ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Secret surfing life of remoras hitchhiking on blue whales
• Study helps explain why motivation to learn declines with age
• Average body temperature among healthy adults declined over the past two decades
• Leaving more big fish in the sea reduces carbon dioxide emissions
• Raptor-inspired drone with morphing wing and tail
• Multi-drone system autonomously surveys penguin colonies
• Juno data indicates 'sprites' or 'elves' frolic in Jupiter's atmosphere
• Using a volcano's eruption 'memory' to forecast dangerous follow-on explosions
• Researchers map genomes of agricultural 'monsters'
• Astronomers discover activity on distant planetary object
• Models for potential precursors of cells endure simulated early-Earth conditions
• Artificial intelligence-based algorithm for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's
• New dataset provides county-level exposure numbers for tropical cyclones, human health
• Cracking the secrets of dinosaur eggshells
• A patch that could help heal broken hearts
• Secrets of 'smasher shrimp' property ladder revealed
• Paracetamol poisonings up
• Genetic analysis system yields new insights into bacterial pneumonia
• Device takes us closer to high-performing wearable and eco-disposable AI electronics
• Weak equivalence principle violated in gravitational waves
• Climate change drives plants to extinction in the Black Forest in Germany
• Renewable energy targets can undermine sustainable intentions
• An artificial cell on a chip
• Specific and rapid expansion of blood vessels
• Judges' decisions in sport focus more on vigor than skill
• Estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects of PFASs could depend on the presence of estrogen
• Mountain gorillas are good neighbors - up to a point
• How computer scientists and marketers can create a better CX with AI
• Coral researchers find link between bacterial genus and disease susceptibility
• Soil-powered fuel cell promises cheap, sustainable water purification
• Reforestation plans in Africa could go awry
• The rhythm of change: What a drum-beat experiment reveals about cultural evolution
• Coastal Greenland reshaped as Greenland ice sheet mass loss accelerates
• New strategy for treating common retinal diseases shows promise
• Hurricanes pack a bigger punch for Florida's west coast
• Astronomers are bulging with data
• Tailoring 2D materials to improve electronic and optical devices
• Photovoltaics industry can help meet Paris agreement targets
• Promising strategies for durable perovskite solar cells
• 'Fast' MRI detects breast cancers that 3-D mammograms may miss
• Death rates among people with severe COVID-19 drop by a half in England

Secret surfing life of remoras hitchhiking on blue whales Posted: 28 Oct 2020 04:56 PM PDT A new study of blue whales off the coast of California has given researchers the first ocean recordings of their famous hitchhiking partner -- the remora -- revealing the suckerfish's secret whale-surfing skills as well as their knack for grabbing the most flow-optimal spots while riding aboard the world's largest vertebrate.

Study helps explain why motivation to learn declines with age Posted: 28 Oct 2020 02:14 PM PDT Neuroscientists have identified a brain circuit critical for learning to make decisions that require evaluating the cost or reward of an action. They showed this circuit is negatively affected by aging and in Huntington's disease.

Average body temperature among healthy adults declined over the past two decades Posted: 28 Oct 2020 02:14 PM PDT In the nearly two centuries since German physician Carl Wunderlich established 98.6°F as the standard 'normal' body temperature, it has been used by parents and doctors alike as the measure by which fevers -- and often the severity of illness -- have been assessed.

Leaving more big fish in the sea reduces carbon dioxide emissions Posted: 28 Oct 2020 11:31 AM PDT Leaving more big fish -- like tuna, sharks, mackerel and swordfish -- in the sea reduces the amount of carbon dioxide released into the Earth's atmosphere. This is because when a fish dies in the ocean it sinks to the depths and sequestrates all the carbon it contains with it. This is a form of 'blue carbon'. Big fish are about 10 to 15 percent carbon.

Raptor-inspired drone with morphing wing and tail Posted: 28 Oct 2020 11:31 AM PDT Engineers have developed a drone with a feathered wing and tail that give it unprecedented flight agility.

Multi-drone system autonomously surveys penguin colonies Posted: 28 Oct 2020 11:31 AM PDT A new multi-drone imaging system was put to the test in Antarctica. The task? Documenting a colony of roughly 1 million Adélie penguins.

Juno data indicates 'sprites' or 'elves' frolic in Jupiter's atmosphere Posted: 28 Oct 2020 11:31 AM PDT An instrument on NASA's Juno mission spacecraft may have detected transient luminous events -- bright flashes of light in the gas giant's upper atmosphere.

Using a volcano's eruption 'memory' to forecast dangerous follow-on explosions Posted: 28 Oct 2020 10:40 AM PDT Stromboli, the 'lighthouse of the Mediterranean', is known for its low-energy but persistent explosive eruptions, behaviour that is known scientifically as Strombolian activity. Occasionally, however, more intense and sudden explosions occur, most recently in July and August last year (2019). These are known as 'Strombolian paroxysms'. During such events several of Stromboli's craters are active simultaneously and much greater volumes of pyroclastic materials are erupted than is usual for the volcano.

Researchers map genomes of agricultural 'monsters' Posted: 28 Oct 2020 10:40 AM PDT Biologists are unlocking the genomes of creepy agricultural pests like screwworms that feast on livestock from the inside out and thrips that transmit viruses to plants.

Astronomers discover activity on distant planetary object Posted: 28 Oct 2020 09:45 AM PDT A team of astronomers, earlier this year announced their discovery of activity emanating from Centaur 2014 OG392, a planetary object first found in 2014. As a result of the team's discovery, the Centaur has recently been reclassified as a comet, and will be known as 'C/2014 OG392 (PANSTARRS).'

Models for potential precursors of cells endure simulated early-Earth conditions Posted: 28 Oct 2020 09:45 AM PDT Membraneless compartments -- models for a potential step in the early evolution of cells -- have been shown to persist or form, disappear, and reform in predictable ways through multiple cycles of dehydration and rehydration.

Artificial intelligence-based algorithm for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's Posted: 28 Oct 2020 09:45 AM PDT In a recent study, scientists employed machine-learning algorithms to classify fMRI data.

New dataset provides county-level exposure numbers for tropical cyclones, human health Posted: 28 Oct 2020 09:45 AM PDT The new open source data set can be used for epidemiological research on tropical cyclones.

Cracking the secrets of dinosaur eggshells Posted: 28 Oct 2020 09:45 AM PDT Since the famous discovery of dinosaur eggs in the Gobi Desert in the early 1920s, the fossilized remains have captured the imaginations of paleontologists and the public, alike. Although dinosaur eggs have now been found on every continent, it's not always clear to scientists which species laid them. Now, researchers have narrowed down the list for an unknown eggshell from Mexico by comparing its microstructure and composition with four known samples.

A patch that could help heal broken hearts Posted: 28 Oct 2020 09:45 AM PDT According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide in recent years. During a heart attack, or myocardial infarction (MI), a blocked artery and the resulting oxygen deprivation cause massive cardiac cell death, blood vessel impairment and inflammation. Now, researchers have developed a cardiac patch with tiny engineered blood vessels that improved recovery from MI in rats and pigs.

Secrets of 'smasher shrimp' property ladder revealed Posted: 28 Oct 2020 08:06 AM PDT Mantis shrimps carefully survey burrows before trying to evict rivals, new research shows.

Paracetamol poisonings up Posted: 28 Oct 2020 08:06 AM PDT In 2003, the painkiller paracetamol became available in Switzerland in tablets with a higher dose of the active ingredient. This correlates with an increase in cases of paracetamol poisoning in the country, as a data analysis shows.

Genetic analysis system yields new insights into bacterial pneumonia Posted: 28 Oct 2020 08:06 AM PDT A team of infectious disease researchers has developed a new method to identify virulence genes in Streptococcus pneumoniae, the leading cause of bacterial pneumonia. Using this technique in a mouse model of pneumonia, they were able to gain new insights into the progression of the disease and its interaction with the flu virus.

Device takes us closer to high-performing wearable and eco-disposable AI electronics Posted: 28 Oct 2020 08:06 AM PDT Engineers have unveiled a device with unique functionality that could signal the dawn of a new design philosophy for electronics, including next-generation wearables and eco-disposable sensors.

Weak equivalence principle violated in gravitational waves Posted: 28 Oct 2020 08:06 AM PDT New research proves theoretically that the Weak Equivalence Principle can be violated by quantum particles in gravitational waves - the ripples in spacetime caused by colossal events such as merging black holes.

Climate change drives plants to extinction in the Black Forest in Germany Posted: 28 Oct 2020 08:06 AM PDT Climate change is leaving its mark on the bog complexes of the German Black Forest. Due to rising temperatures and longer dry periods, two plant species have gone extinct over the last 40 years. The populations of many others have decreased by one third. According to a new study, more species could become extinct in the next couple of decades.

Renewable energy targets can undermine sustainable intentions Posted: 28 Oct 2020 07:18 AM PDT Renewable energy targets (RETs) may be too blunt a tool for ensuring a sustainable future, according to new research.

An artificial cell on a chip Posted: 28 Oct 2020 07:18 AM PDT Researchers have developed a precisely controllable system for mimicking biochemical reaction cascades in cells. Using microfluidic technology, they produce miniature polymeric reaction containers equipped with the desired properties. This 'cell on a chip' is useful not only for studying processes in cells, but also for the development of new synthetic pathways for chemical applications or for biological active substances in medicine.

Specific and rapid expansion of blood vessels Posted: 28 Oct 2020 07:18 AM PDT Upon a heart infarct or stroke, rapid restoration of blood flow, and oxygen delivery to the hypo perfused regions is of eminent importance to prevent further damage to heart or brain. Arterial diameter is a critical determinant of blood flow conductance. Scientists have now discovered a novel mechanism to structurally increase arterial diameter by selectively increasing the size of arterial endothelial cells, thereby allowing rapid increases in flow.

Judges' decisions in sport focus more on vigor than skill Posted: 28 Oct 2020 05:30 AM PDT Researchers analyzed almost 550 men's and women's mixed martial arts contests, using data collated for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and found the rate at which competitors fight is more likely to result in judges awarding victory than the skill with which they attack their opponents.

Estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects of PFASs could depend on the presence of estrogen Posted: 28 Oct 2020 05:30 AM PDT Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have received intense scrutiny in recent years because of their persistence in the environment and potential endocrine-disrupting effects. However, their estrogenic activities are controversial, with different studies showing apparently contradictory results. Now, researchers have used a combination of laboratory experiments and computer modeling to reveal that PFASs can interact with the estrogen receptor in different ways to influence estrogen-controlled gene expression.

Mountain gorillas are good neighbors - up to a point Posted: 28 Oct 2020 05:29 AM PDT Mountain gorilla groups are friendly to familiar neighbors - provided they stay out of 'core' parts of their territory - new research shows.

How computer scientists and marketers can create a better CX with AI Posted: 28 Oct 2020 05:29 AM PDT A failure to incorporate behavioral insight into technological developments may undermine consumers' experiences with AI.

Coral researchers find link between bacterial genus and disease susceptibility Posted: 28 Oct 2020 05:29 AM PDT Corals that appear healthy are more prone to getting sick when they're home to too many parasitic bacteria, new research shows.

Soil-powered fuel cell promises cheap, sustainable water purification Posted: 28 Oct 2020 05:29 AM PDT Soil microbial fuel cells proven to be capable of creating energy to filter a person's daily drinking water in Brazil test.

Reforestation plans in Africa could go awry Posted: 28 Oct 2020 05:29 AM PDT An international team publishes the findings of a study on the biogeographical history of sub-Saharan Africa.

The rhythm of change: What a drum-beat experiment reveals about cultural evolution Posted: 27 Oct 2020 04:24 PM PDT Living organisms aren't the only things that evolve over time. Cultural practices change, too, and in recent years social scientists have taken a keen interest in understanding this cultural evolution. A new experiment used drum-beats to investigate the role that environment plays on cultural shifts, confirming that different environments do indeed give rise to different cultural patterns.

Coastal Greenland reshaped as Greenland ice sheet mass loss accelerates Posted: 27 Oct 2020 04:24 PM PDT Ice loss from the Greenland Ice Sheet has accelerated significantly over the past two decades, transforming the shape of the ice sheet edge and therefore coastal Greenland.

New strategy for treating common retinal diseases shows promise Posted: 27 Oct 2020 04:24 PM PDT Scientists have uncovered a potential new strategy for treating eye diseases that affect millions of people around the world, often resulting in blindness.

Hurricanes pack a bigger punch for Florida's west coast Posted: 27 Oct 2020 04:24 PM PDT Hurricanes, the United States' deadliest and most destructive weather disasters, are notoriously difficult to predict. With the average storm intensity as well as the proportion of storms that reach category 4 or 5 likely to increase, more accurate predictions of future hurricane impacts could help emergency officials and coastal populations better prepare for such storms -- and ultimately, save lives.

Astronomers are bulging with data Posted: 27 Oct 2020 04:24 PM PDT For the first time, over 250 million stars in our galaxy's bulge have been surveyed in near-ultraviolet, optical, and near-infrared light, opening the door for astronomers to reexamine key questions about the Milky Way's formation and history. Using ultraviolet data, and with 450,000 individual images, the team was able to measure the chemical composition of tens of thousands of stars spanning a large area of the bulge. The vast dataset can be explored in spectacular detail in this image.

Tailoring 2D materials to improve electronic and optical devices Posted: 27 Oct 2020 10:37 AM PDT New possibilities for future developments in electronic and optical devices have been unlocked by recent advancements in two-dimensional (2D) materials.

Photovoltaics industry can help meet Paris agreement targets Posted: 27 Oct 2020 08:12 AM PDT To meet the Paris Agreement's goal of preventing Earth's average temperature from rising more than 2 degrees Celsius above preindustrial level, one of the best options for the energy economy will involve a shift to 100% renewable energy using solar energy and other clean energy sources. Researchers describe a model developed to predict what is necessary for the solar industry to meet Paris Agreement targets.

Promising strategies for durable perovskite solar cells Posted: 27 Oct 2020 08:12 AM PDT Perovskite materials are increasingly popular as the active layer in solar cells, but internal forces in these materials cause distortions in their crystal structures, reducing symmetry and contributing to their intrinsic instability. Researchers examined the mechanisms at play, as well as several degradation factors that influence the performance of perovskite photovoltaics. They clarified the factors influencing the degradation and they summarized some feasible approaches for durable perovskite photovoltaics.

'Fast' MRI detects breast cancers that 3-D mammograms may miss Posted: 27 Oct 2020 08:12 AM PDT In a retrospective study of asymptomatic patients, all of whom had a negative 3-D mammogram within the previous 11 months, abbreviated MRI detected roughly 27 cancers per 1,000 women screened.

Death rates among people with severe COVID-19 drop by a half in England Posted: 27 Oct 2020 07:54 AM PDT Death rates from people with severe COVID-19 in hospital have dropped to around a half of the rate at the peak of the pandemic, new research has revealed.

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