technical updates

An observational study conducted in a French hospital showed that human contact was responsible for 90 percent of the spread of one species of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to new patients, but less than 60 percent of the spread of a different species. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2HJwb3M

African mole-rats are insensitive to many different kinds of pain. This characteristic has even allowed mole-rats to populate new habitats, researchers report. Thanks to a genetic change, the highveld mole-rat is able to live alongside venomous ants with painful stings that other mole-rats avoid. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2MgECrL

Rickettsia bacteria cause a number of human and animal infections, including Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Now, researchers have for the first time surveyed the prevalence of Rickettsia antibodies and Rickettsia-carrying ticks in wild boars, hunting dogs and hunters in Brazil. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2MmiQCQ

A protein called PD-1, which is found on immune cells called CD8+ T cells, plays a key role in controlling infection with the Epstein-Barr virus, according to a study published May 30 in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens by Christian Münz of the University of Zurich, and colleagues. The results from this study indicate that monitoring PD-1 signaling during future vaccination and immunotherapy studies may inform patient outcomes. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2HMPk4X

Scientists believe that more common forms of disease may be the result of a combination of more subtle genetic mutations that act together. Now researchers have used technological advances to prove that three subtle genetic variants inherited within a family worked together to cause heart disease in multiple siblings at a very young age. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2QwRecP

Intensive radiotherapy can be toxic in 60 percent of patients with tumors located in the gastrointestinal cavity. Increases in levels of the protein URI protect mice against high-dose ionizing radiation-induced gastrointestinal syndrome and enhance mouse intestinal regeneration and survival in 100 percent of the cases. This finding could be useful to mitigate side effects of other sources of intensive radiation, such as nuclear accidents, nuclear warfare or the exposure to cosmic radiation during space explorations. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/30VHeyr

Scientists have observed the human heart cells' 'protein factories' in action, examining the entire tissue for the very first time. The group reveals their surprising discoveries and the possibilities they contain for the future treatment of heart disease. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2XefG4Z

Researchers describe the first trial outside the laboratory of a transgenic approach to combating malaria. The study shows that a naturally occurring fungus engineered to deliver a toxin to mosquitoes safely reduced mosquito populations by more than 99% in a screen-enclosed, simulated village setting in Burkina Faso, West Africa. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2wqffZR

Illinois wheat growers, take heart. A new study shows no evidence of a highly toxic Fusarium head blight (FHB) variant, known as NA2, in the wheat-growing region of the state. The study also reinforces the effectiveness of wheat resistance to the fungal disease. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2W1n824

New findings reveal significant damage to Miami's coral reefs from the 16-month dredging operation at the Port of Miami that began in 2013. The study found that sediment buried between half to 90 percent of nearby reefs, resulting in widespread coral death. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2HLRC4o

A collaborative study led by archaeologists, geneticists and museum curators is providing answers to previously unsolved questions about life in sub-Saharan Africa thousands of years ago. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2JMGy9f

Researchers have suspected that the body's various circadian clocks can operate independently from the central clock in the hypothalamus of the brain. Now, they have found a way to test that theory. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2Z0uTXR

Researchers report on a potential therapeutic strategy to treat viral infection and boost immunity against cancer. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2wtoCYH

People working in the fishing industry have among the poorest health of all workers in England and Wales, new research suggests. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2KjdB4t

UV light damages the DNA of skin cells, which can lead to cancer. This process is counteracted by the DNA repair machinery. It has been unclear, however, how repair proteins work on DNA tightly packed in chromatin, where access to DNA damage is restricted by protein packaging. Using cryo electron microscopy, researchers from the Thomä group at the FMI have identified a new mechanism whereby repair proteins detect and bind to damaged densely packed DNA. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2KcP0y5

The discoveries not only offer new directions for fighting the virulence of some of humanity's most dangerous pathogens, they have implications for our understanding of how life itself evolved. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2JOyaX4

Researchers have designed a new, organic cathode material for lithium batteries. With sulfur at its core, the material is more energy-dense, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly than traditional cathode materials in lithium batteries. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2Qz1Asw

Scientists have demonstrated that CO2 may make a better hydraulic fracturing (fracking) fluid than water. New research could help pave the way for a more eco-friendly form of fracking that would double as a mechanism for storing captured atmospheric CO2. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2YY2SR2

Cannabis use among older adults is growing faster than any other age group but many report barriers to getting medical marijuana, a lack of communication with their doctors and a lingering stigma attached to the drug, according to researchers. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2EJVAbG

A stem cell therapy delivered into the nose can restore the sense of smell in a mouse model of olfactory loss. The findings provide proof of principle for an approach that has the potential to be of broad utility for a range of clinical conditions causing loss of olfaction. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2MeE59E

For environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, infrastructure maintenance and certain security applications, slow and energy efficient can be better than fast and always needing a recharge. That's where 'SlothBot' comes in. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2HN8xng

Boston, May 31  Stanford scientists have developed a more stable prosthetic foot which they say could make challenging terrain more manageable for people who have lost a lower leg. The new design has a kind of tripod foot that responds to rough terrain by actively shifting pressure between three different contact points. "Prosthetic emulators allow us to try lots of different designs without the overhead of new hardware," said Steven Collins, an associate professor at Stanford University in the US. "Basically, we can try any kind of crazy design ideas we might have and see how people respond to them," he said, without having to build each idea separately, an effort that can take months or years for each different design. People with a leg amputation are five times more likely to fall in the course of a year, which may contribute to why they are also less socially engaged. A better prosthetic limb could improve not just mobility but overall quality of life as ...

Fire management agencies are not increasing the use of prescribed fire—a key tool for preventing wildfires—anywhere outside of the Southeastern United States, according to a new University of Idaho study. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2HJvA2a

Buildings are responsible for approximately 40 percent of energy consumption and 36 percent of CO2 emissions in the EU, according to the European Commission. It's also widely accepted that to reduce the amount of energy used, consumers have to change their behavior. But old habits die hard, especially when it comes to making sacrifices for the environment. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2wu131W

One idea for how the universe began is that the universe may have appeared out of nothing due to some quantum effect, such as quantum tunneling. In the 1980s, Stephen Hawking and James Hartle further elaborated on this idea by suggesting that time did not exist before the beginning of the universe, leading them to conclude that the universe has no initial boundary conditions on either time or space. The idea is called the "no-boundary proposal" or the "Hawking-Hartle state." from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2Msz5ya

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory have designed a new, organic cathode material for lithium batteries. With sulfur at its core, the material is more energy-dense, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly than traditional cathode materials in lithium batteries. The research was published in Advanced Energy Materials on April 10, 2019. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2XfyRM1

In April, work began on one of the major projects scheduled for the second long shutdown (LS2) of the CERN accelerators: improving the electrical insulation of over 1200 magnets in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). To complete this mammoth task, more than 150 people are hard at work in the LHC tunnel... and they will be there for over a year. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2Qy5LoF

Changes in seabird numbers are probably the best way to monitor the quality of the marine environment. And things are looking bad. In the past 50 years, the world population of marine birds has more than halved. What's worse is that few people have noticed. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2wuP2Ju

With natural hazard and climate-related disasters on the rise, online tools such as crowdsourced mapping and social media can help people understand and respond to a crisis. They enable people to share their location and contribute information. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2QyrxbB

Giant beavers the size of black bears once roamed the lakes and wetlands of North America. Fortunately for cottage-goers, these mega-rodents died out at the end of the last ice age. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2wvRDTq

The news of Courtney Herron's death has shocked Melburnians. While full details are yet to emerge, both she and the man charged with murdering her have been widely reported as being homeless. It's revealing how news media use this information in framing their coverage of what happened. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2JLzN7R

A volcanic eruption believed to be eye-witnessed by humans in prehistoric times happened 245,000 years later than originally expected, according to new research involving Curtin University researchers. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2KafWi1

If you hear someone say "John and Mary kiss," you'd likely imagine a single symmetrical action. But hear them say "John and Mary kiss each other," and you may construe an entirely different picture—one in which the parties reciprocate with two separate actions, kissing the other's hand. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2JKStEF

A team of chemists from Tomsk Polytechnic University discovered a mechanism of direct electrophilic amination and predicted the ways of its implementation. TPU scientists proved the most promising method for rapid and cost-effective production of aromatic amines. They are ones of the most sought-after organic synthesis products that are used in the manufacture of drugs, dyes, tires, and polymers. The study results were published in Chemistry Select. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2QzYkNq

Certain ranges of frequency across the electromagnetic spectrum are reserved by regulators for particular applications: TV, digital radio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth etc. Unregulated devices are precluded from broadcasting on these spread frequencies. However, much of the bandwidth is unused across vast swathes of the planet and could be used by other devices, but for those legal constraints. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2wq5ISy

A team of researchers from Université Clermont Auvergne and BreedWheat in France and the International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium in the U.S. has conducted genomic testing of thousands of wheat types to trace the genetic history and diversity of wheat. In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, the group describes their study of the history of wheat domestication and how it has come to exist in its present state. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2QzYjsQ

NASA's Curiosity rover has confirmed that the region on Mars it's exploring, called the "clay-bearing unit," is well deserving of its name. Two samples the rover recently drilled at rock targets called "Aberlady" and "Kilmarie" have revealed the highest amounts of clay minerals ever found during the mission. Both drill targets appear in a new selfie taken by the rover on May 12, 2019, the 2,405th Martian day, or sol, of the mission. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2WzJ1Kf

A UNSW study has found the length that tailor (bluefish) are reaching maturity has increased by 5cm in four decades, which means some fish are currently being removed too early in their life cycle through the practice of fishing. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2wpZqCk

The quotation marks had the force of tradition—and the tradition of force—behind them. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2IeegBg

While we now know of thousands of exoplanets—planets around other stars—the vast majority of our knowledge is indirect. That is, scientists have not actually taken many pictures of exoplanets, and because of the limits of current technology, we can only see these worlds as points of light. However, the number of exoplanets that have been directly imaged is growing over time. When NASA's James Webb Space Telescope launches in 2021, it will open a new window on these exoplanets, observing them in wavelengths at which they have never been seen before and gaining new insights about their nature. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2VWTTgR

Without significant global reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, Colombia will have 60 percent less land suitable for rice production by the 2050s, according to a new study by the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS). Due primarily to increased temperatures and decreased rainfall—as opposed to sea-level rise, which is the driver of projected change to rice production in some Asian countries—the research shows suitable conditions will need to be found at higher elevations when low-altitude fields are too hot or dry for irrigated rice production. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2QACzx0

A team of researchers affiliated with several institutions in the U.S. and one in France has found evidence of ammonia on the surface of Pluto. In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, the group describes their finding and what it might have revealed about the dwarf planet. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2WboP1X

What doesn't kill a bacterium makes it stronger. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2JNUJv0

Electrospinning, a nanofiber fabrication method, can produce nanometer- to micrometer-diameter ceramic, polymer, and metallic fibers of various compositions for a wide spectrum of applications: tissue engineering, filtration, fuel cells and lithium batteries. These materials have unique properties because of their high-aspect-ratio morphology and large surface area. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2I8SpLA

Combining big data with artificial intelligence has allowed University of Copenhagen researchers to determine whether you wrote your assignment or whether a ghostwriter penned it for you—with nearly 90 percent accuracy. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2YXcHym

When it comes to road transport, Australia is at risk of becoming a climate villain as we lag behind international best practice on fuel efficiency. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2HK6MXR

While cosmetic surgery is becoming increasingly common in the world of advertising, chasing beauty ideals by going under the knife does not necessarily make a model more attractive to consumers. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2QB0Gfm

Understanding the relationship between religion and ethical decision-making is important for organizations with diverse workforces. While there is considerable research from a Christian perspective, the same is not true for Islamic traditions, says Massey University Ph.D. graduate Rahizah Sulaiman. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2wrvbeh

Fresh observations of Comet 46P/Wirtanen, which swung by Earth in December 2018, suggest that more of Earth's water came from comets than previous studies suggested. from Space.com http://bit.ly/2JLNeEu

Harrison Ford gives voice to the first man to walk on the moon in "Armstrong," a new documentary being released July 12, in time for the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission. from Space.com http://bit.ly/2KeqFry

A new paper could end up being a big step toward solving one of the oldest unanswered puzzles in mathematics: Is the Riemann hypothesis correct? from Space.com http://bit.ly/2JM2fWX

Astronomers have used a desert-based observatory to identify an exoplanet that falls in the middle of what scientists had dubbed the Neptunian Desert. from Space.com http://bit.ly/2KbKu2Q

When looking for new planets, astronomers look for a dip in the light of a star — with the planet orbiting it and blocking the light. from The Hindu - Science http://bit.ly/30W0vjm

LONDON Astronomers say they have discovered a rogue exoplanet with its own atmosphere in the Neptunian Desert. NGTS-4b, nick-named 'The Forbidden Planet' is smaller than Neptune but three times the size of Earth, said researchers led by the University of Warwick in the UK. The exoplanet, described in the journal Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, has a mass of 20 Earth masses, a radius 20 per cent smaller than Neptune, and temperature of 1000 degrees Celsius. It orbits around the star in only 1.3 days—the equivalent of Earth's orbit around the Sun of one year. It is the first exoplanet of its kind to have been found in the Neptunian Desert, researchers said. The Neptunian Desert is the region close to stars where no Neptune-sized planets are found, they said. This area receives strong irradiation from the star, meaning the planets do not retain their gaseous atmosphere as they evaporate leaving just a rocky core. However NGTS-4b still has its atmosph...

WASHINGTON: Scientists have discovered a way to identify indicators of a mega earthquake using GPS-based information, an advance that may help improve early warning systems for quakes. The researchers from University of Oregon in the US combed through databases of earthquakes since the early 1990s have discovered a possible defining moment 10-15 seconds into an event that could signal a magnitude seven or larger quake. Likewise, that moment—gleaned from GPS data on the peak rate of acceleration of ground displacement—can indicate a smaller event. GPS picks up an initial signal of movement along a fault similar to a seismometer detecting the smallest first moments of an earthquake. Such GPS-based information potentially could enhance the value of earthquake early warning systems, said Diego Melgar, a professor in the University of Oregon. The physics-heavy analyses of two databases detected a point in time where a newly initiated earthquake transitions into a slip pulse where mecha...

WASHINGTON: Rocks on the surface of Mars that look like layers of pasta may be the most obvious sign of life on the Red Planet, a NASA-funded study suggests. The bacterium that controls the formation of such rocks on the Earth is ancient and thrives in harsh environments that are similar to conditions on the Mars, according to the study published in the journal Astrobiology. “It has an unusual name, Sulfurihydrogenibium yellowstonense. We just call it ‘Sulfuri’,” said Bruce Fouke, a professor at the University of Illinois in the US. The bacterium belongs to a lineage that evolved prior to the oxygenation of Earth roughly 2.35 billion years ago, Fouke said. It can survive in extremely hot, fast-flowing water bubbling up from underground hot springs. It can withstand exposure to ultraviolet light and survives only in environments with extremely low oxygen levels, using sulphur and carbon dioxide as energy sources. “Taken together, these traits make it a prime candidate for colonisi...

NEW DELHI A century ago, a few adventurous astronomers pointed their telescopes at the skies, observing one of the most famous solar eclipses that helped transform our understanding of the universe forever. The event helped verify Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity which underpins critical modern technologies such as the satellite-based Global Positioning System (GPS). The theory is essential for the correct operation of GPS systems, which in turn are relied on in many common applications including vehicle satellite navigation (SatNav) systems, weather forecasting, disaster relief and emergency services. "This observation not only confirmed a fundamental theory of nature, and enhanced our understanding of nature in a great way, but also showed the genius of Einstein," Sudip Bhattacharyya, Associate Professor at Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Mumbai told PTI. "It was as if, he said something bizarre, made an outlandish theory, and th...

Computers and similar electronic devices have gotten faster and smaller over the decades as computer-chip makers have learned how to shrink individual transistors, the tiny electrical switches that convey digital information. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2HJV8fG

Stretchable electronics are where engineering meets Hollywood special effects. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2HJEnkH

For some people, the thought of their partner, friend or colleague snooping through their phone, reading their texts and emails, is an automatic deal breaker. However, some relationships can survive the snooping, a new study examining the motivations behind phone snooping has found. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/30UWwTZ

Researchers have combined two separate computer models to identify areas at highest risk for outbreaks of lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) in cattle. The models could help officials determine where to send resources ahead of outbreaks and serve as a potential early warning system for cattle farmers in affected areas. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2W2YqhM

A Florida State University researcher has found gender inequality in U.S. states is bad for everybody's health. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/30UWv2n

Apple is seen as a prime target for retaliation over US moves against the Chinese tech giant Huawei, but the roots planted by the company in China should help it weather the storm, analysts say. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2I6sbtl

The evolution of larger brain size in offspring is associated with the amount of paternal care in mammals, whereas higher fertility in the mothers is correlated with additional care support from individuals that are not the offspring's biological parents (alloparents), according to a study published in the journal Behavioural Ecology and Sociobiology. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2WeJsub

A replica of the Palace of Versailles, medieval turrets, and spires rise across Huawei's new campus in southern China, a monument to the telecom giant's growing fortune—and the benefits of state aid. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2VX7Ifb

The head of Boeing acknowledged Wednesday that the company "clearly fell short" in dealing with the accident-ridden 737 MAX and said that it had not adequately communicated with regulators. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2VW0TL7

G20 countries are planning a new tax policy for digital giants like Google, based on the business a company does in a country, not where it is headquartered, the Nikkei business daily said Thursday. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/30WpJOm

I've been grilling for years, and love it. I've also been cleaning grills for years, and hate it. The past few years, I've used a power washer with good results but it's still a chore. The Grillbot has been out for a few years but I didn't know about it, so I'll assume you didn't know about the grill cleaning robot either. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2JNG2Ie

A research paper which revolutionised how cars read traffic signs has been recognised as the 'most influential over the decade' at a ceremony in Tokyo. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2JL0md0

A plan to develop an acoustic system to chase away seals in order to prevent shark attacks is the latest front in the debate about how Cape Cod should respond in the wake of last year's shark attacks. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2JKg9Jd

Hanli Liu, a professor of bioengineering at The University of Texas at Arlington, is working to improve memory and cognitive function in astronauts during space missions by directing light onto their brains. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2Iao67p

Birds may not have a word for maroon. Or burnt sienna. But show a zebra finch a sunset-colored object, and she'll quickly decide whether it looks more like "red" or "orange." from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/30RqTuF

One of the most devastating images from 2015 shows a 3-year-old boy, Alan Kurdi, facedown and unmoving on a beach in Turkey. Alan had drowned during an attempt to escape Syria, and the image sparked outrage and concern worldwide over the refugee crisis in Europe. It also highlighted the power a single image can have. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/30PlfcF

Thinning forests and conducting prescribed burns may help preserve trees in future droughts and bark beetle epidemics expected under climate change, suggests a study from the University of California, Davis. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2VYX8o5

More than a dozen chemical blends could serve as alternative refrigerants that won't heat the atmosphere as much as today's refrigerants do, or catch fire, according to a new computational study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2MjZuyc

Research from Washington State University could provide government regulators with powerful new tools for addressing a bevy of commercial claims and other concerns as non-medical marijuana, hemp and CBD products become more commonplace. The new analysis of the genetic and chemical characteristics of cannabis is believed to be the first thorough examination of its kind. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2HIWabC

A study led by Columbia Mailman School examined the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program to understand residents' experiences and their perspective on the program. The study published in Housing Policy Debates is among the first to examine the impact of RAD which aims to improve and preserve affordable housing by converting traditional public housing to rental assistance. The results from one of the first sites in the U.S. to successfully undergo the RAD conversion indicate notable, and mostly positive, results associated with conversions according to residents. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2YRfrxa

The global aviation association IATA expects Boeing's troubled 737 MAX 8 plane to remain grounded for at least 10 to 12 more weeks, director general Alexandre de Juniac said Wednesday. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2HKicuL

As the effects of a changing climate are felt with growing intensity, researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders are turning their attention to adaptive strategies that can help build resilience. Of particular import will be adaptions aimed at improving the resilience of cities, many of which lie in the coastal areas that face the greatest peril. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2YWJnIy

A new study has revealed a range of factors that cause a variation in predation by magpies on farmland songbirds. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2I6VHz6

Efforts to create reliable light-based quantum computing, quantum key distribution for cybersecurity, and other technologies got a boost from a new study demonstrating an innovative method for creating thin films to control the emission of single photons. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/30U33OL

Uber riders prone to rude behavior such as leaving trash or urging drivers to speed may be booted from the app under a policy change that took effect here Wednesday. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2JR2qAD

Northern and Central Asia have been neglected in studies of early human migration, with deserts and mountains being considered uncompromising barriers. However, a new study by an international team argues that humans may have moved through these extreme settings in the past under wetter conditions. We must now reconsider where we look for the earliest traces of our species in northern Asia, as well as the zones of potential interaction with other hominins such as Neanderthals and Denisovans. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2JI40ol

Physicists and mathematicians use the classical Stefan problem to explain the principles of crystal formation, such as those that create snowflakes . Researchers in the University of Helsinki and Aalto University have now adapted the same principles to explain how tooth enamel gets distributed over the crown during growth. The newly published work provides a theoretical basis for the developmental regulation of enamel formation, and helps to uncover why species such as humans and orangutans have very different looking teeth. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2Kd85QA

Scientists combing through databases of earthquakes since the early 1990s have discovered a possible defining moment 10-15 seconds into an event that could signal a magnitude 7 or larger megaquake. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2Kkqqvp

A new paper explores the genetic signatures of a pair of wolves isolated on Isle Royale, a remote national park in Lake Superior. The pair are father-daughter and share the same mother. Such close inbreeding leads to genetic anomalies, which likely are the main driver behind the wolf population crash over the past decade. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2JJwMEZ

The diamond on your finger is most likely made of recycled seabed cooked deep in the Earth. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories http://bit.ly/2KbTmW5

People living with anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions may soon be able to use a smartphone app to deliver on-demand cognitive bias modification for interpretation (CBM-I), a way to change mental habits without visiting a therapist. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2KbKC2b

A new study found that older women, taking as few as 4,400 steps per day was significantly associated with lower risk of death compared to taking 2,700 steps per day. Risk of death continued to decrease with more steps taken but leveled off at around 7,500 steps per day -- less than the 10,000 steps default goal in many wearables. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2HHUH5f

A new blueprint to guide the next decade of animal genomics research outlines research priorities that will help livestock producers meet the protein needs of a growing global population. The blueprint calls for increased emphasis on how genomics interact with production methods and environmental factors to make livestock production a predictive science. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2YYL6gy

A new device for collecting and purifying water was inspired by a rose and, while more engineered than enchanted, is a dramatic improvement on current methods. Each flower-like structure costs less than 2 cents and can produce more than half a gallon of water per hour per square meter. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2WbyC89

Thinning forests and conducting prescribed burns may help preserve trees in future droughts and bark beetle epidemics expected under climate change, suggests a new study. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2JNhI9o

Birds may not have a word for maroon. Or burnt sienna. But show a zebra finch a sunset-colored object, and she'll quickly decide whether it looks more 'red' or 'orange.' A new study shows that birds mentally sort the range of hues on the blue-green side of the spectrum into two categories too, but the line between them is fuzzier, perhaps because 'either/or' thinking is less useful in this part of the spectrum, researchers say. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2YTqUMP

Scientists combing through databases of earthquakes since the early 1990s have discovered a possible defining moment 10-15 seconds into an event that could signal a magnitude 7 or larger megaquake. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2JMPfjO

More than a dozen chemical blends could serve as alternative refrigerants that won't heat the atmosphere as much as today's refrigerants do, or catch fire, according to a new computational study. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2EFEjjO

Combining big data with artificial intelligence has allowed researchers to determine whether you wrote your assignment or whether a ghostwriter penned it for you -- with nearly 90 percent accuracy. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2wrGEdN

Research could provide government regulators with powerful new tools for addressing a bevy of commercial claims and other concerns as non-medical marijuana, hemp and CBD products become more commonplace. The new analysis of the genetic and chemical characteristics of cannabis is believed to be the first thorough examination of its kind. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2QwQfJp

Researchers have developed a machine learning model of the invisible networks around us including, how viruses interact with proteins and genes in the body. Their work, they believe, can help across the disciplines from the design of future medicines or gene therapies against viruses and diseases like cancer or help understand how to address cyber attacks. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2wrGymr

New York City Clean Air Taxi rules are successful in cutting emissions and reducing air pollution, according to a new study. Between 2009 and 2015, the legislation more than doubled the fuel efficiency of the fleet of 13,500 yellow taxis, leading to estimated declines in air pollution emissions. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2JLYZLb

BRCA DNA-repair proteins interact with a molecular complex that is also responsible for regulating the immune system. When certain players in this pathway go awry, autoimmune disorders arise. An international team has deciphered the structure of the complex and have found new molecular targets for fighting autoimmunity. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2I2WHUQ

Scientists have identified a new internal regulator which helps control the body's response to fight infection. The discovery could be a target for new drugs to tackle autoimmune diseases. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2JKVG7e

Different types of fibroblasts -- the most common cells of connective tissue in animals -- are organized in different layers in the joint and are responsible for two very different forms of arthritis: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, new research shows. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2JNTsDR

Researchers have developed a simple new blood test that can detect the presence of seven different types of cancer by spotting unique patterns in the fragmentation of DNA shed from cancer cells and circulating in the bloodstream. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2WAynTo

A new study is the first to have observed the complex set of chemical and molecular events that disrupt the microbiome and trigger immune responses during flare-ups of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2X9EHhQ

Scientists have deciphered how a virus genome is condensed inside the capsid of a virus. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2MfUtGV

Successful new field tests of a continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) system over commercial fiber networks could pave the way to its use in metropolitan areas. That is the key achievement from a team of scientists, which demonstrates CV-QKD transmission over commercial deployed fiber link with a distance of 50 kilometers. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2Mi7Czh

In patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the rate of disease growth is apt to follow one of three trajectories: relentlessly upward, steadily level, or something in between, scientists report in a new study. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2HKHZmx

In order to find out which genes are responsible for diseases such as cancer or diabetes, scientists nowadays frequently resort to using machine-learning models. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2Qwsm4H

To thwart sophisticated deep fake methods of altering photos and video, researchers have devised a technique to authenticate images throughout the entire pipeline, from acquisition to delivery, using artificial intelligence. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2X8Ke8p

Taxes on sugary products and labels on the front of packages can help reduce sugar consumption, according to a new study. The study, which included more than 3,500 people aged 13 and over on their purchasing behavior last spring, also found that taxes could have the greatest impact if 100 per cent fruit juice was included in reduction efforts. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2X9zreg

Without significant global reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, Colombia will have 60% less land suitable for rice production by the 2050s. Due primarily to increased temperatures and decreased rainfall -- as opposed to sea-level rise, which is the driver of projected change to rice production in some Asian countries -- the research shows suitable conditions will need to be found at higher elevations when low-altitude fields are too hot or dry for irrigated rice. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2Wd7END

Efforts to create reliable light-based quantum computing, quantum key distribution for cybersecurity, and other technologies got a boost from a new study demonstrating an innovative method for creating thin films to control the emission of single photons. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2EFwivq

Manuka honey could provide the key to a breakthrough treatment for cystic fibrosis patients following preliminary work. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2WvsfvI

Climate change poses major threats to people around the world. One important method for adapting to these changes may lie in the deployment of nature-based solutions in urban areas. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2XeuMHK

A new study has revealed a range of factors that cause a variation in predation by magpies on farmland songbirds. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2JN0BnW

Engineering researchers have developed a new electrochemical path to transform carbon dioxide into valuable products such as jet fuel or plastics. The technology could significantly improve the economics of capturing and recycling carbon directly from the air. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2wqy7YB

Wearing a sensor-packed glove while handling a variety of objects, researchers have compiled a massive dataset that enables an AI system to recognize objects through touch alone. The information could be leveraged to help robots identify and manipulate objects, and may aid in prosthetics design. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2XgTK9I

WASHINGTON Rocks on the surface of Mars that look like layers of pasta may be the most obvious sign of life on the Red Planet, a NASA-funded study suggests. The bacterium that controls the formation of such rocks on Earth is ancient and thrives in harsh environments that are similar to conditions on Mars, according to the study published in the journal Astrobiology. "It has an unusual name, Sulfurihydrogenibium yellowstonense. We just call it 'Sulfuri'," said Bruce Fouke, a professor at the University of Illinois in the US. The bacterium belongs to a lineage that evolved prior to the oxygenation of Earth roughly 2.35 billion years ago, Fouke said. It can survive in extremely hot, fast-flowing water bubbling up from underground hot springs. It can withstand exposure to ultraviolet light and survives only in environments with extremely low oxygen levels, using sulphur and carbon dioxide as energy sources. "Taken together, these traits make it a prime candida...