ScienceDaily: Latest Science News


Sidewinding young stellar jets spied by Gemini South

Posted: 21 Jan 2022 01:55 PM PST

Sinuous stellar jets meander lazily across a field of stars in new images. The gently curving stellar jets are the outflow from young stars, and astronomers suspect their sidewinding appearances are caused by the gravitational attraction of companion stars. These crystal-clear observations were made using the Gemini South telescope's adaptive optics system, which helps astronomers counteract the blurring effects of atmospheric turbulence.

Breakthrough COVID-19 infections spur strong antibody responses

Posted: 21 Jan 2022 01:55 PM PST

People vaccinated three times or vaccinated after an earlier COVID-19 infection had comparable neutralizing antibody activity to those with a breakthrough case, according to a new study.

Form fit: Device wraps around hot surfaces, turns wasted heat to electricity

Posted: 21 Jan 2022 11:54 AM PST

The energy systems that power our lives also produce wasted heat -- like heat that radiates off hot water pipes in buildings and exhaust pipes on vehicles. A new flexible thermoelectric generator can wrap around pipes and other hot surfaces and convert wasted heat into electricity more efficiently than previously possible, according to scientists.

Harnessing noise in optical computing for AI

Posted: 21 Jan 2022 11:54 AM PST

A research team has developed an optical computing system for AI and machine learning that not only mitigates the noise inherent to optical computing but actually uses some of it as input to help enhance the creative output of the artificial neural network within the system.

Research finds patients and providers differ in opinions about immediate access to medical records

Posted: 21 Jan 2022 09:49 AM PST

A recent study found that about 63% of clinicians surveyed agree that immediate release of electronic medical records is more confusing than helpful to patients.

In Science, small groups create big ideas

Posted: 21 Jan 2022 09:49 AM PST

To understand the dynamics of emerging topics in science and medicine, researchers looked at researcher participation in articles containing emerging keywords over 50 years. They found that although more human resources are needed for publication, large research groups less frequently generate emerging topics. Moreover, expertise in certain topics has become important for generating emerging topics, and researchers who generate emerging topics now tend to remain in that field.

Changing the genetic 'recipe' for protovertebrates

Posted: 21 Jan 2022 09:49 AM PST

Researchers conducted single-cell gene expression analysis to uncover the effects of manipulation of the sensory cell regulator POU IV in the protovertebrate Ciona intestinalis. Alteration of POU IV expression led to the induction of cells with characteristics of multiple sensory cell types and cells that express a gene expression profile that has not been previously observed in Ciona intestinalis. The activation of upstream POU IV regulators Foxg and Neurogenin was identified as a possible mechanism underlying the unusual sensory cell development.

New efficiency record for solar cell technology

Posted: 21 Jan 2022 09:48 AM PST

A research team has set a new record in the power conversion efficiency of solar cells made using perovskite and organic materials. Their latest work demonstrated a power conversion efficiency of 23.6%, approaching that of conventional silicon solar cells. This technological breakthrough paves the way for flexible, light-weight, low cost and ultra-thin photovoltaic cells for wide-ranging applications.

How robots learn to hike

Posted: 21 Jan 2022 09:48 AM PST

Researchers have developed a new control approach that enables a legged robot, called ANYmal, to move quickly and robustly over difficult terrain. Thanks to machine learning, the robot can combine its visual perception of the environment with its sense of touch for the first time.

People who are depressed may be more susceptible to misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines

Posted: 21 Jan 2022 09:48 AM PST

In a 50-state survey-based study, adults with depressive symptoms were twice as likely to support misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines. People who endorsed false statements were half as likely to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Oral immunotherapy induces remission of peanut allergy in some young children

Posted: 20 Jan 2022 05:12 PM PST

A clinical trial has found that giving peanut oral immunotherapy to highly peanut-allergic children ages 1 to 3 years safely desensitized most of them to peanut and induced remission of peanut allergy in one-fifth.

Researchers highlight COVID-19 neurological symptoms and need for rigorous studies

Posted: 20 Jan 2022 01:50 PM PST

In a new article, experts highlight what is currently known about the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the brain, the importance of increased research into the underlying causes of Long COVID and possible ways to treat its symptoms.