ScienceDaily: Most Popular News

Environmental impact of hydrofracking vs. conventional gas/oil drilling: Research shows the differences may be minimal

Posted: 25 Jun 2021 02:31 PM PDT

Researchers have developed a new machine learning technique to holistically assess water quality data in order to detect groundwater samples likely impacted by recent methane leakage during oil and gas production. Using that model, the team concluded that unconventional drilling methods like hydraulic fracturing do not necessarily incur more environmental problems than conventional oil and gas drilling.

Study confirms the low likelihood that SARS-CoV-2 on hospital surfaces is infectious

Posted: 25 Jun 2021 12:56 PM PDT

A new study confirms the low likelihood that coronavirus contamination on hospital surfaces is infectious. The study is the original report on recovering near-complete SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences directly from surface swabs.

'Dragon man' fossil may replace Neanderthals as our closest relative

Posted: 25 Jun 2021 09:04 AM PDT

A near-perfectly preserved ancient human fossil known as the Harbin cranium sits in the Geoscience Museum in Hebei GEO University. The largest of Homo skulls, scientists now say this skull represents a newly discovered human species named Homo longi or 'Dragon Man.' Their findings suggest that the Homo longi lineage may be our closest relatives -- and may reshape our understanding of human evolution.

Throwing an 'axion bomb' into a black hole challenges fundamental law of physics

Posted: 25 Jun 2021 09:04 AM PDT

New research shows how the fundamental law of conservation of charge could break down near a black hole.

'Fool's gold' not so foolish after all

Posted: 25 Jun 2021 07:05 AM PDT

New research has found tiny amounts of gold can be trapped inside pyrite, commonly known as 'fool's gold,' which would make it much more valuable than its name suggests.

COVID-linked multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children diagnosed more in Black and Latino children

Posted: 25 Jun 2021 07:05 AM PDT

Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) significantly affected more Black and Latino children than white children, with Black children at the highest risk, according to a new study. Researchers also found cardiac complications, including systolic myocardial dysfunction and valvular regurgitation, were more common in MIS-C patients who were critically ill.

Mosquito love songs send mixed message about immunity

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 02:08 PM PDT

A new study of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes investigates how a mating cue called 'harmonic convergence' might affect immunity against parasites, bacteria and dengue virus in offspring, which has important implications for trade-offs male mosquitoes make between investing energy towards immunity or investing it on traits that impact mating and fitness.

Decoding humans' survival from coronaviruses

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 11:22 AM PDT

Researchers analyzed the genomes of more than 2,500 modern humans from 26 worldwide populations, to better understand how humans have adapted to historical coronavirus outbreaks.

Leopard gecko skin tumors traced to cancer gene

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 11:15 AM PDT

In a rare gecko color variety known as Lemon Frost, scientists have traced an unusual coloring and tendency to form tumors to a gene linked to human melanoma.

Scientists can predict and design single atom catalysts for important chemical reactions

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 11:15 AM PDT

Guided by quantum chemical calculations, scientists design and test a new single atom catalyst that converts propane to propylene with 100% efficiency, with little deactivation by coking. If adopted by industry, the catalyst could save billions of dollars and stop millions of tons of carbon dioxide being emitted into the atmosphere.

Glial cells help mitigate neurological damage in Huntington's disease

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 10:55 AM PDT

Glia affected by Huntington's disease respond by tuning down synapse genes, which has a protective effect.

Ethane proxies for methane in oil and gas emissions

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 10:55 AM PDT

Measuring ethane in the atmosphere shows that the amounts of methane going into the atmosphere from oil and gas wells and contributing to greenhouse warming is higher than suggested by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, according to an international team of scientists who spent three years flying over three areas of the U.S. during all four seasons.

Cosmic dawn occurred 250 to 350 million years after Big Bang

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 10:55 AM PDT

A new study suggests that the NASA James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), scheduled to launch in November, will be sensitive enough to observe the birth of galaxies directly.

Membrane proteins of bacteria and humans show surprising similarities

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 10:55 AM PDT

The cells of simple organisms, such as bacteria, as well as human cells are surrounded by a membrane, which fulfills various tasks including protecting the cell from stress. Researchers have now discovered that a membrane protein found in bacteria has a similar structure and function as a group of proteins that are responsible for remodeling and rebuilding the cell membrane in humans. No connection between the two protein groups was known before.

Are zebra mussels eating or helping toxic algae?

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 10:55 AM PDT

While invasive zebra mussels consume small plant-like organisms called phytoplankton, researchers discovered during a long-term study that zebra mussels can actually increase Microcystis, a type of phytoplankton known as 'blue-green algae' or cyanobacteria, that forms harmful floating blooms.

Natural history and conservation importance of Chinese mountain cat

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 10:55 AM PDT

In a large study of Chinese cats, genetic detectives highlight the evolutionary uniqueness and premier conservation importance of the elusive Chinese mountain cat (Felis silvestris bieti), found only in the Tibetan plateau of China.

A 'tasty' protein may lead to new ways to treat metabolic and immune diseases

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 10:55 AM PDT

The same taste-sensing molecule that helps you enjoy a meal from your favorite restaurant may one day lead to improved ways to treat diabetes and other metabolic and immune diseases. TRPM5 is a specialized protein that is concentrated in the taste buds, where it helps relay messages to and from cells. It has long been of interest to researchers due to its roles in taste perception and blood sugar regulation.

New CRISPR 3.0 system for highly efficient gene activation in plants

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 10:55 AM PDT

Biologists have introduced a new and improved CRISPR 3.0 system in plants, focusing on gene activation. This third generation system focuses on multiplexed gene activation that can boost the function of multiple genes simultaneously. This system boasts four to six times the activation capacity of current state-of-the-art CRISPR technology, demonstrating high accuracy and efficiency in up to seven genes at once.

How neurons get past 'no'

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 10:55 AM PDT

A new study shows that inhibitory neurons do more than just inhibit neuron activity like an off-switch; paradoxically, they actually increase the amount of information transmitted through the nervous system.

People with fibromyalgia are substituting CBD for opioids to manage pain

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 09:17 AM PDT

As the ravages of the opioid epidemic lead many to avoid these powerful painkillers, a significant number of people with fibromyalgia are finding an effective replacement in CBD-containing products, finds a new study.

Enlisting the newly discovered L-IST RNA in the fight against type 2 diabetes

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 09:17 AM PDT

Across the world, type 2 diabetes is on the rise. A research group has discovered a new gene that may hold the key to preventing and treating lifestyle related diseases such as type 2 diabetes.

Potato and rice protein shakes may be a viable vegan alternative to whey protein shakes, research suggests

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 08:45 AM PDT

A new study found that plant-based protein shakes may be potential viable alternatives to milk-based whey protein shakes, particularly in people with need of careful monitoring of glucose levels.

A detailed atlas of the developing brain

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 08:44 AM PDT

Researchers have created a first detailed atlas of a critical region of the developing mouse brain, applying multiple advanced genomic technologies to the part of the cerebral cortex that is responsible for processing sensation. By measuring how gene activity and regulation change over time, researchers have a better understanding of how the cortex is built and a new tool to explore how it is affected in neurodevelopmental disease.

Quantum simulation: Measurement of entanglement made easier

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 08:44 AM PDT

Researchers have developed a method to make previously hardly accessible properties in quantum systems measurable. The new method for determining the quantum state in quantum simulators reduces the number of necessary measurements and makes work with quantum simulators much more efficient.

Solving a puzzle to design larger proteins

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 08:44 AM PDT

A team has identified the design principles for creating large 'ideal' proteins from scratch, paving the way for the design of proteins with new biochemical functions.

Cardiac atrophy findings may set course for preventing harm from long space flights

Posted: 24 Jun 2021 08:43 AM PDT

New findings shed light on the molecular triggers of rapid cardiac atrophy. Findings have potential implications for space travel.