ScienceDaily: Latest Science News


Rocking shadows in protoplanetary discs

Posted: 15 Jul 2022 07:57 AM PDT

Astronomers reveal a new phenomenon dubbed the 'rocking shadow' effect that describes how discs in forming planetary systems are oriented, and how they move around their host star. The effect also gives clues as to how they might evolve with time.

Deep dive into the dusty Milky Way

Posted: 15 Jul 2022 07:57 AM PDT

An animated dive into the dusty Milky Way reveals the outlines of our galaxy taking shape as we look out further and further from Earth. Based on new data from an interactive tool that exploits data from the European Space Agency's Gaia mission and other space science data sets, astronomers have created an animation to model dust in the Milky Way.

Predicting equatorial plasma bubbles with SWARM

Posted: 15 Jul 2022 07:57 AM PDT

Changes in atmospheric density after sunset can cause hot pockets of gas called 'plasma bubbles' to form over the Earth's equator, resulting in communication disruptions between satellites and the Earth. New AI models are now helping scientists to predict plasma bubble events and create a forecast.

An Achilles heel shared by plants and animals

Posted: 15 Jul 2022 07:57 AM PDT

The biomolecule diphthamide is essential for the proper formation of proteins in cells. When humans are infected with diphtheria, diphthamide is altered by the diphtheria toxin so that life-threatening complications can arise as a consequence of an impaired formation of proteins. Up to now, diphthamide was only known to occur in animals and fungi. A research team has now demonstrated that the biomolecule also occurs in plants.

Opening new doors: First synthetic mechanosensitive potassium channel

Posted: 15 Jul 2022 05:50 AM PDT

Intrigued by the properties of ion channel proteins commonly observed in cells, researchers have developed the first synthetic mechanosensitive potassium channel using a newly developed aromatic fluorinated amphiphilic cyclophane. Displaying both 'stimuli responsiveness' and 'selective ion transport' abilities, their new ion channel could open new doors for the future therapeutic and industrial usage of synthetic mechanosensitive channels.

Does this ring a bell? Wild bats can remember sounds for years

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 04:04 PM PDT

There are certain skills that once we acquire them, we rarely have to relearn them, like riding a bike or looking both ways before crossing a street. Most studies on learning and long-term memory in the wild focus on a handful of animal species. Now, in a publication in Current Biology, researchers working at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) share the first report of long-term memory in frog-eating bats (Trachops cirrhosus).

Evolving to outpace climate change, tiny marine animal provides new evidence of long-theorized genetic mechanism

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 02:57 PM PDT

Some copepods, diminutive crustaceans with an outsized place in the aquatic food web, can evolve fast enough to survive in the face of rapid climate change, according to new research that addresses a longstanding question in the field of genetics.

Cats injured in wildfires at risk of deadly blood clots

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 02:56 PM PDT

Cats injured in California wildfires are at risk of forming deadly blood clots, according to new research.

One-hit wonder: How awards, recognition decrease inventors' creativity

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 01:58 PM PDT

New research has identified one reason why some first-time producers struggle to repeat their initial creative productions while others go on to continually produce creative works.

New anticoagulant platform, offering hope for advances for heart surgery, dialysis, other procedures

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 01:58 PM PDT

While blood clotting is important to prevent blood loss and for our immunity, coagulation also can cause health issues and even death. Now, a new biomolecular anticoagulant platform holds promise as a revolutionary advancement over the blood thinners currently used during surgeries and other procedures.

Epo does not help with neurological damage to newborns

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 01:58 PM PDT

Adding erythropoietin to cooling therapy for term newborns with birth asphyxia has no benefit over cooling therapy alone, a new study shows. The findings contrast with results from small trials in which erythropoietin appeared safe and effective.

A newly identified stem cell regulator enables lifelong sperm production

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 01:58 PM PDT

Scientists have discovered only a handful of genes responsible for stem cell self-renewal, a property that allows stem cells to continue giving rise to a variety of cell types during an organism's lifespan. Now, a team has identified a new stem cell self-renewal factor, one essential for mice to produce sperm throughout their adult lives.

Wireless activation of targeted brain circuits in less than one second

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 01:58 PM PDT

Neuroengineers have created wireless technology to remotely activate brain circuits. Researchers showed they could control the behavior of freely moving fruit flies using magnetic signals that activated genetically engineered neurons causing the flies to perform specific behaviors.

A new treatment approach for cystic fibrosis

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 01:58 PM PDT

Antisense oligonucleotides, or ASOs, are molecules that can be used to control protein levels in cells. Scientists have discovered a new way ASOs may help cells produce a protein missing in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. The discovery sets the stage for a new therapeutic approach that may help reduce CF symptoms and improve patients' quality of life.

Link between air pollution and child brain development strengthened

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 11:52 AM PDT

A new study has added evidence showing that both prenatal and postnatal exposure to air pollution can harm kids.

Consider farmers at individual level when controlling livestock disease outbreaks

Posted: 14 Jul 2022 11:51 AM PDT

Livestock diseases will be better managed by incorporating the behaviors of individual farmers into national infection control policies, according to new research.