ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Conservation paradox - the pros and cons of recreational hunting
• How a single cell slime mold makes smart decisions without a central nervous system
• The way a fish swims reveals a lot about its personality, say scientists
• 'Missing ice problem' finally solved
• Whale Sharks show remarkable capacity to recover from injuries, including partial fin re-growing
• 'Walking' molecule superstructures could help create neurons for regenerative medicine
• Don't focus on genetic diversity to save our species
• Scientists use DNA origami to monitor CRISPR gene targeting
• ALS neuron damage reversed with new compound
• Climate impacts drive east-west divide in forest seed production
• Beta blockers can repair malformed blood vessels in the brain
• Research finds college students with ADHD are likely to experience significant challenges
• Drifter or homebody? Study first to show where whitespotted eagle rays roam
• New material is next step toward stable high-voltage long-life solid-state batteries
• TBE patients' lasting problems
• Seasonal variation in daylight influences brain function
• Saki monkeys get screen time for more control over their lives in captivity
• The Milky Way may be swarming with planets with oceans and continents like here on Earth
• Some open ocean waters teeming with an abundance of life
• Effects of past ice ages more widespread than previously thought
• Environmental policies not always bad for business, study finds
• NASA's Mars Perseverance rover provides front-row seat to landing, first audio recording of Red Planet
• Medieval containers hint at thriving wine trade in Islamic Sicily
• Depressed and out of work? Therapy may help you find a job
• Big galaxies steal star-forming gas from their smaller neighbors
• Sleep is vital to associating emotion with memory, study finds
• Scientists use machine-learning approach to track disease-carrying mosquitoes
• West Virginia's enduring, intertwined epidemics: Opioids and HIV
• Last-itch effort: Fighting the bacteria that exacerbate eczema with bacteria
• Salmon scales reveal substantial decline in wild salmon population and diversity
• Researchers develop model to estimate false-negative rate for COVID-19 tests
• Lack of symmetry in qubits can't fix errors in quantum computing, might explain matter/antimatter
• Study finds increased COVID-19 mortality among adults with Down syndrome
• Impacts of climate warming on microbial network interactions
• Polymer film protects from electromagnetic radiation, signal interference
• Researchers learn that pregnant women pass along protective COVID antibodies to their babies
• Research team identifies potential drug to treat SARS-CoV-2
• How outdoor pollution affects indoor air quality
• Traditional hydrologic models may misidentify snow as rain, new citizen science data shows
• Toddler sleep patterns matter
• NASA's Swift helps tie neutrino to star-shredding black hole
• Tweaking corn kernels with CRISPR
• New dating techniques reveal Australia's oldest known rock painting, and it's a kangaroo
• Using human rights laws may be most effective way of harnessing international legislation to protect the Amazon
• Dozens of new lichen species discovered in East African mountain forests
• Improved vectors for ocular gene therapy
• Diets high in fructose could cause immune system damage, study suggests
• Genomic insights into the origin of pre-historic populations in East Asia
• Lonely adolescents are susceptible to internet addiction
• Study suggests teacher-student bonds may be especially important for homeless kids
• How a gene called HAND2 may impact the timing of labor
• Positive vibes only: Forego negative texts or risk being labelled a downer
• Air pollution puts children at higher risk of disease in adulthood
• Study could explain tuberculosis bacteria paradox
• Unique study of isolated bobcat population confirms accuracy of extinction model
• Synthesis of a rare metal complex of nitrous oxide opens new vistas for the degradation of a potent greenhouse gas
• Types of rashes associated with MIS-C
• Potentially harmful chemicals found in plastic toys
• Screening for macrocyclic peptides
• New metalens shifts focus without tilting or moving

Conservation paradox - the pros and cons of recreational hunting Posted: 23 Feb 2021 01:44 PM PST Scientists have reviewed more than 1,000 studies on recreational hunting -- the first such attempt to summarize the scientific literature examining the biodiversity and social effects of recreational hunting globally.

How a single cell slime mold makes smart decisions without a central nervous system Posted: 23 Feb 2021 09:16 AM PST Having a memory of past events enables us to take smarter decisions about the future. Researchers have now identified how the slime mold Physarum polycephalum saves memories - although it has no nervous system.

The way a fish swims reveals a lot about its personality, say scientists Posted: 23 Feb 2021 08:07 AM PST Personality has been described in all sorts of animal species, from ants to apes. Some individuals are shy and sedentary, while others are bold and active. Now a new study has revealed that the way a fish swims tells us a lot about its personality.

'Missing ice problem' finally solved Posted: 23 Feb 2021 08:07 AM PST During glacial periods, the sea level falls, because vast quantities of water are stored in the massive inland glaciers. To date, however, computer models have been unable to reconcile sea-level height with the thickness of the glaciers.

Whale Sharks show remarkable capacity to recover from injuries, including partial fin re-growing Posted: 23 Feb 2021 08:05 AM PST A new study has for the first time explored the extraordinary rate at which the world's largest fish, the endangered whale shark, can recover from its injuries. The findings reveal that lacerations and abrasions, increasingly caused through collisions with boats, can heal in a matter of weeks and researchers found evidence of partially removed dorsal fins re-growing.

'Walking' molecule superstructures could help create neurons for regenerative medicine Posted: 23 Feb 2021 08:04 AM PST By discovering a new printable biomaterial that can mimic properties of brain tissue, researchers are now closer to developing a platform capable of conditions using regenerative medicine.

Don't focus on genetic diversity to save our species Posted: 23 Feb 2021 08:04 AM PST Scientists have challenged the common assumption that genetic diversity of a species is a key indicator of extinction risk. The scientists demonstrate that there is no simple relationship between genetic diversity and species survival. But researchers conclude the focus shouldn't be on genetic diversity anyway; it should be on habitat protection.

Scientists use DNA origami to monitor CRISPR gene targeting Posted: 23 Feb 2021 08:04 AM PST The remarkable genetic scissors called CRISPR/Cas9, the discovery that won the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, sometimes cut in places that they are not designed to target.

ALS neuron damage reversed with new compound Posted: 23 Feb 2021 08:04 AM PST Scientists have identified the first compound that eliminates the ongoing degeneration of upper motor neurons that become diseased and are a key contributor to ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a swift and fatal neurodegenerative disease that paralyzes its victims. In ALS, movement-initiating nerve cells in the brain and muscle-controlling nerve cells in the spinal cord die. After administering the new compound,, the diseased brain neurons stopped degenerating so much that they became similar to healthy control neurons after 60 days of treatment.

Climate impacts drive east-west divide in forest seed production Posted: 23 Feb 2021 08:04 AM PST Younger, smaller trees that comprise much of North America's eastern forests have increased their seed production under climate change. But older, larger trees that dominate western forests have been less responsive, a new study warns. This continental divide could limit western forests' ability to regenerate following large-scale diebacks linked to rising temperatures and intensifying droughts. Over time this might dramatically alter the composition and structure of 21st century North American forests.

Beta blockers can repair malformed blood vessels in the brain Posted: 23 Feb 2021 08:04 AM PST Propranolol, a drug that is efficacious against infantile haemangiomas ('strawberry naevi', resembling birthmarks), can also be used to treat cerebral cavernous malformations, a condition characterized by misshapen blood vessels in the brain and elsewhere.

Research finds college students with ADHD are likely to experience significant challenges Posted: 23 Feb 2021 08:03 AM PST In one of largest and most comprehensive investigations of college students with ADHD ever conducted, new research confirms students with ADHD face significant challenges across all four years of college and predicts ways academic outcomes can be improved.

Drifter or homebody? Study first to show where whitespotted eagle rays roam Posted: 23 Feb 2021 08:03 AM PST It's made for long-distance travel, yet movement patterns of the whitespotted eagle ray remain a mystery. Between 2016 and 2018, scientists fitted 54 rays with acoustic transmitters and tracked them along both the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts of Florida, which differ in environmental characteristics. Results of the study reveal striking differences in travel patterns on the Atlantic coast compared to the Gulf coast and findings have significant conservation and adaptive management implications for this protected species.

New material is next step toward stable high-voltage long-life solid-state batteries Posted: 23 Feb 2021 08:03 AM PST A team of researchers designed and manufactured a new sodium-ion conductor for solid-state sodium-ion batteries that is stable when incorporated into higher-voltage oxide cathodes. This new solid electrolyte could dramatically improve the efficiency and lifespan of this class of batteries. A proof of concept battery built with the new material lasted over 1000 cycles while retaining 89.3% of its capacity--a performance unmatched by other solid-state sodium batteries to date.

TBE patients' lasting problems Posted: 23 Feb 2021 08:03 AM PST Impaired memory, reduced motivation, and declining motor skills. These are some of the problems that may persist several years after people contract tick-borne encephalitis, a recent thesis shows.

Seasonal variation in daylight influences brain function Posted: 23 Feb 2021 08:03 AM PST A research group has studied how seasons influence the function of the brain. Researchers showed that the length of daylight affects the opioid receptors, which in turn regulates the mood we experience.

Saki monkeys get screen time for more control over their lives in captivity Posted: 23 Feb 2021 07:07 AM PST Scientists have designed and built an on-demand video device for white-faced saki monkeys to activate as and when they like. It's up to the animals to decide whether they want to step inside the device - the equivalent of pressing play - to watch the video of the week, from sealife like fish and jellyfish to wiggly worms and other zoo animals to abstract art and lush forests.

The Milky Way may be swarming with planets with oceans and continents like here on Earth Posted: 22 Feb 2021 04:28 PM PST According to a new study, Earth, Venus and Mars were created from small dust particles containing ice and carbon. The discovery opens up the possibility that the Milky Way may be filled with aquatic planets.

Some open ocean waters teeming with an abundance of life Posted: 22 Feb 2021 04:28 PM PST Since Charles Darwin's day, the abundance of life on coral reefs has been puzzling, given that most oceanic surface waters in the tropics are low in nutrients and unproductive. But now research has confirmed that the food web of a coral reef in the Maldives relies heavily on what comes in from the open ocean.

Effects of past ice ages more widespread than previously thought Posted: 22 Feb 2021 04:28 PM PST A new study suggests that cold temperatures in unglaciated North America during the last ice age shaped past and modern landscape as far south as Texas and Arkansas.

Environmental policies not always bad for business, study finds Posted: 22 Feb 2021 04:28 PM PST Critics claim environmental regulations hurt productivity and profits, but the reality is more nuanced, according to an analysis of environmental policies in China by a pair of economists.

NASA's Mars Perseverance rover provides front-row seat to landing, first audio recording of Red Planet Posted: 22 Feb 2021 02:17 PM PST New video from NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance rover chronicles major milestones during the final minutes of its entry, descent, and landing (EDL) on the Red Planet on Feb. 18 as the spacecraft plummeted, parachuted, and rocketed toward the surface of Mars. A microphone on the rover also has provided the first audio recording of sounds from Mars.

Medieval containers hint at thriving wine trade in Islamic Sicily Posted: 22 Feb 2021 01:42 PM PST Researchers have found chemical residues of grapes in medieval containers indicating a prosperous wine trade in Islamic Sicily.

Depressed and out of work? Therapy may help you find a job Posted: 22 Feb 2021 01:42 PM PST If depression is making it more difficult for some unemployed people to land a job, one type of therapy may help, research suggests. In a new study, 41% of unemployed or underemployed people undergoing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) found a new job or went from part- to full-time work by the end of the 16-week treatment for depression.

Big galaxies steal star-forming gas from their smaller neighbors Posted: 22 Feb 2021 01:42 PM PST Astronomers have discovered that large galaxies are stealing the material that their smaller counterparts need to form new stars.

Sleep is vital to associating emotion with memory, study finds Posted: 22 Feb 2021 01:42 PM PST When you slip into sleep, it's easy to imagine that your brain shuts down, but new research suggests that groups of neurons activated during prior learning keep humming, tattooing memories into your brain.

Scientists use machine-learning approach to track disease-carrying mosquitoes Posted: 22 Feb 2021 01:42 PM PST Researchers are using a machine-learning approach to map landscape connectivity of the species Aedes aegypti, the so-called Yellow Fever mosquito, which is a primary vector for transmission of viruses causing dengue fever, chikungunya and Zika.

West Virginia's enduring, intertwined epidemics: Opioids and HIV Posted: 22 Feb 2021 01:42 PM PST New research shows that the opioid and HIV epidemics are intertwined in West Virginia, and therefore should be treated together.

Last-itch effort: Fighting the bacteria that exacerbate eczema with bacteria Posted: 22 Feb 2021 01:42 PM PST Researchers use bacteriotherapy to improve symptoms of atopic dermatitis.

Salmon scales reveal substantial decline in wild salmon population and diversity Posted: 22 Feb 2021 01:42 PM PST The diversity and numbers of wild salmon in Northern B.C. have declined approximately 70 per cent over the past century, according to a new study.

Researchers develop model to estimate false-negative rate for COVID-19 tests Posted: 22 Feb 2021 01:41 PM PST A team of researchers has developed a mathematical means of assessing tests' false-negative rate.

Lack of symmetry in qubits can't fix errors in quantum computing, might explain matter/antimatter Posted: 22 Feb 2021 01:41 PM PST A team of quantum theorists seeking to cure a basic problem with quantum annealing computers -- they have to run at a relatively slow pace to operate properly -- found something intriguing instead.

Study finds increased COVID-19 mortality among adults with Down syndrome Posted: 22 Feb 2021 01:41 PM PST A new study found that adults with Down syndrome are more likely to die from COVID-19 than the general population, supporting the need to prioritize vaccinating people with the genetic disorder.

Impacts of climate warming on microbial network interactions Posted: 22 Feb 2021 01:41 PM PST A new study explores the impacts of climate warming on microbial network complexity and stability, providing critical insights to ecosystem management and for projecting ecological consequences of future climate warming.

Polymer film protects from electromagnetic radiation, signal interference Posted: 22 Feb 2021 01:41 PM PST Engineers describe a flexible film using a quasi-one-dimensional nanomaterial filler that combines excellent electromagnetic shielding with ease of manufacture.

Researchers learn that pregnant women pass along protective COVID antibodies to their babies Posted: 22 Feb 2021 01:41 PM PST Antibodies that guard against COVID-19 can transfer from mothers to babies while in the womb, according to a new study.

Research team identifies potential drug to treat SARS-CoV-2 Posted: 22 Feb 2021 01:41 PM PST A federally approved heart medication shows significant effectiveness in interfering with SARS-CoV-2 entry into the human cell host, according to a new study.

How outdoor pollution affects indoor air quality Posted: 22 Feb 2021 01:41 PM PST Just when you thought you could head indoors to be safe from the air pollution that plagues the Salt Lake Valley, new research shows that elevated air pollution events, like horror movie villains, claw their way into indoor spaces.

Traditional hydrologic models may misidentify snow as rain, new citizen science data shows Posted: 22 Feb 2021 11:14 AM PST Normally, we think of the freezing point of water as 32°F - but in the world of weather forecasting and hydrologic prediction, that isn't always the case. In the Lake Tahoe region of the Sierra Nevada, the shift from snow to rain during winter storms may actually occur at temperatures closer to 39.5°F, according to new research from the Desert Research Institute (DRI), Lynker Technologies, and citizen scientists from the Tahoe Rain or Snow project.

Toddler sleep patterns matter Posted: 22 Feb 2021 09:47 AM PST Researchers found that children with inconsistent sleep schedules have higher body mass index (BMI) percentiles. Her research also found that children from households with greater poverty had more overall inconsistent sleep onset times. But for families living in poverty, consistent bedtime scheduling may not be easily done, especially if a caregiver is the only parent, juggling multiple jobs, parenting multiple children or dealing with a tenuous housing situation.

NASA's Swift helps tie neutrino to star-shredding black hole Posted: 22 Feb 2021 09:47 AM PST For only the second time, astronomers have linked an elusive particle called a high-energy neutrino to an object outside our galaxy. Using ground- and space-based facilities, they traced the neutrino to a black hole tearing apart a star, a rare cataclysmic occurrence called a tidal disruption event.

Tweaking corn kernels with CRISPR Posted: 22 Feb 2021 09:47 AM PST Corn has a highly complex genome, making it a challenge to apply genome-editing techniques to it. Researchers used CRISPR to tinker with the corn genome promoter regions and modify stem cell growth. They figured out which sections influence kernel yield, and they hope to make targeted genome-editing in corn more precise and efficient.

New dating techniques reveal Australia's oldest known rock painting, and it's a kangaroo Posted: 22 Feb 2021 09:47 AM PST Researchers successfully date Australia's oldest intact rock painting, using pioneering radiocarbon technique.

Using human rights laws may be most effective way of harnessing international legislation to protect the Amazon Posted: 22 Feb 2021 09:46 AM PST Using laws governing human rights may be the best way of harnessing international legislation and tribunals to protect the Amazon, a new study shows.

Dozens of new lichen species discovered in East African mountain forests Posted: 22 Feb 2021 09:46 AM PST The species diversity and relationships of lichens in the genus Leptogium, which are often very difficult to identify to species, were assessed on the basis of DNA analyses using a large dataset collected during more than 10 years from East Africa.

Improved vectors for ocular gene therapy Posted: 22 Feb 2021 09:46 AM PST Strategies based on the use of gene therapy to mitigate the effects of mutations that cause blindness are undergoing rapid development. Novel gene vectors now achieve widespread gene delivery and reduce the risks associated with these approaches.

Diets high in fructose could cause immune system damage, study suggests Posted: 22 Feb 2021 09:46 AM PST People who consume a diet high in fructose could risk damaging their immune systems, a new study suggests.

Genomic insights into the origin of pre-historic populations in East Asia Posted: 22 Feb 2021 09:46 AM PST East Asia today harbors more than a fifth of the world's population and some of the most deeply branching modern human lineages outside of Africa. However, its genetic diversity and deep population history remain poorly understood relative to many other parts of the world. In a new study, researchers analyzes genome-wide data for 166 ancient individuals spanning 8,000 years and 46 present-day groups, and provides insights into the formation of East Asian populations.

Lonely adolescents are susceptible to internet addiction Posted: 22 Feb 2021 09:46 AM PST Loneliness is a risk factor associated with adolescents being drawn into compulsive internet use. The risk of compulsive use has grown in the coronavirus pandemic: loneliness has become increasingly prevalent among adolescents, who spend longer and longer periods of time online.

Study suggests teacher-student bonds may be especially important for homeless kids Posted: 22 Feb 2021 09:46 AM PST A recent study of homeless preschoolers found a strong correlation between the bonds those children formed with teachers and the children's risk of behavioral and emotional problems.

How a gene called HAND2 may impact the timing of labor Posted: 22 Feb 2021 09:46 AM PST Using new and existing datasets the team studied genes that were active in the uterine linings of different animals while pregnant or carrying eggs. Scientists also investigated the changing levels of HAND2 during gestation.

Positive vibes only: Forego negative texts or risk being labelled a downer Posted: 22 Feb 2021 09:46 AM PST A new study has found that using negative emojis in text messages produces a negative perception of the sender regardless of their true intent.

Air pollution puts children at higher risk of disease in adulthood Posted: 22 Feb 2021 09:46 AM PST First of its kind study reveals evidence that early exposure to dirty air alters genes in a way that could lead to adult heart disease, among other ailments. The findings could change the way medical experts and parents think about the air children breathe and inform clinical interventions.

Study could explain tuberculosis bacteria paradox Posted: 22 Feb 2021 09:46 AM PST Tuberculosis bacteria have evolved to remember stressful encounters and react quickly to future stress, according to a study by computational bioengineers and infectious disease experts.

Unique study of isolated bobcat population confirms accuracy of extinction model Posted: 22 Feb 2021 09:46 AM PST The reintroduction of 32 bobcats to an island off the coast of Georgia more than three decades ago created an ideal experiment to examine the accuracy of a genetic-modeling technique that predicts extinction of isolated wildlife populations.

Synthesis of a rare metal complex of nitrous oxide opens new vistas for the degradation of a potent greenhouse gas Posted: 22 Feb 2021 09:46 AM PST Like its chemical relative carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O) is an important greenhouse gas and the dominant ozone-depleting substance. Strategies for limiting its emissions and its catalytic decomposition with metals are being developed. A study indicates that nitrous oxide can bind to metals similarly to carbon dioxide, which helps to design new complexes with even stronger bonding. This could allow the use of nitrous oxide in synthetic chemistry.

Types of rashes associated with MIS-C Posted: 22 Feb 2021 09:45 AM PST Researchers describe the array of rashes seen in MIS-C patients at their hospital through late July 2020, providing photos and information that could help doctors diagnose future cases.

Potentially harmful chemicals found in plastic toys Posted: 22 Feb 2021 09:45 AM PST New research suggests that more than 100 chemicals found in plastic toy materials may pose possible health risks to children. The study provides findings that may lead to stricter international regulations.

Screening for macrocyclic peptides Posted: 22 Feb 2021 09:45 AM PST Macrocyclic peptides are promising candidates for pharmaceuticals, but their screening is difficult. Scientists have now developed an easy-to-use, high-throughput screening assay for cyclic peptides with affinity to ubiquitin, a protein that helps to degrade proteins and induce cell death. The results could lead to novel drug candidates against cancer.

New metalens shifts focus without tilting or moving Posted: 22 Feb 2021 09:45 AM PST A newly-fabricated metalens shifts focus without tilting, shifting, or otherwise moving. The design may enable miniature zoom lenses for drones, cellphones, or night-vision goggles.

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