ScienceDaily: Top News


Smartwatches and fitness bands reveal individual physiological responses to COVID-19 vaccine

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 02:07 PM PDT

A new digital health study shows how data from wearable sensors, such as smartwatches and fitness bands, can track a person's physiological response to the COVID-19 vaccination.

Revising the lifecycle of an important human parasite

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 02:07 PM PDT

Researchers have tracked Cryptosporidium in real time, creating a new paradigm for how the widespread parasite reproduces in a host.

Regulating the regulators of the immune system

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 02:07 PM PDT

Scientists reveal a new layer of complexity with which the immune system finds a balance between controlling pathogens and protecting healthy tissue.

Bioengineers visualize fat storage in fruit flies

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 11:07 AM PDT

A new visualization technique is being used to untangle often discussed, yet mysterious, links between diet and things like obesity, diabetes and aging.

Mental illness associated with increased death from cardiovascular disease

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 11:07 AM PDT

Compared to the general population, people with severe mental illness, including schizophrenia, have higher levels of cardiovascular-related mortality, and that association has become stronger over recent decades, according to a new study.

New research predicts the disappearance of Olympic Peninsula glaciers

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 10:23 AM PDT

By 2070, the glaciers on the Olympic Peninsula, in Washington State, will have largely disappeared, according to a new study. Although some glaciers will probably remain -- albeit as tiny shells of their former selves. Since about 1900 the region has lost half of its glacier area and since 1980, 35 glaciers and 16 perennial snowfields have disappeared.

Portable, point-of-care COVID-19 test discerns alpha variant from earlier strains

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 10:09 AM PDT

A point-of-care COVID-19 test developed by researchers can now detect and differentiate the alpha variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from earlier strains in saliva samples.

Cancer burden facing Asian Americans partly caused by racism, experts say

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 09:41 AM PDT

Racism facing Asian Americans is compounding existing cancer inequities. They are the first U.S. population group to experience cancer as the leading cause of death. A commentary outlines the factors contributing to this.

Engineers introduce the Oreometer

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 09:40 AM PDT

Engineers subjected Oreo cookies to rigorous materials tests to get to the center of a tantalizing question: Why does the cookie's cream stick to just one wafer when twisted apart?

How air pollution alters lung tissue, increasing cancer susceptibility

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 08:25 AM PDT

Scientists have identified a mechanism that explains how fine air pollution particles might cause lung cancer, according to a new study.

A new understanding of how the immune system deals with malaria

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 08:25 AM PDT

By analysing samples from patients who have been treated for malaria in Sweden, researchers can now describe how the immune system acts to protect the body after a malaria infection. The results provide knowledge that can aid in the development of more effective vaccines against the disease.

Sending out bacteria-carrying mosquitoes to protect people from dengue

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 08:25 AM PDT

Researchers developed a model to spatially distribute mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia bacteria, which reduce the transmission of the dengue virus. The researchers use real data on human and vector activity in a framework that can be analyzed from a mathematical point of view, allowing them to re-create and understand the epidemiological situation and identify those geographical areas with the greatest vulnerability, creating a ranking of areas that prioritizes those where Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes can have the strongest and most beneficial impact on the spread of the virus.

New approach against chronic inflammation: Treating mice with so-called 'nanobodies'

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 08:24 AM PDT

Researchers have succeeded in mitigating chronic inflammation in mice using customized 'mini-antibodies.' These nanobodies enabled them to dissolve molecular complexes in tissue that normally activate the immune system. The nanobodies produced may in future help to slow down unwanted inflammatory reactions that cause diseases such as arthritis or neurodegeneration.

Most vital strategies for successfully implementing changes in industry

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 08:24 AM PDT

Researchers have conducted a study in which they studied change initiatives at more than 600 architecture, engineering and construction firms in North America. They found those that were very successful and sustainable used six key strategies, and that effective change agents and a realistic timeline were vital to making an initiative a lasting success.

New process enables 3D printing of small and complex components made of glass in just a few minutes

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 08:24 AM PDT

Scientists combine materials science invention with newly developed 3D printing technology. Components made of highly transparent glass can be manufactured in just a few minutes and with great geometric freedom. Possible applications of the new process technology are micro-optical components of sensors, microscopes or lab-on-a-chip systems

Cross-racial study of 1.87m vets shows wide disparities in dementia

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 08:24 AM PDT

In what is believed to be the largest study to date on race and dementia, researchers tracked health and demographic data from close to two million veterans. It compared rates of dementia across five racial groups and showed significant race-based variations in the incidence of the condition.

Wearables can track COVID symptoms, other diseases

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 08:24 AM PDT

If you become ill with COVID-19, your smartwatch can track the progression of your symptoms, and could even show how sick you become.

Almost ready for prime time: Deep UV photodetectors head to real-world testing

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 08:24 AM PDT

Researchers are asking why, after decades of development and promising results, ultrawide bandgap photodetectors with deep UV capabilities haven't enjoyed widespread adoption, and are taking stock of advancements and challenges in the field. Unlike their silicon-based counterparts, UWBG photodetectors made from aluminum gallium nitride and gallium (III) oxide are more efficient, can tailor cutoff wavelengths, and do not need optical filters to reject visible or infrared wavelengths for solar-blind applications.

Explanation for formation of abundant features on Europa bodes well for search for extraterrestrial life

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 08:23 AM PDT

Ice-penetrating radar data from Greenland suggests that shallow water pockets may be common within Europa's ice shell, increasing the potential habitability of the Jovian moon's ice shell.

Biologists find new protective factor against excessive lipid accumulation in liver of obese mouse

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 07:32 AM PDT

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), commonly known as fatty liver disease, is a prevalent disease frequently seen in obese people. Having high fat content in the liver is detrimental as it is strongly associated with severe health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, and liver cancer. A research team uncovers a new protective mechanism against this disorder.

Researchers create 3D model for rare neuromuscular disorders, setting stage for clinical trial

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 07:32 AM PDT

Scientists have created a bioengineered 3-D model that mimics the biology of two rare diseases. The researchers used the 'tissue chip' model to show how a drug could potentially treat the diseases, providing data for a drug company's FDA submission for authorization for clinical testing. This is one of the first examples of using primarily tissue chip data for an FDA application to test the efficacy of a candidate drug for rare diseases.

Nanoparticles prove effective against the yellow fever mosquito

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 07:32 AM PDT

Before being accidentally introduced to the New World by the 16th century slave trade, the yellow fever mosquito was a species native only to Africa. Highly adaptable, it has since become an invasive species in North America, but researchers at may have found a way to squash the pesky population in its juvenile stages.

Genes can affect our nutrient tolerance

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 07:32 AM PDT

A new study finds that minor genetic differences can affect the ability to utilize the energy of various nutrients. This work shows how nutritional planning based on genetic data could promote the development of personalized nutrition for health.

Particles released by red blood cells are effective carriers for anti-cancer immunotherapy

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 07:32 AM PDT

A study has demonstrated that nano-sized vesicles released by red blood cells are a viable platform for delivering immunotherapeutic RNA molecules to suppress breast cancer growth and metastasis. The study successfully delivered RIG-I-activating RNAs using small, lipid membrane-bound particles released by red blood cells, called red blood cell extracellular vesicles (RBCEVs), to suppress cancer progression. The team had also discovered in earlier studies that these vesicles are ideal therapeutic carriers with a natural ability to deliver bioactive molecules to many cell types.

Study reveals new therapeutic option for head and neck carcinomas

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 07:32 AM PDT

The various manifestations of head and neck carcinomas rank sixth in frequency worldwide and are fatal for about half a million people every year. In a quarter of cases, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) and, currently, is not always treatable. A research team has now discovered a possible new therapeutic option.

Promising drug candidates for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever identified

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 07:32 AM PDT

Researchers have identified key signalling pathways that when blocked by existing drug candidates limit reproduction of the Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus. The findings offer hope for patients affected by this potentially deadly disease.

When the rust settles: Uncovering the movements of coffee leaf rust disease

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 07:32 AM PDT

Researchers have found a high incidence of coffee leaf rust (CLR) disease in Vietnam, the world's second-largest coffee producer. Potential origins and migration routes were revealed, as well as a close genetic relationship with several Central and South American rust fungus populations. These findings will help to predict future spread of CLR, and highlight the need to consider seedling sources and human activities in CLR management.

Phase transitions in the early universe and their signals

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 07:32 AM PDT

The early universe may chirp about unknown physics. A research team has demonstrated how an early universe phase transition will lead to gravitational wave signals potentially visible in the upcoming satellite missions.

Psychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer´s disease

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 07:32 AM PDT

In addition to memory problems and other cognitive symptoms, most people with Alzheimer's disease also suffer from mental health issues. It has long been unclear whether these occur because of tissue changes in the brain, or whether they represent psychological reactions to cognitive symptoms.

A better way to reduce child maltreatment

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 07:32 AM PDT

A first-of-its-kind national study has found that a special program adopted in many states to help some families at risk of child maltreatment has been surprisingly successful.

Novel treatment effective for sidewall brain aneurysm, study finds

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 07:32 AM PDT

A novel mesh plug that has been traditionally used to treat brain aneurysms occurring where the blood vessels branch out was found to be equally effective in treating aneurysms on the side of the vessel, according to a new study.

Fruit snack or edible? Study finds some cannabis products look like popular snacks

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 06:23 AM PDT

Some cannabis edibles look remarkably like popular snack foods and may be easily confused for them, finds a new study.

Researchers take step toward developing 'electric eye'

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 06:23 AM PDT

Using nanotechnology, scientists have created a newly designed neuromorphic electronic device that endows microrobotics with colorful vision. The newly designed artificial vision device could have far-reaching applications for the fields of medicine, artificial intelligence, and microrobotics.

About 30 percent of COVID patients develop 'Long COVID,' research finds

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 06:23 AM PDT

New research finds that 30 percent of people treated for COVID-19 developed Post Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), most commonly known as 'Long COVID.'

Guiding a superconducting future with graphene quantum magic

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 06:23 AM PDT

Superconductors are materials that conduct electrical current with practically no electrical resistance at all. This ability makes them extremely interesting and attractive for a plethora of applications such as loss-less power cables, electric motors and generators, as well as powerful electromagnets that can be used for MRI imaging and for magnetic levitating trains. Now, researchers have detailed the superconducting nature of a new class of superconducting material, magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene.

No glacial fertilization effect in the Antarctic Ocean

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 06:23 AM PDT

Can iron-rich dust fertilize the ocean, stimulate algae growth there, and thereby capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere? An international research team used deep-sea sediment cores from the Scotia Sea to investigate whether this hypothetical greenhouse gas sink had an effect during ice ages. Although dust input was high during ice ages, no evidence of a fertilization effect could be found in the Antarctic Ocean. Rather, the production of algae, for example, and thus carbon dioxide sequestration, was high only during warm periods when dust input was low.

The origins and ID of pancreatic endocrine cells

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 06:23 AM PDT

Scientists show that endocrine stem cells in the pancreas disappear after birth, and detail the genetic identity of the different types of pancreatic hormone-producing cells.

Pacific Northwest wildfires alter air pollution patterns across North America

Posted: 19 Apr 2022 06:18 AM PDT

Increasingly large and intense wildfires in the Pacific Northwest are altering the seasonal pattern of air pollution and causing a spike in unhealthy pollutants in August, according to new research. The smoke is undermining clean air gains, posing potential risks to the health of millions of people, according to the study.

Genetic analysis provides insights into the cause of hydrocephalus, or 'water on the brain'

Posted: 18 Apr 2022 12:21 PM PDT

Genetic studies of children with hydrocephalus ('water on the brain') combined with mouse models indicate that in certain genetic subtypes, the condition arises due to abnormal neurodevelopment that disrupts mechanical stability of the brain. Treatment strategies need to optimize brain development beyond the current standard of simply draining brain fluid.

Illumination of immune checkpoint LAG3 'black box' could yield new cancer and autoimmune therapies

Posted: 18 Apr 2022 11:54 AM PDT

A new study pinpoints how an immune checkpoint protein called LAG3 modulates T cell activity, providing important insights for development of LAG3-blocking therapies for cancer and autoimmune disorders.

Scientists record case of harmful bacteria in ubiquitous weed throughout US

Posted: 18 Apr 2022 09:04 AM PDT

Scientists have recorded the first North American case of a harmful phytoplasma disease known for its threat to fruit, vegetable and ornamental crops in South America and the Middle East. To make matters worse, scientists confirmed the host for the disease to be one of the most noxious and rapidly spreading weeds commonly found in a wide range of environments throughout the United States and into Canada.

Bacterial soundtracks revealed by graphene membrane

Posted: 18 Apr 2022 09:04 AM PDT

Have you ever wondered if bacteria make distinctive sounds? If we could listen to bacteria, we would be able to know whether they are alive or not. When bacteria are killed using an antibiotic, those sounds would stop -- unless of course the bacteria are resistant to the antibiotic. This is exactly what a team of researchers have now have managed to do: they captured low-level noise of a single bacterium using graphene.

Newly developed genetic risk scores could help patients, physicians make health decisions

Posted: 18 Apr 2022 09:04 AM PDT

Researchers have developed and validated polygenic risk scores for six common diseases. The team also developed informational resources for each disease to help physicians and patients discuss how to incorporate PRS when making medical decisions about screening and prevention.

A single allele deletion in gene encoding Zbtb38 leads to early embryonic death

Posted: 18 Apr 2022 06:40 AM PDT

Researchers have found that heterozygous loss of the methyl-CpG binding protein Zbtb38 downregulated the expression of the transcription factors Nanog and Sox2, as well as genes involved in epiblast proliferation, differentiation, and viability. This finding highlights the methyl-CpG binding protein's physiological significance throughout embryonic development.

New insights into fermentation enzyme will lower the chemical industry's carbon footprint

Posted: 18 Apr 2022 06:40 AM PDT

Researchers have determined the atom-by-atom structure of the fermentation enzyme phosphoketolase by cryogenic electron microscopy. They identified details that were mistakenly characterized by X-ray crystallography yet are essential for correlating enzyme structure with enzyme function. These findings will help researchers produce chemical feedstocks in an environmentally sustainable manner, and thus lower the carbon footprint of the chemical industry.