ScienceDaily: Most Popular News

New synthesis process paves way for more efficient lasers, LEDs

Posted: 25 Oct 2021 02:21 PM PDT

Researchers have developed a new process that makes use of existing industry standard techniques for making III-nitride semiconductor materials, but results in layered materials that will make LEDs and lasers more efficient.

Call-and-response circuit tells neurons when to grow synapses

Posted: 25 Oct 2021 02:21 PM PDT

Brain cells called astrocytes play a key role in helping neurons develop and function properly, but there's still a lot scientists don't understand about how astrocytes perform these important jobs. Now, a team of scientists has found one way that neurons and astrocytes work together to form healthy connections called synapses. This insight into normal astrocyte function could help scientists better understand disorders linked to problems with neuronal development, including autism spectrum disorders.

Scientists reveal genetic secrets of stress-tolerant mangrove trees

Posted: 25 Oct 2021 02:21 PM PDT

Researchers have decoded the genome of the mangrove tree, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, and revealed how this species regulates its genes in order to cope with stress. Their findings could one day be used to help other plants be more tolerant to stress.

Tiny microscopic hunters could be a crystal ball for climate change

Posted: 25 Oct 2021 02:20 PM PDT

Tiny unicellular creatures called protists could keep greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere by gobbling up bacteria that emit CO2, researchers say. Now, a study finds that a few simple measures of a protist's size and shape can be powerful predictors of how they might respond to global warming themselves.

Topological valley Hall edge solitons in photonics

Posted: 25 Oct 2021 02:17 PM PDT

A research team recently discovered a novel kind of topological edge soliton that is independent of magnetic field. The valley Hall edge soliton inherits its topological protection from its linear counterpart and does not require any external magnetic field. The result is a light beam that is robust, localized, and maintains its shape during propagation over distance.

Nearly 500 ancient ceremonial sites found in southern Mexico

Posted: 25 Oct 2021 02:17 PM PDT

A team of international researchers reported last year that they had uncovered the largest and oldest Maya monument -- Aguada Fénix. That same team has now uncovered nearly 500 smaller ceremonial complexes that are similar in shape and features to Aguada Fénix. The find transforms previous understanding of Mesoamerican civilization origins and the relationship between the Olmec and the Maya people.

Men, women ride the same emotional roller coaster

Posted: 25 Oct 2021 08:37 AM PDT

Contrary to widely held gender stereotypes, women are not more emotional than men, researchers say.

Neutron star collisions are 'goldmine' of heavy elements, study finds

Posted: 25 Oct 2021 08:37 AM PDT

Most elements lighter than iron are forged in the cores of stars, but scientists have puzzled over what could give rise to gold, platinum, and the rest of the universe's heavy elements. study finds that of two long-suspected sources of heavy metals, one of them -- a merger between two neutron stars -- is more of a goldmine than the other.

That primate’s got rhythm!

Posted: 25 Oct 2021 08:37 AM PDT

What are the origins of musical rhythm? Are humans the only mammals that have rhythm? Researchers have studied indris, the 'singing primates' from Madagascar to learn more. Indri songs recorded in the wild have rhythmic categories similar to those found in human music. Finding common musical traits across species may shed light on the biology and evolution of rhythm and music.

Antibiotics for appendicitis

Posted: 25 Oct 2021 07:18 AM PDT

Antibiotics are now an accepted first-line treatment for most people with appendicitis, according to final results of the Comparing Outcomes of antibiotic Drugs and Appendectomy (CODA) trial, and an updated treatment guideline for appendicitis from the American College of Surgeons.

Redefining human diseases through the lens of your DNA

Posted: 25 Oct 2021 07:17 AM PDT

Researchers performed genome-wide analysis studies (GWAS) to identify genetic elements associated with various diseases. To address inequities in previous GWAS, the team included 180,000 Japanese people and 220 health-related phenotypes in this analysis. After meta-analyzing the results with biobanks from the UK and Finland, they identified 5,000 novel genomic loci of phenotypic significance. They made their data publicly available to allow researchers worldwide examine genetic associations with human diseases in an unbiased manner.

Increased consumption of whole grains could significantly reduce the economic impact of type 2 diabetes

Posted: 25 Oct 2021 07:17 AM PDT

Increased consumption of whole grain foods could significantly reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes and the costs associated with its treatment.

Researchers discover a way to increase the effectiveness of antibiotics

Posted: 25 Oct 2021 07:17 AM PDT

Researchers have found a way to make antibiotics more effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria - also known as 'superbugs.

Superconductivity: New tricks for finding better materials

Posted: 25 Oct 2021 07:17 AM PDT

Two years ago, a new class of promising superconductors was discovered: so-called layered nickelates. For the first time a theoretical model is now available that can be used to understand the electronic mechanisms of high-temperature superconductivity in these materials.

Insect digestive enzyme activates sugar-containing plant defense substance

Posted: 25 Oct 2021 07:17 AM PDT

The degradation of plant defense substances by insect digestive enzymes can influence the insects' preference for certain food plants, a new study now shows for the first time. Scientists studied this phenomenon in larvae of the cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha) and their food plant dandelion (Taraxacum officinale).

New research finds air pollution reduces sperm counts through brain inflammation

Posted: 25 Oct 2021 07:17 AM PDT

Researchers have long known that air pollution can increase the risk of disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and fertility, but they did not know the exact mechanism for how it can lead to these health conditions. Now researchers have shown how air pollution reduces sperm count in mice by causing inflammation in the brain.

Metabolic memory plays a key role in breast cancer relapse

Posted: 25 Oct 2021 07:17 AM PDT

Molecular targets for therapies that could prevent breast cancer recurrence have been identified by a group of scientists who analyzed tumor cells that proved resistant to the original treatment. Recent advances in early detection and targeted therapy have led to a growing success in treating breast cancer upon first presentation. This often is achieved by silencing tumor driving oncogenes and causing tumor regression.

Genes may affect the level of harmful bacterial toxins in the bloodstream

Posted: 25 Oct 2021 07:17 AM PDT

Lipopolysaccharide, a virulence factor produced by bacteria, is a toxin that can cause a systemic inflammation via the circulation. In a recently completed study, genetic markers were discovered which are associated with a heightened lipopolysaccharide level in the blood.

A big leap forward in using iron catalysts for pharmaceuticals

Posted: 25 Oct 2021 07:17 AM PDT

Researchers have created and characterized a novel, three-component cross-coupling reaction that is a 'tremendous leap forward' in developing effective and practical iron-based reactions that could be used to create pharmaceuticals. Unlike palladium, the transition metal catalyst most often used in industry and academic labs, iron is abundant, cheap and relatively nontoxic.

Resistance is not futile: Predicting how changes in production, materials impact EV battery life

Posted: 25 Oct 2021 07:17 AM PDT

As demand for electric vehicle batteries continues to grow, researchers have developed a method for predicting how changes to manufacturing processes and materials will impact battery life.

New study suggests that breastfeeding may help prevent cognitive decline

Posted: 23 Oct 2021 09:21 AM PDT

A new study has found that women over the age of 50 who had breastfed their babies performed better on cognitive tests compared to women who had never breastfed. The findings suggest that breastfeeding may have a positive impact on postmenopausal women's cognitive performance and could have long-term benefits for the mother's brain.

Slow release of a drug, TT-10, improves heart attack recovery in a mouse model

Posted: 23 Oct 2021 09:21 AM PDT

A pharmaceutical product called TT-10, which spurs proliferation of heart muscle cells, was thought to offer promise to treat heart attacks. In a mouse heart-attack model several years ago, intraperitoneal injection of TT-10 at first promoted proliferation of heart muscle cells and showed declines in the size of the dead area of heart muscle. However, these early improvements were followed by worsened cardiac function at later time points. Now researchers show that a different delivery method, nanoparticle-mediated, slow-release of TT-10, enhances the potency and durability of TT-10 treatment for repair of heart muscle in the mouse heart-attack model.

Machine learning predicts antibiotic resistance spread

Posted: 22 Oct 2021 02:15 PM PDT

Genes aren't only inherited through birth. Bacteria have the ability to pass genes to each other, or pick them up from their environment, through a process called horizonal gene transfer, which is a major culprit in the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Experiments confirm a quantum material’s unique response to circularly polarized laser light

Posted: 22 Oct 2021 02:15 PM PDT

Scientists are probing topological insulators with circularly polarized light to reveal their many secrets. These exotic materials have potential for quantum computing and other technologies. They discovered that high harmonic generation produces a unique signature from the topological surface.

Specific molecular mechanism that controls the transition from acute to chronic pain

Posted: 22 Oct 2021 02:15 PM PDT

A new study reveals the specific molecular mechanism that controls the transition from acute to chronic pain, and identifies this mechanism as a critical target for disease-modifying medicines.

Mechanism behind ineffective psoriasis drugs identified

Posted: 22 Oct 2021 02:14 PM PDT

Interleukin-12 -- a messenger molecule of immune cells -- was long considered to trigger the development of psoriasis. Now, researchers have shown that interleukin-12 does not actually cause the skin disease but protects against it. This also explains why common psoriasis drugs that block the messenger show insufficient treatment efficacy.

No ‘silver bullet’ for UK reaching net zero carbon emissions for electricity

Posted: 22 Oct 2021 09:38 AM PDT

CO2 emissions from electricity in the UK fell by two thirds in the last decade due to several factors working together, rather than a single panacea.

Quantum battles in attoscience: Following three debates

Posted: 22 Oct 2021 09:38 AM PDT

The field of attoscience has been kickstarted by new advances in laser technology. Research began with studies of three particular processes. First, 'above-threshold ionization' (ATI), describing atoms which are ionized by more than the required number of photons. Second, 'high harmonic generation' (HHG) occurs when a target is illuminated by an intense laser pulse, causing it to emit high-frequency harmonics as a nonlinear response. Finally, 'laser-induced nonsequential double ionization' (NSDI) occurs when the laser field induces correlated dynamics within systems of multiple electrons.

Black hole thermodynamics: A history from Penrose to Hawking

Posted: 22 Oct 2021 09:38 AM PDT

An analysis sheds new light on the motivations and methods of Roger Penrose, and explores their historical influence on the groundbreaking discovery of Hawking radiation.

Shape of virus may determine RSV infection outcomes

Posted: 22 Oct 2021 09:37 AM PDT

Using a novel technology, researchers uncovered shape-shifting properties of a common respiratory virus.

Fighting multiple sclerosis with cold

Posted: 22 Oct 2021 09:37 AM PDT

In evolutionary biology, the 'Life History Theory,' first proposed in the 1950s, postulates that when the environment is favorable, the resources used by any organism are devoted for growth and reproduction. Conversely, in a hostile environment, resources are transferred to so-called maintenance programs, such as energy conservation and defense against external attacks. Scientists developed this idea to a specific field of medicine: the erroneous activation of the immune system that causes autoimmune diseases. By studying mice suffering from a model of multiple sclerosis, the research team succeeded in deciphering how exposure to cold pushed the organism to divert its resources from the immune system towards maintaining body heat.

Mechanism underlying the emergence of virus variants unraveled

Posted: 22 Oct 2021 09:37 AM PDT

Scientists have probed the molecular origins of recombination in RNA viruses. Hiccups during the copying process of viruses cause recombination to take place: the exchange of segments of viral RNA. While this can lead to the emergence of new virus variants, the mechanism can also be exploited to induce non-viable defective viruses

Gene therapy shows early promise as angelman syndrome treatment

Posted: 22 Oct 2021 09:37 AM PDT

Scientists have reported encouraging early tests of a gene therapy strategy against Angelman syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder that features poor muscle control and balance, hard-to-treat epilepsy, and intellectual disabilities.

Common antidepressant should no longer be used to treat people with dementia

Posted: 21 Oct 2021 04:31 PM PDT

A drug used to treat agitation in people with dementia is no more effective than a placebo, and might even increase mortality, according to a new study. The research has shown that antidepressant mirtazapine offered no improvement in agitation for people with dementia -- and was possibly more likely to be associated with mortality than no intervention at all.

Fungal outbreak in marine mammals began on land

Posted: 21 Oct 2021 02:51 PM PDT

A study explores how human-caused changes on land can affect aquatic animals, specifically in the case of the fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus gattii.

Novel advanced light design and fabrication process could revolutionize sensing technologies

Posted: 21 Oct 2021 02:51 PM PDT

Engineers have developed a novel approach to design and fabricate thin-film infrared light sources with near-arbitrary spectral output driven by heat, along with a machine learning methodology called inverse design that reduced the optimization time for these devices from weeks or months on a multi-core computer to a few minutes on a consumer-grade desktop.

Cell-free DNA identifies early signs of relapse in pediatric medulloblastoma

Posted: 21 Oct 2021 02:51 PM PDT

Findings show that cell-free DNA in cerebrospinal fluid can be used to detect measurable residual disease and identify patients at risk of relapse.

On the hunt for hypernuclei: The WASA detector at GSI/FAIR

Posted: 21 Oct 2021 02:51 PM PDT

With the WASA detector, a very special instrument is currently being set up at GSI/FAIR. Together with the fragment separator FRS, it will be used to produce and study so-called hypernuclei during the upcoming experiment period of FAIR Phase 0 in 2022. For this purpose, the assembly, which weighs several tons, is being transferred to the facility in a complex installation procedure.

Physicists describe photons’ characteristics to protect future quantum computing

Posted: 21 Oct 2021 02:51 PM PDT

Physicists have described in theoretical terms how to develop codes that cannot be broken by quantum computers -- computing devices of the future. These codes rely on distributing single photons that share a quantum character solely among the parties that wish to communicate.