ScienceDaily: Most Popular News

Martian global dust storm ended winter early in the south

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 04:50 PM PDT

A dust storm that engulfed Mars in 2018 destroyed a vortex of cold air around the planet's south pole and brought an early spring to the hemisphere. By contrast, the storm caused only minor distortions to the polar vortex in the northern hemisphere and no dramatic seasonal changes.

Meet the Martian meteorite hunters

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 04:50 PM PDT

A team is paving the way for future rovers to search for meteorites on Mars. The scientists are using an extensive meteorite collection to test the spectral instruments destined for the ExoMars rover Rosalind Franklin, and develop tools to identify meteorites on the surface of the red planet.

Big data-derived tool facilitates closer monitoring of recovery from natural disasters

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 02:12 PM PDT

By analyzing peoples' visitation patterns to essential establishments like pharmacies, religious centers and grocery stores during Hurricane Harvey, researchers have developed a framework to assess the recovery of communities after natural disasters in near real time. They said the information gleaned from their analysis would help federal agencies allocate resources equitably among communities ailing from a disaster.

'Missing self' contributes to organ rejection after transplantation

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 02:12 PM PDT

After kidney transplantation, natural killer cells of the recipient become active because they miss 'self' proteins on donor cells. These cells contribute to organ rejection, in addition to traditional modes of rejection involving T cells and antibodies.

'Good cholesterol' may protect liver

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 02:12 PM PDT

The body's so-called good cholesterol may be even better than we realize. New research suggests that one type of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) has a previously unknown role in protecting the liver from injury. This HDL protects the liver by blocking inflammatory signals produced by common gut bacteria.

Anatomy of the red planet: Mars-quakes reveal interior

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 01:30 PM PDT

Researchers have been able to use seismic data to look inside Mars for the first time. They measured the crust, mantle and core and narrowed down their composition.

Unravelling the knotty problem of the Sun's activity

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 01:30 PM PDT

A new approach to analysing the development of magnetic tangles on the Sun has led to a breakthrough in a longstanding debate about how solar energy is injected into the solar atmosphere before being released into space, causing space weather events. The first direct evidence that field lines become knotted before they emerge at the visible surface of the Sun has implications for our ability to predict the behavior of active regions and the nature of the solar interior.

Young workers now value respect over 'fun' perks in the workplace

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 01:30 PM PDT

Millennials, often referred to as the 'job-hopping generation,' represent a group of young workers who once grabbed the national spotlight with their publicized demands for 'fun' work perks, such as happy hours. However, researchers have discovered today's young workers -- ages 21-34 -- represent a life-stage shift toward placing more value on having respectful communication in the workplace over trendy work perks.

Early-life social connections influence gene expression, stress resilience

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 01:30 PM PDT

Having friends may not only be good for the health of your social life, but also for your actual health -- if you're a hyena, that is. Strong social connections and greater maternal care early in life can influence molecular markers related to gene expression in DNA and future stress response, suggests a new study of spotted hyenas in the wild.

'Wrapping' anodes in 3D carbon nanosheets: The next big thing in li-ion battery technology

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 01:30 PM PDT

The lithium-ion battery is the future of sustainable energy technology, but drastic volume fluctuations in their anodes related to enhanced battery capacity raises a safety concern. Recently, researchers have found that embedding manganese selenide anodes in a 3D carbon nanosheet matrix is an innovative, simple, and low-cost means of reducing drastic volume expansion while improving the energy density of these batteries.

AI built to find anti-aging chemical compounds

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 01:30 PM PDT

Scientists have built an artificial intelligence (AI) model that identifies chemical compounds that promote healthy aging - paving the way towards pharmaceutical innovations that extend a person's lifespan.

Investigational magnetic device shrinks glioblastoma in human test

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 01:30 PM PDT

Researchers shrunk a deadly glioblastoma tumor by more than a third using a helmet generating a noninvasive oscillating magnetic field that the patient wore on his head while administering the therapy in his own home. The 53-year-old patient died from an unrelated injury about a month into the treatment, but during that short time, 31% of the tumor mass disappeared. The autopsy of his brain confirmed the rapid response to the treatment.

Cattle losing adaptations to environment

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 01:29 PM PDT

Researchers have uncovered evidence showing that cattle are losing important environmental adaptations, losses the researchers attribute to a lack of genetic information available to farmers. After examining genetic material stretching back to the 1960s, they identified specific DNA variations associated with adaptations that could one day be used to create DNA tests for cattle -- tests that could tell farmers whether their cattle are suited for one environment or another.

Astrophysicist outlines plans for the gravitational wave observatory on the moon

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 01:29 PM PDT

Not a moonshot: Astronomers explore possibility of lunar observatory to better understand fundamental physics, astronomy and cosmology.

Soft skin patch could provide early warning for strokes, heart attacks

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 11:52 AM PDT

Engineers developed a soft, stretchy ultrasound patch that can be worn on the skin to monitor blood flow through vessels deep inside the body. Such a device can make it easier to detect cardiovascular problems, like blockages in the arteries that could lead to strokes or heart attacks.

Eyes wide shut: How newborn mammals dream the world they're entering

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 11:20 AM PDT

As a newborn mammal opens its eyes for the first time, it can already make visual sense of the world around it. But how does this happen before they have experienced sight?

Researchers develop tool to drastically speed up the study of enzymes

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 11:20 AM PDT

A new tool that enables thousands of tiny experiments to run simultaneously on a single polymer chip will let scientists study enzymes faster and more comprehensively than ever before.

New study provides clues to decades-old mystery about cell movement

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 11:20 AM PDT

A new study shows that the stiffness of protein fibers in tissues, like collagen, are a key component in controlling the movement of cells. The groundbreaking discovery provides the first proof of a theory from the early 1980s and could have a major impact on fields that study cell movement from regenerative medicine to cancer research.

Clever cockatoos learn through social interaction

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 11:20 AM PDT

Scientists have shown that cockatoos, an iconic Australian bird species, learn from each other a unique skill -- lifting garbage bin lids to gather food. The research confirms that cockatoos spread this novel behavior through social learning. This behavior by cockatoos is actually learnt, rather than a result of genetics.

Less-sensitive COVID-19 tests may still achieve optimal results if enough people tested, study finds

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 11:19 AM PDT

A computational analysis of COVID-19 tests suggests that, in order to minimize the number of infections in a population, the amount of testing matters more than the sensitivity of the tests that are used.

Global warming may limit spread of dengue fever, new research finds

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 11:19 AM PDT

Infection with dengue virus makes mosquitoes more sensitive to warmer temperatures, according to new research. The team also found that infection with the bacterium Wolbachia, which has recently been used to control viral infections in mosquitoes, also increases the thermal sensitivity of the insects. The findings suggest that global warming could limit the spread of dengue fever but could also limit the effectiveness of Wolbachia as a biological control agent.

Cell-analysis technique could combat tuberculosis

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 10:13 AM PDT

Researchers have developed a way to analyze how individual immune cells react to the bacteria that cause tuberculosis. It could pave the way for new vaccine strategies and provide insights into fighting other infectious diseases.

Smartphone screens effective sensors for soil or water contamination

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 10:13 AM PDT

The touchscreen technology used in billions of smartphones and tablets could also be used as a powerful sensor, without the need for any modifications.

Eco-friendly plastic from cellulose and water

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 10:13 AM PDT

Plastics offer many benefits to society and are widely used in our daily life: they are lightweight, cheap and adaptable. However, the production, processing and disposal of plastics pose a major global threat to the environment and human health. However, researchers have now found a sustainable method - 'hydrosetting', which uses water at normal conditions - to process and reshape a new type of hydroplastic polymer.

Pathogens get comfy in designer goo

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 10:13 AM PDT

New hydrogels mimic intestines when lined with epithelial cells. A study demonstrated hydrogels in various stiffnesses are valuable for learning the dynamics of pathogens that cause diarrhea and other intestinal diseases.

Gaming graphics card allows faster, more precise control of fusion energy experiments

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 10:13 AM PDT

Researchers have developed a method that uses a gaming graphics card to control plasma formation in their prototype fusion reactor.

California's carbon mitigation efforts may be thwarted by climate change itself

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 10:13 AM PDT

To meet an ambitious goal of carbon neutrality by 2045, California's policymakers are relying in part on forests and shrublands to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, but researchers warn that future climate change may limit the ecosystem's ability to perform this service.

Planetary shields will buckle under stellar winds from their dying stars

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 09:12 AM PDT

Any life identified on planets orbiting white dwarf stars almost certainly evolved after the star's death, says a new study that reveals the consequences of the intense and furious stellar winds that will batter a planet as its star is dying.

Excess coffee: A bitter brew for brain health

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 09:06 AM PDT

It's a favourite first-order for the day, but while a quick coffee may perk us up, new research shows that too much could be dragging us down, especially when it comes to brain health.

Personalized immunotherapy: Rapid screening of therapeutic combinations

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 09:06 AM PDT

An innovative testing platform that more closely mimics what cancer encounters in the body may allow for more precise, personalized therapies by enabling the rapid study of multiple therapeutic combinations against tumor cells. The platform uses a three-dimensional environment to more closely mirror a tumor microenvironment.

Silicon with a two-dimensional structure

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 09:06 AM PDT

Silicon, a semi-metal, bonds in its natural form with four other elements and its three-dimensional structure takes the form of a tetrahedron. For a long time, it seemed impossible to achieve the synthesis and characterization of a two-dimensional equivalent - geometrically speaking, a square. Now scientists have succeeded in producing a crystalline complex with such a configuration.

Unlocking genetic clues behind aortic aneurysm

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:31 AM PDT

After examining nearly the entire human genome for genetic changes that increase risk of aneurysm, researchers discovered a new change in the genetic code of a transcription factor.

Visualizing a city's energy use

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:31 AM PDT

Researchers used the City of Pittsburgh to create a model built upon the design, materials and purpose of commercial buildings to estimate their energy usage and emissions.

New approach eradicates breast cancer in mice

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:30 AM PDT

A new approach to treating breast cancer kills 95 to 100 percent of cancer cells in mouse models of human estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancers and their metastases in bone, brain, liver and lungs. The newly developed drug, called ErSO, quickly shrinks even large tumors to undetectable levels.

New 3D images of shark intestines show they function like Nikola Tesla's valve

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:30 AM PDT

For more than a century, researchers have relied on flat sketches of sharks' digestive systems to discern how they function -- and how what they eat and excrete impacts other species in the ocean. Now, researchers have produced a series of high-resolution, 3D scans of intestines from nearly three dozen shark species that will advance the understanding of how sharks eat and digest their food.

Scientists reverse age-related memory loss in mice

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:30 AM PDT

Scientists have successfully reversed age-related memory loss in mice and say their discovery could lead to the development of treatments to prevent memory loss in people as they age.

Antimatter from laser pincers

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:30 AM PDT

An international physics team has proposed a new concept that may allow selected cosmic extreme processes to be studied in the laboratory in the future. A special setup of two high-intensity laser beams could create conditions similar to those found near neutron stars, for example. An antimatter jet is generated and accelerated very efficiently, as the experts report.

Parkinson's disease: How lysosomes become a hub for the propagation of the pathology

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:30 AM PDT

Over the last few decades, neurodegenerative diseases became one of the top 10 global causes of death. Researchers worldwide are making a strong effort to understand neurodegenerative diseases pathogenesis, which is essential to develop efficient treatments against these incurable diseases. A team of researchers found out the implication of lysosomes in the spread of Parkinson's disease.

Artificial intelligence models to analyze cancer images take shortcuts that introduce bias

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:30 AM PDT

A new study shows that deep learning models trained on large sets of cancer genetic and tissue histology data can easily identify the institution that submitted the images.

'Backpacking' hedgehogs take permanent staycation

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:30 AM PDT

New research has been examining how alpine-based hedgehogs hibernate from a different perspective - their backs.

Fully renewable energy feasible for Samoa, study suggests

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:30 AM PDT

The future of Samoa's electricity system could go green, a new study has shown.

Scientists provide new insight on how to stop transcription of cancer cells

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:30 AM PDT

Findings could help pave the way for cancer therapies that target TAF12, potentially stopping transcription in cancer cells and helping decrease the growth of cancerous tumors.

Scientists make X-ray vision-like camera to rapidly retrieve 3D images

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:30 AM PDT

Researchers describe a new type of camera technology that, when aimed at an object, can rapidly retrieve 3D images, displaying its chemical content down to the micrometer scale.

Geneticists pinpoint how a mutation causes devastating childhood cancer and successfully target tumor cells with tailored drug

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:30 AM PDT

Geneticists have discovered how a specific genetic mutation (H3K27M) causes a devastating, incurable childhood cancer, known as diffuse midline glioma (DMG), and -- in lab studies working with model cell types -- successfully reverse its effects to slow cancer cell growth with a targeted drug. Their landmark work translates crucial new understanding of the genetics of DMG progression into a highly promising, targeted therapeutic approach and offers significant hope of improved treatments in the future.

Scientists discover gene therapy provides neuroprotection to prevent glaucoma vision loss

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:30 AM PDT

A form of gene therapy protects optic nerve cells and preserves vision in mouse models of glaucoma, according to new research. The findings suggest a way forward for developing neuroprotective therapies for glaucoma, a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness.

Untwisting DNA reveals new force that shapes genomes

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:30 AM PDT

Advances in microscopy reveal how the human genome organises itself in three-dimensional space at much higher resolution than previously possible. A new study finds that transcription generates a force that moves across DNA strands like ripples through water. The discovery may have future implications for the understanding of genetic diseases such as Cornelia de Lange syndrome, developmental disorders linked to chromatin folding, and open new avenues of research in genome fragility and cancer development.

Higher levels of omega-3 acids in the blood increases life expectancy by almost five years

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:30 AM PDT

Researchers have found that omega-3 levels in blood erythrocytes are very good mortality risk predictors. The study used data from a long-term study group, the Framingham Offspring Cohort, which has been monitoring residents of this Massachusetts town, in the United States, since 1971 and concludes that, 'Having higher levels of these acids in the blood, as a result of regularly including oily fish in the diet, increases life expectancy by almost five years.'

Wearable devices can reduce collision risk in blind and visually impaired people

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:29 AM PDT

A new randomized controlled trial shows wearing a vibrating collision device can reduce collisions in people who are blind and visually impaired, adding a potential new tool that can be used by these populations in addition to a long cane, to ensure independent travel safety.

RNA breakthrough creates crops that can grow 50 percent more potatoes, rice

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:29 AM PDT

A new RNA breakthrough is allowing plants to yield dramatically more crops and increase drought tolerance, which could have an impact on food scarcity and production as climate change threatens ecosystems. In initial tests, adding a gene encoding for a protein called FTO to both rice and potato plants increased their yield by 50 percent in field tests -- and the plants grew significantly larger, produced longer root systems and were better able to tolerate drought stress.

Spotted: An exoplanet with the potential to form moons

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:29 AM PDT

New high-resolution observations clearly show a moon-forming region around exoplanet PDS 70c. The observations have allowed astronomers to determine the ring-shaped region's size and mass for the first time.

Antibiotics may help to treat melanoma

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:29 AM PDT

Some antibiotics appear to be effective against a form of skin cancer known as melanoma. Researchers examined the effect of these antibiotics on patient-derived tumors in mice.

Professional rugby may be associated with changes in brain structure, study finds

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:29 AM PDT

Participation in elite adult rugby may be associated with changes in brain structure, according to a new study.

Mobility restrictions can have unexpected impacts on air quality

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:29 AM PDT

Reduced mobility induced by the COVID-19 restrictions had only minor influence on particulate pollution levels, according to atmosphere studies in the Po Valley region of northern Italy. Eventually computer simulations indicated that the change in air quality led to an increase in secondary aerosol formation.

Targeted removals and enhanced monitoring can help manage lionfish in the Mediterranean

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:29 AM PDT

New research represents one of the first studies to examine the effectiveness of targeted lionfish removals from both an ecological and a socio-economic perspective.

Structural biology provides long-sought solution to innate immunity puzzle

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:29 AM PDT

Researchers report the first structural confirmation that endogenous -- or self-made -- molecules can set off innate immunity in mammals via a pair of immune cell proteins called the TLR4-MD-2 receptor complex. The work has wide-ranging implications for finding ways to treat and possibly prevent autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and antiphospholipid syndrome.

3D imaging reveals neural 'vicious cycle' in fatty liver disease

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:29 AM PDT

With the application of a novel three-dimensional imaging technology, researchers have discovered that one portion of the autonomic nervous system in the liver undergoes severe degeneration in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study, which is conducted in mice and human liver tissue, shows that the degeneration of nerves is correlated with the severity of liver pathology.

Scientists develop tougher, safer bicycle helmets using new plastic material

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:29 AM PDT

Researchers have developed a tougher, safer bicycle helmet using a combination of materials. The new helmet prototype has higher energy absorption, reducing the amount of energy transferred to a cyclist's head in the event of an accident and likely lowering the chances of serious injury.

Gamma-secretase 'buckles up' to reach its destination

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:29 AM PDT

New research has uncovered the early assembly of gamma-secretase, a protein complex linked to numerous cellular processes including the development of Alzheimer's disease. In a first step, two dimeric subcomplexes are formed, which independently exit the ER and only afterwards assemble into a four-subunit complex. This 'buckle up' mechanism is thought to prevent premature assembly and activity.

Infrared held in a pincer

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:29 AM PDT

Many applications, from fiber-optic telecommunications to biomedical imaging processes require substances that emit light in the near-infrared range (NIR). A research team has now developed the first chromium complex that emits light in the coveted, longer wavelength NIR-II range. The team has introduced the underlying concept: a drastic change in the electronic structure of the chromium caused by the specially tailored ligands that envelop it.

Llama 'nanobodies' could hold key to preventing deadly post-transplant infection

Posted: 22 Jul 2021 08:28 AM PDT

Scientists have developed a 'nanobody' - a small fragment of a llama antibody - that is capable of chasing out human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) as it hides away from the immune system. This then enables immune cells to seek out and destroy this potentially deadly virus.