potential new marker that shows cardiovascular disease may be present in a patient using an optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan — a non-invasive diagnostic tool commonly used in ophthalmology and optometry clinics to create images of the retina. The finding suggests it may be possible to detect heart disease during an eye examination.
Japanese billionaire seeks 8 crewmembers for moon-bound mission on SpaceX's Starship
5hJapanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa is looking for eight crewmembers for a mission to the moon.
The Pandemic Nearly Shuttered My Church. Technology Saved It
4hFrom engaging audiences to building bridges, tech has helped my small, rural faith community weather the storm. Here's how it might help yours too.
Aging stars provide a new cosmological yardstick
5hDespite a century of measurements, astronomers can't agree on the rate at which the universe is expanding. A technique that relies on measuring distances to a specific type of aging star in other galaxies—called the J-region Asymptotic Giant Branch, or JAGB method—might be able to help.
Unique molecular characteristics and microglial origin of Kv1.3 channel-positive brain myeloid cells in Alzheimer's disease [Neuroscience]
1dKv1.3 potassium channels, expressed by proinflammatory central nervous system mononuclear phagocytes (CNS-MPs), are promising therapeutic targets for modulating neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The molecular characteristics of Kv1.3-high CNS-MPs and their cellular origin from microglia or CNS-infiltrating monocytes are unclear. While Kv1.3 blockade reduces amyloid beta (Aβ) burden in
While Jack Dorsey Mans the Monastery
1dThe small but boisterous slice of Twitter that's preoccupied with politics imagines @jack, the author of our collective Twitter being, as all-powerful. He's not.
'Canary in the mine' warning following new discovery of the effects of pollutants on fertility
1dNew research has found that shrimp like creatures on the South Coast of England have 70 percent less sperm than less polluted locations elsewhere in the world. The research also discovered that individuals living in the survey area are six times less numerous per square meter than those living in cleaner waters.
Researchers report new approach to cultured meat
1dHumans are largely omnivores, and meat has featured in the diets of most cultures. However, with the increasing population and pressure on the environment, traditional methods of meeting this fundamental food requirement are likely to fall short. Now, researchers at the University of Tokyo report innovative biofabrication of bovine muscle tissue in the laboratory that may help meet escalating futu
Researchers report new approach to cultured meat
1dHumans are largely omnivores, and meat has featured in the diets of most cultures. However, with the increasing population and pressure on the environment, traditional methods of meeting this fundamental food requirement are likely to fall short. Now, researchers at the University of Tokyo report innovative biofabrication of bovine muscle tissue in the laboratory that may help meet escalating futu
U.S. is 'not prepared to defend or compete in the A.I. era,' says expert group chaired by Eric Schmidt – In a report, it warned that AI systems will be used in the "pursuit of power" and that "AI will not stay in the domain of superpowers or the realm of science fiction."
7hsubmitted by /u/Gari_305 [link] [comments]
Weight loss drug hope for patients with type 2 diabetes
4hPatients with type 2 diabetes that were treated with a weekly injection of the breakthrough drug Semaglutide were able to achieve an average weight loss of nearly 10kg, according to a new study.
Soak in Your Own Sweat Inside a Heated Sauna Blanket
5hMiHigh's portable infrared sauna is warm, wet, and weird.
New study gives the most detailed look yet at the neuroscience of placebo effects
1dA large proportion of the benefit that a person gets from taking a real drug or receiving a treatment to alleviate pain is due to an individual's mindset, not to the drug itself. Understanding the neural mechanisms driving this placebo effect has been a longstanding question. A meta-analysis published in Nature Communications finds that placebo treatments to reduce pain, known as placebo analgesia
When does an idea die? Plato and string theory clash with data
4hHow far should we defend an idea in the face of contrarian evidence? Who decides when it's time to abandon an idea and deem it wrong? Science carries within it its seeds from ancient Greece, including certain prejudices of how reality should or shouldn't be. From the perspective of the west, it all started in ancient Greece, around 600 BCE. This is during the Axial Age, a somewhat controversial t
Human instinct can be as useful as algorithms in detecting online 'deception'
21hTravellers looking to book a hotel should trust their gut instinct when it comes to online reviews rather than relying on computer algorithms to weed out the fake ones, a new study suggests.
How does plastic debris make its way into ocean garbage patches?
1dTons of plastic debris get released into the ocean every day, and most of it accumulates within the middle of garbage patches, which tend to float on the oceans' surface in the center of each of their regions. The most infamous one, known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, is in the North Pacific Ocean.
New technology allows scientists first glimpse of intricate details of Little Foot's life
1dIn June 2019, an international team brought the complete skull of the 3.67-million-year-old Little Foot Australopithecus skeleton, from South Africa to the UK and achieved unprecedented imaging resolution of its bony structures and dentition in an X-ray synchrotron-based investigation at the UK's national synchrotron, Diamond Light Source. The X-ray work is highlighted in a new paper in e-Life, pu
Early March Vaccine Thoughts
1dSome thoughts about the current vaccine trials and data, some of which are probably obvious, but which might be worth bringing together: First, as many have been mentioning, it's tempting but quite difficult to compare the vaccines (and vaccine candidates) head-to-head by looking at their phase III data. I would only feel safe doing this when large differences show up (like 60% efficacy versus >9
Help! I'm Sneaking Into My Office. Is This So Wrong?
4hIn this week's Out of Office column, Megan tackles guilt, bad policies, and the rules of zoomfood.
New long-term study affirms contact lens wear as healthy option for children
13hA newly-published work highlights the long-term ocular health of children wearing daily disposable soft contact lenses and reports minimal impact on physiology over six years. Its results affirm that such lenses are an option for children as young as eight years old. Across the entire study period, there were no contact lens-related serious adverse events, and the low incidence rate of corneal inf
21h
COVID-19 spread tracked via a rapid, large-scale early wastewater surveillance alert system
22hDetecting COVID-19 outbreaks before they spread could help contain the virus and curb new cases within a community. In a new study, researchers describe a mostly automated early alert system that uses high-throughput analysis of wastewater samples to identify buildings where new COVID-19 cases have emerged — even before infected people develop symptoms.
Coronavirus latest: Ryanair chief hopes summer traffic returns to 70% of pre-pandemic levels
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A new blindness gene uncovered in a canine study
22hA study has uncovered a mutation in the IFT122 gene in blind dogs. The gene defect now discovered results in the progressive destruction of photoreceptor cells and retinal dystrophy. IFT122 is a new candidate also for retinal dystrophy in humans. A gene test in support of breeding and diagnostics has been developed based on the finding.
A robot able to 'hear' through the ear of a locust
21hScientists report connecting the ear of a dead locust to a robot that receives the ear's electrical signals and responds accordingly.
Chemists boost boron's utility: Preventing compounds from breaking down could help chemists design new drugs
4hBoron, a metalloid element that sits next to carbon in the periodic table, has many traits that make it potentially useful as a drug component. Nonetheless, only five FDA-approved drugs contain boron, largely because molecules that contain boron are unstable in the presence of molecular oxygen.
Første bølge af COVID-19-patienter: Ældre, mænd og patienter med komorbiditet blev hårdest ramt
3hEt registerstudie af ca. 2.400 af de første patienter indlagt med COVID-19 i Danmark identificerer faktorer, som kan have stor betydning for patienternes sygdomsforløb.
Trailing giants: Clues to how people and giraffes can thrive together
1dThe giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is an iconic megaherbivore whose populations are declining across Africa, the only continent where they are found. Giraffe numbers have plummeted from an estimated 150,000 in 1985 to fewer than 100,000 today.
Vaccine development software shows promise in influenza effort, could help defeat coronavirus
1dA novel computer algorithm that could create a broadly reactive influenza vaccine for swine flu also offers a path toward a pan-influenza vaccine and possibly a pan-coronavirus vaccine as well, according to a new paper.
Tenfold increase in carbon dioxide emissions cuts needed to stem climate emergency
2hNew research shows 64 countries cut their fossil CO2 emissions during 2016-2019, but the rate of reduction needs to increase tenfold to meet the Paris Agreement aims to tackle climate change.
New generation of tiny, agile drones introduced
3hResearchers developed an insect-size drone with soft actuators — akin to muscles — that are agile and resilient to collisions. The advance could boost aerial robots' repertoire, allowing them to operate in cramped spaces and withstand collisions.
Researchers publish roadmap to harness data science and artificial intelligence for electron microscopy
5hSince they came into use in 1938, electron microscopes have played a pivotal role in a host of scientific advances, including the discovery of new proteins and therapeutics and contributions made to the electronics revolution. But the field of electron microscopy must incorporate the latest advances in data science and artificial intelligence to realize its full potential in the years ahead, accor
Nanoparticle-delivered COVID-19 vaccine candidate shows promise in preclinical studies
22hResearchers have developed a promising new COVID-19 vaccine candidate that utilizes nanotechnology and has shown strong efficacy in preclinical disease models. According to a new study, the vaccine produced potent neutralizing antibodies among preclinical models and also prevented infection and disease symptoms in the face of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19).
Lipid nanoparticle-mediated codelivery of Cas9 mRNA and single-guide RNA achieves liver-specific in vivo genome editing of Angptl3 [Chemistry]
1dLoss-of-function mutations in Angiopoietin-like 3 (Angptl3) are associated with lowered blood lipid levels, making Angptl3 an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of human lipoprotein metabolism disorders. In this study, we developed a lipid nanoparticle delivery platform carrying Cas9 messenger RNA (mRNA) and guide RNA for CRISPR-Cas9–based genome editing of…
The Large Hadron Collider's official tally: 59 new hadrons and counting
5hHow many new particles has the LHC discovered? The most widely known discovery is of course that of the Higgs boson. Less well known is the fact that, over the past 10 years, the LHC experiments have also found more than 50 new particles called hadrons. Coincidentally, the number 50 appears in the context of hadrons twice, as 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of hadron colliders: on 27 January 1971,
Environmental impact of computation and the future of green computing
17hEvery aspect of modern computing, from the smallest chip to the largest data center comes with a carbon price tag. The tech industry and the field of computation as a whole have focused on building smaller, faster, more powerful devices — but few have considered their overall environmental impact. Researchers are trying to change that by challenging the field to add carbon footprint to the list o
Energy switching decisions could widen social inequalities
22hNew energy tariffs designed for a low carbon future could leave people on bad deals even worse off. The tariffs could benefit all kinds of customers, but many people are unlikely to choose them. Those likely to adopt them first are younger, with higher incomes and higher education.
Inhibition of neuroinflammatory nitric oxide signaling suppresses glycation and prevents neuronal dysfunction in mouse prion disease [Neuroscience]
22hSeveral neurodegenerative diseases associated with protein misfolding (Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease) exhibit oxidative and nitrergic stress following initiation of neuroinflammatory pathways. Associated nitric oxide (NO)-mediated posttranslational modifications impact upon protein functions that can exacerbate pathology. Nonenzymatic and irreversible glycation signaling has been implicated
Trailing giants: Clues to how people and giraffes can thrive together
1dThe giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is an iconic megaherbivore whose populations are declining across Africa, the only continent where they are found. Giraffe numbers have plummeted from an estimated 150,000 in 1985 to fewer than 100,000 today.
Origin of life: The chicken-and-egg problem
16hNew research shows that slight alterations in transfer-RNA molecules (tRNAs) allow them to self-assemble into a functional unit that can replicate information exponentially. tRNAs are key elements in the evolution of early life-forms.
Indoor air quality study shows aircraft in flight may have lowest particulate levels
17hIf you're looking for an indoor space with a low level of particulate air pollution, a commercial airliner flying at cruising altitude may be your best option. A newly reported study of air quality in indoor spaces such as stores, restaurants, offices, public transportation — and commercial jets — shows aircraft cabins with the lowest levels of tiny aerosol particles.
Gulf Oil Spill's long-lasting legacy for dolphins
19hHealth impacts from a 2010 spill are found even in dolphins born years later.
Ultrasonic cleaning of salad could reduce instances of food poisoning
19hA new study has shown that gentle streams of water carrying sound and microscopic air bubbles can clean bacteria from salad leaves more effectively than current washing methods used by suppliers and consumers. As well as reducing food poisoning, the findings could reduce food waste and have implications for the growing threat of anti-microbial resistance.
Nanoparticle-delivered COVID-19 vaccine candidate shows promise in preclinical studies
22hResearchers have developed a promising new COVID-19 vaccine candidate that utilizes nanotechnology and has shown strong efficacy in preclinical disease models. According to a new study, the vaccine produced potent neutralizing antibodies among preclinical models and also prevented infection and disease symptoms in the face of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19).
New research highlights impact of the digital divide
18hThe coronavirus pandemic has drawn new attention to the digital divide, as the need for online schooling and working from home has disproportionately hurt those without computer equipment and skills. New research finds that people with basic Information Technology (IT) skills are more likely to be employed, even in jobs that aren't explicitly tied to those skills.
Atmospheric rivers increase snow mass in West Antarctica
23hA new study used NASA's ice-measuring laser satellite to identify atmospheric river storms as a key driver of increased snowfall in West Antarctica during the 2019 austral winter.
Even just a bit of advertising changes the game in word-of-mouth marketing
1dA professor of sociology uses computer simulations of networks to reveal how the presence of even just a bit of advertising or other mass communication — 'top-down' information that comes from outside a given network — effectively equalizes the influence of everyone across that network. When advertising exists… 'it's not that word-of-mouth doesn't matter — it's that nobody is particularly imp
Human instinct can be as useful as algorithms in detecting online 'deception'
1dTravelers looking to book a hotel should trust their gut instinct when it comes to online reviews rather than relying on computer algorithms to weed out the fake ones, a new study suggests.
Researchers discover SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors
3hA research team of pharmacists at the University of Bonn has discovered two families of active substances that can block the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The drug candidates are able to switch off the the key enzyme of the virus, the so-called main protease. The study is based on laboratory experiments. Extensive clinical trials are still required for their further development as the
Scientists dig deep to reveal Earth's hidden layer
5hIt's an idea worthy of a Jules Verne novel; a mysterious layer at the center of our planet.
Chemists boost boron's utility: Preventing compounds from breaking down could help chemists design new drugs
4hBoron, a metalloid element that sits next to carbon in the periodic table, has many traits that make it potentially useful as a drug component. Nonetheless, only five FDA-approved drugs contain boron, largely because molecules that contain boron are unstable in the presence of molecular oxygen.
Mountain 'tsunamis' have been taking place for 10,000 years in Chilean Patagonia
5hCatastrophic floods due to the emptying or rupture of glacial lakes in Chilean Patagonia have taken place cyclically since the last glacial maximum 10,000 years ago. Nevertheless, the magnitude of these mountain 'tsunamis' has declined over time, according to a paper published in the journal Quaternary Science Reviews in which scientists from the Centro Nacional de Investigación de La Evolución Hu
Astrophysicist's 2004 theory confirmed: Why the Sun's composition varies
23hAn astrophysicist theorized why the chemical composition of the Sun's tenuous outermost layer differs from that lower down. His theory has recently been validated by combined observations of the Sun's magnetic waves from the Earth and from space.
Vaccine shows signs of protection against dozen-plus flu strains
4hA vaccine candidate has demonstrated promising signs of protection against more than a dozen swine flu strains — and more than a leading, commercially available vaccine. Its success in experiments involving swine suggests that its design could also fast-track efforts to develop a vaccine that protects people against many common strains of influenza.
Disruption of lung biological clock in premature babies may raise later flu risk
21hDisruptions in the circadian rhythms in lung cells may explain why adults who survived premature birth are often more at risk of severe influenza infections, suggests a new study.
Study highlights pitfalls associated with 'cybervetting' job candidates
21hA recent study of how human resources professionals review online information and social media profiles of job candidates highlights the ways in which so-called 'cybervetting' can introduce bias and moral judgment into the hiring process.
A robot able to 'hear' through the ear of a locust
21hScientists report connecting the ear of a dead locust to a robot that receives the ear's electrical signals and responds accordingly.
Division of labor within regenerating liver maintains metabolism, mouse study finds
22hThe liver has a rare superpower among body organs – the ability to regenerate. It also keeps up its metabolic and toxin-removing work while regenerating, thanks to a subset of cells that expand their workload while the rest focus on multiplication, a new study in mice found. Furthermore, the cells of the liver communicate with each other to coordinate regeneration activity, which progresses from t
A mechanism by which cells build 'mini-muscles' underneath their nucleus identified
23hResearch has uncovered how motor protein myosin, which is responsible for contraction of skeletal muscles, functions also in non-muscle cells to build contractile structures at the inner face of the cell membrane. This is the first time when such 'mini-muscles', also known as stress fibers, have been seen to emerge spontaneously through myosin-driven reorganization of the pre-existing actin filame
Common bacteria modified to make designer sugar-based drug
1dEnvisioning an animal-free drug supply, scientists have reprogrammed a common bacterium to make a designer polysaccharide molecule used in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.
Secrets of sealed 17th century letters revealed by dental X-ray scanners
1dAn international team of researchers has read an unopened letter from Renaissance Europe – without breaking its seal or damaging it in any way.
Uncovering patterns in California's blazing wildfires
1dCalifornia's 2020 wildfire season was unprecedented, the latest tragedy in a decades-long trend of increasing fire. Six of the 20 largest fires in state history burned during the calendar year. In August, a 14,000-strike "lightning siege" sparked 900 fires, and by the end of the year, roughly 17,200 square kilometers had burned across the state.
Key steps discovered in production of critical immune cell
1dWEHI researchers have uncovered a process cells use to fight off infection and cancer that could pave the way for precision cancer immunotherapy treatment.
Key steps discovered in production of critical immune cell
1dWEHI researchers have uncovered a process cells use to fight off infection and cancer that could pave the way for precision cancer immunotherapy treatment.
New light shed on the early evolution of limb bone marrow
5hWhen and how bone marrow first originated in the limbs of early four-legged animals is disputed in evolutionary biology. With the help of powerful X-ray technology, an international research team, led by Uppsala University, has now discovered that this evolutionary adaptation most likely took place after the first tetrapods stepped ashore.
New light shed on the early evolution of limb bone marrow
5hWhen and how bone marrow first originated in the limbs of early four-legged animals is disputed in evolutionary biology. With the help of powerful X-ray technology, an international research team, led by Uppsala University, has now discovered that this evolutionary adaptation most likely took place after the first tetrapods stepped ashore.
Space hurricane observed for the first time
1dHurricanes are known to occur in the lower atmosphere of Earth and even other planets, but had never before been detected in the upper atmosphere. An international team of scientists made the unprecedented discovery during retrospective analysis of satellite observations. The hurricane occurred during surprisingly low geomagnetic activity, and suggests they could occur in the upper atmosphere of o
Researchers discover SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors
3hA research team of pharmacists at the University of Bonn has discovered two families of active substances that can block the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The drug candidates are able to switch off the the key enzyme of the virus, the so-called main protease. The study is based on laboratory experiments. Extensive clinical trials are still required for their further development as the
These light-emitting "smart" tattoos could act as medical monitors
12hResearchers at UCL and IIT have created a temporary tattoo that contains the same OLED technology that is used in TVs and smartphones. This technology has already been successfully applied to various materials including glass, food items, plastic, and paper packaging. This advance in technology isn't just about aesthetics. "In healthcare, they could emit light when there is a change in a patient'
New book reveals Charles Darwin's cultural impact in unprecedented detail
1dThe largest number of species named after a single person is often attributed to the German polymath and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt. The impressive list contains about 400 species and includes everything from penguins to perennials. But in a new book, historian of science Dr. John van Wyhe from the National University of Singapore shows that Charles Darwin, not Humboldt, is the world record
Homeroom: I Can't Keep Prodding My Son to Do His Work
3hEditor's Note: Every Tuesday, Abby Freireich and Brian Platzer take questions from readers about their kids' education. Have one? Email them at homeroom@theatlantic.com. Dear Abby and Brian, My son, whom I'll refer to as "Sean," is heading off to college next fall (if, God willing, colleges are open), and I'm embarrassed to admit that I don't think he knows how to organize his work or complete as
Key steps discovered in production of critical immune cell
3hResearchers have uncovered a process cells use to fight off infection and cancer that could pave the way for precision cancer immunotherapy treatment. Through gaining a better understanding of how this process works, researchers hope to be able to determine a way of tailoring immunotherapy to better fight cancer. This research lays the foundation for future studies into the body's response to envi
Drug target could fight Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease
4hNeurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease are in the firing line after researchers identified an attractive therapeutic drug target.
Fluorescent nanodiamonds successfully injected into living cells
4hAs odd as it sounds, many scientists have attempted to place extremely small diamonds inside living cells. Why? Because nanodiamonds are consistently bright and can give us unique knowledge about the inner life of cells over a long time. Now physics researchers at Lund University in Sweden have succeeded in injecting a large number of nanodiamonds directly to the cell interior.
Cooperative eco-driving automation improves energy efficiency and safety
17hConnected, automated vehicles promise to save energy and improve safety. Engineers propose a modeling framework for cooperative driving. Simulation results show that the cooperative automated eco-driving algorithm saves energy — 7% under light traffic and 23% under heavy traffic.
Bitter receptor involved in anti-inflammatory effect of resveratrol?
22hAt least in cell-based test systems, the plant compound resveratrol has anti-inflammatory properties. A recent collaborative study has now shown that the bitter receptor TAS2R50 is involved in this effect.
Ultra-fast electron measurement provides important findings for the solar industry
23hUsing a new method, physicists are analyzing at the femtosecond scale the processes in a model system for organic solar cells in detail. The results can be used to develop high-performance and efficient solar cells.
Dethroning electrocatalysts for hydrogen production with inexpensive alternative material
22hToday, we can say without a shadow of doubt that an alternative to fossil fuels is needed. Fossil fuels are not only non-renewable sources of energy but also among the leading causes of global warming and air pollution. Thus, many scientists worldwide have their hopes placed on what they regard as the fuel of tomorrow: hydrogen (H2). Although H2 is a clean fuel with incredibly high energy density,
Greenhouse gas emissions associated with dietary guidelines vary between countries
1dGreenhouse gas emissions associated with national dietary guidelines advocating a healthy diet vary greatly between countries, with US guidelines having the largest carbon footprint and India having the smallest, according to a study involving seven countries.
Designing soft materials that mimic biological functions
1dA team of researchers has developed a theoretical model to design a soft material that demonstrates autonomous oscillating properties that mimic biological functions, like heartbeat.
Designing soft materials that mimic biological functions
1dA team of researchers has developed a theoretical model to design a soft material that demonstrates autonomous oscillating properties that mimic biological functions, like heartbeat.
Unusual earthquakes highlight central Utah volcanoes
21hEarthquakes in the Black Rock Desert are rare and capturing the seismic recordings from these earthquakes provides a glimpse into the volcanic system of the Black Rock Desert that, while not showing any signs of erupting, is still active.
Wolf social group dynamics matter for infectious disease spread, models suggest
22hBy modeling wolves in Yellowstone National Park, researchers have discovered that how a population is organized into social groups affects the spread of infectious diseases within the population. The findings may be applicable to any social species and could be useful in the protection of endangered species that suffer from disease invasion.
Teens and Other Volunteers Help Seniors Find Scarce COVID Shots
7hSign-up systems for vaccines are horribly confusing, so people across the U.S. set up Facebook pages and phone lines with hands-on help — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
The pandemic has ruined my memory. Can my search history help? | Emma Beddington
1dI can't rely on the grey sponge in my head any more. But my digital footprint shows how I have been idling away my time Our memories are shot: I know this, having read, and instantly forgotten, the science. It is the combination of isolation, anxiety and nothing happening, I think, undermining our episodic memory . Repeating myself, forgetting shopping and rereading a simple recipe 10 times, I fe
Hoinga: Debris of stellar explosion found in unexpected location
4hIn the first all-sky survey by the eROSITA X-ray telescope onboard SRG, astronomers at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics have identified a previously unknown supernova remnant, dubbed "Hoinga." The finding was confirmed in archival radio data and marks the first discovery of a joint Australian-eROSITA partnership established to explore our Galaxy using multiple wavelengths, fro
A silver swining: 'Destructive' pigs help build rainforests
4hWild pigs are often maligned as ecosystem destroyers, but a new study has found they also cultivate biodiverse rainforests in their native habitats.
Teens and Other Volunteers Help Seniors Find Scarce COVID Shots
7hSign-up systems for vaccines are horribly confusing, so people across the U.S. set up Facebook pages and phone lines with hands-on help — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Researchers uncover how some animals sense the gritty texture of their food
1dThere's more to taste than flavor. Let ice cream melt, and the next time you take it out of the freezer you'll find its texture icy instead of the smooth, creamy confection you're used to. Though its flavor hasn't changed, most people would agree the dessert is less appetizing.
Researchers uncover how some animals sense the gritty texture of their food
1dThere's more to taste than flavor. Let ice cream melt, and the next time you take it out of the freezer you'll find its texture icy instead of the smooth, creamy confection you're used to. Though its flavor hasn't changed, most people would agree the dessert is less appetizing.
Backyard chickens risk pathogen spread
1dKeeping backyard chickens was already on the rise, and the hobby has become even more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, a University of Georgia researcher cautions that the practice has risks not just for chickens, but for wildlife and people as well.
Backyard chickens risk pathogen spread
1dKeeping backyard chickens was already on the rise, and the hobby has become even more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, a University of Georgia researcher cautions that the practice has risks not just for chickens, but for wildlife and people as well.
Detective work inside plant cells finds a key piece of the C4 photosynthesis puzzle
1dAn impressive body of evidence published this week reveals the answer to a mystery that has puzzled plant scientists for more than 30 years: the role of the molecule suberin in the leaves of some of our most productive crops. This discovery could be the key to engineering better crops and ensuring future food security.
WHO expert panel strongly advises against use of hydroxychloroquine to prevent COVID-19
1dThe anti-inflammatory drug hydroxychloroquine should not be used to prevent infection in people who do not have covid-19, say a WHO Guideline Development Group (GDG) panel of international experts.
Mars Orbiter Spots New Perseverance Lander on Surface
1dThe NASA Perseverance rover touched down on Mars last month, kicking off what we all hope will be many years studying the red planet. Perseverance isn't the only robot in that part of the solar system. The ESA's Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) is one of several missions looking down at the surface, and it has spotted the Perseverance rover on the floor of Jezero Crater. That's it in the image above. Pers
Groundbreaking research into white-rot fungi proves its value in carbon sequestration
22hA foundational study shows for the first time that white-rot fungi are able to use carbon captured from lignin as a carbon source. Until now, scientists were unsure whether white-rot fungi — the most efficient lignin-degrading organisms in nature — actually consume the products generated from breaking down lignin.
Researchers develop new strategy for efficient OLED active matrix displays
1dIn a new publication in the scientific journal Nature Materials, researchers of the Institute for Applied Physics at TU Dresden introduce a novel device concept towards high-efficient and low-voltage vertical organic lighting-emitting transistors. With the new device architecture and fabrication technology, the team paves the way for a broad application of efficient OLED active matrix displays.
Heat-free optical switch would enable optical quantum computing chips
4hIn a potential boost for quantum computing and communication, a European research collaboration reported a new method of controlling and manipulating single photons without generating heat. The solution makes it possible to integrate optical switches and single-photon detectors in a single chip.
Your favorite brunch foods are thousands of years old
7hShould we split a side of goat bacon? (Pexels/) What's the weirdest thing you learned this week? Well, whatever it is, we promise you'll have an even weirder answer if you listen to PopSci' s hit podcast . The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week hits Apple , Anchor , and everywhere else you listen to podcasts every-other Wednesday morning. It's your new favorite source for the strangest science-ad
Unveiling the weaving fractal network of connecting neurons
19hHigh-resolution imaging and 3D computer modeling show that the dendrites of neurons weave through space in a way that balances their need to connect to other neurons with the costs of doing so. The discovery emerged as researchers sought to understand the fractal nature of neurons as part of a project to design fractal-shaped electrodes to connect with retinal neurons to address vision loss due to
Scientists use forest color to gauge permafrost depth
21hScientists regularly use remote sensing drones and satellites to record how climate change affects permafrost thaw rates—methods that work well in barren tundra landscapes where there's nothing to obstruct the view.
Ultra-fast electron measurement provides important findings for the solar industry
23hUsing a new method, physicists are analyzing at the femtosecond scale the processes in a model system for organic solar cells in detail. The results can be used to develop high-performance and efficient solar cells.
'Fish DJ' tackles fish hearing
1dA 'Fish DJ' at The University of Queensland has used her knowledge of cool beats to understand brain networks and hearing in baby fish.
'Fish DJ' tackles fish hearing
1dA 'Fish DJ' at The University of Queensland has used her knowledge of cool beats to understand brain networks and hearing in baby fish.
Largest carbon stores found in Australian World Heritage Sites
1dAustralia's marine World Heritage Sites are among the world's largest stores of carbon dioxide according to a new report from the United Nations.
Scientists use lipid nanoparticles to precisely target gene editing to the liver
1dScientists developed a highly efficient, targeted method for delivering gene editing machinery to specific tissues and organs, demonstrating the treatment of high cholesterol by targeting genes in the liver of mice, reducing cholesterol for over 3 months (and potentially more) with one treatment.
Scientists use lipid nanoparticles to precisely target gene editing to the liver
1dScientists developed a highly efficient, targeted method for delivering gene editing machinery to specific tissues and organs, demonstrating the treatment of high cholesterol by targeting genes in the liver of mice, reducing cholesterol for over 3 months (and potentially more) with one treatment.
Coffee for the birds: Connecting bird-watchers with shade-grown coffee
1dBird-friendly coffee is shade-grown, meaning that it is grown and harvested under the canopy of mature trees, a process that parallels how coffee was historically grown. But with most farms in Central and South America and the Caribbean converting to full-sun operations, crucial bird habitats for migrating and resident bird species are being lost.
New technology allows scientists first glimpse of intricate details of Little Foot's life
1dIn June 2019, an international team brought the complete skull of the 3.67-million-year-old Little Foot Australopithecus skeleton, from South Africa to the UK and achieved unprecedented imaging resolution of its bony structures and dentition in an X-ray synchrotron-based investigation at the UK's national synchrotron, Diamond Light Source. The X-ray work is highlighted in a new article, focusing o
Lead up to volcanic eruption in Galapagos captured in rare detail
1dHours before the 2018 eruption of Sierra Negra, the Galápagos Islands' largest volcano, an earthquake rumbled and raised the ground more than 6 feet in an instant. The event, which triggered the eruption, was captured in rare detail by an international team of scientists, who said it offers new insights into one of the world's most active volcanoes.
Humans and Megafauna Extinction
1dOne cartoon-cliché of "prehistoric" time is that everything was bigger. We grow up absorbing a picture of the vague deep past as including dinosaurs, cavemen, and big versions of everything. While this is an oversimplification, and tends to mash vastly different periods into one (the past), the notion that mammals, at least, tended to be bigger in the past is accurate. When mammals replaced dinos
Dietary fats interact with grape tannins to influence wine taste
3hWine lovers recognize that a perfectly paired wine can make a delicious meal taste even better, but the reverse is also true: Certain foods can influence the flavors of wines. Now, researchers reporting in ACS' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry have explored how lipids—fatty molecules abundant in cheese, meats, vegetable oils and other foods—interact with grape tannins, masking the undesi
What Will We Want When We Can Travel Again?
3hPity the travel influencer (or don't; it's easy not to). Before COVID-19, the art of stoking wanderlust was defined by selling a fantasy—the promise not only of a perfect vacation, but of a self somehow fortified and made special by going to the same bleached beaches and blue-domed Greek villages as everyone else. But now, almost a year into a pandemic that's grounded people like never before, pr
Help is a long way away: The challenges of sending humans to Mars
4hOn July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin stepped out a lunar lander onto the surface of the moon. The landscape in front of him, which was made up of stark blacks and grays, resembled what he later called "magnificent desolation."
Fly me to the Moon: Japan billionaire offers space seats
9hIt's the sort of chance that comes along just once in a blue Moon: a Japanese billionaire is throwing open a private lunar expedition to eight people from around the world.
Boeing Starliner test flight postponed
1dAn unmanned test mission of Boeing's Starliner space capsule, which is eventually to transport astronauts to the International Space Station, has had to be postponed, NASA said Monday.
Why Some Geologists Say Charles Darwin's Theory of Coral Atoll Formation Is Wrong
4hSea levels rising and falling over hundreds of thousands of years may have helped build the oceanic structures
Intriguing particles emerge when two photons couple
20hResearchers exploring the interactions between light particles, photons and matter find that optical microresonators host quasiparticles made by two photons.
How some animals sense the gritty texture of their food
21hThere's more to taste than flavor. Let ice cream melt, and the next time you take it out of the freezer you'll find its texture icy instead of the smooth, creamy confection you're used to. Though its flavor hasn't changed, most people would agree the dessert is less appetizing.
Fuel efficiency of one car may be cancelled by your next car purchase
22hResearchers find that consumers tend to buy something less fuel efficient for their second car after springing for an eco-friendly vehicle. The study reports a 57% reduction in the benefits of your fuel efficient car based on the purchase of your second vehicle. Findings have major implications for the design of carbon mitigation programs that aren't taking into account consumers with multiple veh
Coronavirus-like particles could ensure reliability of simpler, faster COVID-19 tests
1dRapid COVID-19 tests are on the rise to deliver results faster to more people, and scientists need an easy, foolproof way to know that these tests work correctly and the results can be trusted. Nanoparticles that pass detection as the novel coronavirus could be just the ticket. Such coronavirus-like nanoparticles would serve as something called a positive control for COVID-19 tests.
Coronavirus-like particles could ensure reliability of simpler, faster COVID-19 tests
1dRapid COVID-19 tests are on the rise to deliver results faster to more people, and scientists need an easy, foolproof way to know that these tests work correctly and the results can be trusted. Nanoparticles that pass detection as the novel coronavirus could be just the ticket. Such coronavirus-like nanoparticles would serve as something called a positive control for COVID-19 tests.
New strategy for efficient OLED active matrix displays
1dResearchers introduce a novel device concept towards high-efficient and low-voltage vertical organic lighting-emitting transistors. With the new device architecture and fabrication technology, the team paves the way for a broad application of efficient OLED active matrix displays.
Researcher explores contact freezing of water at the nanoscale
1dAt the nanoscale, water freezes in various ways, and not all of them are completely understood. Among other benefits, getting a better handle on these processes could mean big improvements in weather prediction.
A materials science approach to combating coronavirus
1dResearchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology working in collaboration with colleagues at the Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology and Nara Medical University in Japan have succeeded in preparing a material called cerium molybdate (γ-Ce2Mo3O13 or CMO), which exhibits high antiviral activity against coronavirus.
There is an Eruption Brewing in Iceland (and It May Start Soon)
45minIt has been almost 190 years since the last eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula in Iceland, but officials think a new eruption could start at any moment.
Researchers announce a new state of matter: swirlons
23hScientists discover that active particles take a pass on Newton's Second Law. Active particles exist in a "swirlonic" state of matter. Swirlonic behavior explains some of the more dazzling natural phenomena such as starling swarms and shape-shifting schools of fish. It's likely you've seen some of the fascinating videos of starling murmurations , great swarms of birds mysteriously flying as if wi
Researchers develop a versatile hydrogen sensor
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1dEnergy Europe Hydrogen
Hydrogen is playing an increasingly important role in the transition to a completely sustainable economy. It is already being used on a large scale in industry, but it is also being used more often for sustainable energy storage and as a fuel for large and heavy vehicles in particular. There are plans for converting the existing natural gas network into a hydrogen network. However, under certain c
How immigration policies can harm health: Study sheds light on 'public charge' rule
1dImmigration policies like the Trump-era expansion of the "public charge" rule that made it harder for immigrants on public assistance to obtain legal residency can have a chilling effect on the health and well-being of immigrant communities in California, according to a study released today by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.
Quick-learning cuttlefish pass 'the marshmallow test'
4hCuttlefish can delay gratification – wait for a better meal rather than be tempted by the one at hand – and those that can wait longest also do better in a learning test, scientists have discovered. This intriguing report marks the first time a link between self-control and intelligence has been found in an animal other than humans and chimpanzees.
Dethroning electrocatalysts for hydrogen production with inexpensive alternative material
4hScientists have discovered a new electrocatalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in electrochemical water splitting: CaFe2O4. This inexpensive, non-toxic, and easy-to-synthesize material outperforms other bimetallic OER electrocatalysts and even surpasses the benchmark set by iridium oxide, paving the way to accessible hydrogen generation for upcoming hydrogen societies.
Simulations to make insight into electrokinetic transport more reliable
5hResearcher Remco Hartkamp and Ph.D. student Max Döpke of the Process & Energy Department have taken an important step in making simulation results for electrokinetic transport more reliable by using molecular simulations. In electrokinetics, ions play an important role in the transport of a liquid through narrow pores or of solid particles through a liquid. These types of transport properties are
Iron ore and household spending stoke rapid rise in Australia GDP
8hSuccessful campaign to rein in Covid-19 infections helped economy grow 3.1% in fourth quarter
A quantum internet is closer to reality, thanks to this switch
18hWhen quantum computers become more powerful and widespread, they will need a robust quantum internet to communicate. Engineers have addressed an issue barring the development of quantum networks that are big enough to reliably support more than a handful of users.
Scientists use forest color to gauge permafrost depth
18hResearchers have developed a remote sensing method of measuring the depth of permafrost by analyzing vegetation cover in boreal ecosystems.
A fluid solution to dendrite growth in lithium metal batteries
21hLithium metal batteries have higher charge density than conventional lithium ion batteries but are prone to problems of tree-like metal dendrites, which can cause short circuits or explosions. A new article shows that flowing ions near the cathode can prevent this problem.
Rice variety resists arsenic
22hThe agricultural cultivation of the staple food of rice harbors the risk of possible contamination with arsenic that can reach the grains following uptake by the roots. A research team studied over 4,000 rice variants and discovered a plant that resists the toxin as well as contains a large amount of the trace element selenium.
Gold-phosphorus nanosheets catalyzes natural gas to greener energy selectively
1dAdvances in hydraulic fracturing technology have enabled discovery of large reserves of natural gas which primarily contains methane, and which is mainly burned directly, potentially causing global warming. Upgrading methane to greener energy such as methanol through aerobic oxidation is an ideal way to solve the problem.
Complex fluid dynamics may explain hydroplaning
1dWhen a vehicle travels over a wet or flooded road, water builds up in front of the tire and generates a lift force. In a phenomenon known as hydroplaning, this force can become large enough to lift the vehicle off the ground.
UNESCO reveals largest carbon stores found in Australian World Heritage Sites
1dAustralia's marine World Heritage Sites are among the world's largest stores of carbon dioxide according to a new report from the United Nations, co-authored by an ECU marine science expert.
Researchers watch anti-cancer drug release from DNA nanostructures in real time
1dResearchers have found a way to study the endonuclease-driven digestion of drug-loaded DNA nanostructures in real time. As the team investigated the binding of Dox to the DNA structures in great detail, they discovered that the majority of previous studies have vastly overestimated the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin loading capacity of DNA origami.
RNA analysis unravels the cues for feline fertility and brings hope for endangered wild cats
1dCreating living embryos using artificial reproduction technologies provides a promising avenue to rescue mammalian species at risk of extinction. In order to grow in vitro a sufficient number of female gametes fit for fertilization, scientists have to replicate the natural development of ovarian follicles right from the earliest—primordial—stage. Now, the first comprehensive analysis of gene expre
RNA analysis unravels the cues for feline fertility and brings hope for endangered wild cats
1dCreating living embryos using artificial reproduction technologies provides a promising avenue to rescue mammalian species at risk of extinction. In order to grow in vitro a sufficient number of female gametes fit for fertilization, scientists have to replicate the natural development of ovarian follicles right from the earliest—primordial—stage. Now, the first comprehensive analysis of gene expre
A materials science approach to combating coronavirus
1dResearchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology working in collaboration with colleagues at the Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology and Nara Medical University in Japan have succeeded in preparing a material called cerium molybdate (γ-Ce2Mo3O13 or CMO), which exhibits high antiviral activity against coronavirus.
Usædvanlig stor meteorit fundet efter nedslag i Sverige
1dEt stort fragment fra en ni ton meteor, der fik danskere til at kime Forsvaret ned, er nu fundet lidt nordvest for Stockholm takket være private meteorit-jægere.
What's happening to the most remote coral reefs on Earth?
1dIn the middle of the Indian Ocean lies some of the last coral reef wilderness on Earth. The Chagos Archipelago, a collection of atolls, including Earth's largest—the Great Chagos Bank—is home to reefs that have been largely undisturbed by humans for the last 50 years. Some estimates indicate the Chagos Archipelago may contain more than half of the healthy coral reefs remaining in the entire Indian
The time is ripe! An innovative contactless method for the timely harvest of soft fruits
1dIn agriculture, there are many mechanical methods to indirectly measure a fruit's ripeness through its firmness. However, most fall short for soft fruits, which do not exhibit the same types of measurable vibration as harder ones. Now, scientists have developed an innovative method to measure fruit firmness using laser-induced plasma shockwaves. Their contactless, non-destructive approach works on
The top 10 cities for biking probably aren't where you think
3hSource: COYA 2019 Bicycle Cities Index (msjonesnyc/) Amsterdam was once just as car-clogged as any other major city. But in 1995, bikers began to outnumber drivers. Copenhagen reached that same milestone in 2016. Like other modern pedaling paradises, they invested hundreds of millions in making roads safe and convenient for two-wheelers. Introducing bike sharing has encouraged an influx of casual
Soft and comfortable e-textiles that can be used to measure photoplenthysmography
1dAdvances in wearable devices have enabled e-textiles, which fuse lightweight and comfortable textiles with smart electronics, and are garnering attention as the next-generation wearable technology. In particular, fiber electronic devices endowed with electrical properties, while retaining the specific characteristics of textiles, are key elements in manufacturing e-textiles.
What's happening to the most remote coral reefs on Earth?
1dIn the middle of the Indian Ocean lies some of the last coral reef wilderness on Earth. The Chagos Archipelago, a collection of atolls, including Earth's largest—the Great Chagos Bank—is home to reefs that have been largely undisturbed by humans for the last 50 years. Some estimates indicate the Chagos Archipelago may contain more than half of the healthy coral reefs remaining in the entire Indian
Plastic solar cells combine high-speed optical communication with indoor energy harvesting
5hAround the world, there are currently more than 18 billion internet-connected mobile devices. In the next 10 years, anticipated growth in the internet of Things (IoT) and in machine-type communication in general, will lead to a world of hundreds of billions of data-connected objects. Such growth poses two very challenging problems:
From Financial Transactions to Confidential Information Storage, Blockchain is the Future of Data Transfer
7hIf you had the foresight way back when to invest in cryptocurrency , good on you! You know that values have skyrocketed, and while currencies such as Bitcoin certainly aren't mainstream yet, there are forces at work to strengthen the technology (that being Blockchain ) behind them. Not only does Blockchain ensure a more secure way of dealing with cryptocurrency transactions, but through Ethereum
An instructor's guide to reducing college students' stress and anxiety
23hEven before the COVID-19 pandemic, college students were reporting record levels of stress and anxiety. According to the American College Health Association Fall 2018 National College Health Assessment, 63% of U.S. college students experienced overwhelming anxiety throughout the year. Plus, stress can impact students' academic performance, and students with higher stress levels are more at-risk of
1d
Animals fake death for long periods to escape predators
4hMany animals feign death to try to escape their predators, with some individuals in prey species remaining motionless, if in danger, for extended lengths of time.
Snakeskin inspires new, friction-reducing material
5hA research team led by CU Boulder has designed a new kind of synthetic "skin" as slippery as the scales of a snake.
Teaching a machine how to identify imperfections in 2-D materials
5hJust as James Cameron's Terminator-800 was able to discriminate between "clothes, boots, and a motorcycle," machine-learning could identify different areas of interest on 2-D materials.
Taiwan prepares white rhino 'Emma' to find mate in Japan
7hEmma, five years old, slim build with a gentle demeanour, is looking for love overseas. Hobbies include hanging with friends and studying Japanese. Seeks fellow rhino for companionship and mating.
Taiwan prepares white rhino 'Emma' to find mate in Japan
7hEmma, five years old, slim build with a gentle demeanour, is looking for love overseas. Hobbies include hanging with friends and studying Japanese. Seeks fellow rhino for companionship and mating.
Meeting the meat needs of the future
17hResearchers have succeeded in culturing meat in the laboratory in the form of millimeter-scale slabs of contractile bovine muscle. This innovative tissue culture process, arrayed in stackable hydrogel modules, uses electrical pulses to align myotubules thus mimicking the texture, grain and bulk of real steak meat. Further advances may help meet the increasing worldwide demand for dietary meat whil
'Canary in the mine' warning follows new discovery of effects of pollutants on fertility
22hNew research has found that shrimp like creatures on the South Coast of England have 70 per cent less sperm than less polluted locations elsewhere in the world. The research also discovered that individuals living in the survey area are six times less numerous per square meter than those living in cleaner waters.
Covering metal catalyst surfaces with thin two-dimensional oxide materials can enhance chemical reactions
22hScientists have discovered that physically confined spaces can make for more efficient chemical reactions.
COVID-19 can kill heart muscle cells, interfere with contraction
23hA new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis provides evidence that COVID-19 patients' heart damage is caused by the virus invading and replicating inside heart muscle cells, leading to cell death and interfering with heart muscle contraction. The researchers used stem cells to engineer heart tissue that models the human infection and could help in studying the disease an
Understanding the spatial and temporal dimensions of landscape dynamics
1dAs a result of global and local phenomena, the Earth's surface is subject to continual changes that dynamically shape natural landscapes. The 3D Geospatial Data Processing research group has developed a new analysis method to help improve our understanding of such processes. It can determine – fully automatically and over long periods – when and where surface alterations occur and which type of as
Neanderthal and early modern human stone tool culture co-existed for over 100,000 years
1dResearch has discovered that one of the earliest stone tool cultures, known as the Acheulean, likely persisted for tens of thousands of years longer than previously thought.
New technology allows scientists first glimpse of intricate details of Little Foot's life
1dIn June 2019, an international team brought the complete skull of the 3.67-million-year-old Little Foot Australopithecus skeleton from South Africa to the U.K.'s national synchrotron, Diamond Light Source, and achieved unprecedented imaging resolution of its bony structures and dentition in an X-ray synchrotron-based investigation. The X-ray work is highlighted in a new paper in eLife, published 2
New technology allows scientists first glimpse of intricate details of Little Foot's life
1dIn June 2019, an international team brought the complete skull of the 3.67-million-year-old Little Foot Australopithecus skeleton from South Africa to the U.K.'s national synchrotron, Diamond Light Source, and achieved unprecedented imaging resolution of its bony structures and dentition in an X-ray synchrotron-based investigation. The X-ray work is highlighted in a new paper in eLife, published 2
Indonesia volcano belches huge ash column
1dAn Indonesian volcano erupted on Tuesday morning spewing a spectacular column of ash thousands of metres (feet) into a powder blue sky.
Coffee for the birds: Connecting bird-watchers with shade-grown coffee
1dSince 1970, bird populations in North America have declined by approximately 2.9 billion birds, a loss of more than one in four birds. Factors in this decline include habitat loss and ecosystem degradation from human actions on the landscape.
Coffee for the birds: Connecting bird-watchers with shade-grown coffee
1dSince 1970, bird populations in North America have declined by approximately 2.9 billion birds, a loss of more than one in four birds. Factors in this decline include habitat loss and ecosystem degradation from human actions on the landscape.
What kids know—and don't know—about COVID-19
22hThe pandemic will be a formative experience for many kids around the world. (Jairo/Unsplash/) Karen Ford is an adjunct associate professor at the School of Nursing, University of Tasmania. Andrea Middleton is a lecturer at the University of Tasmania. Steven Campbell is a professor of Clinical Redesign– Nursing, University of Tasmania. This story originally featured on The Conversation . During th
Bläckfiskar kan vara smartare än en del barn
2hForskare har utfört ett så kallat marshmallow-test på bläckfiskar för att testa deras självkontroll och förmåga att vänta på belöning. Resultaten visar att bläckfiskarna kunde vänta på sin favoritbelöning ända upp till två minuter.
Galápagos volcano could help forecast future eruptions
1dThe Galápagos Islands have played a historic role in the natural sciences… now a large eruption in the archipelago has given scientists fresh insights into how volcanoes behave and could help forecast future events.
Detection dogs help generate important data for research and conservation
1dThe lists of Earth's endangered animals and plants are getting increasingly longer. But in order to stop this trend, we require more information. It is often difficult to find out exactly where the individual species can be found and how their populations are developing. According to a new overview study published in Methods in Ecology and Evolution by Dr. Annegret Grimm-Seyfarth from the Helmholt
The Biden Administration Increases the Social Cost of Carbon
1dAs the Biden administration reassesses the social cost of carbon — the cumulative economic harm of releasing a metric ton of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere — scientists and economists continue to debate its value as well as its scope and effectiveness at shaping policy at a key climate moment.
Scientists monitor meerkats' response to returning zoo visitors
1dExperts in animal behavior at Nottingham Trent University, Harper Adams University and Twycross Zoo studied the behavior of meerkats at several zoos both during lockdown when there were suddenly no visitors, and then again for a month after zoos reopened to the public.
CO2-udledning stiger kraftigt efter historisk fald under Covid-19
7hDen globale CO2-udledning var to procent højere i december end i samme måned året forinden.
When Sick Cows Can't Be Culled: India's Battle With Brucellosis
8hAs with most zoonotic diseases, the key to brucellosis prevention lies in improving animal health. Countries that have the disease under control usually adopt a two-pronged approach: mass vaccination, followed by slaughtering cattle that still test positive afterward. But this doesn't work in India.
Rating tornado warnings charts a path to improve forecasts
19hA new method to rate tornado warnings shows that nighttime tornadoes in the U.S. have a lower probability of detection and a higher false-alarm rate than other events. Summertime tornadoes, occurring in June, July or August, also are more likely to evade warning.
Scientists develop efficient method to create high-strength materials for flexible electronics
1dTPU researchers jointly with their colleagues from foreign universities have developed a method that allows for a laser-driven integration of metals into polymers to form electrically conductive composites. The research findings are presented in Ultra-Robust Flexible Electronics by Laser-Driven Polymer-Nanomaterials Integration article "Ultra-Robust Flexible Electronics by Laser-Driven Polymer-Nan
Chemists develop unique method for production of hollow nanoparticles from liquid metal
1dChemists from ITMO University have succeeded in creating hollow nanoparticles using liquid metals. The new method will not only make these particles easier to produce, but it will also allow the properties of metal nanocapsules to be modified. An article on the subject was published in Chemistry of Materials.
New report offers detailed analysis of Capitol Hill siege
1dA report released today by the George Washington University Program on Extremism reveals new information about the 257 people charged in federal court for playing a role in the Jan. 6 attack on the United States Capitol. The report, "This is Our House!" A Preliminary Assessment of the Capitol Hill Siege Participants," also provides several recommendations aimed at combating domestic extremism.
New form of symbiosis discovered: Endosymbiont derives energy from respiration of nitrate
2hResearchers from Bremen, together with their colleagues from the Max Planck Genome Center in Cologne and the aquatic research institute Eawag from Switzerland, have discovered a unique bacterium that lives inside a unicellular eukaryote and provides it with energy. Unlike mitochondria, this so-called endosymbiont derives energy from the respiration of nitrate, not oxygen. "Such partnership is comp
New form of symbiosis discovered: Endosymbiont derives energy from respiration of nitrate
2hResearchers from Bremen, together with their colleagues from the Max Planck Genome Center in Cologne and the aquatic research institute Eawag from Switzerland, have discovered a unique bacterium that lives inside a unicellular eukaryote and provides it with energy. Unlike mitochondria, this so-called endosymbiont derives energy from the respiration of nitrate, not oxygen. "Such partnership is comp
Science and Society Are Failing Children in the COVID Era
3hThe school reopening debate points toward a broader range of problems facing the young — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
Cutting-edge analysis of prehistoric teeth sheds new light on the diets of lizards and snakes
4hNew research has revealed that the diets of early lizards and snakes, which lived alongside dinosaurs around 100 million years ago, were more varied and advanced than previously thought.
Think all your plastic is being recycled? New research shows it can end up in the ocean
4hWe all know it's wrong to toss your rubbish into the ocean or another natural place. But it might surprise you to learn some plastic waste ends up in the environment, even when we thought it was being recycled.
U.S. needs to double its tree nursery production, according to new study
5hIn order to realize the full potential of reforestation in the United States, the nation's tree nurseries need to increase seedling production by an additional 1.7 billion each year, a 2.4-fold increase over current nursery production. These numbers, taken from a new study, show the promise of increased nursery output as a way to fight climate change, create jobs, and recover from uncharacteristic
Reconstructing historical typhoons from a 142-year record
5hIn recent years, strong TCs have been making landfalls in Japan, such as Typhoon Jebi in 2018, which severely hit the Kinki region, and Typhoon Hagibis in 2019, which severely hit eastern Japan. While Japan has suffered from a number of TC impacts throughout its history, meteorological data for these events has been sparse.
Plejehjemslæge: Videoaftale mellem almen praksis og plejehjem har også en plads efter coronakrisen
6hNy aftale mellem PLO og Danske Regioner sikrer, at praktiserende læger fremover kan mødes på video med landets plejehjem. Det giver rigtig god mening, vurderer Henrik Nyholm, som er plejehjemslæge i byen Sørvad. »Det er dog vores store ansvar fortsat at møde fysisk op, når situationen kræver det,« understreger han.
Legal researcher who claimed false affiliation up to 31 retractions
7hA law researcher who has falsely claimed to have been affiliated with several institutions has lost eight more publications, bringing his retraction total to 31 and earning him a spot in the top 20 of our leaderboard. The most recent retractions for Dimitris Liakopoulos include The Regulation of Transnational Mergers in International and European Law, … Continue reading
Pericytes regulate vascular immune homeostasis in the CNS [Immunology and Inflammation]
22hPericytes regulate the development of organ-specific characteristics of the brain vasculature such as the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and astrocytic end-feet. Whether pericytes are involved in the control of leukocyte trafficking in the adult central nervous system (CNS), a process tightly regulated by CNS vasculature, remains elusive. Using adult pericyte-deficient mice…
Unusual earthquakes highlight central Utah volcanoes
23hEarthquakes in the Black Rock Desert are rare and capturing the seismic recordings from these earthquakes provides a glimpse into the volcanic system of the Black Rock Desert that, while not showing any signs of erupting, is still active.
Helping students navigate implicit bias
1dMost undergraduates will tell you they don't have a bias for or against any gender in the workplace—but surveys will often reveal implicit biases that the students aren't aware of. An interdisciplinary team at NC State University has developed an interactive class exercise aimed at business school undergraduates that uses real-world career tools to help students navigate issues related to implicit
Histone mutational landscape of human cancers
1dResearchers have completed a comprehensive analysis of cancer-associated histone mutations in the human genome, featuring both biochemical and cellular characterizations of these substrates. Their study reports that histone mutations that perturb nucleosome remodeling may contribute to the development or progression of a wide range of human cancers.
Lithium-magnesium alkyl-alkoxy intermediates in Br-Mg exchange
1dOrganometallic reagents are essential tools in synthetic chemistry. They work even better and more effectively in combination with alkali alkoxides. The exact nature of this effect has never been well understood. A team based in Switzerland has now performed a detailed study of the mechanism of reaction of aryl bromides with organo-magnesium reagents and lithium alkoxides. As reported in the journ
The time is ripe! An innovative contactless method for the timely harvest of soft fruits
1dIn agriculture, there are many mechanical methods to indirectly measure a fruit's ripeness through its firmness. However, most fall short for soft fruits, which do not exhibit the same types of measurable vibration as harder ones. Now, scientists from Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, have developed an innovative method to measure fruit firmness using laser-induced plasma shockwaves. Their
Secrets of sealed 17th century letters revealed by dental X-ray scanners
1dIn a world first, an international team of researchers has read an unopened letter from Renaissance Europe – without breaking its seal or damaging it in any way.
Niels Bohr Institutet fylder 100 år
1d3. marts 1921 blev Universitets Institut for Teoretisk Fysik indviet – mange festligheder er udskudt til næste år.
Evolution drives autism and other conditions to occur much more frequently in boys
5minEvolutionary forces drive a glaring gender imbalance in the occurrence of many health conditions, including autism, a team of genetics researchers has concluded.
Serious new COVID-related smoking threat discovered by Ben-Gurion University researchers
5min"The experiment proved that the filter is a crucial element in reducing the harm of smoking so therefore, new filters need to be developed to reduce toxicity," explains Prof. Robert Marks, head of the BGU Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering. Prof. Robert Marks is a leading expert in the study of genetically engineered bacteria. His work focuses on finding the s
Utah researchers illuminate potential precursors of blood cancers
5minUtah researchers provide new clues about genetic mutations that may initiate blood cancer development and those that may help cancer to progress.
New York State's hospital nurse staffing legislation predicted to save lives and money
5minAccording to a new study published in Medical Care , improving hospital nurse staffing as proposed in pending legislation in New York state would likely save lives. The cost of improving nurse staffing would be offset by savings achieved by reducing hospital readmissions and length of hospital stays.
Study reveals frequency and characteristics of stroke in COVID-19 patients
5minA review of nearly 28,000 emergency department records shows less than 2% of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 suffered an ischemic stroke but those who did had an increased risk of requiring long-term care after hospital discharge. Those are the findings from a study conducted by researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine and MU Health Care.
How to Administer RNA – And How to Do It Again
6minAs the world knows, the mRNA vaccines for the coronavirus are proving to be very effective. That's welcome news for the obvious pandemic reasons, but it's also welcome validation for a technique that's been in the works for many years now. I'll take a moment to re-emphasize how fortunate we are that so much of this groundwork, all these false starts, re-workings, and dead ends had already been wo
Stunning Astronomy Photos Look Like They're Shot from Space
6minAstrophotographer Miguel Claro's portraits capture wonders of the universe — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
California Condors Get an Assist From an Unlikely Source: A Wind Power Company
8minFederal wildlife authorities in California are working with a wind energy company to breed the endangered birds in captivity to replace any that may be killed by turbine blades. Conservationists are skeptical.
Accelerating gains in abdominal fat during menopause tied to heart disease risk
26minWomen who experience an accelerated accumulation of abdominal fat during menopause are at greater risk of heart disease, even if their weight stays steady, according to a new analysis. The study–based on a quarter century of data collected on hundreds of women–indicates that measuring waist circumference during preventive health care appointments for midlife women could be a better early indicat
Planetary science intern leads study of Martian crust
26minAhmed AlHantoobi, an intern working with Northern Arizona University planetary scientists, assistant professor Christopher Edwards and postdoctoral scholar Jennifer Buz in NAU's Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science, led a study looking for answers to magnetic anomalies on Mars. The team explored the relationships between the strength of the magnetic field on the surface and the compositio
How do you know where volcanic ash will end up?
26minUntil the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull volcano, models from the VAACs were based on the tracking of the clouds in the atmosphere. In the wake of this economic disaster for airlines, ash concentration levels have been introduced to make decisions on flight restrictions. However, a team of UNIGE discovered that even the smallest volcanic ash did not behave as expected. Its results will help to refin
Prehistoric killing machine exposed
26min3D imaging of the dinocephalian, Anteosaurus, shows that this massive premammalian reptile that grew to the size of a full-grown hippopotamus, was a highly agile killing machine, and not a slow stodgy scavenger as previously believed.
Chemists boost boron's utility
26minMIT chemists created a boron-containing chemical group that is 10,000 times more stable than boron on its own. The advance could make it possible to incorporate boron into drugs and improve their ability to bind their targets.
The Invisible Stars of Asian Movies
27minO nly when he began editing Minari did the writer-director Lee Isaac Chung see exactly how much his cast had done for the story. The film, about a Korean American family starting a farm in 1980s Arkansas, was inspired by his childhood, but Chung told his actors he didn't want them imitating anyone he knew. So instead, they brought their own interpretations to the characters and made Chung's tale
International megatrial of coronavirus treatments is at a standstill
30minEffort found four drugs had little benefit, now on hold until new drugs are chosen to test
An Urgent Call for a New Relationship with Nature
38min"Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and the Planet" is the theme of this year's World Wildlife Day — Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
The Game Has Changed: Why We Need New Rules for Space Exploration
39minThe first human expedition to Mars could take place within five to ten years. The crew will be made up mainly of volunteers, with the goal of establishing a colony on the red planet and eventually making the trip to Mars available to anyone. Scientists are sketching simulations of optimal launch windows (that is, the most fuel-efficient orbital trajectory), running analyses on top candidate landi
Reading the physics hiding in data
41minInformation is encoded in data. This is true for most aspects of modern everyday life, but also in most branches of contemporary physics. An interdisciplinary team of scientists from ICTP and SISSA showed that such a massive collection of data can be combed through, bringing out fundamental physical properties of an unknown system. Their study, published in Physical Review X , introduces a new dat
New search engine for single cell atlases
41minA new software tool allows researchers to quickly query datasets generated from single-cell sequencing. Users can identify which cell types any combination of genes are active in. Published in Nature Methods on 1st March, the open-access 'scfind' software enables swift analysis of multiple datasets containing millions of cells by a wide range of users, on a standard computer.
Will this solve the mystery of the expansion of the universe?
41minPhysicists' new proposal that a new type of extra dark energy is involved is highlighted in scientific journal.
Tackling tumors with two types of virus
41minAn international research group led by the University of Basel has developed a promising strategy for therapeutic cancer vaccines. Using two different viruses as vehicles, they administered specific tumor components in experiments on mice with cancer in order to stimulate their immune system to attack the tumor. The approach is now being tested in clinical studies.
New form of symbiosis discovered
41minMitochondria are present in almost all eukaryotic cells and supply them with energy. Until now, it was assumed that only mitochondria can act as the cells' energy providers. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology have now discovered that symbiotic bacteria can fulfil this function too. Their findings shed a completely new light on the survival of simple eukaryotes in oxygen
Humans drive most of the ups and downs in freshwater storage at Earth's surface
41minA new study provides the first global accounting of fluctuations in lake and reservoir water levels. The research shows 57 percent of the variability occurs in dammed reservoirs and other bodies of water managed by people, highlighting the dominant role humans now play in Earth's water cycle.
Cardiovascular risk factors, cognitive impairment in people with schizophrenia
41minThis study combined the results of 27 studies with 10,000 participants to investigate the association between cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes and high blood pressure and cognitive impairment in people with schizophrenia.
Effect of alcohol abstinence incentives with American Indian, Alaska Native adults
41minResearchers in this randomized clinical trial examined the effectiveness of incentives offered for laboratory-confirmed abstinence from alcohol among American Indian and Alaska Native adults diagnosed with alcohol dependence.
Alcohol withdrawal rates in hospitalized patients during COVID-19 pandemic
41minWhether alcohol withdrawal rates among hospitalized patients with alcohol use disorder increased during the COVID-19 pandemic was examined in this study.
Study: Alcohol withdrawal rates among hospitalized patients rose 34% during COVID pandemic
41minDuring the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, there was a 34% increase in alcohol withdrawal (AW) rates among hospitalized patients at ChristianaCare, according to a research letter published today in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The study is believed to be the first to quantify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on alcohol withdrawal among hospitalized patients.
Incentives can reduce alcohol use among American Indian and Alaska Native people
41minA low-cost, easy-to-administer intervention that uses small prizes and other incentives to reward abstinence can serve as an effective tool to reduce alcohol use among American Indian and Alaska Native communities, new research suggests. Findings from a multisite study in American Indian and Alaska Native adults diagnosed with alcohol dependence showed that participants who were given incentives t
Tenfold increase in CO2 emissions cuts needed to stem climate emergency
41minNew research shows 64 countries cut their fossil CO2 emissions during 2016-2019, but the rate of reduction needs to increase tenfold to meet the Paris Agreement aims to tackle climate change.
Study reveals details of immune defense guidance system
41minAt the beginning of an immune response, a molecule known to mobilize immune cells into the bloodstream, where they home in on infection sites, rapidly shifts position, a new study shows. Researchers say this indirectly amplifies the attack on foreign microbes or the body's own tissues.
Scientists find strongest evidence yet of 'migration gene'
41minA team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Cardiff University say they have found the strongest evidence yet of a "migration gene" in birds.
Humans control majority of freshwater ebb and flow on Earth, study finds
41minSatellite observations show that more than half of seasonal freshwater level changes on Earth happen in human-managed reservoirs, underscoring the profound impact humanity has on the global water cycle.
Neanderthals could produce and hear human speech, new study finds
47minNeanderthals are emerging as having been much more advanced than previously suspected. Analysis of ear structures indicated by fossilized remains suggests they had everything they needed for understanding the subtleties of speech. The study also concludes that Neanderthals could produce the consonants required for a rich spoken language. Neanderthals' image has undergone quite an upgrade in recen
Woman's foul-smelling 'turkey ear' caused by decades-long infection
49minThe condition was caused by a tuberculosis infection of the skin.
'Microdoses' of LSD work no better than dummy pills, study suggests
49minThe study had a unique design in which participants were "self blinded."
Raindrops on Other Planets Are Surprisingly Like Our Own
51minEarth isn't the only place to experience rainfall and raindrops. Elsewhere in the universe must be intriguingly similar, say physicists.
My mother's final wish — and the right to die with dignity | Elaine Fong
2hAfter a terminal cancer diagnosis upended 12 years of remission, all Elaine Fong's mother wanted was a peaceful end of life. What she received instead became a fight for the right to decide when. Fong shares the heart-rending journey to honor her mother's choice for a death with dignity — and reflects on the need to explore our relationship to dying so that we may redesign this final and most uni
NASA Keeps Hiding 'Easter Eggs' On Mars-bound Spacecraft
2hEngineers hid the phrase "Dare Mighty Things" on the parachute of NASA's Mars Perseverance rover. It isn't the first time they've snuck a fun surprise or a sentimental object onto a spacecraft, either.
COVID, 2020 and a year of lost research
2hNature, Published online: 03 March 2021; doi:10.1038/d41586-021-00570-6 The pandemic's unequal toll on the research community, and a newly discovered mitochondria-like symbiosis.
Reply to: Hippo signalling maintains ER expression and ER+ breast cancer growth
2hNature, Published online: 03 March 2021; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-03132-4 Reply to: Hippo signalling maintains ER expression and ER + breast cancer growth
Van der Waals heterostructure polaritons with moiré-induced nonlinearity
2hNature, Published online: 03 March 2021; doi:10.1038/s41586-021-03228-5 Polaritons formed by moiré excitons in heterobilayers of transition metal dichalcogenides exhibit strong nonlinearity owing to quantum confinement by the tunable moiré lattice potential.
Mitochondria are mixed during cell division
2hNature, Published online: 03 March 2021; doi:10.1038/d41586-021-00511-3 Organelles called mitochondria have essential roles in the cell and must be inherited successfully as it divides. It turns out that three types of interaction with filaments of actin protein mix and partition mitochondria during cell division.
Quantum circuits with many photons on a programmable nanophotonic chip
2hNature, Published online: 03 March 2021; doi:10.1038/s41586-021-03202-1 A system for realizing many-photon quantum circuits is presented, comprising a programmable nanophotonic chip operating at room temperature, interfaced with a fully automated control system.
Promises and prospects of two-dimensional transistors
2hNature, Published online: 03 March 2021; doi:10.1038/s41586-021-03339-z The current status and prospects of two-dimensional transistors are reviewed, and the reliability of widely used device parameters is assessed.
Photonic chip brings optical quantum computers a step closer
2hNature, Published online: 03 March 2021; doi:10.1038/d41586-021-00488-z A programmable photonic circuit has been developed that can execute various quantum algorithms and is potentially highly scalable. This device could pave the way for large-scale quantum computers based on photonic hardware.
Stress-induced amorphization triggers deformation in the lithospheric mantle
2hNature, Published online: 03 March 2021; doi:10.1038/s41586-021-03238-3 Amorphization at grain boundaries in olivine-rich rocks under stress and consequent grain-boundary sliding could explain the decrease in viscosity between the lithosphere and the asthenosphere.
Hippo signalling maintains ER expression and ER+ breast cancer growth
2hNature, Published online: 03 March 2021; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-03131-5 Hippo signalling maintains ER expression and ER + breast cancer growth
Ligand-engineered bandgap stability in mixed-halide perovskite LEDs
2hNature, Published online: 03 March 2021; doi:10.1038/s41586-021-03217-8 The binding of multidentate ligands to the surface of lead halide perovskite nanocrystals suppresses the formation of surface defects that result in halide segregation, yielding materials with efficient and colour-stable red emission.
A microbial marriage reminiscent of mitochondrial evolution
2hNature, Published online: 03 March 2021; doi:10.1038/d41586-021-00500-6 Symbiotic interactions between organisms have aided major evolutionary transitions. The interaction between two microorganisms has parallels with the evolution of mitochondria — key organelles in eukaryotic cells.
Soft robot reaches the deepest part of the ocean
2hNature, Published online: 03 March 2021; doi:10.1038/d41586-021-00489-y A self-powered robot inspired by a fish can survive the extreme pressures at the bottom of the ocean's deepest trench, thanks to its soft body and distributed electronic system — and might enable exploration of the uncharted ocean.
Human alteration of global surface water storage variability
2hNature, Published online: 03 March 2021; doi:10.1038/s41586-021-03262-3 Data from the ICESat-2 satellite quantifying the variability of water levels in natural and human-managed water bodies show that a disproportionate majority of global water storage variability occurs in human-managed reservoirs.
Self-powered soft robot in the Mariana Trench
2hNature, Published online: 03 March 2021; doi:10.1038/s41586-020-03153-z A free-swimming soft robot inspired by deep-sea creatures, with artificial muscle, power and control electronics spread across a polymer matrix, successfully adapts to high pressure and operates in the deep ocean.
A bird's migration decoded
2hNature, Published online: 03 March 2021; doi:10.1038/d41586-021-00510-4 Technological advances offer new ways to investigate the contribution that changing climate and genes have made in shaping past migrations by peregrine falcons. Can this help to predict the fate of future migrations?
Chemists develop a new technology to prevent lithium-ion batteries from catching fire
2hScientists at St Petersburg University have developed a new technology to prevent lithium-ion batteries from catching fire. What scientists propose is to use a 'chemical fuse' to cover the main conductor cable of the battery. It is a special protective covering made from conducting polymer. In case of abnormal situation, it breaks circuits and prevents the battery from catching fire.
Diagnosis of genetic condition could help patients stop smoking and prevent lung disease
2hNew research shows that people diagnosed with a genetic condition, called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), are far more likely to stop smoking and therefore prevent the development of lung disease.
Who Would Volunteer to Fact-Check Twitter?
2hI learned about the pilot test of Twitter's new crowdsourced misinformation-labeling program the same way I learn about most news events that are relevant to my life: A bunch of Harry Styles fans were talking about it on my timeline. Or rather, they were reacting to it, in quote-tweets, one after another , all saying essentially the same thing : "larries better hide," "larries are over," "it's ov
Ny ledende overlæge for røntgenafdeling i Gødstrup
2hSom ny ledende overlæge skal Solveig Klok Matthesen sætte kursen for røntgenafdelingen på det nye akutsygehus i Gødstrup.
USTC detects a sharp rise in detection rate of broad absorption line variations
3hUSTC detected a 'sharp rise' signature in the detection rate of broad absorption line variations, which in turn deduced ionized gas density.
Attending consecutive mammography screens protects against breast cancer death
3hAttending the two most recent screening appointments before a breast cancer diagnosis protects against breast cancer death, according to a Queen Mary University of London study of over half a million Swedish women conducted over 24 years.
Researchers discover SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors
3hA research team of pharmacists at the University of Bonn has discovered two families of active substances that can block the replication of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The drug candidates are able to switch off the the key enzyme of the virus, the so-called main protease. The study is based on laboratory experiments. Extensive clinical trials are still required for their further development as the
Researchers realize the ice inhibition for cryopreservation
3hScientists presented prospective insights on cryopreservation. The work unprecedentedly integrated mechanism, chemical ice-inhibition molecules and other disciplines to cope with crystallization of cryopreservation.
More extreme short-duration thunderstorms likely in the future due to global warming
3hNew research by Newcastle University has shown that warming temperatures in some regions of the UK are the main drivers of increases in extreme short-duration rainfall intensities, which tend to occur in summer and cause dangerous flash flooding.
University students with special educational needs highlight the benefits of e-assessment
3hThe Unviersity published a study in the ETHE open access journal, conducted in conjunction with researchers from Finland, Turkey and the United Kingdom to evaluate the needs of this faction of the student community. "The study was developed as a result of one of the advantages provided by the UOC's TeSLA system (an adaptive trust-based e-assessment learning authentication system), which facilitate
Reconstructing historical typhoons from a 142-year record
3hA team of scientists has, for the first time, identified landfalls of tropical cyclones (TCs) in Japan for the period from 1877 to 2019; this knowledge will help prepare for future TC disasters.
80% of sexual abuse victims in Spain who seek public compensation receive nothing
3hEuropean Union law rules that Member States must provide fair and appropriate compensation for victims of sexual offences. In some countries, few victims receive any financial compensation, or often the amount received is very low. According to figures from the Spanish Government's Ministry of Finance, obtained by professor of Criminal Law at the UOC, Josep M. Tamarit, between 1998 and 2018 in Spa
Fluorescent nanodiamonds successfully injected into living cells
3hAs odd as it sounds, many scientists have attempted to place extremely small diamonds inside living cells. Why? Because nanodiamonds are consistently bright and can give us unique knowledge about the inner life of cells over a long time. Now physics researchers at Lund University in Sweden have succeeded in injecting a large number of nanodiamonds directly to the cell interior.
Climate models may significantly overestimate savings from improved energy efficiency
3hThe models used to produce global climate scenarios may overestimate the energy and emission savings from improved energy efficiency, warns new research led by academics at the University of Sussex Business School and the University of Leeds.
Periodontitis: Researchers search for a new active substance
3hTargeted, efficient and with few side effects: A new method for combating periodontitis could render the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics superfluous. It was developed and tested for the first time by a team from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI and Periotrap Pharmaceuticals GmbH. The aim is to neutralize only bacteria t
Filming a 3-D video of a virus with 'instantaneous light' and AI
3hIt is millions of trillions of times brighter than sunlight and a whopping 1,000 trillionth of a second, appropriately called 'instantaneous light'—the X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) light that opens a new scientific paradigm. Combining it with AI, an international research team has succeeded in filming and restoring the 3-D structure of nanoparticles that share structural similarities with viru
Ireland's main science funder plans for budget boost
3hObservers see signs that Science Foundation Ireland is shifting industry focus implemented after 2008 recession
Advancing Drug Discovery with Protein Degrader Screens
3hResearchers use an automated immunoassay platform to analyze Degrader panels!
Periodontitis: Researchers search for a new active substance
3hTargeted, efficient and with few side effects: A new method for combating periodontitis could render the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics superfluous. It was developed and tested for the first time by a team from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI and Periotrap Pharmaceuticals GmbH. The aim is to neutralize only bacteria t
New generation of tiny, agile drones introduced
3hResearchers developed an insect-size drone with soft actuators — akin to muscles — that are agile and resilient to collisions. The advance could boost aerial robots' repertoire, allowing them to operate in cramped spaces and withstand collisions.
Team finds best spot for armband that tracks heart's signals
3hResearchers have taken a step forward in developing a new armband that can track the heart's electrical activity without requiring bulky wiring or sticky gel on the skin. Specifically, they determined the ideal placement for three electrodes in the band design, and how tightly the band needs to be to best detect electrical signals from the heart. The findings are the latest advance in a multi-ins
Power outage costs remain a mystery years later
3hEven years after natural disasters occur, the complete costs of major power outages remain unknown, according to a new report. The findings come as lawmakers grapple with the aftermath of a generational snow and ice storm that knocked out electricity, heat, and water to millions of Texans for the better part of a week. Researchers studied major outages that weather events in Texas and five other
Genomics study identifies routes of transmission of coronavirus in care homes
3hGenomic surveillance – using information about genetic differences between virus samples – can help identify how SARS-CoV-2 spreads in care home settings, whose residents are at particular risk, according to new research.
Common dolphin populations at risk
3hWhile consumers look out for the Dolphin Safe mark on seafood purchases, a major research stocktake of Australian-New Zealand waters gives new guidelines to managers of dolphin fisheries.The extensive new genomic study of almost 500 common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), spanning multiple spatial areas of more than 1500 sq km from the southern and east coast of Australia to Tasmania and New Zealand,
'Target identified': teaching a machine how to identify imperfections in 2D materials
3hJust as James Cameron's Terminator-800 was able to discriminate between "clothes, boots, and a motorcycle", machine-learning could identify different areas of interest on 2D materials. The simple, automated optical identification of fundamentally-different physical areas on these materials could significantly accelerate their application in next-generation, energy-efficient computing, optoelectron
Heat-free optical switch would enable optical quantum computing chips
3hIn a potential boost for quantum computing and communication, a European research collaboration reported a new method of controlling and manipulating single photons without generating heat. The solution makes it possible to integrate optical switches and single-photon detectors in a single chip.
Molybdenum disulfide ushers in era of post-silicon photonics
3hResearchers of the Center for Photonics and Two-Dimensional Materials at MIPT, together with their colleagues from Spain, Great Britain, Sweden, and Singapore, including co-creator of the world's first 2D material and Nobel laureate Konstantin Novoselov, have measured giant optical anisotropy in layered molybdenum disulfide crystals for the first time. The work is published in the journal Nature C