ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Mouse study finds link between gut disease and brain injury in premature infants
• Modern microbes provide window into ancient ocean
• Resist the resistance: Fighting the good fight against bacteria
• Shiga toxin's not supposed to kill you
• Wait for me: Cell biologists decipher signal that ensures no chromosome is left behind
• Physicists observe competition between magnetic orders
• DNA-editing method shows promise to treat mouse model of progeria
• Designer protein patches boost cell signaling
• How Earth's oddest mammal got to be so bizarre
• New research finds ginger counters certain autoimmune diseases in mice
• Light-carrying chips advance machine learning
• A better pen-and-ink system for drawing flexible circuits
• Researchers turn coal powder into graphite in microwave oven
• 'Sniffing out' fruity thiols in hoppy beers
• In changing oceans, sea stars may be 'drowning'
• Long-term study finds dozens of new genetic markers associated with lifetime bone growth
• A prognostic Alzheimer's disease blood test in the symptom-free stage
• Guinea baboons grunt with an accent
• Neuronal circuits for fine motor skills
• Competitive athletics: Detecting CRISPR/Cas gene doping
• Gut microbe may promote breast cancers
• Manufacturing process of ultra-thin sensor for smart contact lenses
• Will global warming bring a change in the winds? Dust from the deep sea provides a clue
• Ineffective 'learning styles' theory persists in education
• Identifying strategies to advance research on traumatic brain injury's effect on women
• Link between dietary fiber and depression partially explained by gut-brain interactions
• Researcher cracks the hidden strengthening mechanism in biological ceramics
• COVID-19 generally 'mild' in young children: Evidence review
• New work provides insight into the relationship between complexity and diversity
• Smoking associated with increased risk of COVID-19 symptoms
• A bit too much: Reducing the bit width of Ising models for quantum annealing
• First global study shows uneven urbanization among large cities in the last two decades
• 'Virtual biopsies' could replace tissue biopsies in future thanks to new technique
• The new face of the Antarctic
• Statins may protect the heart from chemotherapy treatment of early breast cancer
• Patient-reported loss of smell in 86 percent of mild COVID-19 cases, study finds
• COVID-19 unmasked: Math model suggests optimal treatment strategies
• Natural products with potential efficacy against lethal viruses
• Heat treatment may make chemotherapy more effective
• Imminent sudden stratospheric warming to occur, bringing increased risk of snow over coming weeks
• Diet and lifestyle guidelines can greatly reduce gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms
• Magnets dim natural glow of human cells, may shed light on how animals migrate

Mouse study finds link between gut disease and brain injury in premature infants Posted: 06 Jan 2021 02:13 PM PST Working with mice, researchers have identified an immune system cell that they say travels from the gut to the brain and attacks cells rather than protect them as it normally does.

Modern microbes provide window into ancient ocean Posted: 06 Jan 2021 11:26 AM PST Roughly two billion years ago, microorganisms called cyanobacteria fundamentally transformed the globe. Researchers are now stepping back to that pivotal moment in Earth's history.

Resist the resistance: Fighting the good fight against bacteria Posted: 06 Jan 2021 11:26 AM PST Drug-resistant bacteria could lead to more deaths than cancer by 2050, according to a report commissioned by the United Kingdom in 2014 and jointly supported by the U.K. government and the Wellcome Trust. In an effort to reduce the potential infection-caused 10 million deaths worldwide, Penn State researcher Scott Medina has developed a peptide, or small protein, that can target a specific pathogen without damaging the good bacteria that bolsters the immune system.

Shiga toxin's not supposed to kill you Posted: 06 Jan 2021 11:26 AM PST E. coli food poisoning is one of the worst food poisonings, causing bloody diarrhea and kidney damage. But all the carnage might be just an unintended side effect, report researchers. Their findings might lead to more effective treatments for this potentially deadly disease.

Wait for me: Cell biologists decipher signal that ensures no chromosome is left behind Posted: 06 Jan 2021 10:30 AM PST Cell biologists have found a key clue in the mystery of how chromosomes are inherited correctly every time a cell divides. Using a novel cell probe, they unraveled how a 'matchmaker' molecule stops cell division until components are ready to be split. Precise chromosome duplication is a key factor in proper cell division. If components are altered, even slightly, birth defects and certain cancers can result.

Physicists observe competition between magnetic orders Posted: 06 Jan 2021 10:30 AM PST Two-dimensional materials, consisting of a single layer of atoms, have been booming in research for years. They possess novel properties that can only be explained with the help of the laws of quantum mechanics. Researchers have now used ultracold atoms to gain new insights into previously unknown quantum phenomena. They found out that the magnetic orders between two coupled thin films of atoms compete with each other.

DNA-editing method shows promise to treat mouse model of progeria Posted: 06 Jan 2021 10:30 AM PST Researchers have successfully used a DNA-editing technique to extend the lifespan of mice with the genetic variation associated with progeria, a rare genetic disease that causes extreme premature aging in children and can significantly shorten their life expectancy.

Designer protein patches boost cell signaling Posted: 06 Jan 2021 10:30 AM PST A new class of protein material that interacts with living cells without being absorbed by them can influence cell signaling, a new study shows. The material does this by binding and sequestering cell surface receptors. The discovery could have far-reaching implications for stem cell research and enable the development of new materials designed to modulate the behavior of living systems.

How Earth's oddest mammal got to be so bizarre Posted: 06 Jan 2021 10:30 AM PST Often considered the world's oddest mammal, Australia's beaver-like, duck-billed platypus exhibits an array of bizarre characteristics: it lays eggs instead of giving birth to live babies, sweats milk, has venomous spurs and is even equipped with 10 sex chromosomes. Now, an international team of researchers has conducted a unique mapping of the platypus genome and found answers regarding the origins of a few of its stranger features.

New research finds ginger counters certain autoimmune diseases in mice Posted: 06 Jan 2021 10:30 AM PST The main bioactive compound of ginger root lowers autoantibody production and helps halt disease progression in mice with antiphospholipid syndrome and lupus.

Light-carrying chips advance machine learning Posted: 06 Jan 2021 10:30 AM PST Researchers found that so-called photonic processors, with which data is processed by means of light, can process information very much more rapidly and in parallel than electronic chips.

A better pen-and-ink system for drawing flexible circuits Posted: 06 Jan 2021 10:30 AM PST Conductive ink is a great tool for printing flexible electronic circuits on surfaces. But these inks can be costly, they do not work on some materials, and devices to apply them can plug up. Now, scientists report that they have developed inexpensive conductive inks for clog-free ballpoint pens that can allow users to 'write' circuits almost anywhere -- even on human skin.

Researchers turn coal powder into graphite in microwave oven Posted: 06 Jan 2021 10:30 AM PST Researchers created an environment in a microwave oven to successfully convert raw coal powder into nano-graphite, which is used as a lubricant and in items ranging from fire extinguishers to lithium ion batteries.

'Sniffing out' fruity thiols in hoppy beers Posted: 06 Jan 2021 10:30 AM PST Hoppy beers such as pale ales are becoming increasingly popular. One reason is their pleasant fruity aroma that partially stems from compounds called thiols. Brewers have been looking for an accurate way to track thiols in beer, but current methods typically are not sensitive enough or require use of potentially harmful substances. Now, researchers present an automated, solvent-less process to assess thiols at very low concentrations.

In changing oceans, sea stars may be 'drowning' Posted: 06 Jan 2021 10:30 AM PST New research suggests that starfish, victims of sea star wasting disease (SSWD), may actually be in respiratory distress - literally 'drowning' in their own environment - as elevated microbial activity derived from nearby organic matter and warm ocean temperatures rob the creatures of their ability to breathe.

Long-term study finds dozens of new genetic markers associated with lifetime bone growth Posted: 06 Jan 2021 08:57 AM PST A multidisciplinary team of researchers has discovered several genetic markers associated with bone mineral accrual, which could ultimately help identify causes of eventual osteoporosis earlier in life through genetic testing.

A prognostic Alzheimer's disease blood test in the symptom-free stage Posted: 06 Jan 2021 08:57 AM PST Using a blood test, a research team has predicted the risk of Alzheimer's disease in people who were clinically diagnosed as not having Alzheimer's disease but who perceived themselves as cognitively impaired (Subjective Cognitive Declined, SCD). The researchers analyzed blood samples from an SCD cohort. Using a newly developed test, they identified all 22 subjects at study entry who developed Alzheimer's dementia, thus the clinical symptoms, within six years.

Guinea baboons grunt with an accent Posted: 06 Jan 2021 08:57 AM PST Vocal learning leads to modification of call structure in a multi-level baboon society.

Neuronal circuits for fine motor skills Posted: 06 Jan 2021 08:57 AM PST Writing, driving a screw or throwing darts are only some of the activities that demand a high level of skill. How the brain masters such exquisite movements has now been described. A map of brainstem circuits reveals which neurons control the fine motor skills of the arm and hand.

Competitive athletics: Detecting CRISPR/Cas gene doping Posted: 06 Jan 2021 08:57 AM PST All athletes want to be at the top of their game when they compete, but some resort to nefarious approaches to achieve peak muscle growth, speed and agility. Recent developments in gene editing technology could tempt athletes to change their DNA to get an edge. Now, researchers demonstrate first steps toward detecting this type of doping both in human plasma and in live mice.

Gut microbe may promote breast cancers Posted: 06 Jan 2021 08:57 AM PST A microbe found in the colon and commonly associated with the development of colitis and colon cancer also may play a role in the development of some breast cancers, according to new research.

Manufacturing process of ultra-thin sensor for smart contact lenses Posted: 06 Jan 2021 08:20 AM PST Smart contact lenses could soon become mainstream thanks to a new manufacturing process that has allowed researchers to develop a multifunctional ultra-thin sensor layer.

Will global warming bring a change in the winds? Dust from the deep sea provides a clue Posted: 06 Jan 2021 08:20 AM PST Climate researchers describe a new method of tracking the ancient history of the westerly winds--a proxy for what we may experience in a future warming world.

Ineffective 'learning styles' theory persists in education Posted: 06 Jan 2021 08:19 AM PST A new review by Swansea University reveals there is widespread belief, around the world, in a teaching method that is not only ineffective but may actually be harmful to learners. For decades educators have been advised to match their teaching to the supposed 'learning styles' of students. However, a new paper by Professor Phil Newton, of Swansea University Medical School, highlights that this ineffective approach is still believed by teachers and calls for a more evidence-based approach to teacher-training.

Identifying strategies to advance research on traumatic brain injury's effect on women Posted: 06 Jan 2021 08:19 AM PST New work reveals gaps in and opportunities for research to improve understanding of the effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in women.

Link between dietary fiber and depression partially explained by gut-brain interactions Posted: 06 Jan 2021 08:19 AM PST Fiber is a commonly recommended part of a healthy diet. That's because it's good for your health in so many ways -- from weight management to reducing the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer. A new study also finds that it might be linked with a reduced risk of depression, especially in premenopausal women.

Researcher cracks the hidden strengthening mechanism in biological ceramics Posted: 06 Jan 2021 08:19 AM PST In addition to adding strength, this design allows the structure to use its crack patterns to minimize damage into the inner shell.

COVID-19 generally 'mild' in young children: Evidence review Posted: 06 Jan 2021 06:53 AM PST Babies and asymptomatic cases account for up to half of COVID-19 infections in the under-five age group, which has implications for vaccination programs, a new study has found.

New work provides insight into the relationship between complexity and diversity Posted: 06 Jan 2021 06:53 AM PST Parts of the planet that are diverse biologically and culturally are even more diverse than you'd expect. A group of researchers developed a theory to show why richer environments are also more complex environments, where you tend to find more species and languages.

Smoking associated with increased risk of COVID-19 symptoms Posted: 06 Jan 2021 06:53 AM PST Smoking is associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 symptoms and smokers are more likely to attend hospital than non-smokers, a study has found.

A bit too much: Reducing the bit width of Ising models for quantum annealing Posted: 06 Jan 2021 06:53 AM PST Quantum annealers are devices that physically implement a quantum system called the 'Ising model' to solve combinatorial optimization problems. However, the coefficients of the Ising model often require a large bit width, making it difficult to implement physically. Now, scientists demonstrate a method to reduce the bit width of any Ising model, increasing the applicability and versatility of quantum annealers in many fields, including cryptography, logistics, and artificial intelligence.

First global study shows uneven urbanization among large cities in the last two decades Posted: 06 Jan 2021 06:53 AM PST In the first-ever study on the characteristics of urbanization in large cities around the world, researchers at the University of Hong Kong analyzed cities' urban built-up areas (BUAs) expansion, population growth and greening BUA changes, and revealed a hugely uneven pace of urbanization in those cities in the last two decades. They warn against major challenges posed to sustainable development if the urban problems are not dealt with in a timely manner.

'Virtual biopsies' could replace tissue biopsies in future thanks to new technique Posted: 06 Jan 2021 06:53 AM PST A new advanced computing technique using routine medical scans to enable doctors to take fewer, more accurate tumor biopsies, has been developed by cancer researchers. This is an important step towards precision tissue sampling for cancer patients to help select the best treatment. In future the technique could even replace clinical biopsies with 'virtual biopsies', sparing patients invasive procedures.

The new face of the Antarctic Posted: 06 Jan 2021 06:53 AM PST In the future, the Antarctic could become a greener place and be colonized by new species. At the same time, some species will likely disappear.

Statins may protect the heart from chemotherapy treatment of early breast cancer Posted: 06 Jan 2021 05:28 AM PST Women who take statins, the common cholesterol-lowering medication, during chemotherapy with anthracyclines for early-stage breast cancer are half as likely to require emergency department visits or hospitalization for heart failure in the 5 years after chemotherapy.

Patient-reported loss of smell in 86 percent of mild COVID-19 cases, study finds Posted: 06 Jan 2021 05:27 AM PST A reduced sense of smell, or olfactory dysfunction, is one of the most common symptoms of COVID-19. A recent study has examined the symptom's prevalence and recovery in patients with varying degrees of severity of COVID-19.

COVID-19 unmasked: Math model suggests optimal treatment strategies Posted: 05 Jan 2021 01:08 PM PST A biology-based mathematical model indicates why COVID-19 outcomes vary widely and how therapy can be tailored to match the needs of specific patient groups.

Natural products with potential efficacy against lethal viruses Posted: 05 Jan 2021 01:08 PM PST Researchers describe the biology of three families of RNA viruses including Coronavirus, Ebola, and Zika and the natural products that have been shown to have capabilities to inhibit them. The review provides a guide that could accelerate drug discovery in response to future epidemics.

Heat treatment may make chemotherapy more effective Posted: 05 Jan 2021 10:01 AM PST The study found that 'loading' a chemotherapy drug on to tiny magnetic particles that can heat up the cancer cells at the same time as delivering the drug to them was up to 34% more effective at destroying the cancer cells than the chemotherapy drug without added heat.

Imminent sudden stratospheric warming to occur, bringing increased risk of snow over coming weeks Posted: 05 Jan 2021 08:18 AM PST A new study helps to shed light on the winter weather we may soon have in store following a dramatic meteorological event currently unfolding high above the North Pole.

Diet and lifestyle guidelines can greatly reduce gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms Posted: 05 Jan 2021 07:48 AM PST Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a common condition affecting 30 percent of the US population and often controlled with medication. While doctors commonly recommend specific dietary and lifestyle changes to control symptoms, there is little evidence about their effectiveness. Results of a large-scale study suggest such changes, including regular exercise, can reduce symptoms substantially.

Magnets dim natural glow of human cells, may shed light on how animals migrate Posted: 05 Jan 2021 07:48 AM PST New research shows how X-Men villain Magneto's super powers could really work. Researchers have made the first observations of biological magnetoreception - live, unaltered cells responding to a magnetic field in real time. This discovery is a crucial step in understanding how animals from birds to butterflies navigate using Earth's magnetic field and addressing the question of whether weak electromagnetic fields in our environment might affect human health.

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