Imaging space debris in high resolution

Researchers have introduced a new method for taking high-resolution images of fast-moving and rotating objects in space, such as satellites or debris in low Earth orbit. They created an imaging process that first utilizes a novel algorithm to estimate the speed and angle at which an object in space is rotating, then applies those estimates to develop a high-resolution picture of the target.

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When using pyrite to understand Earth's ocean and atmosphere: Think local, not global

Scientists have long used information from sediments at the bottom of the ocean to reconstruct the conditions in oceans of the past. But a study raises concerns about the common use of pyrite sulfur isotopes to reconstruct Earth's evolving oxidation state. These signals aren't the global fingerprint of oxygen in the atmosphere, according to new research from Washington University in St. Louis.

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How bacteria defeat drugs that fight cystic fibrosis

Researchers and their partners have discovered a slimy strategy used by bacteria to defeat antibiotics and other drugs used to combat infections afflicting people with cystic fibrosis.

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Sensing robot healthcare helpers

Robots that could take on basic healthcare tasks to support the work of doctors and nurses may be the way of the future. Who knows, maybe a medical robot can prescribe your medicine someday? That's the idea behind 3D structural-sensing robots being developed and tested right now.

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'Explicit instruction' provides dramatic benefits in learning to read

When it comes to learning to read, new research suggests that explicit instruction -- a phonics teaching method in which the relationship between sound and spelling is taught directly and systematically -- is more effective than self-discovery through reading.

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Oahu marine protected areas offer limited protection of coral reef herbivorous fishes

Marine protected areas (MPAs) around Oahu do not adequately protect populations of herbivorous reef fishes that eat algae on coral reefs.

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New study highlights importance of context to physical theories

A scientist's research into the geometrical characteristics of a physical theories is highlighted in a new article. A physicist examines what structural property of a theory like quantum mechanics makes it prone to contextuality.

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How bacteria defeat drugs that fight cystic fibrosis

Researchers and their partners have discovered a slimy strategy used by bacteria to defeat antibiotics and other drugs used to combat infections afflicting people with cystic fibrosis.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3uFQOo3

'Explicit instruction' provides dramatic benefits in learning to read

When it comes to learning to read, new research suggests that explicit instruction -- a phonics teaching method in which the relationship between sound and spelling is taught directly and systematically -- is more effective than self-discovery through reading.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2ZX4OvB

Bioinformatics tool accurately tracks synthetic DNA

A computer science lab challenges -- and beats -- deep learning in a test to see if a new bioinformatics approach effectively tracks the lab of origin of a synthetic genetic sequence.

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Changing the silkworm's diet to spin stronger silk

Researchers have produced cellulose nanofiber (CNF) synthesized silk naturally through a simple tweak to silkworms' diet. Mixing CNF with commercially available food and feeding the silkworms resulted in a stronger and more tensile silk.

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Scientists identify cells responsible for liver tissue maintenance and regeneration

While the amazing regenerative power of the liver has been known since ancient times, the cells responsible for maintaining and replenishing the liver have remained a mystery. Now, research has identified the cells responsible for liver maintenance and regeneration while also pinpointing where they reside in the liver.

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Smartphones could help to prevent glaucoma blindness

Smartphones could be used to scan people's eyes for early-warning signs of glaucoma - helping to prevent severe ocular diseases and blindness, a new study reveals.

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64 human genomes as new reference for global genetic diversity

20 years after the successful completion of the Human Genome Project', an international research group has now sequenced 64 human genomes at high resolution. This reference data includes individuals from around the world, better capturing the genetic diversity of the human species. Among other applications, the work enables population-specific studies on genetic predispositions to human diseases as well as the discovery of more complex forms of genetic variation.

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New signaling pathway in neurons

A new signaling pathway has been identified that can prevent the overproduction of certain RNA-protein complexes in neurons. These complexes play an important role in neurodegenerative diseases.

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Harnessing the power of proteins in our cells to combat disease

Over many decades now, traditional drug discovery methods have steadily improved at keeping diseases at bay and cancer in remission. And for the most part, it's worked well. But it hasn't worked perfectly.

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Artificial 'brain' reveals why we can't always believe our eyes

A computer network closely modelled on part of the human brain is enabling new insights into the way our brains process moving images - and explains some perplexing optical illusions.

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Gut health and mood genetically entwined

Researchers have provided clues to how the gut and brain work together by studying health data from nearly half a million people.

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Among Ecuador's Shuar, researchers find how disgust evolved as a human emotion

When the pungent smell of rotting food sends a person running, that disgusted feeling is an evolved response that helps avoid exposure to pathogens, say anthropologists. In a project that blended anthropology, biology and psychology, researchers explored disgust behaviors among Ecuador's indigenous Shuar people.

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Decrease in peanut allergy among infants after guideline changes

Changes to food allergy guidelines has led to a 16 per cent decrease in peanut allergy among infants, according to new study.

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Biobattery-powered microneedle patch can deliver drugs and procure testing samples

A pain-free, organic and biodegradable drug delivery patch may be on the horizon for home health care patients soon. Researchers have developed a biobattery-powered device capable of both delivering large molecule pharmaceuticals across the skin barrier and extracting interstitial fluid for diagnostic purposes.

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Computer training to reduce trauma symptoms

Computer training applied in addition to psychotherapy can potentially help reduce the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). With the computerized training, the patients learned to appraise recurring and distressing trauma symptoms in a less negative light and instead to interpret them as a normal and understandable part of processing the trauma.

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Super-resolution RNA imaging in live cells

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is key to various fundamental biological processes. It transfers genetic information, translates it into proteins or supports gene regulation. To achieve a more detailed understanding of the precise functions it performs, researchers have devised a new fluorescence imaging method which enables live-cell RNA imaging with unprecedented resolution.

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Dentists' tool boost as engineers get to root of tiny bubbles

People's teeth-chattering experiences in the dentist's chair could be improved by fresh insights into how tiny, powerful bubbles are formed by ultra-fast vibrations, a study suggests.

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AI identifies social bias trends in Bollywood, Hollywood movies

An automated computer analysis method designed by Carnegie Mellon University computer scientists makes it possible to track social biases across decades of Bollywood and Hollywood movies.

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Study identifies potential link between Soldiers exposed to blasts, Alzheimer's

Research shows that Soldiers exposed to shockwaves from military explosives are at a higher risk for developing Alzheimer's disease -- even those that don't have traumatic brain injuries from those blasts. A new study identifies how those blasts affect the brain.

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Meteorites remember conditions of stellar explosions

A team of international researchers went back to the formation of the solar system 4.6 billion years ago to gain new insights into the cosmic origin of the heaviest elements on the periodic table.

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Ancient Egyptian manual reveals new details about mummification

Based on a manual recently discovered in a 3,500-year-old medical papyrus, an Egyptologist has been able to reconstruct the embalming process used to prepare ancient Egyptians for the afterlife. It is the oldest surviving manual on mummification yet discovered.

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Signal transduction without signal: Receptor clusters can direct cell movement

Whether we smell, taste or see, or when adrenaline rushes through our veins, all of these signals are received by our cells via a specific group of receptor proteins called G protein-coupled receptors, which transmit signals to the inside of the cell. Biochemists have now discovered that such receptors can also produce signals even in the absence of an external stimulus: For certain receptors clustering is apparently sufficient.

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Benefits of team building exercises jeopardized if not truly voluntary

Zoom dress up parties, tug-of-war, 'trust falls' and escape rooms - team building exercises have become the go-to tool for managers trying to increase team rapport and productivity, but unfortunately many employees resent compulsory bonding and often regard these exercises as the bane of their workplace existence.  A paper published by Sydney researchers has found participants have mixed feelings about team-building interventions, with the research revealing ethical implications in forcing employees to take part.

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Maternal instincts lead to social life of bees

The maternal care of offspring is one of the behavioral drivers that has led some bee species to have an ever-expanding social life over the history of evolution, new research has found. By virtue of being in a social group the genome itself may respond by selecting more social, rather than non-social genes. The behavior and social environment come first setting the stage for future molecular evolution.

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Largest cluster of galaxies known in the early universe

A study has found the most densely populated galaxy cluster in formation in the primitive universe. The researchers predict that this structure, which is at a distance of 12.5 billion light years from us, will have evolved into a cluster similar to that of Virgo, a neighbor of the Local Group of galaxies to which the Milky Way belongs.

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Targeted spraying to prevent malaria in low-transmission setting halves cost of current practice

Furthermore, the targeted Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) intervention was safe, less costly, and more cost-effective compared with standard 'blanket' IRS, meaning savings could potentially be reallocated to other malaria control and elimination activities.

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Dinosaur species: 'Everyone's unique'

'Everyone's unique' is a popular maxim. All people are equal, but there are of course individual differences. This was no different with dinosaurs. A study has now revealed that the variability of Plateosaurus trossingensis was much greater than previously assumed. The paleontologists examined a total of 14 complete skulls of this species, eight of which they described for the first time.

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How photoblueing disturbs microscopy

An undesirable effect can occur in super-resolution fluorescence microscopy: photoblueing. A new article shows how it can be prevented or made useful for research.

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Can a robot operate effectively underwater?

Researchers find sea stars' shape plays an important role in their ability to withstand dynamic water forces and remain attached to surfaces. Understanding such shape shifting could help design underwater robots that can similarly adapt to extreme hydrodynamic environments.

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Early-warning for seizures could be a game-changer for epilepsy patients

A research team has developed mathematical model to predict seizures that will give epilepsy patients an accurate warning five minutes to one hour before they are likely to experience a seizure.

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

Social media use driven by search for reward, akin to animals seeking food

Our use of social media, specifically our efforts to maximize 'likes,' follows a pattern of 'reward learning,' concludes a new study by an international team of scientists. Its findings reveal parallels with the behavior of animals, such as rats, in seeking food rewards.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3pZe9NV

Retroviruses are re-writing the koala genome and causing cancer

Koalas are facing multiple environmental and health issues which threaten their survival. Along with habitat loss - accelerated by last year's devastating bush fires - domestic dog attacks and road accidents, they suffer from deadly chlamydial infections and extremely high frequency of cancer. Scientists now demonstrate that a retrovirus invading the koala germline explains the high frequency of koala cancer.

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Microbes deep beneath seafloor survive on byproducts of radioactive process

Researchers found that microbes living in ancient sediment below the seafloor are sustained primarily by chemicals created by the natural irradiation of water molecules. Results of this research may have implications for life on Mars.

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Targeted spraying to prevent malaria in low-transmission setting halves cost of current practice

Furthermore, the targeted Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) intervention was safe, less costly, and more cost-effective compared with standard 'blanket' IRS, meaning savings could potentially be reallocated to other malaria control and elimination activities.

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

How photoblueing disturbs microscopy

An undesirable effect can occur in super-resolution fluorescence microscopy: photoblueing. A new article shows how it can be prevented or made useful for research.

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

Early-warning for seizures could be a game-changer for epilepsy patients

A research team has developed mathematical model to predict seizures that will give epilepsy patients an accurate warning five minutes to one hour before they are likely to experience a seizure.

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

Social media use driven by search for reward, akin to animals seeking food

Our use of social media, specifically our efforts to maximize 'likes,' follows a pattern of 'reward learning,' concludes a new study by an international team of scientists. Its findings reveal parallels with the behavior of animals, such as rats, in seeking food rewards.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3pZe9NV

Light-emitting tattoo engineered

The technology, which uses organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), is applied in the same way as water transfer tattoos. That is, the OLEDs are fabricated on to temporary tattoo paper and transferred to a new surface by being pressed on to it and dabbed with water.

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Investigating dense plasmas with positron waves

Scientists assess the dynamics of positron acoustic waves (PAWS) in EPI plasmas whilst under the influence of magnetic fields, or magnetoplasmas.

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Pioneering prehistoric landscape reconstruction reveals early dinosaurs lived on tropical islands

A new study using leading edge technology has shed surprising light on the ancient habitat where some of the first dinosaurs roamed in the UK around 200 million years ago.

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Artificial microswimmers slow down and accumulate in low-fuel regions

A researcher has discovered that artificial microswimmers accumulate where their speed is minimized, an idea that could have implications for improving the efficacy of targeted cancer therapy.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3bH4JSf

Genes identified that increase the risk of obesity but also protect against disease

Scientists have identified 62 genes that lead to both higher levels of body fat but a lower risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. These genes may help to keep body fat healthy, and open a new avenue for developing drugs that lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2ZReUy5

A weak heart makes a suffering brain

Heart problems cause disturbed gene activity in the brain's memory center, from which cognitive deficits arise. Researchers at the DZNE come to this conclusion based on laboratory studies. They consider that they have found a possible cause for the increased risk of dementia in people with heart problems.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3sC8MpP

Under climate stress, human innovation set stage for population surge

Aridification in the central plains of China during the early Bronze Age did not cause population collapse, a result that highlights the importance of social resilience to climate change. Instead of a collapse amid dry conditions, development of agriculture and increasingly complex human social structures set the stage for a dramatic increase in human population around 3,900 to 3,500 years ago.

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Pesticide imidacloprid threatens future for key pollinator

An insecticide used to control pest infestations on squash and pumpkins significantly hinders the reproduction of ground-nesting bees -- valuable pollinators for many food crops, new research has revealed.

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Measuring the tRNA world

Transfer RNAs (tRNAs) deliver specific amino acids to ribosomes during translation of messenger RNA into proteins. The abundance of tRNAs can therefore have a profound impact on cell physiology, but measuring the amount of each tRNA in cells has been limited by technical challenges. Researchers have now overcome these limitations with mim-tRNAseq, a method that can be used to quantify tRNAs in any organism and will help improve our understanding of tRNA regulation in health and disease.

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

Artificial microswimmers slow down and accumulate in low-fuel regions

A researcher has discovered that artificial microswimmers accumulate where their speed is minimized, an idea that could have implications for improving the efficacy of targeted cancer therapy.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3bH4JSf

Genes identified that increase the risk of obesity but also protect against disease

Scientists have identified 62 genes that lead to both higher levels of body fat but a lower risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. These genes may help to keep body fat healthy, and open a new avenue for developing drugs that lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2ZReUy5

A weak heart makes a suffering brain

Heart problems cause disturbed gene activity in the brain's memory center, from which cognitive deficits arise. Researchers at the DZNE come to this conclusion based on laboratory studies. They consider that they have found a possible cause for the increased risk of dementia in people with heart problems.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3sC8MpP

Under climate stress, human innovation set stage for population surge

Aridification in the central plains of China during the early Bronze Age did not cause population collapse, a result that highlights the importance of social resilience to climate change. Instead of a collapse amid dry conditions, development of agriculture and increasingly complex human social structures set the stage for a dramatic increase in human population around 3,900 to 3,500 years ago.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3sC8Tlf

Quantum quirk yields giant magnetic effect, where none should exist

In a twist befitting the strange nature of quantum mechanics, physicists have discovered the Hall effect -- a characteristic change in the way electricity is conducted in the presence of a magnetic field -- in a nonmagnetic quantum material to which no magnetic field was applied.

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Exposure to diverse career paths can help fill labor market 'skills gap'

When Patrick Rottinghaus began college, he had no idea what he wanted to do with his career. He started out as an "Open" major while he explored possibilities. Today, he is helping young people eager to find their place in the world by identifying their strengths and connecting them with careers that match their skill-set, interests and personality. As the father of three children, including a daughter soon to enter high school, he wants to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to succeed as they prepare to enter the modern workforce.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2O7gPeZ

Exposure to diverse career paths can help fill labor market 'skills gap'

When Patrick Rottinghaus began college, he had no idea what he wanted to do with his career. He started out as an "Open" major while he explored possibilities. Today, he is helping young people eager to find their place in the world by identifying their strengths and connecting them with careers that match their skill-set, interests and personality. As the father of three children, including a daughter soon to enter high school, he wants to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to succeed as they prepare to enter the modern workforce.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2O7gPeZ

Study finds short window for donating convalescent plasma to COVID-19 patients

The optimal timeframe for donating convalescent plasma for use in COVID-19 immunotherapy, which was given emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration in August 2020, is within 60 days of the onset of symptoms, according to a new study. The research also reveals that the ideal convalescent plasma donor is a recovered COVID-19 patient who is older than 30 and whose illness had been severe.

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Mortality rises among public when health workers get sick in an outbreak, model suggests

When healthcare workers become ill during a disease outbreak, overall case counts and mortality rates may significantly increase, according to a new model. The findings may help to improve interventions that aim to mitigate the effects of outbreaks such as COVID-19.

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

What to do when a mammogram shows swollen lymph nodes in women just vaccinated for COVID

When women undergo breast imaging shortly after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine in the arm, their tests may show swollen lymph nodes in the armpit area. Radiologists say that this is usually a normal finding, and if there are no other concerns, no additional imaging tests are needed unless the lymph nodes remain swollen for more than six weeks after vaccination. The team has published an approach to help avoid delays in both vaccinations and breast cancer screening.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3aYJCf4

Study finds short window for donating convalescent plasma to COVID-19 patients

The optimal timeframe for donating convalescent plasma for use in COVID-19 immunotherapy, which was given emergency use authorization by the Food and Drug Administration in August 2020, is within 60 days of the onset of symptoms, according to a new study. The research also reveals that the ideal convalescent plasma donor is a recovered COVID-19 patient who is older than 30 and whose illness had been severe.

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

Mortality rises among public when health workers get sick in an outbreak, model suggests

When healthcare workers become ill during a disease outbreak, overall case counts and mortality rates may significantly increase, according to a new model. The findings may help to improve interventions that aim to mitigate the effects of outbreaks such as COVID-19.

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

What to do when a mammogram shows swollen lymph nodes in women just vaccinated for COVID

When women undergo breast imaging shortly after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine in the arm, their tests may show swollen lymph nodes in the armpit area. Radiologists say that this is usually a normal finding, and if there are no other concerns, no additional imaging tests are needed unless the lymph nodes remain swollen for more than six weeks after vaccination. The team has published an approach to help avoid delays in both vaccinations and breast cancer screening.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3aYJCf4

Did teenage 'tyrants' outcompete other dinosaurs?

Paleo-ecologists have demonstrated that the offspring of enormous carnivorous dinosaurs, such as Tyrannosaurus rex may have fundamentally re-shaped their communities by out-competing smaller rival species.

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Mechanism by which exercise strengthens bones and immunity

Scientists have identified the specialized environment, known as a niche, in the bone marrow where new bone and immune cells are produced. The study also shows that movement-induced stimulation is required for the maintenance of this niche, as well as the bone and immune-forming cells that it contains. Together, these findings identify a new way that exercise strengthens bones and immune function.

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

Southern California COVID-19 strain rapidly expands global reach

A new strain of the coronavirus in Southern California is rapidly spreading across the country and around the world as travelers apparently carry the virus with them to a growing list of global destinations, according to new research. The strain now accounts for nearly half of current COVID-19 cases in Southern California.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3bDhX27

How to neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 virus

In the absence of effective treatments for COVID-19, many countries have approved the therapeutic use of blood plasma from recovering patients because it contains antibodies against the coronavirus. But not every type of antibody can neutralize the virus and render it noninfectious. New research explores variation in virus neutralization capabilities, which can vary widely by type of antibody.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2ZS4pKW

Politicized pandemic shaped compliance with social distancing

Politicization of the COVID-19 pandemic had a powerful influence over adherence to social distancing guidelines in the United States and why people did, or did not, comply during the lockdown days, a new study has found.

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

Atheists and believers both have moral compasses, but with key differences

A new study suggests that, while atheists and theists share moral values related to protecting vulnerable individuals, atheists are less likely to endorse values that promote group cohesion and more inclined to judge the morality of actions based on their consequences.

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

Researchers use machine learning to identify autism blood biomarkers

Using machine learning tools to analyze hundreds of proteins, researchers have identified a group of biomarkers in blood that could lead to an earlier diagnosis of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and, in turn, more effective therapies sooner.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/37J8g12

COVID-19 isolation linked to increased domestic violence, researchers suggest

Extra stress in the COVID-19 pandemic caused by income loss, and lack of ability to pay for housing and food has exacerbated the often silent epidemic of intimate partner violence, a new study suggests.

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

After spread, travel bans are of limited value in thwarting the spread of COVID-19, researchers find

New research aimed at providing a decision support system to Italian policy makers suggests that reducing individual activity (i.e., social distancing, closure of non-essential business, etc.) is far superior in controlling the dissemination of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3svB1Gj

Scientists uncover new details of SARS-CoV-2 interactions with human cells

In order to infect cells, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, needs to insert itself into the membrane of human cells. New molecular models show what parts of SARS-CoV-2 are critical for that interaction, revealing new potential drug targets.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3q0vhDa

Antibodies recognize and attack different SARS-CoV-2 spike shapes

The spikes on the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, change shapes. New research reveals ways that antibodies can recognize these different shapes and block the virus and informs the design of vaccines and antiviral therapies.

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

How SARS-CoV-2's sugar-coated shield helps activate the virus

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is coated with sugars called glycans, which help it evade the immune system. New research shows precisely how those sugars help the virus become activated and infectious and could help with vaccine and drug discovery.

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

Why some coronavirus strains are more infectious than others

The coronaviruses that cause SARS and COVID-19 have spike proteins that move into 'active' and 'inactive' positions. New research indicates how those molecular movements may make the COVID-19 virus more infectious compared to the SARS virus.

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

Southern California COVID-19 strain rapidly expands global reach

A new strain of the coronavirus in Southern California is rapidly spreading across the country and around the world as travelers apparently carry the virus with them to a growing list of global destinations, according to new research. The strain now accounts for nearly half of current COVID-19 cases in Southern California.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3bDhX27

How to neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 virus

In the absence of effective treatments for COVID-19, many countries have approved the therapeutic use of blood plasma from recovering patients because it contains antibodies against the coronavirus. But not every type of antibody can neutralize the virus and render it noninfectious. New research explores variation in virus neutralization capabilities, which can vary widely by type of antibody.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2ZS4pKW

Politicized pandemic shaped compliance with social distancing

Politicization of the COVID-19 pandemic had a powerful influence over adherence to social distancing guidelines in the United States and why people did, or did not, comply during the lockdown days, a new study has found.

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

Atheists and believers both have moral compasses, but with key differences

A new study suggests that, while atheists and theists share moral values related to protecting vulnerable individuals, atheists are less likely to endorse values that promote group cohesion and more inclined to judge the morality of actions based on their consequences.

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

Researchers use machine learning to identify autism blood biomarkers

Using machine learning tools to analyze hundreds of proteins, researchers have identified a group of biomarkers in blood that could lead to an earlier diagnosis of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and, in turn, more effective therapies sooner.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/37J8g12

COVID-19 isolation linked to increased domestic violence, researchers suggest

Extra stress in the COVID-19 pandemic caused by income loss, and lack of ability to pay for housing and food has exacerbated the often silent epidemic of intimate partner violence, a new study suggests.

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

After spread, travel bans are of limited value in thwarting the spread of COVID-19, researchers find

New research aimed at providing a decision support system to Italian policy makers suggests that reducing individual activity (i.e., social distancing, closure of non-essential business, etc.) is far superior in controlling the dissemination of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3svB1Gj

Scientists uncover new details of SARS-CoV-2 interactions with human cells

In order to infect cells, SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, needs to insert itself into the membrane of human cells. New molecular models show what parts of SARS-CoV-2 are critical for that interaction, revealing new potential drug targets.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3q0vhDa

Antibodies recognize and attack different SARS-CoV-2 spike shapes

The spikes on the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, change shapes. New research reveals ways that antibodies can recognize these different shapes and block the virus and informs the design of vaccines and antiviral therapies.

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

How SARS-CoV-2's sugar-coated shield helps activate the virus

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is coated with sugars called glycans, which help it evade the immune system. New research shows precisely how those sugars help the virus become activated and infectious and could help with vaccine and drug discovery.

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

Why some coronavirus strains are more infectious than others

The coronaviruses that cause SARS and COVID-19 have spike proteins that move into 'active' and 'inactive' positions. New research indicates how those molecular movements may make the COVID-19 virus more infectious compared to the SARS virus.

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

Evidence that Earth's first cells could have made specialized compartments

New research provides evidence that the "protocells" that formed around 3.8 billion years ago, before bacteria and single-celled organisms, could have had specialized bubble-like compartments that formed spontaneously, encapsulated small molecules, and formed "daughter" protocells.

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Changes in writing style provide clues to group identity

Small changes to people's writing style can reveal which social group they 'belong to' at a given moment, new research shows.

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Recycle anaesthetics to reduce carbon emission of healthcare, study concludes

New research has highlighted the value of recycling general anaesthetic used in routine operations.

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New gene-editing tool allows for programming of sequential edits over time

Researchers have discovered a new gene-editing technique that allows for the programming of sequential cuts -- or edits -- over time.

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Reclusive neutron star may have been found in famous supernova

Since astronomers captured the bright explosion of a star on February 24, 1987, researchers have been searching for the squashed stellar core that should have been left behind. A group of astronomers using data from NASA space missions and ground-based telescopes may have finally found it.

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Agile underwater glider could quietly survey the seas

Autonomous underwater vehicles have become versatile tools for exploring the seas. But they can be disruptive to the environment or have trouble traveling through confined spaces. Researchers are studying an alternative: highly maneuverable, low-cost underwater gliders that operate silently.

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Like wine, environmental conditions impact flavor of whiskey, study finds

Flavor differences in whiskey can be discerned based solely on the environment in which the barley used to make the whiskey is grown, a new study found.

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Kittens could hold key to understanding deadly diarrheal disease in children

Kittens could be the model for understanding infectious, sometimes deadly, diarrheal disease in both animals and children.

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Researchers challenge the Conservation Reserve Program status quo to mitigate fossil fuels

Amid population expansion and severe climate conditions threatening agricultural productivity, sustainable food production is a national priority. Simultaneously, advances in bioenergy agriculture are necessary to move our energy sector away from fossil fuels.

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Spintronics: New production method makes crystalline microstructures universally usable

New storage and information technology requires new higher performance materials. One of these materials is yttrium iron garnet, which has special magnetic properties. Thanks to a new process, it can now be transferred to any material. Developed by physicists, the method could advance the production of smaller, faster and more energy-efficient components for data storage and information processing.

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DNA extracted from modern, ancient and fossil tropical shells

The next time you eat seafood, think about the long-term effects. Will consistently eating the biggest fish or the biggest conch, mean that only the smaller individuals will have a chance to reproduce?

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New experiences enhance learning by resetting key brain circuit

A study of spatial learning in mice shows that exposure to new experiences dampens established representations in the brain's hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, allowing the mice to learn new navigation strategies.

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Human lung and brain organoids respond differently to SARS-CoV-2 infection in lab tests

Researchers are using stem cell-derived organoids to study how SARS-CoV-2 interacts with various organ systems. Their findings may help explain the wide variety in COVID-19 symptoms and aid the search for therapies.

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Changes in writing style provide clues to group identity

Small changes to people's writing style can reveal which social group they 'belong to' at a given moment, new research shows.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2P8GfJY

Recycle anaesthetics to reduce carbon emission of healthcare, study concludes

New research has highlighted the value of recycling general anaesthetic used in routine operations.

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

New gene-editing tool allows for programming of sequential edits over time

Researchers have discovered a new gene-editing technique that allows for the programming of sequential cuts -- or edits -- over time.

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

Reclusive neutron star may have been found in famous supernova

Since astronomers captured the bright explosion of a star on February 24, 1987, researchers have been searching for the squashed stellar core that should have been left behind. A group of astronomers using data from NASA space missions and ground-based telescopes may have finally found it.

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

Kittens could hold key to understanding deadly diarrheal disease in children

Kittens could be the model for understanding infectious, sometimes deadly, diarrheal disease in both animals and children.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3qTI0bM

People with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies may have low risk of future infection, study finds

People who have had evidence of a prior infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, appear to be well protected against being reinfected with the virus, at least for a few months, according to a new study. This finding may explain why reinfection appears to be relatively rare, and it could have important public health implications.

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Low-level jets create winds of change for turbines

Global wind power capacity has increased more than fivefold over the past decade, leading to larger turbines, but low-level jets are one cause for concern. The effects of these strong, energetic wind flows depend on how high the wind flows are in relation to the turbines. Researchers considered three different scenarios in which the LLJs were above, below, and in the middle of the turbine rotors.

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Measuring hemoglobin levels with AI microscope, microfluidic chips

A complete blood count can help ascertain the health of a patient and typically includes an estimate of the hemoglobin concentration, which can indicate several conditions, including anemia, polycythemia, and pulmonary fibrosis. Researchers describe a AI-powered imaging-based tool to estimate hemoglobin levels. The setup was developed in conjunction with a microfluidic chip and an AI-powered automated microscope that was designed for deriving the total as well as differential counts of blood cells.

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People with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies may have low risk of future infection, study finds

People who have had evidence of a prior infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, appear to be well protected against being reinfected with the virus, at least for a few months, according to a new study. This finding may explain why reinfection appears to be relatively rare, and it could have important public health implications.

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

Measuring hemoglobin levels with AI microscope, microfluidic chips

A complete blood count can help ascertain the health of a patient and typically includes an estimate of the hemoglobin concentration, which can indicate several conditions, including anemia, polycythemia, and pulmonary fibrosis. Researchers describe a AI-powered imaging-based tool to estimate hemoglobin levels. The setup was developed in conjunction with a microfluidic chip and an AI-powered automated microscope that was designed for deriving the total as well as differential counts of blood cells.

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Direct cloning method CAPTUREs novel microbial natural products

Microorganisms possess natural product biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) that may harbor unique bioactivities for use in drug development and agricultural applications. However, many uncharacterized microbial BGCs remain inaccessible. Researchers previously demonstrated a technique using transcription factor decoys to activate large, silent BGCs in bacteria to aid in natural product discovery.

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Depression, anxiety, loneliness are peaking in college students

New nationwide survey data uncovers college students' current mental health challenges and needs.

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Depression, anxiety, loneliness are peaking in college students

New nationwide survey data uncovers college students' current mental health challenges and needs.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3pDm17M

The hidden dance of roots revealed

New time-lapse videos capture something that's too slow for our eyes to see: the growing tips of plant roots make corkscrew-like motions, waggling and winding in a helical path as they burrow into the soil. By using time-lapse footage, along with a root-like robot to test ideas, researchers have gained new insights into how and why rice root tips twirl as they grow.

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Spin hall effect of light with near 100% efficiency

A research team has successfully developed a technique to reach near-unity efficiency of SHEL by using an artificially-designed metasurface.

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Cone snail venom shows potential for treating severe malaria

Using venom from a cone snail, a new study suggests these conotoxins may potentially treat malaria. The study provides important leads toward the development of new and cost-effective anti-adhesion or blockade-therapy drugs aimed at counteracting the pathology of severe malaria. Similarly, mitigation of emerging diseases like COVID-19 also could benefit from conotoxins as potential inhibitors of protein-protein interactions as treatment. Venom peptides from cone snails has the potential to treat myriad diseases using blockage therapies.

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Impact of COVID-19 in Africa 'vastly underestimated', warn researchers

The impact of COVID-19 in Africa has been vastly underestimated, warn researchers in a new study that showed that COVID-19 deaths accounted for 15 to 20 percent of all sampled deaths -- many more than official reports suggest and contradicting the widely held view that COVID-19 has largely skipped Africa and had little impact.

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Damage to the heart found in more than half of COVID-19 patients discharged from hospital

Around 50 percent of patients who have been hospitalized with severe COVID-19 and who show raised levels of a protein called troponin have damage to their hearts. The injury was detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at least a month after discharge, according to new findings.

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Combination therapy suppresses pancreatic tumor growth in mice

Researchers have uncovered a potential new way to target pancreatic tumors that express high intratumoral interferon signaling (IFN).

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'Classic triad' of symptoms misses positive COVID-19 cases, study finds

Extending the symptoms that trigger a PCR test for COVID-19 could help detect around a third more cases of the disease, new research shows.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3k0epej

Cone snail venom shows potential for treating severe malaria

Using venom from a cone snail, a new study suggests these conotoxins may potentially treat malaria. The study provides important leads toward the development of new and cost-effective anti-adhesion or blockade-therapy drugs aimed at counteracting the pathology of severe malaria. Similarly, mitigation of emerging diseases like COVID-19 also could benefit from conotoxins as potential inhibitors of protein-protein interactions as treatment. Venom peptides from cone snails has the potential to treat myriad diseases using blockage therapies.

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

Impact of COVID-19 in Africa 'vastly underestimated', warn researchers

The impact of COVID-19 in Africa has been vastly underestimated, warn researchers in a new study that showed that COVID-19 deaths accounted for 15 to 20 percent of all sampled deaths -- many more than official reports suggest and contradicting the widely held view that COVID-19 has largely skipped Africa and had little impact.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2OIIF1y

Damage to the heart found in more than half of COVID-19 patients discharged from hospital

Around 50 percent of patients who have been hospitalized with severe COVID-19 and who show raised levels of a protein called troponin have damage to their hearts. The injury was detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at least a month after discharge, according to new findings.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3u6pVtf

Learning from prostate cancer-detecting dogs to improve diagnostic tests

New research demonstrates the ability of dogs to detect aggressive prostate cancer from urine samples and suggests that an artificial neural network could learn from this olfactory ability, with an eye toward replicating it in novel detection tools.

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Radiological images confirm 'COVID-19 can cause the body to attack itself'

Muscle soreness and achy joints are common symptoms among COVID-19 patients. But for some people, symptoms are more severe, long lasting and even bizarre, including rheumatoid arthritis flares, autoimmune myositis or 'COVID toes.' A new has confirmed and illustrated the causes of these symptoms through radiological imaging.

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Temperature affects susceptibility of newts to skin-eating fungus

Eastern newt populations in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada are at greatest risk of infection with a new skin-eating fungus, Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), according to a new study.

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The original antigenic sin: How childhood infections could shape pandemics

A child's first influenza infection shapes their immunity to future airborne flu viruses - including emerging pandemic strains. But not all flu strains spur the same initial immune defense, according to new findings published today. The results are relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the senior author, who says they may explain age-based distributions of SARS-CoV-2 disease severity and susceptibility.

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Gut microbiome implicated in healthy aging and longevity

The gut microbiome is an integral component of the body, but its importance in the human aging process is unclear. Researchers have identified distinct signatures in the gut microbiome that are associated with either healthy or unhealthy aging trajectories, which in turn predict survival in a population of older individuals.

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Pandemic got you down? A little nature could help

Researchers have long been aware of the positive impact of a connection with nature on psychological health and, according to a new study, the pandemic hasn't decreased the power of nature to improve mental well-being.

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Genetics may play role in determining immunity to COVID-19

Researchers report that individual immune response to SARS-CoV-2 may be limited by a set of variable genes that code for cell surface proteins essential for the adaptive immune system. The finding may help explain why COVID-19 immunity varies by individual.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3pzW2Og

The original antigenic sin: How childhood infections could shape pandemics

A child's first influenza infection shapes their immunity to future airborne flu viruses - including emerging pandemic strains. But not all flu strains spur the same initial immune defense, according to new findings published today. The results are relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the senior author, who says they may explain age-based distributions of SARS-CoV-2 disease severity and susceptibility.

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

Gut microbiome implicated in healthy aging and longevity

The gut microbiome is an integral component of the body, but its importance in the human aging process is unclear. Researchers have identified distinct signatures in the gut microbiome that are associated with either healthy or unhealthy aging trajectories, which in turn predict survival in a population of older individuals.

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

Pandemic got you down? A little nature could help

Researchers have long been aware of the positive impact of a connection with nature on psychological health and, according to a new study, the pandemic hasn't decreased the power of nature to improve mental well-being.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2ZtP7vx

Genetics may play role in determining immunity to COVID-19

Researchers report that individual immune response to SARS-CoV-2 may be limited by a set of variable genes that code for cell surface proteins essential for the adaptive immune system. The finding may help explain why COVID-19 immunity varies by individual.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3pzW2Og

Friends fur life help build skills for life

A new study finds children not only reap the benefits of working with therapy dogs -- they enjoy it too.

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Discovery illuminates how thyroid hormone 'dims' metabolism

Basic biology finding on thyroid hormone function could lead to new treatments for obesity, diabetes and related disorders

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Skies of blue: Recycling carbon emissions to useful chemicals and reducing global warming

Researchers optimize a novel process for the efficient conversion of carbon emissions into useful chemicals like acetate using microbes

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Protein linked to Alzheimer's, strokes cleared from brain blood vessels

Amyloid deposits in the brain increase the risk of dementia and strokes. Researchers have identified an antibody that clears amyloid deposits from the brain without raising the risk of brain bleeds.

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Proton therapy induces biologic response to attack treatment-resistant cancers

Researchers have developed a novel proton therapy technique to more specifically target cancer cells that resist other forms of treatment. The technique is called LEAP, an acronym for 'biologically enhanced particle therapy.'

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Do sweat it! Wearable microfluidic sensor to measure lactate concentration in real time

Lactate, a compound present in sweat, is an important biomarker to quantify during exercise. However, available wearable sensors can cause skin irritation, which calls for the use of different materials. In a recent study, scientists have developed a soft and nonirritating microfluidic sensor for the real-time measurement of lactate concentration in sweat. This wearable device will help monitor the state of the body during intense physical exercise or work.

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Never-before-seen antibody binding, informing liver cancer, antibody design

In structural biology, some molecules are so unusual they can only be captured with a unique set of tools. That's precisely how a team defined how antibodies can recognize a compound called phosphohistidine -- a highly unstable molecule that has been found to play a central role in some forms of cancer.

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3D microscopy clarifies understanding of body's immune response to obesity

Researchers who focus on fat know that some adipose tissue is more prone to inflammation-related comorbidities than others, but the reasons why are not well understood. Thanks to a new analytical technique, scientists are getting a clearer view of the microenvironments found within adipose tissue associated with obesity. This advance may illuminate why some adipose tissues are more prone to inflammation - leading to diseases like type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disorders - and help direct future drug therapies to treat obesity.

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New possibilities to prevent sudden cardiac death

An assistant professor of biomedical sciences has developed a better understanding of the pathological characteristics behind arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, as well as promising avenues for prevention.

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Medication keeps more patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis in remission than steroids

Avacopan, which targets a receptor that attracts the cells that cause inflammation, was shown to be more effective at keeping patients in remission for a year than prednisone.

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Toward a disease-sniffing device that rivals a dog's nose

A new system can detect the chemical and microbial content of an air sample with even greater sensitivity than a dog's nose. Researchers coupled this to a machine-learning process that can identify the distinctive characteristics of the disease-bearing samples.

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New link between personality and risk of early death

Ground-breaking research has revealed for the first time that the immune system directly links personality to long-term risk of early death.

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

Proton therapy induces biologic response to attack treatment-resistant cancers

Researchers have developed a novel proton therapy technique to more specifically target cancer cells that resist other forms of treatment. The technique is called LEAP, an acronym for 'biologically enhanced particle therapy.'

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3s4DK9O

Do sweat it! Wearable microfluidic sensor to measure lactate concentration in real time

Lactate, a compound present in sweat, is an important biomarker to quantify during exercise. However, available wearable sensors can cause skin irritation, which calls for the use of different materials. In a recent study, scientists have developed a soft and nonirritating microfluidic sensor for the real-time measurement of lactate concentration in sweat. This wearable device will help monitor the state of the body during intense physical exercise or work.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3s3pX33

Wolves, dogs and dingoes, oh my

Dogs are generally considered the first domesticated animal, while its ancestor is generally considered to be the wolf, but where the Australian dingo fits into this framework is still debated, according to a retired anthropologist.

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Most teen bullying occurs among peers climbing the social ladder

New findings suggest why anti-bullying programs don't work. A new study demonstrates that teens' rivals are often their own friends.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2M0l7UV

Identifying 'ugly ducklings' to catch skin cancer earlier

A deep learning-based system enables dermatologist-level identification of suspicious skin lesions from smartphone photos, allowing better screening.

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

Fish diet heats up marine biodiversity hotspot

A never-before-seen biodiversity pattern of coral reef fishes suggests some fishes might be exceptionally vulnerable to environmental change. It highlights, for the first time, a unique link between the diet and distribution of species across the marine realm.

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Researchers develop tiny sensor for measuring subtle pressure changes inside the body

Researchers have developed an extremely sensitive miniaturized optical fiber sensor that could one day be used to measure small pressure changes in the body.

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Quantum collaboration gives new gravity to the mysteries of the universe

Scientists have used cutting-edge research in quantum computation and quantum technology to pioneer a radical new approach to determining how our Universe works at its most fundamental level.

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Insects silencing the alarm

Like a scene from a horror movie, tomato fruitworm caterpillars silence their food plants' cries for help as they devour their leaves. That is the finding of a multidisciplinary team of researchers, who said the results may yield insights into the abilities of crop plants -- such as tomato and soybean -- to withstand additional stressors, like climate change.

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You snooze, you lose - with some sleep trackers

Wearable sleep tracking devices - from Fitbit to Apple Watch to never-heard-of brands stashed away in the electronics clearance bin - have infiltrated the market at a rapid pace in recent years. And like any consumer products, not all sleep trackers are created equal, according to neuroscientists.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2M1wGeH

Most teen bullying occurs among peers climbing the social ladder

New findings suggest why anti-bullying programs don't work. A new study demonstrates that teens' rivals are often their own friends.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2M0l7UV

Identifying 'ugly ducklings' to catch skin cancer earlier

A deep learning-based system enables dermatologist-level identification of suspicious skin lesions from smartphone photos, allowing better screening.

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

Fish diet heats up marine biodiversity hotspot

A never-before-seen biodiversity pattern of coral reef fishes suggests some fishes might be exceptionally vulnerable to environmental change. It highlights, for the first time, a unique link between the diet and distribution of species across the marine realm.

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

Researchers develop tiny sensor for measuring subtle pressure changes inside the body

Researchers have developed an extremely sensitive miniaturized optical fiber sensor that could one day be used to measure small pressure changes in the body.

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

You snooze, you lose - with some sleep trackers

Wearable sleep tracking devices - from Fitbit to Apple Watch to never-heard-of brands stashed away in the electronics clearance bin - have infiltrated the market at a rapid pace in recent years. And like any consumer products, not all sleep trackers are created equal, according to neuroscientists.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2M1wGeH

A boost for plant research

Optogenetics can be used to activate and study cells in a targeted manner using light. Scientists have now succeeded in transferring this technique to plants.

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

Internet access spending in public schools increases test scores, but also disciplinary problems

In a new study from the University of Notre Dame, researchers quantify how school district connectivity increases test scores, but underscore the dark side of technology -- increased behavior problems.

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

Asthma may heighten flu risk and cause dangerous mutations

A subtype of asthma in adults may cause higher susceptibility to influenza and could result in dangerous flu mutations. Animal studies have found that paucigranulocytic asthma (PGA) - a non-allergic form of the condition - allows the flu virus to flourish in greater numbers in sufferers.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/37D3and

How icebergs really melt -- and what this could mean for climate change

Iceberg melt is responsible for about half the fresh water entering the ocean from the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets. Accurately modelling how it enters is important for understanding potential impact on ocean circulation.

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Health survey conveys messages on how we should live

The questions in a health survey aimed at young people raise issues of status and convey norms about what people should own and how they should be. Since the 1980s, the physical and mental health of Swedish children and young people has been measured by way of surveys. One of these is the international "Health Behavior in School-aged Children Survey" which is taken by 11-, 13- and 15-year-olds every fourth year during a class in school.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/37ol8JY

Cataracts: New model explains origins of the eye condition

Cataracts are the most common eye ailment in humans. However, the exact processes leading to this condition are not fully understood. A team of researchers has now discovered that the composition of the protein solution plays a decisive role. Their conclusions are contrary to prevailing opinion in the field.

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

It takes two to tango: When cells interact

When normal, motile cells come into contact, they typically change direction to avoid collision. But cancer cells behave quite differently. A new statistical analysis sheds light on the basis for this difference.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3k7cq89

Past earthquakes triggered large rockslides in the Eastern Alps

Geologists shed new light on a long-lasting debate about the trigger mechanism of large rockslides. Lake mud in two Alpine lakes in Tyrol reveal that rare strong earthquakes are the final cause of multiple, prehistoric rockslides in the Eastern Alps. The steep rock slopes were degraded by a series of prehistoric earthquakes, larger than any of the historically documented events in the region of the past ~1000 years.

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Radioactive bone cement may be safer in treating spinal tumors

A radioactive bone cement that's injected into bone to provide support and local irradiation is proving to be a safer alternative to conventional radiation therapy for bone tumors, according to a new study.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2NdBuy3

Genetic study of Lewy body dementia supports ties to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases

Scientists found that five genes may play a critical role in determining whether a person will suffer from Lewy body dementia, a devastating disorder that riddles the brain with clumps of abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies. The results also supported the disorder's ties to Parkinson's and Alzheimer diseases.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2NCNvx2

Differences in walking patterns could predict type of cognitive decline in older adults

Researchers are studying how different patterns in the way older adults walk could more accurately diagnose different types of dementia and identify Alzheimer's disease.

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

Individual differences in Achilles tendon shape can affect susceptibility to injury

Individual variation in the shape and structure of the Achilles tendon may influence our susceptibility to injury later in life.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3pvO1tM

Internet access spending in public schools increases test scores, but also disciplinary problems

In a new study from the University of Notre Dame, researchers quantify how school district connectivity increases test scores, but underscore the dark side of technology -- increased behavior problems.

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

Asthma may heighten flu risk and cause dangerous mutations

A subtype of asthma in adults may cause higher susceptibility to influenza and could result in dangerous flu mutations. Animal studies have found that paucigranulocytic asthma (PGA) - a non-allergic form of the condition - allows the flu virus to flourish in greater numbers in sufferers.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/37D3and

Health survey conveys messages on how we should live

The questions in a health survey aimed at young people raise issues of status and convey norms about what people should own and how they should be. Since the 1980s, the physical and mental health of Swedish children and young people has been measured by way of surveys. One of these is the international "Health Behavior in School-aged Children Survey" which is taken by 11-, 13- and 15-year-olds every fourth year during a class in school.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/37ol8JY

Cataracts: New model explains origins of the eye condition

Cataracts are the most common eye ailment in humans. However, the exact processes leading to this condition are not fully understood. A team of researchers has now discovered that the composition of the protein solution plays a decisive role. Their conclusions are contrary to prevailing opinion in the field.

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

It takes two to tango: When cells interact

When normal, motile cells come into contact, they typically change direction to avoid collision. But cancer cells behave quite differently. A new statistical analysis sheds light on the basis for this difference.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3k7cq89

Slow motion precursors give earthquakes the fast slip

At a glacier near the South Pole, earth scientists have found evidence of a quiet, slow-motion fault slip that triggers strong, fast-slip earthquakes many miles away.

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

Early step toward leukemia drug therapy

The team has discovered that for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, there is a dopamine receptor pathway that becomes abnormally activated in the cancer stem cells. This inspired the clinical investigation of a dopamine receptor-inhibiting drug thioridazine as a new therapy for patients, and their focus on adult AML has revealed encouraging results.

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Star employees get most of the credit - and blame

Working with a 'star' employee - someone who demonstrates exceptional performance and enjoys broad visibility relative to industry peers - offers both risks and rewards, according to new research.

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A sharper look at the interior of semiconductors

A research team has developed a high-resolution imaging method based on extreme short-wave UV light. It can be used to examine internal structures in semiconductors non-destructively, and with nanometer precision.

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Early step toward leukemia drug therapy

The team has discovered that for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, there is a dopamine receptor pathway that becomes abnormally activated in the cancer stem cells. This inspired the clinical investigation of a dopamine receptor-inhibiting drug thioridazine as a new therapy for patients, and their focus on adult AML has revealed encouraging results.

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Star employees get most of the credit - and blame

Working with a 'star' employee - someone who demonstrates exceptional performance and enjoys broad visibility relative to industry peers - offers both risks and rewards, according to new research.

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Water is a probable vector for mammalian virus transmission

Water is a necessity for all life but its availability can be limited. In geographical areas experiencing dry seasons, animals congregate near the few freshwater sources, often reaching large densities. These sites may be key locations for pathogen transmissions, if viruses remain stable and infectious in water.

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New microscopy analysis allows discovery of central adhesion complex

Researchers have developed a method for determining the arrangement and density of individual proteins in cells. In this way, they were able to prove the existence of an adhesion complex consisting of three proteins.

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Unlocking the mystery behind skeletal aging

Researchers have identified the role a critical enzyme plays in skeletal aging and bone loss, putting them one step closer to understanding the complex biological mechanisms that lead to osteoporosis, the bone disease that afflicts some 200 million people worldwide. Findings could hold an important key to developing more effective treatments for osteoporosis and improving the lives of an aging population.

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Regular caffeine consumption affects brain structure

Coffee, cola or an energy drink: caffeine is the world's most widely consumed psychoactive substance. Researchers have now shown in a study that regular caffeine intake can change the gray matter of the brain. However, the effect appears to be temporary.

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Researchers develop algorithm to find possible misdiagnosis

Researchers have developed an algorithm that can identify patients who may have been wrongly diagnosed. With the help of digital disease history, the algorithm is able to register disease trajectories that differ so much from normal trajectories that there may be a misdiagnosis. The algorithm has been developed on the basis of data from several hundreds of thousands of COPD patients.

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Promising biomarkers to diagnose mild traumatic brain injury

Certain plasma microRNAs could serve as diagnostic biomarkers in mild traumatic brain injury, a new study shows. The biomarkers were discovered in an animal model and they were successfully used also to diagnose mild traumatic brain injury in a subgroup of patients.

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Photosynthetic bacteria-based cancer optotheranostics

Natural purple photosynthetic bacteria (PPSB) can play a key role as a highly active cancer immunotheranostics agent that uses the bio-optical-window I and II near-infrared (NIR) light. PPSB have high tumor specificity and non-pathogenicity. Active anticancer efficacy and powerful multi-functions such as NIR-I-to-NIR-II fluorescence, photothermal conversion, reactive oxygen species generation, and contrasty photoacoustic effect, can be expressed using NIR light exposure to PPSB.

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Answer quickly to be believed

When people pause before replying to a question, even for just a few seconds, their answers are perceived to be less sincere and credible than if they had replied immediately, according to new research.

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The water surface is a fantastic place for chemical reactions

Using an advanced technique, scientists have demonstrated that a chemical reaction powered by light takes place ten thousand times faster at the air-water interface -- what we usually call the water surface -- than in the bulk of the water, even when the light has equivalent energy. This finding could help our understanding of the many important chemical and biological processes that take place at the water surface.

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Move over heavy goggles, here come the ultra-high refractive index lenses

A research team develops a transparent silicon without visible light loss by controlling the silicon atomic structure.

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TB study reveals potential targets to treat and control infection

Researchers may have found a new pathway to treat and control tuberculosis (TB), the disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq), a next-generation sequencing technology, scientists were able to further define the mechanisms that lead to TB infection and latency.

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Climate change likely drove the extinction of North America's largest animals

A new study suggests that the extinction of North America's largest mammals was not driven by over-hunting by rapidly expanding human populations following their entrance into the Americas. Instead, the findings, based on a new statistical modelling approach, suggest that populations of large mammals fluctuated in response to climate change, with drastic decreases of temperatures around 13,000 years ago initiating the decline and extinction of these massive creatures.

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Groundwater recharge rates mapped for Africa

Rapid population growth in many African countries plus climate change has focused attention on the increased development of groundwater for irrigation and drinking water supplies.

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Brief survey tool tracks symptoms, aids in evaluating effectiveness of treatment

Researchers have developed and validated, SymTrak-8, a short questionnaire to help patients report symptoms and assist healthcare providers in assessing the severity of symptoms, and in monitoring and adjusting treatment accordingly.

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Drinking, smoking, and drug use linked to premature heart disease in the young

Recreational drinking, smoking, and drug use is linked to premature heart disease in young people, particularly younger women.

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Large-scale study finds genetic testing technology falsely detects very rare variants

A technology that is widely used by commercial genetic testing companies is 'extremely unreliable' in detecting very rare variants, meaning results suggesting individuals carry rare disease-causing genetic variants are usually wrong, according to new research.

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Answer quickly to be believed

When people pause before replying to a question, even for just a few seconds, their answers are perceived to be less sincere and credible than if they had replied immediately, according to new research.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2N2jPcJ

TB study reveals potential targets to treat and control infection

Researchers may have found a new pathway to treat and control tuberculosis (TB), the disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq), a next-generation sequencing technology, scientists were able to further define the mechanisms that lead to TB infection and latency.

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

Brief survey tool tracks symptoms, aids in evaluating effectiveness of treatment

Researchers have developed and validated, SymTrak-8, a short questionnaire to help patients report symptoms and assist healthcare providers in assessing the severity of symptoms, and in monitoring and adjusting treatment accordingly.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3ps7Xxw

Drinking, smoking, and drug use linked to premature heart disease in the young

Recreational drinking, smoking, and drug use is linked to premature heart disease in young people, particularly younger women.

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

Large-scale study finds genetic testing technology falsely detects very rare variants

A technology that is widely used by commercial genetic testing companies is 'extremely unreliable' in detecting very rare variants, meaning results suggesting individuals carry rare disease-causing genetic variants are usually wrong, according to new research.

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

First humans in Tasmania must have seen spectacular auroras

A small sub-alpine lake in western Tasmania has helped establish that 41,000 years ago Australia experienced the Laschamp geomagnetic excursion and that Tasmanian, Aboriginals, would've seen it.

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Moiré patterns facilitate discovery of novel insulating phases

Materials having excess electrons are typically conductors. However, moiré patterns -- interference patterns that typically arise when one object with a repetitive pattern is placed over another with a similar pattern -- can suppress electrical conductivity, a study by physicists has found.

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New surgery may enable better control of prosthetic limbs

Researchers and surgeons have devised a new type of amputation surgery that can help amputees better control their residual muscles and receive sensory feedback. This restored sense of proprioception should translate to better control of prosthetic limbs, as well as reduction of limb pain, the researchers say.

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Light used to detect quantum information stored in 100,000 nuclear quantum bits

Researchers have found a way to use light and a single electron to communicate with a cloud of quantum bits and sense their behavior, making it possible to detect a single quantum bit in a dense cloud.

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New skin patch brings us closer to wearable, all-in-one health monitor

Engineers have developed a soft, stretchy skin patch that can be worn on the neck to continuously track blood pressure and heart rate while measuring the wearer's levels of glucose as well as lactate, alcohol or caffeine. It is the first wearable device that monitors cardiovascular signals and multiple biochemical levels in the human body at the same time.

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Tropical paper wasps babysit for neighbors

Wasps provide crucial support to their extended families by babysitting at neighboring nests, according to new research.

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New surgery may enable better control of prosthetic limbs

Researchers and surgeons have devised a new type of amputation surgery that can help amputees better control their residual muscles and receive sensory feedback. This restored sense of proprioception should translate to better control of prosthetic limbs, as well as reduction of limb pain, the researchers say.

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

Cheap, potent pathway to pandemic therapeutics

By capitalizing on a convergence of chemical, biological and artificial intelligence advances, scientists have developed an unusually fast and efficient method for discovering tiny antibody fragments with big potential for development into therapeutics against deadly diseases.

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Cheap, potent pathway to pandemic therapeutics

By capitalizing on a convergence of chemical, biological and artificial intelligence advances, scientists have developed an unusually fast and efficient method for discovering tiny antibody fragments with big potential for development into therapeutics against deadly diseases.

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More trees do not always create a cooler planet, study shows

New research by an environmental scientist reveals that deforestation in the U.S. does not always cause planetary warming, as is commonly assumed; instead, in some places, it actually cools the planet.

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New immunotherapy target discovered for malignant brain tumors

Scientists say they have discovered a potential new target for immunotherapy of malignant brain tumors, which so far have resisted the ground-breaking cancer treatment based on harnessing the body's immune system. The discovery emerged from laboratory experiments and has no immediate implications for treating patients.

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New immunotherapy target discovered for malignant brain tumors

Scientists say they have discovered a potential new target for immunotherapy of malignant brain tumors, which so far have resisted the ground-breaking cancer treatment based on harnessing the body's immune system. The discovery emerged from laboratory experiments and has no immediate implications for treating patients.

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Aspirin preferred to prevent blood clots in kids after heart surgery, study suggests

Aspirin should be favoured over warfarin to prevent blood clotting in children who undergo a surgery that replumbs their hearts, according to a new study.

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Neanderthals and Homo sapiens used identical Nubian technology

New analysis of a fossil tooth and stone tools from Shukbah Cave reveals Neanderthals used stone tool technologies thought to have been unique to modern humans.

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Higher elevation birds sport thicker down

A new study examines feathers across 249 species of Himalayan songbirds, finding that birds at higher elevations have more of fluffy down than lower elevation birds. Finding such a clear pattern across many species underscores how important feathers are to birds' ability to adapt to their environments. Furthermore, finding that birds from colder environments tend to have more down may one day help predict which birds are vulnerable to climate change simply by studying feathers.

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Invasive flies prefer untouched territory when laying eggs

A recent study finds that the invasive spotted wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) prefers to lay its eggs in places that no other spotted wing flies have visited. The finding raises questions about how the flies can tell whether a piece of fruit is virgin territory - and what that might mean for pest control.

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The comet that killed the dinosaurs

Scientists have put forth a new theory that could explain the origin and journey of the comet that killed the Chicxulub impactor and others like it.

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Membrane building blocks play decisive role in controlling cell growth

Lipids are the building blocks of a cell's envelope - the cell membrane. In addition to their structural function, some lipids also play a regulatory role and decisively influence cell growth. The impact of the lipids depends on how they are distributed over the plasma membrane.

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Managing crab and lobster catches could offer long-term benefits

A study has found that managing the density of crab and lobster pots at an optimum level increases the quality of catch, benefits the marine environment and makes the industry more sustainable in the long term.

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Capuchin monkey genome reveals clues to its long life and large brain

Scientists have sequenced the genome of a capuchin monkey for the first time, uncovering new genetic clues about the evolution of their long lifespan and large brains.

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Commuters are inhaling unacceptably high levels of carcinogens

New research shows the average commuter in California is breathing unsustainably high levels of benzene and formaldehyde, two Prop. 65-listed, carcinogenic chemicals.

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Aspirin preferred to prevent blood clots in kids after heart surgery, study suggests

Aspirin should be favoured over warfarin to prevent blood clotting in children who undergo a surgery that replumbs their hearts, according to a new study.

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

Commuters are inhaling unacceptably high levels of carcinogens

New research shows the average commuter in California is breathing unsustainably high levels of benzene and formaldehyde, two Prop. 65-listed, carcinogenic chemicals.

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

Immunotherapy -- targeted drug combination improves survival in advanced kidney cancer

Patients with advanced kidney cancer, who received a targeted drug combined with a checkpoint-blocker immunotherapy agent had longer survival than patients treated with the standard targeted drug according to the results from a phase 3 clinical trial.

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Immunotherapy -- targeted drug combination improves survival in advanced kidney cancer

Patients with advanced kidney cancer, who received a targeted drug combined with a checkpoint-blocker immunotherapy agent had longer survival than patients treated with the standard targeted drug according to the results from a phase 3 clinical trial.

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Sounds influence the developing brain earlier than previously thought

In experiments in newborn mice, scientists report that sounds appear to change 'wiring' patterns in areas of the brain that process sound earlier than scientists assumed and even before the ear canal opens.

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Sounds influence the developing brain earlier than previously thought

In experiments in newborn mice, scientists report that sounds appear to change 'wiring' patterns in areas of the brain that process sound earlier than scientists assumed and even before the ear canal opens.

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

Protected areas see continued deforestation but at a reduced rate, OSU research shows

A survey of more than 18,000 land parcels spanning 2 million square miles across 63 countries shows that a 'protected area' designation reduces the rate of deforestation but does not prevent it.

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Artificial emotional intelligence: a safer, smarter future with 5G and emotion recognition

The combination of new 5G communication technologies with AI-based systems are ushering in a 'smart generation' of vehicles, drones, and even entire cities. Now, researchers take things one step further by introducing a 5G-assisted emotion detection system that uses wireless signals and body movement. In their latest publication, they outline its working principle, application prospects, and potential security threats, highlighting the need for a robust, impregnable AI algorithm to drive it.

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Protein sequences provide clues to how SARS-CoV-2 infects cells

Researchers have identified sequences in human proteins that might be used by SARS-CoV-2 to infect cells. They have discovered that the virus might hijack certain cellular processes, and they discuss potentially relevant drugs for treating COVID-19.

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Proper fit of face masks is more important than material, study suggests

Researchers studying the effectiveness of different types of face masks have found that in order to provide the best protection against COVID-19, the fit of a mask is as important, or more important, than the material it is made of.

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Protein sequences provide clues to how SARS-CoV-2 infects cells

Researchers have identified sequences in human proteins that might be used by SARS-CoV-2 to infect cells. They have discovered that the virus might hijack certain cellular processes, and they discuss potentially relevant drugs for treating COVID-19.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3tP9YHP

Proper fit of face masks is more important than material, study suggests

Researchers studying the effectiveness of different types of face masks have found that in order to provide the best protection against COVID-19, the fit of a mask is as important, or more important, than the material it is made of.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/375btI3

Limited transmission of COVID-19 from open schools but teachers were affected: Swedish study

In Sweden, upper-secondary schools moved online while lower-secondary schools remained open during the spring of 2020. A comparison of parents with children in the final year of lower-secondary and first year of upper-secondary school shows that keeping the former open had limited consequences for the overall transmission of the virus. However, the infection rate doubled among lower-secondary teachers relative to upper-secondary ones.

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Preventive blood thinning drugs linked to reduced risk of death in COVID-19 patients

Patients given preventive blood thinning drugs (prophylactic anticoagulants) within 24 hours of admission to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to die compared with those who do not receive them, a new study finds.

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Tap water access linked to dengue risk

Dengue virus is among growing number of mosquito-borne viruses that have adapted to spread in urban environments and are spreading with the increasing rate of urbanization. Now, researchers have identified tap water access in densely populated neighborhoods as a strong predictor of dengue risk in the city of Delhi.

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Polynesian ancestry linked to obesity, heart failure and diabetes in Native Hawaiians

A new genetic study of Native Hawaiians finds that people who have a greater proportion of Polynesian ancestry in their genomes face a higher risk of obesity, Type-2 diabetes and heart failure.

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Most people are naturally armed against SARS-CoV-2, study finds

The majority of the population can produce neutralizing antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to a new study. Moreover, the results support the use of combination antibody therapy to prevent and treat COVID-19.

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Mathematical modeling suggests kids half as susceptible to COVID-19 as adults

A new computational analysis suggests that people under the age of 20 are about half as susceptible to COVID-19 infection as adults, and they are less likely to infect others.

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Limited transmission of COVID-19 from open schools but teachers were affected: Swedish study

In Sweden, upper-secondary schools moved online while lower-secondary schools remained open during the spring of 2020. A comparison of parents with children in the final year of lower-secondary and first year of upper-secondary school shows that keeping the former open had limited consequences for the overall transmission of the virus. However, the infection rate doubled among lower-secondary teachers relative to upper-secondary ones.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3dcWuQ3

Preventive blood thinning drugs linked to reduced risk of death in COVID-19 patients

Patients given preventive blood thinning drugs (prophylactic anticoagulants) within 24 hours of admission to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to die compared with those who do not receive them, a new study finds.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3aXTp3O

Tap water access linked to dengue risk

Dengue virus is among growing number of mosquito-borne viruses that have adapted to spread in urban environments and are spreading with the increasing rate of urbanization. Now, researchers have identified tap water access in densely populated neighborhoods as a strong predictor of dengue risk in the city of Delhi.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/37a8uy9

Polynesian ancestry linked to obesity, heart failure and diabetes in Native Hawaiians

A new genetic study of Native Hawaiians finds that people who have a greater proportion of Polynesian ancestry in their genomes face a higher risk of obesity, Type-2 diabetes and heart failure.

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

Most people are naturally armed against SARS-CoV-2, study finds

The majority of the population can produce neutralizing antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to a new study. Moreover, the results support the use of combination antibody therapy to prevent and treat COVID-19.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2Oz32hL

Mathematical modeling suggests kids half as susceptible to COVID-19 as adults

A new computational analysis suggests that people under the age of 20 are about half as susceptible to COVID-19 infection as adults, and they are less likely to infect others.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2N0mjYZ

Researchers propose that humidity from masks may lessen severity of COVID-19

Masks help protect the people wearing them from getting or spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, but now researchers have added evidence for yet another potential benefit for wearers: The humidity created inside the mask may help combat respiratory diseases such as COVID-19.

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Identifying risk factors for elevated anxiety in young adults during COVID-19 pandemic

A new study has identified early risk factors that predicted heightened anxiety in young adults during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The findings from the study could help predict who is at greatest risk of developing anxiety during stressful life events in early adulthood and inform prevention and intervention efforts.

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Researchers propose that humidity from masks may lessen severity of COVID-19

Masks help protect the people wearing them from getting or spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, but now researchers have added evidence for yet another potential benefit for wearers: The humidity created inside the mask may help combat respiratory diseases such as COVID-19.

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

Identifying risk factors for elevated anxiety in young adults during COVID-19 pandemic

A new study has identified early risk factors that predicted heightened anxiety in young adults during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The findings from the study could help predict who is at greatest risk of developing anxiety during stressful life events in early adulthood and inform prevention and intervention efforts.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3rIs4sW

NIH experts discuss SARS-CoV-2 viral variants

The rise of significant variants of SARS-CoV-2 has attracted the attention of health and science experts worldwide. In a new editorial, experts outline how these variants have arisen, concerns about whether vaccines currently authorized for use will continue to protect against new variants, and the need for a global approach to fighting SARS-CoV-2 as it spreads and acquires additional mutations.

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Scientists identify how harmless gut bacteria 'turn bad'

An international team of scientists has determined how harmless E. coli gut bacteria in chickens can easily pick up the genes required to evolve to cause a life-threatening infection. Their study warns that such infections not only affect the poultry industry but could also potentially cross over to infect humans.

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Instant death from heart attack more common in people who do not exercise

An active lifestyle is linked with a lower chance of dying immediately from a heart attack, according to a new study. Heart disease is the leading cause of death globally and prevention is a major public health priority.

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Algorithm that performs as accurately as dermatologists

A study has now been presented that boosts the evidence for using AI solutions in skin cancer diagnostics. With an algorithm they devised themselves, scientists show the capacity of technology to perform at the same level as dermatologists in assessing the severity of skin melanoma.

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Nanoparticle gel unites oil and water in manufacturing-friendly approach

Oil and water may not mix, but adding the right nanoparticles to the recipe can convert these two immiscible fluids into an exotic gel with uses ranging from batteries to water filters to tint-changing smart windows. A new approach to creating this unusual class of soft materials could carry them out of the laboratory and into the marketplace.

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HIV research yields potential drug target

Understanding the mechanism of activation of a protein called SAMHD1 could be a step forward in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

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Fewer older people are having strokes

A new study has found that people age 70 and older are having fewer strokes, and fewer people of all ages are dying from the disease.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3aX92bH

Can strep throat make tics worse in kids?

Exposure to the bacteria that causes strep throat does not appear to make Tourette syndrome and other chronic tic disorders worse in children and teens, according to a new study. However, exposure was associated with increased symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness.

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The future of solar technology: New technology makes foldable cells a practical reality

International research team creates solar cells with unprecedented flexibility and resistance.

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Biochemical rules between RNA-protein interactions and expression of thousands of genes uncovered

A team of researchers has found a way to measure key characteristics of proteins that bind to RNA in cells--a discovery that could improve our understanding of how gene function is disturbed in cancer, neurodegenerative disorders or infections.

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A recipe for regenerating bioengineered hair

Scientists have recently developed ways to grow a variety of useful items in laboratories, from meat and diamonds to retinas and other organoids. A team has been working on ways to regenerate lost hair from stem cells. In an important step, a new study identifies a population of hair follicle stem cells in the skin and a recipe for normal cyclical regeneration in the lab.

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Flooding in the Columbia River basin expected to increase under climate change

The Columbia River basin will see an increase in flooding over the next 50 years as a result of climate change, experts say.

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Mobile game that uses implicit learning improved children's short-term food choices

A new study examined how Indian 10- and 11-year-olds' food choices were affected by playing a pediatric dietary mobile game that uses implicit learning -- educating players without making them aware of the lessons through innovations in neurocognitive training and immersive technology. The study found that the game significantly improved children's food choices immediately after play.

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Fetal exposure to antibiotics in mid to late pregnancy linked to childhood asthma risk

Fetal exposure to antibiotics in mid to late pregnancy may be linked to a heightened risk of childhood asthma, suggests new research.

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'Handy pen' lights up when exposed to nerve gas or spoiled food vapors

Exposure to some odorless, colorless and tasteless gases, such as nerve agents, can be toxic or even lethal. And having the ability to detect other types of vapors could save people from eating spoiled or rotten food. Easy-to-use portable devices could, therefore, go a long way toward protecting the public. Now researchers have created a pen-like sensor that changes color when exposed to harmful gases.

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

Mobile game that uses implicit learning improved children's short-term food choices

A new study examined how Indian 10- and 11-year-olds' food choices were affected by playing a pediatric dietary mobile game that uses implicit learning -- educating players without making them aware of the lessons through innovations in neurocognitive training and immersive technology. The study found that the game significantly improved children's food choices immediately after play.

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

Emissions of banned ozone-depleting substance are back on the decline

Global emissions of a potent substance notorious for depleting the Earth's ozone layer -- the protective barrier which absorbs the Sun's harmful UV rays -- have fallen rapidly and are now back on the decline, according to new research.

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Study on submarine permafrost suggests locked greenhouse gases are emerging

Frozen land beneath rising sea levels currently traps 60 billion tons of methane and 560 billion tons of organic carbon. Little is known about the frozen sediment and soil -- called submarine permafrost -- even as it slowly thaws and releases methane and carbon that could have significant impacts on climate.

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Vaporised crusts of Earth-like planets found in dying stars

Remnants of planets with Earth-like crusts have been discovered in the atmospheres of four nearby white dwarf stars by astronomers, offering a glimpse of the planets that may have once orbited them up to billions of years ago.

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No links found between opioids or certain antibiotics in pregnancy and major birth defects: 2 studies

Two recent studies find no links between prescription opioids or macrolide antibiotics taken during pregnancy and risk of major birth defects.

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Choir singing can improve cognitive functioning among the elderly

Researchers have made new discoveries on the benefits of choir singing which may include positive effects on cognitive functioning similar to playing an instrument.

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No links found between opioids or certain antibiotics in pregnancy and major birth defects: 2 studies

Two recent studies find no links between prescription opioids or macrolide antibiotics taken during pregnancy and risk of major birth defects.

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Choir singing can improve cognitive functioning among the elderly

Researchers have made new discoveries on the benefits of choir singing which may include positive effects on cognitive functioning similar to playing an instrument.

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Hubble uncovers concentration of small black holes

Scientists were expecting to find an intermediate-mass black hole at the heart of the globular cluster NGC 6397, but instead they found evidence of a concentration of smaller black holes lurking there. New data from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have led to the first measurement of the extent of a collection of black holes in a core-collapsed globular cluster.

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Study finds even the common house sparrow is declining

A new study aims to clarify the status of the non-native European House Sparrow, using 21 years of citizen science data.

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Play and meaty food reduce hunting by cats

Domestic cats hunt wildlife less if owners play with them daily and feed them a meat-rich food, new research shows.

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Family ties explain mysterious social life of coral gobies

The strange social structure of tiny fish called emerald coral gobies may be explained by family loyalty, new research shows.

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Tiny population of neurons may have big role in depression

Scientists report the first evidence that, not short-term stress, like a series of tough college exams, rather chronic, unpredictable stress like that which erupts in our personal and professional lives, induces changes in the function of AgRP neurons that may contribute to depression.

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Function identified of 'mystery protein' that kills brain cells of people with Parkinson's

Scientists have made a 'vital step' towards understanding the origins of Parkinson's Disease - the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. A study presents a compelling new evidence about what a key protein called alpha-synuclein actually does in neurons in the brain.

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Tiny population of neurons may have big role in depression

Scientists report the first evidence that, not short-term stress, like a series of tough college exams, rather chronic, unpredictable stress like that which erupts in our personal and professional lives, induces changes in the function of AgRP neurons that may contribute to depression.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3aWt9Xl

Function identified of 'mystery protein' that kills brain cells of people with Parkinson's

Scientists have made a 'vital step' towards understanding the origins of Parkinson's Disease - the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. A study presents a compelling new evidence about what a key protein called alpha-synuclein actually does in neurons in the brain.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/374g4KG