ScienceDaily: Top News

Soils in old-growth treetops can store more carbon than soils under our feet

Posted: 16 Dec 2021 12:03 PM PST

Canopy soils that form on tree branches contain three times more carbon than soils on the ground in Costa Rica, potentially serving as an important carbon sink around the world.

Theropod dinosaur jaws became stronger as they evolved

Posted: 16 Dec 2021 11:59 AM PST

Theropod dinosaurs evolved more robust jaws through time allowing them to consume tougher food, a new study reveals.

Concurrent heatwaves seven times more frequent than in 1980s

Posted: 16 Dec 2021 06:27 AM PST

Multiple large heatwaves the size of Mongolia occurred at the same time nearly every day during the warm seasons of the 2010s across the Northern Hemisphere, according to a new study.  Using ERA5 climate data from 1979 to 2019, the researchers found that the number of heatwaves occurring simultaneously in the mid- to high-latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere was seven times greater in the 2010s than in the 1980s. On average, there were concurrent heatwaves on 143 days each year of the 2010s -- almost every day of the 153 days of the warm months of May through September. The concurrent heat events also grew hotter and larger: their intensity rose by 17% and their geographic extent increased 46%.

Breakthrough in using CRISPR-Cas9 to target fat cells

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 05:41 PM PST

Researchers describe a breakthrough using CRISPR-Cas9, a tool that has transformed molecular biological research, but whose use in the study of adipose tissue had been elusive.

Deep mantle krypton reveals Earth’s outer solar system ancestry

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 05:40 PM PST

Krypton from the Earth's mantle, collected from geologic hot spots in Iceland and the Galapagos Islands, reveals a clearer picture of how our planet formed, according to new research. The findings indicate Earth's volatile elements -- essentials such as carbon, water and nitrogen -- arrived as Earth was growing and becoming a planet, rather than being delivered by meteorites after the collision that formed the moon.

Skin sensing made easier: Improved methods facilitate monitoring of body movement and health

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 11:22 AM PST

Scientists simplify fabrication methods and model human skin structure in designing wearable sensors. This methodology reduces costs, enhances scalability and modular fabrication, and provides effective, wide-ranging sensitivity in wearable pressure sensors.

Using the Earth’s noise to see beneath the Greenland ice sheet

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 11:21 AM PST

The noise created by the Earth's movements has been used to build up a detailed picture of the geological conditions beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet and the impact on ice flow, in new research.  The team studied Rayleigh waves -- seismic waves generated by movements such as earthquakes -- to produce high-resolution images of the rocks underneath the ice sheet, helping to identify which areas are most susceptible to faster ice flow.  It will give us a better understanding of the processes that contribute to accelerated ice discharge into the ocean and the consequent sea level rise.

Innovative textile vents to release heat when you sweat

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 11:21 AM PST

Materials scientists have developed a lightweight material that traps thermal energy when dry, but when the person starts sweating, opens a series of tiny vents to let heat escape and re-closes them to retain heat once they are dry again. Using physics rather than electronics to open the vents, the material has potential as a patch on various types of clothing to help keep the wearer comfortable in a wide range of situations.

Reducing copper in the body alters cancer metabolism to reduce risk of aggressive breast cancer

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 10:27 AM PST

Depleting copper levels may reduce the production of energy that cancer cells need to travel and establish themselves in other parts of the body by a process referred to as metastasis, according to a new study. The discovery of the underlying mechanisms of how copper depletion may help reduce metastasis in breast cancer will help inform the design of future clinical trials.

Greenland’s nutrients changing, with global impact

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 10:27 AM PST

Scientists have discovered the availability of carbon in Greenland's waters is shifting poleward and appearing earlier than in previous decades. This finding will enhance understanding of carbon cycling and nutrient availability in this rapidly warming and changing environment.

Better identification of sesame in food packaging needed to avoid anaphylaxis

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 10:27 AM PST

A new study found that among those who self-reported an allergic reaction to sesame, more than 56% of products which contained sesame did not declare sesame on the label.

Time lag between intervention and actual CO2 decrease could still lead to climate tipping point

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 10:27 AM PST

A simplified mathematical model of carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations and temperature found a 'lag time' between human intervention and an actual decrease in CO2 levels. This lag time has ramifications for intervention strategies meant to avoid climate tipping points and potentially catastrophic temperature increases.

Mystery behind formation of surface ice-shapes on Pluto unraveled

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 10:26 AM PST

Scientists have unraveled a fascinating new insight into how the landscape of the dwarf-planet Pluto has formed.

Exotic quantum particles — less magnetic field required

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 08:33 AM PST

Researchers have observed exotic fractional states at low magnetic field in twisted bilayer graphene for the first time.

Study of Antarctic ice’s deep past shows it could be more vulnerable to warming

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 08:33 AM PST

Insights into how the West Antarctic Ice Sheet responded to a warmer climate millions of years ago could improve predictions of its future.

Towards carbon neutrality: New synthesis method yields superior membrane for carbon capture and storage

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 08:32 AM PST

Scientists develop a new method of synthesizing a promising membrane with superior performance during carbon dioxide removal from industrial emissions.

Brain study on how to slow down climate change

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 08:32 AM PST

When it comes to climate-friendly behavior, there is often a gap between what we want and what we actually do. Although most people want to see climate change slowed down, many do not behave in an appropriately sustainable way. Researchers have now used brain stimulation to demonstrate that the ability to sympathize with the future victims of climate change encourages sustainable behavior.

Scientists find climate-driven tree mortality and fuel aridity increase wildfire fuel availability

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 08:32 AM PST

New research suggests climate-driven tree mortality and fuel aridity are increasing fuel availability in forests leading to record-breaking wildfires in size, spread and plume formation.

Gallic acid and stretching decrease osteoarthritis markers in cartilage cells

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 08:32 AM PST

Researchers used gallic acid, an antioxidant found in gallnuts, green tea and other plants, and applied a stretching mechanism to human cartilage cells taken from arthritic knees that mimics the stretching that occurs when walking. The combination not only decreased arthritis inflammation markers in the cells but improved the production of desired proteins normally found in healthy cartilage. While still at an early stage, the findings suggest a new procedure could be developed to treat cartilage cells extracted from a patient to grow a supply of cells or a tissue to be re-implanted.

Immune system responds to mRNA treatment for cancer, researchers find

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 08:32 AM PST

Adding messenger RNA, or mRNA therapy improves the response to cancer immunotherapy in patients who weren't responding to the treatment, new research shows. Immunotherapy uses the body's immune system to prevent, control and eliminate cancer.

Scientists find new details about how immune system builds long-term memory

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 08:32 AM PST

Experts in Japan have identified a fundamental part of the immune system's long-term memory, providing a useful new detail in the pursuit to design better vaccines for diseases, ranging from COVID-19 to malaria.

How a fly's brain calculates its position in space

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 08:32 AM PST

Neurons in the fly brain appear to literally perform vector math in order to signal the direction in which their bodies are traveling, regardless of which way their heads are pointing.

Good mental health in young adults born after assisted reproduction

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 08:32 AM PST

Use of assisted reproductive techniques (ART) does not lead to poorer mental health in children across adolescence and young adulthood, according to a large observational study. The study found a slightly higher risk of obsessive-compulsive disorder for those born after ART but this was explained by parental background factors.

Quantum theory needs complex numbers

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 08:28 AM PST

An international team of researchers shows through a concrete theoretical experiment that the prediction by standard complex quantum theory cannot be expressed by its real counterpart and ratifies its need of complex numbers.

Making apple spirits taste better

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 05:20 AM PST

The holiday season is a time of celebrations and festive drinks, some of which are made with apple liquors. These classic spirits have a long history, and surprisingly, many decisions about their processing are still subjectively determined. Now, researchers report that measuring the liquor's conductivity could give a more objective assessment, and they also found a way to make the process more energy-efficient.

E-waste recycling emits emerging synthetic antioxidants

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 05:20 AM PST

Manufacturers add synthetic antioxidants to plastics, rubbers and other polymers to make them last longer. However, the health effects of these compounds, and how readily they migrate into the environment, are largely unknown. Now, researchers have detected a broad range of emerging synthetic antioxidants, called hindered phenol and sulfur antioxidants, in dust from electronic waste (e-waste) recycling workshops, possibly posing risks for the workers inside.

Despite cleaner air, pollution disparities for people of color remain across the US

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 05:20 AM PST

Researchers investigated disparities in exposure to six major air pollutants in 1990, 2000 and 2010 by comparing models of air pollution levels to census data. While overall pollutant concentrations have decreased since 1990, people of color are still more likely to be exposed to all six pollutants than white people, regardless of income level, across the continental United States.

High blood pressure treatment in pregnancy appears safe, prevents maternal heart risks

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 05:20 AM PST

High blood pressure during pregnancy remains a major cause of maternal and fetal pregnancy-related complications and death, and it increases women's short- and long-term risks for cardiovascular disease. Emerging data from clinical trials and observational research support the benefits and safety of blood pressure treatment during pregnancy. Continued investigation is critical to determine which blood pressure levels, during- and post-pregnancy, both for starting therapy and as treatment goals, are beneficial for the mother and safe and beneficial for the fetus.

Researchers first to predict when bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 05:20 AM PST

Scientists have spotted signs of 'pre-resistance' in bacteria for the first time -- signs that particular bacteria are likely to become resistant to antibiotics in the future -- in a new study.

Meltwater influences ecosystems in the Arctic Ocean

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 05:20 AM PST

In the summer months, sea ice from the Arctic drifts through Fram Strait into the Atlantic. Thanks to meltwater, a stable layer forms around the drifting ice atop the salty seawater, producing significant effects on biological processes and marine organisms.

Biodiversity loss in plants worldwide

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 05:20 AM PST

Naturalized alien plants are causing a worldwide decline in the uniqueness of regional floras, according to the results of a global research project.

Identifying schools with high lead levels in drinking water

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 05:20 AM PST

Consuming lead can cause health problems for anyone, but children are particularly vulnerable because the element can interfere with their growth and development. While water systems will soon be required to measure lead levels in school tap water, it's not clear how these measurements should be interpreted. Researchers have now used real-world data to determine an approach for identifying schools likely to have problematic lead levels.

‘Forever chemicals’ latch onto sea spray to become airborne

Posted: 15 Dec 2021 05:20 AM PST

When ocean waves break, microscopic particles break free into the air. For beachgoers, aerosolized sea salts contribute to the tousled 'beach hair' look. But other compounds found in seawater, including perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), could become airborne as bubbles pop at the water's surface. Now, researchers have observed in a thorough field study that sea spray pollutes the air in coastal areas with these potentially harmful chemicals.

Advanced analysis of Apollo sample illuminates Moon’s evolution

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 05:05 PM PST

Sophisticated analysis of a rock sample taken from the Moon during the Apollo 17 mission revealed new information about the complex cooling and evolutionary history of the Moon. The diffusion patterns preserved in the mineral grains were consistent with a rapid cooling history of no more than 20-million-years at high temperatures. The finding challenges previous estimates of a 100-million-year cooling duration and supports initial rapid cooling of magmas within the lunar crust.

Third of fertility specialists still recommend a type of IVF treatment which has no clear evidence of benefit

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 05:05 PM PST

Despite a lack of evidence that the intrusive IVF treatment process of scratching the womb (endometrial scratching) increases the chances of having a baby, a third of fertility specialists are still offering this often-painful procedure.

Night lights: New global atlas maps out artificial light at night under the sea

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 12:21 PM PST

A new study maps out areas of the ocean most affected by light pollution, and shows that up to 1.9 million km2 of the world's coastal waters are being exposed to biologically significant levels of artificial light at night.

Finding new channels to selectively target pest insects

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 12:21 PM PST

Ion channels in the nervous system are among the most important targets for insecticides. Understanding the structure of the channels is key for the identification of novel species-specific binding sites of agrochemicals. Researchers have revealed the structure and function of a potassium ion channel in fruit flies. Their newly obtained insights reveal the differences between human and insect channels, explain how known compounds affect the channel and propose new target sites for drugs. The research could help pesticide manufacturers design new drugs apt to specifically kill pest insects and parasites without affecting other animals like bees and mammals.

Early bloomers: Using citizen-science data to investigate unseasonal flowering in Joshua trees

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 12:02 PM PST

In November 2019, visitors to Joshua Tree National Park in California encountered a strange sight. Joshua trees and closely related Mojave yuccas, which normally remain reproductively dormant until late spring, were in full bloom at the tail end of autumn. In a new study, researchers used citizen-science data to determine the cause of the anomalous bloom and predict when similar events might occur.

Energy-saving strategy helps hummingbirds fuel their long migrations

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 12:02 PM PST

Ruby-throated hummingbirds use the same energy-conserving strategy to survive overnight fasts and build the fat stores they need to fuel long migrations, shows a new study.

SARS-CoV-2 protein interacts with Parkinson’s protein, promotes amyloid formation, study finds

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 10:51 AM PST

Researchers have shown that, at least in the test tube, the SARS-CoV-2 N-protein interacts with a neuronal protein called alpha-synuclein and speeds the formation of amyloid fibrils, pathological protein bundles that have been implicated in Parkinson's disease.

Overweight children are developing heart complications

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 10:51 AM PST

The percentage of obese children and teens jumped from 19% pre-pandemic to 22%, and that could spell bad news for children's cardiovascular systems both now and down the line.

When the brain switches from hearing to listening

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 10:51 AM PST

What happens in the brain when simply hearing becomes listening? To answer this question, researchers have traced the neuronal fingerprint of the two types of sound processing in the mouse brain.

Antibiotics can be first-line therapy for uncomplicated appendicitis cases

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 10:51 AM PST

With numerous recent studies demonstrating that antibiotics work as well as surgery for most uncomplicated appendicitis cases, the non-surgical approach can now be considered a routine option, according to a review article.

Improving drug options for colorectal cancer patients

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 10:50 AM PST

Patients with colorectal cancer were among the first to receive targeted therapies. These drugs aim to block the cancer-causing proteins that trigger out-of-control cell growth while sparing healthy tissues. But some patients are not eligible for these treatments because they have cancer-promoting mutations that are believed to cause resistance to these drugs. Now, physician-scientists have used computer modeling and cell studies to discover that more patients may be helped by a common class of targeted therapies than previously thought.

Debilitating human parasite transmitted via dogs eating fish

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 10:49 AM PST

Efforts to eradicate a human parasitic disease are being hampered by dogs eating infected fish, new research shows.

New guidelines may help reduce tick-borne illness

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 10:49 AM PST

The number of cases of tick-borne illnesses (TBIs) reported annually to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has more than doubled over the past two decades in the United States. An expert panel has developed a set of clinical practice guidelines that recommends low-risk interventions, employable with minimal resources, to help reduce the number of TBIs.

Diet and temperature linked to metabolism in opaleye fish

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 10:49 AM PST

Whether it's warm outside or cold, people generally eat about the same amount. But a fish's appetite can vary enormously with the temperature. As coldblooded animals, their metabolism is governed by external conditions: It's slow going for a cold fish, but high temperatures kick them into high gear.

Study combines climatic, tectonic models to explain Andean conundrum

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 10:49 AM PST

The Andes Mountains are much taller than plate tectonic theories predict they should be, a fact that has puzzled geologists for decades. Mountain-building models tend to focus on the deep-seated compressional forces that occur when tectonic plates collide and send rocks skyward. A new study demonstrates how modern top-down models that account for climate-related factors combined with traditional bottom-up tectonic models can help uncover the perplexing history of the Andes Mountains.

Evidence for shared earthquakes between San Andreas and San Jacinto faults

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 10:49 AM PST

The San Andreas and San Jacinto faults have ruptured simultaneously at least three times in the past 2,000 years, most recently in 1812, according to a new study by geologists.

A spacecraft has 'touched' the sun for the first time

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 10:49 AM PST

On April 28, 2021, NASA's Parker Solar Probe reached the sun's extended solar atmosphere, known as the corona, and spent five hours there. The spacecraft is the first to enter the outer boundaries of our sun.

Scientists urge creating strategic forest reserves to mitigate climate change, protect biodiversity

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 07:42 AM PST

The United States should immediately move to create a collection of strategic forest reserves in the Western U.S. to fight climate change and safeguard biodiversity, according to a scientific collaboration led by ecologist.

Unveiling substructures at the edge of the Galaxy

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 07:42 AM PST

Astronomers have revealed a new map of the Milky Way's outer disc showing remains of tidal arms excited from interactions with satellite galaxies in the distant past.

For children, young adults with recurrent AML, immunotherapy shows promise

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 07:42 AM PST

Researchers have shown, in a small clinical trial, that an immunotherapy harnessing pre-activated natural killer cells can help some children and young adults with recurrent AML and few other treatment options.

Physics of coral as an indicator of reef health

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 07:42 AM PST

New research shows that physics measurements of just a small portion of reef can be used to assess the health of an entire reef system. The findings may help scientists grasp how these important ecosystems will respond to a changing climate.

Decade-old photographs shared on social media give away a new species of pygmy grasshopper

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 07:42 AM PST

While scrolling the social network iNaturalist, researchers spotted photographs of what turned out to be a Peruvian species of grasshopper currently unknown to science. Having described the new insect with no formal name, the team demonstrates that first, it's not an easy task to describe a species from photographs only, and, secondly, there's a wealth of digital data ready to reveal the Earth's unknown biodiversity.

PCR: Activated by light

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 07:42 AM PST

A new approach by chemists could help to significantly improve diagnostic tests based on PCR. The enzymes used are triggered by light pulses.

How we measure the effects of methane matters for climate policy

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 07:42 AM PST

An international team of researchers explored how focusing either on the short- or long-term warming effects of methane can affect climate mitigation policies and dietary transitions in agriculture.

Deepest images yet of Milky Way's supermassive black hole

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 07:42 AM PST

Astronomers have obtained the deepest and sharpest images to date of the region around the supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy. The new images zoom in 20 times more than what was possible before the VLTI and have helped astronomers find a never-before-seen star close to the black hole. By tracking the orbits of stars at the centre of our Milky Way, the team has made the most precise measurement yet of the black hole's mass.

Creating the human-robotic dream team

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 07:42 AM PST

Using autonomous vehicle guidelines, a team has developed a system to improve interactions between people and robots. The way people interact safely with robots is at the forefront of today's research related to automation and manufacturing, explains a researcher. She is one of several researchers who are working to develop systems that allow humans and robots to interact safely and efficiently.

'Crazy' light emitters: Physicists see an unusual quantum phenomenon

Posted: 14 Dec 2021 07:41 AM PST

Scientists have experimentally confirmed an unusual quantum phenomenon for the motion of luminescent electronic quasiparticles in atomically-thin semiconductors.