ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Never-before-seen antibody binding, informing liver cancer, antibody design
• 3D microscopy clarifies understanding of body's immune response to obesity
• New possibilities to prevent sudden cardiac death
• Wolves, dogs and dingoes, oh my
• Medication keeps more patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis in remission than steroids
• Termite gut microbes could aid biofuel production
• Most teen bullying occurs among peers climbing the social ladder
• Edible holograms could someday decorate foods
• Toward a disease-sniffing device that rivals a dog's nose
• Lakes isolated beneath Antarctic ice could be more amenable to life than thought
• Identifying 'ugly ducklings' to catch skin cancer earlier
• This robot doesn't need any electronics
• New link between personality and risk of early death
• How sessile seahorses managed to speciate and disperse across the world's oceans
• Credit card-sized soft pumps power wearable artificial muscles
• Proton therapy induces biologic response to attack treatment-resistant cancers
• Do sweat it! Wearable microfluidic sensor to measure lactate concentration in real time
• Fish diet heats up marine biodiversity hotspot
• Researchers develop tiny sensor for measuring subtle pressure changes inside the body
• Quantum collaboration gives new gravity to the mysteries of the universe
• Insects silencing the alarm
• You snooze, you lose - with some sleep trackers
• New highly radioactive particles found in Fukushima
• How the 'noise' in our brain influences our behavior
• New tech aims to tackle 'disseminated intravascular coagulation' blood disorder
• Scientists develop blood test to predict environmental harms to children
• Genotoxic E. coli 'caught in the act'
• Unintended consequences of state, opioid policies
• Researchers uncover altered brain connectivity after prolonged anesthesia
• Study links prolonged sedentary time to distractibility in adults with obesity, overweight
• On the quest for other Earths
• Climate change and fire suppression
• One in five has a mutation that provides superior resilience to cold
• World's oldest DNA reveals how mammoths evolved
• How inflammatory signalling molecules contribute to carcinogenesis
• Human immune system: Structure of essential protein
• Crocodile evolution rebooted by Ice Age glaciations
• Making swimming pools safer by reducing chlorine disinfection byproducts
• Wintering bird communities track climate change faster than breeding communities in Europe and North America
• The market advantage of a feminine brand name
• Plastic recycling results in rare metals being found in children's toys and food packaging
• A new, clearer insight into Earth's hidden crystals
• The 20 best places to tackle US farm nitrogen pollution
• Thermal energy storage with new solution meant to ease grid stress
• Combination treatment for common glioma type shows promise in mice
• Out of this world: Photosynthesis measured from space
• Partners' company helps us stay connected during pandemic
• Electricity source determines benefits of electrifying China's vehicles
• Variation in intensity of fracture-associated prescription drug use
• Battery: Getting the lead in
• Antibody-based COVID-19 treatments work best in concert with immune cells

Never-before-seen antibody binding, informing liver cancer, antibody design Posted: 17 Feb 2021 05:40 PM PST In structural biology, some molecules are so unusual they can only be captured with a unique set of tools. That's precisely how a team defined how antibodies can recognize a compound called phosphohistidine -- a highly unstable molecule that has been found to play a central role in some forms of cancer.

3D microscopy clarifies understanding of body's immune response to obesity Posted: 17 Feb 2021 02:51 PM PST Researchers who focus on fat know that some adipose tissue is more prone to inflammation-related comorbidities than others, but the reasons why are not well understood. Thanks to a new analytical technique, scientists are getting a clearer view of the microenvironments found within adipose tissue associated with obesity. This advance may illuminate why some adipose tissues are more prone to inflammation - leading to diseases like type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disorders - and help direct future drug therapies to treat obesity.

New possibilities to prevent sudden cardiac death Posted: 17 Feb 2021 02:51 PM PST An assistant professor of biomedical sciences has developed a better understanding of the pathological characteristics behind arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy, as well as promising avenues for prevention.

Wolves, dogs and dingoes, oh my Posted: 17 Feb 2021 02:51 PM PST Dogs are generally considered the first domesticated animal, while its ancestor is generally considered to be the wolf, but where the Australian dingo fits into this framework is still debated, according to a retired anthropologist.

Medication keeps more patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis in remission than steroids Posted: 17 Feb 2021 02:50 PM PST Avacopan, which targets a receptor that attracts the cells that cause inflammation, was shown to be more effective at keeping patients in remission for a year than prednisone.

Termite gut microbes could aid biofuel production Posted: 17 Feb 2021 12:11 PM PST Wheat straw, the dried stalks left over from grain production, is a potential source of biofuels and commodity chemicals. But before straw can be converted to useful products by biorefineries, the polymers that make it up must be broken down into their building blocks. Now, researchers have found that microbes from the guts of certain termite species can help break down lignin, a particularly tough polymer in straw.

Most teen bullying occurs among peers climbing the social ladder Posted: 17 Feb 2021 12:11 PM PST New findings suggest why anti-bullying programs don't work. A new study demonstrates that teens' rivals are often their own friends.

Edible holograms could someday decorate foods Posted: 17 Feb 2021 12:11 PM PST Holograms are everywhere, from driver's licenses to credit cards to product packaging. And now, edible holograms could someday enhance foods. Researchers have developed a laser-based method to print nanostructured holograms on dried corn syrup films. The edible holograms could also be used to ensure food safety, label a product or indicate sugar content, the researchers say.

Toward a disease-sniffing device that rivals a dog's nose Posted: 17 Feb 2021 12:11 PM PST A new system can detect the chemical and microbial content of an air sample with even greater sensitivity than a dog's nose. Researchers coupled this to a machine-learning process that can identify the distinctive characteristics of the disease-bearing samples.

Lakes isolated beneath Antarctic ice could be more amenable to life than thought Posted: 17 Feb 2021 12:11 PM PST Lakes underneath the Antarctic ice sheet could be more hospitable than previously thought, allowing them to host more microbial life.

Identifying 'ugly ducklings' to catch skin cancer earlier Posted: 17 Feb 2021 12:11 PM PST A deep learning-based system enables dermatologist-level identification of suspicious skin lesions from smartphone photos, allowing better screening.

This robot doesn't need any electronics Posted: 17 Feb 2021 12:10 PM PST Engineers have created a four-legged soft robot that doesn't need any electronics to work. The robot only needs a constant source of pressurized air for all its functions, including its controls and locomotion systems.

New link between personality and risk of early death Posted: 17 Feb 2021 12:10 PM PST Ground-breaking research has revealed for the first time that the immune system directly links personality to long-term risk of early death.

How sessile seahorses managed to speciate and disperse across the world's oceans Posted: 17 Feb 2021 12:10 PM PST Seahorses are extremely poor swimmers. Surprisingly, however, they can be found in all of the world´s oceans. On the basis of almost 360 different seahorse genomes, a group of researchers studied how these special fish were able to spread so successfully worldwide. Based on an evolutionary tree of 21 species it was possible to reconstruct the dispersal routes of seahorses worldwide and to explain where and when new species emerged.

Credit card-sized soft pumps power wearable artificial muscles Posted: 17 Feb 2021 12:10 PM PST Robotic clothing that is entirely soft and could help people to move more easily is a step closer to reality thanks to the development of a new flexible and lightweight power system for soft robotics.

Proton therapy induces biologic response to attack treatment-resistant cancers Posted: 17 Feb 2021 12:10 PM PST Researchers have developed a novel proton therapy technique to more specifically target cancer cells that resist other forms of treatment. The technique is called LEAP, an acronym for 'biologically enhanced particle therapy.'

Do sweat it! Wearable microfluidic sensor to measure lactate concentration in real time Posted: 17 Feb 2021 12:10 PM PST Lactate, a compound present in sweat, is an important biomarker to quantify during exercise. However, available wearable sensors can cause skin irritation, which calls for the use of different materials. In a recent study, scientists have developed a soft and nonirritating microfluidic sensor for the real-time measurement of lactate concentration in sweat. This wearable device will help monitor the state of the body during intense physical exercise or work.

Fish diet heats up marine biodiversity hotspot Posted: 17 Feb 2021 12:10 PM PST A never-before-seen biodiversity pattern of coral reef fishes suggests some fishes might be exceptionally vulnerable to environmental change. It highlights, for the first time, a unique link between the diet and distribution of species across the marine realm.

Researchers develop tiny sensor for measuring subtle pressure changes inside the body Posted: 17 Feb 2021 12:10 PM PST Researchers have developed an extremely sensitive miniaturized optical fiber sensor that could one day be used to measure small pressure changes in the body.

Quantum collaboration gives new gravity to the mysteries of the universe Posted: 17 Feb 2021 12:10 PM PST Scientists have used cutting-edge research in quantum computation and quantum technology to pioneer a radical new approach to determining how our Universe works at its most fundamental level.

Insects silencing the alarm Posted: 17 Feb 2021 12:10 PM PST Like a scene from a horror movie, tomato fruitworm caterpillars silence their food plants' cries for help as they devour their leaves. That is the finding of a multidisciplinary team of researchers, who said the results may yield insights into the abilities of crop plants -- such as tomato and soybean -- to withstand additional stressors, like climate change.

You snooze, you lose - with some sleep trackers Posted: 17 Feb 2021 12:10 PM PST Wearable sleep tracking devices - from Fitbit to Apple Watch to never-heard-of brands stashed away in the electronics clearance bin - have infiltrated the market at a rapid pace in recent years. And like any consumer products, not all sleep trackers are created equal, according to neuroscientists.

New highly radioactive particles found in Fukushima Posted: 17 Feb 2021 10:48 AM PST The 10 year anniversary of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident occurs in March. Recent work documents new, large (> 300 micrometers), highly radioactive particles that were released from one of the damaged Fukushima reactors.

How the 'noise' in our brain influences our behavior Posted: 17 Feb 2021 10:48 AM PST The brain's neural activity is irregular, changing from one moment to the next. To date, this apparent 'noise' has been thought to be due to random natural variations or measurement error. However, researchers have shown that this neural variability may provide a unique window into brain function.

New tech aims to tackle 'disseminated intravascular coagulation' blood disorder Posted: 17 Feb 2021 10:48 AM PST Researchers have developed a new tool for addressing disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) - a blood disorder that proves fatal in many patients. The technology has not yet entered clinical trials, but in vivo studies using rat models and in vitro models using blood from DIC patients highlight the tech's potential.

Scientists develop blood test to predict environmental harms to children Posted: 17 Feb 2021 10:48 AM PST Scientists have developed a method using a DNA biomarker to easily screen pregnant women for harmful prenatal environmental contaminants like air pollution linked to childhood illness and developmental disorders. This approach has the potential to prevent childhood developmental disorders and chronic illness through the early identification of children at risk.

Genotoxic E. coli 'caught in the act' Posted: 17 Feb 2021 10:48 AM PST Researchers reveal transformation of colon organoids in vitro. Escherichia coli bacteria are constitutive members of the human gut microbiota. However, some strains produce a genotoxin called colibactin, which is implicated in the development of colorectal cancer.

Unintended consequences of state, opioid policies Posted: 17 Feb 2021 10:48 AM PST Study reveals the unintended and negative consequences of policies designed to reduce the supply of opioids in the population for overdose.

Researchers uncover altered brain connectivity after prolonged anesthesia Posted: 17 Feb 2021 10:24 AM PST A body of evidence supports the association between prolonged anesthesia and cognitive impairment, but a new study is among the first to address the effect of the procedure on neural connections.

Study links prolonged sedentary time to distractibility in adults with obesity, overweight Posted: 17 Feb 2021 10:23 AM PST Scientists used accelerometers to track daily activity levels for a week in 89 adults with obesity or overweight and, in a series of tests, measured their ability to multitask and maintain their attention despite distractions. The study revealed that individuals who spent more sedentary time in bouts lasting 20 minutes or more were less able to overcome distractions.

On the quest for other Earths Posted: 17 Feb 2021 08:54 AM PST An international research team has developed a new method for directly imaging smaller planets in the habitable zone of a neighboring star system. This opens up new possibilities in the search for extraterrestrial life.

Climate change and fire suppression Posted: 17 Feb 2021 08:54 AM PST The unprecedented and deadly blazes that engulfed the American West in 2020 attest to the increasing number, size and severity of wildfires in the region. And while scientists predict the climate crisis will exacerbate this situation, there's still much discussion around its contributing factors.

One in five has a mutation that provides superior resilience to cold Posted: 17 Feb 2021 08:44 AM PST Almost one in five people lacks the protein alpha-actinin-3 in their muscle fiber. Researchers now show that more of the skeletal muscle of these individuals comprises slow-twitch muscle fibers, which are more durable and energy-efficient and provide better tolerance to low temperatures than fast-twitch muscle fibers.

World's oldest DNA reveals how mammoths evolved Posted: 17 Feb 2021 08:44 AM PST An international team has sequenced DNA recovered from mammoth remains that are up to 1.2 million years old. The analyses show that the Columbian mammoth that inhabited North America during the last ice age was a hybrid between the woolly mammoth and a previously unknown genetic lineage of mammoth. The study provides new insights into when and how fast mammoths became adapted to cold climate.

How inflammatory signalling molecules contribute to carcinogenesis Posted: 17 Feb 2021 08:43 AM PST Researchers have managed to identify a previously unknown molecular connection between an inflammatory signalling molecule and one of the main oncogenes.

Human immune system: Structure of essential protein Posted: 17 Feb 2021 08:40 AM PST A research group has succeeded in understanding why a very extended structure is important for an essential protein from the human immune system. The new results offer new opportunities for adjusting the activity of the immune system both up and down. Stimulation is interesting in relation to cancer treatment, while inhibition of the immune system is used in treatment of autoimmune diseases.

Crocodile evolution rebooted by Ice Age glaciations Posted: 17 Feb 2021 06:10 AM PST Crocodiles are resilient animals from a lineage that has survived for over 200 million years. Skilled swimmers, crocodiles can travel long distances and live in freshwater to marine environments. But they can't roam far overland. American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) are found in the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of the Neotropics but they arrived in the Pacific before Panama existed, according to new research.

Making swimming pools safer by reducing chlorine disinfection byproducts Posted: 17 Feb 2021 06:10 AM PST Swimming in indoor or outdoor pools is a healthy form of exercise and recreation for many people. However, studies have linked compounds that arise from chlorine disinfection of the pools to respiratory problems, including asthma, in avid swimmers. Now, researchers have found that using a complementary form of disinfection, known as copper-silver ionization (CSI), can decrease disinfection byproducts and cell toxicity of chlorinated swimming pool water.

Wintering bird communities track climate change faster than breeding communities in Europe and North America Posted: 17 Feb 2021 06:10 AM PST A study recently completed in Europe and North America indicates that the composition of wintering and breeding bird communities changes in line with global warming. However, wintering bird communities are considerably faster at tracking the changing climate compared to breeding communities.

The market advantage of a feminine brand name Posted: 17 Feb 2021 06:10 AM PST Linguistically feminine brand names are perceived by consumers as warmer and are therefore better liked and more frequently chosen.

Plastic recycling results in rare metals being found in children's toys and food packaging Posted: 17 Feb 2021 06:10 AM PST Scientists tested a range of new and used products - including children's toys, office equipment and cosmetic containers - and found they contained quantities of rare earth elements.

A new, clearer insight into Earth's hidden crystals Posted: 17 Feb 2021 06:10 AM PST Geologists have developed a new theory about the state of Earth billions of years ago after examining the very old rocks formed in the Earth's mantle below the continents.

The 20 best places to tackle US farm nitrogen pollution Posted: 17 Feb 2021 06:10 AM PST A pioneering study of U.S nitrogen use in agriculture has identified 20 places across the country where farmers, government, and citizens should target nitrogen reduction efforts. The 20 nitrogen 'hotspots of opportunity'-- which appear on a striking map -- represent a whopping 63% of the total surplus nitrogen balance in U.S. croplands, but only 24% of U.S. cropland area. Nitrogen inputs are so high in these areas that farmers can most likely reduce nitrogen use without hurting crop yields.

Thermal energy storage with new solution meant to ease grid stress Posted: 16 Feb 2021 03:59 PM PST Scientists have developed a simple way to better evaluate the potential of novel materials to store or release heat on demand in your home, office, or other building in a way that more efficiently manages the building's energy use.

Combination treatment for common glioma type shows promise in mice Posted: 16 Feb 2021 03:59 PM PST Gliomas are common brain tumors that comprise about one third of all cancers of the nervous system. Researchers tested a novel combination treatment approach on mice with tumors with characteristics similar to human astrocytomas and found tumor regression in 60 percent of the mice treated. These encouraging results could be the first step toward developing a treatment for this type of brain cancer.

Out of this world: Photosynthesis measured from space Posted: 16 Feb 2021 03:58 PM PST In school, we learned that plants use sunlight to synthesize CO2 and water into products like carbohydrates. Now, a research team is finding another use for photosynthesis. By using satellite data to measure plants' CO2 intake and fixation, scientists can generate insights into ecosystem health; specifically, how our agricultural systems will react to an erratic climate and increasingly carbon-filled atmosphere.

Partners' company helps us stay connected during pandemic Posted: 16 Feb 2021 03:58 PM PST A pair of studies reveal that living with a romantic partner helps people feel more socially connected during COVID-19. But no other pandemic-era social dynamic carries notable benefits, the researchers found.

Electricity source determines benefits of electrifying China's vehicles Posted: 16 Feb 2021 03:58 PM PST Researchers have concluded air quality and public health benefits of EVs -- as well as their ability to reduce carbon emissions -- in China are dependent on the type of transport electrified and the composition of the electric grid.

Variation in intensity of fracture-associated prescription drug use Posted: 16 Feb 2021 03:57 PM PST A new study reveals that there is substantial variation across different regions of the country in the intensity of fracture-associated drug use among long-term care residents, and that areas with greater use of these prescription drugs experience higher fracture rates.

Battery: Getting the lead in Posted: 16 Feb 2021 11:43 AM PST Researchers developed a low-cost, high-performance, sustainable lead-based anode for lithium-ion batteries that can power hybrid and all-electric vehicles. They also uncovered its previously unknown reaction mechanism during charge and discharge.

Antibody-based COVID-19 treatments work best in concert with immune cells Posted: 16 Feb 2021 11:43 AM PST Antibody-based drugs have been authorized for emergency use in COVID-19 patients by the Food and Drug Administration. Researchers have discovered that the ability to interact with other elements of the immune system is an indispensable part of the effectiveness of such antibodies. The findings could help improve the design of the next generation of antibody-based COVID-19 drugs.

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