ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Predicting the next pandemic virus is harder than we think
• Designing healthy diets with computer analysis
• Drug development platform could provide flexible, rapid and targeted antimicrobials
• Using engineering methods to track the imperceptible movements of stony corals
• The immune link between a leaky blood-brain barrier and schizophrenia
• Helpful, engineered 'living' machines in the future?
• Food allergies, changes to infant gut bacteria linked to method of childbirth, ethnicity
• Was Cascadia's 1700 earthquake part of a sequence of earthquakes?
• 'Undruggable' cancer protein becomes druggable, thanks to shrub
• Restoration efforts can brighten an ecosystem's future, but cannot erase its past
• Deregulated US Government oversight on interstate waters leaves murky implications for states
• 'Dead clades walking': Fossil record provides new insights into mass extinctions
• 'Information theory' recruited to help scientists find cancer genes
• Combining light, superconductors could boost AI capabilities
• Marine animals inspire new approaches to structural topology optimization
• Boosting fiber optics communications with advanced quantum-enhanced receiver
• Fixed network of smartphones provides earthquake early warning in Costa Rica
• Astronauts' mental health risks tested in the Antarctic
• Reversal of blood droplet flight predicted, captured in experiments
• Forensics puzzle cracked via fluid mechanical principles
• Stone skipping techniques can improve reentry of space vehicles
• AI agent helps identify material properties faster
• A gene finding links severe canine juvenile epilepsy to mitochondrial dysfunction
• Review summarizes known links between endocrine disruptors and breast cancer risk
• New catalyst for lower CO2 emissions
• 2D nanomaterial MXene: The perfect lubricant
• Differing immune responses discovered in asymptomatic cases vs those with severe COVID-19
• Crucial action needed for coral reefs
• SARS-CoV-2: British variant is 45 percent more contagious than the original virus, study finds
• Chickens and pigs with integrated genetic scissors
• Is social media use a potentially addictive behavior? Maybe not
• Oceanographers reveal links between migrating Gulf Stream and warming ocean waters
• Organ tissues become increasingly immune throughout life
• Role of physical, mental health in cognitive impairment
• Study reveals roadmap of muscle decline with age
• Overgrowth of gut yeast in newborns may increase asthma risk
• New infrastructure approach could save millions
• Fearsome tyrannosaurs were social animals
• Body mass index, age can affect your risk for neck pain
• Our attention is captured by eye-glance
• Cool and COVID-safe: How radiant cooling could keep our cities comfortable and healthy
• Little Foot fossil shows early human ancestor clung closely to trees
• New pulsed magnet reveals a new state of matter in Kondo insulator
• Can extreme melt destabilize ice sheets?
• Rock glaciers will slow Himalayan ice melt
• Individualized training is key for autistic adolescents learning to drive
• Flushing a public toilet? Don't linger, because aerosolized droplets do
• Multivitamins, omega-3, probiotics, vitamin D may lessen risk of positive COVID-19 test
• Cellular impact of 'Heat not Burn' products may be no less harmful than cigarettes
• Disrupted sleep is linked to increased risk of early death, particularly in women
• People have shaped Earth's ecology for at least 12,000 years, mostly sustainably
• Updated advice for safe COVID-19 vaccination in people with high-risk allergy histories
• Novel drug regenerates erectile nerves damaged by prostate surgery

Predicting the next pandemic virus is harder than we think Posted: 20 Apr 2021 03:31 PM PDT The observation that most of the viruses that cause human diseases come from other animals has led some researchers to attempt 'zoonotic risk prediction' to second-guess the next virus to hit us. However, in a new essay, experts propose that these zoonotic risk predictions are of limited value and will not tell us which virus will cause the next pandemic.

Designing healthy diets with computer analysis Posted: 20 Apr 2021 03:31 PM PDT A new mathematical model for the interaction of bacteria in the gut could help design new probiotics and specially tailored diets to prevent diseases.

Drug development platform could provide flexible, rapid and targeted antimicrobials Posted: 20 Apr 2021 03:31 PM PDT Researchers have created a platform that can develop effective and highly specific peptide nucleic acid therapies for use against any bacteria within just one week. The work could change the way we respond to pandemics and how we approach increasing cases of antibiotic resistance globally.

Using engineering methods to track the imperceptible movements of stony corals Posted: 20 Apr 2021 03:31 PM PDT A new study borrowed image-analysis methods from engineering to spot the minute movements of a stony coral.

The immune link between a leaky blood-brain barrier and schizophrenia Posted: 20 Apr 2021 03:31 PM PDT Research points to the involvement of the immune system the brain as a contributor to mental disorders such as schizophrenia.

Helpful, engineered 'living' machines in the future? Posted: 20 Apr 2021 03:31 PM PDT Engineered, autonomous machines combined with artificial intelligence have long been a staple of science fiction, and often in the role of villain like the Cylons in the 'Battlestar Galactica' reboot, creatures composed of biological and engineered materials. But what if these autonomous soft machines were ... helpful?

Food allergies, changes to infant gut bacteria linked to method of childbirth, ethnicity Posted: 20 Apr 2021 03:31 PM PDT Researchers have found a causal link between caesarean section birth, low intestinal microbiota and peanut sensitivity in infants, and they report the effect is more pronounced in children of Asian descent than others, in a recently published article.

Was Cascadia's 1700 earthquake part of a sequence of earthquakes? Posted: 20 Apr 2021 01:09 PM PDT The famous 1700 Cascadia earthquake that altered the coastline of western North America and sent a tsunami across the Pacific Ocean to Japan may have been one of a sequence of earthquakes, according to new research.

'Undruggable' cancer protein becomes druggable, thanks to shrub Posted: 20 Apr 2021 01:09 PM PDT A chemist has found a way to synthesize a compound to fight a previously 'undruggable' cancer protein with benefits across a myriad of cancer types.

Restoration efforts can brighten an ecosystem's future, but cannot erase its past Posted: 20 Apr 2021 01:09 PM PDT An expansive project is examining the benefits, and limits, of environmental restoration on developed land after humans are done with it.

Deregulated US Government oversight on interstate waters leaves murky implications for states Posted: 20 Apr 2021 01:09 PM PDT Concern tends to ratchet up a notch when pollution enters the river runoff discussion on a national scale, specifically when smaller, navigable intrastate bodies of water push pollution into larger interstate waters often involved in commerce (i.e. the Mississippi River, Great Lakes, Ohio River).

'Dead clades walking': Fossil record provides new insights into mass extinctions Posted: 20 Apr 2021 01:09 PM PDT Mass extinctions are known as times of global upheaval, causing rapid losses in biodiversity that wipe out entire animal groups. Some of the doomed groups linger on before going extinct, and a team of scientists found these 'dead clades walking' (DCW) are more common and long-lasting than expected.

'Information theory' recruited to help scientists find cancer genes Posted: 20 Apr 2021 10:11 AM PDT Using a widely known field of mathematics designed mainly to study how digital and other forms of information are measured, stored and shared, scientists say they have uncovered a likely key genetic culprit in the development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Combining light, superconductors could boost AI capabilities Posted: 20 Apr 2021 10:10 AM PDT As artificial intelligence has attracted interest, researchers are focused on understanding how the brain accomplishes cognition so they can construct systems with general intelligence comparable to humans' intelligence. Researchers propose an approach to AI that focuses on integrating photonic components with superconducting electronics; using light for communication and complex electronic circuits for computation could enable artificial cognitive systems of scale and functionality beyond what can be achieved with either light or electronics alone.

Marine animals inspire new approaches to structural topology optimization Posted: 20 Apr 2021 10:10 AM PDT Researchers have uncovered a new approach to structural topology optimization is outlined that unifies both design and manufacturing to create novel microstructures. Potential applications range from improved facial implants for cranial reconstruction to better ways to get materials into space for planetary exploration.

Boosting fiber optics communications with advanced quantum-enhanced receiver Posted: 20 Apr 2021 10:10 AM PDT Fiber optic technology is the holy grail of high-speed, long-distance telecommunications. Still, with the continuing exponential growth of internet traffic, researchers are warning of a capacity crunch. Researchers show how quantum-enhanced receivers could play a critical role in addressing this challenge. The scientists developed a method to enhance receivers based on quantum physics properties to dramatically increase network performance while significantly reducing the error bit rate and energy consumption.

Fixed network of smartphones provides earthquake early warning in Costa Rica Posted: 20 Apr 2021 10:10 AM PDT Earthquake early warnings can be delivered successfully using a small network of off-the-shelf smartphones attached to building baseboards, according to a study conducted in Costa Rica last year.

Astronauts' mental health risks tested in the Antarctic Posted: 20 Apr 2021 09:15 AM PDT Astronauts who spend prolonged time alone in space face mental health stressors like loneliness, isolation and more. A psychologist developed the Mental Health Checklist, a self-reporting instrument for detecting mental health changes in isolated, confined, extreme environments. She's reporting results that show significant declines in positive emotions.

Reversal of blood droplet flight predicted, captured in experiments Posted: 20 Apr 2021 09:15 AM PDT To search for answers about how blood droplets from a gunshot wound can reverse direction while in flight, researchers explored the influence of propellant gases on blood backspatter. They report using numeric modeling to capture the behavior of gun muzzle gases and predict the reversal of blood droplet flight, which was captured experimentally. Their experiments also show the breakup of blood droplets, a future extension of their modeling efforts.

Forensics puzzle cracked via fluid mechanical principles Posted: 20 Apr 2021 09:15 AM PDT A real-life forensic puzzle inspired researchers to explore the physics involved, and in Physics of Fluids, they present theoretical results revealing an interaction of the incoming vortex ring of propellant muzzle gases with backward blood spatter. A detailed analytical theory of such turbulent self-similar vortex rings was given by this group in earlier work and is linked mathematically to the theory of quantum oscillators.

Stone skipping techniques can improve reentry of space vehicles Posted: 20 Apr 2021 09:15 AM PDT Scientists reveal several key factors that influence the number of bounces a skipping stone will undergo when hitting the water. The study involved theoretical modeling and an experimental setup using a model stone to gather data in real time and that allowed a motor to apply a controlled spin to the disk prior to launch. The investigators found that vertical acceleration and the spin direction influence the result.

AI agent helps identify material properties faster Posted: 20 Apr 2021 09:15 AM PDT Artificial intelligence (AI) can analyze large amounts of data, such as those generated when analyzing the properties of potential new materials, faster than humans. However, such systems often tend to make definitive decisions even in the face of uncertainty; they overestimate themselves. An international research team has stopped AI from doing this: the researchers have refined an algorithm so that it works together with humans and supports decision-making processes. As a result, promising new materials can be identified more quickly.

A gene finding links severe canine juvenile epilepsy to mitochondrial dysfunction Posted: 20 Apr 2021 09:15 AM PDT Researchers found a cause for severe epilepsy resulting in death in Parson Russell Terrier puppies at a few months of age. A change in the PITRM1 gene can lead to a dysfunction of mitochondria, the cellular energy pumps. Concurrently, amyloid-beta accumulation and widespread neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer's disease were identified in the puppies' brains. Changes to the PITRM1 gene in humans also cause a severe but slowly progressing brain disease.

Review summarizes known links between endocrine disruptors and breast cancer risk Posted: 20 Apr 2021 09:15 AM PDT Exposure to certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals could elevate the risk of breast cancer, according to a new comprehensive systematic review of epidemiological research. However, for many chemicals, evidence is inconsistent or still limited.

New catalyst for lower CO2 emissions Posted: 20 Apr 2021 09:15 AM PDT Perovskites have so far been used for solar cells, as anode materials or electronic components rather than for their catalytic properties. Now scientists have succeeded in producing a special perovskite that is excellently suited as a catalyst for converting CO2 into other useful substances, such as synthetic fuels. The new perovskite catalyst is very stable and also relatively cheap, so it would be suitable for industrial use.

2D nanomaterial MXene: The perfect lubricant Posted: 20 Apr 2021 09:15 AM PDT In extreme heat or in the vacuum of space: a novel nanomaterial delivers top performance in extreme situations.

Differing immune responses discovered in asymptomatic cases vs those with severe COVID-19 Posted: 20 Apr 2021 09:15 AM PDT Using data from the Human Cell Atlas, researchers have identified the differences in immune cells' response in those who had no symptoms compared to severe symptoms.

Crucial action needed for coral reefs Posted: 20 Apr 2021 09:14 AM PDT An international group of scientific experts has stated the requirements for coral reef survival in a recent article. Over 500 million people rely on coral reefs.

SARS-CoV-2: British variant is 45 percent more contagious than the original virus, study finds Posted: 20 Apr 2021 09:14 AM PDT Researchers compared the R (basic reproduction number) of the original SARS-CoV-2 virus with the R of the British variant, and found that the British variant is almost 1.5 times more infectious.

Chickens and pigs with integrated genetic scissors Posted: 20 Apr 2021 09:14 AM PDT Genetically engineered animals provide important insights into the molecular basis of health and disease. Research has focused mainly on genetically modified mice, although other species, such as pigs, are more similar to human physiology. Researchers have now generated chickens and pigs in which target genes in desired organs can be efficiently altered.

Is social media use a potentially addictive behavior? Maybe not Posted: 20 Apr 2021 09:14 AM PDT Frequent use of social media may not amount to the same as addiction, according to new research.

Oceanographers reveal links between migrating Gulf Stream and warming ocean waters Posted: 20 Apr 2021 09:14 AM PDT The Northwest Atlantic Shelf is one of the fastest-changing regions in the global ocean, and is currently experiencing marine heat waves, altered fisheries and a surge in sea level rise along the North American east coast. A new article reveals the causes, potential predictability and historical context for these types of rapid changes.

Organ tissues become increasingly immune throughout life Posted: 20 Apr 2021 09:14 AM PDT Researchers have offered new ways to think about the immune system. The research, which indicates organ tissues become increasingly immune throughout life, may begin to alter fundamental ideas regarding the rules of vaccination and the immune system's function within the body.

Role of physical, mental health in cognitive impairment Posted: 20 Apr 2021 09:14 AM PDT A recent study suggests that preserving physical and mental health helps older adults experiencing cognitive impairment stave off declines in cognitive engagement.

Study reveals roadmap of muscle decline with age Posted: 20 Apr 2021 09:14 AM PDT Scientists have produced a comprehensive roadmap of muscle aging in mice that could be used to find treatments that prevent decline in muscle mobility and function.

Overgrowth of gut yeast in newborns may increase asthma risk Posted: 20 Apr 2021 09:14 AM PDT An overgrowth of yeast in the gut within the first few months of life may cause changes to the immune system that increase the risk of asthma later on, shows a new study.

New infrastructure approach could save millions Posted: 20 Apr 2021 09:14 AM PDT As President Biden's $2 trillion American Jobs Plan places the nation's infrastructure in the spotlight, new research suggests states can save money and extend the life of their bridges by taking a fresh approach to how they prioritize maintenance.

Fearsome tyrannosaurs were social animals Posted: 20 Apr 2021 09:14 AM PDT The fearsome tyrannosaur dinosaurs may not have been solitary predators as popularly envisioned, but social carnivores with complex hunting strategies like wolves.

Body mass index, age can affect your risk for neck pain Posted: 20 Apr 2021 09:14 AM PDT With roughly 80% of jobs being sedentary, often requiring several hours of sitting stooped in front of a computer screen, neck pain is a growing occupational hazard. Smartphones and other devices have also caused people to bend their necks for prolonged periods. But is bad posture solely to blame?

Our attention is captured by eye-glance Posted: 20 Apr 2021 06:29 AM PDT Researchers looked at the way we process human gaze, focusing on the estimation of the temporal duration of social interactions. They discovered that when we make eye contact with another person, our attention is solicited, causing a distortion in our temporal perception: time seems shorter than it really is. These results will make it possible to develop a diagnostic tool to evaluate the mechanisms at work in people who are sensitive to social gaze.

Cool and COVID-safe: How radiant cooling could keep our cities comfortable and healthy Posted: 20 Apr 2021 06:29 AM PDT A novel system of chilled panels that can replace air conditioning can also help reduce the risk of indoor disease transmission, new analysis suggests.

Little Foot fossil shows early human ancestor clung closely to trees Posted: 20 Apr 2021 06:29 AM PDT The fossil provides the oldest, most intact example of the shoulder of a human ancestor ever found. The bones provide telltale clues of how the individual moved and was adapted to climbing, a research team reports.

New pulsed magnet reveals a new state of matter in Kondo insulator Posted: 20 Apr 2021 06:29 AM PDT A recent series of experiments leveraged some of the nation's highest-powered nondestructive magnets to reveal an exotic new phase of matter at high magnetic fields.

Can extreme melt destabilize ice sheets? Posted: 20 Apr 2021 06:28 AM PDT Researchers have deciphered a trove of data that shows one season of extreme melt can reduce the Greenland Ice Sheet's capacity to store future meltwater - and increase the likelihood of future melt raising sea levels.

Rock glaciers will slow Himalayan ice melt Posted: 20 Apr 2021 06:28 AM PDT Some Himalayan glaciers are more resilient to global warming than previously predicted, new research suggests.

Individualized training is key for autistic adolescents learning to drive Posted: 20 Apr 2021 06:28 AM PDT A new study identified clear strengths and a series of specific challenges autistic adolescents experience while learning to drive.

Flushing a public toilet? Don't linger, because aerosolized droplets do Posted: 20 Apr 2021 06:28 AM PDT Because COVID-19 has been detected in urine and stool samples, public restrooms can be cause for concern. Researchers measured droplets generated from flushing a toilet and a urinal in a public restroom and found a substantial increase in the measured aerosol levels in the ambient environment with the total number of droplets generated in each flushing test ranging up to the tens of thousands. Due to their small size, these droplets can remain suspended for a long time.

Multivitamins, omega-3, probiotics, vitamin D may lessen risk of positive COVID-19 test Posted: 19 Apr 2021 04:53 PM PDT Taking multivitamins, omega-3, probiotics or vitamin D supplements may lessen the risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19 infection -- at least among women, indicates a large population study.

Cellular impact of 'Heat not Burn' products may be no less harmful than cigarettes Posted: 19 Apr 2021 04:53 PM PDT The impact on lung cells of 'Heat not Burn' products -- a hybrid between traditional cigarettes and electronic vaping devices -- may be no less harmful than that of conventional cigarettes, suggest the findings of a small comparative study.

Disrupted sleep is linked to increased risk of early death, particularly in women Posted: 19 Apr 2021 04:52 PM PDT For the first time, a study has shown a clear link between the frequency and duration of unconscious wakefulness during night-time sleep and an increased risk of dying from diseases of the heart and blood vessels, and death from any cause, particularly in women.

People have shaped Earth's ecology for at least 12,000 years, mostly sustainably Posted: 19 Apr 2021 03:21 PM PDT New research shows that land use by human societies has reshaped ecology across most of Earth's land for at least 12,000 years. Researchers, from over a dozen institutions around the world, assessed biodiversity in relation to global land use history, revealing that the appropriation, colonization, and intensified use of lands previously managed sustainably is the main cause of the current biodiversity crisis.

Updated advice for safe COVID-19 vaccination in people with high-risk allergy histories Posted: 19 Apr 2021 10:57 AM PDT Experts have narrowed the group of individuals with prior allergies who should see an allergist before receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

Novel drug regenerates erectile nerves damaged by prostate surgery Posted: 19 Apr 2021 10:57 AM PDT Researchers have developed a topical drug that regenerates and restores the function of erectile nerves damaged by radical prostatectomy, the most common treatment for localized prostate cancer. The drug was tested in rats.

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