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| Reinterpreting our brain's body maps Posted: 21 Jan 2022 09:48 AM PST Our brain maps out our body to facilitate accurate motor control. For a century, the body map has been thought to have applied to all types of motor actions. Now, a research group has revealed that the body relies on multiple maps based on the choice of motor system. |
| Balanced diet can mitigate negative impact of pests for bumblebees Posted: 21 Jan 2022 09:48 AM PST Bumblebees are important pollinators because they pollinate many different plant species and are extremely resilient. They can still manage to fly at temperatures that are too cold for other pollinators. Like many other insects, they are in sharp decline. This makes it even more important to find out what bumblebees need to reproduce successfully. A team has shown that a diverse landscape and a diverse pollen diet, which the bumblebees collect as a protein source to nourish their offspring, play a significant role in this. A more diverse diet could even mitigate negative effects of infestation with parasitic wax moth larvae. |
| New neutron-based method helps keep underwater pipelines open Posted: 21 Jan 2022 09:48 AM PST Industry and private consumers alike depend on oil and gas pipelines that stretch thousands of kilometers underwater. It is not uncommon for these pipelines to become clogged with deposits. Until now, there have been few means of identifying the formation of plugs in-situ and non-destructively. Measurements now show that neutrons may provide the solution of choice. |
| Posted: 21 Jan 2022 09:48 AM PST Scientists have made a discovery about the properties of water that could provide an exciting addendum to a phenomenon established over two centuries ago. The discovery also holds interesting possibilities for cooling devices and processes in industrial applications using only the basic properties of water. |
| AI light-field camera reads 3D facial expressions Posted: 21 Jan 2022 06:43 AM PST Machine-learned, light-field camera reads facial expressions from high-contrast illumination invariant 3D facial images. |
| Consistent asteroid showers rock previous thinking on Mars craters Posted: 21 Jan 2022 06:43 AM PST New research has confirmed the frequency of asteroid collisions that formed impact craters on Mars has been consistent over the past 600 million years. |
| Scientists build 'valves' in DNA to shape biological information flows Posted: 21 Jan 2022 06:43 AM PST Scientists have developed new biological parts that are able to shape the flow of cellular processes along DNA. |
| Motor proteins haul precious cargo in neurons: How can we control their movement? Posted: 20 Jan 2022 01:51 PM PST Inside neurons, motor proteins haul precious cargo, moving essential goods along thread-like roadways called microtubule tracks. |
| Novel microscopic picoshell particles developed Posted: 20 Jan 2022 01:51 PM PST Bioengineers have created a new type of petri dish in the form of microscopic, permeable particles that can dramatically speed up research and development (R&D) timelines of biological products, such as fatty acids for biofuels. Dubbed PicoShells, the picoliter (trillionth of a liter), porous, hydrogel particles can enable more than one million individual cells to be compartmentalized, cultured in production-relevant environments, and selected based on growth and biomass accumulation traits using standard cell-processing equipment. |
| Smarter catalysts through 'induced activation' Posted: 20 Jan 2022 01:51 PM PST Researchers propose a novel method of significantly enhancing the catalytic efficiency of materials already in broad commercial usage, a process they have termed 'induced activation.' |
| Highly eccentric black hole merger discovered Posted: 20 Jan 2022 01:50 PM PST Scientists believe they have detected a merger of two black holes with eccentric orbits. This can help explain how some of the previous black hole mergers are much heavier than previously thought possible. |
| Babies can tell who has close relationships based on one clue: Saliva Posted: 20 Jan 2022 11:07 AM PST Neuroscientists have identified a specific signal that young children and even babies can use to determine whether two people have a strong relationship and a mutual obligation to help each other: whether those two people kiss, share food, or have other interactions that involve sharing saliva. |
| Development of a lithium-air battery with an energy density over 500 wh/kg Posted: 20 Jan 2022 11:07 AM PST Researchers have developed a lithium-air battery with an energy density over 500Wh/kg -- significantly higher than currently lithium ion batteries. The research team then confirmed that this battery can be charged and discharged at room temperature. In addition, the team found that the battery developed by the team shows the highest energy densities and best cycle life performances ever achieved. These results signify a major step toward the practical use of lithium-air batteries. |
| Posted: 20 Jan 2022 11:07 AM PST An artificial pancreas is helping protect very young children with type 1 diabetes at a particularly vulnerable time of their lives. A study published today found that it is both safe to use and more effective at managing their blood sugar levels than current technology. |
| Just what is a ‘resilient’ forest, anyway? Posted: 20 Jan 2022 11:07 AM PST What does a 'resilient' forest look like in California's Sierra Nevada? A lot fewer trees than we're used to, according to a study of frequent-fire forests. |
| Advancing materials science with the help of biology and a dash of dish soap Posted: 20 Jan 2022 11:07 AM PST Scientists have finally found a way to probe delicate microcrystals with powerful X-ray laser beams. They say their method could help advance semiconductor and solar cell development. |
| Posted: 20 Jan 2022 11:07 AM PST Researchers discover crystalline zeolites in a nanotubular (1D) shape. |
| Scientists identify new genus and species of legume, now mysteriously extinct Posted: 20 Jan 2022 11:07 AM PST Researchers have described a new legume tree from flowers embedded in several lumps of amber recovered from deep within an amber mine in the mountains of the Dominican Republic. |
| Branching worm discovered in Japan named after Godzilla’s nemesis Posted: 20 Jan 2022 11:07 AM PST Branching marine worms are bizarre creatures with one head but a body that branches over and over again into multiple posterior ends. Until now, only two species of these curious beasts, thought to be extremely rare, were known. However, a third species has now been discovered and described. The worm, named Ramisyllis kingghidorahi after King Ghidorah, Godzilla's monster enemy, was discovered in Japan. |
| COVID-19 vaccines do not cause infertility, study finds Posted: 20 Jan 2022 10:51 AM PST New findings indicate that COVID-19 vaccination does not impair fertility, but males who become infected by the coronavirus may experience short-term reduced fertility. |
| Creating sustainable material from waste Posted: 20 Jan 2022 10:51 AM PST A team of researchers looking for ways to upcycle biomass into new products has demonstrated that it is possible to efficiently turn industrially processed lignin into high-performance plastics, such as bio-based 3D-printing resins, and valuable chemicals. An economic and life-cycle analysis reveals the approach can be competitive with similar petroleum-based products, too. |
| You can feel this acid when you work out. Now it may increase knowledge of cancer medicine Posted: 20 Jan 2022 10:51 AM PST New research shows that specific enzymes can remove lactic acid marks. This finding may increase our understanding of cancer medicine and how physical exercise, among other things, can affect human epigenetics. |
| An all-in-one approach to diabetes treatment Posted: 20 Jan 2022 10:51 AM PST A team of researchers has come up with a new approach to streamline the process that people with diabetes use to estimate the carbohydrate content of a meal, draw blood to measure current blood glucose levels, and calculate and deliver the correct insulin dose. |
| Mapping dementia-linked protein interactions yields potential new treatment targets Posted: 20 Jan 2022 10:51 AM PST By mapping all the protein interactions of a dementia-linked protein in the brain called Tau, a team of investigators has created a road map for identifying potential new treatment targets for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. |
| The cellular response that protects pigs from COVID-19 Posted: 20 Jan 2022 09:54 AM PST Studies since the start of the pandemic have noted that pigs exposed to the coronavirus don't show clinical signs of disease nor do they transmit the virus to other animals. Scientists have uncovered important clues that shed light on why pigs don't get sick, and the discovery could lead to better treatments for COVID-19 in humans. |
| Cancer treatment may inhibit immune response to COVID-19 vaccination Posted: 20 Jan 2022 09:54 AM PST A study has found that patients with cancer who receive chemotherapy -- and some targeted therapies, such as CDK4/6 inhibitors and therapies targeted at B cells -- may mount an inadequate immune response to COVID-19 vaccination. |
| Social isolation among older adults linked to having fewer teeth Posted: 20 Jan 2022 09:54 AM PST Older adults who are socially isolated are more likely to have missing teeth--and to lose their teeth more quickly over time--than those with more social interaction, according to a new study of Chinese older adults. |
| Is Vesuvius taking an extended siesta? Posted: 20 Jan 2022 09:54 AM PST Located near Naples, Italy, Vesuvius last had a violent eruption in 1944, towards the end of the Second World War. It could be a few hundred years before another dangerous, explosive eruption occurs, suggests a new study by volcano experts. |
| Worldwide coordinated search for dark matter Posted: 20 Jan 2022 09:54 AM PST An international team of researchers has published comprehensive data on the search for dark matter using a worldwide network of optical magnetometers. According to the scientists, dark matter fields should produce a characteristic signal pattern that can be detected by correlated measurements at multiple stations of the GNOME network. |
| Posted: 20 Jan 2022 09:54 AM PST A new study is providing insight into North Atlantic right whale calf survival, growth rates, and life history, demonstrating the power of genetic sampling for this critically endangered species. |
| Drug mimics beneficial effects of fasting in mice Posted: 20 Jan 2022 09:54 AM PST An investigational cancer drug that starves tumors of their energy supply also shows evidence of improving whole body metabolism, leading to improved weight control, according to a new study in mice. |
| Research in mice identifies neurons that control locomotion Posted: 20 Jan 2022 09:54 AM PST For more than a century, scientists have known that while the commands that initiate movement come from the brain, the neurons that control locomotion once movement is underway reside within the spinal cord. Researchers now report that, in mice, they have identified one particular type of neuron that is both necessary and sufficient for regulating this type of movement. These neurons are called ventral spinocerebellar tract neurons (VSCTs). |
| Old neurons can block neurogenesis in mice Posted: 20 Jan 2022 09:54 AM PST Destroying senescent cells in the aging stem cell niche enhances hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive function in mice, researchers report. |
| Researchers simulate behavior of living 'minimal cell' in three dimensions Posted: 20 Jan 2022 09:53 AM PST Scientists report that they have built a living 'minimal cell' with a genome stripped down to its barest essentials -- and a computer model of the cell that mirrors its behavior. By refining and testing their model, the scientists say they are developing a system for predicting how changes to the genomes, living conditions or physical characteristics of live cells will alter how they function. |
| Meta-analysis may help guide treatment planning for patients with high-risk prostate cancer Posted: 20 Jan 2022 09:53 AM PST Results of a large study could help guide treatment planning for patients with high-risk prostate cancer. |
| Here’s why whales don’t drown when they gulp down food underwater Posted: 20 Jan 2022 09:53 AM PST Ever wondered whether whales can burp, and why they don't drown when they gulp down gallons of water and krill? New research may just hold the answer. Researchers found that lunge-feeding whales have an 'oral plug', a fleshy bulb in their mouths that moves backwards to seal off the upper airways during feeding, while their larynx closes to block the lower airways. |
| Supplement appears to boost muscle, mitochondria health Posted: 20 Jan 2022 09:53 AM PST An oral supplement intended to stimulate a natural body process appears to promote muscle endurance and mitochondrial health in humans. New research suggests that the supplement, urolithin A, may help improve or prolong muscle activity in people who are aging or who have diseases that make exercise difficult. |
| Fickle sunshine slows down Rubisco and limits photosynthetic productivity of crops Posted: 20 Jan 2022 09:53 AM PST A team of researchers discovered an imperfection in how Rubisco functions in cowpea and how they can improve it across crops to increase productivity. |
| Impossible material made possible inside a graphene sandwich Posted: 20 Jan 2022 07:34 AM PST Atoms bind together by sharing electrons. The way this happens depends on the atom types but also on conditions such as temperature and pressure. In two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as graphene, atoms join along a plane to form structures just one atom thick, which leads to fascinating properties determined by quantum mechanics. |
| Towards compact quantum computers thanks to topology Posted: 20 Jan 2022 07:34 AM PST Researchers at PSI have compared the electron distribution below the oxide layer of two semiconductors. The investigation is part of an effort to develop particularly stable quantum bits -- and thus, in turn, particularly efficient quantum computers. |
| Posted: 20 Jan 2022 07:34 AM PST A team of researchers has identified a neural network which is responsible for generating tic disorders. Targeting of this network via deep brain stimulation delivered by a pacemaker-like device has resulted in the alleviation of symptoms in people with Tourette syndrome. The researchers' findings could serve as a basis for improving the treatment of people with severe tic disorders. |
| Posted: 20 Jan 2022 07:34 AM PST Faulty DNA damage repair can lead to many types of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and other serious disorders. Investigators have developed high-throughput microscopy and machine learning systems that can identify and classify DNA repair factors. The investigators have identified nine previously unknown factors involved in the process of cellular DNA repair. |
| Mediterranean diet associated with a lower risk of mortality in older adults Posted: 20 Jan 2022 07:34 AM PST A greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet which had been assessed through an index made with biomarkers during a 20-year scientific monitoring is associated with a lower mortality in adults over 65. |
| Scientists build bioreactors and engineer bacteria to advance biofuel research Posted: 20 Jan 2022 07:33 AM PST Researchers from the University of Kent's School of Biosciences have designed and built equipment that can be used to investigate bacterial biofuel production at a fraction of the cost of commercial systems. This technology was then used to demonstrate that bacterial genetic engineering could be used to enhance biofuel production. |
| New modeling tools to help solid-waste systems reach environmental goals Posted: 20 Jan 2022 07:33 AM PST Researchers have developed a free, user-friendly tool that makes use of multiple computational models to help solid waste systems achieve their environmental goals in the most cost-efficient way possible. |
| Mount Etna’s exceptional CO2 emissions are triggered by deep carbon dioxide reservoirs Posted: 20 Jan 2022 07:33 AM PST Magma transports carbon dioxide stored in the Earth's mantle to volcanoes, where it is released into the atmosphere. A research team now presents results obtained using a new methodology to clarify the contribution of volcanoes to natural CO2 emissions. |
| The best way to fix a sad mood: Whatever you think works best Posted: 20 Jan 2022 06:12 AM PST What's the best way to improve a sad mood? It may be whatever skill you think you're best at, a new study suggests. |
| Scientists trace the path of radioactive cesium in the ecosystem of Fukushima Posted: 20 Jan 2022 06:12 AM PST In 2011, the nuclear accident at Fukushima, Japan, resulted in the deposit of radioactive cesium (radiocesium) into habitats in the vicinity. A decade after the accident, researchers have collated the complicated dynamics of radiocesium within forest-stream ecosystems. Understanding radiocesium flow in the environment could help mitigate contamination and inform future containment strategies. |
| Aerobic fitness of elite soccer players linked to player positions Posted: 20 Jan 2022 06:12 AM PST Researchers have linked the fitness of elite soccer players to the positions they play. The ability to make this assessment can help coaches regulate individual training loads based on player position, according to a recent study. |
| Nano bubbles could treat, prevent current and future strains of SARS-CoV-2 Posted: 20 Jan 2022 06:11 AM PST Scientists have identified natural nano-bubbles containing the ACE2 protein (evACE2) in the blood of COVID-19 patients and discovered these nano-sized particles can block infection from broad strains of SARS-CoV-2 virus. The protein acts as a decoy in the body and can serve as a therapeutic to be developed for prevention and treatment for current and future strains of SARS-CoV-2 and future coronaviruses. It could be delivered as a nasal spray. |
| Black eyed peas could help eliminate need for fertilizer Posted: 20 Jan 2022 06:11 AM PST Black eyed peas' ability to attract beneficial bacteria isn't diminished by modern farming practices, new research shows. Planting it in rotation with other crops could help growers avoid the need for costly, environmentally damaging fertilizers. |
| Dementia: How to prevent cognitive decline Posted: 20 Jan 2022 06:11 AM PST Researchers have determined the optimal number of intervention sessions needed to prevent cognitive decline in people at risk. |
| First clinical-grade transplant of gene-edited pig kidneys into brain-dead human Posted: 20 Jan 2022 06:11 AM PST Researchers have announced the first peer-reviewed research outlining the successful transplant of genetically modified, clinical-grade pig kidneys into a brain-dead human individual, replacing the recipient's native kidneys. These positive results demonstrate how xenotransplantation could address the worldwide organ shortage crisis. |
| Researchers simulate SARS-COV-2 transmission and infection on airline flights Posted: 20 Jan 2022 06:09 AM PST A new study simulated the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, on a flight from London to Hanoi and on another flight from Singapore to Hangzhou. |
| TV watching linked with potentially fatal blood clots Posted: 19 Jan 2022 04:43 PM PST Take breaks when binge-watching TV to avoid blood clots, say scientists. The warning comes as a study reports that watching TV for four hours a day or more is associated with a 35% higher risk of blood clots compared with fewer than 2.5 hours. |
| Haunted-house experience scares up interesting insights on the body’s reaction to threats Posted: 19 Jan 2022 04:42 PM PST Dilated pupils, sweating, and a rapid heartbeat are some of the physiological responses that people experience when faced with a threatening situation. New research used the immersive experience of a haunted house to reveal that these responses differ depending on the social context and other factors. |
| When graphene speaks, scientists can now listen Posted: 19 Jan 2022 04:42 PM PST Brothers working in a lab discover that sound can be used to analyze the properties of laser-induced graphene in real time. |
| Immunotherapy before liver cancer surgery can kill tumor, and likely residual cancer cells Posted: 19 Jan 2022 04:42 PM PST Immunotherapy given before surgery caused liver cancer tumors to die off in one-third of the patients enrolled in a new clinical trial. |
| COVID-19 vaccine booster provides good antibody protection against Omicron, researchers find Posted: 19 Jan 2022 04:42 PM PST A third 'booster' dose of COVID-19 vaccine successfully raises antibody levels that neutralize the Omicron variant, according to laboratory findings. |
| Posted: 19 Jan 2022 04:42 PM PST Scientists monitoring the giant A68A Antarctic iceberg from space reveal that a huge amount of fresh water was released as it melted around the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia. 152 billion tonnes of fresh water -- equivalent to 20 x Loch Ness or 61 million Olympic sized swimming pools, entered the seas around the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia when the megaberg A68A melted over 3 months in 2020/2021, according to a new study. |
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