Ubiquitous food additive alters human microbiota and intestinal environment

New clinical research indicates that a widely used food additive, carboxymethylcellulose, alters the intestinal environment of healthy persons, perturbing levels of beneficial bacteria and nutrients. These findings demonstrate the need for further study of the long-term impacts of this food additive on health.

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Researchers find new link between a disrupted body clock and inflammatory diseases

New research has demonstrated the significant role that an irregular body clock plays in driving inflammation in the body's immune cells, with implications for the most serious and prevalent diseases in humans.

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Scientists can control brain circuits, behavior, and emotion using light

Scientists can control brain circuits, behavior, and emotion using light. Researchers developed a new optogenetic tool, 'Opto-vTrap', which is expected to contribute to treatment for epilepsy, muscle spasms, and skin wrinkles.

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Reduced meat diet has many advantages

Which diet is better: moderately reduce meat consumption and eat more fruit, vegetables and wholegrain products or eating more fish and seafood? Or even switch completely to a vegan diet? A new study shows that the answer to these questions is not as clear-cut as one might think -- depending on which impacts one closely looks.

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Biomedical engineers find neural activity during rest is highly organized

When mice rest, individual neurons fire in seconds-long, coordinated cascades, triggering activity across the brain, according to new research. Previously, this was thought to be a relatively random process -- single neurons firing spontaneously at random times without external stimulation.

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Antihistamines can influence immunotherapy response by enhancing T cell activation

Researchers discovered that antihistamines are associated with improved responses to immunotherapy. Their work revealed a role for the histamine receptor in suppressing T cell activation to block anti-tumor immune responses.

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Treating insomnia with cognitive behavioral therapy can prevent major depression in older adults

A new study has found that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT-I) prevented major depression, decreasing the likelihood of depression by over 50% as compared to sleep education therapy in adults over the age of 60 with insomnia.

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

Ubiquitous food additive alters human microbiota and intestinal environment

New clinical research indicates that a widely used food additive, carboxymethylcellulose, alters the intestinal environment of healthy persons, perturbing levels of beneficial bacteria and nutrients. These findings demonstrate the need for further study of the long-term impacts of this food additive on health.

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

Reshaping the plastic lifecycle into a circle

New research gives a bird's-eye view of the scale of plastic creation globally, tracing where it's produced, where it ends up, and its environmental impact.

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Scientists can control brain circuits, behavior, and emotion using light

Scientists can control brain circuits, behavior, and emotion using light. Researchers developed a new optogenetic tool, 'Opto-vTrap', which is expected to contribute to treatment for epilepsy, muscle spasms, and skin wrinkles.

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

Reduced meat diet has many advantages

Which diet is better: moderately reduce meat consumption and eat more fruit, vegetables and wholegrain products or eating more fish and seafood? Or even switch completely to a vegan diet? A new study shows that the answer to these questions is not as clear-cut as one might think -- depending on which impacts one closely looks.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3o5Q3n4

Nonverbal social interactions – even with unfriendly avatars – boost cooperation

Scientists used animated humanoid avatars to study how nonverbal cues influence people's behavior. The research offers insight into the brain mechanisms that drive social and economic decision-making.

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Courting success: Why the 'head' outsmarts the body in basketball

A new study reveals why coaches believe 'game intelligence,' work ethic and competitiveness are far more important than physical fitness in determining success on the basketball court.

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Nonverbal social interactions – even with unfriendly avatars – boost cooperation

Scientists used animated humanoid avatars to study how nonverbal cues influence people's behavior. The research offers insight into the brain mechanisms that drive social and economic decision-making.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3d4Tx2J

Courting success: Why the 'head' outsmarts the body in basketball

A new study reveals why coaches believe 'game intelligence,' work ethic and competitiveness are far more important than physical fitness in determining success on the basketball court.

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Researchers develop new approach to nanoparticles that stop internal bleeding

Researchers have developed a unique way of modifying the surfaces of nanoparticles within life-saving medications to provide infusions that can be delivered more quickly, but with a reduced risk of negative reactions.

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Time crystal in a quantum computer

Researchers have created and observed a new phase of matter, popularly known as a time crystal.

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As LA traffic slowed amid the pandemic, researchers gained new insight into air pollution

Car tailpipes spew out molecules of ammonia, a harmful air pollutant that can lead to thousands of premature deaths every year. New research shows that vehicles may produce a lot more of these emissions than federal and state regulators have believed.

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Experimental compound counters diabetic complications

An experimental compound reduced complications of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in mice -- not by lowering blood sugar -- but by countering its consequences, a new study finds.

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Those that game together, stay together

Play is important for the development of complex social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills. Play provides young individuals with a safe space to practice new behaviors without grave repercussions. While most animals engage in play, only humans engage in rule-based games. Which kinds of games people play -- competitive or cooperative -- may depend on their cultural background. In a new study, researchers screened historical data to answer the question whether cultures play games that correspond to how cooperative they are.

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Scientists find SARS-CoV-2-related coronaviruses in Cambodian bats from 2010

Scientists have identified coronaviruses closely related to SARS-CoV-2 from two bats sampled in Cambodia more than a decade ago.

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Research sheds new light on effects of dietary restriction

New research in the tiny nematode worm, C. elegans, has revealed that muscle may be a protected tissue under conditions of dietary restriction.

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Programmable interaction between quantum magnets

Researchers have succeeded in their aim of not only changing the strength but also the nature of the interaction between microscopic quantum magnets, known as spins. Instead of falling into a state of complete disorder, the especially prepared magnets can maintain their original orientation for a long period. With these findings, the physicists have successfully demonstrated a programmable control of spin interactions in isolated quantum systems.

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Development of an artificial vision device capable of mimicking human optical illusions

Researchers have developed an ionic artificial vision device capable of increasing the edge contrast between the darker and lighter areas of an mage in a manner similar to that of human vision. This first-ever synthetic mimicry of human optical illusions was achieved using ionic migration and interaction within solids. It may be possible to use the device to develop compact, energy-efficient visual sensing and image processing hardware systems capable of processing analog signals.

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Spicy breast milk?

In part of a recent human study led by the Technical University of Munich (TUM), it was found that after eating a curry dish containing pepper, piperine - an alkaloid responsible for the pungency of pepper - was present in the milk of breastfeeding women. The findings help decipher mechanisms that shape our food preferences from infancy.

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How can our brain still perceive familiar objects even when they become indistinct?

Researchers have explored the brain neuronal mechanism that allows the perception of familiar images even if they are indistinct. They found that the number of neurons responding to low-contrast rather than high-contrast visual stimuli increased in rats performing a visual orientation discrimination task after repeated experiences. These neurons showed stronger activities in correct-choice than incorrect-choice trials. These neurons efficiently represented low-contrast stimulations. Thus, the low-contrast preference in V1 activity may contribute to improved low-contrast visual. discrimination.

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In the quantum realm, not even time flows as you might expect

A team of physicists has shown how quantum systems can simultaneously evolve along two opposite time arrows - both forward and backward in time. The study necessitates a rethink of how the flow of time is understood and represented in contexts where quantum laws play a crucial role.

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Loss of ancient grazers triggered a global rise in fires

From 50,000 years to 6,000 years ago, many of the world's largest animals, including such iconic grassland grazers as the woolly mammoth, giant bison, and ancient horses, went extinct. The loss of these grazing species triggered a dramatic increase in fire activity in the world's grasslands, according to a new study.

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Spicy breast milk?

In part of a recent human study led by the Technical University of Munich (TUM), it was found that after eating a curry dish containing pepper, piperine - an alkaloid responsible for the pungency of pepper - was present in the milk of breastfeeding women. The findings help decipher mechanisms that shape our food preferences from infancy.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3d2Uzfy

How can our brain still perceive familiar objects even when they become indistinct?

Researchers have explored the brain neuronal mechanism that allows the perception of familiar images even if they are indistinct. They found that the number of neurons responding to low-contrast rather than high-contrast visual stimuli increased in rats performing a visual orientation discrimination task after repeated experiences. These neurons showed stronger activities in correct-choice than incorrect-choice trials. These neurons efficiently represented low-contrast stimulations. Thus, the low-contrast preference in V1 activity may contribute to improved low-contrast visual. discrimination.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2ZFO4MU

SARS-CoV-2 infection hijacks key cellular process, autophagy researchers discover

Novel autophagy research traces new mammalian pathways and reveals unexpected impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

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COVID-19 testing kits also can measure oral microbiome in saliva

COVID-19 saliva testing kits that include a novel preservative can also be used measure microscopic organisms in the mouth, a new study has found. This enables study of the relationship between mouth and lung microbes and the SARS-CoV-2 virus that may allow for the development of new treatments.

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'Magic wand' reveals a colorful nano-world

Researchers describe a revolutionary imaging technology that compresses lamp light into a nanometer-sized spot. It holds that light at the end of a silver nanowire like a Hogwarts student practicing the 'Lumos' spell, and uses it to reveal previously invisible details, including colors, in nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes.

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Scientists discover gut bacteria that improve memory in bees

An international research team have discovered a specific type of gut bacteria in bees that can improve memory.

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‘Super jelly’ can survive being run over by a car

Researchers have developed a jelly-like material that can withstand the equivalent of an elephant standing on it, and completely recover to its original shape, even though it's 80% water.

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Orbital harmony limits late arrival of water on TRAPPIST-1 planets

Seven Earth-sized planets orbit the star TRAPPIST-1 in near-perfect harmony, and researchers have now used that harmony to determine how much physical abuse the planets could have withstood in their infancy.

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COVID-19 became much more lethal in late 2020, UK study suggests

A new statistical analysis supports beliefs that COVID-19 became more lethal in the U.K. in late 2020, while also suggesting that multiple factors -- not just the alpha variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 -- were to blame.

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Researchers study extent of healthcare avoidance during COVID-19

One in five individuals avoided healthcare during lockdown in the COVID-19 pandemic, often for potentially urgent symptoms, according to a new study.

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Researchers shrink camera to the size of a salt grain

Researchers have developed an ultracompact camera the size of a coarse grain of salt. The new system can produce crisp, full-color images on par with a conventional compound camera lens 500,000 times larger in volume.

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COVID-19 became much more lethal in late 2020, UK study suggests

A new statistical analysis supports beliefs that COVID-19 became more lethal in the U.K. in late 2020, while also suggesting that multiple factors -- not just the alpha variant of the virus that causes COVID-19 -- were to blame.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3d2Pns4

Researchers study extent of healthcare avoidance during COVID-19

One in five individuals avoided healthcare during lockdown in the COVID-19 pandemic, often for potentially urgent symptoms, according to a new study.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3rjjeF7

Researchers shrink camera to the size of a salt grain

Researchers have developed an ultracompact camera the size of a coarse grain of salt. The new system can produce crisp, full-color images on par with a conventional compound camera lens 500,000 times larger in volume.

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New chip hides wireless messages in plain sight

Researchers have developed a method for incorporating security in the physical nature of the wireless transmission signal for 5G and future networks.

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Origami, kirigami inspire mechanical metamaterials designs

Researchers categorize origami- and kirigami-based mechanical metamaterials, artificially engineered materials with unusual mechanical properties, and subdivided them into rigid or deformable categories based on the elastic energy landscape. The researchers want to discover new designs, especially curved origami designs, hybrid origami-kirigami designs, modular designs, and hierarchical designs; to design for real-world applications, it will be helpful to explore materials with different properties such as thin or thick, soft or hard, and elastic or plastic.

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We might not know half of what’s in our cells, new AI technique reveals

Artificial intelligence-based technique reveals previously unknown cell components that may provide new clues to human development and disease.

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Optoelectrode changes reduce injuries to brain tissue, improve nerve research

Researchers have developed a technique for assembling optoelectrodes that looks to offer the best of silicon-based electrodes and polymer-based electrodes. The scientists demonstrated it is possible to efficiently create a semiflexible light-emitting electrode by removing the stiff silicon material from underneath the tip of the probe. The resulting device can study deep brain tissues with high resolution to record signals from individual nerve cells and stimulate small groups of neurons with state-of-the-art techniques such as optical waveguides.

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Over the top: Car jump study turns over old physics problem

If an automobile is moving at a steady speed over a hill in the shape of a vertical circular arc, what is the maximum speed it can attain without losing contact with the road at the crest of the hill? New research demonstrates that, despite numerous textbook references stating otherwise, a car will leave the ground on the downside of a peak. The study presents three cases to illustrate the nuances of the different physics principles at play and a researcher ultimately presents a compelling argument, dispelling the long-held notion a car can leave the road at the top of a smooth hill.

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We might not know half of what’s in our cells, new AI technique reveals

Artificial intelligence-based technique reveals previously unknown cell components that may provide new clues to human development and disease.

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Shifting colors for on-chip photonics

Researchers have developed highly efficient, on-chip frequency shifters that can convert light in the gigahertz frequency range. The frequency shifters are easily controlled, using continuous and single-tone microwaves.

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Optoelectrode changes reduce injuries to brain tissue, improve nerve research

Researchers have developed a technique for assembling optoelectrodes that looks to offer the best of silicon-based electrodes and polymer-based electrodes. The scientists demonstrated it is possible to efficiently create a semiflexible light-emitting electrode by removing the stiff silicon material from underneath the tip of the probe. The resulting device can study deep brain tissues with high resolution to record signals from individual nerve cells and stimulate small groups of neurons with state-of-the-art techniques such as optical waveguides.

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A new artificial material mimics quantum entangled rare earth compounds

Physicists have created a new ultra-thin two-layer material with quantum properties that normally require rare earth compounds. This material, which is relatively easy to make and does not contain rare earth metals, could provide a new platform for quantum computing and advance research into unconventional superconductivity and quantum criticality.

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Arctic Ocean started getting warmer decades earlier than we thought

The Arctic Ocean has been getting warmer since the beginning of the 20th century -- decades earlier than records suggest -- due to warmer water flowing into the delicate polar ecosystem from the Atlantic Ocean.

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Cause of biodiversity loss: Logistical Herculean tasks

The question of the causes of species extinction confronts science with complex tasks.

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Clear as (quasi) crystal: Scientists discover the first ferromagnetic quasicrystals

Since the discovery of quasicrystals (QCs), solids that mimic crystals in their long-range order but lack periodicity, scientists have sought physical properties related to their peculiar structure. Now, an international group of researchers report a long-range magnetic order in QCs with icosahedral symmetry that turn ferromagnetic below certain temperatures. This groundbreaking discovery opens doors to future research on these exotic materials.

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Feast or forage: Study finds circuit that helps a brain decide

By integrating multiple sensory inputs, a loop of mutual inhibition among a small set of neurons allows worms to switch between long-lasting behavioral states.

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Feast or forage: Study finds circuit that helps a brain decide

By integrating multiple sensory inputs, a loop of mutual inhibition among a small set of neurons allows worms to switch between long-lasting behavioral states.

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Giving social support to others may boost your health

When it comes to your health, being willing to give social support to your spouse, friends and family may be just as important as receiving assistance, a new study suggests.

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Gold-based cancer therapy could face competition from other substances

The gold complex auranofin has traditionally been used for treating rheumatism but is also being evaluated as a treatment for certain forms of cancer. Researchers now show that other molecules that inhibit the same biological system have a more specific effect than auranofin and therefore may have greater potential as cancer therapies.

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Deleting dysfunctional cells alleviates diabetes

Eliminating old, dysfunctional cells in human fat also alleviates signs of diabetes, researchers report. The discovery could lead to new treatments for Type 2 diabetes and other metabolic diseases.

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Study digs up roles bacteria play in global carbon cycle

Researchers have developed an innovative technique to track microbes and understand the various ways they process soil carbon, findings that add to our knowledge of how bacteria contribute to the global carbon cycle.

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Getting quantum dots to stop blinking

Quantum dots have many possible applications, but they are limited by their tendency to blink off at random intervals. Chemists have come up with a way to control this unwanted blinking without requiring any modification to the formulation or the manufacturing process.

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Hubble witnesses shock wave of colliding gases in Running Man Nebula

Mounded, luminous clouds of gas and dust glow in this Hubble image of a Herbig-Haro object known as HH 45. Herbig-Haro objects are a rarely seen type of nebula that occurs when hot gas ejected by a newborn star collides with the gas and dust around it at hundreds of miles per second, creating bright shock waves. In this image, blue indicates ionized oxygen (O II) and purple shows ionized magnesium (Mg II). Researchers were particularly interested in these elements because they can be used to identify shocks and ionization fronts. This object is located in the nebula NGC 1977, which itself is part of a complex of three nebulae called The Running Man. NGC 1977 -- like its companions NGC 1975 and NGC 1973 -- is a reflection nebula, which means that it doesn't emit light on its own, but reflects light from nearby stars, like a streetlight illuminating fog. Hubble observed this region to look for stellar jets and planet-forming disks around young stars, and examine how their environment affects the evolution of such disks.

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How eating less in early life could help with reproduction later on

New research shows how switching from a restricted diet to eating as much as you like could be beneficial for reproduction in later life. Researchers studied the eating and mating habits of the small fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. They found that those that switched from a restricted diet to unlimited food, started mating and reproducing more.

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How people understand other people

To successfully cooperate or compete with other people in everyday life, it is important to know what the other person thinks, feels, or wants. Researchers have explored which strategies people use to understand other people.

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Delta-like SARS-CoV-2 variants are most likely to increase pandemic severity

Mathematical model indicates SARS-CoV-2 variants that combine enhanced transmissibility with the ability to escape immunity cause more infections than variants with either trait alone. Understanding which type of variants are most likely to increase infections and pandemic severity could help researchers and public health officials interpret the significance of novel and existing variants and design tailored public health responses for various scenarios based on a variant's characteristics. In the case of Delta-like variants, vaccination is predicted to be highly beneficial because vaccinations would prevent a greater number of cases that a more transmissible virus would potentially cause, and because the milder nature of breakthrough infections should substantially reduce overall mortality.

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Unborn babies could contract COVID-19, says study, but it would be uncommon

An unborn baby could become infected with COVID-19 if their gut is exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, finds a new study.

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Plant-derived antiviral is effective in blocking highly infectious SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant, say scientists

A plant-based antiviral has been found to be just as effective at treating all variants of the virus SARS-CoV-2, even the highly infectious Delta variant.

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Collapse of ancient Liangzhu culture caused by climate change

Referred to as 'China's Venice of the Stone Age', the Liangzhu excavation site in eastern China is considered one of the most significant testimonies of early Chinese advanced civilization. More than 5000 years ago, the city already had an elaborate water management system. Until now, it has been controversial what led to the sudden collapse. Massive flooding triggered by anomalously intense monsoon rains caused the collapse, as geologists and climate researchers have now shown.

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How eating less in early life could help with reproduction later on

New research shows how switching from a restricted diet to eating as much as you like could be beneficial for reproduction in later life. Researchers studied the eating and mating habits of the small fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. They found that those that switched from a restricted diet to unlimited food, started mating and reproducing more.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3l3mkcA

Latte lovers rejoice! Study reveals drinking coffee could lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Good news for those of us who can't face the day without their morning flat white: a long-term study has revealed drinking higher amounts of coffee may make you less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease.

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How people understand other people

To successfully cooperate or compete with other people in everyday life, it is important to know what the other person thinks, feels, or wants. Researchers have explored which strategies people use to understand other people.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3oV8CcU

Unborn babies could contract COVID-19, says study, but it would be uncommon

An unborn baby could become infected with COVID-19 if their gut is exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, finds a new study.

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Latte lovers rejoice! Study reveals drinking coffee could lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Good news for those of us who can't face the day without their morning flat white: a long-term study has revealed drinking higher amounts of coffee may make you less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease.

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Prehistoric mums may have cared for kids better than we thought

A new study has revealed the death rate of babies in ancient societies is not a reflection of poor healthcare, disease and other factors, but instead is an indication of the number of babies born in that era.

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Can we perceive gender from children's voices?

Researchers report developing a database of speech samples from children ages 5 to 18 to explore two questions: What types of changes occur in children's voices as they become adults, and how do listeners adjust to the enormous variability in acoustic patterns across speakers? When they presented listeners with both syllables and sentences from different speakers, gender identification improved for sentences. They said this supports the stylistic elements of speech that highlight gender differences and come across better in sentences.

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Age, sex and waning COVID-19 antibodies

Antibodies after COVID-19 vaccination peaked higher for women and younger people than men and individuals over the age of 65, respectively, but levels dropped by half within six months for everyone in a study group.

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COVID-19 vaccine elicits weak antibody response in people taking immunosuppressant

People taking TNF inhibitors, a kind of immunosuppressive drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions, produced a weaker and shorter-lived antibody response after two doses of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, according to a new study. A third vaccine dose drove antibody levels back up, indicating that this additional dose may provide protection as the virus's delta variant continues to spread.

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Prehistoric mums may have cared for kids better than we thought

A new study has revealed the death rate of babies in ancient societies is not a reflection of poor healthcare, disease and other factors, but instead is an indication of the number of babies born in that era.

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

Can we perceive gender from children's voices?

Researchers report developing a database of speech samples from children ages 5 to 18 to explore two questions: What types of changes occur in children's voices as they become adults, and how do listeners adjust to the enormous variability in acoustic patterns across speakers? When they presented listeners with both syllables and sentences from different speakers, gender identification improved for sentences. They said this supports the stylistic elements of speech that highlight gender differences and come across better in sentences.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3l2gSqc

Meat-eating 'vulture bees' sport acidic guts

A little-known species of tropical bee has evolved an extra tooth for biting flesh and a gut that more closely resembles that of vultures rather than other bees.

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Ancient human relative, Australopithecus sediba, 'walked like a human, but climbed like an ape'

The recovery of new lumbar vertebrae from the lower back of a single individual of the human relative, Australopithecus sediba, and portions of other vertebrae of the same female from Malapa, South Africa, together with previously discovered vertebrae, form one of the most complete lower backs ever discovered in the early hominid record and give insight into how this ancient human relative walked and climbed.

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Analysis of Mars’s wind-induced vibrations sheds light on the planet’s subsurface properties

NASA's Mars mission InSight probes the geology of the Elysium Planitia, finding alternate layers of basalt and sediments. An international team of scientists compares on-the-ground data with data from models, which helps to understand, e.g., the surface's load-bearing capacity and trafficability.

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How moles change into melanoma

Melanoma researchers published a study that gives a new explanation of what causes moles to change into melanoma. These findings pave the way for more research into how to reduce the risk of melanoma, delay development, and detect melanoma early.

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Aspirin is linked with increased risk of heart failure in some

Aspirin use is associated with a 26% raised risk of heart failure in people with at least one predisposing factor for the condition.

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Taking it easy as you get older? Wrong

A team of evolutionary biologists and biomedical researchers lay out evolutionary and biomedical evidence showing that humans, who evolved to live many decades after they stopped reproducing, also evolved to be relatively active in their later years. The researchers say that physical activity later in life shifts energy away from processes that can compromise health and toward mechanisms in the body that extend it. They hypothesize that humans evolved to remain physically active as they age -- and in doing so to allocate energy to physiological processes that slow the body's gradual deterioration over the years. This guards against chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and even some cancers.

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How moles change into melanoma

Melanoma researchers published a study that gives a new explanation of what causes moles to change into melanoma. These findings pave the way for more research into how to reduce the risk of melanoma, delay development, and detect melanoma early.

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One year on this giant, blistering hot planet is just 16 hours long

Astronomers have discovered an ultrahot Jupiter with shortest orbit of any known gas giant planet.

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Aspirin is linked with increased risk of heart failure in some

Aspirin use is associated with a 26% raised risk of heart failure in people with at least one predisposing factor for the condition.

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Taking it easy as you get older? Wrong

A team of evolutionary biologists and biomedical researchers lay out evolutionary and biomedical evidence showing that humans, who evolved to live many decades after they stopped reproducing, also evolved to be relatively active in their later years. The researchers say that physical activity later in life shifts energy away from processes that can compromise health and toward mechanisms in the body that extend it. They hypothesize that humans evolved to remain physically active as they age -- and in doing so to allocate energy to physiological processes that slow the body's gradual deterioration over the years. This guards against chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and even some cancers.

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How to eat a poison butterfly

In high enough concentrations, milkweed can kill a horse, or a human. To be able to eat this plant, monarchs evolved a set of unusual cellular mutations. New research shows the animals that prey on monarchs also evolved these same mutations.

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Microbes can provide sustainable hydrocarbons for the petrochemical industry

The petrochemical industry turns oil and gas into precursors used to synthesize lubricants and other critical products. Chemists show that bacteria can be metabolically engineered to generate similar precursors, providing a sustainable replacement for fossil fuels and using less energy. The microbes need only glucose. The medium-chain hydrocarbons they produce can be broken down into shorter chains and polymerized into plastics, or lengthened to make products such as diesel.

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Monkeys, guinea pigs and native English speakers have very similar brain responses to speech sounds, study finds

Speech sounds elicit comparable neural responses and stimulate the same region in the brain of humans, macaques and guinea pigs, researchers report. The finding could help pave the way for better understanding and diagnosis of auditory processing deficits.

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Justinianic Plague was nothing like flu and may have struck England before it reached Constantinople, new study suggests

'Plague sceptics' are wrong to underestimate the devastating impact that bubonic plague had in the 6th to 8th centuries CE, argues a new study based on ancient texts and recent genetic discoveries. The same study suggests that bubonic plague may have reached England before its first recorded case in the Mediterranean via a currently unknown route, possibly involving the Baltic and Scandinavia.

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Ultrashort-pulse lasers kill bacterial superbugs, spores

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that multidrug-resistant bacteria and bacterial spores can be killed by ultrashort-pulse lasers. The findings could lead to new ways to sterilize wounds and blood products without damaging human cells.

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Monkeys, guinea pigs and native English speakers have very similar brain responses to speech sounds, study finds

Speech sounds elicit comparable neural responses and stimulate the same region in the brain of humans, macaques and guinea pigs, researchers report. The finding could help pave the way for better understanding and diagnosis of auditory processing deficits.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3nLCx83

Justinianic Plague was nothing like flu and may have struck England before it reached Constantinople, new study suggests

'Plague sceptics' are wrong to underestimate the devastating impact that bubonic plague had in the 6th to 8th centuries CE, argues a new study based on ancient texts and recent genetic discoveries. The same study suggests that bubonic plague may have reached England before its first recorded case in the Mediterranean via a currently unknown route, possibly involving the Baltic and Scandinavia.

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Chemotherapy may affect muscle cells at lower doses than previously thought

Previous research has found that chemotherapy can trigger muscle loss in people living with cancer, but a new study out of found it may also affect the way the body builds new muscle -- and at lower doses than previously known, having potential implications for treatments and rehab programs.

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A stunning 3D map of blood vessels and cells in a mouse skull could help scientists make new bones

Scientists have used glowing chemicals and other techniques to create a 3D map of the blood vessels and self-renewing 'stem' cells that line and penetrate a mouse skull. The map provides precise locations of blood vessels and stem cells that scientists could eventually use to repair wounds and generate new bone and tissue in the skull.

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Ultrashort-pulse lasers kill bacterial superbugs, spores

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that multidrug-resistant bacteria and bacterial spores can be killed by ultrashort-pulse lasers. The findings could lead to new ways to sterilize wounds and blood products without damaging human cells.

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Strategy to overcome tumors’ resistance to immunotherapy generates promising clinical trial results

Immune checkpoint inhibitors strengthen the immune response against cancer cells, but the medications are ineffective against certain tumors. Results from a new clinical trial indicate that adding radiation may overcome this resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors.

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By keeping ferroelectric 'bubbles' intact, researchers pave way for new devices

Scientists have discovered that ferroelectric bubbles remain intact and retain their electronic and electromechanical (piezoelectric) properties in a freestanding state. The discovery offers promise for novel microelectronics and energy-related applications.

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Revolution in imaging with neutrons: FRM II research group develops new processing method for image data

An international research team has developed a new imaging technology. In the future this technology could not only improve the resolution of neutron measurements by many times but could also reduce radiation exposure during x-ray imaging.

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Scientists may need to rethink how genomics impacts risk for OCD

Both rare and commonly observed differences in the DNA letters strung along a person's chromosomes can explain about a third of the risk for being diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), according to a new study.

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Snow cover critical for revegetation following forest fires

With wildfires devastating mountain ecosystems across the western United States, their successful forest revegetation recovery hinges on, among other factors, an adequate lasting snowpack, according to new research.

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COVID-19 case severity: How genetic differences leave immune cells at a disadvantage

New research shows how genetic variations linked to severe cases of COVID-19 affect our immune cells. The study is one of the first in-depth look at the connections between COVID-19 severity and gene expression in many types of immune cells. This work could guide the development of new COVID-19 therapies to boost immune cell function.

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Long-term blood sugar history predicts risk of severe COVID-19 among diabetics

People with type 2 diabetes who contract COVID-19 are nearly 50 percent more likely to wind up in intensive care if they have poorly managed their blood sugar levels over the long-term than those with better long-term glycemic control, according to a study using anonymized health care data.

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How do we know we're tired?

Why do we need sleep? New research takes a step towards solving this mystery by discovering a mechanism of sleep in zebrafish, with some supporting evidence in mice.

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Optimized second-generation mRNA vaccine demonstrated improved protection against COVID-19 in preclinical testing

Researchers conducted a head-to-head test of the second-generation vaccine CV2CoV compared with CVnCoV. The scientists assessed the vaccines' ability to provoke an immune response as well as their protective efficacy against COVID-19 in non-human primates.

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COVID-19 case severity: How genetic differences leave immune cells at a disadvantage

New research shows how genetic variations linked to severe cases of COVID-19 affect our immune cells. The study is one of the first in-depth look at the connections between COVID-19 severity and gene expression in many types of immune cells. This work could guide the development of new COVID-19 therapies to boost immune cell function.

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Digital teaching: Opportunity or challenge?

Researchers explain why digital teaching cannot replace face-to-face teaching in university education, but can certainly be seen as a complementary tool. The future of teaching and learning may lie in so-called blended learning, a mix of face-to-face and online education.

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Researchers study the link between vitamin D and inflammation

An active metabolite of vitamin D (not the over-the-counter version) is involved in shutting down inflammation, new research shows.

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Rodents could be asymptomatic carriers of SARS-like coronaviruses, study suggests

Some ancestral rodents likely had repeated infections with SARS-like coronaviruses, leading them to acquire tolerance or resistance to the pathogens, according to new research. This raises the possibility that modern rodents may be reservoirs of SARS-like viruses, the researchers say.

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Breakthrough in fight on tick-borne CCHF virus is latest use of new strategy against diseases

Using the same approach they recently used to create effective vaccine candidates against COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), scientists are tackling another virus: the tick-borne Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF).

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Scientist reveals cause of lost magnetism at meteorite site

A scientist has discovered a method for detecting and better defining meteorite impact sites that have long lost their tell-tale craters. The discovery could further the study of not only Earth's geology but also that of other bodies in our solar system.

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Hurricanes expected to linger over Northeast cities, causing greater damage

By the late 21st century, northeastern U.S. cities will see worsening hurricane outcomes, with storms arriving more quickly but slowing down once they've made landfall. As storms linger longer over the East Coast, they will cause greater damage along the heavily populated corridor, according to a new study.

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One in five galaxies in the early universe could still be hidden behind cosmic dust

Astronomers have discovered two previously invisible galaxies 29 billion light-years away. Their discovery suggests that up to one in five such distant galaxies remain hidden from our telescopes, camouflaged by cosmic dust. The new knowledge changes perceptions of our universe's evolution since the Big Bang.

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High-speed propeller star is fastest spinning white dwarf

A white dwarf star that completes a full rotation once every 25 seconds is the fastest spinning confirmed white dwarf, according to a team of astronomers.

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Digital teaching: Opportunity or challenge?

Researchers explain why digital teaching cannot replace face-to-face teaching in university education, but can certainly be seen as a complementary tool. The future of teaching and learning may lie in so-called blended learning, a mix of face-to-face and online education.

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'Mantle wind' blows through slab window beneath Panama

Volcanic gases are helping researchers track large-scale movements in Earth's deep interior. Scientists have discovered anomalous geochemical compositions beneath Panama.

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How sugar-loving microbes could help power future cars

It sounds like modern-day alchemy: Transforming sugar into hydrocarbons found in gasoline. But that's exactly what scientists have done. Researchers report harnessing the wonders of biology and chemistry to turn glucose (a type of sugar) into olefins (a type of hydrocarbon, and one of several types of molecules that make up gasoline).

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Climate uncertainty colors flood risk assessment

Understanding how climate change will affect the flooding of rivers may become easier with a new framework for assessing flood risk that's been developed by an interdisciplinary team.

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Parental depression is associated with worse childhood mental health, educational attainment, study finds

Children who live with a parent who has depression are more likely to develop depression and to not achieve educational milestones, according to a new study.

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After comparing 17.5 million strategies, researchers validate CDC's vaccine rollout recommendation

Researchers evaluated 17.5 million possible strategies the CDC could have recommended as it planned COVID-19 vaccine rollouts. While the researchers generally validate the CDC's plan, they did highlight some improvements, which could inform future vaccination strategies.

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Researchers caution global economic growth could slide into stagnation

The heady days of rapidly rising prosperity may be coming to an end, according to an interdisciplinary group of scientists. Developed democracies in particular look to be first in line for a long-run economic slowdown through the 21st century, and that, according to the researchers, should prompt some preparation for the additional fiscal and social stress that it will bring.

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Promising treatment for Alexander disease moves from rat model to human clinical trials

Alexander disease is a progressive and rare neurological disorder with no cure or standard course of treatment. But a new study involving a rat model of the disease offers a potential treatment for the typically fatal condition.

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Researchers develop ultra-thin 'computer on the bone'

Researchers have developed an ultra-thin wireless device that grows to the surface of bone. Dubbed 'osseosurface electronics,' they could someday help physicians monitor bone health and healing over long periods.

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Understanding how pathogenic fungi build their carbohydrate armor

A research team revealed the molecular architecture of fungal cell walls and the structural responses to stresses, aiding the development of antifungal drugs targeting cell wall components.

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Reading the mind of a worm

It sounds like a party trick: scientists can now look at the brain activity of a tiny worm and tell you which chemical the animal smelled a few seconds before. But the findings of a new study are more than just a novelty; they help the scientists better understand how the brain functions and integrates information.

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Promising treatment for Alexander disease moves from rat model to human clinical trials

Alexander disease is a progressive and rare neurological disorder with no cure or standard course of treatment. But a new study involving a rat model of the disease offers a potential treatment for the typically fatal condition.

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Reading the mind of a worm

It sounds like a party trick: scientists can now look at the brain activity of a tiny worm and tell you which chemical the animal smelled a few seconds before. But the findings of a new study are more than just a novelty; they help the scientists better understand how the brain functions and integrates information.

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Scientists develop promising vaccine method against recurrent UTI

Researchers are investigating the use of whole-cell vaccines to fight urinary tract infection (UTI), part of an effort to tackle the increasingly serious issue of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

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Insulin in the brain influences dopamins levels

In the human brain, the hormone insulin also acts on the most important neurotransmitter for the reward system, dopamine. Insulin lowers the dopamine level in a specific region of the brain (striatum) that regulates reward processes and cognitive functions, among other things. This interaction can be an important driver of the brain's regulation of glucose metabolism and eating behavior.

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Scientists develop promising vaccine method against recurrent UTI

Researchers are investigating the use of whole-cell vaccines to fight urinary tract infection (UTI), part of an effort to tackle the increasingly serious issue of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

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Scientists create insights into perhaps the most extreme state of matter produced on Earth

Exotic laser-produced high-energy-density (HED) plasmas akin to those found in stars and nuclear explosions could provide insight into events throughout the universe. Physicists have discovered a new way to measure and understand these plasmas, among the most extreme states of matter ever produced on Earth. Improved understanding could provide benefits ranging from fine-tuning the high-density plasmas in inertial confinement fusion experiments to better understanding of processes throughout the universe.

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Scientists solve 50-year-old mystery behind plant growth

A team of researchers has demonstrated for the first time one way that a small molecule turns a single cell into something as large as a tree. For half a century, scientists have known that all plants depend on this molecule, auxin, to grow. Until now, they didn't understand exactly how auxin sets growth in motion.

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Insulin in the brain influences dopamins levels

In the human brain, the hormone insulin also acts on the most important neurotransmitter for the reward system, dopamine. Insulin lowers the dopamine level in a specific region of the brain (striatum) that regulates reward processes and cognitive functions, among other things. This interaction can be an important driver of the brain's regulation of glucose metabolism and eating behavior.

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Resilience of vertebrate animals in rapid decline due to humanmade threats

Global change is eroding life on earth at an unprecedented rate and scale. Species extinctions have accelerated over the last decades, with the concomitant loss of the functions and services they provide to human societies.

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Venom of cone snail could lead to future diabetes treatments

Researchers have found that variants of this cone snail venom could offer future possibilities for developing new fast-acting drugs to help treat diabetics.

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Antarctic ice-sheet destabilized within a decade

After the natural warming that followed the last Ice Age, there were repeated periods when masses of icebergs broke off from Antarctica into the Southern Ocean. A new data-model study now shows that it took only a decade to initiate this tipping point in the climate system, and that ice mass loss then continued for many centuries.

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Rivers play key role in destructive coastal flooding, new research shows

Rising oceans get more attention in climate change discussions, but rivers are rising, too, according to new research by a University of South Carolina postdoctoral fellow. The research shows that rivers need more attention in policy management and disaster preparation, both at the coast and farther inland.

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Venom of cone snail could lead to future diabetes treatments

Researchers have found that variants of this cone snail venom could offer future possibilities for developing new fast-acting drugs to help treat diabetics.

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Speeding up the energy transition reduces climate risks

The World Climate Conference in Glasgow has just ended, and the question is whether the goal of maximum global heating of 1.5°C can still be achieved. In a model calculation, researchers show how the energy transition could lead to the lowest possible cumulative emissions: Instead of slowly cutting back emissions, we should quickly push ahead with the conversion to solar energy and use fossil power plants at full capacity for one last time to do so.

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Study confirms that Gabon is the largest stronghold for critically endangered African forest elephants

The most comprehensive survey conducted of elephant numbers in the Central African nation of Gabon since the late 1980s has found elephants occurring in higher numbers than previously thought.

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Live long and prosper: Study examines genetic gems in Galápagos giant tortoise genomes

Galápagos giant tortoises can weigh well over 300 pounds and often live over 100 years. So what's the secret to their evolutionary success? A new study concludes that compared with other turtles, these animals evolved to have extra copies of genes -- called duplications -- that may protect against the ravages of aging, including cancer. Laboratory tests on Galápagos giant tortoise cells corroborate the idea that the animals have developed such defenses.

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Macrogrid study: Big value in connecting America’s eastern and western power grids

A 'macrogrid' that increases the electricity moving between America's Eastern and Western interconnections, two of the biggest power grids on the planet, would more than pay for itself, according to new research.

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New cell database paints fuller picture of muscle repair

Biologists have struggled to study rare and transient muscle cells involved in the process, but engineers have lifted the curtain on these elusive dynamics with the launch of scMuscle, one of the largest single-cell databases of its kind.

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Bubbling up: Previously hidden environmental impact of bursting bubbles exposed in new study

Bubbles are common in nature and can form when ocean waves break and when raindrops impact surfaces. When bubbles burst, they send tiny jets of water and other materials into the air. A new study examines how the interplay between bubble surfaces and water that contains organic materials contributes to the transport of aerosolized organic materials -- some of which are linked to the spread of disease or contamination -- into the atmosphere.

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How ultracold, superdense atoms become invisible

Physicists have confirmed that as atoms are chilled and squeezed to extremes, their ability to scatter light is suppressed, making them less visible. The findings show the Pauli exclusion principle, or Pauli blocking, applies not just to electrons but also to atoms.

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Extreme heat events jeopardize cardiovascular health, experts warn

A consequence of global warming is a greater frequency and intensity of extreme heat events. This extreme heat is associated with a greater risk of adverse cardiovascular incidents, especially for adults with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases.

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New cell database paints fuller picture of muscle repair

Biologists have struggled to study rare and transient muscle cells involved in the process, but engineers have lifted the curtain on these elusive dynamics with the launch of scMuscle, one of the largest single-cell databases of its kind.

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Extreme heat events jeopardize cardiovascular health, experts warn

A consequence of global warming is a greater frequency and intensity of extreme heat events. This extreme heat is associated with a greater risk of adverse cardiovascular incidents, especially for adults with pre-existing cardiovascular diseases.

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New imaging technology may reduce need for skin biopsies

A new 'virtual histology' technology shows promise by analyzing images of suspicious-looking lesions and quickly producing a detailed, microscopic image of the skin, bypassing several standard steps typically used for diagnosis -- including skin biopsy, tissue fixation, processing, sectioning and histochemical staining.

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‘Surgery selfies’ could spot serious infections early

Smartphone pictures of post-surgical wounds taken by patients and then assessed by clinicians can help with the early identification of infections, a study has found.

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New cell discovered and shown to regulate heart rate

Researchers discovered a new type of cell in the heart that may help regulate heart rate, and could be an important key in understanding certain types of congenital heart defects and other diseases that involve the heart.

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New imaging technology may reduce need for skin biopsies

A new 'virtual histology' technology shows promise by analyzing images of suspicious-looking lesions and quickly producing a detailed, microscopic image of the skin, bypassing several standard steps typically used for diagnosis -- including skin biopsy, tissue fixation, processing, sectioning and histochemical staining.

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‘Surgery selfies’ could spot serious infections early

Smartphone pictures of post-surgical wounds taken by patients and then assessed by clinicians can help with the early identification of infections, a study has found.

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Study links stress to Crohn’s disease flare-ups

Researchers using mouse models found that stress hormones suppressed the innate immune system that normally protects the gut from invasive Enterobacteriaceae, a group of bacteria including E. coli which has been linked to Crohn's disease.

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Food scientists create zinc index for human body

Zinc deficiency is prevalent around the world, and among children, these mineral shortfalls can lead to stunting, embryonic malformations and neurobehavioral abnormalities. Over several decades, science has improved understanding of zinc metabolism, but an accurate, comprehensive assessment tool for its physiological status within a human body has remained elusive. Until now.

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Study links stress to Crohn’s disease flare-ups

Researchers using mouse models found that stress hormones suppressed the innate immune system that normally protects the gut from invasive Enterobacteriaceae, a group of bacteria including E. coli which has been linked to Crohn's disease.

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Earthquakes and extreme rainfall lead to a significant increase in the rates of landslides in Nepal

Researchers outline how they were able to establish a clear pattern between the strength of the monsoon season in Nepal and the amount of landsliding over a 30-year period between 1988 and 2018.

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Plumbing the depths: Defect distribution in ion-implanted SiC diodes

Introducing a vertical arrangement of n and p layers into the drift layer of semiconductors to enable bipolar operation is a way around the 'unipolar limit' problem in semiconductors. But defect generation during the fabrication of such devices is a matter of concern. Researchers have examined the depth and distribution of defects formed by aluminum ion implantation in silicon carbide bipolar diodes to identify ways to induce efficient conductivity modulation.

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Different kinds of marine phytoplankton respond differently to warming ocean temperatures

A team of researchers has concluded that different types of phytoplankton will react differently to increasing ocean temperatures resulting from the changing climate. An examination of how four key groups of phytoplankton will respond to ocean temperatures forecast to occur between 2080 and 2100 suggests that their growth rates and distribution patterns will likely be dissimilar, resulting in significant implications for the future composition of marine communities around the globe.

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Food scientists create zinc index for human body

Zinc deficiency is prevalent around the world, and among children, these mineral shortfalls can lead to stunting, embryonic malformations and neurobehavioral abnormalities. Over several decades, science has improved understanding of zinc metabolism, but an accurate, comprehensive assessment tool for its physiological status within a human body has remained elusive. Until now.

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'Deepfaking the mind' could improve brain-computer interfaces for people with disabilities

Researchers are using generative adversarial networks (GANs) -- technology best known for creating deepfake videos and photorealistic human faces -- to improve brain-computer interfaces for people with disabilities. The team successfully taught an AI to generate synthetic brain activity data. The data, specifically neural signals called spike trains, can be fed into machine-learning algorithms to improve the usability of brain-computer interfaces (BCI).

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Warning over antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Significant levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been found at locations in and around Cambridge, England. The researchers found potentially dangerous Pseudomonas bacteria in over a fifth of samples collected close to the River Cam.

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Chemistry breakthrough leads way to more sustainable pharmaceuticals

Chemistry researchers have developed a new method using blue light to create pharmaceuticals in a more sustainable way, significantly reducing the amount of energy needed and the chemical waste created in the manufacture process.

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Advanced microscopes help scientists understand how cells break down proteins

Researchers have used advanced electron microscopes to delve deeper into the process of protein degradation. They described the structure of a key enzyme that helps mediate ubiquitination in yeast, part of a cellular process called the N-degron pathway that may be responsible for determining the rate of degradation for up to 80% of equivalent proteins in humans.

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'Deepfaking the mind' could improve brain-computer interfaces for people with disabilities

Researchers are using generative adversarial networks (GANs) -- technology best known for creating deepfake videos and photorealistic human faces -- to improve brain-computer interfaces for people with disabilities. The team successfully taught an AI to generate synthetic brain activity data. The data, specifically neural signals called spike trains, can be fed into machine-learning algorithms to improve the usability of brain-computer interfaces (BCI).

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Warning over antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Significant levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been found at locations in and around Cambridge, England. The researchers found potentially dangerous Pseudomonas bacteria in over a fifth of samples collected close to the River Cam.

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Study challenges standard ideas about piezoelectricity in ferroelectric crystals

For years, researchers believed that the smaller the domain size in a ferroelectric crystal, the greater the piezoelectric properties of the material. However, recent findings have raised questions about this standard rule.

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Chemistry breakthrough leads way to more sustainable pharmaceuticals

Chemistry researchers have developed a new method using blue light to create pharmaceuticals in a more sustainable way, significantly reducing the amount of energy needed and the chemical waste created in the manufacture process.

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

Advanced microscopes help scientists understand how cells break down proteins

Researchers have used advanced electron microscopes to delve deeper into the process of protein degradation. They described the structure of a key enzyme that helps mediate ubiquitination in yeast, part of a cellular process called the N-degron pathway that may be responsible for determining the rate of degradation for up to 80% of equivalent proteins in humans.

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How herpes checks into the nervous system for life

More than half of U.S. adults are carriers of HSV1 (herpes simplex virus type 1) which hibernates in the peripheral nervous system and can never be eradicated. A new study has uncovered herpes' sneaky strategy for infecting the nervous system, opening a door to long-needed vaccine development for both HSV1 and its close sibling HSV2.

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Unvaccinated: The kids aren’t alright

Close to 10 million children in lower-income countries have never been vaccinated against any infectious disease. These 'zero-dose' kids hold a lesson for all of us, says a public-health expert.

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How grandmothers' brains react to the sight of their grandchildren

Scientists have scanned grandmothers' brains while they're viewing photos of their young grandchildren -- providing a neural snapshot of this special, inter-generational bond.

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Alien organisms – hitchhikers of the galaxy?

Scientists warn, without good biosecurity measures 'alien organisms' on Earth may become a reality stranger than fiction. Scientists are calling for greater recognition of the biosecurity risks ahead of the space industry.

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How herpes checks into the nervous system for life

More than half of U.S. adults are carriers of HSV1 (herpes simplex virus type 1) which hibernates in the peripheral nervous system and can never be eradicated. A new study has uncovered herpes' sneaky strategy for infecting the nervous system, opening a door to long-needed vaccine development for both HSV1 and its close sibling HSV2.

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In the brain’s cerebellum, a new target for suppressing hunger

Scientists have identified an entirely new way the brain signals fullness after eating. The findings offer a novel target for therapies that could dramatically curb overeating.

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Exploding and weeping ceramics provide path to new shape-shifting material

Researchers have discovered a path that could lead to shape-shifting ceramic materials. This discovery could improve everything from medical devices to electronics.

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The social cost of nitrous oxide is understated under current estimates, new analysis concludes

The social cost of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas that is the largest remaining threat to the ozone layer, is understated, concludes an international team of researchers. In their assessment, the authors write that improving the accuracy of these calculations would not only give a more accurate picture of the impact of climate change, but also spur nations to more aggressively address it.

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New group of antibacterial molecules identified

Researchers have identified a new group of molecules that have an antibacterial effect against many antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Since the properties of the molecules can easily be altered chemically, the hope is to develop new, effective antibiotics with few side effects.

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New findings on the link between CRISPR gene-editing and mutated cancer cells

A protein that protects cells from DNA damage, p53, is activated during gene editing using the CRISPR technique. Consequently, cells with mutated p53 have a survival advantage, which can cause cancer. Researchers have found new links between CRISPR, p53 and other cancer genes that could prevent the accumulation of mutated cells without compromising the gene scissors' effectiveness.

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Scientist advances prospect of regeneration in humans

In a study that builds on earlier research that identified macrophages as essential to regeneration in the axolotl, a highly regenerative salamander, a scientist has identified the source of these critical white blood cells as the liver. By giving scientists a place to look for pro-regenerative macrophages in humans, the discovery brings science a step closer to the ability to regenerate tissues and organs lost to injury or disease.

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In the brain’s cerebellum, a new target for suppressing hunger

Scientists have identified an entirely new way the brain signals fullness after eating. The findings offer a novel target for therapies that could dramatically curb overeating.

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New group of antibacterial molecules identified

Researchers have identified a new group of molecules that have an antibacterial effect against many antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Since the properties of the molecules can easily be altered chemically, the hope is to develop new, effective antibiotics with few side effects.

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

When older couples are close together, their heart rates synchronize

As couples grow old together, their interdependence heightens. Often, they become each other's primary source of physical and emotional support. Long-term marriages have a profound impact on health and well-being, but benefits depend on relationship quality. A new study examines the dynamics of long-term relationships through spatial proximity. The researchers find that when partners are close to each other, their heart rates synchronize in complex patterns of interaction.

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New knowledge about our Earth’s most important biochemical reaction: A step towards increasing CO2 uptake in plants

A group of proteins in plant cells plays a vastly more important role in regulation of photosynthesis than once thought, according to new research. The research is an important step towards fully understanding photosynthesis regulation and increasing CO2 uptake in plants to benefit the climate.

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Genetic changes in Bronze Age southern Iberia

The third millennium BCE brought about substantial transformations that are visible in the cultures of Bronze Age Europeans. A new study documents the arrival of new genetic ancestry to southern Iberia, concomitant with the rise of the Early Bronze Age El Argar culture around 2,200 BCE.

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'Volcanic winter' likely contributed to ecological catastrophe 250 million years ago

A team of scientists has identified an additional force that likely contributed to a mass extinction event 250 million years ago. Its analysis of minerals in southern China indicate that volcano eruptions produced a 'volcanic winter' that drastically lowered earth's temperatures -- a change that added to the environmental effects resulting from other phenomena at the time.

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Brief 5:2 diet advice is as effective as traditional GP advice, but people like it better, according to new study

A clinical trial has found people prefer receiving information on the 5:2 diet than standard GP weight management advice despite both interventions achieving similar modest weight loss results.

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Researchers reveal structure of itch receptors on cells

Scientists have conducted research showing in precise detail how chemicals bind to mast cells to cause itch, and the scientists figured out the detailed structure of receptor proteins on the surface of these cells when a compound is bound to those proteins.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3Dvsx89

When older couples are close together, their heart rates synchronize

As couples grow old together, their interdependence heightens. Often, they become each other's primary source of physical and emotional support. Long-term marriages have a profound impact on health and well-being, but benefits depend on relationship quality. A new study examines the dynamics of long-term relationships through spatial proximity. The researchers find that when partners are close to each other, their heart rates synchronize in complex patterns of interaction.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3FnK0zW

Brief 5:2 diet advice is as effective as traditional GP advice, but people like it better, according to new study

A clinical trial has found people prefer receiving information on the 5:2 diet than standard GP weight management advice despite both interventions achieving similar modest weight loss results.

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

Researchers reveal structure of itch receptors on cells

Scientists have conducted research showing in precise detail how chemicals bind to mast cells to cause itch, and the scientists figured out the detailed structure of receptor proteins on the surface of these cells when a compound is bound to those proteins.

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Bacteria as climate heroes

Acetogens are a group of bacteria that can metabolise formate. For example, they form acetic acid -- an important basic chemical. If these bacteria were manipulated to produce ethanol or lactic acid, a comprehensive circular economy for the greenhouse gas CO2 could be realised. To ensure that the process is sustainable, the CO2 is extracted directly from the air and converted to formate using renewable energy. To find out how exactly formate can be utilised by the Acetobacterium woodii (short: A. woodii), a team led by Stefan Pflügl from the Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering at TU Wien investigated how the bacterium metabolises various substrates -- including formate. Furthermore, the researchers used a metabolic model to study how A. woodii could be genetically modified to produce substances other than acetic acid.

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There may be more bird species in the tropics than we know

Study of a perky little bird suggests there may be far more avian species in the tropics than those identified so far. After a genetic study of the White-crowned Manakin, scientists say it's not just one species and one of the main drivers of its diversity is the South American landscape and its history of change.

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`Oh, snap!’ A record-breaking motion at our fingertips

Researchers studied the physics of a finger snap and determined how friction plays a critical role. Using an intermediate amount of friction, not too high and not too low, a snap of the finger produces the highest rotational accelerations observed in humans, even faster than the arm of a professional baseball pitcher.

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Life on Mars search could be misled by false fossils, study says

Mars explorers searching for signs of ancient life could be fooled by fossil-like specimens created by chemical processes, research suggests.

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`Oh, snap!’ A record-breaking motion at our fingertips

Researchers studied the physics of a finger snap and determined how friction plays a critical role. Using an intermediate amount of friction, not too high and not too low, a snap of the finger produces the highest rotational accelerations observed in humans, even faster than the arm of a professional baseball pitcher.

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

Scientists identify second HIV patient whose body appears to have rid itself of the virus

In 2020, an untreated HIV patient was identified with no intact copies of HIV genomes in more than 1.5 billion blood cells analyzed, suggesting the virus had been cleared from the patient's body. Researchers now report a second untreated person living with HIV who had no evidence of intact HIV genomes in more than 1.5 billion blood and tissue cells analyzed.

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Artificial intelligence successfully predicts protein interactions

Researchers used artificial intelligence (AI) and evolutionary analysis to produce 3D models of eukaryotic protein interactions. The study identified more than 100 probable protein complexes for the first time and provided structural models for more than 700 previously uncharacterized ones. Insights into the ways pairs or groups of proteins fit together to carry out cellular processes could lead to a wealth of new drug targets.

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Coffee and tea drinking may be associated with reduced rates of stroke and dementia

Drinking coffee or tea may be associated with a lower risk of stroke and dementia, according to a new study. Drinking coffee was also associated with a lower risk of post-stroke dementia.

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Game theory and economics show how to steer evolution in a better direction

Human behavior drives the evolution of biological organisms in ways that can profoundly adversely impact human welfare. Understanding people's incentives when they do so is essential to identify policies and other strategies to improve evolutionary outcomes. In a new study, researchers bring the tools of economics and game theory to evolution management.

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Unique fossil: Seeds sprouting from an amber-encased pine cone

New research has uncovered the first fossil evidence of a rare botanical condition known as precocious germination in which seeds sprout before leaving the fruit.

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A better-fitting molecular ‘belt’ for making new drugs

The most common pharmaceuticals on the market are made by chaining together rings of molecules to create the drugs that treat conditions including pain, depression and leukemia. But creating those rings and forming them in a way that is tailored to each individual disease has always been a cumbersome and expensive process in medicinal chemistry. New research proposes a way to simplify that transformation. The discovery will likely make it easier to produce new drug candidates, the researchers say.

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Making solar energy even more sustainable with light-powered technology

Scientists have identified a new process using coordination materials that can accelerate the use of low-cost, Earth-abundant materials with the potential to transform the energy sector by replacing silicone-based solar panels.

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A better-fitting molecular ‘belt’ for making new drugs

The most common pharmaceuticals on the market are made by chaining together rings of molecules to create the drugs that treat conditions including pain, depression and leukemia. But creating those rings and forming them in a way that is tailored to each individual disease has always been a cumbersome and expensive process in medicinal chemistry. New research proposes a way to simplify that transformation. The discovery will likely make it easier to produce new drug candidates, the researchers say.

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Toward 'off-the-shelf’ immune cell therapy for cancer

Immunotherapies, which harness the body's natural defenses to combat disease, have revolutionized the treatment of aggressive and deadly cancers. But often, these therapies -- especially those based on immune cells -- must be tailored to the individual patient, costing valuable time and pushing their price into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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Toward 'off-the-shelf’ immune cell therapy for cancer

Immunotherapies, which harness the body's natural defenses to combat disease, have revolutionized the treatment of aggressive and deadly cancers. But often, these therapies -- especially those based on immune cells -- must be tailored to the individual patient, costing valuable time and pushing their price into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

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In spreading politics, videos may not be much more persuasive than their text-based counterparts

Video clips are only modestly more persuasive to audiences than the written word is, according to researchers who conducted an experiment about political misinformation.

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Older-looking brains linked to lower birth weight and genes

In brain scans of almost 1500 people throughout Europe, researchers found that people with 'older-looking' brains had both lower birth weight and genes for smaller brains, compared with those with normal aging brains. Both these factors are present early in life, indicating that your 'brain age' is mostly related to early life influences and not so much on events that happen later in life.

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Mathematicians derive the formulas for boundary layer turbulence 100 years after the phenomenon was first formulated

Turbulence makes many people uneasy or downright queasy. And it's given researchers a headache, too. Mathematicians have been trying for a century or more to understand the turbulence that arises when a flow interacts with a boundary, but a formulation has proven elusive.

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In spreading politics, videos may not be much more persuasive than their text-based counterparts

Video clips are only modestly more persuasive to audiences than the written word is, according to researchers who conducted an experiment about political misinformation.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3CmIP1G

Older-looking brains linked to lower birth weight and genes

In brain scans of almost 1500 people throughout Europe, researchers found that people with 'older-looking' brains had both lower birth weight and genes for smaller brains, compared with those with normal aging brains. Both these factors are present early in life, indicating that your 'brain age' is mostly related to early life influences and not so much on events that happen later in life.

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Researchers create novel molecules that serve as ziplines for energy

Researchers have moved packets of energy along a molecular ladder made of hundreds of benzene rings. Such polymers can potentially be used to design new displays based on organic light-emitting diodes, or for solar cells.

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The prostate cancer cell that got away

Researchers have pioneered a new method to track the progression of prostate cancer in mice, from its birth to its spread into other tissues. This approach allows researchers to study the origins of prostate cancer in a more realistic context than traditional methods allow.

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The prostate cancer cell that got away

Researchers have pioneered a new method to track the progression of prostate cancer in mice, from its birth to its spread into other tissues. This approach allows researchers to study the origins of prostate cancer in a more realistic context than traditional methods allow.

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Electronic nose on a drone sniffs out wastewater treatment plant stink

Researchers have engineered a portable electronic nose (e-nose) that's almost as sharp as a human nose at sniffing out the stink of wastewater treatment plants. Coupled with a drone, the lightweight e-nose can measure the concentration of different smells, predict odor intensity, and produce a real-time odor map of the plant for management.

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Immune cells against COVID-19 stay high in number six months after vaccination, study shows

A recent study provides evidence that CD4+ T lymphocytes -- immune system cells also known as helper T cells -- produced by people who received either of the two available messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines for COVID-19 persist six months after vaccination at only slightly reduced levels from two weeks after vaccination and are at significantly higher levels than for those who are unvaccinated.

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Microtissue system allows study of deadly lung disease

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and rising air pollution levels, incidence of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is anticipated to rise, urgently increasing the need for strong model systems. Researchers describe a 3D cell culturing platform that allows study of lung fibroblasts and their microenvironment. The platform enables measurement of cell behaviors and microenvironment changes involved in the disease progression of IPF, and the platform's size and simplicity make it suitable for use in high-throughput drug screening protocols.

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Malaria parasite genomes provide insights and tools for control and elimination in Lake Victoria, Kenya

Scientists are turning to genomics to better understand the epidemiology of malaria and to inform control and elimination interventions and strategies. In the Lake Victoria region of Kenya, malaria burden remains very high despite more than a decade of intense control activities. A team of researchers generated whole Plasmodium falciparum genome sequences from the lake region. Their analyses revealed that malaria parasites from this region appear distinct from other parasites from East Africa, while frequencies of known drug resistance markers were similar to those in other East African parasite populations.

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Common blood pressure drug does not slow down the progression of more advanced Alzheimer’s, study finds

New research has shown the drug losartan, normally used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), is not effective in slowing down the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in people with mild-to-moderate disease after 12 months of treatment. However, the drug could still be of benefit if prescribed for longer and if given to people with very early disease.

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Researchers target a mouse’s own cells, rather than using antibiotics, to treat pneumonia

Researchers have discovered a therapy that targets host cells rather than bacterial cells in treating bacterial pneumonia in rodents. The method involves white blood cells of the immune system called macrophages that eat bacteria, and a group of compounds that are naturally produced in mice and humans called epoxyeicosatrienoic acids or EETs.

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A key brain region responds to faces similarly in infants and adults

In a functional magnetic resonance imaging study of babies ranging in age from two to nine months, researchers have found regions of the infant visual cortex that show strong preferences for either faces, bodies, or scenes, just as they do in adults.

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Keeping chocolate milk smooth, stable without carrageenan

Fat-free chocolate milk processed for the first time with high-pressure jet technology exhibits enhanced viscosity, stabilizing cocoa particles in the fluid and eliminating the need for adding a controversial emulsifier. That's the conclusion of a team of researchers, whose study suggests that the new technology can preclude the use of carrageenan in chocolate milk. The widely used food additive -- which helps keep the liquid smooth and well-mixed even after days sitting on a store shelf -- is not desired by many consumers, especially in organic chocolate milk.

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Lab mimics molecule found in poppies

An undergraduate leads the discovery of a way to synthesize a rare molecule drawn from poppies. The molecule could become a building block for painkillers and other drugs.

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Researchers target a mouse’s own cells, rather than using antibiotics, to treat pneumonia

Researchers have discovered a therapy that targets host cells rather than bacterial cells in treating bacterial pneumonia in rodents. The method involves white blood cells of the immune system called macrophages that eat bacteria, and a group of compounds that are naturally produced in mice and humans called epoxyeicosatrienoic acids or EETs.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3Dlr7gy

A key brain region responds to faces similarly in infants and adults

In a functional magnetic resonance imaging study of babies ranging in age from two to nine months, researchers have found regions of the infant visual cortex that show strong preferences for either faces, bodies, or scenes, just as they do in adults.

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

Keeping chocolate milk smooth, stable without carrageenan

Fat-free chocolate milk processed for the first time with high-pressure jet technology exhibits enhanced viscosity, stabilizing cocoa particles in the fluid and eliminating the need for adding a controversial emulsifier. That's the conclusion of a team of researchers, whose study suggests that the new technology can preclude the use of carrageenan in chocolate milk. The widely used food additive -- which helps keep the liquid smooth and well-mixed even after days sitting on a store shelf -- is not desired by many consumers, especially in organic chocolate milk.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2YP4xOl

Lab mimics molecule found in poppies

An undergraduate leads the discovery of a way to synthesize a rare molecule drawn from poppies. The molecule could become a building block for painkillers and other drugs.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3oqCv4q

Simple surgical technique associated with significant reduction in the risk of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery

A simple surgical technique during cardiac surgery was associated with a 56 percent reduction in the incidence of an irregular heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation that can lead to stroke, with no added risks or side effects, according to a new study. The findings suggest that the method, called posterior left pericardiotomy, has significant potential for preventing prolonged hospital stays and the need for additional interventions and drugs to reduce the risk of strokes and heart failure associated with atrial fibrillation.

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Altered fat metabolism, enzyme, likely plays key role in Lou Gehrig’s disease

A new study using genetically engineered mice and human cell and tissue samples has added to evidence that higher levels of inflammatory chemicals involved in fat metabolism occur in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the neuromuscular disorder, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

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Where does gold come from? New insights into element synthesis in the universe

How are chemical elements produced in our Universe? Where do heavy elements like gold and uranium come from? Using computer simulations, a research team shows that the synthesis of heavy elements is typical for certain black holes with orbiting matter accumulations, so-called accretion disks. The predicted abundance of the formed elements provides insight into which heavy elements need to be studied in future laboratories to unravel the origin of heavy elements.

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Bulletproof fingerprint technology takes images in the round

Experts have developed a unique method for retrieving high resolution images of fingermarks from curved objects like bullet casings that offers greater detail and accuracy than traditional forensic methods.

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Are scientists contaminating their own samples? New study shows we may be emitting clouds of microfibers

More than 70% of microplastics found in samples from oceans and rivers could come from the scientists collecting them. A new article investigates procedural contamination when sampling for microparticles in aquatic environments. The study shows that a significant amount of microplastics and microfibres from scientists' clothing and gear mixes with environmental pollution in the water samples.

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COVID patients on SSRI antidepressants are less likely to die, study finds

A large analysis of health records from 87 health care centers across the United States found that people taking a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), particularly fluoxetine, were significantly less likely to die of COVID-19 than a matched control group.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3cjR4Ru

Simple surgical technique associated with significant reduction in the risk of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery

A simple surgical technique during cardiac surgery was associated with a 56 percent reduction in the incidence of an irregular heart rhythm known as atrial fibrillation that can lead to stroke, with no added risks or side effects, according to a new study. The findings suggest that the method, called posterior left pericardiotomy, has significant potential for preventing prolonged hospital stays and the need for additional interventions and drugs to reduce the risk of strokes and heart failure associated with atrial fibrillation.

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

Altered fat metabolism, enzyme, likely plays key role in Lou Gehrig’s disease

A new study using genetically engineered mice and human cell and tissue samples has added to evidence that higher levels of inflammatory chemicals involved in fat metabolism occur in people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the neuromuscular disorder, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

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

Using T cells to target malignant brain tumors

Doctors and scientists have successfully tested a neoantigen-specific transgenic immune cell therapy for malignant brain tumors for the first time using an experimental model in mice.

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Hubble tension: Showing the cracks in Gaussian Processes

A new analysis of the Hubble constant to show that the Gaussian Processes data reconstruction technique may not actually be independent of all cosmological models -- and that it may be time to question the validity of model independence itself.

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Liquid fuels from carbon dioxide

A new electrocatalyst called a-CuTi@Cu converts carbon dioxide (CO2) into liquid fuels. Active copper centered on an amorphous copper/titanium alloy produces ethanol, acetone, and n-butanol with high efficiency.

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Using T cells to target malignant brain tumors

Doctors and scientists have successfully tested a neoantigen-specific transgenic immune cell therapy for malignant brain tumors for the first time using an experimental model in mice.

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Dreaming of being an investment shark? Better figure out if you’re an ‘owl’ or a ‘lark,’ study finds

If you're a night owl looking to invest in the next big startup, making that decision first thing in the morning might not be the best idea, according to a new study.

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Dreaming of being an investment shark? Better figure out if you’re an ‘owl’ or a ‘lark,’ study finds

If you're a night owl looking to invest in the next big startup, making that decision first thing in the morning might not be the best idea, according to a new study.

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Larger conservation areas didn’t protect animals in central Africa

Efforts to protect threatened and endangered species in central Africa might be more successful if they focused on a smaller geographic area, new research suggests.

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Easternmost Roman aqueduct discovered in Armenia

Archaeologists have discovered remains of a Roman arched aqueduct during excavation work on the Hellenistic royal city of Artashat-Artaxata in ancient Armenia. It is the easternmost arched aqueduct in the Roman Empire.

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Simulations provide clue to missing planets mystery

New supercomputer simulations show that after creating a ring, a planet can move away and leave the ring behind. Not only does this bolster the planet theory for ring formation, the simulations show that a migrating planet can produce a variety of patterns matching those actually observed in disks.

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Singing, being male, and being an adult tend to produce more respiratory aerosols, study finds

A new study measured respiratory particles produced from people singing or playing instruments. Is singing worse than talking when it comes to how many particles are being emitted? Yes, according to the study. And the louder one talks or sings, the worse the emissions. A person's age and whether they are male or female also affects their respiratory emissions, with males and adults emitting more airborne particles, on average, than females and minors.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3nh0eop

Singing, being male, and being an adult tend to produce more respiratory aerosols, study finds

A new study measured respiratory particles produced from people singing or playing instruments. Is singing worse than talking when it comes to how many particles are being emitted? Yes, according to the study. And the louder one talks or sings, the worse the emissions. A person's age and whether they are male or female also affects their respiratory emissions, with males and adults emitting more airborne particles, on average, than females and minors.

from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3nh0eop

Researchers find benefits and drawbacks to two-step surgical approach for 'leaky heart valves'

Patients with mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation, a condition sometimes called 'leaky heart valves,' appeared to do better after two years if they had a tricuspid valve repair at the time of mitral valve surgery, according to a new study.

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Researchers find benefits and drawbacks to two-step surgical approach for 'leaky heart valves'

Patients with mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation, a condition sometimes called 'leaky heart valves,' appeared to do better after two years if they had a tricuspid valve repair at the time of mitral valve surgery, according to a new study.

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ESR-STM on single molecules and molecule-based structures

Researchers extend single-atom electron spin resonance with STM from atoms to molecules, opening the power of synthetic chemistry to engineer their quantum states.

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Conflicting health information compromises attention and emotional responses

The 24-hour news cycle and social media bombardment often resulting in conflicting messages about health issues might be making it harder than ever for people to make critical decisions, according to a new study.

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It takes more than one mutant copy of the PIK3CA gene to make breast cancer more aggressive, study finds

Breast cancers that have an overactive PI3K enzyme tend to be more aggressive and to spread and divide more like stem cells. But a new study uncovers a surprising relationship between PI3K activity and mutations in the PIK3CA gene that codes for the enzyme.

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Anticoagulant has beneficial side-effects for COVID-19 patients, study finds

Clotting problems and resulting complications are common in COVID-19 patients. Researchers have now shown that a member of the anticoagulant group of drugs not only has a beneficial effect on survival of COVID-19 patients, but also influences the duration of active infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

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Coronavirus lurks and lingers in nursing home patients’ rooms, study finds

Even though most COVID-19 cases come from exposure to airborne coronavirus, a new study points to the importance of surfaces as a reservoir of risk in nursing homes -- especially certain objects close to the beds of patients who have COVID-19.

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Competing quantum interactions enable single molecules to stand up

Nanoscale machinery has many uses, including drug delivery, single-atom transistor technology, or memory storage. However, the machinery must be assembled at the nanoscale which is a considerable challenge for researchers.

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PFAS exposure, high-fat diet drive prostate cells’ metabolism into pro-cancer state

A high-fat diet synergizes with exposure to PFAS to change the metabolism of benign and malignant prostate cells, according to a new study in mice.

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Conflicting health information compromises attention and emotional responses

The 24-hour news cycle and social media bombardment often resulting in conflicting messages about health issues might be making it harder than ever for people to make critical decisions, according to a new study.

from Top Health News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/30n7O88

Students who repeat a grade experience more bullying, study finds

Students who have repeated a grade have higher risks of being victims of bullying in countries around the world, according to a new study of nearly half a million students.

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Unstable housing, homelessness associated with COVID-19 re-infection

New study results demonstrate that unstable housing and homelessness is associated with a two-fold greater chance of being re-infected with SARS-CoV-2 compared to those who are securely housed. The research indicates that unstable housing was the only demographical factor associated with re-infection despite the presence of antibodies from the first infection.

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Sea urchins' ballistic escape from predators

New research shows that sea urchins, albeit having a limited and ancestral sensory system, can show a complex behaviour when escaping a predator. These marine invertebrates tend to move slowly and with unpredictable movements, but when they smell a predator, they escape following a ballistic motion -- straightforward, quick and directional -- to escape the threat.

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Due to warming of the Mediterranean Sea, marine species are migrating tens of meters deeper into cooler waters to survive

A new study shows that there are species of marine animals such as fish, crustaceans and mollusks (for example, squid) that change their habitats and deepen an average of 55 meters across the climatic gradient of the Mediterranean (spanning a range of 6 degrees C).

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New study finds evidence of COVID antibodies in breast milk of vaccinated mothers

Researchers found that two groups of mothers -- those who had disease-acquired immunity and those with vaccine-immunity -- had high levels of antibodies in their breast milk, and these antibodies provided neutralization against SARS-CoV-2.

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It takes more than one mutant copy of the PIK3CA gene to make breast cancer more aggressive, study finds

Breast cancers that have an overactive PI3K enzyme tend to be more aggressive and to spread and divide more like stem cells. But a new study uncovers a surprising relationship between PI3K activity and mutations in the PIK3CA gene that codes for the enzyme.

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Students who repeat a grade experience more bullying, study finds

Students who have repeated a grade have higher risks of being victims of bullying in countries around the world, according to a new study of nearly half a million students.

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