ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Photonics for artificial intelligence and neuromorphic computing
• Scientists solve long-standing mystery by a whisker
• It's elemental: Ultra-trace detector tests gold purity
• Arctic warming and diminishing sea ice are influencing the atmosphere
• Synthesizing valuable chemicals from contaminated soil
• Past river activity in northern Africa reveals multiple Sahara greenings
• Hurricanes and typhoons moving 30km closer to coasts every decade
• Forty years of coral spawning captured in one place for the first time
• Using science to explore a 60-year-old Russian mystery
• What we see shapes what we hear
• Scholars reveal the changing nature of U.S. cities
• Experiments show the record of early life could be full of 'false positives'
• Immune system sets 'tripwire' to protect against viruses
• Human activity caused the long-term growth of greenhouse gas methane
• Threads that sense how and when you move? New technology makes it possible
• 'Be a man': Why some men respond aggressively to threats to manhood
• Genetic analysis of symptoms yields new insights into PTSD
• Chemists settle battery debate, propel research forward
• Why anesthetic stops cell's walkers in their tracks
• Wood formation can now be followed in real-time -- and possibly serve the climate of tomorrow
• Frequent cannabis use by young people linked to decline in IQ
• New concept for rocket thruster exploits the mechanism behind solar flares
• US must unify atmospheric biology research or risk national security, experts urge
• Using zirconium as an additive in super-strong composite materials
• Three mental health conditions contribute to violent offenses
• High schoolers discover four exoplanets through mentorship program
• Size matters: How the size of a male's weapons affects its anti-predator tactics
• Scientists discover a new pathway essential for blood formation
• How the brain is programmed for computer programming?
• 'Liquid' machine-learning system adapts to changing conditions
• Turning food waste back into food
• Technology bolsters use of chia seeds to help improve health, slow signs of aging
• Gendered division of labor shaped human spatial behavior
• Legal cannabis stores linked to fewer opioid deaths in the United States
• Consuming omega-3 fatty acids could prevent asthma, study suggests
• In Brazil, many smaller dams disrupt fish more than large hydropower projects
• Hypnotic suggestions can make a complex task easy by helping vision fill in the blanks

Photonics for artificial intelligence and neuromorphic computing Posted: 30 Jan 2021 06:27 AM PST Scientists have given a fascinating new insight into the next steps to develop fast, energy-efficient, future computing systems that use light instead of electrons to process and store information - incorporating hardware inspired directly by the functioning of the human brain.

Scientists solve long-standing mystery by a whisker Posted: 30 Jan 2021 06:27 AM PST Neuroscientists have experimented on mice to identify the brain region that functions beyond sensory encoding and motor encoding, potentially opening up new directions to studying the cellular and circuit mechanisms of sensory-motor transformations. The researchers report a cortical region traditionally defined as whisker motor cortex in mice is most directly related to the transformation process.

It's elemental: Ultra-trace detector tests gold purity Posted: 29 Jan 2021 09:03 AM PST Unless radon gas is discovered in a home inspection, most people remain blissfully unaware that rocks like granite, metal ores, and some soils contain naturally occurring sources of radiation. In most cases, low levels of radiation are not a health concern. But some scientists and engineers are concerned about even trace levels of radiation, which can wreak havoc on sensitive equipment. The semiconductor industry, for instance, spends billions each year to source and "scrub" ultra-trace levels of radioactive materials from microchips, transistors and sensitive sensors.

Arctic warming and diminishing sea ice are influencing the atmosphere Posted: 29 Jan 2021 08:09 AM PST Researchers have resolved for the first time, how the environment affects the formation of nanoparticles in the Arctic. The results give additional insight into the future of melting sea ice and the Arctic atmosphere. Until recent studies, the molecular processes of particle formation in the high Arctic remained a mystery.

Synthesizing valuable chemicals from contaminated soil Posted: 29 Jan 2021 08:09 AM PST Scientists have developed a process to produce commodity chemicals in a much less hazardous way than was previously possible. The researchers report that they have been able to utilize electrolysis, i.e., the application of an electric current, to obtain chemicals known as dichloro and dibromo compounds, which can then be used to synthesize commodity chemicals.

Past river activity in northern Africa reveals multiple Sahara greenings Posted: 29 Jan 2021 08:09 AM PST The analysis of sediment cores from the Mediterranean Sea combined with Earth system models tells the story of major environmental changes in North Africa over the last 160,000 years.

Hurricanes and typhoons moving 30km closer to coasts every decade Posted: 29 Jan 2021 07:50 AM PST High-intensity tropical cyclones have been moving closer to coasts over the past 40 years, potentially causing more destruction than before.

Forty years of coral spawning captured in one place for the first time Posted: 29 Jan 2021 06:05 AM PST Efforts to understand when corals reproduce have been given a boost thanks to a new resource that gives scientists open access to more than forty years' worth of information about coral spawning.

Using science to explore a 60-year-old Russian mystery Posted: 29 Jan 2021 06:05 AM PST Researchers have conducted an original scientific study that puts forth a plausible explanation for the mysterious 1959 death of nine hikers in the Ural Mountains in the former Soviet Union. The tragic Dyatlov Pass Incident, as it came to be called, has spawned a number of theories, from murderous Yeti to secret military experiments.

What we see shapes what we hear Posted: 29 Jan 2021 06:05 AM PST People often move their hands up and down to 'highlight' what they are saying. Are such 'beat gestures' important for communication? Researchers created words with an ambiguous stress pattern and asked listeners what they heard (DIScount or disCOUNT?). The beat gestures people saw influenced what they heard, showing that listeners quickly integrate verbal and visual information during speech recognition.

Scholars reveal the changing nature of U.S. cities Posted: 29 Jan 2021 06:05 AM PST New findings buck the historical view that most cities in the United States developed in similar ways. Using a century's worth of urban spatial data, researchers found a long history of urban size (how big a place is) ''decoupling'' from urban form (the shape and structure of a city), leading to cities not all evolving the same -- or even close.

Experiments show the record of early life could be full of 'false positives' Posted: 29 Jan 2021 06:05 AM PST For most of Earth's history, life was limited to the microscopic realm, with bacteria occupying nearly every possible niche. Life is generally thought to have evolved in some of the most extreme environments, like hydrothermal vents deep in the ocean or hot springs that still simmer in Yellowstone.

Immune system sets 'tripwire' to protect against viruses Posted: 29 Jan 2021 06:05 AM PST A new study has revealed insights on the intricate, adaptive mechanisms of a protective system employed by the cells of mammalian immune systems. These defenses have evolved to set a type of tripwire that produces an immune response against attack from viruses.

Human activity caused the long-term growth of greenhouse gas methane Posted: 29 Jan 2021 06:05 AM PST Decadal growth rate of methane in the atmosphere varied dramatically over the past 30 yeas with three distinct periods of slowed (1988-1998), quasi-stationary (1999-2006) and renewed (2007-2016) phases. An inverse analysis with atmospheric chemistry transport modeling explained these variations consistently. While emissions from oil and gas exploitation and natural climate events caused the slowed growth and the temporary pause, those from coal mining in China and livestock farming in the tropics drove the renewed growth.

Threads that sense how and when you move? New technology makes it possible Posted: 29 Jan 2021 06:04 AM PST Engineers have developed a thread-based sensor capable of monitoring the direction, angle of rotation and degree of displacement of the head. The design is a proof of principle that could be extended to measuring movements of other limbs by sensors attached like tatoos to the skin.

'Be a man': Why some men respond aggressively to threats to manhood Posted: 28 Jan 2021 12:56 PM PST When their manhood is threatened, some men respond more aggressively than others. New research suggests who may be most triggered by such threats - younger men whose sense of masculinity depends heavily on other people's opinions.

Genetic analysis of symptoms yields new insights into PTSD Posted: 28 Jan 2021 12:56 PM PST A new study uncovers intriguing genetic similarities between PTSD and other mental health disorders such as anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. The findings also suggest that existing drugs commonly used for other disorders might be modified to help treat individual symptoms of multiple disorders.

Chemists settle battery debate, propel research forward Posted: 28 Jan 2021 12:56 PM PST Chemists have identified new details of the reaction mechanism that takes place in batteries with lithium metal anodes. The findings are a major step towards developing smaller, lighter, and less expensive batteries for electric vehicles.

Why anesthetic stops cell's walkers in their tracks Posted: 28 Jan 2021 12:56 PM PST Researchers detail the mechanism that allows propofol, a common anesthetic, to halt the movement of kinesin proteins that deliver cargoes to the far reaches of cells.

Wood formation can now be followed in real-time -- and possibly serve the climate of tomorrow Posted: 28 Jan 2021 10:48 AM PST A genetic engineering method makes it possible to observe how woody cell walls are built in plants. The new research in wood formation opens up the possibility of developing sturdier construction materials and perhaps more climate efficient trees.

Frequent cannabis use by young people linked to decline in IQ Posted: 28 Jan 2021 10:47 AM PST A study has found that adolescents who frequently use cannabis may experience a decline in Intelligence Quotient (IQ) over time. The findings of the research provide further insight into the harmful neurological and cognitive effects of frequent cannabis use on young people.

New concept for rocket thruster exploits the mechanism behind solar flares Posted: 28 Jan 2021 10:47 AM PST A new type of rocket thruster that could take humankind to Mars and beyond has been proposed by a physicist. The device would apply magnetic fields to cause particles of plasma to shoot out the back of a rocket and propel the craft forward.

US must unify atmospheric biology research or risk national security, experts urge Posted: 28 Jan 2021 10:46 AM PST Global circulating winds can carry bacteria, fungal spores, viruses and pollen over long distances and across national borders, but the United States is ill-prepared to confront future disease outbreaks or food-supply threats caused by airborne organisms, says a new article.

Using zirconium as an additive in super-strong composite materials Posted: 28 Jan 2021 06:42 AM PST Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) are incredibly strong materials used in jet engines, gas turbines, and cutting tools for nickel superalloys. Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) is hard and chemically inert, and tungsten carbide (WC) is used as a superhard material, but past efforts to create an Al2O3-WC CMC yielded unsatisfactory results. Recently, a study by Japanese scientists shows that adding zirconium atoms results in improved Al2O3-WC CMCs.

Three mental health conditions contribute to violent offenses Posted: 28 Jan 2021 06:42 AM PST Researchers find a disproportionate number of inmates with violent offenses suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, panic disorder and alcohol use disorder.

High schoolers discover four exoplanets through mentorship program Posted: 28 Jan 2021 06:42 AM PST They may be the youngest astronomers to make a discovery yet. This week, a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old have co-authored a peer-reviewed paper describing the discovery of four new exoplanets about 200-light-years away from Earth.

Size matters: How the size of a male's weapons affects its anti-predator tactics Posted: 28 Jan 2021 06:42 AM PST When males have to fight for reproductive rights, having larger weapons such as horns gives them an edge. However, this can also limit their mobility, making them more vulnerable to predators. In a recent study, scientists demonstrated that males of a species adopt different anti-predator tactics -- tonic immobility or escape -- based on the size of their weapons, opening doors to a better understanding of the evolution of animal behaviors.

Scientists discover a new pathway essential for blood formation Posted: 28 Jan 2021 06:42 AM PST Scientists have discovered how a protein called Tip60 plays a vital role in the renewal of blood cells in the body. Without it, the stem cells that make new blood suffer catastrophic damage. This discovery could lead to better treatments for life-threatening blood-related diseases like leukemia.

How the brain is programmed for computer programming? Posted: 28 Jan 2021 06:42 AM PST Expert computer programmers show higher proficiency in certain behavioral and attention skills than their novice peers. To identify the responsible brain regions, scientists used fMRI to analyze the brain activities of 30 programmers of different skill level, finding that seven regions of the frontal, parietal and temporal cortices in expert programmers' brains are fine-tuned for programming. The findings could provide better methods and tools for everyone to learn programming.

'Liquid' machine-learning system adapts to changing conditions Posted: 28 Jan 2021 06:11 AM PST Researchers developed a neural network that learns on the job, not just during training. The 'liquid' network varies its equations' parameters, enhancing its ability to analyze time series data. The advance could boost autonomous driving, medical diagnosis, and more.

Turning food waste back into food Posted: 28 Jan 2021 06:11 AM PST Scientists have discovered fermented food waste can boost bacteria that increase crop growth, making plants more resistant to pathogens and reducing carbon emissions from farming.

Technology bolsters use of chia seeds to help improve health, slow signs of aging Posted: 28 Jan 2021 06:11 AM PST A team has developed and patented a method to separate mucilage from chia seeds, yielding a protein-rich chia seed flour with improved bioactivity and functionality compared with conventional methods.

Gendered division of labor shaped human spatial behavior Posted: 28 Jan 2021 06:11 AM PST Research based on the daily movements of people living in a contemporary hunter-gatherer society provides new evidence for links between the gendered division of labor in human societies over the past 2.5 million years and differences in the way men and women think about space.

Legal cannabis stores linked to fewer opioid deaths in the United States Posted: 27 Jan 2021 04:33 PM PST Access to legal cannabis stores is associated with a reduction in opioid related deaths in the United States, particularly those linked to synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, finds a new study.

Consuming omega-3 fatty acids could prevent asthma, study suggests Posted: 27 Jan 2021 04:33 PM PST New research suggests that a higher dietary intake of long chain omega-3 fatty acids in childhood may reduce the risk of developing subsequent asthma, but only in children carrying a common gene variant.

In Brazil, many smaller dams disrupt fish more than large hydropower projects Posted: 27 Jan 2021 02:18 PM PST A new article quantifies the tradeoffs between hydroelectric generation capacity and the impacts on river connectivity for thousands of current and projected future dams across Brazil. The findings confirm that small hydropower plants are far more responsible for river fragmentation than their larger counterparts due to their prevalence and distribution.

Hypnotic suggestions can make a complex task easy by helping vision fill in the blanks Posted: 27 Jan 2021 02:18 PM PST New research demonstrates that hypnosis -- the process of focusing a person's attention on a specific task or sensation -- can turn a normally difficult visual task into a far easier one by helping individuals mentally 'fill in the gaps' of missing visual cues.

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