ScienceDaily: Top News

Producing ammonia through electrochemical processes could reduce carbon dioxide emissions

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 11:30 AM PDT

Ammonia is commonly used in fertilizer because it has the highest nitrogen content of commercial fertilizers, making it essential for crop production. However, two carbon dioxide molecules are made for every molecule of ammonia produced, contributing to excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Dynamic rivers contributed to Amazon's rich bird diversity

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 11:29 AM PDT

One of the most contentious questions in evolutionary biology is, how did the Amazon become so rich in species? A new study focused on birds examines how the movements of rivers in the Amazon have contributed to that area's exceptional biological diversity. The researchers found that as small river systems change over time, they spur the evolution of new species. The findings also reveal previously unknown bird species in the Amazon that are only found in small areas next to these dynamic river systems, putting them at high risk.

Differences between the Moon’s near and far sides linked to colossal ancient impact

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 11:29 AM PDT

New research shows how the impact that created the Moon's South Pole -- Aitken basin is linked to the stark contrast in composition and appearance between the two sides of the Moon.

What shapes gut microbiomes of Alaska's brown bears? Location, location, location

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 11:29 AM PDT

A recent study of Alaskan brown bears (Ursus arctos) finds that there is significant variation in the gut microbiome of bear populations, depending on where the bears live. The finding advances our understanding of the relationship between wildlife habitat, diet and gut microbiome diversity.

Air pollution responsible for 180,000 excess deaths in tropical cities

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 11:29 AM PDT

Around 180,000 avoidable deaths over 14 years in fast-growing tropical cities were caused by a rapid rise in emerging air pollution, a study has revealed.

Key to success of drug-resistant bacteria

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 10:17 AM PDT

Researchers have uncovered how Gram-negative bacteria -- which cause a variety of drug-resistant infections -- build their protective outer layer, which could lead to more effective treatments.

How T cell-derived interleukin-22 promotes antibacterial defense of colonic crypts

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 10:17 AM PDT

Intestinal epithelial cells line the inner wall of the gut, creating a barrier to dangerous bacteria like enteropathogenic E. coli that seek to attach and efface that barrier, causing diarrhea. Such pathogens pose significant risks to human health and cause infant death in developing countries. A new study shows how two types of immune cells -- one a part of the innate immune system and the other a part of the adaptive immune system -- play distinct and indispensable roles to defend that barrier.

Toward high-powered telecommunication systems

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 08:39 AM PDT

Researchers have developed a fully integrated high-power laser on a lithium niobate chip, paving the way for high-powered telecommunication systems, fully integrated spectrometers, optical remote sensing, and efficient frequency conversion for quantum networks, among other applications.

Better, faster, energy efficient predictions

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 07:31 AM PDT

Researchers have combined reinforcement learning with numerical methods to compute turbulent flows, one of the most complex processes in engineering. The researchers also used machine learning algorithms to accelerate predictions in simulations of complex processes that take place over long periods of time.

CRISPR gene editing reveals biological mechanism behind common blood disorder

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 07:31 AM PDT

Researchers have used CRISPR gene editing -- a type of 'molecular scissors' -- to understand how deletions in one area of the genome can affect the expression of nearby genes. The work will help researchers investigate new therapeutic approaches for one of the world's most devastating genetic blood disorders -- sickle cell disease. Asymptomatic sickle cell disease patients actually lack a tiny part of the genome, scientists have shown.

Dengue detection smartphone tech shows new hope for low-cost diagnostics

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 07:31 AM PDT

Accurate home testing could be used for a wider range of illnesses, as new research shows the capability of smartphone-powered tests for Dengue Fever.

Crowning a quest into a very well-guarded secret: Structure of the kinetochore corona finally revealed

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 07:31 AM PDT

During cell division in a mother cell, the 23 chromosomes that carry the human genome must be first copied and later delivered to two newly forming daughter cells. At least in healthy cells, the result is astonishingly flawless, and no chromosome is ever lost. Not so in malignant cells, where rampant chromosome segregation errors generate a continuous flux of new genetic variants that support metastatic growth and resistance to chemotherapy. A multilayered protein structure called the kinetochore executes the chromosome delivery program.

Old skins cells reprogrammed to regain youthful function

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 05:39 AM PDT

Scientists have developed a new technique for rejuvenating skin cells. This technique has allowed researchers to rewind the cellular biological clock by around 30 years according to molecular measures, significantly longer than previous reprogramming methods. The partially rejuvenated cells showed signs of behaving more like youthful cells in experiments simulating a skin wound. This research, although in early stages, could eventually have implications for regenerative medicine, especially if it can be replicated in other cell types.

Invisible helium atoms provide exquisitely sensitive test of fundamental theory

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 05:38 AM PDT

Physicists have developed the most sensitive method ever for measuring the potential energy of an atom (within a hundredth of a decillionth of a joule -- or 10-35 joule), and used it to validate one of the most tested theories in physics -- quantum electrodynamics (QED).

New resource could provide clues on the past, present, and future of clownfish

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 05:38 AM PDT

Researchers from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University have produced a comprehensive genome of the false clownfish, which could be used to answer a myriad of biological questions.

Enhancing deep sleep

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 05:38 AM PDT

Researchers have developed a wearable device that plays specific sounds to enhance deep sleep. The first clinical study has now shown that the device is effective, but not at the same level of effectiveness for everyone.

Engineered crystals could help computers run on less power

Posted: 08 Apr 2022 05:38 AM PDT

In a new study, University of California, Berkeley, engineers describe a major breakthrough in the design of a component of transistors -- the tiny electrical switches that form the building blocks of computers -- that could significantly reduce their energy consumption without sacrificing speed, size or performance.

Kisspeptin: A new drug to treat liver disease?

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 01:19 PM PDT

A hormone that triggers puberty and controls fertility in humans might be developed as a treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, according to new Rutgers research.

Can artificial intelligence reveal why languages change over time?

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 01:19 PM PDT

American Sign Language (ASL) signs that are challenging to perceive -- those that are rare or have uncommon handshapes -- are made closer to the signer's face, where people often look during sign perception. By contrast, common ones, and those with more routine handshapes, are made further away from the face, in the perceiver's peripheral vision. The findings suggest that ASL has evolved to be easier for people to recognize signs.

Human gene variant produces attention deficit disorder-like problems in mice

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 01:19 PM PDT

Mutant mice are providing scientists with a new neurobiological framework to understand the brain changes observed in distractible humans who carry a common gene variant whose frequency has been associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The scientists demonstrate that mice that express the variant adopt an inattentive phenotype similar to that seen in humans.

Computerized, rolling DNA motors move molecular robotics to next level

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 01:19 PM PDT

Chemists integrated computer functions into rolling DNA-based motors, opening a new realm of possibilities for miniature, molecular robots. These DNA-based motors combine computational power with the ability to burn fuel and move in an intentional direction.

After 'mama,' children’s first words include 'this' and 'that'

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 11:55 AM PDT

Across languages and cultures, words that help direct caregivers' attention are likely to be among the first children learn and use frequently, according to a new study of early vocabulary development in an Indigenous language.

Hunting for gravitational waves from monster black holes

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 11:54 AM PDT

Our universe is a chaotic sea of ripples in space-time called gravitational waves. Astronomers think waves from orbiting pairs of supermassive black holes in distant galaxies are light-years long and have been trying to observe them for decades, and now they're one step.

An immune ‘fingerprint’ reveals path for better treatment of autoimmune diseases

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 11:19 AM PDT

Most autoimmune diseases are easy to diagnose but hard to treat. A new article proposes using your unique immune cell fingerprint to rapidly identify which treatments will work for your autoimmune disease.

Nano particle trapped between mirrors works as a quantum sensor

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 11:19 AM PDT

Sensors are a pillar of the Internet of Things, providing the data to control all sorts of objects. Here, precision is essential, and this is where quantum technologies could make a difference. Researchers are now demonstrating how nanoparticles in tiny optical resonators can be transferred into quantum regime and used as high-precision sensors.

Cell biology: How mitochondria report stress

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 11:19 AM PDT

Researchers have discovered the mechanism by which the protein DELE1 detects organelle stress. This offers a possible new approach for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

The role of genes in prenatal responses to air pollution

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 11:19 AM PDT

Exposure to pollution during pregnancy can have many adverse effects in infants and children that can even extend into adulthood. For example, air pollution exposure is associated with increased risk of low birth weight, preterm birth and risk for developing asthma later in life. Much of this is due to the fast pace of fetal growth and development; however, the exact ways pollutants have these effects and the roles of genes related to immune function and stress response are not fully understood.

High-ranking naked mole-rats are more resilient

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 11:19 AM PDT

Naked mole-rats are full of surprises. The latest is that higher-ranked mole-rats most likely have an immunological advantage over animals with lower social status.

Evidence in mice that bacteria in tumors help cancer cells metastasize

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 11:19 AM PDT

Bacteria promote cancer metastasis by bolstering the strength of host cells against mechanical stress in the bloodstream, promoting cell survival during tumor progression, researchers report.

AI predicts if -- and when -- someone will have cardiac arrest

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 11:19 AM PDT

A new artificial intelligence-based approach can predict, significantly more accurately than a doctor, if and when a patient could die of cardiac arrest. The technology, built on raw images of patient's diseased hearts and patient backgrounds, stands to revolutionize clinical decision making and increase survival from sudden and lethal cardiac arrhythmias, one of medicine's deadliest and most puzzling conditions.

New evidence suggests California's environmental policies preferentially protect whites

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 11:19 AM PDT

Asian and Hispanic communities experience significantly more air pollution from economic activity compared to predominantly white neighborhoods across the state of California, according to new research.

New hope for predicting and treating heart failure in babies born with deadly heart defect

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 11:18 AM PDT

Almost one third of babies born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, or HLHS, die from heart failure before their first birthday. By uncovering cellular processes that drive heart failure in these young patients, a new study may hold the answers to identifying and treating those at highest risk of early death.

Turbulence from spawning fish keeps a healthy circulation in coastal waters

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 11:18 AM PDT

A new study has shown how fish influence ocean ecosystems in coastal regions, revealing for the first time how they circulate nutrients and oxygen around the waters when they spawn. This process is key to keeping the ecosystems running.

Private protected areas help conserve overlooked and threatened regions

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 11:18 AM PDT

New research shows that private protected areas help conserve underrepresented biomes and highly threatened regions. Researchers have assessed 17,561 privately protected areas in 15 countries across five continents. Their findings reveal that compared to state protected areas, PPAs are twice as likely to be in areas with the greatest human disturbance, such as regions used for agriculture and mining. They are three times more likely to be in biomes with almost no established conservation reserves and protect 1.2% of key biodiversity areas.

COVID-19 alters levels of fertility-related proteins in men, study suggests

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 11:18 AM PDT

Increasing evidence suggests that the COVID-19 virus can also impair fertility. Now, researchers have analyzed protein levels in semen of men who have recovered from COVID-19. The pilot study suggests that even mild or moderate illness could change the levels of proteins related to male reproductive function, the researchers say.

Engineers describe how fluid suspensions exhibit different behaviors at different scales

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 11:18 AM PDT

Honey is already a pretty thick liquid, but let it begin to crystalize and it can become downright clumpy. The sugar crystals in suspension seem to increase its viscosity. This phenomenon occurs throughout the natural and constructed world: From mudflows to paint, suspensions of particles tend to behave like viscous fluids.

Ocean water samples yield treasure trove of RNA virus data

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 11:18 AM PDT

Ocean water samples collected around the world have yielded a treasure trove of new data about RNA viruses, expanding ecological research possibilities and reshaping our understanding of how these small but significant submicroscopic particles evolved.

Most precise ever measurement of W boson mass to be in tension with the Standard Model

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 11:18 AM PDT

Scientists have achieved the most precise measurement to date of the mass of the W boson, one of nature's force-carrying particles. The measured value shows tension with the value expected based on the Standard Model of particle physics.

Researchers discover new neurodevelopmental disorder

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 09:16 AM PDT

Researchers have discovered a new neurodevelopmental disorder after uncovering its link to a tumor suppressor gene.

Study finds persistent racial and ethnic disparities in sleep duration

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 09:16 AM PDT

Using data collected by the National Health Interview Survey from 2004 to 2018, researchers found that the proportion of people who reported sleeping fewer than seven hours per day increased significantly over the 15-year period, and it was significantly higher among Black people.

Researchers develop glass-in-glass fabrication approach for making miniature IR optics

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 09:15 AM PDT

Researchers have developed a new fabrication process that allows infrared (IR) glass to be combined with another glass and formed into complex miniature shapes. The new technique can be used to create virtually any interconnected 3D shape with features measuring a micron or less. The technique can be used to create complex infrared optics that could make IR imaging and sensing more broadly accessible.

Nanotechnology research: Faster, cheaper COVID tests

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 09:15 AM PDT

A nanotechnology research group entered the race to develop a rapid test for COVID-19 in August 2020, running experiments on a new sensor for an American manufacturing company. The group tested nanotechnology-based optical sensors designed for COVID-19 detection and saw the potential for their home-grown technology.

Sustainable strategies to treat urban runoff

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:11 AM PDT

Researchers call for cities to better manage and treat urban runoff to protect sources of drinking water and reduce the impacts on aquatic ecosystems.

Uranium detectable in two-thirds of US community water system monitoring records

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:11 AM PDT

A study on metal concentrations in U.S. community water systems (CWS) and patterns of inequalities, researchers found that metal concentrations were particularly elevated in CWSs serving semi-urban, Hispanic communities independent of location or region, highlighting environmental justice concerns. These communities had the highest levels of uranium, selenium, barium, chromium, and arsenic concentrations. Even at low concentrations, uranium in particular represents an important risk factor for the development of chronic diseases.

New discovery in animal exoskeletons leads to advances in designing construction materials

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:11 AM PDT

Researchers have discovered a new design motif derived from the rigid external covering of invertebrates that may help create more damage tolerant materials for future building and construction.

Virtual cooking class improves children's nutrition knowledge

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:10 AM PDT

Amid parental concerns regarding poor nutrition and lack of cooking skills among youth in Flint, Michigan, a team of local dietitians, chefs, and researchers created Flint Families Cook during the COVID-19 pandemic, a program for families with children ages 8-18 years old, delivered virtually to children and families in their homes.

Chemical compound promotes healthy aging, study finds

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:10 AM PDT

A recently discovered chemical compound helped elderly mice with obesity lose fat and weight, add muscle and strength, reduce age-related inflammation and increase physical activity, a new study shows.

Brainstem atrophy is linked to extrapyramidal symptoms in frontotemporal dementia

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:10 AM PDT

Frontotemporal dementia patients with extrapyramidal symptoms have brainstem atrophy and reduced metabolism in certain areas of the brain significantly more often than patients without extrapyramidal symptoms, a new study shows. This observation can facilitate differential diagnostics in frontotemporal dementia.

Achilles’ heel of high-risk multiple myeloma

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:10 AM PDT

Chromosomal abnormalities are found in most multiple myeloma (MM) patients. While myeloma patients have generally benefited from the advancement of treatment modalities over the years, the treatment outcome for patients having two or more high-risk prognostic events remains poor. In a novel step forward, a research team has embarked on a study which aims to address the unmet clinical need in this group of patients.

Astronomers have spotted the farthest galaxy ever

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:10 AM PDT

An international team of astronomers has spotted the most distant astronomical object ever: a galaxy. Shining only ~300 million years after the Big Bang, it may be home to the oldest stars in the universe, or a supermassive black hole.

Deep-sea osmolyte finds applications in molecular machines

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:10 AM PDT

The molecule trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) can be used to reversibly modulate the rigidity of microtubules, a key component of molecular machines and molecular robots.

Astronomers detect 'galactic space laser'

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:10 AM PDT

A powerful radio-wave laser, called a 'megamaser', has been observed by the MeerKAT telescope in South Africa. The record-breaking find is the most distant megamaser of its kind ever detected, at about five billion light years from Earth. The light from the megamaser has traveled 58 thousand billion billion (58 followed by 21 zeros) kilometers to Earth.

Social determinants of health affect care for people with congenital heart disease

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:10 AM PDT

Improving overall health equity for people with congenital heart disease requires recognizing the impact of social determinants of health throughout their lifespan. Systemic societal inequities and structural racism impact the health of people with congenital heart disease from prenatal care through adulthood. A new scientific statement suggests strategies to improve equity in congenital heart disease care that include research into implicit and explicit biases, systemic inequities that result in poorer social determinants of health, and examines the population, institutional, systemic and individual level contributors to health disparities.

Sitting Tai Chi exercises improved recovery outcomes for older stroke survivors

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:10 AM PDT

A study found that after three months of practicing a modified form of Tai Chi in which participants are seated, stroke survivors had improved hand and arm function, sitting balance, mental health and quality of life, compared to stroke survivors who participated in a standard stroke rehabilitation exercise program. The study is the first randomized controlled trial to indicate practicing a seated form of Tai Chi early after a stroke enhanced health outcomes.

Selective breeding sustainably protects honey bees from Varroa mite

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:10 AM PDT

A new breed of honey bees provides a major advance in the global fight against the parasitic Varroa mite, new research shows.

How mountain streams signal climate change

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:10 AM PDT

A new tool can better assess an important but overlooked indicator of global warming: the variety of bugs, worms, and snails living in high mountain streams.

Exercise shown to release protein reducing bowel cancer risk

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:10 AM PDT

Experts have identified for the first time exactly how exercise can lower your risk of getting bowel cancer and slow the growth of tumors.

Surfer science supports seawater study

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:10 AM PDT

Seawater samples taken from a surfboard have helped scientists understand microscopic life in the waves, new research shows.

Reconstructing the states of a nonlinear dynamical system

Posted: 07 Apr 2022 07:01 AM PDT

We often encounter nonlinear dynamical systems that behave unpredictably, such as the earth's climate and the stock market. To analyze them, measurements taken over time are used to reconstruct the state of the system. However, this depends on the quality of the data. Now, researchers have proposed an all-new method for determining the necessary parameters that results in an accurate reconstruction. Their new technique has far-reaching implications for the field of data science.

Amazon rainforest foliage gases affect the Earth’s atmosphere

Posted: 06 Apr 2022 02:20 PM PDT

Researchers have uncovered a plant-derived process that leads to the formation of aerosol particles over the Amazon rainforest and potentially other forested parts of the world.