ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Scientists study the rugged surface of near-Earth asteroid Bennu
• Scientists peer inside an asteroid
• Drug delivery systems to treat connective tissue disorders
• Cannabis ads and store location influence youth marijuana use
• Vaporized metal in the air of an exoplanet
• Study finds fungal disease of snakes in 19 states, Puerto Rico
• Extinctions linked to new assemblages of species
• Signals from distant stars connect optical atomic clocks across Earth for the first time
• How an egg cell's 'operating manual' sets the stage for fertility
• New solar panel design could lead to wider use of renewable energy
• Novel digital dashboard improves cancer case review efficiency
• Crabs are key to ecology and economy in Oman
• Taking sides: Factors that influence patterns in protein distribution
• Dietary migration of Impala rivals the geographical migration of Serengeti wildebeest
• Scientists reconstruct beetles from the Cretaceous
• Genomic study reveals evolutionary secrets of banyan tree
• Airdropping sensors from moths
• Lack of support prolongs unemployment
• Light stimulation makes bones heavier
• Shack fires move with devastating speed, large-scale experiment shows
• Stem cell sheets harvested in just two days
• Zoologists uncover new example of rapid evolution -- meet the Sulawesi Babblers
• Engineering team develops novel miniaturized organic semiconductor
• A new interpretation of quantum mechanics suggests reality does not depend on the measurer
• Silk fibers improve bioink for 3D-printed artificial tissues and organs
• Ants adapt tool use to avoid drowning
• Double jeopardy for ecologically rare birds and terrestrial mammals
• World's fastest UV camera
• Exercise intensity not linked to mortality risk in older adults, finds trial
• Pregnancy complications linked to heightened risk of heart disease and stroke in later life
• Older adults using cannabis to treat common health conditions
• High-speed photos shine a light on how metals fail

Scientists study the rugged surface of near-Earth asteroid Bennu Posted: 08 Oct 2020 02:06 PM PDT As the days count down to NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft's Touch-And-Go asteroid sample collection attempt, scientists have determined what the spacecraft can expect to return from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu's surface. Three papers discuss the color, reflectivity, age, composition, origin and distribution of materials that make up the asteroid's rough surface.

Scientists peer inside an asteroid Posted: 08 Oct 2020 02:06 PM PDT New findings from NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission suggest that the interior of the asteroid Bennu could be weaker and less dense than its outer layers -- like a crème-filled chocolate egg flying though space.

Drug delivery systems to treat connective tissue disorders Posted: 08 Oct 2020 11:21 AM PDT A research team has devised tiny cargo-carrying systems many times smaller than a human hair, made from molecules called peptides that help provide structure for cells and tissues. The team has reported advances in the nanoparticle design that allow them to control the shape of the nanoparticles to allow them to better bind to tissue in the body and stay in a particular location.

Cannabis ads and store location influence youth marijuana use Posted: 08 Oct 2020 11:21 AM PDT States may want to consider the proximity of cannabis retailers and cannabis advertising to neighborhoods to prevent underage use of the drug, according to new research.

Vaporized metal in the air of an exoplanet Posted: 08 Oct 2020 11:21 AM PDT Researchers studied the atmosphere of the ultra-hot exoplanet WASP-121b. In it, they found a number of gaseous metals. The results are a next step in the search for potentially habitable worlds.

Study finds fungal disease of snakes in 19 states, Puerto Rico Posted: 08 Oct 2020 11:20 AM PDT Researchers surveyed for an infection caused by an emerging fungal pathogen that afflicts snakes. The research effort found infected snakes in 19 states and Puerto Rico, demonstrating that the fungus is more widely distributed than was previously known.

Extinctions linked to new assemblages of species Posted: 08 Oct 2020 11:20 AM PDT As the world undergoes profound environmental change, identifying and protecting 'novel' communities of species can help prevent extinctions within vulnerable ecosystems. Scientists outline a world first method to detect 'novel' communities of species across all ecosystems.

Signals from distant stars connect optical atomic clocks across Earth for the first time Posted: 08 Oct 2020 09:44 AM PDT Using radio telescopes observing distant stars, scientists have connected optical atomic clocks on different continents.

How an egg cell's 'operating manual' sets the stage for fertility Posted: 08 Oct 2020 09:44 AM PDT Scientists have revealed in unprecedented detail the genetic instructions immature egg cells go through step by step as they mature into functionality. Their findings improve our understanding of how ovaries maintain a female's fertility.

New solar panel design could lead to wider use of renewable energy Posted: 08 Oct 2020 09:13 AM PDT Researchers say the breakthrough could lead to the production of thinner, lighter and more flexible solar panels that could be used to power more homes and be used in a wider range of products.

Novel digital dashboard improves cancer case review efficiency Posted: 08 Oct 2020 09:13 AM PDT Researchers evaluated a cloud-based product called NAVIFY® Tumor Board that integrates all relevant clinical data for a tumor board into a single digital dashboard accessible to everyone. During a 16-month clinical study of the dashboard, researchers found NAVIFY Tumor Board significantly reduced the amount of time doctors and nurses across multiple specialties spent preparing for tumor board meetings.

Crabs are key to ecology and economy in Oman Posted: 08 Oct 2020 09:13 AM PDT The intertidal mudflats of Barr Al Hikman, a nature reserve at the south-east coast of the Sultanate Oman, are crucial nursery grounds for numerous crab species. In return, crabs are a vital element of the ecology, as well as the regional economy, a new publication in Hydrobiologia shows.

Taking sides: Factors that influence patterns in protein distribution Posted: 08 Oct 2020 09:13 AM PDT A new article has found that even cells in isolation can become polarized to create the head to tail pattern, and that this polarity can orient how the cell grows.

Dietary migration of Impala rivals the geographical migration of Serengeti wildebeest Posted: 08 Oct 2020 09:13 AM PDT A new study shows the Impala's migration is a 'dietary migration', where they switch from eating mostly grass in the wet season, to eating more tree leaves or 'browse' during the dry season.

Scientists reconstruct beetles from the Cretaceous Posted: 08 Oct 2020 09:12 AM PDT An international research team has examined four newly found specimens of the Mysteriomorphidae beetle using computer tomography and has been able to reconstruct them. The results allow to draw conclusions about the evolution of the species during the Cretaceous period.

Genomic study reveals evolutionary secrets of banyan tree Posted: 08 Oct 2020 09:12 AM PDT The banyan fig tree Ficus microcarpa is famous for its aerial roots, which sprout from branches and eventually reach the soil. The tree also has a unique relationship with a wasp that has coevolved with it and is the only insect that can pollinate it. In a new study, researchers identify regions in the banyan fig's genome that promote the development of its unusual aerial roots and enhance its ability to signal its wasp pollinator.

Airdropping sensors from moths Posted: 08 Oct 2020 07:42 AM PDT Researchers have created a sensor system that can ride aboard a small drone or an insect, such as a moth, until it gets to its destination.

Lack of support prolongs unemployment Posted: 08 Oct 2020 07:42 AM PDT Unemployed persons whose appointment with the responsible caseworker at the employment office is canceled unexpectedly remain unemployed for an average of twelve days longer.

Light stimulation makes bones heavier Posted: 08 Oct 2020 07:42 AM PDT Researchers showed that laser ablation of bone inhibits expression of the osteogenesis inhibitor protein sclerostin without causing inflammation, unlike the conventional bur-drilling technique. Further investigations confirmed that this beneficial bio-stimulation works by inducing mechanical stress. These findings help advance research into the treatment of osteoporosis as well as specific enhancement of bone regrowth in orthopedic and dental surgery.

Shack fires move with devastating speed, large-scale experiment shows Posted: 08 Oct 2020 07:42 AM PDT An experiment showed that a fire spreading through an informal settlement can destroy twenty shacks (informal houses) in five minutes.

Stem cell sheets harvested in just two days Posted: 08 Oct 2020 07:42 AM PDT A team has developed a thermoresponsive nanotopography cell culture platform.

Zoologists uncover new example of rapid evolution -- meet the Sulawesi Babblers Posted: 08 Oct 2020 07:42 AM PDT Zoologists have discovered that male and female Sulawesi Babblers (Pellorneum celebense, a species of bird) have evolved to attain different sizes on small islands, and in quick-fire time. They believe this is most likely due to evolutionary pressure favoring such 'dimorphism' because the birds are able to reduce competition with each other by feeding on different, scarce resources.

Engineering team develops novel miniaturized organic semiconductor Posted: 08 Oct 2020 07:42 AM PDT An engineering team has made an important breakthrough in developing the staggered structure monolayer Organic Field Effect Transistors, which sets a major cornerstone to reduce the size of OFETs.

A new interpretation of quantum mechanics suggests reality does not depend on the measurer Posted: 08 Oct 2020 06:16 AM PDT For 100 years scientists have disagreed on how to interpret quantum mechanics. A recent study supports an interpretation that is close to classical scientific principles.

Silk fibers improve bioink for 3D-printed artificial tissues and organs Posted: 08 Oct 2020 06:16 AM PDT Researchers processed silk fibers into a versatile component of bioink for 3D cell printing technology. Printed objects retain their shape better than those produced without the silk additive, and the cells are not further damaged. This development will help advance regenerative medicine and drug discovery, and potentially reinvigorate the silk industry.

Ants adapt tool use to avoid drowning Posted: 08 Oct 2020 05:38 AM PDT Researchers have observed black imported fire ants using sand to draw liquid food out of containers, when faced with the risk of drowning. This is the first time this sophisticated tool use has been reported in animals.

Double jeopardy for ecologically rare birds and terrestrial mammals Posted: 08 Oct 2020 05:37 AM PDT Common assumptions notwithstanding, rare species can play unique and essential ecological roles. After studying two, scientists have demonstrated that, though these species are found on all continents, they are more threatened by human pressures than ecologically common species and will also be more impacted by future climate change. Thus they are in double jeopardy. The researchers' findings show that conservation programmes must account for the ecological rarity of species.

World's fastest UV camera Posted: 08 Oct 2020 05:37 AM PDT Researchers have developed the fastest camera in the world capable of recording photons in the ultraviolet (UV) range in real time.

Exercise intensity not linked to mortality risk in older adults, finds trial Posted: 07 Oct 2020 04:36 PM PDT Exercise intensity appears to make no difference to risk of mortality among older adults, suggests a randomized controlled trial.

Pregnancy complications linked to heightened risk of heart disease and stroke in later life Posted: 07 Oct 2020 04:36 PM PDT Pregnancy complications such as miscarriage, pre-eclampsia, diabetes in pregnancy (gestational diabetes) and pre-term birth are linked to a heightened risk of heart disease in later life, suggests an overarching (umbrella) analysis of data.

Older adults using cannabis to treat common health conditions Posted: 07 Oct 2020 12:28 PM PDT Researchers report that older adults are increasingly using cannabis to treat a variety of common health conditions, including pain, sleep disturbances and psychiatric conditions like anxiety and depression.

High-speed photos shine a light on how metals fail Posted: 07 Oct 2020 11:54 AM PDT How things deform and break is important for engineers, as it helps them choose and design what materials they're going to use for building things. Researchers have stretched metal alloy samples to their breaking point and filmed it using ultra-fast cameras to study what happens. Their discoveries have the potential to open up a whole new line of research in the study of materials deformation.

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