ScienceDaily: Top News

Allergies to mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines rare, generally mild, study finds

Posted: 17 Sep 2021 01:12 PM PDT

Allergic reactions to the new mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines are rare, typically mild and treatable, and they should not deter people from becoming vaccinated, according to researchers.

Time until dementia symptoms appear can be estimated via brain scan

Posted: 17 Sep 2021 09:20 AM PDT

Researchers have developed an approach to estimating when a person who is at high risk of Alzheimer's dementia but has no cognitive symptoms will start showing signs of cognitive decline. The approach is based on data from a single brain scan, combined with the person's age.

Fiber tracking method delivers important new insights into turbulence

Posted: 17 Sep 2021 09:20 AM PDT

A new technique for measuring turbulent flows has been developed. By using fibers rather than particles -- the usual method of measurement -- the researchers could get a more detailed picture of turbulent flows.

Quantitative assessment for sustainable agriculture

Posted: 17 Sep 2021 08:09 AM PDT

Scientists have assembled a quantitative assessment for agriculture sustainability for countries around the world based not only on environmental impacts, but economic and social impacts, as well. The Sustainable Agriculture Matrix, or SAM, provides independent and transparent measurements of agricultural sustainability at a national level that can help governments and organizations to evaluate progress, encourage accountability, identify priorities for improvement, and inform national policies and actions towards sustainable agriculture around the globe.

The microbial molecule that turns plants into 'zombies'

Posted: 17 Sep 2021 08:08 AM PDT

A newly discovered manipulation mechanism used by parasitic bacteria to slow down plant aging, may offer new ways to protect disease-threatened food crops. Research has identified a manipulation molecule produced by Phytoplasma bacteria to hijack plant development. When inside a plant, this protein causes key growth regulators to be broken down, triggering abnormal growth. The new findings show how the bacterial protein known as SAP05 manipulates plants by taking advantage of some of the host's own molecular machinery.

Coral reefs are 50% less able to provide food, jobs, and climate protection than in 1950s, putting millions at risk

Posted: 17 Sep 2021 08:08 AM PDT

The capacity of coral reefs to provide ecosystem services such as food and jobs, relied on by millions of people worldwide, has declined by half since the 1950s, according to a new study. Other findings are equally bleak: the authors found that global coverage of living corals had declined by about half since the 1950s and consequently, the diversity of species had also declined, by more than 60 per cent. Finding targets for recovery and climate adaptation would require a global effort, while also addressing needs at a local level, authors say.

Gut bacteria might be an indicator of colon cancer risk

Posted: 17 Sep 2021 08:08 AM PDT

Researchers are finding a link between the increased presence of certain bacteria in a gut biome and colon cancer.

Faster research through automation: New way to count micronuclei in cells

Posted: 17 Sep 2021 06:54 AM PDT

Researchers have created a novel automated program that accurately and quickly counts micronuclei in stained images. Micronuclei are small nucleus-like structures that are markers of pathologies such as cancer. The development of this automated program will be useful for future research into micronuclei and may aid in the diagnosis and tracking of a range of pathologies.

Cutting-edge 3D facial scans could give genetic clues to autism

Posted: 17 Sep 2021 06:54 AM PDT

Researchers are using high-tech 3D facial scans to give us a better understanding of the genetic causes of autism.

When organoids meet coronaviruses

Posted: 17 Sep 2021 06:04 AM PDT

Researchers established an organoid biobank to search for the genes that are essential for the spreading of a SARS-CoV2 infection. Their study highlights the usefulness of organoids for basic research into coronaviruses, as well as highlighting potential drug targets.

Chemical discovery gets reluctant seeds to sprout

Posted: 17 Sep 2021 06:04 AM PDT

Seeds that would otherwise lie dormant will spring to life with the aid of a new chemical.

How do higher waves cause more ice clouds? Research expedition into arctic sea explains

Posted: 17 Sep 2021 06:04 AM PDT

Global warming is causing a rapid decline in sea-ice area, which affects weather patterns and, surprisingly, increases wave height in the Arctic. In a new study, Japanese scientists analyzed data from a 2018 research expedition into Chukchi Sea to demonstrate the peculiar link that exists between sea spray induced by high waves and the formation of ice-containing clouds. Their results pave the way for more accurate climate change and sea-ice models.

Fossil: New species of otter discovered in Germany

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 04:11 PM PDT

Researchers have discovered a previously unknown species of otter from 11.4-million-year-old strata at the Hammerschmiede fossil site.

Six stages of engagement in ADHD treatment revealed in new, diverse study

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 02:34 PM PDT

Six stages of engagement in treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have been reported by researchers based on a diverse study, inclusive of parents of predominantly racial and ethnic minority children with ADHD.

Researchers improve optical tissue clearing method to diagnose cancer

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 02:34 PM PDT

The ability to visualize cancerous tumors and metastatic tissue three dimensionally (3D) can help clinicians diagnose the precise type and stage of cancer, while also informing the best treatment methods. To obtain an even clearer tissue for imaging, a research team based in Japan has tested the effectiveness of specialized hydrogels. Acting as a 3D molecular network, these hydrogels can rapidly remove fats from tissues, which are a factor in tissue opacification, without losing their structure. The material is used in several biomedical devices, including contact lenses.

Witnessing abuse of sibling can lead to mental health issues

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 02:34 PM PDT

Researchers find that youth who witness the abuse of a brother or sister by a parent can be just as traumatized as those witnessing violence by a parent against another parent. Such exposure is associated with mental health issues like depression, anxiety and anger.

Discovery of liquid directional steering on a bio-inspired surface

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 11:28 AM PDT

Inspired by a kind of tree leaf, scientists discovered that the spreading direction of different liquids deposited on the same surface can be steered, solving a challenge that has remained for over two centuries. This breakthrough could ignite a new wave of using 3D surface structures for intelligent liquid manipulation with profound implications for various scientific and industrial applications, such as fluidics design and heat transfer enhancement.

The first glimpse of hydrodynamic electron flow in 3D materials

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 11:28 AM PDT

A team of researchers has developed a theory to explain how hydrodynamic electron flow could occur in 3D materials and observed it for the first time using a new imaging technique.

Climatically driven landscape evolution during warm periods

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 11:28 AM PDT

Scientists have researched the stability and development of landscapes in the Wendland region of Hanover during the past Eemian Interglacial (warm period) around 120,000 years ago. The Eemian is climatically comparable to predictions for the later 21st century. The basic research therefore serves to understand how landscapes respond to climate changes under natural conditions -- without additional human influence. As part of their investigations, the researchers also found evidence of the northernmost Neanderthal occupation of the last warm period to date.

Finding new alloys just became simpler

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 11:27 AM PDT

In metal alloys, behavior at the atomic scale affects the material's properties. However, the number of possible alloys is astronomical. Scientists developed a theoretical model that allows him to rapidly determine the strength of millions of different alloys at high temperatures.

Can fruit fly research help improve survival of cancer patients?

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 10:13 AM PDT

Scientists don't really know what kills many cancer patients, but fruit fly research could provide answers. By following flies with tumors up to the point of death, researchers have discovered chemicals produced by tumors that shorten life span apart from the damage done locally to critical organs. This suggests a novel strategy for extending a healthy life span in those with a cancer burden: block the tumor-generated chemicals and the damage they do.

Microneedles pierce biofilm for more effective topical delivery of antibiotics to infected wounds

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 10:13 AM PDT

An engineer has developed a microneedle array that punctures biofilm covering ulcerated cells and tissues. The needles deliver antibiotics to the wounds by absorbing liquid underneath the biofilm and then dissolving.

For some peptides, killing bacteria an inside job

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 10:13 AM PDT

Scientists study the dynamics of the immune system's antimicrobial peptides, which attack and eliminate harmful bacteria. They find peptides that invade bacteria and do their damage from the inside are underrated.

Scientists demonstrate pathway to forerunner of nanotubes that could lead to widespread industrial fabrication

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 09:40 AM PDT

Scientists have identified a chemical pathway to an innovative nanomaterial that could lead to large-scale production for applications ranging from spacesuits to military vehicles.

Discovery of rapid-response signaling platform suggests new path for blocking allergic inflammation

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 08:46 AM PDT

A recent study reveals new details about how the body's type 2 innate immune response system works.

Climate change threatens base of polar oceans’ bountiful food webs

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 08:46 AM PDT

The cold polar oceans give rise to some of the largest food webs on Earth. And at their base are microscopic, photosynthetic algae. But human-induced climate change, a new study suggests, is displacing these important cold-water communities of algae with warm-adapted ones, a trend that threatens to destabilize the delicate marine food web and change the oceans as we know them.

Pyrrole chemistry: Good things come in threes

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 08:46 AM PDT

A new approach leads to the long-awaited formation of rings made of three pyrroles, which could be used to produce compounds with a host of interesting properties, and explains why they have not been observed before.

How scents take on meaning

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 08:46 AM PDT

Once a scent is detected, different areas of the brain are activated. A team has recently discovered that structures of the olfactory sense work closely together with the brain's reward and aversion systems. This means that scents are processed not only by the olfactory center but also by regions responsible for emotions and valence determination.

Newly discovered two-cell color detection system of lamprey as clue to the evolution of color vision

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 08:46 AM PDT

Using the lamprey, researchers analyzed the photosensory mechanism of the pineal organ, also called the pineal gland, in non-mammalian vertebrates and discovered a novel mechanism of pineal color discrimination (two-cell system) in which two types of photoreceptor cells, each containing two different opsins, are used to detect color. This discovery may provide insight into the evolution of color detection in other animals, including color vision in humans.

New technology makes it possible to see clearly through murky water

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 08:46 AM PDT

Researchers overcome the limitations of traditional polarimetric underwater imaging by developing a new method that can automatically produce clear images through murky water. The new technology could be useful for searching for drowning victims, documenting submerged archaeological artifacts and monitoring underwater farms.

Study findings could provide blueprint for regulating lab-developed diagnostic tests

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 08:46 AM PDT

Diagnostic tests developed in-house in hospital laboratories are not currently regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), unlike those sold by manufacturers. A new study suggests that temporary deviations from FDA policy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic offer a look at what regulation of these tests by the agency might look like. Findings from this study could inform legislation aimed at regulating lab-developed tests.

Act now to benefit economically from peatland restoration

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 08:45 AM PDT

Restoring the world's depleted peatlands now rather than later would have massive economic benefits to society, according to new research. A new study has for the first time calculated the monetary costs of delaying restoration of a natural resource that plays a huge environmental role globally, including in reducing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

PFAS exposure can affect women’s ability to breastfeed

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 08:45 AM PDT

Women with higher levels of PFAS in their system may be 20% more likely to stop breastfeeding early, according to a new study.

As a population gets older, automation accelerates

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 08:45 AM PDT

Economists authored a new study showing that aging populations lead to greater implementation of robots in workplace settings.

AI system identifies buildings damaged by wildfire

Posted: 16 Sep 2021 08:45 AM PDT

A deep learning approach to classifying buildings with wildfire damage may help responders focus their recovery efforts and offer more immediate information to displaced residents.