ScienceDaily: Top News

Players needed to solve puzzles and help advance cancer research

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 02:26 PM PST

Scientists have just launched GENIGMA, a videogame that enlists players to solve puzzles while generating real-world scientific data that can detect alterations in genomic sequences and ultimately advance breast cancer research. The game was created to boost worldwide research efforts that depend on cancer cell lines, a critical resource used by scientists to study cancer and test new drugs to treat the disease. One of the limitations of cancer cell lines are a lack of high-resolution genome reference maps, which are necessary to help researchers interpret their scientific results.

Can wearable technology predict the negative consequences of drinking?

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 02:26 PM PST

Researchers demonstrated how wearable sensors can augment researchers' understanding of when drinking will lead to negative consequences. The researchers measured intoxication with an ankle bracelet that can detect alcohol concentration from imperceptible amounts of sweat.

Look who’s talking now: The fishes!

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 02:26 PM PST

A new study finds that fish are far more likely to communicate with sound than generally thought.

The effects of pediatric critical illness on absenteeism

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 02:26 PM PST

Children who survive critical illness and their parents commonly experience physical, emotional, and cognitive conditions as a result of the critical illness. These effects can also include prolonged absences from school and/or work. What has not been fully understood is the rate and duration of school absences among these children and work absences among their caregivers.

Researchers find tradeoff between water quality and emissions on the farm

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 02:26 PM PST

With water quality guidelines compelling more farmers to act on nitrogen loss, cover crops and split nitrogen applications are becoming more common in the Midwest. But new research shows these conservation practices may not provide environmental benefits across the board.

Study finds lower math scores in high schools that switched to 4-day school week

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 02:26 PM PST

A recent study analyzing the impact of a shorter school week for high schools found that 11th-grade students participating in a four-day week performed worse on standardized math tests than students who remained on five-day schedules.

Coral skeleton formation rate determines resilience to acidifying oceans

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 02:26 PM PST

A new study has implications for predicting coral reef survival and developing mitigation strategies against having their bony skeletons weakened by ocean acidification.

Zika vaccine shows promising results in preclinical studies

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 02:26 PM PST

A Zika virus vaccine candidate is effective at preventing the Zika virus passing from mother to fetus in preclinical animal studies, according to a new study.

New study improves understanding of Southern California’s intense winter rains

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 02:26 PM PST

New research looks to improve prediction of brief but intense rainstorms that can cause devastating flash floods and landslides. Intense rain associated with narrow cold-frontal rainbands may last only a few minutes at a particular location, yet the rain can cause catastrophic flash flooding, debris flows and landslides, and can occur along with tornadoes and severe thunderstorms.

Altered gene expression and cell interactions involved in COPD

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 02:26 PM PST

A team of researchers has identified previously unrecognized changes in gene expression and cellular interactions in distinct cell populations in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

'Heartburn' helps bacteria to survive antibiotic treatment

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 11:16 AM PST

Even at high concentrations, antibiotics won't kill all bacteria. There are always a few survivors, even in a bacterial population that is genetically identical. Scientists have discovered that these survivors share a common feature: they accumulate acid in their cells.

Bee appearance and behavior may be related, genetic study reveals

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 11:16 AM PST

The findings will be used to help researchers determine how traits, characteristics and color impact behavior.

Climate change and land use data to predict watershed impact

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 11:16 AM PST

Researchers studied the Chesapeake Bay watershed to evaluate the combined effects of changes to climate and land use on runoff and pollutants in a rapidly developing watershed that is a tributary to the bay.

Psychiatric disease associated with increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease and diabetes

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 11:16 AM PST

Among patients with chronic, non-communicable diseases, the risk of death is more than doubled if they also have a psychiatric comorbidity, according to a new study.

Genetic clues link lipoprotein A to prostate cancer risk

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 11:16 AM PST

A new analysis has uncovered a potential link between higher prostate cancer risk and genetic variants associated with higher bloodstream levels of the cholesterol-transporting molecule lipoprotein A.

Why the human brain is more vulnerable to disease

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 11:16 AM PST

With the help of cerebral organoids, scientists were able to ascertain that tuberous sclerosis, a rare neurodevelopmental genetic disorder, arises developmentally rather than only genetically. With these patient-derived laboratory models of the human brain, they pinpointed the origin of the disease to progenitor cells specific to humans. The findings further show that the pathology of diseases affecting the human brain could only be well understood using human-derived brain organoid models.

Researchers identify proteins that could predict liver transplant rejection

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 11:16 AM PST

Scientist have discovered families of proteins in the body that could potentially predict which patients may reject a new organ transplant, helping inform decisions about care.

'Cell atlas' of brain vasculature connects stroke with novel immune cells

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 11:15 AM PST

In work that will enhance the study of such disparate diseases as stroke and dementia, researchers have catalogued all the cells that form the blood vessels of the human brain, along with their locations and the genes transcribed in each.

After a wildfire, how does a town rebuild?

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 11:15 AM PST

The West sees destructive wildfires every year -- yet it hadn't seen anything like the Camp Fire. Three months after the most destructive wildfire in recent history, wildfire sociologists went to the devastated town of Paradise to learn how residents and town leaders were recovering.

What wintering squirrels can teach astronauts

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 11:15 AM PST

The unique way that ground squirrels burn almost no energy when they hibernate -- with no loss of muscle mass -- has implications for space travel, biologists find.

Another pandemic challenge for nurses: Sleep problems

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 09:58 AM PST

More than half of nurses had difficulty sleeping during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic -- and getting less sleep increased their odds of experiencing anxiety and depression, according to a new study.

Data from thousands of cameras confirms protected areas promote mammal diversity

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 09:01 AM PST

Researchers at UBC's faculty of forestry analyzed data from a global data set drawing from 8,671 camera trap stations spanning four continents. They found more mammal diversity in survey areas where habitat had a protected designation -- compared to forests and other wilderness areas that lacked that designation.

Pancreatic cancer cells feed off hyaluronic acid

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 09:01 AM PST

Hyaluronic acid, or HA, is a known presence in pancreatic tumors, but a new study shows that hyaluronic acid also acts as food to the cancer cells. These findings provide insight into how pancreatic cancer cells grow and indicate new possibilities to treat them.

Plant pathologists collaborate to share knowledge on a growing threat to corn production

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 08:43 AM PST

A growing threat to corn around the world, tar spot has had a significant impact on United States corn production. To combat this growing threat, plant pathologists have compiled a recovery plan that reviews the current knowledge and the future needs of tar spot, with the intention of mitigating the disease's impact.

Stackable artificial leaf uses less power than lightbulb to capture 100 times more carbon than other systems

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 08:43 AM PST

Engineers built a cost-effective artificial leaf that can capture carbon dioxide at rates 100 times better than current systems. Unlike other carbon capture systems, which work in labs with pure carbon dioxide from pressurized tanks, this artificial leaf captures carbon dioxide from the air or flue gas and is modular.

Gene mutation that makes dogs small existed in ancient wolves

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 08:43 AM PST

Popular belief has been that small dogs, such as Pomeranians and Chihuahuas, exist because once dogs were domesticated, humans wanted small, cute companions. But researchers now identify a genetic mutation in a growth hormone-regulating gene that corresponds to small body size in dogs that was present in wolves over 50,000 years ago, long before domestication.

Tumors dramatically shrink with new approach to cell therapy

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 08:43 AM PST

Scientists have developed a new tool to harness immune cells from tumors to fight cancer rapidly and effectively.

Scientists explain mysterious finger-like features in solar flares

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 08:43 AM PST

Astronomers have presented a new explanation for the mysterious downward-moving dark voids seen in some solar flares.

Living near or downwind of unconventional oil and gas development linked with increased risk of early death

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 08:43 AM PST

Elderly people who live near or downwind of unconventional oil and gas development (UOGD), such as fracking, are at greater risk of premature death than those who don't live near UOGD. Airborne contaminants emitted by UOGD that are transported downwind are likely contributing to increased mortality.

Child masking associated with reduced COVID-19 related child care closures

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 08:43 AM PST

A study of 6,654 child care providers found that child masking was associated with a 13 percent to 14 percent reduced rate of program closure due to COVID-19 over the following year.

Where did that sound come from?

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 08:43 AM PST

Neuroscientists developed a computer model that can localize sounds. The model, which consists of several convolutional neural networks, not only performs the task as well as humans do, it also struggles in the same ways that humans do when the task is made more difficult by adding echoes or multiple sounds.

COVID-19 exposure possible outside of home isolation rooms

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 08:43 AM PST

A new study has detected tiny airborne particles containing RNA from the SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19, both inside and outside of the rooms in which infected people were self-isolating at home. This finding suggests that airborne transmission beyond the isolation rooms in homes may pose a risk of infection to other home occupants.

A nudge to resume economic activity

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 08:43 AM PST

Researchers have found that people are more likely to partake in economic activity during the COVID-19 pandemic when they know their neighbors are engaged in the same activities.

New experiment results bolster potential for self-sustaining fusion

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 08:00 AM PST

For more than 60 years, scientists have sought to understand and control the process of fusion, a quest to harness the vast amounts of energy released when nuclei in fuel come together. A new paper describes recent experiments that have achieved a burning plasma state in fusion, helping steer fusion research closer than it has ever been to its ultimate goal: a self-sustaining, controlled reaction.

Scientists find the climate and health impacts of natural gas stoves are greater than previously thought

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 07:43 AM PST

Natural gas stoves release methane -- a potent greenhouse gas -- and other pollutants through leaks and incomplete combustion. Researchers estimate that methane leaking from stoves inside U.S. homes has the same climate impact as about 500,000 gasoline-powered cars and the stoves can expose people to respiratory disease-triggering pollutants.

Light therapy fast-tracks healing of skin damage from cancer radiation therapy

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 07:43 AM PST

Light therapy may accelerate the healing of skin damage from radiation therapy by up to 50%, according to a recent study.

Researchers identify osteoarthritis ‘pain pathway’

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 07:42 AM PST

Researchers have discovered that a particular molecular signaling pathway plays an important role in producing osteoarthritis (OA) pain. Using a mouse model of painful osteoarthritis, they show that blocking this signaling pathway eliminates pain and results in a return to normal limb use. This work is the first to find an association between this pathway and OA pain, and could lead to the development of new, effective pain treatments for human OA sufferers.

In search of (un)desired side effects

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 07:42 AM PST

Pharmaceutical researchers speak of a hit when they come across a promising substance with a desired effect in early drug discovery. Unfortunately, hits are rarely bull's-eyes, often showing undesirable side effects that not only complicate the search for new hits, but also the subsequent development into a drug. A new study could now help to better identify one of the most frequently observed side effects already in early drug discovery, but also to find new bioactivities.

Meat, MS and the microbiome

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 07:42 AM PST

Eating more meat, having less of certain bacteria in the gut, and more of certain immune cells in the blood, all link with multiple sclerosis, reports a team of researchers. The work teased out subtle connections that could lead to a better understanding of the causes of the disease.

Decreasing development on forest and agricultural land partly driven by gas prices, study finds

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 07:42 AM PST

A new study found a steep decline in the development of forest and agricultural land from 2000 to 2015 compared to the previous two decades, which resulted in a broad shift towards denser development patterns throughout the U.S. A primary culprit was rising gas prices.

Uncontrolled blood pressure is sending more people to the hospital

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 07:42 AM PST

The number of people hospitalized for a hypertensive crisis -- when blood pressure increases so much it can cause a heart attack, stroke or other sudden cardiovascular event -- more than doubled from 2002 to 2014, according to investigators.

New research on famous 'supertramp' birds in Southeast Asia offers fresh insights into the evolution of wide-ranging animals

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 07:42 AM PST

Beautiful 'supertramp' birds in Southeast Asia are providing unique insights into how evolution is linked to flight ability and competition. New research testing decades-old theories has confirmed that the isolating effects of islands impact the evolution of even the species most accomplished at colonizing them -- and in some surprising ways. Among the eye-opening findings is the discovery that these birds settle down more readily than would be expected -- once they have colonized an island they tend to stay there rather than searching for others.

Pulse oximeter measurements of blood oxygen levels are unreliable in assessing severity of COVID-19 pneumonia across different ethnic groups, study finds

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 07:42 AM PST

The severity of COVID-19 pneumonia can be difficult to assess in people from different ethnic groups, due to inaccurate readings from a device that measures the level of oxygen in the blood of patients, a new study has found.

New drug screening method answers why Alzheimer’s drugs fail, suggests new targets

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 07:42 AM PST

A new study sheds light on why Alzheimer's drugs so far have been ineffective at curing or reversing the disease. The researchers identify new targets for drug development and present a new method to screen drugs for treating Alzheimer's disease.

Microbiome of mother's vagina may affect infant mortality risk and baby's development, study in mice shows

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 07:42 AM PST

A new study in mice showed that an unhealthy vaginal microbiome in pregnant mothers in combination with an unhealthy diet contributed to increased pup deaths and altered development in the surviving babies. The findings suggest that changes in a mother's diet, such as more fruits and vegetables, may counteract unhealthy microbiome effects in disadvantaged groups.

Eco-friendly micro-supercapacitors using fallen leaves?

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 07:42 AM PST

A research team has developed a graphene-inorganic-hybrid micro-supercapacitor made of leaves using femtosecond direct laser writing lithography. The advancement of wearable electronic devices is synonymous with innovations in flexible energy storage devices. Of the various energy storage devices, micro-supercapacitors have drawn a great deal of interest for their high electrical power density, long lifetimes, and short charging times.

Even dim light before bedtime may disrupt a preschooler’s sleep

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 07:42 AM PST

A new study of preschoolers finds that exposure to even very low intensities of light before bedtime can sharply reduce production of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin, interfering with sleep. It suggests that young children are highly susceptible to the physiological impacts of light at night and some kids are more sensitive than others.

Cause, develop pharmacological treatment for reducing retinitis pigmentosa vision loss

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 07:42 AM PST

Researchers have discovered that the absence of Adiponectin receptor 1 protein (AdipoR1), one of the principal enzymes regulating ceramide homeostasis in the retina, leads to an accumulation of ceramides in the retina, resulting in progressive photoreceptor cell death and ultimately vision loss. The team also found that a combination of desipramine and L-cycloserine reduced lowered ceramide levels, which protected photoreceptors, helped preserve the retina's structure and function, and improved vision.

Rural air pollution may be as hazardous as urban, study finds

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 07:41 AM PST

New research shows that chemical reactivity, seasonality and distribution of airborne particulate matter are critical metrics when considering air pollution's impact on human health. Current environmental regulations focus on the mass of pollutant particles, and researchers are pushing to refocus regulatory efforts on more regional and health-relevant factors.

Scientists make a new type of optical device using alumina

Posted: 27 Jan 2022 07:39 AM PST

Researchers have developed an alumina short-wavelength absorber patterned with moth eye-like structures. These new anti-reflective structures will improve the performance of telescopes studying radiation from the Big Bang.

Zoo enrichment could go further

Posted: 26 Jan 2022 04:53 PM PST

Zoos and aquariums could improve the lives of a wider range of their animals, new research suggests.

Athletes warned against potential dangers of natural supplements

Posted: 26 Jan 2022 04:53 PM PST

Nutritional supplements taken to boost athletic performance can pose risks to the heart, according to a recent statement.

Current anti-COVID pills work well against omicron, but antibody drugs are less effective, study finds

Posted: 26 Jan 2022 02:06 PM PST

The drugs behind the new pills to treat COVID-19 remain very effective against the omicron variant of the virus in lab tests, according to a new study. However, lab tests also showed that the available antibody therapies -- typically given intravenously in hospitals -- are substantially less effective against omicron than against earlier variants of the virus.

New data on COVID-19 lung transplants

Posted: 26 Jan 2022 02:06 PM PST

A new analysis of lung transplantations performed nationally in the U.S. shows significant help for patients with severe, irreversible lung damage from COVID-19.

Mix-and-match trial finds additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine safe, immunogenic

Posted: 26 Jan 2022 02:06 PM PST

In adults who had previously received a full regimen of any of three COVID-19 vaccines granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an additional booster dose of any of these vaccines was safe and prompted an immune response, according to preliminary clinical trial results.

Ground-breaking study reveals dynamics of DNA replication ‘licensing’

Posted: 26 Jan 2022 01:55 PM PST

A new study has illuminated an important process that occurs during cell division and is a likely source of DNA damage under some circumstances, including cancer.

Flavonoids may reduce mortality risk for people with Parkinson’s Disease

Posted: 26 Jan 2022 01:55 PM PST

People with Parkinson's Disease who eat more flavonoids -- compounds found in richly colored foods like berries, cocoa and red wine -- may have a lower mortality risk than those who don't, according to a new study.

Omicron genetics and early transmission patterns are characterized in new study

Posted: 26 Jan 2022 01:55 PM PST

The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 diverged from previous SARS-CoV-2 variants as a result of adaptive evolution, in which beneficial mutations are passed on to future generations through natural selection, rather than through recombination between previous variants, according to researchers.

Starting physical activity three days post-concussion is safe, has better outcomes, study suggests

Posted: 26 Jan 2022 01:55 PM PST

Resuming non-contact physical activity 72 hours after a concussion is safe, and may also reduce symptoms and the risk of delayed recovery, suggests the first and largest real-world, randomized clinical trial on the topic to be conducted with children and youth aged 10 to 18.

Fossil snail shells offer new tool for analyzing ancient ocean chemistry

Posted: 26 Jan 2022 01:55 PM PST

A collection of fossil shells from marine snails and clams is challenging a theory that says the world's deadliest mass extinction was accompanied by severe ocean acidification. The study is the first to use shells from fossilized mollusks to investigate ocean chemistry, demonstrating a new tool that scientists can use to study the conditions of the planet's deep past.