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• Population dynamics and the rise of empires in Inner Asia
• Global-scale animal ecology reveals behavioral changes in response to climate change
• Earliest example of a rapid-fire tongue found in 'weird and wonderful' extinct amphibians
• COVID-19 is making tinnitus worse, new study finds
• Llama nanobodies could be a powerful weapon against COVID-19
• Gene in mice controls food cravings, desire to exercise
• Virus that causes COVID-19 puts a plug in cellular defenses
• Mystery molecule in bacteria is revealed to be a guard
• New research on imposter stars may improve astronomical data
• COVID-19: Enzyme targeted by virus also influences gut inflammation
• Shifts in water temperatures affect eating habits of larval tuna at critical life stage
• To limit global warming, the global food system must be reimagined
• Scientists work to shed light on Standard Model of particle physics
• Children produce different antibodies in response to SARS-CoV-2
• Most humans are vulnerable to type 2 diabetes
• Know when to unfold 'em: Applying particle physics methods to quantum computing
• Discovery of shape of the SARS-CoV-2 genome after infection could inform new COVID-19 treatments
• Clay subsoil at Earth's driest place may signal life on Mars
• Minor fluctuations in sound make it hard to identify in which concert hall music is played
• Boosting treatments for metastatic melanoma
• Nervous systems of insects inspire efficient future AI systems
• Blue phosphorus: How a semiconductor becomes a metal
• Researchers study strength-training gender gap, possible solutions
• Biological clock and extra gene pairs control important plant functions
• Resensitizing 'last-resort' antibiotics for treatment of infections
• New technology allows cameras to capture colors invisible to the human eye
• Seabirds' response to abrupt climate change transformed sub-Antarctic island ecosystems
• When new males take over, these female primates hurry up and mature
• Population dynamics and the rise of empires in Inner Asia
• Human intelligence just got less mysterious
• Two motivational artificial beings are better than one for enhancing learning
• Scientists develop energy-saving 'liquid window'
• Next-generation computer chip with two heads
• Tokyo's voluntary standstill may have stopped COVID-19 in its tracks
• Rapid changes in biomarker of inflammation may be a key predictor of COVID-19 outcomes
• Host genetic factors shape composition of virus communities
• Metal pollution in British waters may be threatening scallops, study reveals
• Species more likely to die out with rapid climate changes
• Face masks don't hinder breathing during exercise, study finds
• Crown-of-thorns eat themselves out of house and home
• Rare ancient child burial reveals 8,000-year-old secrets of the dead
• Social media can guide public pandemic policy, research finds
• Early big-game hunters of the Americas were female, researchers suggest
• Analysis reveals high burden of musculoskeletal disorders across the globe
• Crystals reveal the danger of sleeping volcanoes
• Technique to regenerate optic nerve offers hope for future glaucoma treatment
• The first duckbill dinosaur fossil from Africa hints at how dinosaurs once crossed oceans
• Why big-box chains' embrace of in-store click-and-collect leaves money on the table
• Machine learning shows similar performance to traditional risk prediction models
• Exposure to high temperatures linked to poor pregnancy outcomes
• Every month delayed in cancer treatment can raise risk of death by around 10%

Population dynamics and the rise of empires in Inner Asia Posted: 05 Nov 2020 03:38 PM PST Researchers seek to understand the genetic, sociopolitical and cultural changes surrounding the formation of the eastern Eurasian Steppe's historic empires. The study analyzes genome-wide data for 214 ancient individuals spanning 6,000 years and discusses the genetic and cultural changes that preceded the rise of the Xiongnu and Mongol nomadic pastoralist empires.

Global-scale animal ecology reveals behavioral changes in response to climate change Posted: 05 Nov 2020 03:38 PM PST Biologists developed a data archive of animal movement studies from across the global Arctic and sub-Arctic and conducted three case studies that revealed surprising patterns and associations between climate change and the behavior of golden eagles, bears, caribou, moose and wolves. This work demonstrates both the feasibility and importance of global-scale animal ecology.

Earliest example of a rapid-fire tongue found in 'weird and wonderful' extinct amphibians Posted: 05 Nov 2020 03:38 PM PST Fossils of bizarre, armored amphibians known as albanerpetontids provide the oldest evidence of a slingshot-style tongue, a new study shows.

COVID-19 is making tinnitus worse, new study finds Posted: 05 Nov 2020 03:38 PM PST New research reveals that tinnitus, a common condition that causes the perception of noise in the ear and head, is being exacerbated by COVID-19. The study, which involved 3,103 participants from 48 countries, found that 40 percent of those displaying symptoms of COVID-19 simultaneously experience a worsening of their tinnitus.

Llama nanobodies could be a powerful weapon against COVID-19 Posted: 05 Nov 2020 03:38 PM PST Researchers report a new method to extract tiny but extremely powerful SARS-CoV-2 antibody fragments from llamas, which could be fashioned into inhalable therapeutics with the potential to prevent and treat COVID-19.

Gene in mice controls food cravings, desire to exercise Posted: 05 Nov 2020 03:38 PM PST National Institutes of Health researchers have discovered a gene in mice that controls the craving for fatty and sugary foods and the desire to exercise. The gene, Prkar2a, is highly expressed in the habenula, a tiny brain region involved in responses to pain, stress, anxiety, sleep and reward. The findings could inform future research to prevent obesity and its accompanying risks for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Virus that causes COVID-19 puts a plug in cellular defenses Posted: 05 Nov 2020 03:37 PM PST One of the novel coronavirus' most insidious tricks is that it can block the ability of cells to produce protective proteins without hindering its own ability to replicate. A new study reveals how it does it.

Mystery molecule in bacteria is revealed to be a guard Posted: 05 Nov 2020 03:37 PM PST Unusual structures in bacterial cells keep viral infection from spreading; a list of new ones could provide improved biotech tools.

New research on imposter stars may improve astronomical data Posted: 05 Nov 2020 03:37 PM PST Quick flashes of light reflecting from satellites and debris in Earth's orbit are extremely common, according to new findings that may improve the accuracy of astronomical data. For the first time, astronomers report the flashes, which are often mistaken for stars, occur more than 1,000 times an hour across the sky.

COVID-19: Enzyme targeted by virus also influences gut inflammation Posted: 05 Nov 2020 03:37 PM PST An enzyme that helps COVID-19 (coronavirus) infect the body also plays a role in inflammation and patient outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), according to a new study. The findings raise the possibility that anti-inflammatory drug therapies for IBD may aid recovery from coronavirus.

Shifts in water temperatures affect eating habits of larval tuna at critical life stage Posted: 05 Nov 2020 03:37 PM PST Small shifts in ocean temperature can have significant effects on the eating habits of blackfin tuna during the larval stage of development, when finding food and growing quickly are critical to long-term survival.

To limit global warming, the global food system must be reimagined Posted: 05 Nov 2020 03:37 PM PST Fossil fuel burning accounts for the majority of global greenhouse gas emissions, and to the world's credit, several countries are working to reduce their use and the heat-trapping emissions that ensue. The goal is to keep global temperatures under a 1.5° to 2°C increase above preindustrial levels -- the upper limits of the Paris Climate Agreement.

Scientists work to shed light on Standard Model of particle physics Posted: 05 Nov 2020 03:37 PM PST Scientists mapped the magnetic field inside a vacuum with unprecedented accuracy. Results will be used in an experiment to shed light on the Standard Model of particle physics.

Children produce different antibodies in response to SARS-CoV-2 Posted: 05 Nov 2020 03:37 PM PST Compared with adults, children produce a very different antibody response after infection with the new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, suggesting they clear the virus easily.

Most humans are vulnerable to type 2 diabetes Posted: 05 Nov 2020 03:37 PM PST Scientists have found that insulin has met an evolutionary cul-de-sac, limiting its ability to adapt to obesity and thereby rendering most people vulnerable to Type 2 diabetes.

Know when to unfold 'em: Applying particle physics methods to quantum computing Posted: 05 Nov 2020 10:45 AM PST Borrowing a page from high-energy physics and astronomy textbooks, a team of physicists and computer scientists has successfully adapted and applied a common error-reduction technique to the field of quantum computing.

Discovery of shape of the SARS-CoV-2 genome after infection could inform new COVID-19 treatments Posted: 05 Nov 2020 10:45 AM PST Scientists have uncovered how the genome of SARS-CoV-2 -- the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 -- uses genome origami to infect and replicate successfully inside host cells.

Clay subsoil at Earth's driest place may signal life on Mars Posted: 05 Nov 2020 10:45 AM PST Diverse microbes discovered in the clay-rich, shallow soil layers in Chile's dry Atacama Desert suggest that similar deposits below the Martian surface may contain microorganisms, which could be easily found by future rover missions or landing craft.

Minor fluctuations in sound make it hard to identify in which concert hall music is played Posted: 05 Nov 2020 08:52 AM PST The volume and timbre of music have a significant impact on how people perceive the acoustics in a concert hall, according to two recent studies.

Boosting treatments for metastatic melanoma Posted: 05 Nov 2020 08:52 AM PST Clinician-scientists say that new findings might have identified a treatment-boosting drug to enhance effectiveness of therapies for metastatic cancer and make them less toxic, giving patients a fighting chance at survival and improved quality of life.

Nervous systems of insects inspire efficient future AI systems Posted: 05 Nov 2020 08:52 AM PST Study explores functions of fruit fly's nervous system in food seeking / results valuable for the development and control of artificial intelligence.

Blue phosphorus: How a semiconductor becomes a metal Posted: 05 Nov 2020 08:51 AM PST Blue phosphorus, an atomically thin synthetic semiconductor, becomes metallic as soon as it is converted into a double layer. The scientists describe the possibility of constructing nanoscale, highly efficient transistors consisting of only one element.

Researchers study strength-training gender gap, possible solutions Posted: 05 Nov 2020 08:51 AM PST Strength training is an important part of any exercise routine, but some women may not be getting the recommended hours. New research discovered some of the barriers preventing women from strength training, as well as some solutions to overcoming those obstacles.

Biological clock and extra gene pairs control important plant functions Posted: 05 Nov 2020 08:30 AM PST New understanding of circadian rhythms could be key to stronger, drought-resistant crops in the face of climate change.

Resensitizing 'last-resort' antibiotics for treatment of infections Posted: 05 Nov 2020 08:30 AM PST A research team discovers that by repurposing an antirheumatic gold drug, auranofin (AUR), 'last-resort' antibiotics can be resensitized for treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant superbugs including bloodstream infections, pneumonia and wound infections.

New technology allows cameras to capture colors invisible to the human eye Posted: 05 Nov 2020 08:30 AM PST New research will allow cameras to recognize colors that the human eye and even ordinary cameras are unable to perceive. The technology makes it possible to image gases and substances such as hydrogen, carbon and sodium, each of which has a unique color in the infrared spectrum, as well as biological compounds that are found in nature but are 'invisible' to the naked eye or ordinary cameras.

Seabirds' response to abrupt climate change transformed sub-Antarctic island ecosystems Posted: 05 Nov 2020 08:30 AM PST A 14,000-year paleoecological reconstruction of the sub-Antarctic islands done by an international research team including HKU has found that seabird establishment occurred during a period of regional cooling 5,000 years ago. Their populations, in turn, shifted the Falkland Island ecosystem through the deposit of high concentrations of guano that helped nourish tussac, produce peat and increase the incidence of fire.

When new males take over, these female primates hurry up and mature Posted: 05 Nov 2020 08:30 AM PST Most mammals -- including humans and other primates -- reach sexual maturity early or late depending on lots of different factors, such as how much food there is to eat. Now, researchers studying close primate relatives of baboons known as geladas have shown for the first time that females of this species suddenly hurry up and mature when a new male enters the picture.

Population dynamics and the rise of empires in Inner Asia Posted: 05 Nov 2020 08:30 AM PST Researchers sought to understand the genetic, sociopolitical and cultural changes surrounding the formation of the eastern Eurasian Steppe's historic empires. The study analyzed genome-wide data for 214 ancient individuals spanning 6,000 years and discussed the genetic and cultural changes that preceded the rise of the Xiongnu and Mongol nomadic pastoralist empires.

Human intelligence just got less mysterious Posted: 05 Nov 2020 08:30 AM PST Neuroscience experts have released research that breaks with the past fifty years of neuroscientific opinion, arguing that the way we store memories is key to making human intelligence superior to that of animals.

Two motivational artificial beings are better than one for enhancing learning Posted: 05 Nov 2020 08:30 AM PST Researchers have found that offline consolidation of a motor task was enhanced by praise delivered by robots, whether they were presented on a screen or were physically present. Further, simultaneous praise from two agents had a stronger effect than praise from just one, regardless of whether the agents were physically present or virtual. Such effects could be helpful for facilitating education and for general enhancement of human-robot interactions.

Scientists develop energy-saving 'liquid window' Posted: 05 Nov 2020 08:29 AM PST Scientists have developed a liquid window panel that can simultaneously block the sun to regulate solar transmission, while trapping thermal heat that can be released through the day and night, helping to reduce energy consumption in buildings.

Next-generation computer chip with two heads Posted: 05 Nov 2020 08:29 AM PST Engineers have developed a computer chip that combines two functions - logic operations and data storage - into a single architecture, paving the way to more efficient devices. Their technology is particularly promising for applications relying on artificial intelligence.

Tokyo's voluntary standstill may have stopped COVID-19 in its tracks Posted: 05 Nov 2020 08:29 AM PST Research shows that Japan's noncompulsory state of emergency generally succeeded in reducing human movement. A recent study used mobile phone location data for January-April 2020 to record and plot movement of people in metro Tokyo during the emergence and first wave of COVID-19. Researchers found a movement reduction of over 50 percent, which in turn limited social contact and slowed infection spread.

Rapid changes in biomarker of inflammation may be a key predictor of COVID-19 outcomes Posted: 05 Nov 2020 08:29 AM PST Researchers analyzed patients' levels of inflammation, known to be associated with severity of illness, by looking at C-reactive protein (CRP) trends in 100 COVID-19 patients admitted to the hospital. They found that a rapid rise in CRP levels during the first 48 to 72 hours of hospitalization was predictive of subsequent respiratory deterioration and intubation, while steadier CRP levels were observed in patients whose condition remained stable.

Host genetic factors shape composition of virus communities Posted: 05 Nov 2020 08:29 AM PST Plants can be infected by multiple viruses at once. However, the composition of the pathogen community varies, even if individuals belong to the same species and the same population. Ecologists have now shown that these differences are primarily due to genetic variation among the hosts. The loss of genetic diversity could thus render species more vulnerable to infections and extinction.

Metal pollution in British waters may be threatening scallops, study reveals Posted: 05 Nov 2020 08:29 AM PST Research suggests that the contamination of Isle of Man seabed sediments with zinc, lead and copper from the mining of these metals, which peaked on the island in the late 19th century, is causing the shells of king scallops to become significantly more brittle.

Species more likely to die out with rapid climate changes Posted: 05 Nov 2020 08:29 AM PST The great tit and other birds can adapt to changes in their food supply as a result of climate change, but they run into trouble if the changes happen too quickly.

Face masks don't hinder breathing during exercise, study finds Posted: 05 Nov 2020 08:29 AM PST A new study has found that exercise performance and blood and muscle oxygen levels are not affected for healthy individuals wearing a face mask during strenuous workouts.

Crown-of-thorns eat themselves out of house and home Posted: 05 Nov 2020 06:29 AM PST A world-first study on the Great Barrier Reef shows crown-of-thorns starfish have the ability to find their own way home -- a behavior previously undocumented -- but only if their neighborhood is stocked with their favorite food: corals. The starfish will consume available Acropora and ultimately eat themselves out of house and home before dispersing in search of new feeding grounds.

Rare ancient child burial reveals 8,000-year-old secrets of the dead Posted: 05 Nov 2020 06:29 AM PST An 8,000 year old complete child burial has been discovered at the entrance to a cave at Gua Makpan, Alor Island, Indonesia. It's the first such burial found in the region from the early mid-Holocene period.

Social media can guide public pandemic policy, research finds Posted: 05 Nov 2020 06:29 AM PST As global cases of COVID-19 fast approach 50 million, a team of Australian, Afghan, Iranian and Italian researchers examined more than 35,000 tweets and say social media analytics can capture the attitudes and perceptions of the public during a pandemic. They also suggest social media is now the best way to encourage people to follow measures and restrictions which have, in turn, triggered an increase in the use of digital technologies and platforms.

Early big-game hunters of the Americas were female, researchers suggest Posted: 05 Nov 2020 05:37 AM PST For centuries, historians and scientists mostly agreed that when early human groups sought food, men hunted and women gathered. Not so, say researchers.

Analysis reveals high burden of musculoskeletal disorders across the globe Posted: 05 Nov 2020 05:37 AM PST Musculoskeletal disorders -- which affect muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and joints -- can severely affect individuals' physical and mental health, and they're especially prevalent among aging adults. Although many researchers are studying these conditions and their rates in different regions of the world, no study to date has provided an overview of the burden of all musculoskeletal disorders.

Crystals reveal the danger of sleeping volcanoes Posted: 05 Nov 2020 05:37 AM PST Most active volcanoes on Earth are dormant and are normally not considered hazardous. A team of volcanologists has devised a technique that can predict their devastating potential. The scientists used zircon, a tiny crystal contained in volcanic rocks, to estimate the volume of magma that could be erupted once Nevado de Toluca volcano (Mexico) will wake up from its dormancy. Up to 350 km3 of magma are currently lying below.

Technique to regenerate optic nerve offers hope for future glaucoma treatment Posted: 05 Nov 2020 05:37 AM PST Scientists have used gene therapy to regenerate damaged nerve fibers in the eye, in a discovery that could aid the development of new treatments for glaucoma, one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide.

The first duckbill dinosaur fossil from Africa hints at how dinosaurs once crossed oceans Posted: 05 Nov 2020 05:37 AM PST The first fossils of a duckbilled dinosaur have been discovered in Africa, suggesting dinosaurs crossed hundreds of kilometres of open water to get there.

Why big-box chains' embrace of in-store click-and-collect leaves money on the table Posted: 05 Nov 2020 05:35 AM PST Shoppers' different needs for convenience benefits mean that using click-and-collect types results in vastly different performance outcomes. This calls for judicious alignment of the right click-and-collect format with local-market needs.

Machine learning shows similar performance to traditional risk prediction models Posted: 04 Nov 2020 04:47 PM PST Some claim that machine learning technology has the potential to transform healthcare systems, but a new study finds that machine learning models have similar performance to traditional statistical models and share similar uncertainty in making risk predictions for individual patients.

Exposure to high temperatures linked to poor pregnancy outcomes Posted: 04 Nov 2020 04:47 PM PST Exposure to high temperatures in pregnancy is associated with an increase in adverse pregnancy outcomes, especially preterm birth and stillbirth, and among women in lower socioeconomic groups.

Every month delayed in cancer treatment can raise risk of death by around 10% Posted: 04 Nov 2020 04:47 PM PST People whose treatment for cancer is delayed by even one month have in many cases a 6 to 13% higher risk of dying - a risk that keeps rising the longer their treatment does not begin.

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