ScienceDaily: Top News

How nuclear war would affect earth today

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 07:09 AM PDT

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has brought the threat of nuclear warfare to the forefront. But how would modern nuclear detonations impact the world today? A new study published today provides stark information on the global impact of nuclear war.

Rheumatic fever and household overcrowding

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 07:09 AM PDT

Research has uncovered strong evidence that household overcrowding is a major risk factor for acute rheumatic fever and streptococcal infections of the skin.

Researchers discover brain pathway that helps to explain light's effect on mood

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 07:09 AM PDT

Improved understanding of a neural pathway connecting light-sensitive cells in the retina with the cortical brain regions involved in mood and cognition has implications for the development of treatments for mood disorders.

Climate factors predict future mosquito activity

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 07:09 AM PDT

Increases in three climate factors -- temperature, rainfall, and ocean warming -- predicted mosquito population growth in Sri Lanka for the next one to six months, according to a new study. The findings can inform the design and timing of programs to limit the spread of mosquito-borne diseases like dengue.

Understanding how microbiota thrive in their human hosts

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 07:09 AM PDT

Scientists have made substantial progress in understanding how gut bacteria succeed in their human hosts on a molecular level. They investigated how bacteria produce inositol lipids, substances vital for many cellular processes in humans and other eukaryotes but hitherto rarely observed in bacteria. The results indicate that inositol lipids have implications for the symbiosis between the bacteria and their hosts.

Quantum physics: Record entanglement of quantum memories

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 07:09 AM PDT

Researchers have entangled two quantum memories over a 33-kilometer-long fiber optic connection -- a record and an important step toward the quantum internet.

Social interactions tied to sense of purpose

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 07:09 AM PDT

Research in psychological and brain sciences shows a link in older adults between social interactions and having a sense of purpose.

Towards autonomous prediction and synthesis of novel magnetic materials

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 07:09 AM PDT

In materials science, candidates for novel functional materials are usually explored in a trial-and-error fashion through calculations, synthetic methods, and material analysis. However, the approach is time-consuming and requires expertise. Now, researchers have used a data-driven approach to automate the process of predicting new magnetic materials. By combining first-principles calculations, Bayesian optimization, and monoatomic alternating deposition, the proposed method can enable a faster development of next-generation electronic devices.

Thin mica shows semiconducting behavior, say scientists in new study

Posted: 07 Jul 2022 07:05 AM PDT

Muscovite mica (MuM) is a highly stable mineral that is commonly used as an insulator. However, the electrical properties of single-layer and few-layered MuM are not well understood. Now, a group of researchers reports and explains unusually high conductivity in MuM flakes that are only a few molecule layers thick. Their findings could open doors to the development of two-dimensional electronic devices that are robust against harsh environments.

Thyroid problems linked to increased risk of dementia

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 01:54 PM PDT

Older people with hypothyroidism, also called underactive thyroid, may be at increased risk of developing dementia, according to a new study. The risk of developing dementia was even higher for people whose thyroid condition required thyroid hormone replacement medication.

Researchers decode retinal circuits for circadian rhythm, pupillary light response

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 01:54 PM PDT

The eye's light-sensing retina taps different circuits depending on whether it is generating image-forming vision or carrying out a non-vision function such as regulating pupil size or sleep/wake cycles, according to a new mouse study.

Gardening can cultivate better mental health

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 01:54 PM PDT

New research suggests that many people may indeed reap mental health benefits from working with plants -- even if they've never gardened before.

Scientists invent 'quantum flute' that can make particles of light move together

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 01:54 PM PDT

Physicists have invented a 'quantum flute' that, like the Pied Piper, can coerce particles of light to move together in a way that's never been seen before.

Fiber optic sensing detects tremor from Icelandic subglacial volcano

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 01:54 PM PDT

Researchers used a fiber optic cable on the ice cap of an Icelandic subglacial volcano to detect low-frequency volcanic tremor, suggesting this technology could be useful in monitoring other ice-covered volcano systems.

Upside-down design expands wide-spectrum super-camera abilities

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 01:54 PM PDT

By turning the traditional lab-based fabrication process upside down, researchers have greatly expanded the abilities of light-manipulating metasurfaces while also making them much more robust against the elements. The combination could allow these quickly maturing devices to be used in a wide range of practical applications, such as cameras that capture images in a broad spectrum of light in a single shutter snap.

Study shows increase in COVID-19 vaccine acceptance around the world

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 01:53 PM PDT

COVID-19 vaccine acceptance increased 3.7% between 2020 and 2021, according to a new study. In a June 2021 survey of over 23,000 individuals across 23 countries, the researchers found that more than three-quarters (75.2%) of respondents reported vaccine acceptance, up from 71.5% one year earlier.

Researchers create VX neurotoxin detector

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 01:53 PM PDT

Researchers are advancing the field of molecular detection by developing proteins that can detect a deadly nerve agent called VX in real-time and without false positives from insecticides.

New study sheds light on why opioids can cause gastrointestinal problems

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 01:53 PM PDT

Opioids are the gold standard for treatment of chronic and acute pain; however, their use may result in significant gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea, vomiting, and constipation. The reasons behind these side effects are not well understood. A new study reports on how opioids like morphine cause gastric inflammation and how this condition can be reversed through treatment with proton pump inhibitor drugs like omeprazole, an over-the-counter medication commonly used to reduce stomach acid.

Birdwatching brings millions of dollars to Alaska

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 01:53 PM PDT

New research found that nearly 300,000 birders traveled to the state and spent about $378 million in 2016. Birdwatching supported roughly 4,300 jobs in Alaska that year.

Citizen scientists from 200 years ago and today help shed light on climate change trends

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 12:31 PM PDT

Citizen science observations across two centuries reveal a dramatic, climate-driven shift to earlier leaf out and flowering, which varies across settings, species and functional groups. Plants in urban areas, insect pollinated trees, and early-season species show the greatest rate of advancement overall. This unprecedented comparison of historic-modern network observations illustrates how long-term monitoring and citizen science efforts are invaluable for ecological forecasting and discovery.

Using the power of the sun to roast green chile

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 12:31 PM PDT

Roasting green chile is an important cultural touchstone for New Mexico, but it leads to a seasonal emission of approximately 7,800 metric tons of carbon dioxide -- the equivalent of driving 1,700 cars for a year. Sandia National Laboratories engineer Kenneth Armijo, who grew up on a chile farm in Sabinal, located between Albuquerque and Socorro, New Mexico, thought there was a 'greener' way to roast green chile. The results of his experiments roasting chile with concentrated sunlight will be shared at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers' conference on energy and sustainability next week.

Depression in fathers and children linked, regardless of genetic relatedness

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 12:30 PM PDT

Adolescent depression and behavior problems are on the rise and paternal depression may be contributing to this increase, regardless of whether the fathers and children are genetically related, according to new research.

Solving algorithm 'amnesia' reveals clues to how we learn

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 12:30 PM PDT

A discovery about how algorithms can learn and retain information more efficiently offers potential insight into the brain's ability to absorb new knowledge. The findings could aid in combating cognitive impairments and improving technology.

Helping teens channel stress, grow in resilience

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 12:30 PM PDT

The mental health crisis among teens has prompted an urgent quest for preventive interventions. Researchers believe they have one. As the team explains in a recent study, the 30-minute online training module teaches teenagers to channel their stress responses away from something negative that needs to be feared and tamped down towards recognizing those responses -- sweaty palms, a racing heart, for example -- as a positive driving force.

Safety first: How stigma may impact health

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 12:30 PM PDT

Lack of safety, according to a new theory, may have a direct impact on the health of people in marginalized communities, particularly the LGBTQ community. The theory challenges decades of thinking that health disparities in the LGBTQ community are primarily due to encounters with stressful and discriminatory events, a concept called 'minority stress.'

Death of a family member may increase heart failure mortality risk

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 12:30 PM PDT

Heart failure patients experiencing grief or in mourning following the loss of a close family member are at an increased risk of death, particularly during the first week following the family member's death, according to a new study.

Imaging solves mystery of how large HIV protein functions to form infectious virus

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 12:30 PM PDT

Scientists have determined the molecular structure of HIV Pol, a protein that plays a key role in the late stages of HIV replication, or the process through which the virus propagates itself and spreads through the body. Importantly, determining the molecule's structure helps answer longstanding questions about how the protein breaks itself apart to advance the replication process. The discovery reveals a new vulnerability in the virus that could be targeted with drugs.

Honeycomb maze reveals role of hippocampus in navigation decisions

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 10:33 AM PDT

Researchers have discovered that the hippocampus creates a vector-based representation to support animals to make optimal navigation decisions. The researchers report results which go a long way to solving the problem of how hippocampal place cells contribute to flexible navigation.

Physicists see electron whirlpools

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 10:33 AM PDT

Physicists have now observed electron whirlpools. Theorists have long predicted electrons should exhibit this hallmark of fluid flow; the findings could inform the design of more efficient electronics.

Connecting the spots: First comprehensive review of national jaguar protection laws

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 10:33 AM PDT

Conservationists have conducted the first comprehensive review of national laws across the range of the jaguar (Panthera onca) to show opportunities for strengthening legal protections of the largest cat species found in the Americas.

Multi-layered strategies needed to protect public health from oil and gas drilling impacts

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 10:33 AM PDT

A group of public health experts from several universities and organizations is urging adoption of a multi-layered approach when developing policies to mitigate the impact of gas and oil production operations. They lay out a framework for decision-making, which they say would facilitate the application of more public health protective measures.

Solar-powered chemistry uses carbon dioxide and water to make feedstock for fuels, chemicals

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 10:33 AM PDT

Solar-powered synthesis gas could recycle carbon dioxide into fuels and useful chemicals, an international team of researchers has shown.

'Supergene' wreaks havoc in a genome

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 10:33 AM PDT

Biologists have used population genomics to shed light on the evolution and consequences of a selfish genetic element known as Segregation Distorter (SD). The researchers report that SD has caused dramatic changes in chromosome organization and genetic diversity.

Validating a new method for assessing the antimicrobial efficacy of domestic cleaning products

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 10:33 AM PDT

Researchers have statistically validated a new method for assessing the antimicrobial efficacy of detergents and textile additives in domestic environments. The results reveal the validity of the new protocol, which has been presented to the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) requesting it to become the European standard.

New method for studying functionality of microbiota

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 10:33 AM PDT

A research group has developed a new method for studying the functionality of microbiota through metaproteomics. The new method poses broad potential for the study of microbiota on a new, functional level. The characterization of the functionality of gut microbiota is central in the study of human health and disease as well as disease prediction, prevention, and treatment. Previous studies have mainly focused on cataloguing the composition of microbiota, but little is known about the functionality of the human gut microbiota.

Climate warming could deepen environmental injustice in urban areas

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 10:33 AM PDT

Extreme heat events could become more intense and frequent both locally and globally, increasing the risk of harm to health and global economies, according to a new study.

Photorhabdus luminescens -- a true all-rounder: Insect pathogenic bacterium also helps to combat fungal infestation

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 10:33 AM PDT

The bacterium Photorhabdus luminescens is already used as bioinsecticide to protect crops against a wide range of insect pests. Researchers have recently demonstrated that P. luminescens can also protect plants against fungal infection.

Stronger integration of international negotiations needed to protect the ocean

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 10:33 AM PDT

International solutions are needed to protect the ocean. Two sets of regulations currently under development offer an opportunity to expand protections, but a greater degree of alignment between the two must be achieved. In a new scientific article, researchers outline how this could be realized.

Volcano's eruption will help scientists plot weather, climate

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 10:33 AM PDT

As it captivated people around the world, the January eruption of the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano gave scientists a once-in-a-lifetime chance to study how the atmosphere works, unlocking keys to better predict the weather and changing climate.

Scientists demonstrate machine learning tool to efficiently process complex solar data

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 10:33 AM PDT

Big data has become a big challenge for space scientists analyzing vast datasets from increasingly powerful space instrumentation. To address this, a team has developed a machine learning tool to efficiently label large, complex datasets to allow deep learning models to sift through and identify potentially hazardous solar events. The new labeling tool can be applied or adapted to address other challenges involving vast datasets.

Psoriasis: Study lays foundation for new treatment strategy

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 10:33 AM PDT

About one third of those who suffer from psoriasis develop inflammation in their joints (psoriatic arthritis) as a result of the chronic skin condition. A research team has now discovered a key starting point for inhibiting inflammation in both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The researchers' findings may form the basis for developing new treatment, diagnostic and prevention strategies.

Physicists work to shrink microchips with first one-dimensional helium model system

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 10:33 AM PDT

Physicists have created the first one-dimensional helium-based model system to advance research with applications to creating smaller microchips.

Shedding new light on dark matter

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 10:32 AM PDT

A team of physicists has developed a method for predicting the composition of dark matter -- invisible matter detected only by its gravitational pull on ordinary matter and whose discovery has been long sought by scientists.

Case solved: The biosynthesis of strychnine elucidated

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 10:32 AM PDT

A research team has disclosed the complete biosynthetic pathway for the formation of strychnine in the plant species Strychnos nux-vomica (poison nut). The researchers identified all genes involved in the biosynthesis of strychnine and other metabolites and expressed them in the model plant Nicotiana benthamiana. This enabled them to show that these extremely complex and pharmacologically important molecules can be synthesized using 'metabolic engineering' methods.

Study explores unusual interaction between viruses, live vaccines

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 07:08 AM PDT

A study of a herpes virus that infects chickens offers new insights into potentially problematic interactions between vaccines made from live viruses and the viruses they are meant to thwart.

How Omicron dodges the immune system

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 06:28 AM PDT

By comparing the neutralization capacity induced by the different variants of SARS-CoV-2, researchers have revealed the exceptional capacity of Omicron to evade our immunity.

How to find marker genes in cell clusters

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 06:28 AM PDT

A new method facilitates identification of cell-type specific genes in single-cell data.

Differentiation of rickets and classic metaphyseal lesions on radiographs

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 05:54 AM PDT

Rickets and classic metaphyseal lesions (CMLs) exhibit distinct radiographic signs, and radiologists can reliably differentiate these two entities.

Gecko feet are coated in an ultra-thin layer of lipids that help them stay sticky

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 05:54 AM PDT

Researchers view, for the first time, the protein and lipid molecules on the surface of the microscopic structures that give geckos their grip. The new images, created using a synchrotron microscope (powered by a particle accelerator), open the way to better biomimicry and provide a fascinating insight into biological evolution.

New imaging technique allows researchers to see gene expression in brains of live mice in real time

Posted: 06 Jul 2022 05:53 AM PDT

Scientists have developed a new technique for imaging mRNA molecules in the brains of living mice. The research reveals new insights into how memories are formed and stored in the brain and could allow scientists to learn more about diseases such as Alzheimer's in the future.

Shapeshifting microrobots can brush and floss teeth

Posted: 05 Jul 2022 04:41 PM PDT

A robotic microswarm may one day automate the routine of rinsing, brushing, and flossing teeth. A multidisciplinary team developed the technology, which employs a magnetic field to direct the iron oxide nanoparticle-based microrobots into antimicrobial bristle- and floss-shaped arrays.

Researchers expand understanding of vortex spread in superfluids

Posted: 05 Jul 2022 04:41 PM PDT

Researchers have created a model that describes the spread and speed of tornado-like vortex tubes in superfluids. This work expands on a previous study that reported experimental results obtained in superfluid helium-4 within a narrow temperature range.

What is a pond? Study provides first data-driven definition

Posted: 05 Jul 2022 04:41 PM PDT

Nearly everyone can identify a pond, but what, exactly, distinguishes it from a lake or a wetland? A new study offers the first data-driven, functional definition of a pond and evidence of ponds' distinct ecological function, which could have broad implications for science and policy.

New research challenges long-held beliefs about limb regeneration

Posted: 05 Jul 2022 04:41 PM PDT

Researchers are challenging a centuries-old beliefs about how mammals might regenerate damaged parts of the body. In humans, the natural ability to regenerate is limited to tissues like the epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, and some organs, such as the liver. Other species, most notably salamanders, have the ability to regenerate complex structures such as bones, joints, and even entire limbs. As a result, scientists have been studying these species for more than 200 years to try to understand the mechanisms behind limb regeneration in the hopes of someday translating those mechanisms to induce more extensive regeneration in humans. That research has led to a common belief that the single biggest key for limb regeneration is the presence of nerves.

Inhalable COVID-19 vaccine shows promise in rodent model

Posted: 05 Jul 2022 01:22 PM PDT

Researchers have created an inhalable COVID-19 vaccine that is shelf stable at room temperature for up to three months, targets the lungs specifically and effectively, and allows for self-administration via an inhaler.

Nervous system workings related to PTSD, other mental health disorders

Posted: 05 Jul 2022 01:22 PM PDT

A new study measures changes in the human brain's response to a perceived threat following non-invasive stimulation of the nervous system via the vagus nerve. The results have implications for the development of treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions, as well as for increasing alertness and attention during learning.

Odd fish has adapted to Canada's deepest, coldest lakes

Posted: 05 Jul 2022 01:22 PM PDT

The deepwater sculpin is not an attractive fish by any conventional standard. You won't find it hanging on a plaque or landing a feature role in a Disney movie. What you might say about the bottom-dweller is that it's a survivor, having managed to eke out an existence at the bottom of Canada's deepest and coldest lakes since the last ice age. Researchers are now sequencing its entire genome to see how this seemingly unremarkable fish has been able to adapt to such extreme environments.

Most British COVID-19 mourners suffer PTSD symptoms, survey finds

Posted: 05 Jul 2022 01:22 PM PDT

More than eight out of 10 British people who are seeking support for having lost a loved one to COVID-19 reported alarming Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms, new research has found.

New photocatalytic membrane that can be cleaned using light energy

Posted: 05 Jul 2022 01:22 PM PDT

Researchers have developed a nanosheet-laminated photocatalytic membrane that demonstrates both excellent water permeance and photocatalytic activity. The membrane's photocatalytic properties make it easier to clean as irradiating the membrane with light successfully reduces fouling. This revolutionary membrane technology can be applied to water purification, and thus has the potential to contribute towards tackling both global environmental and energy issues by helping to ensure a supply of safe drinking water and clean energy.

It takes three: The genetic mutations that made rice cultivation possible

Posted: 05 Jul 2022 01:22 PM PDT

New research suggests that the historical emergence of cultivated rice from wild rice plants resulted from a combination of three gene mutations that make the seeds (i.e., the grains of rice) fall from the plant less easily. These results not only shed light on early history but will hopefully contribute towards the development of more efficient rice cultivars in the future.