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Showing posts from August, 2021

Quantum crystal could reveal the identity of dark matter

By entangling the motion and quantum properties of a beryllium crystal, scientists have achieved unprecedented precision for measuring electromagnetic waves. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3gOS3Ms

The 2021 US Open is underway and here's what its tennis stadium looks like from space

Fans may have had limited access to U.S. Open tennis tournaments over the last year and a half, but at least they can view it from space. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3Bo6KxI

This rainbow-making tech could help autonomous vehicles read signs

A new study explains the science behind microscale concave interfaces (MCI) -- structures that reflect light to produce beautiful and potentially useful optical phenomena. Future applications of these effects could include aiding autonomous vehicles in recognizing traffic signs, researchers say. Multiple images, including of a sign created using the material, are available. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/38u88T2

Machine learning algorithm revolutionizes how scientists study behavior

B-SOiD is an open source, unsupervised algorithm that can discover and identify behaviors without user input. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3mOrk6h

NASA challenges students to dream up experiments for suborbital rocket launches

NASA is looking for student teams to enter its TechRise Student Challenge, which tasks students in grades six through 12 with designing experiments to launch on a suborbital spaceflight. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3BpXyZR

Could climate change make humans go extinct?

Humanity is feeling the effects of climate change around the world, but could climate change make humans go extinct? from Space.com https://ift.tt/38t7tBn

Census: Childless older women better off than older men

Older adults who are childless in the U.S. are more likely to be college educated, working and white than those with children, and their numbers are growing. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3BrMTO5

Model of SARS-CoV-2 dynamics reveals opportunity to prevent COVID-19 transmission

Scientists have simulated the transition of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein structure from when it recognizes the host cell to when it gains entry, according to a study published today in eLife. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3Dx4JRH

New family of ferroelectric materials raises possibilities for improved information and energy storage

A new family of materials that could result in improved digital information storage and uses less energy may be possible thanks to a team of Penn State researchers who demonstrated ferroelectricity in magnesium-substituted zinc oxide. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3jz5To1

Rare earth elements and old mines spell trouble for Western U.S. water supplies

Rare earth elements are finding their way into Colorado water supplies, driven by changes in climate, finds a new study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3mQj2L9

An accidental discovery hints at a hidden population of cosmic objects

Brown dwarfs aren't quite stars and aren't quite planets, and a new study suggests there might be more of them lurking in our galaxy than scientists previously thought. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/38u90ao

'X-ray magnifying glass' enhances view of distant black holes

By taking advantage of a natural lens in space, astronomers have captured an unprecedented look at X-rays from a black hole system in the early universe. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2WyrXGJ

Dark Energy Camera captures detailed view of striking peculiar galaxy

A spectacular portrait of the galaxy Centaurus A has been captured by astronomers using the Dark Energy Camera mounted on the Víctor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile. This galaxy's peculiar appearance—cloaked in dark tendrils of dust—stems from a past interaction with another galaxy, and its size and proximity to Earth make it one of the best-studied giant galaxies in the night sky. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/38uHbig

Ferroelectrics everywhere?

A new family of materials that could result in improved digital information storage and uses less energy may be possible thanks to a team of researchers who demonstrated ferroelectricity in magnesium-substituted zinc oxide. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3mWqvbA

Researchers discover way to switch on and speed up tendon healing

A research team investigated whether electrical therapy, coupled with exercise, would show promise in treating tendon disease or ruptures. They found that tendon cell function and repair can be controlled through electrical stimulation from an implantable device powered by body movement. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3BrByOb

Animal rights groups sue to stop Wisconsin wolf hunt

A coalition of animal rights groups filed a lawsuit Tuesday to stop Wisconsin's wolf hunt this fall and invalidate a state law mandating annual hunts, arguing the statutes don't give wildlife officials any leeway to consider population estimates. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3kMaUsO

Heading back to the office? Not all workplace interruptions are bad for business

If you're heading back to the office after working from home, you may re-encounter interruptions you've not experienced for 18 months: The family pet is replaced by chatty coworkers who stop at your desk to say hi. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3mON9CT

Lack of non-English languages in STEM publications hurts diversity

With today's existing translation tools to overcome language barriers, global collaboration should be no major feat for researchers. Yet throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, articles published in Chinese journals focusing on critical aspects of the disease were often never cited by English journals. As a result, U.S. academics wasted precious time performing research thereby replicating already published results. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/38wuJOZ

In a common genetic disorder, blood test reveals when benign tumors turn cancerous

Researchers have developed a blood test that, they believe, could one day offer a highly sensitive and inexpensive approach to detect cancer early in people with NF1. The blood test could also help doctors monitor how well patients are responding to treatment for their cancer. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3zzNb51

Fighting brain cancer at its root

Researchers identify proteins that drive cancer stem cells. Targeting and suppressing a particular protein called galectin1 could provide a more effective treatment for glioblastoma, in combination with radiation therapy. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3yAFQRo

‘Tipping points’ in Earth’s system triggered rapid climate change 55 million years ago

Scientists have uncovered a fascinating new insight into what caused one of the most rapid and dramatic instances of climate change in the history of the Earth. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WG8N1e

Using liquid metal to turn motion into electricity, even underwater

Researchers have created a soft, stretchable device that converts movement into electricity and works in both dry and wet environments. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3ywv1A2

Hidden factors that affect solar farms during severe weather

Researchers combined large sets of real-world solar data and advanced machine learning to study the impacts of severe weather on U.S. solar farms, and sort out what factors affect energy generation. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jwNJD7

Researchers identify record number of ancient elephant bone tools

Ancient humans could do some impressive things with elephant bones. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/38wYGOF

Researchers explore how people respond to wildfire smoke

As wildfires become commonplace in the western U.S. and around the world, checking the daily air quality warning has become as routine as checking the weather. But what people do with that data—whether it drives them to slip on a mask before stepping outside or seal up their homes against smoke—is not always straightforward or rational, according to new Stanford research. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3kH3DKH

New archeological discoveries in Australia highlight lack of protections for submerged Indigenous sites

New archeological research highlights major blind spots in Australia's environmental management policies, placing submerged Indigenous heritage at risk. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2WB6Tiw

Reliable oxygenation conceivable with new design for portable concentrators

Anticipating the increased need for better oxygen concentrators as the fight against COVID-19 rages on, researchers have laid a computational framework to design the most optimal concentrator to filter ambient air and produce oxygen that can scale with patient demand. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3sZ8B9i

How people respond to wildfire smoke

Interviews with Northern California residents reveal that social norms and social support are essential for understanding protective health behaviors during wildfire smoke events -- information that could be leveraged to improve public health outcomes. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3yz0rWi

Record number of ancient elephant bone tools discovered

Humans living about 400,000 years ago produced an unprecedented diversity of elephant bone tools, including pointed tools for carving meat and wedge-shaped tools for cracking open large femurs and other long bones. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3kJ5M8O

Learning from a 'living fossil'

As we live and breathe, ancient-looking fish known as bowfin are guarding genetic secrets that that can help unravel humanity's evolutionary history and better understand its health. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3DtDxDx

Tracking genetically modified animals

Researchers have discovered a new way to track genetically modified animals using the artificial transgenes they leave behind in the environment. The discovery provides a powerful new tool to locate and manage genetically modified animals that have escaped or been released into the wild. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WD0Lqa

The flower clock: How a small protein helps flowers to develop right and on time

Researchers from Nara Institute of Science and Technology and Nanjing University have found that KNUCKLES (KNU), a small multi-functional protein, helps flowers to complete their development correctly and in a timely way. KNU stops a feedback loop between two genes, playing multiple roles to allow the proper formation of flower reproductive organs within a short time frame. This research will be useful for genetic studies of food crops, and food production globally. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3yu72kS

Astronaut gets special ice cream delivery for 50th birthday

A space station astronaut is celebrating her 50th birthday with the coolest present ever—a supply ship bearing ice cream and other treats. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3yz6mKR

Breaking ammonia: A new catalyst to generate hydrogen from ammonia at low temperatures

The current global climate emergency and our rapidly receding energy resources have people looking out for cleaner alternatives like hydrogen fuel. When burnt in the presence of oxygen, hydrogen gas generates huge amounts of energy but none of the harmful greenhouse gases, unlike fossil fuels. Unfortunately, most of the hydrogen fuel produced today comes from natural gas or fossil fuels, which ultimately increases its carbon footprint. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3mTaXp0

Extreme sea levels to become much more common

Global warming will cause extreme sea levels to occur almost every year by the end of the century, impacting major coastlines worldwide, according to new research from an international team of scientists. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3Bkr9nk

How to produce proteins at the right speed

In all eukaryotic organisms, genetic material is stored in the cell nucleus in the form of DNA. In order to be used, this DNA is first transcribed into messenger RNA in the cell cytoplasm, then translated into protein with the help of ribosomes, small machines capable of decoding messenger RNA to synthesize the appropriate proteins. However, the speed with which this mechanism takes place is not uniform: it must adapt to allow the protein to adopt the right configuration. Indeed, a deregulation of the production rate leads to structural defects. The proteins, which are not correctly folded will aggregate, become unusable and often toxic for the cell. By analyzing the rate of ribosome movement in yeast cells, a team from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, in collaboration with the University of Hamburg, has succeeded in demonstrating that the rate of protein synthesis is modulated by regulatory factors that modify at will the rate of translation of messenger RNA into protein...

Beavers are well established and moving through the Oregon Coast Range

Beavers are often translocated to restore populations in areas, reduce their conflicts with humans and to take advantage of their ability to improve ecosystems. However, few studies have accessed the impacts of dispersing beavers, making it difficult to determine best practices for translocations. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3DuO6pI

Granulocytes may weaken immune response in connection with COVID-19

Information on granulocytes sheds light on the mechanisms associated with COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jr6XKw

Breast milk proven to enhance heart performance in premature babies

New research demonstrates the beneficial effect of breast milk consumption on cardiovascular health and early cardiovascular development in premature infants. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3yoyCQw

Turning thermal energy into electricity

With the addition of sensors and enhanced communication tools, providing lightweight, portable power has become even more challenging. New research demonstrated a new approach to turning thermal energy into electricity that could provide compact and efficient power. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3DvZ1j6

How a racing heart may alter decision-making brain circuits

In an effort to understand how the internal state of the body influences the brain's decision-making processes, scientists analyzed the data from a previous study pre-clinical study. They found that two of the brain's decision-making centers contain neurons that may exclusively monitor the body's internal dynamics. Furthermore, a heightened state of arousal appeared to rewire one of the centers by turning some decision-making neurons into internal state monitors. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3DyXHvG

New mathematical solutions to an old problem in astronomy

The Bernese theoretical astrophysicist Kevin Heng has achieved a rare feat: On paper, he has derived novel solutions to an old mathematical problem needed to calculate light reflections from planets and moons. Now, data can be interpreted in a simple way to understand planetary atmospheres, for example. The new formulae will likely be incorporated into future textbooks. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WFvAKT

At least 80% of opioid overdoses aren’t fatal, but how do they affect the brain?

Scientists still know little about how opioid overdoses affect the brain and cognition. Researchers found that, while evidence exists to support a link between overdose, cognitive impairment and brain abnormalities, more research is needed in this area. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3gIVh3O

‘Smart’ shirt keeps tabs on the heart

Carbon nanotube thread woven into athletic shirts gathered electrocardiogram and heart rate data that matched standard monitors and beat chest-strap monitors. The fibers are flexible and the shirts are machine washable. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2V2fDxy

Hobit turns immune cells into killers

Against infections, tumors and inflammations, immune cells are locally positioned as rapid reaction forces in the organs of the body. On site, they specialize and take on various tasks. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3DsSbe9

Small cracks found in International Space Station module: report

Small cracks have been discovered in the International Space Station's Russian-built Zarya module, according to a new report. from Space.com https://ift.tt/2Wxvbdw

Synthetic biology enables microbes to build muscle

Would you wear clothing made of muscle fibers? Use them to tie your shoes or even wear them as a belt? It may sound a bit odd, but if those fibers could endure more energy before breaking than cotton, silk, nylon, or even Kevlar, then why not? from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2UYLSxD

Hurricane Ida pummels Louisiana, knocks out power in New Orleans

Powerful Hurricane Ida battered the southern US state of Louisiana and plunged New Orleans into darkness Sunday, leaving at least one person dead 16 years to the day after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3sVVxRY

'Desert': drying Euphrates threatens disaster in Syria

Syria's longest river used to flow by his olive grove, but today Khaled al-Khamees says it has receded into the distance, parching his trees and leaving his family with hardly a drop to drink. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3Dt5CL9

Benin's rare swamp forest 'at risk of disappearing'

In the freshwater swamp forest of Hlanzoun in southern Benin, majestic trees hum with chirping birds and playful monkeys. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2UW2Mga

Hurricane Ida strikes Louisiana as Category 4 storm

Hurricane Ida struck the coast of Louisiana Sunday as a powerful Category 4 storm, 16 years to the day after deadly Hurricane Katrina devastated the southern US city of New Orleans. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3mIxBRd

Ida: Exclamation point on record onslaught of US landfalls

In the past two years, hurricanes have been brewing, strengthening and hitting the United States at a record pace, and Ida will likely go down as one of the nastiest of a dangerous bunch. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3jroZwg

Edoxaban may be effective treatment for atrial fibrillation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement

A new study compares edoxaban anticoagulant with the standard of care in large randomized clinical trial. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3Bmxy1h

The physics behind a tardigrade's lumbering gait

Animals as small and soft as tardigrades seldom have legs and almost never bother walking. But a new study finds that water bears propel themselves through sediment and soil on eight stubby legs, in a manner resembling that of insects 500,000 times their size. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3h1UDin

Common pesticide may contribute to global obesity crisis

Researchers discovered that chlorpyrifos, which is banned for use on foods in Canada but widely sprayed on fruits and vegetables in many other parts of the world, slows down the burning of calories in the brown adipose tissue of mice. Reducing this burning of calories, a process known as diet-induced thermogenesis, causes the body to store these extra calories, promoting obesity. Scientists made the discovery after studying 34 commonly used pesticides and herbicides in brown fat cells and testing the effects of chlorpyrifos in mice fed high calorie diets. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3ymcXsh

Scientists discover a new type of infrared polaritons at the surface of bulk crystals

An international team has reported the observation of ghost polaritons, which are a new form of surface waves carrying nanoscale light strongly coupled with material oscillations and featuring highly collimated propagation properties. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3ysDaFA

Moderate-vigorous physical activity is the most efficient at improving fitness

In the largest study performed to date to understand the relationship between habitual physical activity and physical fitness, researchers have found that higher amount of time spent performing exercise (moderate-vigorous physical activity) and low-moderate level activity (steps) and less time spent sedentary, translated to greater physical fitness. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WsomcF

Global sand and gravel extraction conflicts with half of UN Sustainable Development Goals

Sand and gravel are the most mined materials in the world, with between 32 and 50 billion tons extracted globally each year. They are being extracted faster than they can be replaced. But according to a new study, the human and environmental costs of this extraction on lower and middle-income countries have been largely overlooked. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3kxrM6d

Rare barley mutation with potential

The importance of the root system for agricultural yields is often underestimated. Whether roots can access water and nutrients effectively also determines the resilience of important crops to drought and climate change. Researchers have discovered and described a mutant in barley: Its roots grow downwards much more sharply than usual. This discovery potentially provides a starting point for breeding more drought-resistant varieties. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3sUWxWH

Carbon neutrality – a new policy brief for municipalities world wide

How to design efficient demo areas for urban carbon sequestration? In the latest policy brief research groups focus on the main principles of urban demonstration areas using biochars for carbon sequestration. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3sX1Ft9

Breakthrough in sizing nanoparticles using fluid-filled tubes

Scientists have discovered that the mass and size of nano-particles can be simultaneously measured by passing the nanoparticles, in their native solution, through an inexpensive and simple mechanical tube. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3Dq3jZf

Observing a higher-dimensional topological state with metamaterials

Linked Weyl surfaces, a novel type of topological phase that exists in five-dimensional space, have now been experimentally observed. The work provides a unique platform for exploring various topological phases, the transition between them, and the corresponding boundary effects in five dimensions. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3sYhlMI

Guidelines on heart failure management

New guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic heart failure have just been published. Approximately 2% of adults worldwide have heart failure. Prevalence increases with age, from 1% in those under 55 years to more than 10% in people aged 70 and above. In developed countries, the most common causes are coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. Patients with heart failure have a poor prognosis and markedly reduced quality of life. The main symptoms are breathlessness, ankle swelling, and tiredness. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3BnBOh7

Maternal voice reduces pain in premature babies

A baby born prematurely often has to be separated from its parents and placed in an incubator in intensive care. For several weeks, he or she will undergo routine medical procedures that can be painful, without being relieved by too many pharmaceutical painkillers, which are risky for his or her development. So how can we act for the good of the baby? A team observed that when the mother spoke to her baby at the time of the medical intervention, the signs of the baby's expression of pain decreased and his oxytocin level -- the hormone involved in attachment and also linked to stress -- increased significantly, which could attest to better pain management. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WtIYkO

Reducing sugar in packaged foods can prevent disease in millions

Cutting 20% of sugar from packaged foods and 40% from beverages could prevent 2.48 million cardiovascular disease events (such as strokes, heart attacks, cardiac arrests), 490,000 cardiovascular deaths, and 750,000 diabetes cases in the U.S. over the lifetime of the adult population. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3Dw2Y7e

Drones could deliver defibrillators to cardiac arrest victims faster than ambulances

A feasibility study has found that drones can be used to deliver life-saving defibrillators to people with suspected cardiac arrest in the community. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jmX3JQ

'Humanized' mouse model selects better match for organ transplant

A 'humanized' mouse model equipped with the immune system of a patient who needs an organ transplant beats current measures for identifying the best potential living donor, scientists report. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3DqLdWZ

Neurons in visual cortex of the brain ‘drift’ over time

New research reveals that neurons in the visual cortex -- the part of the brain that processes visual stimuli -- change their responses to the same stimulus over time. Although other studies have documented 'representational drift' in neurons in the parts of the brain associated with odor and spatial memory, this result is surprising because neural activity in the primary visual cortex is thought to be relatively stable. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3gEBbHV

A new model for group decision-making shows how 'followers' can influence the outcome

From small committees to national elections, group decision-making can be complicated -- and it may not always settle on the best choice. That's partly because some members of the group do research on their own, and others take their cues from the people around them. A new mathematical framework predicts that decision-making groups have a critical threshold of people who get their information from others. Below that threshold, the group chooses the high-quality outcome. Above it, the group can end up choosing the better or worse option. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3znID1A

Ultrafast electron microscopy leads to pivotal discovery

Researchers used ultrafast electron microscopy to study a nanoscale phenomenon that occurs in less than a few hundred quadrillionths of a second. Insights from the study could aid in the development of new sensors and quantum devices. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jomZVt

Scientists developing contraceptive that stops sperm in its tracks

Engineered antibodies immobilize sperm in animal study, paving the way for nonhormonal contraceptive for women. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3sXFiE1

Artificial intelligence re-stained images of tissue biopsy expedite diagnoses

In lifesaving situations, expedient and accurate diagnostic tools are critical to aid pathologists in examining biopsied tissue samples looking for signs of diseases. Engineers found a new path to achieve that with virtual re-staining of tissue images that is both faster than human-performed special stains and just as accurate. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3kDLBZN

Archaic laws prevent conservationists from bidding on public resources; experts think this should change

Updating the laws, the researchers say, will allow the true value of public resources to be revealed in an environmental market. It will give different groups equal footing in auctions, and create a more stable, actionable path toward conservation, to the benefit of both industry and the environment. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2Y9cMEb

Researchers use stem cells to make insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells

The human body can be genetically inclined to attack its own cells, destroying the beta cells in the pancreas that make insulin, which helps convert sugar into energy. Called Type 1 diabetes, this disorder can occur at any age and can be fatal if not carefully managed with insulin shots or an insulin pump to balance the body's sugar levels. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jp6I2s

Satellite photos show final US evacuation efforts from Kabul airport in Afghanistan

Satellite photos are capturing final views of the U.S. evacuation effort from Kabul, Afghanistan after the Taliban's takeover. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3Dt5H1l

6 mysterious structures hidden beneath the Greenland ice sheet

The Greenland ice sheet, nearly 2 miles thick in places, hides a landscape of canyons, mountains, fjords and gem-like lakes. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3Dv9ZoT

Unravelling the mystery of brown dwarfs

Brown dwarfs are astronomical objects with masses between those of planets and stars. The question of where exactly the limits of their mass lie remains a matter of debate, especially since their constitution is very similar to that of low-mass stars. So how do we know whether we are dealing with a brown dwarf or a very low mass star? from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3yqHXHx

Hurricane Ida looks absolutely massive from space in these astronaut photos

Hurricane Ida strengthened into a powerful Category 4 storm overnight as it approaches the coast of Louisiana today (Aug. 29) from Space.com https://ift.tt/3zthlHh

SpaceX Starship: Key milestones for the world's most powerful rocket

SpaceX's Starship system is the most powerful rocket yet. Here are some of the key moments in its history as the rocket and spacecraft get ready for the first orbital test. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3ky0AEy

SpaceX launches ants, avocados, robot to space station

A SpaceX shipment of ants, avocados and a human-sized robotic arm rocketed toward the International Space Station on Sunday. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3jpQOoz

SpaceX launches Dragon cargo capsule to space station, nails rocket landing at sea

SpaceX launched its 21st rocket of the year today (Aug 29), sending a robotic Dragon cargo capsule toward the International Space Station before nailing a landing at sea. from Space.com https://ift.tt/2Y7Q9Qz

EXPLAINER: Ida, Katrina similar but tiny differences are key

Hurricane Ida is looking eerily like a dangerous sequel to 2005's Hurricane Katrina, the costliest storm in American history. But there's a few still-to-come twists that could make Ida nastier in some ways, but not quite as horrific in others. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2WwlATV

Hurricane Ida forecast to strengthen as it nears Louisiana

Forecasters warned residents along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast to rush preparations ahead of Hurricane Ida, which is expected to rapidly intensify and bring winds as high as 130 mph (209 kph), life-threatening storm surge and flooding rain when it slams ashore Sunday in Louisiana. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2WDl9ax

Hurricane Ida expected to slam into Louisiana as 'extremely dangerous major hurricane'

Hurricane Ida is expected to make landfall on the U.S. Gulf Coast as a category 4 storm, the first hurricane of 2021 to hit US soil. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3zsPtmn

Astra rocket fails to reach space during test launch for US military

Astra's Launch Vehicle 0006 failed to reach space during an orbital test flight today (Aug. 28), suffering an anomaly about 2.5 minutes after liftoff. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3mIRJCC

US Gulf coast braces as 'extremely dangerous' Hurricane Ida approaches

Authorities in Louisiana and elsewhere on the US Gulf Coast issued increasingly dire sounding warnings Saturday as Hurricane Ida, a storm expected to pack powerful 130 mph winds, moved with unexpected speed toward the New Orleans area. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3DrTSbB

Researchers discover world's 'northernmost' island

Scientists have discovered what is believed to be the world's northernmost landmass—a yet-to-be-named island north of Greenland that could soon be swallowed up by seawaters. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3kxaia8

Thousands rally to 'hug' Spain's dying Mar Menor lagoon

Tens of thousands of people formed a human chain around Spain's crisis-hit Mar Menor lagoon on Saturday in a show of mourning after tonnes of dead fish washed ashore, organisers and officials said. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/38j7ZBQ

Residents warned as Louisiana braces for Hurricane Ida

Weather forecasters warned residents along Louisiana's coast to rush preparations Saturday in anticipation of an intensifying Hurricane Ida, which is expected to bring winds as high as 140 mph (225 kph) when it slams ashore on Sunday. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3Du4NS6

Climate change challenge: Terminology used by scientists confounds public

A new study finds that U.S. residents struggle to understand terms frequently used by scientists to describe climate change. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3ky69mj

Old habit-controlling neurons may also help the brain learn new tricks

In a study of rodents, scientists discovered that a part of the brain traditionally thought to control typing the old sequence may also play a critical role in learning the new one. The results suggest that this process involves a delicate balance in the activity of two neighboring neural circuits: one dedicated to new actions and the other to old habits. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/38o6vGq

EXPLAINER: Is New Orleans protected from a hurricane?

New Orleans finds itself in the path of Hurricane Ida 16 years to the day after floodwalls collapsed and levees were overtopped by a storm surge driven by Hurricane Katrina. That flooding killed more than 1,000 people and caused billions in damage. But Ida arrives at the doorstep of a region transformed since 2005 by a giant civil works project and closer attention to flood control. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/38lvOZK

Bad weather delays SpaceX Dragon cargo launch to space station

The International Space Station will have to wait one more day to receive its next cargo shipment. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3DrWMx6

Satellite spots SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon from orbit ahead of cargo launch to space station (photos)

On Friday (Aug. 27) Maxar Technologies' WorldView-2 satellite spotted SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon cargo spacecraft from orbit. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3gBfada

Discovery of two-phase superconductivity in CeRh2As2

The phenomenon of superconductivity, providing current transmission without dissipation and a host of unique magnetic properties arising from macroscopic quantum coherence, was first discovered over a century ago. It was not understood until 1957, after which it quickly became clear that superconductors could in principle exist with a wide variety of the fundamental characteristic often referred to as the order parameter. Until the late 1970's, however, all superconductors found experimentally had the same class of order parameter. Since then many aspects of the expected variety of order parameters have been discovered, but one surprising fact remained. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WvBE88

Ending prices with '.99' can backfire on sellers

Setting a price just below a round number ($39.99 instead of $40) may lead consumers into thinking a product is less expensive than it really is -- but it can sometimes backfire on sellers, a new study shows. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3ynCqS5

Environmental pollution may contribute to racial/ethnic disparities In Alzheimer’s disease risk

Fine particle pollution may be one reason why Black women have double the risk of developing Alzheimer's than white women, suggests new research. Data shows that older people are more likely to develop dementia if they live in locations with high PM2.5, and African American populations are more likely to live in neighborhoods near polluting facilities. Even when controlling for other risk factors, this study found that Black women still had roughly two times greater a risk of developing Alzheimer's disease than white women, and it also found that they had higher exposure to PM2.5. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WxnnIr

Astra rocket aborts orbital test launch for US military at last second

California startup Astra aborted its first orbital launch attempt with a payload due to a rocket glitch Friday (Aug. 27). from Space.com https://ift.tt/3Dn0hoH

Three new Starfield trailers reveal stunning cities to visit in Bethesda's space RPG

Bethesda Game Studios has released three new trailers for Starfield that reveal a trio of stunning cities to visit in the upcoming space RPG video game. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3sVqZzH

New birth of a mountain gorilla in DRCongo's Virunga park

DR Congo's famed Virunga National Park announced Friday the birth of a mountain gorilla in this tourist region threatened by armed groups. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3mIXUXh

Experts estimate endangered Galapagos pink iguana population at 211

Scientific experts sent to the Galapagos Islands to count a critically endangered lizard species estimate there to be just 211 pink iguanas left, local authorities said Friday. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3jlNdYA

Newly identified mosasaur was fish-hunting monster

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati identified a new species of mosasaur—an 18-foot-long fish-eating monster that lived 80 million years ago. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3yp1kR2

Nanoscale systems for generating various forms of light

For decades, scholars have believed that the quantum statistical properties of bosons are preserved in plasmonic systems, and therefore will not create different form of light. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3ynNvT8

Researchers develop novel analog processor for high performance computing

Analog photonic solutions offer unique opportunities to address complex computational tasks with unprecedented performance in terms of energy dissipation and speeds, overcoming current limitations of modern computing architectures based on electron flows and digital approaches. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3BfNEKf

Space memorabilia dealer launches new 'clothing label' — to space station

Packed among the experiments launching on a SpaceX Dragon to the International Space Station is a small stash of NASA logo-adorned clothing labels. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3yp2mfS

Perseverance Mars rover gearing up for 2nd rock sampling attempt (photos)

Perseverance could drill and sample a rock target dubbed 'Rochette' as early as next week. from Space.com https://ift.tt/2XYKvjv

SpaceX Dragon is launching big science haul to space station for astronaut health, plant stress and more

The next SpaceX resupply launch to the International Space Station, scheduled for Saturday (Aug. 28), will carry a bevy of science payloads to the astronauts living and working on the orbiting laboratory. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3Bhnvul

Embryonic development in slow motion

Roe deer are among the few mammals whose embryos go into a particularly long period of dormancy. Using modern molecular methods, researchers have shown for the first time what exactly happens in the embryo during this phase. They have identified signals that control the embryo`s awakening. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/38iipl4

Seabed recovers more quickly following extreme storms than from the impacts of bottom-towed fishing

Academics have been monitoring the Lyme Bay Marine Protected area using underwater cameras and other techniques since 2008, but this is the first known study to examine an MPA's response and resilience in the face of extreme storms. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3gXB9vh

Bacterial bloom as the Earth thawed: Photosynthetic organisms during the Snowball Earth

Around 650 million years ago, the Earth entered into the Marinoan glaciation that saw the entire planet freeze. The 'Snowball Earth' impeded the evolution of life. But as it warmed, biotic life began to flourish. A research team has now analyzed rock samples from China to tell us more about this transition. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/38jhaST

How disorderly young galaxies grow up and mature

Using a supercomputer simulation, a research team has succeeded in following the development of a galaxy over a span of 13.8 billion years. The study shows how, due to interstellar frontal collisions, young and chaotic galaxies over time mature into spiral galaxies such as the Milky Way. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3sUZE0x

Drought and climate change shift tree disease in Sierra Nevada

A study provides some of the first evidence that climate change and drought are shifting the range of infectious disease in forests suffering from white pine blister rust disease. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3kBLGxc

China celebrates its first Mars mission on new gold and silver coins

China is celebrating its first successful mission to orbit and land on Mars with a new set of gold and silver commemorative coins. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3yo8fKn

You can watch a SpaceX Dragon launch NASA cargo to the space station early Saturday. Here's how.

SpaceX will launch a Dragon cargo ship for NASA to the International Space Station early Aug. 28. Here's how to watch. from Space.com https://ift.tt/2WnSF4N

Engineers test liquid acquisition device aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket

A Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) experiment was performed aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard suborbital rocket today, which launched from Van Horn, Texas. Five variations of the tapered liquid acquisition device (LAD), which is designed to safely deliver liquid propellant to a rocket engine from fuel tanks, were aboard the rocket to evaluate their performance in microgravity. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3zl7qmN

Learning biology by playing with proteins

It's a cloudy July afternoon in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and MIT Edgerton Center Instructor Amanda Mayer is using brightly-colored plastic to build proteins. She takes a small yellow block and moves it to the end of a chain of blue and green ones, clicking it into place. "Congratulations," she says to the four high school students guiding her hand over Zoom. "You've all become synthetic biologists." from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2Wpjc11

Your sense of smell may be the key to a balanced diet

Walking past a corner bakery, you may find yourself drawn in by the fresh smell of sweets wafting from the front door. You're not alone: The knowledge that humans make decisions based on their nose has led major brands like Cinnabon and Panera Bread to pump the scents of baked goods into their restaurants, leading to big spikes in sales. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3jjZEEj

Researchers use stem cells to make insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells

The human body can be genetically inclined to attack its own cells, destroying the beta cells in the pancreas that make insulin, which helps convert sugar into energy. Called Type 1 diabetes, this disorder can occur at any age and can be fatal if not carefully managed with insulin shots or an insulin pump to balance the body's sugar levels. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/38dcLkq

NASA's Perseverance rover plans next sample attempt on Mars

In its search for signs of ancient microbial life on Mars, NASA's Perseverance rover is once again preparing to collect the first of many rock core samples that could eventually be brought to Earth for further study. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3mzOXzo

Diverse DNA signatures linked to heart disease

Risk for heart disease does not look the same on the genetic level for different population groups, report an international team of researchers. The studY begins to outline gene activity patterns that could serve as early warning indicators for cardiovascular disease. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jqcIIx

Tropical forest vulnerability index

New research will detect and evaluate the vulnerability of global tropical rainforests by focusing specifically on threats from changes to land-use and climate. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2Y1IbbC

You can now launch your own Blue Origin New Shepard (model) rocket

After 17 successful flights to space and back, Blue Origin is ready to move its launch operations to your backyard. The company, which was founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, announced an Estes's model rocket version of its New Shepard launch vehicle. from Space.com https://ift.tt/2WtmEbl

Interstellar comets visit our solar system more frequently than thought

Comets from other star systems, such as 2019 Borisov, visit the sun's neighborhood more frequently than scientists had thought, a new study suggests. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3sNrvQu

Satellite images show crowds at Kabul airport before two reported explosions

Massive crowds converged at Hamid Karzai International Airport before explosions there killed and injured dozens on Thursday (Aug. 26). from Space.com https://ift.tt/3krCk75

Climate change challenge: Scientists' terminology is confounding the public

A new study finds that U.S. residents struggle to understand terms frequently used by scientists to describe climate change. Study participants said some of the terms were too complex to understand. Other terms were misunderstood in the context of climate change. Participants suggested simpler, alternative language. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/38gWlYe

Highly conductive and elastic nanomembrane for skin electronics

"Skin electronics" are thin, flexible electronics that could be mounted onto the skin. While it may sound like something out of science fiction, it is anticipated that soon such devices will serve in a wide range of applications such as health monitoring, health diagnosis, virtual reality, and human-machine interface. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3gyFTHa

AI algorithm solves structural biology challenges

Determining the 3-D shapes of biological molecules is one of the hardest problems in modern biology and medical discovery. Companies and research institutions often spend millions of dollars to determine a molecular structure—and even such massive efforts are frequently unsuccessful. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3jje7jS

Plant roots and animals embryos rely on the same chemical for successful development

What do frog eggs have in common with anti-aging creams? Their success depends on a group of chemical compounds called retinoids, which are capable of generating and re-generating tissues. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2WvbySE

Allow 'nonuse rights' to conserve natural resources

Traditionally, natural resources in the United States have been managed for productive uses, meaning resource extraction. To acquire and maintain leases of publicly owned resources such as oil and gas, timber, and rangelands, the resources must be put to certain "productive uses." Purchasing rights to natural resources to conserve them, rather than for extraction, is typically not an option. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3yirqFl

Blue Origin launches artwork, moon-landing test into space

Blue Origin launched artwork painted on a capsule and a moon-landing navigation experiment into space Thursday, a month after sending founder Jeff Bezos on the company's first passenger flight. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3mxbnS1

Altered functional brain network connectivity associated with symptoms of post-traumatic stress in COVID-19 survivors, study shows

COVID-19 survivors report significantly higher symptoms of post-traumatic stress, and these symptoms are associated with changes to the brain's connectivity, according to a new study. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3sTGbNR

Study identifies 579 genetic locations linked to anti-social behavior, alcohol use, opioid addiction and more

An analysis of data from 1.5 million people has identified 579 locations in the genome associated with a predisposition to different behaviors and disorders related to self-regulation, including addiction and child behavioral problems. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/38vwrQN

Will it be safe for humans to fly to Mars?

A human space mission would be viable if it doesn't exceed four years, an international research team concludes in new research. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jigqDF

A mechanism underlying most common cause of epileptic seizures revealed

An interdisciplinary team studying neurogenetics, neural networks, and neurophysiology has revealed how dysfunctions in even a small percentage of cells can cause disorder across the entire brain. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jm0QXY

Restoring 'chaperone' protein may prevent plaque build-up in Alzheimer’s

Researchers have shown how restoring levels of the protein DAXX and a large group of similar proteins prevents the misfolding of the rogue proteins known to drive Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases, as well as certain mutations that contribute to cancers. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2Ws2Gha

Osteoarthritis: New genetic risk factors and novel drug targets

Researchers have found new genetic risk factors for osteoarthritis and identified novel drug targets. Their finding is a milestone towards the development of the first ever curative treatment for osteoarthritis. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jgQPLo

Research supports FDA recommendation: Patients with implanted medical devices should keep their smart phones and watches at least six inches away

A new study supports the FDA recommendation that patients keep any consumer electronic devices that may create magnetic interference, including cell phones and smart watches, at least six inches away from implanted medical devices, in particular pacemakers and cardiac defibrillators. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2UVFTcY

One student's mission to protect the world's most precious resource

Hooman Chamani, a Ph.D. candidate in Ottawa, is motivated by one thing: To address the global water crisis in an environmentally friendly manner. It may sound simple, but until recently, it was not. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3gu799S

How a Japanese far-right hate group helped popularize anti-Korean sentiment

Studies show that anti-Korean sentiment in Japan has grown steadily in the past decade, despite the growing acceptance of more visibly "foreign" Southeast Asian migrants in Japan. A University of Notre Dame researcher conducted two years of ethnographic fieldwork in a historic Korean ghetto in Osaka, Japan, to shed light on the legacy of discrimination that third- and fourth-generation Korean minorities have faced as the descendants of labor migrants under Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/38kiUep

Experts offer tips for preparing kids to go back to school

Are you a parent worried about your children going back to school in person after a year and a half of mostly virtual learning? from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3myZhbc

The strength of new tools in microbiome studies lies in their combined and integrated use

Technology is rapidly evolving across many disciplines. Ground-breaking results are often obtained when new technology enables novel approaches or when technologies are transferred from other fields of research. In a recent review article, Dr. Esther Singer and colleagues explored novel and emerging technologies in relation to plant microbiome research. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2WhGo1L

New study gives insight into how often COVID-19 spreads through households

A new study demonstrates how quickly COVID-19 can spread through a household, and provides insight into how and why communities of color have suffered disproportionately from the pandemic. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3zhFxfG

Physicists make laser beams visible in vacuum

A beam of light can only be seen when it hits matter particles and is scattered or reflected by them. In a vacuum, however, it is invisible. Physicists have now developed a method that allows laser beams to be visualized even under these conditions. The method makes it easier to perform the ultra-precise laser alignment required to manipulate individual atoms. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3krZGcr

Pictograms are first written accounts of earthquakes in pre-Hispanic Mexico

The Codex Telleriano Remensis, created in the 16th century in Mexico, depicts earthquakes in pictograms that are the first written evidence of earthquakes in the Americas in pre-Hispanic times, according to a pair of researchers who have systematically studied the country's historical earthquakes. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3ydfeFT

Complex dynamics turn lake water green and brown

Many lakes and ponds are changing colors—from pleasant blue or clear to murky brown or green, caused by runoff of nutrients and carbon, coupled with warmer temperatures. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3ymhESK

LED streetlights contribute to insect population declines: study

Streetlights—particularly those that use white light-emitting diodes (LEDs)—not only disrupt insect behavior but are also a culprit behind their declining numbers, a new study carried out in southern England showed Wednesday. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3gzJd4V

Underlying instincts: An appetite for survival

Microscopic roundworms may hold the key to understanding what is happening in the brain when the instinct of an animal changes in order to survive. In a newly published paper in the journal Current Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center researchers found that a signaling system in the brain changes to redirect the behavior of an animal when their survival is at risk because there is not enough food. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3DhknjY

The boiling crisis and how to avoid it

It's rare for a pre-teen to become enamored with thermodynamics, but those consumed by such a passion may consider themselves lucky to end up at a place like MIT. Madhumitha Ravichandran certainly does. A Ph.D. student in Nuclear Science and Engineering (NSE), Ravichandran first encountered the laws of thermodynamics as a middle school student in Chennai, India. "They made complete sense to me," she says. "While looking at the refrigerator at home, I wondered if I might someday build energy systems that utilized these same principles. That's how it started, and I've sustained that interest ever since." from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3zmkclk

Team captures data from unarmed Minuteman III test launch

A team from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) successfully collected data from the recent operational test of an Air Force Global Strike Command unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3myZ6g0

Researchers develop method to engineer new cell functionalities on thin films

Researchers at the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) have developed a method to engineer new functionalities into cells. The results were published today in the journal Cell in the article "Dual film-like organelles enable spatial separation of orthogonal eukaryotic translation." from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3jfbnDZ

Physicists make laser beams visible in vacuum

A new method developed at the University of Bonn simplifies ultra-precise adjustment for quantum optics experiments. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3zk9j39

Baby detector software embedded in digital camera rivals ECG

Facial recognition is now common in adults, but researchers have developed software that can reliably detect a premature baby's face in an incubator and remotely monitor its heart and breathing rates - rivaling ECG machines and even outperforming them. This is the first step in using non-contact monitoring in neonatal wards, avoiding skin tearing and potential infections from adhesive pads. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3kmcYHD

Unrealistic experiments mean true impact of nitrogen pollution on the environment is unknown

Unrealistic and flawed scientific experiments mean the true impact of nitrogen pollution on the environment is unknownremains poorly understood, a new study warns. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3yhmgcT

International Space Station could be followed by commercial space stations after 2030, NASA says

NASA hopes that commercial space stations will orbit Earth once the International Space Station eventually retires, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said today (Aug. 25) at the 36th Space Symposium. from Space.com https://ift.tt/38adKlo

In hot weather, outdoor laborers work less—when economy is growing

A new analysis suggests that U.S. workers in industries that expose them to weather conditions work fewer hours per day when temperatures surpass 90 degrees Fahrenheit—but only during periods of economic growth. Matthew Neidell of Columbia University, New York, and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on August 25, 2021. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3kqwAKx

Confiscated fossil turns out to be exceptional flying reptile from Brazil

A fossil acquired in a police raid has turned out to be one of the best-preserved flying reptiles ever found, according to a study published August 11, 2021 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Victor Beccari of the University of São Paulo and colleagues. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3sLkek5

New research shows men and women of Roman Herculaneum had different diets

Researchers—led by the University of York's BioArCh team—developed a new approach to analyze amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, from 17 adult skeletons found in the aftermath of the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3yezNBT

Greenhouse warming intensifies north tropical Atlantic sea surface temperature anomalies

North Tropical Atlantic (NTA) sea surface temperature anomalies are among the dominant and most consequential climate variations on Earth. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3DkKLth

Central European prehistory was highly dynamic

Recent archaeogenetic studies have shown that human movements like migrations and expansions played a major role in driving the spread of cultures and genes in ancient Europe. However, it is only now with detailed regional studies and dense sampling that researchers start to better understand the magnitude, rate and social implications of these changes. In a new study published in Science Advances, an international team of researchers from the Max Planck Institutes for the Science of Human History (Jena) and Evolutionary Anthropology (Leipzig), together with colleagues from the Institute of Archaeology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (Prague) and other collaborators analyzed the genomes of 271 individuals who lived in Bohemia in today's Czech Republic between 7,000 and 3,500 years ago and identified at least another three migratory events which shaped central European prehistory. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2Wo8dFv

Astronauts celebrate Tokyo Paralympics opening day with 'torch' ceremony in space

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station celebrated the opening of the Tokyo Paralympic Games by posing with a photo with a torch. from Space.com https://ift.tt/2WqCfYZ

Early-warning system for sepsis shown to improve survival rates and cut hospital stays

Emergency room patients who were flagged by an artificial-intelligence algorithm for possibly having sepsis received antibiotics sooner and had better outcomes, according to a study conducted by physician-researchers. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3yezWp1

A novel gene involved in male infertility: ZFP541

A new gene that controls the completion of meiosis in spermatogenesis has been discovered. Until now, details of the mechanism that inactivates the expression of genes involved in the meiotic program during spermatogenesis had not been clarified. The researchers believe that this may lead to an advancement in reproductive medicine, like identifying causes for infertility from azoospermia or spermatogenic defects. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WqF2Bu

Lupin and Arsenic: Research on soil decontamination by an exceptional plant

Researchers have discovered a new chemical mechanism used by roots of white lupin to clean up arsenic-contaminated soils, such as those from mining operations. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3sL5Et1

NASA chief Bill Nelson optimistic about Artemis moon landing goals amid big delays

NASA has no plans of backing down from its moon landing goal despite recent obstacles, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said today (Aug. 24) at the 36th annual Space Symposium. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3sJPcJf

Taika Waititi's animated 'Flash Gordon' film is reportedly now going to be live-action

Two years ago, Taika Waititi was working on an animated "Flash Gordon" movie for Fox/Disney. Now, it's apparently live-action. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3kmhLJ1

Research shows scale models effective for predicting storm damage to wood-frame buildings

A pair of scale model structures subjected to simulated storm conditions in an Oregon State University lab responded like real wood-frame homes during recent hurricanes, suggesting model buildings can yield important design information for low-lying areas vulnerable to storm surges and big waves. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2Wn57kX

Researcher helps collect key data to establish nine new protected areas in Peru

Florida International University (FIU) researcher Alessandro Catenazzi has helped gather the critical information needed to expedite the establishment of nine new protected areas in one of the most biologically diverse regions of Peru. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3BapAsc

Record-breaking lithium-metal cell

A new type of lithium-metal battery reaches an extremely high energy density of 560 watt-hours per kilogram -- based on the total weight of the active materials -- with a remarkable stability. Researchers used a promising combination of cathode and electrolyte: The nickel-rich cathode enables storage of high energy per mass, the ionic liquid electrolyte ensures largely stable capacity over many cycles. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3gNBErJ

Measuring how the Arctic responds to climate change

The Arctic has been warming more than twice as fast as the rest of the planet. Meanwhile CO2 measurements show substantial increases in the amount of carbon absorbed into and emitted by Arctic plants and soil. Scientists assumed this was playing a large role in changes to the Arctic carbon cycle. But they were not able to measure carbon uptake and release independently. This study provides insights into this important process based on the modelling of atmospheric measurements of carbonyl sulfide. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3gwlT8l

Soar over Mars with NASA's helicopter Ingenuity on its 12th flight (video)

NASA's Mars helicopter Ingenuity keeps giving us great bird's-eye views of otherworldly terrain. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3zeRwKJ

Astronaut: Spacewalk postponed due to pinched nerve in neck (Update)

A NASA astronaut said Tuesday that he pulled out of a spacewalk this week because of a pinched nerve in his neck. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3sNQTp9

New technology lays groundwork for large-scale, high-resolution 3D displays

Researchers have developed a prototype display that uses projection to create large-scale 3D images with ultra-high definition. The new approach helps overcome the limitations of light-field projection, which can create natural-looking 3D images that don't require special 3D glasses for viewing. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2XIqwFB

Studying the mechanism of metal extraction with ionic liquids

The heaviest known elements are the so-called "superheavy" elements, those with atomic numbers greater than 103. These elements are found only in laboratories, where they are made by fusing together two lighter elements. This process is unlikely to occur, so scientists have only tiny amounts (a few atoms) for experiments, and chemists are interested in the chemical properties of these elements. However, the small amounts of material available means chemists must use special techniques to study them. New research has developed a way to study the chemistry of metallic elements with extremely low concentrations of material. These techniques use ionic liquids—salts in liquid states. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3grh3Jy

New quantum 'stopwatch' can improve imaging technologies

Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have designed one of the most precise stopwatches yet—not for timing Olympic sprinters and swimmers, but for counting single photons, or the tiny packets of energy that make up light. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3B5vue7

Climate change threatens seal hunting by Indigenous Alaskans

Climate change has severely reduced the length of the seal hunting season in a rural Alaska village, potentially threatening a key feature of the community's Indigenous way of life. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3mvHMbI

Physicists find room-temperature, 2D-to-1D topological transition

A Rice University team and its collaborators have discovered a room-temperature transition between 1D and 2D electrical conduction states in topological crystals of bismuth and iodine. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/386YUMx

Low-cost sensors measure real-time volcanic smog exposure

When KÄ«lauea Volcano erupted in 2018, lava covered parts of the Island of Hawaii, but a volcanic smog, known as "vog," inundated it. The vog contained dangerous levels of fine particulate matter and sulfur dioxide gas, which threatened the health of the downwind population on the island. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3mtYWpT

Evolutionary 'arms race' may help keep cell division honest

Eggs and sperm are special cells for many reasons, but one of the characteristics that sets them apart is that unlike other human cells, which have two copies of 23 chromosomes, one from the mother and one from the father, these sex cells, or gametes, have only one. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2XXSqOh

Like venom coursing through the body: Researchers identify mechanism driving COVID-19 mortality

Researchers have identified what may be the key molecular mechanism responsible for COVID-19 mortality -- an enzyme related to neurotoxins found in rattlesnake venom. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3klLKkj

These robots can move your couch

Engineers have developed robots that can work independently and cooperatively to move unwieldy objects like a couch. In simulations, the robots were successful even when tasked to move an object in new, unfamiliar scenarios. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/389Y0yJ

Physicists find room-temperature, 2D-to-1D topological transition

Physicists have discovered a room-temperature transition between 1D and 2D electrical conduction states in the topological insulator bismuth iodide. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jcTA0k

Climate change threatens seal hunting by Indigenous Alaskans

Climate change has severely reduced the length of the seal hunting season in a rural Alaska village, potentially threatening a key feature of the community's Indigenous way of life. The study led by Indigenous hunters, the Native Village of Kotzebue and scientists shows that over the past 17 years, the seal hunting season shrank about one day per year. Sea ice decline is a major cause of the shrinking season. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3guuw2Z

Stressed teens benefit from coping online, but a little goes a long way

An adolescent's day can be filled with a dizzying array of digital technologies. For many teenagers, being online is a way to pass the time and communicate with friends. Cell phones and social media can also help teens cope with stressful events -- as long as they strike the right balance between spending time online and pursuing other coping activities. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3zaFAK2

Martian snow is dusty, could potentially melt, new study shows

Over the last two decades, scientists have found ice in many locations on Mars. Most Martian ice has been observed from orbital satellites like NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. But determining the grain size and dust content of the ice from that far above the surface is challenging. And those aspects of the ice are crucial in helping scientists determine how old the ice is and how it was deposited. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3kfsvcd

Researchers find lagging chromosomes to be among the causes of infertility

Why do women over 35 have more difficulty getting pregnant? After discovering one of the causes of age-related female infertility, researchers at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre (CRCHUM) suggest that it will be possible in the future to improve the quality of the eggs of older patients by intervening on the cell cycle level.  from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3j8TMNZ

Use of swear words has declined by more than a quarter in the UK since 1990s, says research

Researchers from Aston University have found that the use of swear words in Britain have declined by more than a quarter since the 1990s. Dr. Robbie Love, based in the College of Business and Social Sciences, looked at how swearing changed in casual British English conversation between 1994 and 2014. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3mpDjae

To understand future habitat needs for chimpanzees, researchers look to the past

A new study provides insight into where chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) avoided climate instability during glacial and interglacial periods in Africa over the past 120,000 years. Using bioclimatic variables and other data, the study identified previously unknown swaths of habitat, rich in figs and palms, where chimps rode out the changes seen since the Last Interglacial period. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3B6hrox

Would we still have severe thunderstorms over North America if the Gulf of Mexico were filled in with land?

The eastern half of the U.S is one of the principal hot spots for severe thunderstorm activity, especially tornadoes, globally. The standard explanation for this outcome is the combination high terrain to the west and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3ycQEVR

Compact system designed for high-precision, robot-based surface measurements

Researchers have developed a lightweight optical system for 3D inspection of surfaces with micron-scale precision. The new measurement tool could greatly enhance quality control inspection for high-tech products including semiconductor chips, solar panels and consumer electronics such as flat panel televisions. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3y5UGiN

Bringing order to chaotic bubbles can make mining more sustainable

A new way to control the motion of bubbles from researchers at Columbia Engineering might one day help separate useful metals from useless dirt using much less energy and water than is currently needed. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3gpjV9A

Molecule regulating sperm motility discovered

About 120 million unintended pregnancies occurred each year between 2015 and 2019 worldwide. While there are oral contraceptives for women, the development of oral contraceptives for men has not been successful. Now, a team from Osaka University has used protein sequence data analysis and genome editing technology to find that SPATA33 plays an important role in sperm motility regulation, which will help develop male contraceptives. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3koB30C

The science of ants' underground cities

Picture an anthill. What do you see? A small mound of sand and crumbly dirt poking up through the lawn? A tiny hole disappearing into the ground? A few ants scrambling around busily. Not very impressive, right? from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3sFRfOw

Astronaut medical issue forces NASA to call off spacewalk at space station

NASA has called off a spacewalk outside the International Space Station this week due a medical issue with one of the astronauts due to join the excursion. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3B3X0Zf

Fastest-orbiting asteroid in solar system discovered

The newfound asteroid 2021 PH27 completes one lap around our star every 113 Earth days. That's the shortest orbital period of any known solar system object except the planet Mercury. from Space.com https://ift.tt/2XRYBmP

Machine learning links material composition and performance in catalysts

In a finding that could help pave the way toward cleaner fuels and a more sustainable chemical industry, researchers have used machine learning to predict how the compositions of metal alloys and metal oxides affect their electronic structures. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WfdIG4

Steep rise in cardiac arrests associated with opioid use

A nationwide US study has shown that the rate of opioid-related cardiac arrests has steeply risen and is now on par with the rate of cardiac arrest from other causes. Opioid use disorder, which includes dependence and addiction, affects more than two million people in the US, while opioid overdose is the leading cause of death for those aged 25 to 64 years. This study examined the trends and outcomes of opioid-related cardiac arrest in 2012 to 2018. The US Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) was used to study all hospitalisations for cardiac arrest in active or chronic opioid users compared to cardiac arrests in patients not using opioids. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3y9uEv2

High-rate magnesium rechargeable batteries move one step closer to realization

Magnesium rechargeable batteries show immense promise for a greener future because of their energy density, safety, and cost. But the lack of high-performance cathode materials has impeded their development. Now, a research team has developed liquid-sulfur/sulfide composite cathodes that enable high-rate magnesium batteries. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3gqRsQU

Mathematical model predicts best way to build muscle

Researchers have developed a mathematical model that can predict the optimum exercise regime for building muscle. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3kbACXe

New spontaneous mouse model shows promise for bolstering Sjögren's syndrome treatment

Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that attacks the tear duct and salivary glands, leading to patients suffering unbearable dry eyes and mouth. To date, treatment options have been limited. But this may change thanks to a recently developed mouse model that will help explain the pathogenic mechanisms behind the disease. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/389wqBz

Smallest biosupercapacitor provides energy for biomedical applications

The miniaturization of microelectronic sensor technology, microelectronic robots or intravascular implants is progressing rapidly. However, it also poses major challenges for research. One of the biggest is the development of tiny but efficient energy storage devices that enable the operation of autonomously working microsystems -- in more and more smaller areas of the human body for example. In addition, these energy storage devices must be bio-compatible if they are to be used in the body at all. Now there is a prototype that combines these essential properties. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/38bOjj6

Rise and fall of water blisters offers glimpse beneath Greenland’s thick ice sheet

A study found that as meltwater lakes on the surface of Greenland's ice sheet rapidly drain, they create water blisters between the ice and the bedrock that scientists could use to understand the hydrological network below Greenland's thick inland ice sheet. These networks could affect the stability of the ice sheet as Earth's climate warms. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3mn7crT

Possible antidote for club drug GHB overdose

Diclofenac and other NSAIDs may limit the passage of narcolepsy medication and illicit party drug GHB to the brain, decreasing the potential for fatal overdose, researchers find. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3B6nppC

New air routes are vital for organ transplants

Research suggests that introducing new airline routes reduces the discard rate of donated kidneys and increases the number of kidneys sent to transplant centers across the U.S. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3jcqZYQ

Lightweight composite material inspects itself: Changes in color indicate deformations

Researchers have developed a new type of laminate that changes color as soon as the material is deformed. This way, the materials researchers can kill two birds with one stone: a lightweight composite material that inspects itself. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3khq6h6

Benefits outweigh risks for autonomous vehicles - if they are regulated

Experts have assessed the risks and potential benefits associated with deploying autonomous vehicles (AVs) on U.S. roads and predicts that the benefits will substantially outweigh potential harms -- but only if the AVs are well regulated. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3zdZ2pc

Pecan-enriched diet shown to reduce cholesterol

Researchers show that pecans can dramatically improve a person's cholesterol levels. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3yaxrEi

The five most impressive geological structures in the solar system

When we talk about amazing geological features, we often limit ourselves to those on Earth. But as a geologist, I think that's crazy—there are so many structures on other worlds that can excite and inspire, and that can put processes on our own planet into perspective. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3sHCFWF

WHO guidelines on human genome editing: Why countries need to follow them

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently called on countries to stop any research that might lead to the birth of genetically edited human beings. The call was made with the release of the recommendations on human genome editing. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3zg4c48

Three ways 'algorithmic management' makes work more stressful and less satisfying

If you think your manager treats you unfairly, the thought might have crossed your mind that replacing said boss with an unbiased machine that rewards performance based on objective data is a path to workplace happiness. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3Dd5L59

School students who had COVID-19 report stigma and bullying; how can we stop it?

Queensland school students have reportedly been bullied after being diagnosed with COVID-19 and have struggled to return to school as a result. The Queensland Department of Education stated it hasn't heard of any bullying related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Given the nature of bullying, this isn't necessarily surprising. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/382NIAx

Social emotion detector: Investigating emotional reactions to social events

Seemingly, half the world population now uses social media to share their thoughts and to experience the thoughts of others. There is no topic left unrepresented by users from opinions about technology, politics, society, celebrities, sport, music, cinema, health, war, religion, sex and beyond. Nothing is taboo. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3y4OJCJ

Barrier Island marine ecosystem altered by storm events

Coastal areas are popular places to live and visit. Every summer, families load up their cars and head to the beach for a few days of relaxation. In Alabama, one destination is Dauphin Island, a small barrier island three miles south of Mobile Bay. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3ygAYRy

High-efficiency ultraviolet light emitting diodes to sterilize pathogens, including COVID-19

ECE Ph.D. student Ayush Pandey details the research led by Prof. Zetian Mi on using high efficiency ultraviolet light emitting diodes to sterilize pathogens. This research, "High-efficiency AlGaN/GaN/AlGaN tunnel junction ultraviolet light-emitting diodes," won the 2020 Editor-in-Chief Choice Award from Photonics Research. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2UEkHb5

Layered graphene with a twist displays unique quantum confinement in 2D

Scientists studying two different configurations of bilayer graphene—the two-dimensional (2D), atom-thin form of carbon—have detected electronic and optical interlayer resonances. In these resonant states, electrons bounce back and forth between the two atomic planes in the 2D interface at the same frequency. By characterizing these states, they found that twisting one of the graphene layers by 30 degrees relative to the other, instead of stacking the layers directly on top of each other, shifts the resonance to a lower energy. From this result, just published in Physical Review Letters, they deduced that the distance between the two layers increased significantly in the twisted configuration, compared to the stacked one. When this distance changes, so do the interlayer interactions, influencing how electrons move in the bilayer system. An understanding of this electron motion could inform the design of future quantum technologies for more powerful computing and more secure communicati...

Most of Earth's carbon may be locked in our planet's outer core

Scientists now understand the composition of Earth a little better thanks to new study. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3zaKveb

How do gravitational waves work?

Gravity isn't just a force that keeps things glued together. Through our understanding of general relativity, we know that gravity can make gravitational waves, or ripples in the fabric of space-time. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3ybARXl

Even small Mars dust storms dry out the Red Planet, scientists find

Thanks to data from three different Mars orbiters, scientists have determined that small, local dust storms, like their much larger counterparts, play a key role in drying out the Red Planet. from Space.com https://ift.tt/2XJk2Gt

Interstellar comets like Borisov may not be all that rare

In 2019, astronomers spotted something incredible in our backyard: a rogue comet from another star system. Named Borisov, the icy snowball traveled 110,000 miles per hour and marked the first and only interstellar comet ever detected by humans. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3kkgbHs

Graft and security issues feed the trade in Iraq's past

Do you want to buy a more than 5,000-year-old Sumerian tablet, listed as the property of a gentleman from Sussex in England and passed down as a family heirloom? from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3AYEEc4

Sniffing out which plant-based burgers smell the most like real beef

For many meat eaters, summer barbecues wouldn't be the same without the mouthwatering aroma of burgers cooking on the grill. But many people are now open to trying plant-based alternatives, as long as they closely resemble the taste, odor, appearance and texture of real beef. Now, researchers report that the aromas of a couple of plant-based burgers come close to the real deal when they are cooking, though other products still have a long way to go. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3yaurrx

'Flushing' out drug use trends early in the COVID-19 pandemic

At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, stay-at-home orders and other restrictions drastically affected how people lived and worked, resulting in social isolation and economic instability. Now, researchers show that some people turned to a variety of drugs for relief. Using wastewater analysis, the team identified a spike in consumption of easily abused prescription opioids and anti-anxiety sedatives, while some illicit drug use plummeted, between March and June 2020. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3DaEP5Z

Rare tropical storm lashes northeastern United States

Tropical Storm Henri slammed into Rhode Island on the US east coast Sunday, knocking out power to thousands of Americans, uprooting trees and bringing record rainfall before weakening as it moved across New England. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3mjWPFg

People evacuated as new wildfire hits Greek island

Scores of firefighters backed by water-dropping aircraft battled a forest fire that broke out early Monday on the southern part of Greece's Evia island, less than two weeks after an inferno decimated its northern part. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3j6yqB1

17 inches of rain devastate rural Tennessee; at least 10 die

Rescue crews searched desperately Sunday amid shattered homes and tangled debris for dozens of people still missing after record-breaking rain sent floodwaters surging through Middle Tennessee. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3B4GRmm

Tropical Storm Henri hits Rhode Island on US east coast

Tropical Storm Henri slammed into Rhode Island on the US east coast Sunday, knocking out power to thousands of Americans, canceling scores of flights and bringing record rainfall. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/384hNj3

Using artificial intelligence for early detection and treatment of illnesses

Artificial intelligence (AI) will fundamentally change medicine and healthcare: Diagnostic patient data, e.g. from ECG, EEG or X-ray images, can be analyzed with the help of machine learning, so that diseases can be detected at a very early stage based on subtle changes. However, implanting AI within the human body is still a major technical challenge. Scientists have now succeeded in developing a bio-compatible implantable AI platform that classifies in real time healthy and pathological patterns in biological signals such as heartbeats. It detects pathological changes even without medical supervision. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3z8qfcU

Distress signal from fat cells prompts heart to shore up defenses against consequences of obesity

A stress signal received by the heart from fat could help protect against cardiac damage induced by obesity, a new study suggests. The finding could help explain the 'obesity paradox,' a phenomenon in which obese individuals have better short- and medium-term cardiovascular disease prognoses compared with those who are lean, but with ultimately worse long-term outcomes. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3kd3XjX

Polymer electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries without dead zones

A joint research team succeeds in improving ionic conductivity using electrostatic interface of polymer electrolytes. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3goMLHc

New breakthrough in research into old insect exoskeletons

Researchers have isolated genetic material from exuviae (discarded exoskeletons) left after insects like cicadas molt. The researchers tested five different methods of amplifying the DNA sample by PCR, and were able to isolate nuclear DNA of good enough quality for repetitive loci known as microsatellites to be genotyped. This work is a significant contribution to insect sciences because these methods can be used for any insect species that molts. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3D2nA77

Here comes the Sun: Planetary scientists find evidence of solar-driven change on the Moon

A new study uncovered important clues to help understand the surprisingly active lunar surface. The scientists found that solar radiation could be a more important source of lunar iron nanoparticles than previously thought. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/383ZXN7

Cross-pollinating physicists use novel technique to improve the design of facilities that aim to harvest fusion energy

Scientists have transferred a technique from one realm of plasma physics to another to enable the more efficient design of powerful magnets for doughnut-shaped fusion facilities known as tokamaks. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3gl1UJK

Researchers develop novel strategy for tuberculosis vaccine

Innovators have created a novel strategy for developing an effective vaccine for a widespread form of tuberculosis. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3moHmnw

Under the northern lights: Mesospheric ozone layer depletion explained

The same phenomenon that causes aurorae -- the magical curtains of green light often visible from the polar regions of the Earth -- causes mesospheric ozone layer depletion, which could have significance for global climate change. Now, a group of scientists has observed, analyzed, and provided greater insight into this phenomenon. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/380HMYN

PULSAR-integrated radiotherapy with immunotherapy for improved tumor control

Cancer physicians are pioneering a new PULSAR radiation-therapy strategy that improves tumor control compared with traditional daily therapy. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/381S62H

Opening a path toward quantum computing in real-world conditions

The quantum computing market is projected to reach $65 billion by 2030, a hot topic for investors and scientists alike because of its potential to solve incomprehensibly complex problems. Drug discovery is one example. To understand drug interactions, a pharmaceutical company might want to simulate the interaction of two molecules. The challenge is that each molecule is composed of a few hundred atoms, and scientists must model all the ways in which these atoms might array themselves when their respective molecules are introduced. The number of possible configurations more than the number of atoms in the entire universe. Only a quantum computer can represent, much less solve, such an expansive, dynamic data problem. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3B3K2eg

Leak and destroy: On the hunt for climate killing gas

After finding a rusty gas canister near his midwest US home, Rick Karas checked online if it was worth anything. Incredibly, it turned out to be a coveted commodity in the battle against climate change. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3sB204R

Russian rocket launches 34 new UK satellites

A Russian Soyuz rocket has blasted into space carrying 34 new satellites from British operator Oneweb, which aims to provide broadband internet everywhere in the world. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3y2mgxe

Hurricane Henri bears down on US east coast

Hurricane Henri was on course to make landfall on the US east coast Sunday, with millions in New England and New York's Long Island preparing for flash flooding, violent winds and power outages. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2XOwdlx

Sugars from human milk could help treat, prevent infections in newborns

Bacteria known as group B Streptococcus (GBS) are a common cause of blood infections, meningitis and stillbirth in newborns. Although GBS infections can often be treated or prevented with antibiotics, the bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant. Now, researchers have discovered that human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs)—short strings of sugar molecules abundant in breast milk—can help prevent GBS infections in human cells and tissues and in mice. Someday, HMOs might be able to replace antibiotics for treating infections in infants and adults, they say. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/383blc1

Making nylon 6-6 'greener,' and without zinc

Outdoor stadium seats, ski bindings, tire reinforcements and other products that require strength, durability and weather resistance are all made with a type of nylon called nylon 6-6. However, producing this material requires an environmentally unfriendly process, the first step of which uses the endangered element zinc as a catalyst. Now, researchers have developed "greener" methods for this step that use alternative metals. They might even be able to substitute waste iron in the form of rust, or ferric oxide, for the endangered element. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2WhN3c7

Astronauts and satellites watch Hurricane Henri from space as US Northeast braces for storm

As parts of New England brace for Hurricane Henri to make landfall in New York Sunday (Aug. 22), astronauts and satellites are tracking the historic storm from space. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3mmGkIt

Thousands of ocean fishing boats could be using forced labor – we used AI and satellite data to find them

Fishing on the high seas is a bit of a mystery, economically speaking. from Space.com https://ift.tt/38650MV

Rare Blue Moon of August 2021 rises tonight. Here's what to expect.

The August full moon rises tonight (Aug. 22), bringing skywatchers a rare seasonal "Blue Moon."  from Space.com https://ift.tt/3kgo3tz

A microwave-powered rocket? Drone project suggests it may be possible

Scientists have demonstrated that beamed microwaves can be converted to electricity to power drones. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3z7vv0A

Arianespace Soyuz rocket launches 34 OneWeb internet satellites into space

Arianespace launched dozens of internet satellites for the communications company OneWeb this evening (Aug. 21). from Space.com https://ift.tt/3kciaOi

Explainer: Why it takes months to subdue some wildfires

At nearly every community meeting on firefighting efforts in the U.S. West, residents want to know why crews don't simply put out the flames to save their homes and the valuable forests surrounding them. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2UCHi7X

Henri upgraded to hurricane as it threatens US coast

A swath of the US East Coast, including New York City, was under alert Saturday, as storm Henri was upgraded to what could be the first hurricane in 30 years to hit New England. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3mASnlN

Hurricane Grace leaves at least 8 dead in Mexico

Hurricane Grace left at least eight people dead as it tore through eastern Mexico Saturday, causing flooding, power blackouts and damage to homes before gradually losing strength over mountains. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3gn2XZA

Study proposes new ways to estimate climate change impacts on agriculture

Most scientists agree climate change has a profound impact on U.S. agricultural production. But estimates vary widely, making it hard to develop mitigation strategies. Two agricultural economists at the University of Illinois take a closer look at how choice of statistical methodology influences climate study results. They also propose a more accurate and place-specific approach to data analysis. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2XNYAAt

Dispelling false claims of cannibalistic caribs—again

SFU archaeologist Christina Giovas and colleagues are formally denouncing what they call unsubstantiated and harmful claims of cannibalistic Caribs migrating to the Caribbean, in a paper published today in Nature's Scientific Reports. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2UBsiaz

Cross-pollinating physicists use novel technique to improve the design of facilities that aim to harvest fusion energy

Physicists are like bees—they can cross-pollinate, taking ideas from one area and using them to develop breakthroughs in other areas. Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) have transferred a technique from one realm of plasma physics to another to enable the more efficient design of powerful magnets for doughnut-shaped fusion facilities known as tokamaks. Such magnets confine and control plasma, the fourth state of matter that makes up 99 percent of the visible universe and fuels fusion reactions. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3ksx7Mn

Rare Cambrian fossils from Utah reveal unexpected anatomical complexity in early comb jellies

Ctenophores, also known as comb jellies, are a group of over 200 living species of invertebrate animals with a transparent gelatinous body superficially resembling that of a jellyfish. There is much interest in ctenophore evolution in recent years as their controversial phylogenetic position in the animal tree of life has prompted conflicting hypotheses. While some studies suggest they might represent the earliest branching animals, others suggest a more traditional position as close relatives of jellyfish. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3mlydMs

Fertility:Key protein helps sperm do their job in timely fashion

Researchers detail how a ubiquitous signaling molecule plays a critical role in male fertility, orchestrating key steps that promote sperm motility, survival and fertilization success. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/38fKYzX

New fossils show what the ancestral brains of arthropods looked like

Rare fossils preserving the brains of creatures living more than half a billion years ago shed new light on the evolution of arthropods such as insects and crustaceans. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3Den8Tt

Biodiversity: Land use – Threat to and opportunity for bumblebees

Bumblebees largely contribute to the pollination of crops. However, they are threatened by land use changes due to climate change. Long-term simulations have now shown that smart land management may stabilize some species. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3D3Yc0H

Female and young walruses depend on disappearing Arctic sea ice for food sources

A new study shows that disappearing sea ice is a significant element of the food web supporting female walruses and their dependent young in the Arctic's Chukchi Sea. Researchers were able to trace biomarkers that are unique to algae growing within sea ice to connect marine mammals with a food source that is rapidly diminishing in the face of climate change. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3sxIUwc

Cloud shadows cue mini-migrations

A new study shows that zooplankton swim up and down repeatedly within the ocean's twilight zone due to subtle changes in daylight intensity, with implications for deep-sea ecology and the Earth's carbon cycle. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3y1YDEZ

Seeing both the forest and the trees: Trans-scale scope shows big picture of tiny targets

Researchers built a microscope system that can image over a million cells at once. The technology allowed the team to simultaneously observe the actions of individual cells as well as the global features of cell populations. This research may significantly increase the ability of scientists to study rare cellular functions. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3AYjFpR

Food claiming to have 'wild mushrooms' rarely do

Harvesting wild mushrooms requires an expert eye to distinguish between the delicious and the inedible. Misidentification can have a range of consequences, from a disgusting taste and mild illness to organ failure and even death. Culinary wild mushrooms staples, such as truffles or porcini, require symbiotic relationships with specific plants in the ecosystem that make it impractical or impossible to produce them commercially. This means they can only be harvested from their natural habitat, which is why porcini and truffles are often so expensive. Many food producers opt for common fungi that can be cultivated easily and grown in large quantities, such as oyster, shiitake, and portabella mushrooms. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3Dectbp

Jobless benefit cuts cause lost earnings, spending in US states: study

American states that ended pandemic jobless benefits early saw slight dips in unemployment rates but big declines in spending and income, according to a study released Friday, in what could be a preview of the effects nationwide when the programs end completely. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3APXwds

Efficient buildings could save thousands of lives in US every year

Buildings in the U.S. are responsible for 40% of the country's total energy consumption. By improving the energy efficiency of new and existing buildings, the emissions generated from heating and cooling them could be reduced—preventing thousands of premature deaths every year. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3AX9mSV

New imaging tool visualizes cell functions in a microphysiological system

A microphysiological system (MPS) is a 3D organ construct using human cells. They show us how organs respond to drugs and environmental stimuli. Now, researchers have developed a new imaging tool for MPS using scanning probe microscopy. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2WcoehF

Hundreds of Cape Fur seals entangled in fishing lines and nets every year

Fishing line and nets are having a major impact on Cape fur seals, the most common marine mammal observed around the coastline of South Africa and Namibia, where they are endemic. The first results from an ongoing study, initiated in 2018, shows that a high number of affected animals are pups and juveniles, which were mainly entangled around the neck with fishing line, causing horrific injuries and resulting in a slow, painful death. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3z5V8Pg

Evolution now accepted by majority of Americans

The level of public acceptance of evolution in the United States is now solidly above the halfway mark, according to a new study based on a series of national public opinion surveys conducted over the last 35 years. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/2XKhAjd

Integrative approach by biologists increases accuracy of mosquito vector surveillance

A team of researchers has developed an integrative approach that increases the accuracy of mosquito surveillance and management. The two-pronged strategy boosts accuracy in sampling by including mosquito larvae, and species identification using short DNA sequences. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3z10paK

Chinese astronauts complete second spacewalk at new space station

Chinese astronauts conducted their second spacewalk outside of the country's new space station on Friday, installing a range of equipment including a back-up air-conditioning unit. from Space.com https://ift.tt/3sxtk3U

Photo posts reveal huge interest in real coastal nature

What do people want when they set out to experience the world around them in coastal areas? Is it amusement parks with water slides and water skiing? Or do they value nature 'on the rocks' like in marine protected areas, MPAs? from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3APU1DQ

Novel resilient state estimation method for process control in cyber-physical systems

A new process control method uses a special mathematical structure to accurately estimate the internal process variables of a system, even when external sensors are damaged. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3k4uDTS

Opening the climate change forecasting toolbox

It is not easy to predict how animals -- from insects to fish -- are going to respond to climate change and especially extremes of temperature. This lack of understanding hinders our ability to predict the vulnerability of these animals to climate change. Scientists now make several proposal on how to improve the current, widely adopted thermal vulnerability index. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3857ScQ

Cardiovascular disorder genetic testing in children presents unique challenges

Genetic testing for cardiovascular disorders is rapidly expanding, including among children. In its first scientific statement focused on the issue of cardiovascular genetic testing specifically among children, the American Heart Association provides information and guidance on the topic, including issues of timing, consent, family counseling before and after testing, and follow-up. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3BcVoNd

Novel AI blood testing technology can ID lung cancers with high accuracy

A novel artificial intelligence blood testing technology was found to detect over 90% of lung cancers in samples from nearly 800 individuals with and without cancer. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3j5MQkE

Rivers are largest global source of mercury in oceans

The presence of mercury in the world's oceans has ramifications for human health and wildlife, especially in coastal areas where the majority of fishing takes place. But while models evaluating sources of mercury in the oceans have focused on mercury deposited directly from the atmosphere, a new study led by Peter Raymond, professor of ecosystem ecology at the Yale School of the Environment and published in Nature Geoscience shows that rivers are actually the main source of the toxic heavy metal along the world's coasts. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3AXHCO2

Study identifies patterns in bird-plane collisions

Worldwide, the cost of bird collisions with planes has been estimated at $1.2 billion per year. But information on bird movements throughout the year can help avoid damage to aircraft and risk to passengers. Scientists from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and partners have been looking for patterns in bird strike data from three New York City area airports. Their findings were published today in the Journal of Applied Ecology. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3iY6nn8

A new era for biology: Opportunities and challenges of macrogenetics

The burgeoning field of macrogenetics is the focus of a new review published in Nature Reviews Genetics by a global, multidisciplinary team of researchers seeking to better answer fundamental biodiversity questions. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3AYGU3o

Geologists dig into Grand Canyon's mysterious gap in time

A new study led by the University of Colorado Boulder reveals the complex history behind one of the Grand Canyon's most well-known geologic features: A mysterious and missing gap of time in the canyon's rock record that covers hundreds of millions of years. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3y2ISNW

New method to detect and visualize sperm cells recovered from forensic evidence

One of the most valuable forms of forensic evidence in cases of male-perpetrated sexual assault is the presence of semen, either in the form of stains left behind on items or on swabs collected from victims after an offense. To confirm that semen is present, suspected stains are examined under a microscope to see if any sperm cells are visible. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/2XBwacB

Remote sensing and machine learning reveal Archaic shell rings

Deep in the dense coastal forests and marshes of the American Southeast lie shell rings and shell mounds left by Indigenous people 3,000 to 5,000 years ago. Now an international team of researchers, using deep machine learning to assess remote sensing data, has located previously undiscovered shell rings. The researchers hope this will lead to a better understanding of how people lived in that area and a way to identify other, undiscovered shell rings. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3keNFHA

Comet ATLAS may have been a blast from the past

It's suspected that about 5,000 years ago a comet may swept within 23 million miles of the Sun, closer than the innermost planet Mercury. The comet might have been a spectacular sight to civilizations across Eurasia and North Africa at the end of the Stone Age. from Phys.org - latest science and technology news stories https://ift.tt/3z4hlNx

Understanding enzyme evolution paves the way for 'green' chemistry

Researchers have shown how laboratory evolution can give rise to highly efficient enzymes for new-to-nature reactions, opening the door for novel and more environmentally friendly ways to make drugs and other chemicals. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/37V3Js2

Antibodies block specific viruses that cause arthritis, brain infections

Researchers have found antibodies that protect against specific mosquito-borne viruses that cause arthritis and brain infections. The findings could lead to a universal therapy or vaccine for the viruses. from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily https://ift.tt/3AXA2my