ScienceDaily: Top News

Repeated exposure to major disasters has long-term mental health impacts

Posted: 16 Jan 2022 05:19 AM PST

Repeated exposure to major disasters does not make people mentally stronger, a recent study found: individuals who have been repeatedly exposed to major disasters show a reduction in mental health scores.

New study sheds light on origins of life on Earth

Posted: 14 Jan 2022 12:34 PM PST

Addressing one of the most profoundly unanswered questions in biology, a team has discovered the structures of proteins that may be responsible for the origins of life in the primordial soup of ancient Earth.

A catalyst for more efficient green hydrogen production

Posted: 14 Jan 2022 12:34 PM PST

Researchers have developed a new water-splitting process and material that maximize the efficiency of producing green hydrogen, making it an affordable and accessible option for industrial partners that want to convert to green hydrogen for renewable energy storage instead of conventional, carbon-emitting hydrogen production from natural gas.

Before horses, ass hybrids were bred for warfare

Posted: 14 Jan 2022 12:33 PM PST

Before the introduction of the domestic horse in Mesopotamia, valuable equids were being harnessed to ceremonial or military four wheeled wagons and used as royal gifts, but their true nature remained unknown. According to a palaeogenetic study, these prestigious animals were the result of a cross between a domestic donkey and a wild ass from Syria, now extinct. This makes them the oldest example of an animal hybrid produced by humans.

Nuclei-free cells prove utility in delivering therapeutics to diseased tissues

Posted: 14 Jan 2022 10:11 AM PST

Researchers report successfully removing the nucleus from a type of ubiquitous cell, then using the genetically engineered cell as a unique cargo-carrier to deliver therapeutics precisely to diseased tissues.

How to make sure digital technology works for the public good

Posted: 14 Jan 2022 08:57 AM PST

The Internet of Things (IoT) is completely enmeshed in our daily lives, a network of connected laptops, phones, cars, fitness trackers -- even smart toasters and refrigerators -- that are increasingly able to make decisions on their own. But how to ensure that these devices benefit us, rather than exploit us or put us at risk? New work proposes a novel framework, the 'impact universe,' that can help policymakers keep the public interest in focus amidst the rush to adopt ever-new digital technology.

Being in space destroys more red blood cells

Posted: 14 Jan 2022 08:57 AM PST

A world-first study has revealed how space travel can cause lower red blood cell counts, known as space anemia. Analysis of 14 astronauts showed their bodies destroyed 54 percent more red blood cells in space than they normally would on Earth, according to a new study.

Cellular receptors identified for eastern equine encephalitis

Posted: 14 Jan 2022 08:57 AM PST

A new study has identified a set of cellular receptors for at least three related alphaviruses shared across mosquitoes, humans, and animals that host the virus.

Scientists uncover 'resistance gene' in deadly E. coli

Posted: 14 Jan 2022 08:57 AM PST

Scientists have pinpointed a gene that helps deadly E. coli bacteria evade antibiotics, potentially leading to better treatments for millions of people worldwide.

Biologists pinpoint key factor in immune system response to viral infection

Posted: 14 Jan 2022 08:56 AM PST

Researchers studying how small worms defend themselves against pathogens have discovered a gene that acts as a first-line response against infection. They identified 'ZIP-1' as a centralized hub for immune response, a finding could have implications for understanding human immunity against viruses.

Arase satellite uncovers coupling between plasma waves and charged particles in Geospace

Posted: 14 Jan 2022 08:56 AM PST

Researchers show that high-frequency plasma waves in the Geospace can generate low-frequency plasma waves through wave-particle interactions by heating up low-energy ions, unveiling a new energy transfer pathway in collisionless plasma.

Creating a reference map to explore the electronic device mimicking brain activity

Posted: 14 Jan 2022 08:56 AM PST

Just like explorers need maps, scientists require guides to better understand and advance new technology. A neuromorphic device, which can mimic the neural cells in our brain, has lacked such a guideline and created headaches for scientists trying to understand their operational mechanisms. That is until now after a research group created a map that provides rational design guidelines for neuromorphic devices, paving the way for advancements in brain-inspired computers.

Do we get our most creative ideas when walking?

Posted: 14 Jan 2022 08:56 AM PST

Do we have our best ideas while walking? Indeed, but even small movements while sitting improve creativity, as two researchers have discovered.

The free-energy principle explains the brain

Posted: 14 Jan 2022 04:45 AM PST

The free-energy principle can explain how neural networks are optimized for efficiency, according to new research. This finding will be useful for analyzing impaired brain function in thought disorders as well as for generating optimized neural networks for artificial intelligences.

Novel treatment target for heart disease found in the blood vessel wall

Posted: 14 Jan 2022 04:45 AM PST

A molecule of RNA called CARMN has been found in abundance in the healthy smooth muscle cells that help give our blood vessels strength and flexibility, and distinctly decreased in vascular diseases like atherosclerosis, a major cause of heart attack and stroke, scientists report.

Risk of schizophrenia linked to brain cell development

Posted: 14 Jan 2022 04:44 AM PST

Scientists have discovered new links between the breakdown in brain cell development and the risk of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.

Strong evidence shows Sixth Mass Extinction of global biodiversity in progress

Posted: 13 Jan 2022 04:49 PM PST

The history of life on Earth has been marked five times by events of mass biodiversity extinction caused by extreme natural phenomena. Today, many experts warn that a Sixth Mass Extinction crisis is underway, this time entirely caused by human activities. A comprehensive assessment of evidence of this ongoing extinction event was recently published.

Compost is a major source of pathogenic aspergillus spores, study suggests

Posted: 13 Jan 2022 04:49 PM PST

Compost and compost-enriched soils may contain high concentrations of A. fumigatus spores, a new study has found.

Like our social media feeds, our brains take a little while to update

Posted: 13 Jan 2022 04:41 PM PST

Our brains are constantly uploading rich visual stimuli. But instead of seeing the latest image in real time, we actually see earlier versions because our brain's refresh time is about 15 seconds. The findings add to a growing body of research about the mechanism behind the 'continuity field,' a function of perception in which our brain merges what we see to give us a sense of visual stability.

Fuzzy molecular threesome is basis of gene expression

Posted: 13 Jan 2022 04:41 PM PST

Scientists have investigated how genes are accessed if so tightly packed away? How can these molecules be broken apart to promote gene expression?

COVID variant siblings show different levels of virulence

Posted: 13 Jan 2022 12:14 PM PST

New research outlines key information about omicron's older variant sibling, alpha, which emerged late in 2020. It turns out that the mutation that birthed alpha in the first place is very similar to the one that created omicron, but with very different results for the severity of each one.

Aphid ‘honeydew’ may promote bacteria that kill them

Posted: 13 Jan 2022 12:14 PM PST

The word 'honeydew' sounds benign, but the sugary waste product of aphids can promote growth of bacteria that are highly virulent to the pests, according to a new study.

New research advocates a basic strategy for native fish recovery: Access to water

Posted: 13 Jan 2022 12:14 PM PST

Rivers need water -- a fact that may seem ridiculously obvious, but in times of increasing water development, drought, and climate change, the quantity of natural streamflow that remains in river channels is coming into question, especially in the Colorado River basin. Newly published research poses a tough question in these days of falling reservoir levels and high-stakes urban development: whether the continued development of rivers for water supply can be balanced with fish conservation.

E-cigarette users who test positive for COVID-19 are more likely to experience COVID-19 symptoms

Posted: 13 Jan 2022 12:14 PM PST

People who use electronic cigarettes and test positive for COVID-19 have a higher frequency of experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, compared to people who don't vape, according to new research.

Mouse study finds age, disease change body temperature rhythms

Posted: 13 Jan 2022 12:13 PM PST

A new study finds that while young and healthy mice show clear differences between daytime and nighttime body temperature rhythms, in older and diseased animals the difference essentially disappeared.