ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• The hidden dance of roots revealed
• Spin hall effect of light with near 100% efficiency
• Mitochondrial function can play significant part in serious disease
• A speed limit also applies in the quantum world
• The melting of large icebergs is a key stage in the evolution of ice ages
• How a longevity gene protects brain stem cells from stress
• Eating more refined grains increases risk of heart attack, early death
• Evidence of protein folding at site of intracellular droplets
• Animal evolution: glimpses of ancient environments
• Life of a pure Martian design
• How the brain processes sign language
• Sweet marine particles resist hungry bacteria
• Tuberculosis: New biomarker indicates individual treatment duration
• Global study of 48 cities finds nature sanitizes 41.7 million tons of human waste a year
• Swimming upstream on sound waves
• Atomic nuclei in the quantum swing
• Origin of life: Did Darwinian evolution begin before life itself?
• Asthmatics at no higher risk getting or dying from COVID-19, assessment of studies consisting of 587,000 people shows
• Release of nutrients from lake-bottom sediments worsens Lake Erie's annual 'dead zone'
• Quartz crystals in the stomach of fossil bird complicates the mystery of its diet
• COVID-19: Future targets for treatments rapidly identified with new computer simulations
• Boys who play video games have lower depression risk
• Fuel for earliest life forms: Organic molecules found in 3.5 billion-year-old rocks
• Tuning electrode surfaces to optimize solar fuel production
• Songbirds' reproductive success reduced by natural gas compressor noise
• Is odor the secret to bats' sex appeal?
• Chatter between cell populations drives progression of gastrointestinal tumors
• Study suggests link between DNA and marriage satisfaction in newlyweds
• Researchers identify mechanisms that are essential for proper skin development
• In dueling ants vying to become queen, behavioral and molecular cues quickly determine who will win
• Antibody response may drive COVID-19 outcomes
• Explainable AI for decoding genome biology
• Migratory birds track climate across the year
• Engineers place molecule-scale devices in precise orientation
• Discovery of biomarker could help predict Alzheimer's years before symptoms emerge
• Genetic variants for skin color in African Americans linked to vitamin D deficiency
• Pore-like proteins designed from scratch
• New Data sheds light on genesis of our body's powerhouses
• Lab-grown 'mini-bile ducts' used to repair human livers in regenerative medicine first
• Metabolic mutations help bacteria resist drug treatment
• Scientists identify over 140,000 virus species in the human gut
• Study finds no gender discrimination when leaders use confident language
• Ultrafast electron dynamics in space and time
• Light and genetic probes untangle dynamics of brain blood flow
• Researchers uncover new information on the effects of antidepressants
• Deep learning may help doctors choose better lung cancer treatments
• New piece of the puzzle increases understanding of speciation
• Smartphone study points to new ways to measure food consumption
• Investigating the wave properties of matter with vibrating molecules
• Human impact on solar radiation levels for decades
• Wolves prefer to feed on the wild side
• Shale gas development in PA increases exposure of some to air pollutants
• Preschoolers with higher cardiorespiratory fitness do better on cognitive tests

The hidden dance of roots revealed Posted: 19 Feb 2021 04:09 PM PST New time-lapse videos capture something that's too slow for our eyes to see: the growing tips of plant roots make corkscrew-like motions, waggling and winding in a helical path as they burrow into the soil. By using time-lapse footage, along with a root-like robot to test ideas, researchers have gained new insights into how and why rice root tips twirl as they grow.

Spin hall effect of light with near 100% efficiency Posted: 19 Feb 2021 12:59 PM PST A research team has successfully developed a technique to reach near-unity efficiency of SHEL by using an artificially-designed metasurface.

Mitochondrial function can play significant part in serious disease Posted: 19 Feb 2021 12:59 PM PST Disorders of the cells' energy supply can cause a number of serious diseases, but also seem to be connected to ageing. More research is needed on mitochondrial function to find future treatments. A new study shows how an important molecule inside the mitochondria affects their function in mice and fruit flies. The study adds valuable knowledge on formerly relatively unexplored protein modifications.

A speed limit also applies in the quantum world Posted: 19 Feb 2021 12:59 PM PST Even in the world of the smallest particles with their own special rules, things cannot proceed infinitely fast. Physicists have now shown what the speed limit is for complex quantum operations. The results are important for the realization of quantum computers, among other things.

The melting of large icebergs is a key stage in the evolution of ice ages Posted: 19 Feb 2021 12:59 PM PST A new study, in which the Andalusian Earth Sciences Institute (IACT) (CSIC-UGR) participated, has described for the first time a key stage in the beginning of the great glaciations and indicates that it can happen to our planet in the future. The study claims to have found a new connection that could explain the beginning of the ice ages on Earth.

How a longevity gene protects brain stem cells from stress Posted: 19 Feb 2021 12:59 PM PST A gene linked to unusually long lifespans in humans protects brain stem cells from the harmful effects of stress, according to a new study.

Eating more refined grains increases risk of heart attack, early death Posted: 19 Feb 2021 12:58 PM PST A new study found consuming a high number of refined grains, such as croissants and white bread, is associated with a higher risk of major cardiovascular disease, stroke and early death.

Evidence of protein folding at site of intracellular droplets Posted: 19 Feb 2021 12:58 PM PST Researchers have found that elevated concentrations of proteins within the droplets triggered a folding event, increasing the potential for protein aggregation -- or misfolding -- which has been linked to neurological diseases including Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Animal evolution: glimpses of ancient environments Posted: 19 Feb 2021 09:42 AM PST Zoologists report the discovery of a trove of fossil fly larvae, and an intriguing caterpillar, encapsulated in samples of amber that are tens of millions of years old.

Life of a pure Martian design Posted: 19 Feb 2021 09:42 AM PST Experimental microbially assisted chemolithotrophy provides an opportunity to trace the putative bioalteration processes of the Martian crust. A study on the Noachian Martian breccia Northwest Africa (NWA) 7034 composed of ancient crustal materials from Mars has now delivered a unique prototype of microbial life experimentally designed on a real Martian material.

How the brain processes sign language Posted: 19 Feb 2021 09:42 AM PST Over 70 million deaf people use sign languages as their preferred communication form. Although they access similar brain structures as spoken languages, it hasn't been identified the brain regions that process both forms of language equally. Scientists have now discovered that Broca's area in the left hemisphere, central for spoken languages, is also crucial for sign languages. This is where the grammar and meaning are processed, regardless of whether it is spoken or signed language.

Sweet marine particles resist hungry bacteria Posted: 19 Feb 2021 09:42 AM PST Rather sweet than salty: In the ocean microalgae produce a lot of sugar during algae blooms. These enormous quantities of algal biomass are normally recycled rapidly by marine bacteria, degradation process that is an important part of the global carbon cycle. Especially sugars have been considered as easily digestible and therefore poor candidates for natural carbon sequestration. Now scientists revealed: There exists a sugar in algae that resists rapid microbial degradation and stores carbon during spring blooms.

Tuberculosis: New biomarker indicates individual treatment duration Posted: 19 Feb 2021 08:18 AM PST The treatment of tuberculosis (TB) is long and demanding. In particular, in cases of resistant tuberculosis, the WHO generally recommends a standard treatment duration of at least 18 months, as there are no reliable biomarkers for an early termination. Scientists have now succeeded in identifying a biomarker that points to an individual end of therapy based on the activity of 22 genes. In many cases, this probably allows the treatment to be shortened safely.

Global study of 48 cities finds nature sanitizes 41.7 million tons of human waste a year Posted: 19 Feb 2021 08:15 AM PST Researchers found that nature provides at least 18% of sanitation services in 48 cities worldwide, according to researchers in the United Kingdom and India. The study estimates that more than 2 million cubic meters of the cities' human waste is processed each year without engineered infrastructure. This includes pit latrine waste that gradually filters through the soil -- a natural process that cleans it before it reaches groundwater.

Swimming upstream on sound waves Posted: 19 Feb 2021 08:14 AM PST Scientists have succeeded in propelling microvehicles against a fluid flow using ultrasound. In future, these tiny vehicles are set to be introduced into the human bloodstream, thereby revolutionizing the field of medicine.

Atomic nuclei in the quantum swing Posted: 19 Feb 2021 08:13 AM PST The extremely precise control of nuclear excitations opens up possibilities of ultra-precise atomic clocks and powerful nuclear batteries.

Origin of life: Did Darwinian evolution begin before life itself? Posted: 19 Feb 2021 08:13 AM PST A study done by physicists demonstrates that fundamental characteristics of polymeric molecules, such as their subunit composition, are sufficient to trigger selection processes in a plausible prebiotic setting.

Asthmatics at no higher risk getting or dying from COVID-19, assessment of studies consisting of 587,000 people shows Posted: 19 Feb 2021 06:18 AM PST A review of 57 studies shows people with asthma had a 14 percent lower risk of getting COVID-19 and were significantly less likely to be hospitalized with the virus.

Release of nutrients from lake-bottom sediments worsens Lake Erie's annual 'dead zone' Posted: 19 Feb 2021 06:18 AM PST Robotic laboratories on the bottom of Lake Erie have revealed that the muddy sediments there release nearly as much of the nutrient phosphorus into the surrounding waters as enters the lake's central basin each year from rivers and their tributaries.

Quartz crystals in the stomach of fossil bird complicates the mystery of its diet Posted: 19 Feb 2021 05:38 AM PST The fossil of a bird that lived alongside the dinosaurs was found with some sort of rocks in its stomach. Previously, researchers thought that these rocks were swallowed on purpose to help clean its stomach, like modern birds of prey do, giving a hint at its diet. But in a new study, scientists discovered that these rocks are quartz crystals that likely formed after the bird died -- its diet is still a mystery.

COVID-19: Future targets for treatments rapidly identified with new computer simulations Posted: 19 Feb 2021 05:38 AM PST Researchers have detailed a mechanism in the distinctive corona of COVID-19 that could help scientists to rapidly find new treatments for the virus, and quickly test whether existing treatments are likely to work with mutated versions as they develop.

Boys who play video games have lower depression risk Posted: 18 Feb 2021 05:11 PM PST Boys who regularly play video games at age 11 are less likely to develop depressive symptoms three years later, finds a new study.

Fuel for earliest life forms: Organic molecules found in 3.5 billion-year-old rocks Posted: 18 Feb 2021 03:02 PM PST For the first time, biologically-relevant organic molecules have been detected in Archaean fluid inclusions, which most likely served as nutrients for early life on Earth.

Tuning electrode surfaces to optimize solar fuel production Posted: 18 Feb 2021 03:02 PM PST Scientists discovered that changing the topmost layer of atoms on electrode surfaces can impact the activity of splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen -- a clean fuel.

Songbirds' reproductive success reduced by natural gas compressor noise Posted: 18 Feb 2021 03:02 PM PST Some songbirds are not dissuaded by constant, loud noise emitted by natural gas pipeline compressors and will establish nests nearby. The number of eggs they lay is unaffected by the din, but their reproductive success ultimately is diminished.

Is odor the secret to bats' sex appeal? Posted: 18 Feb 2021 01:04 PM PST Odor-producing glands and tissues in bats may play a prominent role in mating behavior.

Chatter between cell populations drives progression of gastrointestinal tumors Posted: 18 Feb 2021 01:04 PM PST Researchers identified new therapeutic targets for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) that could lead to new treatment options for patients.

Study suggests link between DNA and marriage satisfaction in newlyweds Posted: 18 Feb 2021 01:04 PM PST Psychologists suggest a link between DNA and traits beneficial to bonding and satisfaction in first years of marriage.

Researchers identify mechanisms that are essential for proper skin development Posted: 18 Feb 2021 12:11 PM PST Latest discovery could improve development of future stem cell therapies and cancer treatments.

In dueling ants vying to become queen, behavioral and molecular cues quickly determine who will win Posted: 18 Feb 2021 12:11 PM PST In one species of ants, workers duel to establish new leadership after the death of their queen. While these sparring matches stretch for more than a month, changes in behavior and gene expression in the first three days of dueling can accurately predict who will triumph, according to a New York University study published in the journal Genes & Development.

Antibody response may drive COVID-19 outcomes Posted: 18 Feb 2021 12:11 PM PST Researchers show that levels of specific antibodies developed in the immune response may influence COVID-19 outcomes in both children and adults.

Explainable AI for decoding genome biology Posted: 18 Feb 2021 12:11 PM PST Researchers have developed advanced explainable artificial intelligence (AI) in a technical tour de force to decipher regulatory instructions encoded in DNA.

Migratory birds track climate across the year Posted: 18 Feb 2021 11:28 AM PST As climate change takes hold across the Americas, some areas will get wetter, and others will get hotter and drier. A new study of the yellow warbler, a widespread migratory songbird, shows that individuals have the same climatic preferences across their migratory range.

Engineers place molecule-scale devices in precise orientation Posted: 18 Feb 2021 11:28 AM PST A technique for controlling the orientation of manufactured DNA shapes now removes one of the last barriers for the combination of molecular devices with conventional semiconductor chips.

Discovery of biomarker could help predict Alzheimer's years before symptoms emerge Posted: 18 Feb 2021 11:28 AM PST A unique brain protein measured in the blood could be used to diagnose Alzheimer's disease decades before symptoms develop, according to new Edith Cowan University (ECU) research.

Genetic variants for skin color in African Americans linked to vitamin D deficiency Posted: 18 Feb 2021 11:28 AM PST One day physicians may be able to look at an African American's skin color and, with the help of other determinants, know if prescribing vitamin D supplements would lower that person's risk of getting cancers of the prostate, colon, rectum or breast.

Pore-like proteins designed from scratch Posted: 18 Feb 2021 11:28 AM PST Scientists have created new proteins that adopt one of the most complex folds known to molecular biology. These pore-like barrel-shaped proteins spontaneously fold into their intended structures and embed into lipid membranes. Although the scientists drew inspiration from proteins found throughout the living world, they arrived at sequences that differ from any known before. The resulting compact structures hold promise for future construction of custom nanoscale tools for advanced filtration and DNA sequencing.

New Data sheds light on genesis of our body's powerhouses Posted: 18 Feb 2021 11:28 AM PST Scientists uncover for the first time how the body's energy makers are made. An international team of researchers report an insight into the molecular mechanism of membrane-tethered protein synthesis in mitochondria. This is a fundamental new understanding of how the human mitoribosome functions and could explain how it is affected by mutations and deregulation leading to disorders like deafness and diseases including cancer development.

Lab-grown 'mini-bile ducts' used to repair human livers in regenerative medicine first Posted: 18 Feb 2021 11:28 AM PST Scientists have used a technique to grow bile duct organoids - often referred to as 'mini-organs' - in the lab and shown that these can be used to repair damaged human livers. This is the first time that the technique has been used on human organs.

Metabolic mutations help bacteria resist drug treatment Posted: 18 Feb 2021 11:27 AM PST Researchers have identified a new class of mutations that help bacteria develop antibiotic resistance. In a study of E. coli, they discovered that mutations to genes involved in metabolism can help bacteria to evade the toxic effects of several different antibiotics.

Scientists identify over 140,000 virus species in the human gut Posted: 18 Feb 2021 11:27 AM PST Viruses are the most numerous biological entities on the planet. Now researchers have identified over 140,000 viral species living in the human gut, more than half of which have never been seen before.

Study finds no gender discrimination when leaders use confident language Posted: 18 Feb 2021 11:27 AM PST People tend to listen to big talkers, whether they are women or men. Still, more women prefer not to use assertive language, according to a new study. Participants in an experiment more often followed advice of people using assertive 'cheap talk,' statements that cannot be verified as true.

Ultrafast electron dynamics in space and time Posted: 18 Feb 2021 11:27 AM PST Often depicted as colorful balloons or clouds, electron orbitals provide information on the whereabouts of electrons in molecules, a bit like fuzzy snapshots. In order to understand the exchange of electrons in chemical reactions, it is not only important to know their spatial distribution but also their motion in time. Scientists have now made huge progress in this direction: They successfully recorded orbital images with an extremely high temporal resolution.

Light and genetic probes untangle dynamics of brain blood flow Posted: 18 Feb 2021 11:27 AM PST New research on tiny capillaries and cells called pericytes details how blood moves through over 400 miles of total vasculature in the human brain.

Researchers uncover new information on the effects of antidepressants Posted: 18 Feb 2021 11:17 AM PST The findings of a new study challenge the prevailing thinking on the primary role of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the effects of antidepressants.

Deep learning may help doctors choose better lung cancer treatments Posted: 18 Feb 2021 11:01 AM PST Researchers have developed a deep learning model that, in certain conditions, is more than 71 percent accurate in predicting survival expectancy of lung cancer patients, significantly better than traditional machine learning models that the team tested. The other machine learning models the team tested had about a 61 percent accuracy rate.

New piece of the puzzle increases understanding of speciation Posted: 18 Feb 2021 11:01 AM PST Speciation is important because it increases biodiversity. A new thesis examines the speciation process in multiple marine species where different populations of the same species might evolve into two completely new species.

Smartphone study points to new ways to measure food consumption Posted: 18 Feb 2021 11:01 AM PST A team of researchers has devised a method using smartphones in order to measure food consumption -- an approach that also offers new ways to predict physical well-being.

Investigating the wave properties of matter with vibrating molecules Posted: 18 Feb 2021 11:01 AM PST Researchers used a novel, high-precision laser spectroscopic experiment to measure the internal vibration of the simplest molecule. This allowed the researchers to investigate the wave character of the motion of atomic nuclei with unprecedented accuracy.

Human impact on solar radiation levels for decades Posted: 18 Feb 2021 11:01 AM PST Based on the long-term Potsdam radiation time series, researchers have shown that variations in the intensity of sunlight over decades are down to ultra-fine, human-made dirt particles in the atmosphere.

Wolves prefer to feed on the wild side Posted: 18 Feb 2021 11:01 AM PST When there is a choice, wolves in Mongolia prefer to feed on wild animals rather than grazing livestock. Previous studies had shown that the diet of wolves in inland Central Asia consists mainly of grazing livestock, which could lead to increasing conflict between nomadic livestock herders and wild predatory animals like wolves.

Shale gas development in PA increases exposure of some to air pollutants Posted: 18 Feb 2021 11:01 AM PST Air pollution levels may have exceeded air quality standards during the development of some Marcellus Shale natural gas wells in Pennsylvania, potentially impacting more than 36,000 people in one year alone during the drilling boom, according to scientists.

Preschoolers with higher cardiorespiratory fitness do better on cognitive tests Posted: 18 Feb 2021 11:01 AM PST Researchers report that 4-6-year-old children who walk further than their peers during a timed test - a method used to estimate cardiorespiratory health - also do better on cognitive tests and other measures of brain function. The study suggests that the link between cardiorespiratory fitness and cognitive health is evident even earlier in life than previously appreciated.

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