ScienceDaily: Top News

Florida's 76,000 stormwater ponds emit more carbon than they store

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 01:55 PM PST

As Florida and other states become more urbanized, an increasing number of stormwater ponds are built. Florida already has 76,000 such ponds. The newer ones emit more carbon than they store, a new study finds. Researchers hope this finding will inform policy makers and others about when, where and how to install stormwater ponds.

Video game-based therapy helps stroke patients

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 01:55 PM PST

After a stroke, patients may lose feeling in an arm or experience weakness and reduced movement that limits their ability to complete basic daily activities. Traditional rehabilitation therapy is very intensive, time-consuming and can be both expensive and inconvenient, especially for rural patients travelling long distances to in-person therapy appointments. That's why a team of researchers utilized a motion-sensor video game, Recovery Rapids, to allow patients recovering from a stroke to improve their motor skills and affected arm movements at home while checking in periodically with a therapist via telehealth.

How a virus packages its genetic material

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 01:55 PM PST

Physics and astronomy professors have developed a theory and performed a series of simulations that may help explain how a virus finds its native genome and how capsids form around it and not around other RNAs in the cell.

Non-social jays surprise scientists by learning as skillfully as birds living in groups

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 01:55 PM PST

The California scrub-jay, a generally non-social bird, can learn just as well as another species of jay that lives in groups, a finding that surprised animal intelligence researchers who devised a novel food puzzle to study cognition in the wild.

Exploring the bounds of room-temperature superconductivity

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 12:48 PM PST

There are a few superconducting material systems for electric transmission in various stages of development. In the meantime, researchers are conducting experiments to look for superconductivity in a room-temperature and atmospheric pressure environment.

New insight into machine-learning error estimation

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 12:48 PM PST

Scientists are evaluating machine-learning models using transfer learning principles.

Introducing organs-on-chips to the lymph system

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 12:17 PM PST

Currently, there is little research focused on understanding mechanisms and drug discovery of lymphatic vascular diseases. However, conditions such as lymphedema, a buildup of fluid in the body when the lymph system is damaged, impact more than 200,000 people every year in the United States alone.

Childhood trauma and genetics linked to increased obesity risk

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 11:09 AM PST

New research has found associations between genetics, obesity, and childhood trauma, linking social health determinants, genetics, and disease. The study found that participants with specific genetic traits and who experience childhood traumas are more likely to suffer from adult obesity.

Caribbean coral reefs have been warming for at least 100 years

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 11:09 AM PST

A new analysis outlines 150 years of sea-surface temperature history throughout the Greater Caribbean region, highlighting significant warming trends that have disrupted coral reef ecosystems.

Hugging a 'breathing' cushion to ease anxiety

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 11:09 AM PST

Researchers have developed a huggable, cushion-like device that mechanically simulates breathing, and preliminary evidence suggests it could help reduce students' pre-test anxiety.

Music combined with auditory beat stimulation may reduce anxiety for some

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 11:09 AM PST

Treatments integrating music and auditory beat stimulation are effective in reducing state anxiety in some patients, according to a new study.

Gender gaps in daily time usage at different ages vary between countries

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 11:09 AM PST

A new, 10-country analysis identifies between-nation differences in the amount of time men and women spend on various daily activities at different stages of life.

Office buildings with infrequent water use may have poor water quality

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 11:08 AM PST

Low-consumption office buildings with infrequent water use could have chemical and microbiological safety issues, according to a new study. The research could have implications for office buildings used less frequently during pandemic lockdowns, and suggests that regular water testing in commercial buildings may be needed.

Giant impact crater in Greenland occurred a few million years after dinosaurs went extinct

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 11:08 AM PST

Danish and Swedish researchers have dated the enormous Hiawatha impact crater, a 31 km-wide meteorite crater buried under a kilometer of Greenlandic ice. The dating ends speculation that the meteorite impacted after the appearance of humans and opens up a new understanding of Earth's evolution in the post-dinosaur era.

Study hints at how early life experiences may affect brain wiring

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 11:08 AM PST

A new study of brain development in mice shortly after birth may provide insights into how early life events can affect wiring patterns in the brain that manifest as disease later in life.

Discovery of new immune process that regulates inflammation in human fat may help manage obesity

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 11:08 AM PST

Scientists have just identified how specific immune cells can work together in fat to cause inflammation that leads to weight gain and obesity. Their work pinpoints new avenues to exploit the regulation of that inflammation in fat tissue, thereby suggesting new ways to manage obesity.

Anti-Mullerian hormone may contribute to infertility in polycystic ovary syndrome

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 11:08 AM PST

High levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) have traditionally been thought of as merely a passive byproduct of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but a new preclinical study suggests that the hormone plays an active role in the disorder and may contribute to problems with ovulation and fertility.

Black hole billiards in the centers of galaxies

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 10:19 AM PST

Researchers provide the first plausible explanation to why one of the most massive black hole pairs observed to date by gravitational waves also seemed to merge on a non-circular orbit. Their suggested solution involves a chaotic triple drama inside a giant disk of gas around a super massive black hole in a galaxy far, far away.

Scientists capture the fleeting dance of moiré excitons

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 10:19 AM PST

Scientists have visualized the two parts of an elusive particle -- the moiré exciton -- to reveal its structure and unique properties.

New responsible data sharing technique will enable better understanding of disease-causing genetic variants

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 10:19 AM PST

Scientists may better understand and test for the genetic variations that cause cancer and other heritable diseases through the application of federated analysis, a novel strategy for securely sharing and analyzing genomic data developed at the UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute.

New twist on an 80-year-old biochemical pathway

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 10:18 AM PST

With the resurgence of interest in cancer metabolism, researchers are coming to realize that there is more to a cell's biochemistry than once thought.

Stalagmites trace climate history and impact from volcanic eruptions

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 10:18 AM PST

The soils and vegetation of Patagonia's fjord regions form a unique and highly sensitive ecosystem that is closely linked to marine ecosystems, sediment deposition and carbon storage in the ocean. A research team has been working on reconstructing the climate history of this region in this extremely wet, rainy and inaccessible fjord and island zone of the Patagonian Andes in southern Chile. Due to its location, the area is a key region for understanding the history of the southern westerly wind belt within the global climate system.

Reducing subsequent injuries after a concussion

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 10:18 AM PST

Looking for techniques to keep young athletes safer post-concussion, researchers devised a study in which teenage athletes who suffered concussions were randomized either to standard of care -- typically returning to play after clearing a set of standardized protocols that assess symptoms, cognition, and balance -- or completing the same protocol and then working with an athletic trainer on a specific neuromuscular training intervention that includes guided strength exercises and a focus on posture and landing stability.

New technology enables unprecedented glimpse inside single brain cells

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 10:18 AM PST

Researchers have developed a new genomic technology to simultaneously analyze the DNA, RNA and chromatin -- a combination of DNA and protein -- from a single cell. The method, which took five years to develop, is an important step forward for large collaborations where multiple teams are working simultaneously to classify thousands of new cell types. The new technology will help streamline analyses.

An ‘oracle’ for predicting the evolution of gene regulation

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 10:18 AM PST

Computational biologists have created a neural network model capable of predicting how changes to non-coding DNA sequences in yeast affect gene expression. They also devised a unique way of representing this data in two dimensions, making it easy to understand the past and future evolution of non-coding sequences in organisms beyond yeast -- and even design custom gene expression patterns for gene therapies and industrial applications. Despite the sheer number of genes that each human cell contains, these so-called 'coding' DNA sequences comprise just 1% of our entire genome. The remaining 99% is made up of 'non-coding' DNA -- which, unlike coding DNA, does not carry the instructions to build proteins.

The untapped nitrogen reservoir

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 08:11 AM PST

A research team elucidates how bacteria use the compound guanidine as a source of nitrogen.

How the transition to agriculture affects populations in the present day

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 08:11 AM PST

The transition of human societies from hunter-gatherers to farmers and pastoralists is a more nuanced process than generally thought, according to a new study of peoples living in the highlands of southwest Ethiopia.

Scientists identify possible new treatment for COVID-19

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 08:10 AM PST

Researchers have identified a potential new therapy for COVID-19: a biologic substance created by reengineered human skin cells.

Forget mammoths: These researchers are exploring bringing back the extinct Christmas Island rat

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 08:10 AM PST

Dinosaurs went extinct 65 million years ago, mammoths 4,000 years ago, and the Christmas Island Rat 119 years ago. Since becoming a popular concept in the 1990s, de-extinction efforts have focused on grand animals with mythical stature, but now a team of paleogeneticists has turned their attention to Rattus macleari, and their findings provide insights into the limitations of de-extinction across all species.

When ribosomes collide: How bacteria clean up after molecular crashes

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 08:10 AM PST

Tiny cellular machines called ribosomes build proteins. When this building process goes awry in bacteria, ribosomes collide, triggering the arrival of a first responder molecule that begins a rescue operation.

X-ray view of subducting tectonic plates

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 08:10 AM PST

Earth's thin crust softens considerably when it dives down into the Earth attached to a tectonic plate. That is demonstrated by X-ray studies carried out on a mineral which occurs in large quantities in basaltic crust. This softening can even cause the crust to peel away from the underlying plate. The delaminated crust has different physical properties from the rest of the mantle, which may explain anomalies in the speed with which seismic waves propagate through the mantle.

Large mammals can help climate change mitigation and adaptation

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:45 AM PST

A new study investigates whether protecting and restoring large animal wildlife can help to support climate change goals.

Oversized and understudied: Researchers begin to uncover the mysterious lives of jumbo bacteriophages

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:45 AM PST

Viruses are tiny but mighty intruders that can be found in the environment including in human bodies, and they can play a variety of roles in ecosystems. Viruses also come in a range of sizes. Some are even larger than bacteria, which scientists thought were rare cases until recently.

Treatment of long COVID could be hampered by lack of consensus in identifying and diagnosing the condition, researchers say

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:45 AM PST

In a new report, researchers say the challenges of treating long COVID are amplified by a critical issue: we do not know what constitutes long COVID or how to formally diagnose it, an issue that is further exacerbated by limited research data of varying quality and consistency.

Sharing memories sets children on path to better well-being

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:45 AM PST

Toddlers whose mothers received special coaching in talking about memories grew into teenagers who experience better wellbeing, research shows.

Global warming combined with other changes in the environment presents 'double whammy' for birds

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:45 AM PST

A new study rolls back the curtain on half a century of evidence detailing the impact of climate change on more than 60 different bird species.  It found that half of all changes to key physical and behavioral bird characteristics since the 1960s can be linked to climate change.

A nanoscale look at coronavirus infection

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:45 AM PST

Using super-resolution microscopy, scientists uncovered new details about the location of viral molecules in a cell after coronavirus infection.

A 'zigzag' blueprint for topological electronics

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:45 AM PST

A collaborative study confirms a potential new switching mechanism for a proposed generation of ultra-low energy topological electronics. Based on novel, quantum nanoribbons terminating on 'zigzag' edges, such devices would switch from non-conducting to conducting state, whereby electrical current could flow along topological edge states without wasted dissipation of energy.

Patients with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness show warning signs early on

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:45 AM PST

People who suffer from persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD) experience unsteadiness, non-spinning vertigo and dizziness. These symptoms are exacerbated by movement, upright posture, and visual stimuli. In a new study, scientists have tried to find out if these exacerbating factors are present in the period before PPPD is diagnosed. They found that patients developing PPPD are likely to have them early on after the onset of balance disorder symptoms.

Ongoing 'immune injuries' might cause persistent breathlessness after COVID-19

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:44 AM PST

Long-lasting immune activity in the airways might be the cause of persistent breathlessness following COVID-19, according to new research.

Immunological signature against SARS-CoV-2

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:44 AM PST

Scientists have investigated how most people's immune defenses are able to curb the coronavirus so effectively that pneumonia does not occur.

Research sheds light on mysterious messenger RNA modifications

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:44 AM PST

A team led by scientists has come a step closer to uncovering the purpose of a distinctive set of modifications found at the beginning of messenger RNA which have long remained a fundamental mystery in molecular biology.

Half century of protection pays off for sea turtles

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:44 AM PST

Green turtle numbers continue to rise on a group of islands where the species has now been protected for more than 50 years, new research shows.

Following rain, desert microbes exhale potent greenhouse gas

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:44 AM PST

New research shows how, after it rains, microbes in desert soil convert one form of pollution into another -- laughing gas.

Scientists discover the origins of metastasis

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:44 AM PST

Metastatic cells form in a primary tumor and then break away from it, migrate to other organs, attach to them and form new tumors. This spread reduces patients' chances of recovery. Scientists have discovered some of the mechanisms by which these cells arise. This is due to cells that have narrowly escaped cell death (apoptosis) following a chemotherapeutic treatment. Those cells reprogram themselves to acquire metastatic skills. Thanks to this study, these cells - called PAME by the researchers - now appear as new therapeutic targets.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy benefits people with depression through promoting self-kindness

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:44 AM PST

New research shows that Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) can help promote self-kindness in people with a history of depression, thereby putting their bodies in a state of safety and relaxation.

Electronic pneumonia decision support helps reduce mortality by 38 percent in community hospitals

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:44 AM PST

A real-time electronic decision support system helped clinicians at community hospitals provide best practice care for emergency department patients with pneumonia, resulting in decreased intensive care unit admission, more appropriate antibiotic use, and 38 percent lower overall mortality, according to a new study.

Physics and biology explore together the mechanisms of life

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:44 AM PST

Each of our cells contains about 40 million proteins that together perform all the tasks the cell needs to survive. For a smooth action, the right proteins must be concentrated in specific amounts, at a specific time and at a specific location. However, establishing such a delicate distribution requires an extremely precise process, happening at tiny spatial resolutions that standard cell biology tools are often unable to detect. To understand how this mechanism works, researchers have developed a new approach combining genetics and cell biology experiments with physical modelling. Using specific algorithms, they simulated the formation of protein gradients in 3D and throughout time and were able to explain these complex mechanisms. Moreover, their innovative model can be adapted to other biology systems to investigate protein dynamics.

New study sheds light on early human hair evolution

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:44 AM PST

Researchers have examined what factors drive hair variation in a wild population of lemurs known as Indriidae. Specifically, the researchers aimed to assess the impacts of climate, body size and color vision on hair evolution.

New research sheds light on nature of friction in multi-layered graphene

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:44 AM PST

Multi-layered graphene is a promising carbon-based nanomaterial for a variety of next-generation technologies, but the relationships between its surface structures and properties are not entirely clear. Now, in a recent study, scientists analyze how surface structures like wrinkles and folded networks affect nanoscale friction in multi-layered graphene. Their findings could pave the way for graphene-based solid lubricants and micro/nano-scale mechanical devices.

In pilot study, asynchronous telehealth visits effectively treat overactive bladder

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:44 AM PST

Women with overactive bladder are frequently frustrated with treatment, which leads to discontinuation of therapy. Asynchronous telehealth visits keep women engaged in follow-up care, accelerates trials of different medications and reinforces behavioral changes. The women in this pilot study reported improvement in symptoms and high satisfaction with asynchronous visits.

Innovative solution for thermal energy storage

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:44 AM PST

A new research article features one major challenge overcome through a remarkably simple idea, opening the door to expanded use of PCMs for energy-efficient heating and cooling.

Treating tough tumors by exploiting their iron 'addiction'

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:43 AM PST

Researchers have successfully leveraged an FDA-approved drug to halt growth of tumors driven by mutations in the RAS gene, which are famously difficult to treat and account for about one in four cancer deaths.

Nature-based solutions in mountains can reduce climate change impact on drought

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 07:37 AM PST

New research has shown how catchment restoration -- through the management of alien tree infestation in the mountains of the southwestern Cape -- could have lessened the impact of climate change on low river flows during the Cape Town 'Day Zero' drought.

An obesity treatment for women only?

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 06:50 AM PST

Researchers have identified a potential way to battle the health effects of obesity and type 2 diabetes in women after discovering an important factor that could determine how their bodies use and store fat.

Targeting dysregulated kappa-opioid receptors reduces working memory deficits in alcohol use disorder

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 06:08 AM PST

A preclinical study led by a neuroscientist shows that dysregulated kappa-opioid receptors (KORs) in the brain's medial prefrontal cortex region (part of the frontal lobe) contribute to working memory deficits in severe alcohol dependence. The researchers discovered that an antagonist compound used to block KORs alleviated these working memory deficits and may help restore 'normal' executive function needed to make better decisions about alcohol consumption.

Mathematical discovery could shed light on secrets of the Universe

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 06:08 AM PST

How can Einstein's theory of gravity be unified with quantum mechanics? It is a challenge that could give us deep insights into phenomena such as black holes and the birth of the universe. Now, a new article presents results that cast new light on important challenges in understanding quantum gravity.

Study Confirms SARS-CoV-2 Related Coronaviruses in Trade-Confiscated Pangolins in Viet Nam

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 06:07 AM PST

A new study confirms that pangolins confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade in Viet Nam host SARS-CoV-2 related coronaviruses.

Human actions accelerate climate-driven floods and droughts

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 06:07 AM PST

A study of more than 2,000 streams around North America found that those altered by human activity are at greater risk of flooding.

New antimicrobial air filters tested on trains rapidly kill SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses

Posted: 09 Mar 2022 06:07 AM PST

Researchers have developed new antimicrobial technology for air filters which can in seconds kill bacteria, fungi and viruses including SARS-CoV-2 -- providing a potential solution to prevent the spread of airborne infections.