Tuesday, August 31, 2021

The right mixture of salts to get life started

A new study shows how a blend of salts in the presence of heat flows may have contributed to the formation of the first self-replicating biomolecules.

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Exploring the past: Computational models shed new light on the evolution of prehistoric languages

A new linguistic study sheds light on the nature of languages spoken before the written period, using computational modeling to reconstruct the grammar of the 6500-7000 year-old Proto-Indo-European language.

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Physicists develop new unique scanning tunneling microscope with magnetic cooling to study quantum effects

Scanning tunneling microscopes capture images of materials with atomic precision and can be used to manipulate individual molecules or atoms. Researchers have been using the instruments for many years to explore the world of nanoscopic phenomena. A new approach is now creating new possibilities for using the devices to study quantum effects.

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Model of SARS-CoV-2 dynamics reveals opportunity to prevent COVID-19 transmission

A structural model of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein as the virus fuses with host human cells reveals an opportunity to disrupt dynamics and halt transmission.

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Biomarkers found for COVID-19 condition in children

A rare but serious inflammatory condition that affects children who contract COVID-19 produces a distinctive pattern of biomarkers that may help physicians predict disease severity and also aid researchers in developing new treatments, according to a new study.

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Exploring the past: Computational models shed new light on the evolution of prehistoric languages

A new linguistic study sheds light on the nature of languages spoken before the written period, using computational modeling to reconstruct the grammar of the 6500-7000 year-old Proto-Indo-European language.

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Evidence mounts that MMR and Tdap vaccines strengthen protection against severe COVID-19

Laboratory and retrospective analyses suggest that MMR and Tdap memory T cells are activated by SARS-CoV-2 and decrease COVID-19 severity.

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Evidence mounts that MMR and Tdap vaccines strengthen protection against severe COVID-19

Laboratory and retrospective analyses suggest that MMR and Tdap memory T cells are activated by SARS-CoV-2 and decrease COVID-19 severity.

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A cocoa bean's 'fingerprint' could help trace chocolate bars back to their farm of origin, finds a new study

A new study has revealed that biotechnology could be the missing ingredient in helping cocoa farmers get a better deal for their beans.

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This rainbow-making tech could help autonomous vehicles read signs

A new study explains the science behind microscale concave interfaces (MCI) -- structures that reflect light to produce beautiful and potentially useful optical phenomena. Future applications of these effects could include aiding autonomous vehicles in recognizing traffic signs, researchers say. Multiple images, including of a sign created using the material, are available.

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Machine learning algorithm revolutionizes how scientists study behavior

B-SOiD is an open source, unsupervised algorithm that can discover and identify behaviors without user input.

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Machine learning algorithm revolutionizes how scientists study behavior

B-SOiD is an open source, unsupervised algorithm that can discover and identify behaviors without user input.

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Ferroelectrics everywhere?

A new family of materials that could result in improved digital information storage and uses less energy may be possible thanks to a team of researchers who demonstrated ferroelectricity in magnesium-substituted zinc oxide.

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Researchers discover way to switch on and speed up tendon healing

A research team investigated whether electrical therapy, coupled with exercise, would show promise in treating tendon disease or ruptures. They found that tendon cell function and repair can be controlled through electrical stimulation from an implantable device powered by body movement.

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Ferroelectrics everywhere?

A new family of materials that could result in improved digital information storage and uses less energy may be possible thanks to a team of researchers who demonstrated ferroelectricity in magnesium-substituted zinc oxide.

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Researchers discover way to switch on and speed up tendon healing

A research team investigated whether electrical therapy, coupled with exercise, would show promise in treating tendon disease or ruptures. They found that tendon cell function and repair can be controlled through electrical stimulation from an implantable device powered by body movement.

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In a common genetic disorder, blood test reveals when benign tumors turn cancerous

Researchers have developed a blood test that, they believe, could one day offer a highly sensitive and inexpensive approach to detect cancer early in people with NF1. The blood test could also help doctors monitor how well patients are responding to treatment for their cancer.

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In a common genetic disorder, blood test reveals when benign tumors turn cancerous

Researchers have developed a blood test that, they believe, could one day offer a highly sensitive and inexpensive approach to detect cancer early in people with NF1. The blood test could also help doctors monitor how well patients are responding to treatment for their cancer.

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Fighting brain cancer at its root

Researchers identify proteins that drive cancer stem cells. Targeting and suppressing a particular protein called galectin1 could provide a more effective treatment for glioblastoma, in combination with radiation therapy.

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‘Tipping points’ in Earth’s system triggered rapid climate change 55 million years ago

Scientists have uncovered a fascinating new insight into what caused one of the most rapid and dramatic instances of climate change in the history of the Earth.

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Using liquid metal to turn motion into electricity, even underwater

Researchers have created a soft, stretchable device that converts movement into electricity and works in both dry and wet environments.

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Hidden factors that affect solar farms during severe weather

Researchers combined large sets of real-world solar data and advanced machine learning to study the impacts of severe weather on U.S. solar farms, and sort out what factors affect energy generation.

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Fighting brain cancer at its root

Researchers identify proteins that drive cancer stem cells. Targeting and suppressing a particular protein called galectin1 could provide a more effective treatment for glioblastoma, in combination with radiation therapy.

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Monday, August 30, 2021

Turning cameras off during virtual meetings can reduce fatigue

Feeling drained after a day of virtual meetings is worse for those who keep their cameras on throughout those meetings, according to new research. The study also shows the effects are often stronger for women and newer employees.

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Hidden in the seeds: Bacteria found to survive the harsh interior of passion fruit seeds

Plant endophytic microorganisms, especially those growing inside seeds, can survive antimicrobial compounds and have attracted attention for their potential biocatalytic activity. Recently, researchers successfully isolated several strains of endophytic bacteria that survive in high concentrations of antimicrobial resveratrol and piceatannol inside passion fruit seeds and get transmitted to next-generation seedlings. One of the bacteria could convert resveratrol and piceatannol to their respective derivatives. These findings will significantly advance endophyte and biocatalyst research.

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'Charging room' system powers lights, phones, laptops without wires

In a move that could one day free the world's countertops from their snarl of charging cords, researchers have developed a system to safely deliver electricity over the air, potentially turning entire buildings into wireless charging zones.

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Location and intensity of global threats to biodiversity

Using a novel modelling approach, new research reveals the location and intensity of key threats to biodiversity on land and identifies priority areas across the world to help inform conservation decision making at national and local levels.

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Turning cameras off during virtual meetings can reduce fatigue

Feeling drained after a day of virtual meetings is worse for those who keep their cameras on throughout those meetings, according to new research. The study also shows the effects are often stronger for women and newer employees.

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Reliable oxygenation conceivable with new design for portable concentrators

Anticipating the increased need for better oxygen concentrators as the fight against COVID-19 rages on, researchers have laid a computational framework to design the most optimal concentrator to filter ambient air and produce oxygen that can scale with patient demand.

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How people respond to wildfire smoke

Interviews with Northern California residents reveal that social norms and social support are essential for understanding protective health behaviors during wildfire smoke events -- information that could be leveraged to improve public health outcomes.

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Reliable oxygenation conceivable with new design for portable concentrators

Anticipating the increased need for better oxygen concentrators as the fight against COVID-19 rages on, researchers have laid a computational framework to design the most optimal concentrator to filter ambient air and produce oxygen that can scale with patient demand.

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How people respond to wildfire smoke

Interviews with Northern California residents reveal that social norms and social support are essential for understanding protective health behaviors during wildfire smoke events -- information that could be leveraged to improve public health outcomes.

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Record number of ancient elephant bone tools discovered

Humans living about 400,000 years ago produced an unprecedented diversity of elephant bone tools, including pointed tools for carving meat and wedge-shaped tools for cracking open large femurs and other long bones.

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Learning from a 'living fossil'

As we live and breathe, ancient-looking fish known as bowfin are guarding genetic secrets that that can help unravel humanity's evolutionary history and better understand its health.

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Tracking genetically modified animals

Researchers have discovered a new way to track genetically modified animals using the artificial transgenes they leave behind in the environment. The discovery provides a powerful new tool to locate and manage genetically modified animals that have escaped or been released into the wild.

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Beavers are well established and moving through the Oregon Coast Range

Beavers are often translocated to restore populations in areas, reduce their conflicts with humans and to take advantage of their ability to improve ecosystems. However, few studies have accessed the impacts of dispersing beavers, making it difficult to determine best practices for translocations.

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Granulocytes may weaken immune response in connection with COVID-19

Information on granulocytes sheds light on the mechanisms associated with COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

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Breast milk proven to enhance heart performance in premature babies

New research demonstrates the beneficial effect of breast milk consumption on cardiovascular health and early cardiovascular development in premature infants.

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Turning thermal energy into electricity

With the addition of sensors and enhanced communication tools, providing lightweight, portable power has become even more challenging. New research demonstrated a new approach to turning thermal energy into electricity that could provide compact and efficient power.

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How a racing heart may alter decision-making brain circuits

In an effort to understand how the internal state of the body influences the brain's decision-making processes, scientists analyzed the data from a previous study pre-clinical study. They found that two of the brain's decision-making centers contain neurons that may exclusively monitor the body's internal dynamics. Furthermore, a heightened state of arousal appeared to rewire one of the centers by turning some decision-making neurons into internal state monitors.

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Hobit turns immune cells into killers

Against infections, tumors and inflammations, immune cells are locally positioned as rapid reaction forces in the organs of the body. On site, they specialize and take on various tasks.

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Granulocytes may weaken immune response in connection with COVID-19

Information on granulocytes sheds light on the mechanisms associated with COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jr6XKw

Breast milk proven to enhance heart performance in premature babies

New research demonstrates the beneficial effect of breast milk consumption on cardiovascular health and early cardiovascular development in premature infants.

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

How a racing heart may alter decision-making brain circuits

In an effort to understand how the internal state of the body influences the brain's decision-making processes, scientists analyzed the data from a previous study pre-clinical study. They found that two of the brain's decision-making centers contain neurons that may exclusively monitor the body's internal dynamics. Furthermore, a heightened state of arousal appeared to rewire one of the centers by turning some decision-making neurons into internal state monitors.

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At least 80% of opioid overdoses aren’t fatal, but how do they affect the brain?

Scientists still know little about how opioid overdoses affect the brain and cognition. Researchers found that, while evidence exists to support a link between overdose, cognitive impairment and brain abnormalities, more research is needed in this area.

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Hobit turns immune cells into killers

Against infections, tumors and inflammations, immune cells are locally positioned as rapid reaction forces in the organs of the body. On site, they specialize and take on various tasks.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3DsSbe9

Unease beyond the uncanny valley: How people react to the same faces

If humanoid robots with the same appearance are mass-produced and become commonplace, how will human beings react to them? In a series of six experiments, scientists examined peoples' reactions when presented with images of people with the same face. Their results reveal a new phenomenon they call the clone devaluation effect -- a greater eeriness associated with cloned faces than with different faces.

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Finerenone improves outcomes in patients with mild-to-moderate kidney disease and diabetes

Finerenone reduces the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with mild-to-moderate kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. Diabetic kidney disease develops in approximately 40% of patients with diabetes and is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease worldwide. Some patients progress to end-stage renal disease, but most die from cardiovascular diseases and infections before needing kidney replacement therapy.

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Increased survival with eye melanoma in clinical trial

Once it has spread (metastasized), uveal (intraocular or eye) melanoma -- an unusual form of cancer -- has a very high mortality rate. Researchers and doctors show that, in a small group of patients with metastatic uveal melanoma, a new combination treatment can bring about tumor shrinkage and prolonged survival.

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How can I avoid heart disease or stroke?

As much as 90% of the risk of a heart attack, stroke, or peripheral arterial disease (PAD) can be explained by smoking, poor eating habits, lack of physical activity, abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, raised blood lipid levels, diabetes, psychosocial factors, or alcohol. These guidelines focus on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD), which affects the arteries. As the inside of the arteries become clogged up by fatty deposits, they can no longer supply enough blood to the body. This process is the main cause of heart attacks, strokes, PAD and sudden death where arteries become completely blocked. The most important way to prevent these conditions is to adopt a healthy lifestyle throughout life, especially not smoking, and to treat risk factors.

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Staying home, having access to primary care, and limiting contagion hubs may curb COVID-19 deaths

Staying home and limiting local travel, supporting access to primary care, and limiting contacts in contagion hubs -- including hospitals, schools, and workplaces -- are strategies that might help reduce COVID-19-related deaths, according to new research that analyzed the first wave of the epidemic in Italy.

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Synthetic biology enables microbes to build muscle

Would you wear clothing made of muscle fibers? Use them to tie your shoes or even wear them as a belt? It may sound a bit odd, but if those fibers could endure more energy before breaking than cotton, silk, nylon, or even the material used in bullet-proof vests, then why not?

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Four-in-one blood pressure pill: Safe and much more effective than usual hypertension treatment, study finds

The first large-scale, long-term trial of a new strategy using combinations of very low-doses in one capsule, has demonstrated significantly improved control of high blood pressure -- the leading cause of heart attack and stroke.

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Nanoscale systems for generating various forms of light

In new findings published in Nature Communications, researchers from Louisiana State University and four collaborating universities have introduced a discovery that changes a paradigm in quantum plasmonics by demonstrating the potential of metallic nanostructures to produce different forms of light.

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Bright idea: New LEDs can detect off-food and lethal gases

New LED technology has potential to benefit firefighters, miners, military, plumbers and households.

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Monoclonal antibody treatment combo reduces hospitalization among high-risk patients with COVID-19

In an observational study, researchers report that the combination of casirivimab and imdevimab -- two monoclonal antibody treatments under Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorization -- keep high-risk patients out of the hospital when infected with mild to moderate COVID-19.

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COVID-19 antibody study shows downside of not receiving second shot

A new study shows that two months after the second Pfizer/Moderna vaccination, antibody response decreases 20 percent in adults with prior cases of COVID-19, and tests how well current vaccines resist emerging variants. The study also showed that prior exposure to SARS-CoV-2 does not guarantee a high level of antibodies, nor does it guarantee a robust antibody response to the first vaccine dose. This directly contradicts the assumption that contracting COVID will naturally make someone immune to re-infection. The findings further support vaccination (and two doses), even for people who have contracted the virus previously.

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Want to play college sports? A wealthy family helps

It takes more than athletic talent to play varsity sports in college, at least for most young people, a new study suggests. Researchers found that U.S. high-school athletes were much more likely to play sports in college if they came from higher-income families with well-educated parents and attended wealthier schools.

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Insights into how a stroke affects reading could help with rehabilitation

Researchers, looking at the ability of people to sound out words after a stroke, found that knowing which region of the brain was impacted by the stroke could have important implications for helping target rehabilitation efforts.

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Perceptions of supernatural beings reveal feelings about good and bad in humans

What transpires in comedies and cartoons when a character has a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other is not far off from people's perceptions of the real world, finds a new study.

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Want to play college sports? A wealthy family helps

It takes more than athletic talent to play varsity sports in college, at least for most young people, a new study suggests. Researchers found that U.S. high-school athletes were much more likely to play sports in college if they came from higher-income families with well-educated parents and attended wealthier schools.

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Insights into how a stroke affects reading could help with rehabilitation

Researchers, looking at the ability of people to sound out words after a stroke, found that knowing which region of the brain was impacted by the stroke could have important implications for helping target rehabilitation efforts.

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Perceptions of supernatural beings reveal feelings about good and bad in humans

What transpires in comedies and cartoons when a character has a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other is not far off from people's perceptions of the real world, finds a new study.

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Eating walnuts daily lowered 'bad' cholesterol and may reduce cardiovascular disease risk

Healthy older adults who ate a handful of walnuts (about ½ cup) a day for two years modestly lowered their level of low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol levels. Consuming walnuts daily also reduced the number of LDL particles, a predictor of cardiovascular disease risk. The study explored the effects of a walnut-enriched diet on overall cholesterol in elderly individuals from diverse geographical locations and spanning two years.

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Light-to-moderate coffee drinking associated with health benefits

Up to three cups of coffee per day is associated with a lower risk of stroke and fatal heart disease, according to new research.

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Eating walnuts daily lowered 'bad' cholesterol and may reduce cardiovascular disease risk

Healthy older adults who ate a handful of walnuts (about ½ cup) a day for two years modestly lowered their level of low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol levels. Consuming walnuts daily also reduced the number of LDL particles, a predictor of cardiovascular disease risk. The study explored the effects of a walnut-enriched diet on overall cholesterol in elderly individuals from diverse geographical locations and spanning two years.

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Light-to-moderate coffee drinking associated with health benefits

Up to three cups of coffee per day is associated with a lower risk of stroke and fatal heart disease, according to new research.

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Sunday, August 29, 2021

Breakthrough in sizing nanoparticles using fluid-filled tubes

Scientists have discovered that the mass and size of nano-particles can be simultaneously measured by passing the nanoparticles, in their native solution, through an inexpensive and simple mechanical tube.

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Observing a higher-dimensional topological state with metamaterials

Linked Weyl surfaces, a novel type of topological phase that exists in five-dimensional space, have now been experimentally observed. The work provides a unique platform for exploring various topological phases, the transition between them, and the corresponding boundary effects in five dimensions.

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Guidelines on heart failure management

New guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure have just been published. Approximately 2% of adults worldwide have heart failure. Prevalence increases with age, from 1% in those under 55 years to more than 10% in people aged 70 and above. In developed countries, the most common causes are coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. Patients with heart failure have a poor prognosis and markedly reduced quality of life. The main symptoms are breathlessness, ankle swelling, and tiredness.

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Maternal voice reduces pain in premature babies

A baby born prematurely often has to be separated from its parents and placed in an incubator in intensive care. For several weeks, he or she will undergo routine medical procedures that can be painful, without being relieved by too many pharmaceutical painkillers, which are risky for his or her development. So how can we act for the good of the baby? A team observed that when the mother spoke to her baby at the time of the medical intervention, the signs of the baby's expression of pain decreased and his oxytocin level -- the hormone involved in attachment and also linked to stress -- increased significantly, which could attest to better pain management.

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Reducing sugar in packaged foods can prevent disease in millions

Cutting 20% of sugar from packaged foods and 40% from beverages could prevent 2.48 million cardiovascular disease events (such as strokes, heart attacks, cardiac arrests), 490,000 cardiovascular deaths, and 750,000 diabetes cases in the U.S. over the lifetime of the adult population.

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Drones could deliver defibrillators to cardiac arrest victims faster than ambulances

A feasibility study has found that drones can be used to deliver life-saving defibrillators to people with suspected cardiac arrest in the community.

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'Humanized' mouse model selects better match for organ transplant

A 'humanized' mouse model equipped with the immune system of a patient who needs an organ transplant beats current measures for identifying the best potential living donor, scientists report.

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Neurons in visual cortex of the brain ‘drift’ over time

New research reveals that neurons in the visual cortex -- the part of the brain that processes visual stimuli -- change their responses to the same stimulus over time. Although other studies have documented 'representational drift' in neurons in the parts of the brain associated with odor and spatial memory, this result is surprising because neural activity in the primary visual cortex is thought to be relatively stable.

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A new model for group decision-making shows how 'followers' can influence the outcome

From small committees to national elections, group decision-making can be complicated -- and it may not always settle on the best choice. That's partly because some members of the group do research on their own, and others take their cues from the people around them. A new mathematical framework predicts that decision-making groups have a critical threshold of people who get their information from others. Below that threshold, the group chooses the high-quality outcome. Above it, the group can end up choosing the better or worse option.

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Ultrafast electron microscopy leads to pivotal discovery

Researchers used ultrafast electron microscopy to study a nanoscale phenomenon that occurs in less than a few hundred quadrillionths of a second. Insights from the study could aid in the development of new sensors and quantum devices.

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Scientists developing contraceptive that stops sperm in its tracks

Engineered antibodies immobilize sperm in animal study, paving the way for nonhormonal contraceptive for women.

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Artificial intelligence re-stained images of tissue biopsy expedite diagnoses

In lifesaving situations, expedient and accurate diagnostic tools are critical to aid pathologists in examining biopsied tissue samples looking for signs of diseases. Engineers found a new path to achieve that with virtual re-staining of tissue images that is both faster than human-performed special stains and just as accurate.

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Archaic laws prevent conservationists from bidding on public resources; experts think this should change

Updating the laws, the researchers say, will allow the true value of public resources to be revealed in an environmental market. It will give different groups equal footing in auctions, and create a more stable, actionable path toward conservation, to the benefit of both industry and the environment.

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Researchers use stem cells to make insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells

The human body can be genetically inclined to attack its own cells, destroying the beta cells in the pancreas that make insulin, which helps convert sugar into energy. Called Type 1 diabetes, this disorder can occur at any age and can be fatal if not carefully managed with insulin shots or an insulin pump to balance the body's sugar levels.

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Saturday, August 28, 2021

Climate change challenge: Terminology used by scientists confounds public

A new study finds that U.S. residents struggle to understand terms frequently used by scientists to describe climate change.

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Climate change challenge: Terminology used by scientists confounds public

A new study finds that U.S. residents struggle to understand terms frequently used by scientists to describe climate change.

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Old habit-controlling neurons may also help the brain learn new tricks

In a study of rodents, scientists discovered that a part of the brain traditionally thought to control typing the old sequence may also play a critical role in learning the new one. The results suggest that this process involves a delicate balance in the activity of two neighboring neural circuits: one dedicated to new actions and the other to old habits.

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AI algorithm solves structural biology challenges

Researchers develop machine learning methods that accurately predict the 3D shapes of drug targets and other important biological molecules, even when only limited data is available.

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Your sense of smell may be the key to a balanced diet

When we smell food, we are more likely to eat -- but new findings suggest eating food also impacts our sense of smell, which could bias what we eat next. Imaging shows that brain's response to odors similar to a recent meal is less 'food-like' than its response to a different food odor. Interplay between smell and food intake may have evolutionary benefit in helping humans diversify diet

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Old habit-controlling neurons may also help the brain learn new tricks

In a study of rodents, scientists discovered that a part of the brain traditionally thought to control typing the old sequence may also play a critical role in learning the new one. The results suggest that this process involves a delicate balance in the activity of two neighboring neural circuits: one dedicated to new actions and the other to old habits.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/38o6vGq

AI algorithm solves structural biology challenges

Researchers develop machine learning methods that accurately predict the 3D shapes of drug targets and other important biological molecules, even when only limited data is available.

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

Growth-promoting, anti-aging retinal at the root of plant growth too

What do frog eggs have in common with 'anti-aging' creams? Their success depends on a group of chemical compounds called retinoids, which are capable of generating and re-generating tissues. A new study in plants shows that retinoids' tissue-generating capacities are also responsible for the appropriate development of roots.

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Highly conductive and elastic nanomembrane for skin electronics

Skin electronics require stretchable conductors that satisfy metal-like conductivity, high stretchability, ultrathin thickness, and ease of patternability, but it is challenging to achieve these characteristics simultaneously. The researchers developed a new float assembly method to fabricate a nanomembrane that satisfies all these requirements simultaneously. The exceptional material properties are attributed to its unique cross-sectional structure in which a monolayer of compactly assembled nanomaterials is partially embedded in an ultrathin elastomer membrane.

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Your sense of smell may be the key to a balanced diet

When we smell food, we are more likely to eat -- but new findings suggest eating food also impacts our sense of smell, which could bias what we eat next. Imaging shows that brain's response to odors similar to a recent meal is less 'food-like' than its response to a different food odor. Interplay between smell and food intake may have evolutionary benefit in helping humans diversify diet

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Friday, August 27, 2021

Discovery of two-phase superconductivity in CeRh2As2

The phenomenon of superconductivity, providing current transmission without dissipation and a host of unique magnetic properties arising from macroscopic quantum coherence, was first discovered over a century ago. It was not understood until 1957, after which it quickly became clear that superconductors could in principle exist with a wide variety of the fundamental characteristic often referred to as the order parameter. Until the late 1970's, however, all superconductors found experimentally had the same class of order parameter. Since then many aspects of the expected variety of order parameters have been discovered, but one surprising fact remained.

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Ending prices with '.99' can backfire on sellers

Setting a price just below a round number ($39.99 instead of $40) may lead consumers into thinking a product is less expensive than it really is -- but it can sometimes backfire on sellers, a new study shows.

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Ending prices with '.99' can backfire on sellers

Setting a price just below a round number ($39.99 instead of $40) may lead consumers into thinking a product is less expensive than it really is -- but it can sometimes backfire on sellers, a new study shows.

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Environmental pollution may contribute to racial/ethnic disparities In Alzheimer’s disease risk

Fine particle pollution may be one reason why Black women have double the risk of developing Alzheimer's than white women, suggests new research. Data shows that older people are more likely to develop dementia if they live in locations with high PM2.5, and African American populations are more likely to live in neighborhoods near polluting facilities. Even when controlling for other risk factors, this study found that Black women still had roughly two times greater a risk of developing Alzheimer's disease than white women, and it also found that they had higher exposure to PM2.5.

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Environmental pollution may contribute to racial/ethnic disparities In Alzheimer’s disease risk

Fine particle pollution may be one reason why Black women have double the risk of developing Alzheimer's than white women, suggests new research. Data shows that older people are more likely to develop dementia if they live in locations with high PM2.5, and African American populations are more likely to live in neighborhoods near polluting facilities. Even when controlling for other risk factors, this study found that Black women still had roughly two times greater a risk of developing Alzheimer's disease than white women, and it also found that they had higher exposure to PM2.5.

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Embryonic development in slow motion

Roe deer are among the few mammals whose embryos go into a particularly long period of dormancy. Using modern molecular methods, researchers have shown for the first time what exactly happens in the embryo during this phase. They have identified signals that control the embryo`s awakening.

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Embryonic development in slow motion

Roe deer are among the few mammals whose embryos go into a particularly long period of dormancy. Using modern molecular methods, researchers have shown for the first time what exactly happens in the embryo during this phase. They have identified signals that control the embryo`s awakening.

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Seabed recovers more quickly following extreme storms than from the impacts of bottom-towed fishing

Academics have been monitoring the Lyme Bay Marine Protected area using underwater cameras and other techniques since 2008, but this is the first known study to examine an MPA's response and resilience in the face of extreme storms.

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Bacterial bloom as the Earth thawed: Photosynthetic organisms during the Snowball Earth

Around 650 million years ago, the Earth entered into the Marinoan glaciation that saw the entire planet freeze. The 'Snowball Earth' impeded the evolution of life. But as it warmed, biotic life began to flourish. A research team has now analyzed rock samples from China to tell us more about this transition.

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How disorderly young galaxies grow up and mature

Using a supercomputer simulation, a research team has succeeded in following the development of a galaxy over a span of 13.8 billion years. The study shows how, due to interstellar frontal collisions, young and chaotic galaxies over time mature into spiral galaxies such as the Milky Way.

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Drought and climate change shift tree disease in Sierra Nevada

A study provides some of the first evidence that climate change and drought are shifting the range of infectious disease in forests suffering from white pine blister rust disease.

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What's the cost of self-control? New study tabulates the bill

A team of researchers has identified measures we take in order to skirt having to exert self-control in our daily lives -- findings that offer new insights into what motivates human behavior.

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COVID-19 vaccine potency dips, but remains effective disease deterrent, study finds

COVID-19 vaccines remain effective, but their potency has diminished in recent months, according to a nationwide U.S. study at eight sites.

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Comparing the pathogen numbers in backyard and commercial composts

In a new study, researchers have measured the number of pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes in backyard and commercial compost.

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A solid favor for researchers: A new way to investigate the electric double layer effect

All-solid-state batteries are expected to replace conventional batteries with a liquid electrolyte thanks to their improved safety, durability, and capacity. However, the electric double layer (EDL) effect is a phenomenon that is suspected to be a hindrance to battery performance and is difficult to measure. To tackle this issue, scientists have developed a new methodology to explore the EDL using diamond-based field-effect transistors, paving the way to better solid-state ionic devices and batteries.

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For copepods, there is no free lunch when coping with climate change

The world's oceans are becoming increasingly stressful places for marine life, and experts are working to understand what this means for the future. From rising temperatures; to acidification as more carbon enters the waters; to changes in the currents; the challenges are multifaceted, making experiments and projections difficult. Copepods are small marine animals that are abundant, widely dispersed, and serve as major structural components of the ocean's food web. A team of scientists from the University of Connecticut, Jinan University in China, and the University of Vermont have found that a species of copepod called Acartia tonsa can cope with climate change, but at a price. Their research was published today in Nature Climate Change.

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Using yeast to create alternative petrochemical processes

As climate change continues to do more damage to our planet, scientists are working to find more efficient and cleaner ways to power the earth. One appealing alternative to common petrochemical processes that generate significant greenhouse gases and other waste products could come from biological systems. Recent work has led to advances in understanding of biochemical pathways and increased rates of chemical production by biological systems.

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When humans disturb marine mammals, it’s hard to know the long-term impact

From seismic surveys and Navy sonar to fisheries and shipping, many human activities in the ocean environment cause short-term changes in the behaviors of marine mammals. A longstanding challenge for scientists and regulatory agencies alike has been to understand the biological significance of those changes in terms of their overall impact on affected populations of animals. A new study provides a comprehensive framework for conducting this type of assessment.

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Symptomatic COVID patients are more contagious, study finds

Individuals with COVID-19 are most likely to spread the virus to close contacts two days before the onset of symptoms to three days after symptoms appear, and the risk of transmission is highest when patients had mild or moderate disease severity, according to a new study.

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Study confirms virus variants reduce protection against COVID-19

A laboratory study finds that blood serum drawn from people previously vaccinated or naturally infected show 'significantly reduced' defense against two variants of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Researchers said that their findings emphasize the importance of vaccinations combined with maintaining public health measures to cut off the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

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Symptomatic COVID patients are more contagious, study finds

Individuals with COVID-19 are most likely to spread the virus to close contacts two days before the onset of symptoms to three days after symptoms appear, and the risk of transmission is highest when patients had mild or moderate disease severity, according to a new study.

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Study confirms virus variants reduce protection against COVID-19

A laboratory study finds that blood serum drawn from people previously vaccinated or naturally infected show 'significantly reduced' defense against two variants of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Researchers said that their findings emphasize the importance of vaccinations combined with maintaining public health measures to cut off the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

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Thursday, August 26, 2021

Protect habitat ‘stepping stones’ to help species cope with climate change

Safe passages for species adapting to climate change aren't always being protected, a new study warns.

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Diverse DNA signatures linked to heart disease

Risk for heart disease does not look the same on the genetic level for different population groups, report an international team of researchers. The studY begins to outline gene activity patterns that could serve as early warning indicators for cardiovascular disease.

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Altered functional brain network connectivity associated with symptoms of post-traumatic stress in COVID-19 survivors, study shows

COVID-19 survivors report significantly higher symptoms of post-traumatic stress, and these symptoms are associated with changes to the brain's connectivity, according to a new study.

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Study identifies 579 genetic locations linked to anti-social behavior, alcohol use, opioid addiction and more

An analysis of data from 1.5 million people has identified 579 locations in the genome associated with a predisposition to different behaviors and disorders related to self-regulation, including addiction and child behavioral problems.

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A mechanism underlying most common cause of epileptic seizures revealed

An interdisciplinary team studying neurogenetics, neural networks, and neurophysiology has revealed how dysfunctions in even a small percentage of cells can cause disorder across the entire brain.

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Restoring 'chaperone' protein may prevent plaque build-up in Alzheimer’s

Researchers have shown how restoring levels of the protein DAXX and a large group of similar proteins prevents the misfolding of the rogue proteins known to drive Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases, as well as certain mutations that contribute to cancers.

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Osteoarthritis: New genetic risk factors and novel drug targets

Researchers have found new genetic risk factors for osteoarthritis and identified novel drug targets. Their finding is a milestone towards the development of the first ever curative treatment for osteoarthritis.

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Research supports FDA recommendation: Patients with implanted medical devices should keep their smart phones and watches at least six inches away

A new study supports the FDA recommendation that patients keep any consumer electronic devices that may create magnetic interference, including cell phones and smart watches, at least six inches away from implanted medical devices, in particular pacemakers and cardiac defibrillators.

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Diverse DNA signatures linked to heart disease

Risk for heart disease does not look the same on the genetic level for different population groups, report an international team of researchers. The studY begins to outline gene activity patterns that could serve as early warning indicators for cardiovascular disease.

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Tropical forest vulnerability index

New research will detect and evaluate the vulnerability of global tropical rainforests by focusing specifically on threats from changes to land-use and climate.

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Will it be safe for humans to fly to Mars?

A human space mission would be viable if it doesn't exceed four years, an international research team concludes in new research.

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Research supports FDA recommendation: Patients with implanted medical devices should keep their smart phones and watches at least six inches away

A new study supports the FDA recommendation that patients keep any consumer electronic devices that may create magnetic interference, including cell phones and smart watches, at least six inches away from implanted medical devices, in particular pacemakers and cardiac defibrillators.

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Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Tropical forests in Africa’s mountains store more carbon than previously thought – but are disappearing fast

An international study found that intact tropical mountain (or montane) forests in Africa store around 150 tons of carbon per hectare. This means that keeping a hectare of forest standing saves CO2 emissions equivalent to powering 100 homes with electricity for one year.

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Researchers identify genetic cause of endometriosis and reveal potential drug target

New research offers insight into how to treat endometriosis. The researchers performed genetic analyses of humans and rhesus macaques to identify a specific gene, NPSR1, that increases risk of suffering from endometriosis. The results reveal a potential new nonhormonal drug target that may lead to improved therapy.

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Young athletes with history of concussions may have more changes to their brains

A new study suggests athletes with a history of concussion may show more brain injury from a later concussion, particularly in middle regions of the brain that are more susceptible to damage, when compared to athletes with no history of concussion.

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Add it up: Could this test equal a way to determine dementia risk?

People whose scores on a dementia risk test indicated a less brain-healthy lifestyle, including smoking, high blood pressure and a poor diet, may also have the following: lower scores on thinking skills tests, more changes on brain scans and a higher risk of cognitive impairment, according to a new study.

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Young athletes with history of concussions may have more changes to their brains

A new study suggests athletes with a history of concussion may show more brain injury from a later concussion, particularly in middle regions of the brain that are more susceptible to damage, when compared to athletes with no history of concussion.

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Add it up: Could this test equal a way to determine dementia risk?

People whose scores on a dementia risk test indicated a less brain-healthy lifestyle, including smoking, high blood pressure and a poor diet, may also have the following: lower scores on thinking skills tests, more changes on brain scans and a higher risk of cognitive impairment, according to a new study.

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Confiscated fossil turns out to be exceptional flying reptile from Brazil

A fossil acquired in a police raid has turned out to be one of the best-preserved flying reptiles ever found, according to a new study.

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‘Nanojars’ capture dissolved carbon dioxide, toxic ions from water

Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere dissolves in waterways, forming bicarbonate ions and other compounds that change water chemistry, with possible harmful effects on aquatic organisms. In addition, bicarbonate can reenter the atmosphere as carbon dioxide later. Now, researchers have developed tiny 'nanojars' that split bicarbonate into carbonate and capture it, as well as certain toxic anions, so they can be removed from water.

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Exposure to tobacco smoke in early life is associated with accelerated biological aging, study finds

A new study analyzes the association between more than 100 environmental exposures and the 'epigenetic clock' of over 1,000 children in six European countries.

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New research finds gender differences in fear and risk perception during COVID-19

New research suggests that men and women worry about the impact of COVID-19 in far different ways. For example, men are more likely to be concerned about financial consequences from COVID-19 while women report greater fear and more negative expectations about health-related outcomes.

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Fossils illuminate dinosaur evolution in eastern North America

Tyrannosaurus rex, the fearsome predator that once roamed what is now western North America, appears to have had an East Coast cousin. A new study describes two dinosaurs that inhabited Appalachia -- a once isolated land mass that today composes much of the eastern United States -- about 85 million years ago: an herbivorous duck-billed hadrosaur and a carnivorous tyrannosaur.

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In hot weather, outdoor laborers work less -- when economy is growing

A new analysis suggests that U.S. workers in industries that expose them to weather conditions work fewer hours per day when temperatures surpass 90 degrees Fahrenheit -- but only during periods of economic growth.

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Climate benefits vs. burdens: Which products are best suited for emerging carbon capture technologies?

Pulling heat-trapping carbon dioxide out of the air and turning it into useful products, a concept called carbon capture and utilization, has the potential to offer both environmental and economic benefits.

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Exposure to tobacco smoke in early life is associated with accelerated biological aging, study finds

A new study analyzes the association between more than 100 environmental exposures and the 'epigenetic clock' of over 1,000 children in six European countries.

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

New research finds gender differences in fear and risk perception during COVID-19

New research suggests that men and women worry about the impact of COVID-19 in far different ways. For example, men are more likely to be concerned about financial consequences from COVID-19 while women report greater fear and more negative expectations about health-related outcomes.

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

In hot weather, outdoor laborers work less -- when economy is growing

A new analysis suggests that U.S. workers in industries that expose them to weather conditions work fewer hours per day when temperatures surpass 90 degrees Fahrenheit -- but only during periods of economic growth.

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New study gives insight into how often COVID-19 spreads through households

A new study demonstrates how quickly COVID-19 can spread through a household, and provides insight into how and why communities of color have suffered disproportionately from the pandemic.

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Physicists make laser beams visible in vacuum

A beam of light can only be seen when it hits matter particles and is scattered or reflected by them. In a vacuum, however, it is invisible. Physicists have now developed a method that allows laser beams to be visualized even under these conditions. The method makes it easier to perform the ultra-precise laser alignment required to manipulate individual atoms.

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Pictograms are first written accounts of earthquakes in pre-Hispanic Mexico

The Codex Telleriano Remensis, created in the 16th century in Mexico, depicts earthquakes in pictograms that are the first written evidence of earthquakes in the Americas in pre-Hispanic times, according to a pair of researchers who have systematically studied the country's historical earthquakes.

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New study gives insight into how often COVID-19 spreads through households

A new study demonstrates how quickly COVID-19 can spread through a household, and provides insight into how and why communities of color have suffered disproportionately from the pandemic.

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Baby detector software embedded in digital camera rivals ECG

Facial recognition is now common in adults, but researchers have developed software that can reliably detect a premature baby's face in an incubator and remotely monitor its heart and breathing rates - rivaling ECG machines and even outperforming them. This is the first step in using non-contact monitoring in neonatal wards, avoiding skin tearing and potential infections from adhesive pads.

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Unrealistic experiments mean true impact of nitrogen pollution on the environment is unknown

Unrealistic and flawed scientific experiments mean the true impact of nitrogen pollution on the environment is unknownremains poorly understood, a new study warns.

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Baby detector software embedded in digital camera rivals ECG

Facial recognition is now common in adults, but researchers have developed software that can reliably detect a premature baby's face in an incubator and remotely monitor its heart and breathing rates - rivaling ECG machines and even outperforming them. This is the first step in using non-contact monitoring in neonatal wards, avoiding skin tearing and potential infections from adhesive pads.

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Tuesday, August 24, 2021

Healthy sugar origin in stingless bee honey revealed

Stingless bees are found throughout tropical and subtropical parts of the world and produce significantly less honey than their European honey bee counterparts (Apis mellifera) which are the world's major honey production species. However, stingless bee honey is highly prized as a specialty food, noted in Indigenous cultures for its medicinal properties, and attracts a high price. Now new research has identified that the Tetragonula carbonaria stingless bee, which is native to Australia, is a powerhouse at converting regular table sugar into the rare low GI sugar trehalulose, found only in stingless bee honey and not as a major component in any other food. Researchers also identified that the bees do this within their gut - the trehalulose does not result from native flora or unique resins that form the pots stingless bees store their honey in.

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Green hydrogen: Focus on the catalyst surface

Hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources with the help of electric power is deemed a key to the energy transition: It can be used to chemically store wind and solar energy in a CO2-neutral way. Researchers have studied water electrolysis processes on the surface of an iridium oxide catalyst.

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Report shows adult brain tumor incidence rates are decreasing but 5-year survival rates remain low

A new study found that incidence rates for malignant brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors declined by 0.8% annually during 2008 through 2017 in the United States for all ages combined.

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High cholesterol fuels cancer by fostering resistance to a form of cell death

A research team has identified how breast cancer cells use cholesterol to develop tolerance to stress, making them impervious to death as they migrate from the original tumor site.

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Bird communities threatened by urbanization

Urbanization is one of the most drastic forms of land-use change. Its negative consequences on biodiversity have been studied extensively in countries like Germany. However, there has been less research in tropical regions from the Global South. Researchers investigated the effects on farmland bird communities in Bangalore and found that urbanization filters out species with certain traits, such as insect-eating birds, which are important for pest control.

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Research shows scale models effective for predicting storm damage to wood-frame buildings

A pair of scale model structures subjected to simulated storm conditions in an lab responded like real wood-frame homes during recent hurricanes, suggesting model buildings can yield important design information for low-lying areas vulnerable to storm surges and big waves.

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Report shows adult brain tumor incidence rates are decreasing but 5-year survival rates remain low

A new study found that incidence rates for malignant brain and other central nervous system (CNS) tumors declined by 0.8% annually during 2008 through 2017 in the United States for all ages combined.

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High cholesterol fuels cancer by fostering resistance to a form of cell death

A research team has identified how breast cancer cells use cholesterol to develop tolerance to stress, making them impervious to death as they migrate from the original tumor site.

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Early-warning system for sepsis shown to improve survival rates and cut hospital stays

Emergency room patients who were flagged by an artificial-intelligence algorithm for possibly having sepsis received antibiotics sooner and had better outcomes, according to a study conducted by physician-researchers.

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A novel gene involved in male infertility: ZFP541

A new gene that controls the completion of meiosis in spermatogenesis has been discovered. Until now, details of the mechanism that inactivates the expression of genes involved in the meiotic program during spermatogenesis had not been clarified. The researchers believe that this may lead to an advancement in reproductive medicine, like identifying causes for infertility from azoospermia or spermatogenic defects.

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Quantum computing: Exotic particle had an 'out-of-body experience'

Scientists have taken a clear picture of electronic particles that make up a mysterious magnetic state called quantum spin liquid (QSL). The achievement could facilitate the development of superfast quantum computers and energy-efficient superconductors. The scientists are the first to capture an image of how electrons in a QSL decompose into spin-like particles called spinons and charge-like particles called chargons.

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Early-warning system for sepsis shown to improve survival rates and cut hospital stays

Emergency room patients who were flagged by an artificial-intelligence algorithm for possibly having sepsis received antibiotics sooner and had better outcomes, according to a study conducted by physician-researchers.

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A novel gene involved in male infertility: ZFP541

A new gene that controls the completion of meiosis in spermatogenesis has been discovered. Until now, details of the mechanism that inactivates the expression of genes involved in the meiotic program during spermatogenesis had not been clarified. The researchers believe that this may lead to an advancement in reproductive medicine, like identifying causes for infertility from azoospermia or spermatogenic defects.

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Lupin and Arsenic: Research on soil decontamination by an exceptional plant

Researchers have discovered a new chemical mechanism used by roots of white lupin to clean up arsenic-contaminated soils, such as those from mining operations.

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Record-breaking lithium-metal cell

A new type of lithium-metal battery reaches an extremely high energy density of 560 watt-hours per kilogram -- based on the total weight of the active materials -- with a remarkable stability. Researchers used a promising combination of cathode and electrolyte: The nickel-rich cathode enables storage of high energy per mass, the ionic liquid electrolyte ensures largely stable capacity over many cycles.

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Measuring how the Arctic responds to climate change

The Arctic has been warming more than twice as fast as the rest of the planet. Meanwhile CO2 measurements show substantial increases in the amount of carbon absorbed into and emitted by Arctic plants and soil. Scientists assumed this was playing a large role in changes to the Arctic carbon cycle. But they were not able to measure carbon uptake and release independently. This study provides insights into this important process based on the modelling of atmospheric measurements of carbonyl sulfide.

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Like venom coursing through the body: Researchers identify mechanism driving COVID-19 mortality

Researchers have identified what may be the key molecular mechanism responsible for COVID-19 mortality -- an enzyme related to neurotoxins found in rattlesnake venom.

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Stressed teens benefit from coping online, but a little goes a long way

An adolescent's day can be filled with a dizzying array of digital technologies. For many teenagers, being online is a way to pass the time and communicate with friends. Cell phones and social media can also help teens cope with stressful events -- as long as they strike the right balance between spending time online and pursuing other coping activities.

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Like venom coursing through the body: Researchers identify mechanism driving COVID-19 mortality

Researchers have identified what may be the key molecular mechanism responsible for COVID-19 mortality -- an enzyme related to neurotoxins found in rattlesnake venom.

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These robots can move your couch

Engineers have developed robots that can work independently and cooperatively to move unwieldy objects like a couch. In simulations, the robots were successful even when tasked to move an object in new, unfamiliar scenarios.

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Physicists find room-temperature, 2D-to-1D topological transition

Physicists have discovered a room-temperature transition between 1D and 2D electrical conduction states in the topological insulator bismuth iodide.

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Climate change threatens seal hunting by Indigenous Alaskans

Climate change has severely reduced the length of the seal hunting season in a rural Alaska village, potentially threatening a key feature of the community's Indigenous way of life. The study led by Indigenous hunters, the Native Village of Kotzebue and scientists shows that over the past 17 years, the seal hunting season shrank about one day per year. Sea ice decline is a major cause of the shrinking season.

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Stressed teens benefit from coping online, but a little goes a long way

An adolescent's day can be filled with a dizzying array of digital technologies. For many teenagers, being online is a way to pass the time and communicate with friends. Cell phones and social media can also help teens cope with stressful events -- as long as they strike the right balance between spending time online and pursuing other coping activities.

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Monday, August 23, 2021

Understanding how elephants use their trunk

The elephant proboscis (trunk) exhibits an extraordinary kinematic versatility as it can manipulate a single blade of grass but also carry loads up to 270 kilograms. Using motion-capture technologies developed for the movie industry, a team of scientists demonstrates that the complex behaviors of the elephant trunk emerge from the combination of a finite set of basic movements such as the propagation of an inward curvature and the formation of pseudo-joints.

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Volcanoes acted as a safety valve for Earth’s long-term climate

Scientists have discovered that extensive chains of volcanoes have been responsible for both emitting and then removing atmospheric carbon dioxide over geological time. This stabilized temperatures at Earth's surface.

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Blueprints for how human kidneys form their filtering units

A team of scientists has conducted a comprehensive analysis reconstructing how kidneys form their filtering units, known as nephrons. The team studied hundreds of human and mouse nephrons at various points along their typical developmental trajectories, comparing important processes that have been conserved during the nearly 200 million years of evolution since humans and mice diverged from their common mammalian ancestor. The study details the similar genetic machinery that underpins nephron formation in humans and mice, enabling other groups of scientists to follow the logic of these developmental programs to make new types of kidney cells.

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Phosphorescent material inspired by ‘glow in the dark’ wood

Scientists have harnessed the natural ability of wood to faintly glow to develop a new sustainable phosphorescent material that could potentially be used in a wide number of applications, from medical imaging and optical sensing to 'glow in the dark' dyes and paints.

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Meeting biodiversity, climate, and water objectives through integrated strategies

We are collectively failing to conserve the world's biodiversity and to mobilize natural solutions to help curb global warming. A new study shows that managing a strategically placed 30% of land for conservation could safeguard 70% of all considered terrestrial plant and vertebrate animal species, while simultaneously conserving more than 62% of the world's above and below ground vulnerable carbon, and 68% of all clean water.

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Volcanism drove rapid ocean deoxygenation during the time of the dinosaurs

Ocean deoxygenation during the Mesozoic Era was much more rapid than previous thought, with CO2 induced environmental warming creating ocean 'dead zones' over timescales of only tens of thousands of years. The research paints a new picture of severe ocean deoxygenation events in our planet's geologic history.

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Understanding cookiecutter sharks

A little understood species of shark, known for taking cookie cutter-shaped bites out of everything from white sharks and whales to the rubber coated sonar sensors on submarines and even underwater electrical cables, is the subject of a new study. While the deep sea dwelling Cookiecutter shark will take a chomp out of anything it encounters in the upper reaches of the ocean, it really feasts on crustaceans, squid and small fish found in their habitat.

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Eyes provide peek at Alzheimer’s disease risk

Amyloid plaques found in the retinas of eyes may be an indicator of similar plaques in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, and may provide a more visible biomarker for detecting disease risk.

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Eyes provide peek at Alzheimer’s disease risk

Amyloid plaques found in the retinas of eyes may be an indicator of similar plaques in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, and may provide a more visible biomarker for detecting disease risk.

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Machine learning links material composition and performance in catalysts

In a finding that could help pave the way toward cleaner fuels and a more sustainable chemical industry, researchers have used machine learning to predict how the compositions of metal alloys and metal oxides affect their electronic structures.

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Steep rise in cardiac arrests associated with opioid use

A nationwide US study has shown that the rate of opioid-related cardiac arrests has steeply risen and is now on par with the rate of cardiac arrest from other causes. Opioid use disorder, which includes dependence and addiction, affects more than two million people in the US, while opioid overdose is the leading cause of death for those aged 25 to 64 years. This study examined the trends and outcomes of opioid-related cardiac arrest in 2012 to 2018. The US Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) was used to study all hospitalisations for cardiac arrest in active or chronic opioid users compared to cardiac arrests in patients not using opioids.

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High-rate magnesium rechargeable batteries move one step closer to realization

Magnesium rechargeable batteries show immense promise for a greener future because of their energy density, safety, and cost. But the lack of high-performance cathode materials has impeded their development. Now, a research team has developed liquid-sulfur/sulfide composite cathodes that enable high-rate magnesium batteries.

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Mathematical model predicts best way to build muscle

Researchers have developed a mathematical model that can predict the optimum exercise regime for building muscle.

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New spontaneous mouse model shows promise for bolstering Sjögren's syndrome treatment

Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that attacks the tear duct and salivary glands, leading to patients suffering unbearable dry eyes and mouth. To date, treatment options have been limited. But this may change thanks to a recently developed mouse model that will help explain the pathogenic mechanisms behind the disease.

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Smallest biosupercapacitor provides energy for biomedical applications

The miniaturization of microelectronic sensor technology, microelectronic robots or intravascular implants is progressing rapidly. However, it also poses major challenges for research. One of the biggest is the development of tiny but efficient energy storage devices that enable the operation of autonomously working microsystems -- in more and more smaller areas of the human body for example. In addition, these energy storage devices must be bio-compatible if they are to be used in the body at all. Now there is a prototype that combines these essential properties.

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Rise and fall of water blisters offers glimpse beneath Greenland’s thick ice sheet

A study found that as meltwater lakes on the surface of Greenland's ice sheet rapidly drain, they create water blisters between the ice and the bedrock that scientists could use to understand the hydrological network below Greenland's thick inland ice sheet. These networks could affect the stability of the ice sheet as Earth's climate warms.

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Steep rise in cardiac arrests associated with opioid use

A nationwide US study has shown that the rate of opioid-related cardiac arrests has steeply risen and is now on par with the rate of cardiac arrest from other causes. Opioid use disorder, which includes dependence and addiction, affects more than two million people in the US, while opioid overdose is the leading cause of death for those aged 25 to 64 years. This study examined the trends and outcomes of opioid-related cardiac arrest in 2012 to 2018. The US Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) was used to study all hospitalisations for cardiac arrest in active or chronic opioid users compared to cardiac arrests in patients not using opioids.

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Possible antidote for club drug GHB overdose

Diclofenac and other NSAIDs may limit the passage of narcolepsy medication and illicit party drug GHB to the brain, decreasing the potential for fatal overdose, researchers find.

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New air routes are vital for organ transplants

Research suggests that introducing new airline routes reduces the discard rate of donated kidneys and increases the number of kidneys sent to transplant centers across the U.S.

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Lightweight composite material inspects itself: Changes in color indicate deformations

Researchers have developed a new type of laminate that changes color as soon as the material is deformed. This way, the materials researchers can kill two birds with one stone: a lightweight composite material that inspects itself.

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Benefits outweigh risks for autonomous vehicles - if they are regulated

Experts have assessed the risks and potential benefits associated with deploying autonomous vehicles (AVs) on U.S. roads and predicts that the benefits will substantially outweigh potential harms -- but only if the AVs are well regulated.

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Pecan-enriched diet shown to reduce cholesterol

Researchers show that pecans can dramatically improve a person's cholesterol levels.

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Rare Cambrian fossils from Utah reveal unexpected anatomical complexity in early comb jellies

Researchers describe two new species of fossil ctenophores from the mid-Cambrian of Western USA, one of which has a preserved nervous system, which illuminates the early evolution of nervous and sensory features in ctenophores.

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Gene editing could render mosquitoes infertile, reducing disease spread

Mosquitoes spread viruses that cause potentially deadly diseases such as Zika, dengue fever and yellow fever. New research uses gene editing to render certain male mosquitoes infertile and slow the spread of these diseases.

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The Hobbit’s bite gets a stress test

If you've ever suffered from a sore jaw that popped or clicked when you chewed gum or crunched hard foods, you may be able to blame it on your extinct ancestors. That's according to a recent study of the chewing mechanics of an ancient human relative called Homo floresiensis, which inhabited the Indonesian island of Flores before our species arrived there some 50,000 years ago.

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Think leisure is a waste? That may not bode well for your mental health

Feeling like leisure is wasteful and unproductive may lead to less happiness and higher levels of stress and depression, new research suggests.

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Wildfire smoke exposure during pregnancy increases preterm birth risk

Smoke from wildfires may have contributed to thousands of additional premature births in California between 2007 and 2012. The findings underscore the value of reducing the risk of big, extreme wildfires and suggest pregnant people should avoid very smoky air.

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Survival strategy of starving spruces trees: The critical role of reserves

Trees continue to form reserves even during long periods of starvation, study shows.

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Alcohol use in young adults is associated with early aging of blood vessels

Drinking alcohol during adolescence to young adulthood is associated with accelerated arterial stiffening, a precursor to cardiovascular disease, according to a new study.

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Delayed care for juvenile new-onset type 1 diabetes

Four out of ten children and adolescents who were admitted with new-onset type 1 diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis did not receive hospital treatment the same day as contacts were taken with primary care. In severe cases, a delay before hospital care begins can lead to life-threatening conditions.

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Scientists distill cow’s milk into nano-capsules for drug delivery

Scientists have developed a novel way to isolate exosomes from cow's milk. Exosomes are nano-sized biological capsules that cells produce to protect and courier delicate molecules throughout the body. Harvesting them to achieve clinical-grade levels of purity, however, is a complex process.

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Antibody protects against broad range of COVID-19 virus variants

Researchers have identified an antibody that is highly protective against a broad range of variants of the virus that causes COVID-19.

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Scientists distill cow’s milk into nano-capsules for drug delivery

Scientists have developed a novel way to isolate exosomes from cow's milk. Exosomes are nano-sized biological capsules that cells produce to protect and courier delicate molecules throughout the body. Harvesting them to achieve clinical-grade levels of purity, however, is a complex process.

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Antibody protects against broad range of COVID-19 virus variants

Researchers have identified an antibody that is highly protective against a broad range of variants of the virus that causes COVID-19.

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Interstellar comets like Borisov may not be all that rare

Astronomers calculate that the Oort Cloud may be home to more visiting objects than objects that belong to our solar system.

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Synthetic tissue model with blood vessels

Researchers investigate which material properties support vessel formation.

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One material with two functions could lead to faster memory

Researchers have developed a new light-emitting memory device by integrating a resistive random-access memory with a light-emitting electrochemical cell that are both based on perovskite. The results are promising for faster data storage and reading in future electronic devices and open a new avenue of applications for perovskite optoelectronics.

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Scholars dispel claims of cannibalistic Caribs

A group of scholars is denouncing what they call unsubstantiated and harmful claims of cannibalistic Caribs migrating to the Caribbean.

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Gut bacteria and flavonoid-rich foods are linked and improve blood pressure levels

Flavonoids found in plants and plant foods such as berries, apples, tea, wine and dark chocolate are known to offer health benefits, including some protective effects on the cardiovascular system. A study of over 900 adults in Germany evaluated the quantity and frequency of eating flavonoid-rich foods and measured bacteria in the gut microbiome to determine if there was an association with blood pressure levels.

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Sunday, August 22, 2021

Using artificial intelligence for early detection and treatment of illnesses

Artificial intelligence (AI) will fundamentally change medicine and healthcare: Diagnostic patient data, e.g. from ECG, EEG or X-ray images, can be analyzed with the help of machine learning, so that diseases can be detected at a very early stage based on subtle changes. However, implanting AI within the human body is still a major technical challenge. Scientists have now succeeded in developing a bio-compatible implantable AI platform that classifies in real time healthy and pathological patterns in biological signals such as heartbeats. It detects pathological changes even without medical supervision.

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Distress signal from fat cells prompts heart to shore up defenses against consequences of obesity

A stress signal received by the heart from fat could help protect against cardiac damage induced by obesity, a new study suggests. The finding could help explain the 'obesity paradox,' a phenomenon in which obese individuals have better short- and medium-term cardiovascular disease prognoses compared with those who are lean, but with ultimately worse long-term outcomes.

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New insights on mechanism that could help treat muscle-related diseases

Expression of the MyoD gene combined with exposure to three chemicals causes skin cells to become primitive muscle progenitors that can be maintained indefinitely in the lab and later coaxed into becoming mature muscle cells to treat muscle-related diseases. Skin-derived muscle progenitors are molecularly similar to muscle tissue stem cells, and muscle cells derived from these progenitors are more stable and mature than muscle cells directly converted from skin cells.

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Using artificial intelligence for early detection and treatment of illnesses

Artificial intelligence (AI) will fundamentally change medicine and healthcare: Diagnostic patient data, e.g. from ECG, EEG or X-ray images, can be analyzed with the help of machine learning, so that diseases can be detected at a very early stage based on subtle changes. However, implanting AI within the human body is still a major technical challenge. Scientists have now succeeded in developing a bio-compatible implantable AI platform that classifies in real time healthy and pathological patterns in biological signals such as heartbeats. It detects pathological changes even without medical supervision.

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Distress signal from fat cells prompts heart to shore up defenses against consequences of obesity

A stress signal received by the heart from fat could help protect against cardiac damage induced by obesity, a new study suggests. The finding could help explain the 'obesity paradox,' a phenomenon in which obese individuals have better short- and medium-term cardiovascular disease prognoses compared with those who are lean, but with ultimately worse long-term outcomes.

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Polymer electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries without dead zones

A joint research team succeeds in improving ionic conductivity using electrostatic interface of polymer electrolytes.

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New breakthrough in research into old insect exoskeletons

Researchers have isolated genetic material from exuviae (discarded exoskeletons) left after insects like cicadas molt. The researchers tested five different methods of amplifying the DNA sample by PCR, and were able to isolate nuclear DNA of good enough quality for repetitive loci known as microsatellites to be genotyped. This work is a significant contribution to insect sciences because these methods can be used for any insect species that molts.

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Here comes the Sun: Planetary scientists find evidence of solar-driven change on the Moon

A new study uncovered important clues to help understand the surprisingly active lunar surface. The scientists found that solar radiation could be a more important source of lunar iron nanoparticles than previously thought.

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Cross-pollinating physicists use novel technique to improve the design of facilities that aim to harvest fusion energy

Scientists have transferred a technique from one realm of plasma physics to another to enable the more efficient design of powerful magnets for doughnut-shaped fusion facilities known as tokamaks.

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Researchers develop novel strategy for tuberculosis vaccine

Innovators have created a novel strategy for developing an effective vaccine for a widespread form of tuberculosis.

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PULSAR-integrated radiotherapy with immunotherapy for improved tumor control

Cancer physicians are pioneering a new PULSAR radiation-therapy strategy that improves tumor control compared with traditional daily therapy.

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Saturday, August 21, 2021

Sequential-combinatorial regimens can make treatment more effective for people with aggressive cancers

A new preclinical study suggests that treating people who have aggressive cancers, including melanoma, pancreatic and colorectal cancers, with immune checkpoint inhibitors, quickly followed with mutation-targeted therapy, can help overcome treatment resistance and help people live longer.

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Friday, August 20, 2021

How schools of ‘microswimmers’ can increase their cargo capacity

In a new study, researchers found that, when a school of microscopic, self-propelled droplets known as 'microswimmers' moves in the same direction inside a narrow channel, they can increase the cargo capacity -- the number of particles they can carry -- by 10-fold. Their findings have broad implications, from drug delivery systems to materials with active coatings.

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We can expect more emissions from oil refineries in the near-term future, analysis finds

A global inventory has revealed that CO2 emissions from oil refineries were 1.3 Gigatons (Gt) in 2018 and could be as large as 16.5 Gt from 2020 to 2030. Based on the results, the researchers recommend distinct mitigation strategies for refineries in different regions and age groups.

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Can isometric resistance training safely reduce high blood pressure?

This very accessible and easy to perform intervention could have a strong effect on reducing blood pressure, say researchers.

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Can isometric resistance training safely reduce high blood pressure?

This very accessible and easy to perform intervention could have a strong effect on reducing blood pressure, say researchers.

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Fertility:Key protein helps sperm do their job in timely fashion

Researchers detail how a ubiquitous signaling molecule plays a critical role in male fertility, orchestrating key steps that promote sperm motility, survival and fertilization success.

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Fertility:Key protein helps sperm do their job in timely fashion

Researchers detail how a ubiquitous signaling molecule plays a critical role in male fertility, orchestrating key steps that promote sperm motility, survival and fertilization success.

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New fossils show what the ancestral brains of arthropods looked like

Rare fossils preserving the brains of creatures living more than half a billion years ago shed new light on the evolution of arthropods such as insects and crustaceans.

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Biodiversity: Land use – Threat to and opportunity for bumblebees

Bumblebees largely contribute to the pollination of crops. However, they are threatened by land use changes due to climate change. Long-term simulations have now shown that smart land management may stabilize some species.

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Female and young walruses depend on disappearing Arctic sea ice for food sources

A new study shows that disappearing sea ice is a significant element of the food web supporting female walruses and their dependent young in the Arctic's Chukchi Sea. Researchers were able to trace biomarkers that are unique to algae growing within sea ice to connect marine mammals with a food source that is rapidly diminishing in the face of climate change.

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Cloud shadows cue mini-migrations

A new study shows that zooplankton swim up and down repeatedly within the ocean's twilight zone due to subtle changes in daylight intensity, with implications for deep-sea ecology and the Earth's carbon cycle.

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Seeing both the forest and the trees: Trans-scale scope shows big picture of tiny targets

Researchers built a microscope system that can image over a million cells at once. The technology allowed the team to simultaneously observe the actions of individual cells as well as the global features of cell populations. This research may significantly increase the ability of scientists to study rare cellular functions.

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New imaging tool visualizes cell functions in a microphysiological system

A microphysiological system (MPS) is a 3D organ construct using human cells. They show us how organs respond to drugs and environmental stimuli. Now, researchers have developed a new imaging tool for MPS using scanning probe microscopy.

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Hundreds of Cape Fur seals entangled in fishing lines and nets every year

Fishing line and nets are having a major impact on Cape fur seals, the most common marine mammal observed around the coastline of South Africa and Namibia, where they are endemic. The first results from an ongoing study, initiated in 2018, shows that a high number of affected animals are pups and juveniles, which were mainly entangled around the neck with fishing line, causing horrific injuries and resulting in a slow, painful death.

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Evolution now accepted by majority of Americans

The level of public acceptance of evolution in the United States is now solidly above the halfway mark, according to a new study based on a series of national public opinion surveys conducted over the last 35 years.

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Integrative approach by biologists increases accuracy of mosquito vector surveillance

A team of researchers has developed an integrative approach that increases the accuracy of mosquito surveillance and management. The two-pronged strategy boosts accuracy in sampling by including mosquito larvae, and species identification using short DNA sequences.

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New imaging tool visualizes cell functions in a microphysiological system

A microphysiological system (MPS) is a 3D organ construct using human cells. They show us how organs respond to drugs and environmental stimuli. Now, researchers have developed a new imaging tool for MPS using scanning probe microscopy.

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Cardiovascular disorder genetic testing in children presents unique challenges

Genetic testing for cardiovascular disorders is rapidly expanding, including among children. In its first scientific statement focused on the issue of cardiovascular genetic testing specifically among children, the American Heart Association provides information and guidance on the topic, including issues of timing, consent, family counseling before and after testing, and follow-up.

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Novel AI blood testing technology can ID lung cancers with high accuracy

A novel artificial intelligence blood testing technology was found to detect over 90% of lung cancers in samples from nearly 800 individuals with and without cancer.

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Novel resilient state estimation method for process control in cyber-physical systems

A new process control method uses a special mathematical structure to accurately estimate the internal process variables of a system, even when external sensors are damaged.

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Opening the climate change forecasting toolbox

It is not easy to predict how animals -- from insects to fish -- are going to respond to climate change and especially extremes of temperature. This lack of understanding hinders our ability to predict the vulnerability of these animals to climate change. Scientists now make several proposal on how to improve the current, widely adopted thermal vulnerability index.

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Cardiovascular disorder genetic testing in children presents unique challenges

Genetic testing for cardiovascular disorders is rapidly expanding, including among children. In its first scientific statement focused on the issue of cardiovascular genetic testing specifically among children, the American Heart Association provides information and guidance on the topic, including issues of timing, consent, family counseling before and after testing, and follow-up.

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

Novel AI blood testing technology can ID lung cancers with high accuracy

A novel artificial intelligence blood testing technology was found to detect over 90% of lung cancers in samples from nearly 800 individuals with and without cancer.

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Study of East Africans illuminates new genetic factors underlying human faces

A new study of the genetics underlying facial features finds that East Africans have some unique facial genetics and some that are shared with Europeans. The findings add to our understanding of how genetics shape the human face.

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A master gear in the circadian clock

A gene called Npas4, already known to play a key role in balancing excitatory and inhibitory inputs in brain cells, appears to also be a master timekeeper for the brain's circadian clock, new research suggests. The finding broadens understanding of the circadian clock's molecular mechanisms, which could eventually lead to new treatments for managing challenges such as jet lag, shift work, and sleep disorders.

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A parent’s genes can influence a child’s educational success, inherited or not

A child's educational success depends on the genes that they haven't inherited from their parents, as well as the genes they have, according to a new study.

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Study could offer hope to Pompe disease patients

Pompe disease is a rare genetic disorder that disables heart and skeletal muscles and can lead to early death if untreated. The only available treatment for the disease is enzyme replacement therapy that must be injected regularly, sometimes every few days, for life. The treatment can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. Researchers have now developed a method that could make enzyme replacement therapy more efficient, less expensive and less frequent.

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You’re cooler than you think! Hypothermia may go unnoticed when exercising in the cold

An exercise physiology study has demonstrated that perception of core body temperature is altered by low-intensity exercise in cold environments. The findings have provided important information about the role of temperature sensation in thermoregulation and suggest that, during activities performed in the water or in the winter, the possibility of accidental hypothermia should be kept in mind.

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New approach identifies T cells in COVID-19 patients

T cells play a decisive role in fighting the coronavirus and preventing infected individuals from becoming seriously ill. They identify and fight the virus directly within the infected cells. Researchers have produced a precise profile of the T cells that respond to SARS-CoV-2 and described them at various stages of the illness. This novel methodological approach may in the future also help to assess the efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines or in the development of T cell-based treatments for serious cases.

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Varying immune cell levels in canine brain tumors could provide therapeutic targets

A new study reveals that high-grade gliomas, or brain tumors, in dogs contained more immune cells associated with suppressing immune response than low-grade gliomas.

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Varying immune cell levels in canine brain tumors could provide therapeutic targets

A new study reveals that high-grade gliomas, or brain tumors, in dogs contained more immune cells associated with suppressing immune response than low-grade gliomas.

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Thursday, August 19, 2021

Faster and cheaper ethanol-to-jet-fuel on the horizon

A patented process for converting alcohol sourced from renewable or industrial waste gasses into jet or diesel fuel is being scaled up.

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Understanding enzyme evolution paves the way for 'green' chemistry

Researchers have shown how laboratory evolution can give rise to highly efficient enzymes for new-to-nature reactions, opening the door for novel and more environmentally friendly ways to make drugs and other chemicals.

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Antibodies block specific viruses that cause arthritis, brain infections

Researchers have found antibodies that protect against specific mosquito-borne viruses that cause arthritis and brain infections. The findings could lead to a universal therapy or vaccine for the viruses.

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Researchers develop steerable catheter for brain surgery

A team of engineers and physicians has developed a steerable catheter that will give neurosurgeons the ability to steer the device in any direction they want while navigating the brain's arteries and blood vessels. The device was inspired by nature, specifically insect legs and flagella -- tail-like structures that allow microscopic organisms such as bacteria to swim.

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Blood-pressure drugs could improve colorectal cancer survival, study suggests

ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers and thiazide diuretics were all associated with decreased mortality in patients with colorectal cancer.

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Antibodies block specific viruses that cause arthritis, brain infections

Researchers have found antibodies that protect against specific mosquito-borne viruses that cause arthritis and brain infections. The findings could lead to a universal therapy or vaccine for the viruses.

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Researchers develop steerable catheter for brain surgery

A team of engineers and physicians has developed a steerable catheter that will give neurosurgeons the ability to steer the device in any direction they want while navigating the brain's arteries and blood vessels. The device was inspired by nature, specifically insect legs and flagella -- tail-like structures that allow microscopic organisms such as bacteria to swim.

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Blood-pressure drugs could improve colorectal cancer survival, study suggests

ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers and thiazide diuretics were all associated with decreased mortality in patients with colorectal cancer.

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Rattlesnake rattles trick human ears

Rattlesnakes increase their rattling rate as potential threats approach, and this abrupt switch to a high-frequency mode makes listeners, including humans, think they're closer than they actually are, researchers report.

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Key mental abilities can actually improve during aging

It's long been believed that advancing age leads to broad declines in our mental abilities. Now new research offers surprisingly good news by countering this view.

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Landslide disaster risk in the Kivu Rift is linked to deforestation and population growth

New research shows how deforestation and population growth have greatly impacted landslide risk in the Kivu Rift. This is what researchers established from an analysis of six decades of forest cover and population trends in the region.

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Home-grown semiconductors for faster, smaller electronics

'Growing' electronic components directly onto a semiconductor block avoids messy, noisy oxidation scattering that slows and impedes electronic operation. A new study shows that the resulting high-mobility components are ideal candidates for high-frequency, ultra-small electronic devices, quantum dots, and for qubit applications in quantum computing.

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Teens who use cannabis frequently more likely to have premature baby

Teenagers who use cannabis frequently may be more likely to have children born preterm, when they become parents up to twenty years later, finds a new study. The research repeatedly assessed 665 participants in a general population cohort on their tobacco and cannabis use between ages 14 to 29 years, before pregnancy.

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Key mental abilities can actually improve during aging

It's long been believed that advancing age leads to broad declines in our mental abilities. Now new research offers surprisingly good news by countering this view.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3gj8WyB

Teens who use cannabis frequently more likely to have premature baby

Teenagers who use cannabis frequently may be more likely to have children born preterm, when they become parents up to twenty years later, finds a new study. The research repeatedly assessed 665 participants in a general population cohort on their tobacco and cannabis use between ages 14 to 29 years, before pregnancy.

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Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Videos capture lethal progress of COVID-19 virus

Video images capture for the first time in live animals the inexorable spread of the COVID-19 virus, tracking the infection as it moved from the noses of mice to the lungs and other organs over the course of six days, in a new study.

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Cooperation under pressure: Lessons from the COVID-19 swab crisis

A major crisis that accompanied the rise of the pandemic was lack of availability of the nasopharyngeal swab -- necessary for testing for COVID-19, which in turn, was necessary to get a grip on the pandemic. An account of how one group addressed that crisis is published this week Journal of Clinical Microbiology, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

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Tailoring wearable technology and telehealth in treating Parkinson's disease

Wearable health technologies are vastly popular with people wanting to improve their physical and mental health. Everything from exercise, sleep patterns, calories consumed and heart rhythms can be tracked by a wearable device. But timely and accurate data is also especially valuable for doctors treating patients with complicated health conditions using virtual care.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2Xy7t0B

Videos capture lethal progress of COVID-19 virus

Video images capture for the first time in live animals the inexorable spread of the COVID-19 virus, tracking the infection as it moved from the noses of mice to the lungs and other organs over the course of six days, in a new study.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3CSP0fD

Tailoring wearable technology and telehealth in treating Parkinson's disease

Wearable health technologies are vastly popular with people wanting to improve their physical and mental health. Everything from exercise, sleep patterns, calories consumed and heart rhythms can be tracked by a wearable device. But timely and accurate data is also especially valuable for doctors treating patients with complicated health conditions using virtual care.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2Xy7t0B

Protecting largest, most prolific fish may boost productivity of fisheries

Management of many of the largest fisheries in the world assumes incorrectly that many small fish reproduce as well as fewer large ones with similar total masses, a new analysis has found. That can lead to overharvesting the largest, most prolific fish that can contribute the most to the population.

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

Both early experiences and gene expression influence impulsivity in chicks

Differences in impulsivity between individuals are linked to both experience and gene expression, according to a study on the ancestor of domestic chickens, the red junglefowl.

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Only 13 % know: The one-minute self-exam that could save young men’s lives

A new survey shows most Americans wrongly think testicular cancer is an older man's issue, despite it most commonly affecting men aged 2...