ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Printing organic transistors
• Seagrass restoration speeds recovery of ecosystem services
• The effects of oxytocin on social anxiety depend on location, location, location
• Researchers develop tools to sharpen 3D view of large RNA molecules
• Simple sugar possible therapy for repairing myelin in multiple sclerosis
• Mouse study suggests parental response to infant distress is innate but adapts to change
• Polar ice, atmospheric water vapor biggest drivers of variation among climate models
• First detailed look at how molecular Ferris wheel delivers protons to cellular factories
• Boosting chickens' own immune response could curb disease
• Nitrous oxide emissions pose an increasing climate threat
• Researchers find consistent mercury levels in Arctic seals
• Past tropical forest changes drove megafauna and hominin extinctions
• New key player in long-term memory
• Fighting intestinal infections with the body's own endocannabinoids
• Biochip innovation combines AI and nanoparticle printing for cancer cell analysis
• Traveling brain waves help detect hard-to-see objects
• Mammals share gene pathways that allow zebrafish to grow new eyes
• Paleontologists identify new species of mosasaur
• Taking the STING out of MND
• Diamonds are a quantum scientist's best friend
• Invisible threat: Listeria in smoked fish
• Cerenkov luminescence imaging identifies surgical margin status in radical prostatectomy
• Advanced prostate cancer has an unexpected weakness that can be targeted by drugs
• Long-term consequences difficult to predict
• Molecular swarm rearranges surface structures atom by atom
• Intelligent nanomaterials for photonics
• New research explores how super flares affect planets' habitability
• Data tool helps users manage water resources, protect infrastructure
• Looking for pieces of Venus? Try the moon
• Climate change could mean fewer sunny days for hot regions banking on solar power
• Aerodynamicists reveal link between fish scales and aircraft drag
• Moon's magnetic crust research sees scientists debunk long-held theory
• Molecular mechanism of cross-species transmission of primate lentiviruses
• Study confirms genetic link in cerebral palsy
• New findings pave the way to environmentally friendly supercapacitors
• A hydrogel that could help repair damaged nerves
• Physical activity and sleep in adults with arthritis
• Does general anesthesia increase dementia risk?
• Applying artificial intelligence to science education
• Deep learning takes on synthetic biology
• Sea-level rise projections can improve with state-of-the-art model
• Why some friends make you feel more supported than others
• Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020: CRISPR/Cas9 method for genome editing
• Toothless dino's lost digits point to spread of parrot-like species
• Expanded newborn screening could save premature infants' lives
• New study rebuts 75-year-old belief in reptile evolution
• Study finds odor-sensing neuron regeneration process is adaptive
• Evidence of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and MND in brains of young people exposed to dirty air
• New climate model helps researchers better predict water needs
• A simple enrollment change yields big dividends in children's early learning program
• Pesticides and food scarcity dramatically reduce wild bee population

Printing organic transistors Posted: 07 Oct 2020 03:23 PM PDT Researchers successfully print and demonstrate organic transistors, electronic switches, which can operate close to their theoretical speed limits. They showed high-speed operation only requires low voltages to work, which would reduce the power consumption of their applications. These kinds of transistors are used in display technology such as liquid crystal display (LCD) screens and e-ink. This is the first time this kind of transistor has been printed and it could lead to new curved, flexible and even wearable low power devices.

Seagrass restoration speeds recovery of ecosystem services Posted: 07 Oct 2020 12:43 PM PDT The reintroduction of seagrass into Virginia's coastal bays is one of the great success stories in marine restoration. Now, a long-term monitoring study shows this success extends far beyond a single plant species, rippling out to engender substantial increases in fish and invertebrate abundance, water clarity, and the trapping of pollution-causing carbon and nitrogen.

The effects of oxytocin on social anxiety depend on location, location, location Posted: 07 Oct 2020 12:38 PM PDT The findings of the study show that oxytocin produced in the BNST increases stress-induced social anxiety behaviors in mice. This may provide an explanation as to why oxytocin can sometimes have antisocial effects.

Researchers develop tools to sharpen 3D view of large RNA molecules Posted: 07 Oct 2020 11:54 AM PDT Scientists developed a method for generating high resolution 3D images of RNA, overcoming challenges limiting 3D analysis and imaging of RNA to only small molecules and pieces of RNA for the past 50 years. The new method, which expands the scope of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, will enable researchers to understand the shape and structure of RNA molecules and learn how they interact with other molecules.

Simple sugar possible therapy for repairing myelin in multiple sclerosis Posted: 07 Oct 2020 11:54 AM PDT N-acetylglucosamine, a simple sugar found in human breast milk and sold as an over-the-counter dietary supplement in the United States, promotes myelin repair in mouse models and correlates with myelination levels in multiple sclerosis patients according to a new study.

Mouse study suggests parental response to infant distress is innate but adapts to change Posted: 07 Oct 2020 11:53 AM PDT A new study in mice suggests that parents have an innate capacity to respond to an infant's cries for help and this capacity may serve as a foundation from which a parent learns to adjust to an infant's changing needs.

Polar ice, atmospheric water vapor biggest drivers of variation among climate models Posted: 07 Oct 2020 11:53 AM PDT Researchers have found varying projections on global warming trends put forth by climate change scientists can be explained by differing models' predictions regarding ice loss and atmospheric water vapor.

First detailed look at how molecular Ferris wheel delivers protons to cellular factories Posted: 07 Oct 2020 11:53 AM PDT All cells with nuclei, from yeast to humans, use molecular machines called proton pumps to regulate the acidity of organelles - compartments where various types of work are done. A new study reveals a key step in how these Ferris wheel-like pumps operate.

Boosting chickens' own immune response could curb disease Posted: 07 Oct 2020 11:53 AM PDT Broiler chicken producers the world over are all too familiar with coccidiosis, a parasite-borne intestinal disease that stalls growth and winnows flocks. Various approaches, developed over decades, have been used to control coccidiosis, but the disease remains widespread. Recent research supports the use of immunomodulatory and antioxidant feed additives to reduce the effects of coccidiosis.

Nitrous oxide emissions pose an increasing climate threat Posted: 07 Oct 2020 09:31 AM PDT Rising nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions are jeopardizing the climate goals of the Paris Agreement, according to a major new study. The growing use of nitrogen fertilizers in the production of food worldwide is increasing atmospheric concentrations of N2O - a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2) that remains in the atmosphere for more than 100 years.

Researchers find consistent mercury levels in Arctic seals Posted: 07 Oct 2020 09:31 AM PDT Ringed seals and other Arctic marine mammals are important in the diet of Arctic Indigenous peoples. A study spanning 45 years of testing indicates that mercury concentrations in ringed seals from the Canadian Arctic have remained stable, showing very limited declines over time.

Past tropical forest changes drove megafauna and hominin extinctions Posted: 07 Oct 2020 09:31 AM PDT Researchers have discovered that Southeast Asia, today renowned for its lush rainforests, was at various points in the past covered by sweeping grasslands. The expansion and reduction of these grasslands had drastic effects on local megafauna, variously supporting success and inducing extinction.

New key player in long-term memory Posted: 07 Oct 2020 09:31 AM PDT A research team has discovered that during memory consolidation, there are at least two distinct processes taking place in two different brain networks - the excitatory and inhibitory networks. The excitatory neurons are involved in creating a memory trace, and the inhibitory neurons block out background noise and allow long-term learning to take place.

Fighting intestinal infections with the body's own endocannabinoids Posted: 07 Oct 2020 09:31 AM PDT Endocannabinoids, signaling molecules produced in the body that share features with chemicals found in marijuana, can shut down genes needed for some pathogenic intestinal bacteria to colonize, multiply, and cause disease, new research shows.

Biochip innovation combines AI and nanoparticle printing for cancer cell analysis Posted: 07 Oct 2020 09:31 AM PDT Researchers describe how they combined artificial intelligence, microfluidics and nanoparticle inkjet printing in a device that enables the examination and differentiation of cancers and healthy tissues at the single-cell level.

Traveling brain waves help detect hard-to-see objects Posted: 07 Oct 2020 09:31 AM PDT A team of scientists has uncovered details of the neural mechanisms underlying the perception of objects. They found that patterns of neural signals, called traveling brain waves, exist in the visual system of the awake brain and are organized to allow the brain to perceive objects that are faint or otherwise difficult to see.

Mammals share gene pathways that allow zebrafish to grow new eyes Posted: 07 Oct 2020 09:31 AM PDT Working with fish, birds and mice, researchers report new evidence that some animals' natural capacity to regrow neurons is not missing, but is instead inactivated in mammals.

Paleontologists identify new species of mosasaur Posted: 07 Oct 2020 09:31 AM PDT A new species of an ancient marine reptile evolved to strike terror into the hearts of the normally safe, fast-swimming fish has been identified, shedding light on what it took to survive in highly competitive ecosystems.

Taking the STING out of MND Posted: 07 Oct 2020 09:31 AM PDT Researchers are working towards a potential treatment to slow the progression of motor neuron disease (MND). The research team have uncovered how inflammation in MND is triggered. Pinpointing the molecules involved in this pathway could be a first step towards a new treatment for MND.

Diamonds are a quantum scientist's best friend Posted: 07 Oct 2020 09:30 AM PDT New research details the phenomenon of what is called 'triplet superconductivity' in diamond. Triplet superconductivity occurs when electrons move in a composite spin state rather than as a single pair. This is an extremely rare, yet efficient form of superconductivity that until now has only been known to occur in one or two other materials, and only theoretically in diamonds.

Invisible threat: Listeria in smoked fish Posted: 07 Oct 2020 09:30 AM PDT Fish should be a regular component of our diets. It is an important source of biologically high-quality and easily digestible protein, minerals and vitamins. However, raw, smoked and cured fish products also often contain pathogenic germs, notably listeria. People can become infected by eating contaminated food and become ill with listeriosis.

Cerenkov luminescence imaging identifies surgical margin status in radical prostatectomy Posted: 07 Oct 2020 09:30 AM PDT A new intraoperative imaging technique, Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI), can accurately assess surgical margins during radical prostatectomy, according to a first-in-human research. The feasibility study showed that 68Ga-PSMA CLI can image the entire excised prostate specimen's surface to detect prostate cancer tissue at the resection margin.

Advanced prostate cancer has an unexpected weakness that can be targeted by drugs Posted: 07 Oct 2020 09:30 AM PDT Researchers reported that the SUCLA2 gene is frequently involved in the deletion of the tumor suppressor gene RB1 in advanced prostate cancer. RB1 deletion makes cells resistant to hormone therapy but SUCLA2 deletion induces a metabolic weakness. The study showed that thymoquinone selectively killed SUCLA2-deficient prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. The findings highlight a vulnerability of advanced prostate cancer cells that can be targeted by drugs.

Long-term consequences difficult to predict Posted: 07 Oct 2020 09:30 AM PDT A research team has investigated the consequences of changes in plant biodiversity for the functioning of ecosystems. The scientists found that the relationships between plant traits and ecosystem functions change from year to year. This makes predicting the long-term consequences of biodiversity change extremely difficult.

Molecular swarm rearranges surface structures atom by atom Posted: 07 Oct 2020 09:30 AM PDT Researchers have now developed a molecular tool which makes it possible, at the atomic level, to change the structure of a metal surface. The restructuring of the surface by individual molecules - so-called N-heterocyclic carbenes - takes place similar to a zipper.

Intelligent nanomaterials for photonics Posted: 07 Oct 2020 09:30 AM PDT 2D materials - combined with optical fibers - can enable novel applications in the areas of sensors, non-linear optics, and quantum technologies. However, combining these two components has so far been very laborious. Typically, the atomically thin layers had to be produced separately before being transferred by hand onto optical fibers. Researchers have now succeeded for the first time in growing 2D materials directly on optical fibers. This approach facilitates manufacturing of such hybrids.

New research explores how super flares affect planets' habitability Posted: 07 Oct 2020 09:30 AM PDT New research will help astrobiologists understand how much radiation planets experience during super flares and whether life could exist on worlds beyond our solar system.

Data tool helps users manage water resources, protect infrastructure Posted: 07 Oct 2020 09:30 AM PDT River systems are essential resources for everything from drinking water supply to power generation - but these systems are also hydrologically complex, and it is not always clear how water flow data from various monitoring points relates to any specific piece of infrastructure. Researchers have now developed a tool that draws from multiple databases to help resource managers and infrastructure users make informed decisions about water use on river networks.

Looking for pieces of Venus? Try the moon Posted: 07 Oct 2020 09:30 AM PDT A growing body of research suggests the planet Venus may have had an Earth-like environment billions of years ago, with water and a thin atmosphere.

Climate change could mean fewer sunny days for hot regions banking on solar power Posted: 07 Oct 2020 09:30 AM PDT Changes to regional climates brought on by global warming could make it so that areas such as the American Southwest that are currently considered ideal for solar power would be less viable in the future, a new study suggests. Higher surface temperatures will lead to more moisture, aerosols and particulates in the atmosphere, which may result in less solar radiation and more cloudy days. The study is the first to assess the day-to-day reliability of solar energy under climate change.

Aerodynamicists reveal link between fish scales and aircraft drag Posted: 07 Oct 2020 09:30 AM PDT A new research study has revealed that fish scale arrays generate a streaky base flow on the surface of the animal which yields important clues into reducing drag - the aerodynamic force that opposes an aircraft's motion through the air - by more than 25 percent.

Moon's magnetic crust research sees scientists debunk long-held theory Posted: 07 Oct 2020 06:36 AM PDT New international research into the Moon provides scientists with insights as to how and why its crust is magnetized, essentially 'debunking' one of the previous longstanding theories.

Molecular mechanism of cross-species transmission of primate lentiviruses Posted: 07 Oct 2020 06:36 AM PDT A research group showed that gorilla APOBEC3G potentially plays a role in inhibiting SIVcpz replication. Intriguingly, the research group demonstrated that an amino acid substitution in SIVcpz Vif, M16E, is sufficient to overcome gorilla APOBEC3G-mediated restriction.

Study confirms genetic link in cerebral palsy Posted: 07 Oct 2020 06:36 AM PDT An international research team including the University of Adelaide has found further evidence that rare gene mutations can cause cerebral palsy, findings which could lead to earlier diagnosis and new treatments for this devastating movement disorder.

New findings pave the way to environmentally friendly supercapacitors Posted: 07 Oct 2020 06:36 AM PDT Similar to batteries, supercapacitors are suitable for the repeated storage of electrical energy. Researchers have now presented a particularly safe and sustainable variant of such a supercapacitor.

A hydrogel that could help repair damaged nerves Posted: 07 Oct 2020 05:56 AM PDT Injuries to peripheral nerves -- tissues that transmit bioelectrical signals from the brain to the rest of the body -- often result in chronic pain, neurologic disorders, paralysis or disability. Now, researchers have developed a stretchable conductive hydrogel that could someday be used to repair these types of nerves when there's damage.

Physical activity and sleep in adults with arthritis Posted: 07 Oct 2020 05:56 AM PDT A new study has examined patterns of 24-hour physical activity and sleep among patients with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and knee osteoarthritis.

Does general anesthesia increase dementia risk? Posted: 07 Oct 2020 05:56 AM PDT There are concerns that exposure to general anesthesia during surgery may contribute to an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. To investigate, researchers compared exposure to general anesthesia versus regional anesthesia during elective surgery, looking for potential links to the development of dementia.

Applying artificial intelligence to science education Posted: 07 Oct 2020 05:56 AM PDT A new review highlights the potential of machine learning--a subset of artificial intelligence -- in science education.

Deep learning takes on synthetic biology Posted: 07 Oct 2020 05:56 AM PDT Machine learning is helping biologists solve hard problems, including designing effective synthetic biology tools. Scientists have now created a set of algorithms that can effectively predict the efficacy of thousands of RNA-based sensors called toehold switches, allowing the rapid identification and optimization of sequences that can act as biological sensors for medicine and other applications.

Sea-level rise projections can improve with state-of-the-art model Posted: 07 Oct 2020 05:56 AM PDT Projections of potentially dramatic sea-level rise from ice-sheet melting in Antarctica have been wide-ranging, but a Rutgers-led team has created a model that enables improved projections and could help better address climate change threats.

Why some friends make you feel more supported than others Posted: 07 Oct 2020 05:56 AM PDT It's good to have friends and family to back you up when you need it - but it's even better if your supporters are close with each other too, a new set of studies suggests. Researchers found that people perceived they had more support from a group of friends or family who all knew and liked each other than from an identical number of close relationships who were not linked.

Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2020: CRISPR/Cas9 method for genome editing Posted: 07 Oct 2020 05:34 AM PDT This year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry is being awarded to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna for the development of the CRISPR/Cas9 method for genome editing.

Toothless dino's lost digits point to spread of parrot-like species Posted: 06 Oct 2020 07:02 PM PDT A newly discovered species of toothless, two-fingered dinosaur has shed light on how a group of parrot-like animals thrived more than 68 million years ago.

Expanded newborn screening could save premature infants' lives Posted: 06 Oct 2020 01:57 PM PDT Expanding routine newborn screening to include a metabolic vulnerability profile could lead to earlier detection of life-threatening complications in babies born preterm, according to a study by UC San Francisco researchers. The new method, which was developed at UCSF, offers valuable and time-sensitive insights into which infants are at greatest risk during their most vulnerable time, immediately after birth.

New study rebuts 75-year-old belief in reptile evolution Posted: 06 Oct 2020 01:57 PM PDT A statistical analysis of that vast database is helping scientists better understand the evolution of these cold-blooded vertebrates by contradicting a widely held theory that major transitions in evolution always happened in big, quick (geologically speaking) bursts, triggered by major environmental shifts.

Study finds odor-sensing neuron regeneration process is adaptive Posted: 06 Oct 2020 01:57 PM PDT Results show that diminished odor stimulation reduces the number of newly-generated neurons that express particular odorant receptors, indicating a selective alteration in the neurogenesis of these neuron subtypes.

Evidence of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and MND in brains of young people exposed to dirty air Posted: 06 Oct 2020 12:35 PM PDT After examining the brainstems of 186 young Mexico City residents aged between 11 months and 27 years of age, researchers, found markers not only of Alzheimer's disease, but also of Parkinson's and of motor neuron disease (MND) too. These markers of disease were coupled with the presence of tiny, distinctive nanoparticles within the brainstem - their appearance and composition indicating they were likely to come from vehicle pollution.

New climate model helps researchers better predict water needs Posted: 06 Oct 2020 12:35 PM PDT New research combines climate and land use projections to predict water availability, information that is crucial for the preparations of resource managers and land-use planners.

A simple enrollment change yields big dividends in children's early learning program Posted: 06 Oct 2020 12:35 PM PDT Researchers know that texting programs can greatly benefit young children's literacy. Now new research shows that parents' participation in such programs can be boosted exponentially with one simple tweak: automatic enrollment, combined with the ability to opt out.

Pesticides and food scarcity dramatically reduce wild bee population Posted: 06 Oct 2020 12:35 PM PDT The loss of flowering plants and the widespread use of pesticides could be a double punch to wild bee populations. In a new study, researchers found that the combined threats reduced blue orchard bee reproduction by 57 percent and resulted in fewer female offspring.

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