Friday, July 31, 2020

Cooling of Earth caused by eruptions, not meteors

Ancient sediment found in a central Texas cave appears to solve the mystery of why the Earth cooled suddenly about 13,000 years ago.

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Faster LEDs for wireless communications from invisible light

Researchers have solved a major problem for optical wireless communications - the process by which light carries information between cell phones and other devices. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) pulse their light in a coded message that recipient devices can understand.

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Inflammation induced blood-brain barrier dysfunction studied in organoids

For this study, the 3D brain organoid was used to model the effects of oxygen deprivation and inflammation on blood brain barrier function to better understand what is happening in a human brain during an ischemic stroke.

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Compounds show promise in search for tuberculosis antibiotics

Compounds tested for their potential as antibiotics have demonstrated promising activity against one of the deadliest infectious diseases - tuberculosis (TB).

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New set of channels connecting malaria parasite and blood cells

Researchers have discovered another set of pore-like holes, or channels, traversing the membrane-bound sac that encloses the deadliest malaria parasite as it infects red blood cells. The channels enable the transport of lipids -- fat-like molecules -- between the blood cell and parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. The parasite draws lipids from the cell to sustain its growth and may also secrete other types of lipids to hijack cell functions to meet its needs.

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Increasing Arctic freshwater is driven by climate change

Climate change is driving increasing amounts of freshwater into the Arctic Ocean. Within the next few decades, this will lead to increased freshwater moving into the North Atlantic Ocean, which could disrupt ocean currents and affect temperatures in northern Europe.

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Vaping linked with heart problems

In adolescents the use of e-cigarettes doubles the risk of starting to smoke traditional cigarettes, states a position paper.

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Inflammation induced blood-brain barrier dysfunction studied in organoids

For this study, the 3D brain organoid was used to model the effects of oxygen deprivation and inflammation on blood brain barrier function to better understand what is happening in a human brain during an ischemic stroke.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/312GSqE

Compounds show promise in search for tuberculosis antibiotics

Compounds tested for their potential as antibiotics have demonstrated promising activity against one of the deadliest infectious diseases - tuberculosis (TB).

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2DrPmzl

New set of channels connecting malaria parasite and blood cells

Researchers have discovered another set of pore-like holes, or channels, traversing the membrane-bound sac that encloses the deadliest malaria parasite as it infects red blood cells. The channels enable the transport of lipids -- fat-like molecules -- between the blood cell and parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. The parasite draws lipids from the cell to sustain its growth and may also secrete other types of lipids to hijack cell functions to meet its needs.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2BJF7WG

Vaping linked with heart problems

In adolescents the use of e-cigarettes doubles the risk of starting to smoke traditional cigarettes, states a position paper.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/33eznQk

New drug targets for lethal brain cancer discovered

More than 200 genes with novel and known roles in glioblastoma - the most aggressive type of brain cancer - offer promising new drug targets. Researchers engineered a new mouse model to show for the first time how a mutation in the well-known cancer gene, EGFR initiates glioblastoma, and works with a selection from more than 200 other genes to drive the cancer.

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Surprising number of exoplanets could host life

A new study shows other stars could have as many as seven Earth-like planets in the absence of a gas giant like Jupiter.

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Top 12 Ways to Reduce Risk of Dementia

Dementia can be prevented or delayed by modifying lifestyle. Twelve risk factors, if modified over a lifetime, can drastically reduce dementia risk by 40%

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New understanding of CRISPR-Cas9 tool could improve gene editing

Of the CRISPR-Cas9 tools created to date, base editors have gotten lots of attention because of their seemingly simple editing: they neatly replace one nucleic acid with another, in many cases all that should be needed to fix a genetic disease. Scientists have now determined the structure of the latest base editor as it swaps out nucleic acids, showing why it can go off target but also how it can be improved.

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Laughter acts as a stress buffer -- and even smiling helps

People who laugh frequently in their everyday lives may be better equipped to deal with stressful events - although this does not seem to apply to the intensity of laughter.

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How to Negotiate With Kids?

In the world of parenting, many negotiations erupt without notice and take parents by surprise. Understanding the real motives, priorities, and outcomes will contribute to a successful negotiation.

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Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines 2020

American Cancer Society updated the cervical cancer screening guidelines. The new guidelines are simple, and they reflect the developments in cervical cancer prevention

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Thursday, July 30, 2020

Harnessing wind data to help meet energy needs in Florida

A new study shows how upcoming technological advances could make wind energy a hot commodity in the Sunshine State.

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New understanding of CRISPR-Cas9 tool could improve gene editing

Of the CRISPR-Cas9 tools created to date, base editors have gotten lots of attention because of their seemingly simple editing: they neatly replace one nucleic acid with another, in many cases all that should be needed to fix a genetic disease. Scientists have now determined the structure of the latest base editor as it swaps out nucleic acids, showing why it can go off target but also how it can be improved.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3150TNq

Laughter acts as a stress buffer -- and even smiling helps

People who laugh frequently in their everyday lives may be better equipped to deal with stressful events - although this does not seem to apply to the intensity of laughter.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2CUYLzP

Report provides new framework for understanding climate risks, impacts to US agriculture

A new report focuses on how agricultural systems are impacted by climate change and offers a list of 20 indicators that provide a broad look at what's happening across the country.

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Nobel prize-winning work is concentrated in minority of scientific fields

From 1995 to 2017, work that was awarded a Nobel Prize in Medicine, Physics, or Chemistry clustered in just a few scientific disciplines.

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Decline in US cardiac deaths slowing, while county-level disparities grow

Steady progress in reducing the rates of premature cardiac death in the US began slowing in 2011, largely due to rising rates of out-of-hospital premature cardiac deaths, especially among younger adults. County-level disparities in premature cardiac death rates across the US have widened over the past two decades.

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The mystery of the less deadly mosquito nets

Research shows that insecticide-treated mosquito nets, the mainstay in the global battle against malaria, are not providing the protection they once did - and scientists say that's a cause for serious concern in tropical and subtropical countries around the globe.

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'Fool's gold' may be valuable after all

In a breakthrough new study, scientists and engineers have electrically transformed the abundant and low-cost non-magnetic material iron sulfide, also known as 'fool's gold' or pyrite, into a magnetic material.

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Alzheimer's risk factors may be measurable in adolescents and young adults

Risk factors for Alzheimer's dementia may be apparent as early as our teens and 20s.

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Alzheimer's risk factors may be measurable in adolescents and young adults

Risk factors for Alzheimer's dementia may be apparent as early as our teens and 20s.

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How Do Men and Women Forgive Infidelity?

Men and women react differently to infidelity, according to their personality and the circumstances. A perceived threat is the most significant predictor for breakup among couples, and the effect of perceived threat on breakup is partly accounted for by keeping distance and wanting revenge.

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Volatile Organic Compound Technology Can Predict Preterm Birth

Volatile organic compound technology can be used to predict preterm birth with an accuracy of 73%. The device is trained to detect bacterial vaginosis

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Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Scientists make quantum technology smaller

A way of shrinking the devices used in quantum sensing systems has now been developed.

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Accelerated bone deterioration in last 70 years at famous Mesolithic peat bog in peril

Alarming results from a 2019 survey of well-known archaeological site Ageröd reveal drastic bone and organic matter deterioration since the site's initial excavations in the 1940s, suggesting action is needed to preserve findings from Ageröd and similar sites, according to a new study.

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Researchers map mechanisms in the largest CRISPR system

The largest and most complex CRISPR system has been visualized by researchers in a new study. The system may have potential applications in biomedicine and biotechnology, the researchers believe.

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Researchers map mechanisms in the largest CRISPR system

The largest and most complex CRISPR system has been visualized by researchers in a new study. The system may have potential applications in biomedicine and biotechnology, the researchers believe.

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Cosmic tango between the very small and the very large

A new study using the theory of quantum loop cosmology accounts for two major mysteries about the large-scale structure of our universe.

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New current that transports water to major 'waterfall' discovered in deep ocean

An international team discovered a previously unrecognized ocean current that transports water to one of the world's largest 'waterfalls' in the North Atlantic Ocean: the Faroe Bank Channel Overflow into the deep North Atlantic.

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Smaller habitats worse than expected for biodiversity

Biodiversity's ongoing global decline has prompted policies to protect and restore habitats to minimize animal and plant extinctions. However, biodiversity forecasts used to inform these policies are usually based on assumptions of a simple theoretical model describing how the number of species changes with the amount of habitat. A new study shows that the application of this theoretical model underestimates how many species go locally extinct when habitats are lost.

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'Quantum negativity' can power ultra-precise measurements

Scientists have found that a physical property called 'quantum negativity' can be used to take more precise measurements of everything from molecular distances to gravitational waves.

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Phillips group exactly solves experimental puzzle in high temperature superconductivity

A team of theoretical physicists has for the first time exactly solved a representative model of the cuprate problem, the 1992 Hatsugai-Kohmoto (HK) model of a doped Mott insulator.

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Simulating quantum 'time travel' disproves butterfly effect in quantum realm

Using a quantum computer to simulate time travel, researchers have demonstrated that, in the quantum realm, there is no 'butterfly effect.' In the research, information--qubits, or quantum bits--'time travel' into the simulated past.

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Biphilic surfaces reduce defrosting times in heat exchangers

Engineers have discovered a way to significantly improve the defrosting of ice and frost on heat exchangers.

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Amazonian Indigenous territories are crucial for conservation

A new study shows that Indigenous territories represent around 45% of all the remaining wilderness areas in the Amazon, comprising an area of three times the surface of Germany. At a time when the Amazon forests face unprecedented pressures, overcoming divergences and aligning the goals of wilderness defenders and Indigenous peoples is paramount to avoid further environmental degradation.

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How to mix old tires and building rubble to make sustainable roads

A recycled blend brings together construction and tire waste, to deliver both environmental and engineering benefits. The material offers a zero-waste solution to a massive environmental challenge - construction, renovation and demolition account for about 50% of the waste produced annually worldwide, while around 1 billion scrap tires are generated globally each year.

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Arguments between couples: Our neurons like mediation

When couples argue, mediation improves the outcome of the confrontation. But that's not all: mediation is also linked to heightened activity in key regions of the brain belonging to the reward circuit. This is the first time that a controlled, randomized study has succeeded in demonstrating the advantages of mediation for couple conflicts and identifying a related biological signature.

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Potential preterm births in high risk women predicted to 73% accuracy, by new technique

A new technique that can spot a potential preterm birth in asymptomatic high-risk women, with up to 73% accuracy months before delivery, has been developed by scientists.

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Arguments between couples: Our neurons like mediation

When couples argue, mediation improves the outcome of the confrontation. But that's not all: mediation is also linked to heightened activity in key regions of the brain belonging to the reward circuit. This is the first time that a controlled, randomized study has succeeded in demonstrating the advantages of mediation for couple conflicts and identifying a related biological signature.

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Potential preterm births in high risk women predicted to 73% accuracy, by new technique

A new technique that can spot a potential preterm birth in asymptomatic high-risk women, with up to 73% accuracy months before delivery, has been developed by scientists.

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Experimental COVID-19 vaccine protects upper and lower airways in nonhuman primates

Two doses of an experimental vaccine to prevent COVID-19 induced robust immune responses and rapidly controlled the coronavirus in the upper and lower airways of rhesus macaques exposed to SARS-CoV-2, scientists report.

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Study sheds light on the evolution of the earliest dinosaurs

Geological evidence suggests the known dinosaur groups diverged early on, supporting the traditional dinosaur family tree.

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Butterfly genomics: Monarchs migrate and fly differently, but meet up and mate

A new study confirms that while the eastern and western butterflies fly differently, they are genetically the same.

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Breakthrough method for predicting solar storms

Extensive power outages and satellite blackouts that affect air travel and the internet are some of the potential consequences of massive solar storms. These storms are believed to be caused by the release of enormous amounts of stored magnetic energy due to changes in the magnetic field of the sun's outer atmosphere - something that until now has eluded scientists' direct measurement. Researchers believe this recent discovery could lead to better 'space weather' forecasts in the future.

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New maps of chemical marks on DNA pinpoint regions relevant to many developmental diseases

In research that aims to illuminate the causes of human developmental disorders, scientists have generated 168 new maps of chemical marks on strands of DNA -- called methylation -- in developing mice. The data can help narrow down regions of the human genome that play roles in diseases such as schizophrenia and Rett Syndrome.

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New maps of chemical marks on DNA pinpoint regions relevant to many developmental diseases

In research that aims to illuminate the causes of human developmental disorders, scientists have generated 168 new maps of chemical marks on strands of DNA -- called methylation -- in developing mice. The data can help narrow down regions of the human genome that play roles in diseases such as schizophrenia and Rett Syndrome.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/313i5CK

New fabric could help keep you cool in the summer, even without A/C

Air conditioning and other space cooling methods account for about 10% of all electricity consumption in the U.S., according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Now, researchers have developed a material that cools the wearer without using any electricity. The fabric transfers heat, allows moisture to evaporate from the skin and repels water.

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Transforming e-waste into a strong, protective coating for metal

A typical recycling process converts large quantities of items made of a single material into more of the same. However, this approach isn't feasible for old electronic devices, or ''e-waste,'' because they contain small amounts of many different materials that cannot be readily separated. Now researchers report a selective, small-scale microrecycling strategy, which they use to convert old printed circuit boards and monitor components into a new type of strong metal coating.

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Newer PFAS contaminant detected for first time in Arctic seawater

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), found in many household products and food packages, have raised concerns because of their persistence and possible toxicity to people and wildlife. Because the compounds don't break down naturally, they have become environmental contaminants. Now, researchers have studied the transport of 29 PFAS into and out of the Arctic Ocean, detecting a newer compound for the first time in Arctic seawater.

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Estimating bisphenol exposures in the Australian population

Once found in bottles, food containers, cash register receipts and electronics, bisphenol A (BPA) has been phased out of many products because of health concerns and government regulations. As a result, the production and use of BPA analogs, which are unregulated and poorly understood, have increased. Now, by analyzing urine samples and wastewater, researchers report how human exposure to bisphenols has changed over time in an Australian population.

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Astronomers pinpoint the best place on Earth for a telescope: High on a frigid Antarctic plateau

Dome A, the highest ice dome on the Antarctic Plateau, could offer the clearest view on Earth of the stars at night, according to new research. The challenge? The location is one of the coldest and most remote places on Earth.

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Estimating bisphenol exposures in the Australian population

Once found in bottles, food containers, cash register receipts and electronics, bisphenol A (BPA) has been phased out of many products because of health concerns and government regulations. As a result, the production and use of BPA analogs, which are unregulated and poorly understood, have increased. Now, by analyzing urine samples and wastewater, researchers report how human exposure to bisphenols has changed over time in an Australian population.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/311OMAH

Melting Arctic sea ice during the summer of 2018

A study details the changes that occurred in the Arctic in September of 2018, a year when nearly 10 million kilometers of sea ice were lost throughout the summer. Its findings give an overview of how sea ice has receded over the 40 years of the satellite era and show how the summer's extensive decline is linked to global atmospheric processes as far south as the tropics.

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Strange dismembered star cluster found at Galaxy's edge

Astronomers have found the remnant of strange dismembered globular cluster at the edge of the Milky Way, upending theories about how heavy elements formed in early stars.

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RNA sequences involved in regulating gene expression identified

By studying RNA-binding proteins, a research consortium has identified genomic sites that appear to code for RNA molecules that influence gene expression.

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Lead released in Notre Dame Cathedral fire detected in Parisian honey

Elevated levels of lead have been found in samples of honey from hives downwind of the Notre Dame Cathedral fire, collected three months after the April 2019 blaze.

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How stony-iron meteorites form

Meteorites give us insight into the early development of the solar system. A scientific team has for the first time simulated the formation of a class of stony-iron meteorites, so-called pallasites, on a purely experimental basis.

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Study: A plunge in incoming sunlight may have triggered 'snowball Earths'

Global ice ages may have been triggered by sharp declines in incoming sunlight, research finds.

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RNA sequences involved in regulating gene expression identified

By studying RNA-binding proteins, a research consortium has identified genomic sites that appear to code for RNA molecules that influence gene expression.

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New blood test shows great promise in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease

A new blood test demonstrated remarkable promise in discriminating between persons with and without Alzheimer's disease and in persons at known genetic risk may be able to detect the disease as early as 20 years before the onset of cognitive impairment, according to a large international study.

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New blood test shows great promise in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease

A new blood test demonstrated remarkable promise in discriminating between persons with and without Alzheimer's disease and in persons at known genetic risk may be able to detect the disease as early as 20 years before the onset of cognitive impairment, according to a large international study.

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Managing Crohn's Disease During Pregnancy

Women with Crohn's disease need to consult a doctor at the time of contraception. Complications in pregnancy can be avoided as long as the disease is in a check with proper medications

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Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Decline of bees, other pollinators threatens US crop yields

Crop yields for apples, cherries and blueberries across the United States are being reduced by a lack of pollinators, according to new research, the most comprehensive study of its kind to date. Most of the world's crops depend on honeybees and wild bees for pollination, so declines in both managed and wild bee populations raise concerns about food security, notes the study.

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The amazing travels of small RNAs

Biologists have known for some time that RNA interference can silence genes in far-off cells. They suspected that a messenger substance 'transmits' RNA interference. Now, researchers have definitively shown that these messengers in plants are short double-stranded RNA fragments.

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Winning the digital transformation race: Three emerging approaches for leading transition

New research has outlined three new approaches that digital innovators can take to reduce the risk of failure and seize competitive advantage in the industry.

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NASA Announces Astronauts to Fly on SpaceX Crew-2 Mission to Space Station


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Spironolactone - A Hypertension Diuretic Drug Reduces Prostate Cancer Risk

Spironolactone, a potassium-sparing diuretic drug generally prescribed for hypertension and heart disease, is found to reduce prostate cancer risk

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Type 1 Diabetes- Protecting Beta Cells Against Stress may Help

Beta cells in the pancreas that lack the protein renalase provoke a diminished response from immune system. The survive the autoimmune killing which may guard against type 1 diabetes. An existing drug boosts survival for insulin-producing cells under autoimmune attack.

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Overweight and Obesity May Lower Sperm Quality

Overweight and obese men are at risk of lower sperm quality. However, losing weight can help men improve their sperm quality and fertility

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Monday, July 27, 2020

Scientists record rapid carbon loss from warming peatlands

Scientists have demonstrated a direct relationship between climate warming and carbon loss in a peatland ecosystem. Their study provides a glimpse of potential futures where significant stores of carbon in peat bogs could be released into the atmosphere as greenhouse gases.

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How day- and night-biting mosquitoes respond differently to colors of light and time of day

In a new study, researchers found that night- versus day-biting species of mosquitoes are behaviorally attracted and repelled by different colors of light at different times of day. Mosquitoes are among major disease vectors impacting humans and animals around the world and the findings have important implications for using light to control them.

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Highly invasive lung cancer cells have longer 'fingers'

Tiny finger-like projections called filopodia drive invasive behavior in a rare subset of lung cancer cells. Analysis of molecular features distinguishing leader from follower cells focuses on filopodia and the MYO10 gene.

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Mapping crystal shapes could fast-track 2D materials

Materials scientists are calling for a collective, global effort to fast-track the mass production of 2D materials like graphene and molybdenum disulfide.

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Highly invasive lung cancer cells have longer 'fingers'

Tiny finger-like projections called filopodia drive invasive behavior in a rare subset of lung cancer cells. Analysis of molecular features distinguishing leader from follower cells focuses on filopodia and the MYO10 gene.

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Randomness theory could hold key to internet security

Researchers identified a problem that holds the key to whether all encryption can be broken -- as well as a surprising connection to a mathematical concept that aims to define and measure randomness.

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How airway cells work together in regeneration and aging

Researchers have identified the process by which stem cells in the airways of the lungs switch between two distinct phases -- creating more of themselves and producing mature airway cells -- to regenerate lung tissue after an injury.

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Link between education, income inequality has existed for a century

Income is inextricably linked to access to education in America and it has been for a century, according to a new study.

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Seismic waves help scientists 'see' chemical changes beneath a watershed

Chemical reactions deep below ground affect water quality, but methods for 'seeing' them are time-consuming, expensive and limited in scope. A research team found that seismic waves can help to identify these reactions under an entire watershed and protect groundwater resources.

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Invisible barriers cut down on cheating

Both see-through and pretend partitions promoted honesty in taking tests, psychology experiments show, suggesting simple environmental cues can nudge children to do the right thing.

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Rising temps put desert shrubs in high-efficiency mode

Research shows that one shrub, the brittlebush, is adapting, and showing a remarkable ability to respond to increased temperature and aridity.

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Hydrogel mimics human brain with memorizing and forgetting ability

Researchers have found a soft and wet material that can memorize, retrieve, and forget information, much like the human brain.

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A new way to target cancers using 'synthetic lethality'

Researchers report that inhibiting a key enzyme caused human cancer cells associated with two major types of breast and ovarian cancer to die and in mouse studies reduced tumor growth.

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How airway cells work together in regeneration and aging

Researchers have identified the process by which stem cells in the airways of the lungs switch between two distinct phases -- creating more of themselves and producing mature airway cells -- to regenerate lung tissue after an injury.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2OXs0V0

Invisible barriers cut down on cheating

Both see-through and pretend partitions promoted honesty in taking tests, psychology experiments show, suggesting simple environmental cues can nudge children to do the right thing.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/331GAmn

Hydrogel mimics human brain with memorizing and forgetting ability

Researchers have found a soft and wet material that can memorize, retrieve, and forget information, much like the human brain.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2EkKs7L

A new way to target cancers using 'synthetic lethality'

Researchers report that inhibiting a key enzyme caused human cancer cells associated with two major types of breast and ovarian cancer to die and in mouse studies reduced tumor growth.

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Lego-inspired bone and soft tissue repair with tiny, 3D-printed bricks

A new, 3D-printed technology that was inspired by Lego block toys is designed to help heal broken bones, and could one day even lead to lab-made organs for human transplant.

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Brain cell types identified that may push males to fight and have sex

Two groups of nerve cells may serve as ''on-off switches'' for male mating and aggression, suggests a new study in rodents. These neurons appear to send signals between two parts of the brain - the back tip, or posterior, of the amygdala and the hypothalamus - that together regulate emotions including fear, anxiety, and aggression.

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Life in the pits: Scientists identify key enzyme behind body odor

Researchers have discovered a unique ''BO enzyme'' responsible for armpit odor.

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Wealthier men are more likely to develop high blood pressure

Working men with higher incomes are more likely to develop high blood pressure, reports a new study.

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Plant-based diets shown to lower blood pressure even with limited meat and dairy

Consuming a plant-based diet can lower blood pressure even if small amounts of meat and dairy are consumed too, according to new research.

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Lego-inspired bone and soft tissue repair with tiny, 3D-printed bricks

A new, 3D-printed technology that was inspired by Lego block toys is designed to help heal broken bones, and could one day even lead to lab-made organs for human transplant.

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World Hepatitis Day - Find the Missing Millions

World Hepatitis Day is observed on July 28th every year to raise awareness of the global burden of viral hepatitis. The theme for 2020 is 'Find the Missing Millions.'

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Gum Disease Associated With Increased Risk of Esophageal and Gastric Cancer

People with a history of gum disease and tooth loss are at a higher risk of developing esophageal and Gastric Cancer. Bacteria and Oral Hygiene may be the cause

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Sunday, July 26, 2020

More realistic computer graphics

New software techniques make lighting in computer-generated images look more realistic for use in video games, extended reality, and scientific visualization tools.

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Neurons are genetically programmed to have long lives

Most neurons are created during embryonic development and have no ''backup'' after birth. Researchers have generally believed that their survival is determined nearly extrinsically, or by outside forces, such as the tissues and cells that neurons supply with nerve cells. Scientists have challenged this notion and reports the continuous survival of neurons is also intrinsically programmed during development.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2CPSDZw

Neurons are genetically programmed to have long lives

Most neurons are created during embryonic development and have no ''backup'' after birth. Researchers have generally believed that their survival is determined nearly extrinsically, or by outside forces, such as the tissues and cells that neurons supply with nerve cells. Scientists have challenged this notion and reports the continuous survival of neurons is also intrinsically programmed during development.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2CPSDZw

Proposed framework for integrating chatbots into health care

While chatbots are becoming more widespread in health care, it's important to implement them thoughtfully and constantly evaluate them in a variety of ways, authors argue.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2OVjIwM

Proposed framework for integrating chatbots into health care

While chatbots are becoming more widespread in health care, it's important to implement them thoughtfully and constantly evaluate them in a variety of ways, authors argue.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2OVjIwM

Project creates more powerful, versatile ultrafast laser pulse

Researchers describe a new device, the ''stretched-pulse soliton Kerr resonator,'' that creates an ultrafast laser pulse that is freed from the physical limits endemic to sources of laser light and the limits of the sources' wavelengths. Applications include spectroscopy, frequency synthesis, distance ranging, and pulse generation.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/39sB25O

Researchers use cell imaging and mathematical modeling to understand cancer progression

Using a combination of experiments and mathematical modeling, a team of researchers from the Virginia Tech Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Science and the Fralin Life Sciences Institute are beginning to unravel the mechanisms that lie behind tetraploidy - a chromosomal abnormality that is often found in malignant tumors.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/30OTCkD

High levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria found on equipment in communal gyms

Scientists have found that 43% of Staphylococcus bacteria found on exercise equipment in university gyms were ampicillin-resistant, with 73% of those isolates being resistant to multiple additional drugs.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/32SjzT4

Different from a computer: Why the brain never processes the same input in the same way

The brain never processes the same information in the same way. Scientists have found out why this is the case and how it works. A decisive role plays a critical state of the neuronal networks.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2Eq3t9b

Desert mosses use quartz rocks as sun shades

Desert conditions are harsh, and mosses often spend much of the year in a dormant condition, desiccated and brown, until rain comes. Researchers discovered two species of moss that found a hiding place under translucent milky quartz where they can stay moist and green and continue to photosynthesize and grow while other mosses on the soil surface go dormant. This is the first green plant known to seek such refuge.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2OYuORI

Phage therapy shows potential for treating prosthetic joint infections

Bacteriophages, or phages, may play a significant role in treating complex bacterial infections in prosthetic joints, according to new research. The findings suggest phage therapy could provide a potential treatment for managing such infections, including those involving antibiotic-resistant microbes.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2BwhGQz

Researchers use cell imaging and mathematical modeling to understand cancer progression

Using a combination of experiments and mathematical modeling, a team of researchers from the Virginia Tech Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Science and the Fralin Life Sciences Institute are beginning to unravel the mechanisms that lie behind tetraploidy - a chromosomal abnormality that is often found in malignant tumors.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/30OTCkD

High levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria found on equipment in communal gyms

Scientists have found that 43% of Staphylococcus bacteria found on exercise equipment in university gyms were ampicillin-resistant, with 73% of those isolates being resistant to multiple additional drugs.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/32SjzT4

Different from a computer: Why the brain never processes the same input in the same way

The brain never processes the same information in the same way. Scientists have found out why this is the case and how it works. A decisive role plays a critical state of the neuronal networks.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2Eq3t9b

Phage therapy shows potential for treating prosthetic joint infections

Bacteriophages, or phages, may play a significant role in treating complex bacterial infections in prosthetic joints, according to new research. The findings suggest phage therapy could provide a potential treatment for managing such infections, including those involving antibiotic-resistant microbes.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2BwhGQz

PolyA-miner assesses the effect of alternative polyadenylation on gene expression

Meet PolyA-miner, a new computational tool that enables scientists to evaluate the contribution of alternative polyadenylation to gene regulation in health and disease.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3hEJyS8

Highly stable amyloid protein aggregates may help plant seeds last longer

Highly stable polymeric ''amyloid'' proteins, best known for their role in Alzheimer's disease, have been mostly studied in animals. But a new study on the garden pea shows that they also occur in plants, and they may be an important adaptation for prolonging seed viability.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2ZZm18g

Tracking antibody profiles for influenza exposures across the lifespan

Immune responses to influenza exposures increase early in life, then decline in middle age, according to a new study.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/30O7sUn

A new MXene material shows extraordinary electromagnetic interference shielding ability

Researchers have discovered a MXene material that presents exceptional electromagnetic interference shielding abilities.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/32VIu85

Two distinct circuits drive inhibition in the sensory thalamus of the brain

The thalamus is a 'Grand Central Station' for sensory information coming to our brains. Almost every sight, sound, taste and touch travels to our brain's cortex via the thalamus. Researchers now report that the somatosensory part of the thalamic reticular nucleus is divided into two functionally distinct sub-circuits that have their own types of genetically defined neurons that are topographically segregated, physiologically distinct and connect reciprocally with independent thalamocortical nuclei via dynamically divergent synapses.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2P01Voh

PolyA-miner assesses the effect of alternative polyadenylation on gene expression

Meet PolyA-miner, a new computational tool that enables scientists to evaluate the contribution of alternative polyadenylation to gene regulation in health and disease.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3hEJyS8

Tracking antibody profiles for influenza exposures across the lifespan

Immune responses to influenza exposures increase early in life, then decline in middle age, according to a new study.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/30O7sUn

Genome-mapping reveals 'supermutation' resulting in cryptic coloration in stick insects

Biologists discuss findings from an investigation of genetic mutations in seven species of North American stick insects (Timema) resulting in cryptic coloration.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WVJXHM

New technique to capture carbon dioxide could greatly reduce power plant greenhouse gases

Removing carbon dioxide from power plant emissions is ever more urgent to limit the damage from climate change. Chemists have come up with an efficient and less expensive technique for removing CO2 from natural gas plant emissions. The technique could be tweaked for more polluting plants that use coal. The chemists took a magnesium-based metal-organic framework and added a tetraamine that catalyzes a CO2 polymer easily removed by low-temperature steam.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WXHJb8

'Self-eating' process of stem cells may be the key to new regenerative therapies

The self-eating process in embryonic stem cells known as chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) and a related metabolite may serve as promising new therapeutic targets to repair or regenerate damaged cells and organs, researchers show.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3hPmtML

'Self-eating' process of stem cells may be the key to new regenerative therapies

The self-eating process in embryonic stem cells known as chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) and a related metabolite may serve as promising new therapeutic targets to repair or regenerate damaged cells and organs, researchers show.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3hPmtML

Saturday, July 25, 2020

Do bicycles slow down cars on low speed, low traffic roads? Latest research says 'no'

New research demonstrates that bicycles do not significantly reduce passenger car travel speeds on low speed, low volume urban roads without bicycle lanes. The research shows that differences in vehicle speeds with and without cyclists were generally on the order of 1 mph or less - negligible from a practical perspective.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/300YpAe

Dual role discovered for molecule involved in autoimmune eye disease

The inflammatory molecule interleukin-17A (IL-17A) triggers immune cells that in turn reduce IL-17A's pro-inflammatory activity, according to a new study.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3hAlvU9

Research breakthrough in fight against chytrid fungus

For frogs dying of the invasive chytridiomycosis disease, the leading cause of amphibian deaths worldwide, the genes responsible for protecting them may actually be leading to their demise, according to a new study.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/32T3210

Study finds global trends in women's breast cancer show cause for concern

Breast cancer rates among women globally are on the rise, but new research is uncovering trends related to age and where you live that could help target prevention measures to improve the situation.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2CNycMO

Correct dosage of methane-inhibiting additive in dairy cow feed shown in study

The optimum amount of a methane-inhibiting supplement in dairy cattle feed has been determined by an international team of researchers, indicating that widespread use of the compound could be an affordable climate change-battling strategy, if farmers embrace it.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WVRQge

Do bicycles slow down cars on low speed, low traffic roads? Latest research says 'no'

New research demonstrates that bicycles do not significantly reduce passenger car travel speeds on low speed, low volume urban roads without bicycle lanes. The research shows that differences in vehicle speeds with and without cyclists were generally on the order of 1 mph or less - negligible from a practical perspective.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/300YpAe

Dual role discovered for molecule involved in autoimmune eye disease

The inflammatory molecule interleukin-17A (IL-17A) triggers immune cells that in turn reduce IL-17A's pro-inflammatory activity, according to a new study.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3hAlvU9

Study finds global trends in women's breast cancer show cause for concern

Breast cancer rates among women globally are on the rise, but new research is uncovering trends related to age and where you live that could help target prevention measures to improve the situation.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2CNycMO

New cell profiling method could speed TB drug discovery

A new cell profiling technology combines high throughput imaging and machine learning to provide a rapid, cost-effective way to determine how specific compounds act to destroy the bacterium that causes tuberculosis. It could speed discovery of anti-TB drugs and be applied to other pathogens.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2P2ncgR

Two immunotherapies merged into single, more effective treatment

Researchers have combined two immunotherapy strategies into a single therapy and found, in studies in human cells and in mice, that the two together are more effective than either alone in treating certain blood cancers, such as leukemia.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WYmTYZ

Gene in fat plays key role in insulin resistance

Deleting a key gene in mice in just their fat made tissues throughout these animals insulin resistant, in addition to other effects, a new study shows. The findings could shed light on Type 2 diabetes and other insulin resistance disorders, which remain poorly understood despite decades of study.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WVFTra

Battling harmful algae blooms

In two recent studies, marine biologists looked at why one species of algae has some strains that can cause fish kills and others that are non-toxic, while examining an algicidal bacterium found in Delaware's Inland Bays that could provide an environmentally-friendly approach to combating algae blooms.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WSXrnx

Cells react differently to genomic imprinting

We inherit half of our genes from each parent. For their function of most genes, it doesn't matter which parent a gene comes from. But this is not true for all genes: about 150 genes are subject to ''genomic imprinting''. They are active either only if inherited from the mother, or only father. Most ''imprinted'' genes are important for our development. New research shows that brain cells react differently to genomic imprinting.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3f0iAmb

Researchers capture cell-level details of curved cornea

Researchers have, for the first time, acquired optical coherence tomography (OCT) images of the curved layers of a person's cornea with cell-level detail and a large viewing area. The new OCT instrument enables improved monitoring of eye diseases as well as general health conditions such as diabetes, which alter the density of nerves in the cornea.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3hBTMCO

Friday, July 24, 2020

Coral reefs show resilience to rising temperatures

Rising ocean temperatures have devastated coral reefs all over the world, but a recent study has found that reefs in the Eastern Tropical Pacific region may prove to be an exception.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/30JpdEh

Gene-controlling mechanisms play key role in cancer progression

Researchers have analyzed how epigenomic modifications change as tumors evolve. In a study of mouse lung tumors, the researchers identified 11 chromatin states, or epigenomic states, that cancer cells can pass through as they become more aggressive.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jGfaIC

Immune system -- Knocked off balance

Instead of protecting us, the immune system can sometimes go awry, as in the case of autoimmune diseases and allergies. A team has now dissected how mast cells regulate their calcium levels to keep the immune response under control.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WT26Gh

Researchers simulate, assess damage to brain cells caused by bubbles during head trauma

Researchers are using their expertise with the manufacture of microstructures to study how the collapse of microbubbles within the skull can damage brain cells.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2OWjsxr

Thursday, July 23, 2020

Young dolphins pick their friends wisely

Strategic networking is key to career success, and not just for humans. A study of bottlenose dolphins reveals that in early life, dolphins devote more time to building connections that could give them an edge later on. Analyzing nearly 30 years of records for some 1700 dolphins in Australia, researchers find that dolphins under age 10 seek out peers and activities that could help them forge bonds and build skills they'll need in adulthood.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2ZVbdZ1

Boats and ships leave baby reef fish vulnerable to predators

Scientists say the noise from boats and ships slows down the activity of baby fish on coral reefs, which leaves them more vulnerable to their predators.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3eQT7eJ

Driving immunometabolism to control lung infection

When drugs to kill microbes are ineffective, host-directed therapy uses the body's own immune system to deal with the infection. This approach is being tested in patients with COVID-19, and now a team of researchers has published a study showing how it might also work in the fight against tuberculosis (TB).

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jAhml6

Hot or cold, venomous vipers still quick to strike

Most reptiles move slower when temperatures drop, but venomous rattlesnakes appear to be an exception. The cold affects them, but not as much as scientists expected.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3eXfejG

Shifts seen in breeding times and duration for 73 boreal bird species over 40 years

Forest ecologist report finding ''clear evidence of a contraction of the breeding period'' among boreal birds in Finland over a 43-year span for which good quality data were available.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jBJB2D

COVID-19 vaccine innovation could dramatically speed up worldwide production

A new modified version of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein has a 10-fold higher expression rate in cell cultures than an earlier version that forms the basis of some candidates currently in clinical trials. Vaccine manufacturers could swap in the new version and produce vaccine doses at much higher rates, researchers say.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jzH35j

How mosquitoes got their taste for human blood and what it means for the future

To predict and help control the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses, it's important to know where and why certain mosquitoes got their taste for biting humans in the first place. Now, researchers have identified two major factors: a dry climate and city life. Based on these findings, they predict that increased urbanization in the coming decades will mean even more human-biting mosquitoes in the future.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2CHnCqB

Reexamining the history of slavery through 23andMe African ancestry data

Researchers have compiled genetic data from consenting 23andMe research participants to paint a more complete picture of African ancestry in the New World. By linking genetic data with slave trade historical records, the findings reinforce harsh truths about slavery in the Americas and uncover insights into its history, including the methods used to suppress and exploit Africans once they disembarked.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/30I7ayo

New CT scan method lowers radiation exposure

A CT scan technique that splits a full X-ray beam into thin beamlets can deliver the same quality of image at a much reduced radiation dose, according to a new study. The technique, demonstrated on a small sample in a micro CT scanner, could potentially be adapted for medical scanners and used to reduce the amount of radiation millions of people are exposed to each year.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/32OhirP

Unprecedented effort to ramp up testing technologies for COVID-19

In a new paper, experts set forth a framework to increase significantly the number, quality and type of daily tests for detecting SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and help reduce inequities for underserved populations that have been disproportionally affected by the disease.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jtKIlb

Tracking misinformation campaigns in real-time is possible, study shows

A research team has developed a technique for tracking online foreign misinformation campaigns in real time, which could help mitigate outside interference in the 2020 American election.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3eZBqd4

Preventing the next pandemic

A new article shows that an annual investment of $30 billion should be enough to offset the costs of preventing another global pandemic such as COVID-19.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/30KGRaV

Study finds decline in emergent hospitalizations during early phase of COVID-19

Researchers report on the decline of emergent medical, surgical and obstetric hospitalizations at the medical center during the six-week period following the week of the declaration of the COVID-19 public health emergency in Boston in mid-March 2020.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jBpvpi

Driving immunometabolism to control lung infection

When drugs to kill microbes are ineffective, host-directed therapy uses the body's own immune system to deal with the infection. This approach is being tested in patients with COVID-19, and now a team of researchers has published a study showing how it might also work in the fight against tuberculosis (TB).

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jAhml6

COVID-19 vaccine innovation could dramatically speed up worldwide production

A new modified version of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein has a 10-fold higher expression rate in cell cultures than an earlier version that forms the basis of some candidates currently in clinical trials. Vaccine manufacturers could swap in the new version and produce vaccine doses at much higher rates, researchers say.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jzH35j

How mosquitoes got their taste for human blood and what it means for the future

To predict and help control the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses, it's important to know where and why certain mosquitoes got their taste for biting humans in the first place. Now, researchers have identified two major factors: a dry climate and city life. Based on these findings, they predict that increased urbanization in the coming decades will mean even more human-biting mosquitoes in the future.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2CHnCqB

Reexamining the history of slavery through 23andMe African ancestry data

Researchers have compiled genetic data from consenting 23andMe research participants to paint a more complete picture of African ancestry in the New World. By linking genetic data with slave trade historical records, the findings reinforce harsh truths about slavery in the Americas and uncover insights into its history, including the methods used to suppress and exploit Africans once they disembarked.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/30I7ayo

Unprecedented effort to ramp up testing technologies for COVID-19

In a new paper, experts set forth a framework to increase significantly the number, quality and type of daily tests for detecting SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and help reduce inequities for underserved populations that have been disproportionally affected by the disease.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jtKIlb

COVID-19 shutdown led to increased solar power output

As the air cleared after lockdowns, solar installations in Delhi produced 8 percent more power, a new study shows.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jzfBV8

Common blood test identifies benefits and risks of steroid treatment in COVID-19 patients

A new study confirms the findings of the large scale British trial of steroid use for COVID-19 patients and advances the research by answering several key questions: Which patients are most likely to benefit from steroid therapy? Could some of them be harmed? Can other formulations of steroids substitute for the agent studied in the British trial?

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3hwSRDv

Neutralizing antibodies isolated from COVID-19 patients may suppress virus

Researchers have isolated antibodies from several COVID-19 patients that, to date, are among the most potent in neutralizing the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These antibodies could be produced in large quantities by pharmaceutical companies to treat patients, especially early in the course of infection, and to prevent infection, particularly in the elderly.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/39nWY1J

Patients who lived longer with cancer at greater risk of severe COVID-19 infection

Cancer patients diagnosed more than 24 months ago are more likely to have a severe COVID-19 infection, research has found. Cancer patients of Asian ethnicity or who were receiving palliative treatment for cancer were also at a higher risk of death from COVID-19.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3htjY2j

We are mutating SARS-CoV-2, but it is evolving back

Scientists looked at the evolution of the virus that causes COVID-19. Their findings could help the design of a new vaccine.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/39n7CG9

COVID-19 and Pregnancy: What Women Need to Know

Pregnant women should practice public health measures that have been recommended and be mindful about whom they are exposed to. They should take extra precautions to safeguard their health and that of their child's.

from Medindia Latest Updates https://ift.tt/2WRk3oK

Chocolates 'Good' for the Heart

Chocolates contain heart healthy nutrients such as flavonoids, polyphenols, methylxanthines and stearic acid, which may help reduce inflammation and increase good cholesterol

from Medindia Latest Updates https://ift.tt/2WLamYK

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

New role for white blood cells in the developing brain

Whether white blood cells can be found in the brain has been controversial, and their role there a complete mystery. Scientists describe a population of specialized brain-resident immune cells discovered in the mouse and human brain, and show that the presence of white blood cells is essential for normal brain development in mice.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3fS1lod

Brain builds and uses maps of social networks, physical space, in the same way

Even in these social-distanced days, we keep in our heads a map of our relationships with other people: family, friends, coworkers and how they relate to each other. New research shows that we put together this social map in much the same way that we assemble a map of physical places and things.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2CHF1iK

Flood data from 500 years: Rivers and climate change in Europe

Studying historical documents from 5 centuries, scientists were able to compare flood events from the past with recent flood events in Europe. This combination of historical and hydrological research provides evidence for the strong influence of climate change on rivers and floodings. Floods tend to be larger, the timing has shifted and the relationship between flood occurrence and air temperatures has reversed.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WPhSC5

Mapping the brain's sensory gatekeeper

Researchers have mapped the thalamic reticular nucleus in unprecedented detail, revealing that the region contains two distinct subnetworks of neurons with different functions. The findings could offer researchers much more specific targets for designing drugs that could alleviate attention deficits, sleep disruption, and sensory hypersensitivity.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/39mv1rq

Genomic basis of bat superpowers revealed: Like how they survive deadly viruses

The genetic material that codes for bat adaptations and superpowers - such as the ability to fly, to use sound to move effortlessly in complete darkness, to tolerate and survive potentially deadly viruses, and to resist aging and cancer - has been revealed and published in Nature.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WKgvog

How neurons reshape inside body fat to boost its calorie-burning capacity

Scientists have found that a hormone tells the brain to dramatically restructure neurons embedded in fat tissue. Their work widens our understanding of how the body regulates its energy consumption, and how obesity might be treated in the future.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/39jIv76

International analysis narrows range of climate's sensitivity to CO2

The most advanced and comprehensive analysis of climate sensitivity yet undertaken has revealed with more confidence than ever before how sensitive the Earth's climate is to carbon dioxide. The new research, revealed in a 165 page, peer-reviewed journal article finds that the true climate sensitivity is unlikely to be in the lowest part of the 1.5-4.5°C range.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/32ML14G

Sharks almost gone from many reefs

A massive global study of the world's reefs has found sharks are 'functionally extinct' on nearly one in five of the reefs surveyed.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3eWiFqW

Dragonflies reveal mercury pollution levels across US national parks

Research confirms dragonfly larvae as ''biosentinels'' to indicate mercury pollution and presents the first-ever survey of mercury pollution in the U.S. National Park System.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3fVHZ1u

New role for white blood cells in the developing brain

Whether white blood cells can be found in the brain has been controversial, and their role there a complete mystery. Scientists describe a population of specialized brain-resident immune cells discovered in the mouse and human brain, and show that the presence of white blood cells is essential for normal brain development in mice.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3fS1lod

Brain builds and uses maps of social networks, physical space, in the same way

Even in these social-distanced days, we keep in our heads a map of our relationships with other people: family, friends, coworkers and how they relate to each other. New research shows that we put together this social map in much the same way that we assemble a map of physical places and things.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2CHF1iK

Mapping the brain's sensory gatekeeper

Researchers have mapped the thalamic reticular nucleus in unprecedented detail, revealing that the region contains two distinct subnetworks of neurons with different functions. The findings could offer researchers much more specific targets for designing drugs that could alleviate attention deficits, sleep disruption, and sensory hypersensitivity.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/39mv1rq

How neurons reshape inside body fat to boost its calorie-burning capacity

Scientists have found that a hormone tells the brain to dramatically restructure neurons embedded in fat tissue. Their work widens our understanding of how the body regulates its energy consumption, and how obesity might be treated in the future.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/39jIv76

Sharks almost gone from many reefs

A massive global study of the world's reefs has found sharks are 'functionally extinct' on nearly one in five of the reefs surveyed.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3eWiFqW

Twitter data reveals global communication network

Twitter mentions show distinct community structure patterns resulting from communication preferences of individuals affected by physical distance between users and commonalities, such as shared language and history. While previous investigations have identified patterns using other data, such as mobile phone usage and Facebook friend connections, research now looks at the collective effect of message transfer in the global community.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2E1F0qf

Smile: Atomic imaging finds root of tooth decay

Researchers combined complementary imaging techniques to explore the atomic structure of human enamel, exposing tiny chemical flaws in the fundamental building blocks of our teeth. The findings could help scientists prevent or possibly reverse tooth decay.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WHnWfR

Portable blood ammonia detector

This device offers a significantly faster and easier method for detecting ammonia levels in blood, which can reach dangerous levels in people with certain diseases and genetic conditions.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3fVwhEb

Cancer metabolic pathway identified as target for therapy

Fighting cancer often means employing a suite of techniques to target the tumor and prevent it from growing and spreading to other parts of the body. It's no small feat -- the American Cancer Society predicts roughly 1.8 million new cases of cancer in the country in 2020, underscoring the need to identify additional ways to outsmart the runaway cells.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jvsfEO

Markerless motion capture technology could help skeleton athletes' training

Researchers have developed the first non-invasive way of measuring athletes' push start performance.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jwgSML

Ultra-small, parasitic bacteria found in groundwater, moose -- and you

Saccharibacteria within a mammalian host are more diverse than ever anticipated, according to recent research. The researchers also discovered that certain members of the bacteria are found in the oral cavity of humans, the guts of other mammals, and in groundwater.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2D2BlrC

Fasting diet could boost breast cancer therapy

A team of scientists has found that a fasting-mimicking diet combined with hormone therapy has the potential to help treat breast cancer, according to newly published animal studies and small clinical trials in humans.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/39ouS6O

Better wastewater treatment? It's a wrap

A shield of graphene helps particles destroy antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the free-floating genes in wastewater treatment plants.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/39oft6f

Free trade can prevent hunger caused by climate change

Researchers investigated the effects of trade on hunger in the world as a result of climate change. The conclusion is clear: international trade can compensate for regional food shortages and reduce hunger, particularly when protectionist measures and other barriers to trade are eliminated.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2OMPFY7

Homes of wealthy Americans have carbon footprints 25% higher than lower-income residences

The homes of wealthy Americans generate about 25% more greenhouse gases than residences in lower-income neighborhoods, mainly due to their larger size. In the nation's most affluent suburbs, those emissions can be as much as 15 times higher than in nearby lower-income neighborhoods.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3hoYy6r

Insight into toddlers' awareness of their own uncertainty

Toddlers may not be able to describe their feelings of uncertainty, but a new study provides evidence that toddlers may experience and deal with uncertainty in decision making in the same way as older children and adults.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2E72V7L

Biggest risk factors identified to try and prevent Alzheimer's disease

There are at least 10 risk factors that appear to have a significant impact on a person's likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease that could be targeted with preventative steps, suggests new research.

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Gum disease may raise risk of some cancers

People who have periodontal (gum) disease may have a higher risk of developing some forms of cancer.

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Legal marijuana may be slowing reductions in teen marijuana use

A longitudinal study of more than 230 teens and young adults in Washington state finds that teens may be more likely to use marijuana following legalization - with the proliferation of stores and increasing adult use of the drug -- than they otherwise would have been.

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Better wastewater treatment? It's a wrap

A shield of graphene helps particles destroy antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the free-floating genes in wastewater treatment plants.

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Free trade can prevent hunger caused by climate change

Researchers investigated the effects of trade on hunger in the world as a result of climate change. The conclusion is clear: international trade can compensate for regional food shortages and reduce hunger, particularly when protectionist measures and other barriers to trade are eliminated.

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What happens in Vegas, may come from the Arctic?

Ancient climate records from Leviathan Cave, located in the southern Great Basin, show that Nevada was even hotter and drier in the past than it is today, and that one 4,000-year period in particular may represent a true, ''worst-case'' scenario picture for the Southwest and the Colorado River Basin -- and the millions of people who rely on its water supply.

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Returning to farming's roots in the battle against the 'billion-dollar beetle'

Entomologists reaffirm the importance of crop rotation and diversification in combating the western corn rootworm's resistance to biotech crops.

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South Atlantic anomalies existed 8 - 11 million years ago

Research has revealed that strange behavior of the magnetic field in the South Atlantic region existed as far back as eight to 11 million years ago, suggesting that today's South Atlantic Anomaly is a recurring feature and unlikely to represent an impending reversal of the Earth's magnetic field.

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First ever image of a multi-planet system around a sun-like star captured by ESO telescope

The European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope has taken the first ever image of a young, Sun-like star accompanied by two giant exoplanets. Images of systems with multiple exoplanets are extremely rare, and -- until now -- astronomers had never directly observed more than one planet orbiting a star similar to the Sun. The observations can help astronomers understand how planets formed and evolved around our own Sun.

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Photonic crystal light converter

Spectroscopy is the use of light to analyze physical objects and biological samples. Different kinds of light can provide different kinds of information. Vacuum ultraviolet light is useful as it can aid people in a broad range of research fields, but generation of that light has been difficult and expensive. Researchers created a new device to efficiently generate this special kind of light using an ultrathin film with nanoscale perforations.

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Earliest humans stayed at the Americas 'oldest hotel' in Mexican cave

A cave in a remote part of Mexico was visited by humans around 30,000 years ago - 15,000 years earlier than people were previously thought to have reached the Americas. Excavations of Chiquihuite Cave, located in a mountainous area in northern Mexico controlled by drugs cartels, uncovered nearly 2000 stone tools from a small section of the high-altitude cave. Analysis of the sediment in the cave uncovered a new story of the colonisation of the Americas.

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Retreat of East Antarctic ice sheet during previous warm periods

Questions about the stability of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet are a major source of uncertainty in estimates of how much sea level will rise as the Earth continues to warm. For decades, scientists thought the East Antarctic Ice Sheet had remained stable for millions of years, but recent studies have begun to cast doubt on this idea. Now, researchers report new evidence of substantial ice loss from East Antarctica during an interglacial warm period about 400,000 years ago.

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Chemists make tough plastics recyclable

Chemists have developed a way to modify thermoset plastics with a chemical linker that makes it much easier to recycle them, but still allows them to retain their mechanical strength.

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Even if you want to, you can't ignore how people look or sound

Your perceptions of someone you just met are influenced in part by what they look like and how they sound. But can you ignore how someone looks or how they sound if you're told it is not relevant? Probably not, at least in most cases, a new study found.

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Even if you want to, you can't ignore how people look or sound

Your perceptions of someone you just met are influenced in part by what they look like and how they sound. But can you ignore how someone looks or how they sound if you're told it is not relevant? Probably not, at least in most cases, a new study found.

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New cosmic magnetic field structures discovered in galaxy NGC 4217

Spiral galaxies such as our Milky Way can have sprawling magnetic fields. There are various theories about their formation, but so far the process is not well understood. An international research team has now analysed the magnetic field of the Milky Way-like galaxy NGC 4217 in detail on the basis of radio astronomical observations and has discovered as yet unknown magnetic field structures. The data suggest that star formation and star explosions, so-called supernovae, are responsible for the visible structures.

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Mindfulness Helps Control Anger and Violence in Men

Cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT), and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) group therapy helps in reducing violent behavior in men towards their intimate partners. The therapies lower the rate of physical and sexual violence significantly.

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Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Life in the shallows becomes a trap for baby sharks

Baby reef sharks tolerate living in the sometimes-extreme environments of their nurseries -- but these habitats face an uncertain future which may leave newborn sharks 'trapped'.

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Spider monkey groups as collective computers

New research shows that spider monkeys use collective computation to figure out the best way to find food.

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Geoscientists glean data suggesting global climate changes increase river erosion rates

Using cosmogenic nuclide burial dating methods and optically stimulated luminescence dating, geoscientists establish ages for river deposits from the Yukon River basin that span key time periods of global climate change.

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Cheese making relies on milk proteins to form structure

Cheese production relies on coagulation of milk proteins into a gel matrix after addition of rennet. Milk that does not coagulate (NC) under optimal conditions affects the manufacturing process, requiring a longer processing time and lowering the cheese yield, which, in turn, has economic impact. Scientists studied the protein composition of milk samples with different coagulation properties to learn more about why only some milk coagulates with rennet.

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Using techniques from astrophysics, researchers can forecast drought up to ten weeks ahead

Researchers have developed a system which can accurately predict a period of drought in East Africa up to ten weeks ahead.

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Arizona rock core sheds light on Triassic dark ages

A rock core from Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona, has given scientists a powerful new tool to understand how catastrophic events shaped Earth's ecosystems before the rise of the dinosaurs. The core offers scientists a foundation to explain the changes in the fossil record and determine how these events may have shaped life on Earth.

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Simple 5 Lifestyle Changes That Help Build Your Immunity

Monsoon is here and makes us more vulnerable to diseases during this season. Therefore, it is necessary to increase your immunity during COVID-19 pandemic.

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Spinal stimulators repurposed to restore touch in lost limb

Devices commonly implanted for chronic pain could expand patient access to prosthetic arms that ''feel.''

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3D hand-sensing wristband signals future of wearable tech

In a potential breakthrough in wearable sensing technology, researchers have designed a wrist-mounted device that continuously tracks the entire human hand in 3D.

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Powerful human-like hands create safer human-robotics interactions

A team of engineers designed and developed a novel humanoid hand that may be able to help human-robotic interactions.

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Spinal stimulators repurposed to restore touch in lost limb

Devices commonly implanted for chronic pain could expand patient access to prosthetic arms that ''feel.''

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Chinese phase 2 trial finds COVID-19 vaccine is safe and induces an immune response

A phase 2 randomized controlled trial of a recombinant adenovirus type-5-vectored COVID-19 vaccine (Ad5-vectored COVID-19 vaccine) was conducted in China in April 2020 and involved more than 500 people. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the immune response and safety of the vaccine, and to determine the most suitable dose for a phase 3 trial. Phase 3 trials are needed to confirm whether the vaccine candidate effectively protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

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Geophysics: A first for a unique instrument

Geophysicists have measured Earth's spin and axis orientation with a novel ring laser, and provided the most precise determination of these parameters yet achieved by a ground-based instrument without the need for stellar range finding.

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UK's vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 is safe and induces an immune reaction, according to preliminary results

A phase 1/2 trial involving 1,077 healthy adults found that the vaccine induced strong antibody and T cell immune responses up to day 56 of the ongoing trial. These responses may be even greater after a second dose, according to a sub-group study of 10 participants. Compared to the control group (given a meningitis vaccine), the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine caused minor side effects more frequently, but some of these could be reduced by taking paracetamol. There were no serious adverse events from the vaccine. Based on their results, the authors say that further clinical studies, including in older adults, should be done with this vaccine. The current results focus on the immune response measured in the laboratory, and further testing is needed to confirm whether the vaccine effectively protects against infection.

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Chinese phase 2 trial finds COVID-19 vaccine is safe and induces an immune response

A phase 2 randomized controlled trial of a recombinant adenovirus type-5-vectored COVID-19 vaccine (Ad5-vectored COVID-19 vaccine) was conducted in China in April 2020 and involved more than 500 people. The primary objective of the study was to evaluate the immune response and safety of the vaccine, and to determine the most suitable dose for a phase 3 trial. Phase 3 trials are needed to confirm whether the vaccine candidate effectively protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3hsfSrn

UK's vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 is safe and induces an immune reaction, according to preliminary results

A phase 1/2 trial involving 1,077 healthy adults found that the vaccine induced strong antibody and T cell immune responses up to day 56 of the ongoing trial. These responses may be even greater after a second dose, according to a sub-group study of 10 participants. Compared to the control group (given a meningitis vaccine), the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine caused minor side effects more frequently, but some of these could be reduced by taking paracetamol. There were no serious adverse events from the vaccine. Based on their results, the authors say that further clinical studies, including in older adults, should be done with this vaccine. The current results focus on the immune response measured in the laboratory, and further testing is needed to confirm whether the vaccine effectively protects against infection.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2CPUDAC

Benefits of routine childhood vaccines far outweigh risks of additional COVID-19 transmission in Africa, study suggests

Continuing routine immunizations during the pandemic could save around 702,000 child lives from vaccine-preventable diseases, far exceeding the potential risks of COVID-19 transmission to older family members from visiting clinics, according to experts.

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Dementia: Loss in the Sense of Smell, a Critical Indicator

Decline in multisensory functioning, especially in the sense of smell, increases the risk of cognitive decline. This is because the olfactory bulb, which is critical for the smell, is affected relatively early on in the disease.

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Climate Friendly, Energy Efficient Cooling Plays a Major Role in Reduction of Cost and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Implementation of energy-efficient cooling systems is highly beneficial for reducing greenhouse gases and climate change. It also reduces the cost by trillions and energy requirement by 1300 gigawatts.

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Monday, July 20, 2020

A mechanical way to stimulate neurons

Magnetic nanodiscs can be activated by an external magnetic field, providing a research tool for studying neural responses.

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A mechanical way to stimulate neurons

Magnetic nanodiscs can be activated by an external magnetic field, providing a research tool for studying neural responses.

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Physicists take stop-action images of light-driven molecular reaction

Physicists have taken extremely fast snapshots of light-induced molecular ring-opening reactions -- similar to those that help a human body produce vitamin D from sunlight.

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European sea bass absorb virtually no microplastic in their muscle tissue

Researchers gave young European see bass feed laced with microplastic for months, but found virtually no microplastic particles in the fish fillets.

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Photos may improve understanding of volcanic processes

The shape of volcanoes and their craters provide critical information on their formation and eruptive history. Techniques applied to photographs -- photogrammetry -- show promise and utility in correlating shape change to volcanic background and eruption activity.

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MRI scans of the brains of 130 mammals, including humans, indicate equal connectivity

Researchers conducted a first-of-its-kind study designed to investigate brain connectivity in 130 mammalian species. The intriguing results, contradicting widespread conjectures, revealed that brain connectivity levels are equal in all mammals, including humans.

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Immunotherapy safe for patients with COVID-19, cancer

Initial findings from a new study show that immunotherapy for cancer won't worsen complications for patients with the disease and COVID-19.

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'Love hormone' oxytocin could be used to treat cognitive disorders like Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's disease progressively degrades a person's memory and cognitive abilities, often resulting in dementia. Amid efforts to find novel treatments for this disease, a recent breakthrough study shows that oxytocin -- the hormone that we commonly know to induce feelings of love and well-being -- can also effectively reverse some of the damage caused by amyloid plaques in the learning and memory center of the brain in an animal model of Alzheimer's.

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New nano drug candidate kills aggressive breast cancer cells

Researchers have developed a new drug candidate that kills triple negative breast cancer cells. The discovery will help clinicians target breast cancer cells directly, while avoiding the adverse, toxic side effects of chemotherapy.

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Music on the brain

A new study looks at differences between the brains of Japanese classical musicians, Western classical musicians and nonmusicians. Researchers investigated specific kinds of neural behavior in participants as they were exposed to unfamiliar rhythms and nonrhythmic patterns. Trained musicians showed greater powers of rhythmic prediction compared to nonmusicians, with more subtle differences between those trained in Japanese or Western classical music. This research has implications for studies of cultural impact on learning and brain development.

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Scientists trace and identify origin of smallpox vaccine strains used in Civil War

Scientists and historians have pieced together the genomes of old viruses that were used as vaccination strains during and after the American Civil War ultimately leading to the eradication of smallpox.

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Scientists supercharge shellfish to tackle vitamin deficiency in humans

Cambridge scientists have developed a new way to fortify shellfish to tackle human nutrient deficiencies which cause severe health problems across the world. The team is now working with major seafood manufacturers to further test their microencapsulation technology, or ''Vitamin Bullets''.

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Regular exercise helps prevent high blood pressure, even in areas of high air pollution

Regular physical activity is a healthy way to prevent and reduce high blood pressure, even in places where pollution levels are relatively high. Air pollution increases high blood pressure risk, yet it does not outweigh the benefits of physical activity on high blood pressure prevention. Addressing air pollution remains important for high blood pressure prevention.

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Nearly 60% of American children lack healthy cardiorespiratory fitness

Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) measurement provides insight into cardiovascular and overall health, including cognitive and academic functions, among children and teens. Healthy CRF is linked to better heart and blood vessel health, academic achievement, mental health and many other positive outcomes in youth. Most pediatric health care offices do not have the facilities to conduct CRF testing routinely in children.

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A new idea on how Earth's outer shell first broke into tectonic plates

Plate tectonics theory posits that Earth's outer shell is subdivided into plates that move relative to each other, concentrating most activity along the boundaries between plates, yet the scientific community has no firm concept on how plate tectonics got started. A new answer has now been put forward.

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The Azores: Exotic insect species increase on islands through human impact

A new study reveals that the diversity of exotic species of insects, spiders and other arthropods in the Azores is increasing. This pattern has also been observed in other islands around the world, which can contribute to aggravate the current biodiversity crisis. The study also point to a slight decrease in the abundance of endemic species in the archipelago - species that are not found anywhere else on the planet.

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A new species of darkling beetle larvae that degrade plastic

A research team confirms biodegradation of polystyrene using darkling beetle larvae found in Korea.

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Simple test helps to predict and prevent falls

Scientists have developed a simple clinical test that can assess the lower limb strength of patients to predict their risk of falls. The ''enhanced paper grip test'' involves pulling a small card from underneath the participant's foot while asking them to grip with their big toe (Hallux).

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A plot twist in pharmaceuticals: Single nanoparticles could pave the way for medicines on demand

For the first time, a single, twisted nanoparticle has been accurately measured and characterized in a lab, taking scientists one vital step closer to a time when medicines will be produced and blended on a microscopic scale.

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Geoengineering is just a partial solution to fight climate change

Could we create massive sulfuric acid clouds that limit global warming and help meet the 2015 Paris international climate goals, while reducing unintended impacts? Yes, in theory, according to a new study. Spraying sulfur dioxide into the upper atmosphere at different locations, to form sulfuric acid clouds that block some solar radiation, could be adjusted every year to keep global warming at levels set in the Paris goals. Such technology is known as geoengineering or climate intervention.

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Portable DNA device can detect tree pests in under two hours

A new rapid DNA detection method can identify forest pests and pathogens like Asian gypsy moths and white pine blister rust in less than two hours, without using complicated processes or chemicals -- a substantial time savings compared to the several days it currently takes to send samples to a lab for testing.

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Traditional PTSD therapy doesn't trigger drug relapse

Researchers have now demonstrated that behavior therapy that exposes people to memories of their trauma doesn't cause relapses of opioid or other drug use, and that PTSD severity and emotional problems have decreased after the first therapy session.

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Simple test helps to predict and prevent falls

Scientists have developed a simple clinical test that can assess the lower limb strength of patients to predict their risk of falls. The ''enhanced paper grip test'' involves pulling a small card from underneath the participant's foot while asking them to grip with their big toe (Hallux).

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/32BeYV7

A plot twist in pharmaceuticals: Single nanoparticles could pave the way for medicines on demand

For the first time, a single, twisted nanoparticle has been accurately measured and characterized in a lab, taking scientists one vital step closer to a time when medicines will be produced and blended on a microscopic scale.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3eKpZWF

Traditional PTSD therapy doesn't trigger drug relapse

Researchers have now demonstrated that behavior therapy that exposes people to memories of their trauma doesn't cause relapses of opioid or other drug use, and that PTSD severity and emotional problems have decreased after the first therapy session.

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Impact of COVID-19 on the Mental and Physical Health of Older Adults

Increased loneliness and social isolation observed in older adults over 70 years during the pandemic. Study indicates the involvement of Public health measures like social distancing and cocooning play a role.

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Genetic Testing of General Population can Prevent Breast and Ovarian Cancer by Millions

Genetic testing of the general population for mutated genes commonly involved in breast and ovarian cancer is beneficial. It is cost-effective, and early detection prevents the number of cases of cancer globally

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Hypertension: Regular Exercise Helps Control Blood Pressure Rise

Engaging in regular exercise is a safe approach for people living in relatively polluted regions. Air pollution increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and death. Regular physical activity outweighs the ill effect of air pollution.

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New Simple Test can Predict and Prevent Falls in Elderly

Simple clinical test that can assess the lower limb strength of patients has been developed. This test helps to predict and prevent their risk of falls

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Saturday, July 18, 2020

Synapse-saving proteins discovered, opening possibilities in Alzheimer's, schizophrenia

Loss of synapses is a contributing factor to Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. Researchers discovered a class of proteins that inhibit synapse elimination, opening possibilities for novel therapies for the two diseases.

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Uplifting of Columbia River basalts opens window on how region was sculpted

Information drawn from analyses of oxygen and hydrogen isotopes of materials from exposed Columbia River basalts has provided insights about how magma from volcanic eruptions millions of years ago shaped the region and why those eruptions did not trigger a global extinction event.

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Study reveals intricate details about Huntington's disease protein

The research focuses on axonal transport -- the way in which vital materials travel along pathways called axons inside nerve cells, or neurons. Scientists found that HTT sometimes journeys along these roadways in cellular vehicles (called vesicles) that also carry freight including a protein called Rab4. The research also identified other materials that may be present in these shipments.

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Pesticides speed the spread of deadly waterborne pathogens

Widespread use of pesticides can speed the transmission of the debilitating disease schistosomiasis, while also upsetting the ecological balances in aquatic environments that prevent infections, finds a new study. The infection, which can trigger lifelong liver and kidney damage, affects hundreds of millions of people every year and is second only to malaria among parasitic diseases, in terms of its global impact on human health.

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Atomtronic device could probe boundary between quantum, everyday worlds

A new device that relies on flowing clouds of ultracold atoms promises potential tests of the intersection between the weirdness of the quantum world and the familiarity of the macroscopic world we experience every day.

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Turmeric could have antiviral properties

Curcumin, a natural compound found in the spice turmeric, could help eliminate certain viruses, research has found. A study showed that curcumin can prevent Transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) - an alpha-group coronavirus that infects pigs - from infecting cells. At higher doses, the compound was also found to kill virus particles.

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Predicting your personality from your smartphone data

Everyone who uses a smartphone unavoidably generates masses of digital data that are accessible to others, and these data provide clues to the user's personality. Psychologists are now studying how revealing these clues are.

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A chemical tailor-made suit for Alzheimer's drugs

Over 50 million people worldwide are affected by Alzheimer's disease and it is one of the greatest medical and social challenges of our time. Due to pathological changes in the brain, patients become increasingly forgetful and disoriented as the disease progresses. Alzheimer's is still considered incurable today. Researchers now describe a promising approach to treating Alzheimer's disease.

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New technology speeds up organic data transfer

An international research team developed visible light communication (VLC) setup capable of a data rate of 2.2 Mb/s by employing a new type of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs).

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Where is the water during a drought?

In low precipitation periods - where and how is the limited available water distributed and what possibilities are there for improving retention in the soil and the landscape? Researchers discovered that vegetation has a major influence on this. Using the example of the drought-sensitive Demnitzer Muehlenfliess in Brandenburg, they quantified visible and invisible water flows during and shortly after the drought of 2018.

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Study shows how traumatic experiences can leave their mark on a person's eyes

New research shows that a patient's pupils can reveal if they have suffered a traumatic experience in the past. The study examined how an individual's eyes responded when shown threatening images.

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Mundane behavioral decisions, actions can be 'misremembered' as done

Mundane behaviors such as taking a daily medication can eventually create false memories of completing the task.

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Baleen whales have changed their distribution in the Western North Atlantic

Researchers using passive acoustic recordings of whale calls to track their movements have found that four of the six baleen whale species found in the western North Atlantic Ocean -- humpback, sei, fin and blue whales -- have changed their distribution patterns in the past decade. The recordings were made over 10 years by devices moored to the seafloor at nearly 300 locations from the Caribbean Sea to western Greenland.

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Chemical thermometers take temperature to the nanometric scale

Scientists recently developed molecular films that can measure the operating temperature of electronic components on a nanometric scale. These patented temperature-sensitive molecules have the distinctive quality of being extremely stable, even after millions of uses. They could soon be deployed in the microelectronics industry.

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Predicting the biodiversity of rivers

Biodiversity and thus the state of river ecosystems can now be predicted by combining environmental DNA with hydrological methods, researchers have found. Using the river Thur as an example, the approach allows areas requiring conservation to be identified in order to initiate protective measures.

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The secret to renewable solar fuels is an off-and-on again relationship

Copper that was once bound with oxygen is better at converting CO2 into renewable fuels than copper that was never bound to oxygen, according to scientists.

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River plants counter both flooding and drought to protect biodiversity

'Water plants are a nuisance in streams, blocking the flow. You should remove them'. This notion has for many years determined how streams were managed to prevent flooding during high rainfall events. However, new research shows how vegetation in streams can actually buffer water levels, by adjusting vegetation cover.

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Principles to enhance research integrity and avoid 'publish or perish' in academia

Amid growing criticism of the traditional ''publish or perish'' system for rewarding academic research, an international team has developed five principles that institutions can follow to measure and reward research integrity. The team believes that applying these principles in academic hiring and promotion will enhance scientific integrity and amplify the benefits of research to society.

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Pioneering method reveals dynamic structure in HIV

The method reveals that the lattice, which forms the major structural component of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), is dynamic. The discovery of a diffusing lattice made from Gag and GagPol proteins, long considered to be completely static, opens up potential new therapies. Apart from viruses, the method can be applied to study any biomedical structure by tracking molecules moving around in a cell.

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Opium linked with more deaths after bypass surgery

The largest study on opium use and outcomes after bypass surgery has found that - in contrast to widely held beliefs - it is linked with more deaths and heart attacks.

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Widening cancer gene testing is cost effective and could prevent millions of cancer cases

Screening entire populations for breast and ovarian cancer gene mutations could prevent millions more breast and ovarian cancer cases across the world compared to current clinical practice, according to an international study. The research also shows that it is cost effective in high and upper-middle income countries.

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Pine beetles successful no matter how far they roam -- with devastating effects

Whether they travel only a few meters or tens of kilometers to a new host tree, female pine beetles use different strategies to find success -- with major negative consequences for pine trees, according to new research.

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Researchers solve a long-standing problem in organic chemistry

Chemists have for a long time been interested in efficiently constructing polyenes - not least in order to be able to use them for future biomedical applications. However, such designs are currently neither simple nor inexpensive. Scientists have now found a bio-inspired solution to the problem.

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Widening cancer gene testing is cost effective and could prevent millions of cancer cases

Screening entire populations for breast and ovarian cancer gene mutations could prevent millions more breast and ovarian cancer cases across the world compared to current clinical practice, according to an international study. The research also shows that it is cost effective in high and upper-middle income countries.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/397mrws

Researchers solve a long-standing problem in organic chemistry

Chemists have for a long time been interested in efficiently constructing polyenes - not least in order to be able to use them for future biomedical applications. However, such designs are currently neither simple nor inexpensive. Scientists have now found a bio-inspired solution to the problem.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3fJ9xae

Research helping to improve detection of disease in newborn babies

New research will help health-care practitioners to more accurately diagnose disease and illness in newborn babies from urine samples, according to a new study.

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Study finds untreated sleep apnea doubles Parkinson’s risk

A massive veteran study found a strong connection between untreated sleep apnea and a higher chance of Parkinson’s. CPAP users had much lowe...