ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

---

• Friends matter: Giraffes that group with others live longer
• Can super-Earth interior dynamics set the table for habitability?
• Baby vampire bat adopted by mom's best friend
• Relaxed precautions, not climate, the biggest factor driving wintertime COVID-19 outbreaks
• Poorer mental health smolders after deadly, devastating wildfire
• The pandemic lockdown leads to cleaner city air across Canada, paper reveals
• Astronomers offer possible explanation for elusive dark-matter-free galaxies
• Researchers uncover hidden hunting tactics of wolves in Minnesota's Northwoods
• What's driving 'brain fog' in people with COVID-19
• Antiviral proves effective at preventing, treating COVID-19 in lab
• Unusual DNA folding increases the rates of mutations
• AI can predict early death risk
• School closures may not reduce coronavirus deaths as much as expected
• Biomaterials could mean better vaccines, virus-fighting surfaces
• Advanced simulations reveal how air conditioning spreads COVID-19 aerosols
• High greenhouse gas emissions from Siberian Inland Waters
• A 'skeletal age' calculator to predict bone fracture risk
• How cells recycle the machinery that drives their motility?
• COVID-19 vs. conservation: How the northern white rhino rescue programme overcame challenges
• 21 per cent of all citations go to the elite
• Challenges of animal ownership during the pandemic should be considered alongside the potential benefits, study shows
• Physicists finesse the storing of light to create rainbows of color
• Ecological interactions as a driver of evolution
• Arctic permafrost releases more CO2 than once believed
• How accurate are first impressions on a first date?
• New method for asymmetric N,N-acetal synthesis promises advances in drug development
• Mean or nice? These traits could make or break a child's friendships
• People with dementia at higher risk for COVID-19, study finds
• Coffee lovers, rejoice! Drinking more coffee associated with decreased heart failure risk
• Climate change shrinks and shifts juvenile white shark range
• Limiting warming to 2 degrees Celsius requires emissions reductions 80% above Paris Agreement targets
• New factor in the carbon cycle of the Southern Ocean identified
• Tumor-suppressor protein dynamics determine if tissues survive radiation
• Wearable devices can detect COVID-19 symptoms and predict diagnosis, study finds
• How rocks rusted on Earth and turned red
• Cleaning Up the Mississippi River
• MARLIT, artificial intelligence against marine litter
• History of vaccines offers lessons on COVID-19 for pregnant women
• STINGing tumors with nanoparticles
• Immune response to insulin could identify, help treat those at risk for Type 1 Diabetes

Friends matter: Giraffes that group with others live longer Posted: 09 Feb 2021 05:41 PM PST Adult female giraffes who spend time in larger groups with other females live longer than less sociable individuals. The effects of sociability on survival outweigh other factors such as environment or human presence, a study of giraffes in Tanzania has shown.

Can super-Earth interior dynamics set the table for habitability? Posted: 09 Feb 2021 05:41 PM PST New research provides a framework for understanding the interiors of super-Earths -- rocky exoplanets between 1.5 and 2 times the size of our home planet -- which is a prerequisite to assess their potential for habitability. Planets of this size are among the most abundant in exoplanetary systems.

Baby vampire bat adopted by mom's best friend Posted: 09 Feb 2021 05:41 PM PST The strong relationship formed between two female adult vampire bats may have motivated one of the bats to adopt the other's baby.

Relaxed precautions, not climate, the biggest factor driving wintertime COVID-19 outbreaks Posted: 09 Feb 2021 12:19 PM PST Wintertime outbreaks of COVID-19 have been largely driven by whether people adhere to control measures such as mask wearing and social distancing, according to a new study. Climate and a lack of population immunity are playing smaller roles during the pandemic phase of the virus, but will become more impactful as infections slow.

Poorer mental health smolders after deadly, devastating wildfire Posted: 09 Feb 2021 12:18 PM PST Researchers report that climate change is a chronic mental health stressor, and promotes a variety of mental health problems. The 2018 Camp Fire is a case study.

The pandemic lockdown leads to cleaner city air across Canada, paper reveals Posted: 09 Feb 2021 12:18 PM PST Researchers found that emission levels dropped dramatically over the course of the pandemic. They measured downtown air quality monitoring station data from eight Canadian cities and compared their concentration levels of nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide between February and August 2020 to the figures recorded over the same period in 2018 and 2019. They also used satellite imagery and urban transportation fuel consumption figures to investigate emissions traffic congestion data provided by tracking technology embedded in phones and cars worldwide.

Astronomers offer possible explanation for elusive dark-matter-free galaxies Posted: 09 Feb 2021 12:18 PM PST Astronomers have found that some dwarf galaxies may today appear to be dark-matter free even though they formed as galaxies dominated by dark matter in the past.

Researchers uncover hidden hunting tactics of wolves in Minnesota's Northwoods Posted: 09 Feb 2021 12:18 PM PST Researchers show that wolves have evolved ambush hunting tactics specifically tailored for catching and killing beavers. The study challenges the classic concept that wolves are solely cursorial predators. Instead, wolf-hunting strategies appear highly flexible, and they are able to switch between hunting modes (cursorial and ambush hunting) depending on their prey.

What's driving 'brain fog' in people with COVID-19 Posted: 09 Feb 2021 09:10 AM PST Researchers report an underlying cause of COVID brain: the presence of inflammatory molecules in the liquid surrounding the brain and spinal cord (called the cerebrospinal fluid). The findings suggest that anti-inflammatory drugs, such as steroids, may be useful for treating the condition, but more research is needed.

Antiviral proves effective at preventing, treating COVID-19 in lab Posted: 09 Feb 2021 09:10 AM PST Using a new research model containing human lung tissue, scientists showed that the broad spectrum, experimental drug EIDD-2801 proved effective at preventing and treating SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Unusual DNA folding increases the rates of mutations Posted: 09 Feb 2021 09:10 AM PST DNA sequences that can fold into shapes other than the classic double helix tend to have higher mutation rates than other regions in the human genome. New research shows that the elevated mutation rate in these sequences plays a major role in determining regional variation in mutation rates across the genome.

AI can predict early death risk Posted: 09 Feb 2021 08:39 AM PST Researchers have found that a computer algorithm developed using echocardiogram videos of the heart can predict mortality within a year. The algorithm -- an example of what is known as machine learning, or artificial intelligence (AI) -- outperformed other clinically used predictors, including pooled cohort equations and the Seattle Heart Failure score.

School closures may not reduce coronavirus deaths as much as expected Posted: 09 Feb 2021 08:39 AM PST School closures, the loss of public spaces, and having to work remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic have caused major disruptions in people's lives all over the world. After running thousands of simulations of the pandemic response in New York City with variations in social distancing behavior, researchers suggest a reduction in fatal coronavirus cases can be achieved without the need for so much social disruption.

Biomaterials could mean better vaccines, virus-fighting surfaces Posted: 09 Feb 2021 08:39 AM PST Advances in the fields of biomaterials and nanotechnology could lead to big breakthroughs in the fight against dangerous viruses like the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Researchers describe possibilities being explored by scientists, combining biomaterials and nanotechnology, to make vaccines more effective and build surfaces that could fight and kill viruses on their own.

Advanced simulations reveal how air conditioning spreads COVID-19 aerosols Posted: 09 Feb 2021 08:38 AM PST A restaurant outbreak in China was widely reported as strong evidence of airflow-induced transmission of COVID-19, but it lacked a detailed investigation about exactly how transmission occurred. Researchers report using advanced simulation methods to capture the complex flows that occur when the cold airflow from air conditioners interacts with the hot plume from a dining table and the transport of virus-loading particles within such flows.

High greenhouse gas emissions from Siberian Inland Waters Posted: 09 Feb 2021 08:38 AM PST Rivers and lakes at high latitudes are considered to be major sources for greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere, but these losses are poorly constrained. Researchers quantify carbon emissions from rivers and lakes across Western Siberia, finding that emission are high and exceed carbon export to the Arctic Ocean.

A 'skeletal age' calculator to predict bone fracture risk Posted: 09 Feb 2021 08:38 AM PST Researchers have developed a model to predict the biological age of bones that may improve the management of osteoporotic fractures.

How cells recycle the machinery that drives their motility? Posted: 09 Feb 2021 08:38 AM PST Research groups have discovered a new molecular mechanism that promotes cell migration. The discovery sheds light on the mechanisms that drive uncontrolled movement of cancer cells, and also revises the 'text book view' of cell migration.

COVID-19 vs. conservation: How the northern white rhino rescue programme overcame challenges Posted: 09 Feb 2021 08:38 AM PST The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the life of people everywhere and affected economic, cultural, social and political processes. Research and conservation are not exempt from these negative effects, whereas positive consequences of an 'anthropause' on the environment are controversially discussed.

21 per cent of all citations go to the elite Posted: 09 Feb 2021 08:38 AM PST In the last 15 years, elite researchers have increased their share of citations from 14 to 21 per cent, new research shows. The uneven distribution can have negative consequences for research.

Challenges of animal ownership during the pandemic should be considered alongside the potential benefits, study shows Posted: 09 Feb 2021 08:38 AM PST Animal owners frequently report concerns and worries relating to caring for their animal during the pandemic, new research suggests. The study also revealed owners had increased their appreciation of their animals during the first lockdown phase. The notion that people 'could not live without' their animals and that they were a 'godsend' or a 'lifeline' in the pandemic was frequently expressed.

Physicists finesse the storing of light to create rainbows of color Posted: 09 Feb 2021 08:38 AM PST Physicists have found a way to use resonance to harness the energy of light more effectively inside microresonators.

Ecological interactions as a driver of evolution Posted: 09 Feb 2021 08:38 AM PST In a recent study, an international team of researchers including TUD botanist Prof. Stefan Wanke has investigated the origin of the mega-diversity of herbivorous insects. These account for a quarter of terrestrial diversity. The results of the study were recently published in the international journal Nature Communications. There the scientists show that the evolutionary success of insects may be linked to recurrent changes in host plants.

Arctic permafrost releases more CO2 than once believed Posted: 09 Feb 2021 08:38 AM PST There may be greater CO2 emissions associated with thawing Arctic permafrost than ever imagined. An international team of researchers has discovered that soil bacteria release CO2 previously thought to be trapped by iron. The finding presents a large new carbon footprint that is unaccounted for in current climate models.

How accurate are first impressions on a first date? Posted: 09 Feb 2021 08:38 AM PST The high stakes of first dates require would-be partners to make and interpret first impressions. But, can we rely on these first impressions to accurately assess someone's personality? According to researchers, the answer is yes, although it may be more difficult than in more casual settings.

New method for asymmetric N,N-acetal synthesis promises advances in drug development Posted: 09 Feb 2021 06:13 AM PST Chiral N,N-acetals are an important component of several bioactive drugs and medicines. Owing to this, chemical reactions that lead to high-purity yield of the desired 'enantiomeric' form are highly sought after. In a new study, scientists demonstrate high selectivity formation of N,N-acetals from reactions between 2-aminobenzamide and various diketones in presence of bis(imidazoline)-phosphoric acid catalyst and look into the possible mechanism, opening doors to facile synthesis of novel pharmaceutical drugs.

Mean or nice? These traits could make or break a child's friendships Posted: 09 Feb 2021 06:13 AM PST While it's logical to assume that children who are mean have friendships characterized by growing strife and that children who are nice report little of the same, these assumptions haven't been tested in real-world friendships. A study of elementary-school children is the first to examine the extent to which being 'nice' and being 'mean' shape changes in friend perceptions of their relationship. Results confirm the widespread assumption that one child's behavioral traits drive the other child's friendship experiences.

People with dementia at higher risk for COVID-19, study finds Posted: 09 Feb 2021 05:35 AM PST Researchers found that patients with dementia were at a significantly increased risk for COVID-19 -- and the risk was higher still for African Americans with dementia.

Coffee lovers, rejoice! Drinking more coffee associated with decreased heart failure risk Posted: 09 Feb 2021 05:35 AM PST An analysis of three large, well-known heart disease studies found drinking one or more cups of caffeinated coffee was associated with decreased heart failure risk. Drinking decaffeinated coffee did not have the same benefit and may be associated with an increased risk for heart failure. There is not yet enough clear evidence to recommend increasing coffee consumption to decrease risk of heart disease with the same strength and certainty as stopping smoking, losing weight or exercising.

Climate change shrinks and shifts juvenile white shark range Posted: 09 Feb 2021 05:35 AM PST Unprecedented sightings of juvenile white sharks at the northern end of Monterey Bay signal a significant shift in the young white sharks' range. Researchers conclude the northward range shift demonstrates the young sharks are being subjected to a loss of suitable thermal habitat, meaning water temperatures within their preferred temperature range are becoming harder to find.

Limiting warming to 2 degrees Celsius requires emissions reductions 80% above Paris Agreement targets Posted: 09 Feb 2021 05:35 AM PST Even if all countries meet their Paris Agreement goals for reducing emissions, Earth has only a 5% chance of staying below 2 C warming this century, a 2017 study showed. But reductions about 80% more ambitious, or an average of 1.8% drop in emissions per year rather than 1% per year, would be enough to meet the agreement's stated goal, analysis shows.

New factor in the carbon cycle of the Southern Ocean identified Posted: 09 Feb 2021 05:34 AM PST The Southern Ocean is one of the key regions for understanding the climate system. The photosynthesis-performing plankton there contribute significantly to controlling the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. But which factors favor or limit plankton growth? Researchers have now published a study showing for the first time that, in addition to the micronutrient iron, manganese can play an important role. Among other things, the results have implications for understanding ice ages in the past.

Tumor-suppressor protein dynamics determine if tissues survive radiation Posted: 09 Feb 2021 05:31 AM PST Exposure to radiation can wreak indiscriminate havoc on cells, tissues, and organs. Curiously, however, some tissues are more vulnerable to radiation damage than others. A new study now finds that cellular survival after radiation exposure depends on behavior of the tumor-suppressor protein p53 over time. In vulnerable tissues, p53 levels go up and remain high, leading to cell death. In tissues that tend to survive radiation damage, p53 levels oscillate up and down.

Wearable devices can detect COVID-19 symptoms and predict diagnosis, study finds Posted: 08 Feb 2021 03:51 PM PST Wearable devices can identify COVID-19 cases earlier than traditional diagnostic methods and can help track and improve management of the disease, according to a new study.

How rocks rusted on Earth and turned red Posted: 08 Feb 2021 01:19 PM PST How did rocks rust on Earth and turn red? A new study has shed new light on the important phenomenon and will help address questions about the Late Triassic climate more than 200 million years ago, when greenhouse gas levels were high enough to be a model for what our planet may be like in the future.

Cleaning Up the Mississippi River Posted: 08 Feb 2021 01:19 PM PST A researcher has reconstructed a 100-year record chronicling water quality trends in the lower Mississippi River by compiling water quality data collected from 1901 to 2019. The Mississippi River is the largest river in North America with about 30 million people living within its watershed. He tracked pH levels and concentrations of bacteria, oxygen, lead and sulphate in this new study.

MARLIT, artificial intelligence against marine litter Posted: 08 Feb 2021 11:59 AM PST A new algorithm designed with deep learning techniques will enable the detection and quantification of floating plastics in the sea with a reliability over 80 percent, according to a new study.

History of vaccines offers lessons on COVID-19 for pregnant women Posted: 08 Feb 2021 09:53 AM PST Pregnant women, who are at increased risk of preterm birth or pregnancy loss if they develop a severe case of COVID-19, need the best possible guidance on whether they should receive a COVID-19 vaccine, according to a new article. That guidance can take lessons from what is already known about other vaccines given during pregnancy.

STINGing tumors with nanoparticles Posted: 08 Feb 2021 09:53 AM PST A new nanoparticle-based drug can boost the body's innate immune system and make it more effective at fighting off tumors, researchers have shown. Their study is among the first to successfully target the immune molecule STING with nanoparticles about one millionth the size of a soccer ball that can switch on/off immune activity in response to their physiological environment.

Immune response to insulin could identify, help treat those at risk for Type 1 Diabetes Posted: 08 Feb 2021 09:53 AM PST Researchers have found that immune responses to insulin could help identify individuals most at risk for developing Type 1 diabetes.

You are subscribed to email updates from Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States