ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Lithium treats intellectual defects in mouse model of Bardet-Biedl Syndrome
• Ancient Indigenous forest gardens promote a healthy ecosystem
• Pregnant women with COVID-19 face high mortality rate
• Mars has right ingredients for present-day microbial life beneath its surface, study finds
• Ground and satellite observations map building damage after Beirut explosion
• The science of spin: Asteroseismologists confirm older stars rotate faster than expected
• Study of 'breakthrough' cases suggests COVID testing may be here to stay
• How we know whether and when to pay attention
• Using exoplanets as dark matter detectors
• Fighting harmful bacteria with nanoparticles
• California's wildfire season has lengthened, and its peak is now earlier in the year
• Among COVID-19 survivors, an increased risk of death, serious illness
• Mars' changing habitability recorded by ancient dune fields in Gale crater
• The future looks bright for infinitely recyclable plastic
• Artificial intelligence model predicts which key of the immune system opens the locks of coronavirus
• Faster air exchange in buildings not always beneficial for coronavirus levels
• Common antibiotic effective in healing coral disease lesions
• More belly weight increases danger of heart disease even if BMI does not indicate obesity
• ALMA discovers rotating infant galaxy with help of natural cosmic telescope
• Know your ally: Cooperative male dolphins can tell who's on their team
• Membranes unlock potential to vastly increase cell-free vaccine production
• Average-risk individuals may prefer stool-based test over colonoscopy for cancer screening
• Astronomers release new all-sky map of Milky Way's outer reaches
• Higher mushroom consumption is associated with a lower risk of cancer
• California's worst wildfires are helping improve air quality prediction
• Warming seas might also look less colorful to some fish: Here's why that matters
• Collaborative research could help fine-tune the production of antimalarials, chemo drugs
• The intricate dance between waves, wind, and gliding pelicans explored
• Detailed look at intriguing property of chiral materials
• Study explains 'cocktail party effect' in hearing impairment
• Using floodwaters to weather droughts
• Scientists capture image of an electron's orbit within an exciton
• Mechanical engineers develop new high-performance artificial muscle technology
• Aerial photos uncover an invisible fault in Chinese city
• 'Fingerprint' for 3D printer accurate 92% of time
• New evidence shows important seabird nutrients reach coral reefs after rat eradication
• A growing problem of 'deepfake geography': How AI falsifies satellite images
• Pepper the robot talks to itself to improve its interactions with people
• Jane Austen quote encoded in a polymer

Lithium treats intellectual defects in mouse model of Bardet-Biedl Syndrome Posted: 22 Apr 2021 03:19 PM PDT Mice with symptoms that mimic Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS) have difficulty with learning and generating new neurons in the hippocampus. However, according to a new study, these mental defects can be successfully treated with lithium.

Ancient Indigenous forest gardens promote a healthy ecosystem Posted: 22 Apr 2021 03:19 PM PDT A new study by historical ecologists finds that Indigenous-managed forests -- cared for as 'forest gardens' -- contain more biologically and functionally diverse species than surrounding conifer-dominated forests and create important habitat for animals and pollinators.

Pregnant women with COVID-19 face high mortality rate Posted: 22 Apr 2021 03:18 PM PDT In a worldwide study of 2,100 pregnant women, those who contracted COVID-19 during pregnancy were 20 times more likely to die than those who did not contract the virus.

Mars has right ingredients for present-day microbial life beneath its surface, study finds Posted: 22 Apr 2021 12:04 PM PDT New research suggests that rocks in the Martian crust could produce the same kind of chemical energy that supports microbial life deep beneath Earth's surface.

Ground and satellite observations map building damage after Beirut explosion Posted: 22 Apr 2021 09:36 AM PDT Days after the 4 August 2020 massive explosion at the port of Beirut in Lebanon, researchers were on the ground mapping the impacts of the explosion in the port and surrounding city. The goal was to document and preserve data on structural and façade damage before rebuilding.

The science of spin: Asteroseismologists confirm older stars rotate faster than expected Posted: 22 Apr 2021 09:36 AM PDT Stars spin faster than expected as they age according to a new study which uses asteroseismology to shed new light on this emerging theory.

Study of 'breakthrough' cases suggests COVID testing may be here to stay Posted: 22 Apr 2021 09:36 AM PDT Two new cases helped scientists confirm what many have come to suspect: that people can get infected by SARS-CoV-2 variants even after successful vaccination. The findings suggest continued testing may be needed to prevent future outbreaks in a post-vaccine world.

How we know whether and when to pay attention Posted: 22 Apr 2021 09:36 AM PDT International team of researchers identifies cognitive computations underlying human predictive behavior.

Using exoplanets as dark matter detectors Posted: 22 Apr 2021 09:36 AM PDT In the continuing search for dark matter in our universe, scientists believe they have found a unique and powerful detector: exoplanets. Astrophysicists suggest dark matter could be detected by measuring the effect it has on the temperature of exoplanets, which are planets outside our solar system.

Fighting harmful bacteria with nanoparticles Posted: 22 Apr 2021 09:36 AM PDT Multi-resistant pathogens are a serious and increasing problem in today's medicine. Where antibiotics are ineffective, these bacteria can cause life-threatening infections. Researchers are currently developing nanoparticles that can be used to detect and kill multi-resistant pathogens that hide inside our body cells. The team published the study in the current issue of the journal Nanoscale.

California's wildfire season has lengthened, and its peak is now earlier in the year Posted: 22 Apr 2021 09:36 AM PDT Researchers have analyzed CALFIRE wildfire statistics from 2000 to 2019, comparing them with data from 1920 to 1999, to learn that the annual burn season has lengthened in the past two decades and that the yearly peak has shifted from August to July.

Among COVID-19 survivors, an increased risk of death, serious illness Posted: 22 Apr 2021 09:36 AM PDT Researchers showed that COVID-19 survivors -- including those not sick enough to be hospitalized -- have an increased risk of death in the six months following diagnosis with the virus. They also have catalogued the numerous diseases associated with COVID-19, providing a big-picture overview of the long-term complications of COVID-19 and revealing the massive burden this disease is likely to place on the world's population in the coming years.

Mars' changing habitability recorded by ancient dune fields in Gale crater Posted: 22 Apr 2021 07:29 AM PDT An international team has found evidence of ancient dunes on Mars that could help explain ancient surface conditions.

The future looks bright for infinitely recyclable plastic Posted: 22 Apr 2021 07:28 AM PDT Plastics are ubiquitous, but they're not practical. Less than 10% are recycled, and the other approximately 8 billion tons are creating a pollution crisis. Researchers are determined to change that. A new analysis shows producing and recycling their game-changing new plastic could be easy and cheap enough to leave old plastics in the dust.

Artificial intelligence model predicts which key of the immune system opens the locks of coronavirus Posted: 22 Apr 2021 06:39 AM PDT A new artificial intelligence (AI) method is helping researchers link immune cells to their targets and, for example, uncouple which white blood cells recognize SARS-CoV-2. The tool has broad applications in understanding the function of the immune system in infections, autoimmune disorders, and cancer.

Faster air exchange in buildings not always beneficial for coronavirus levels Posted: 22 Apr 2021 06:38 AM PDT Vigorous and rapid air exchanges might not always be a good thing when it comes to levels of coronavirus particles in a multiroom building, according to a new modeling study. Particle levels can spike in downstream rooms shortly after rapid ventilation.

Common antibiotic effective in healing coral disease lesions Posted: 22 Apr 2021 06:38 AM PDT An antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections in humans is showing promise in treating stony coral, found throughout the tropical western Atlantic, including several areas currently affected by stony coral tissue loss disease. Preserving M. cavernosa colonies is important due to its high abundance and role as a dominant reef builder in the northern section of Florida's Coral Reef. Results show that the Base 2B plus amoxicillin treatment had a 95 percent success rate at healing individual disease lesions.

More belly weight increases danger of heart disease even if BMI does not indicate obesity Posted: 22 Apr 2021 06:38 AM PDT Research on how obesity impacts the diagnosis, management and outcomes of heart and blood vessel disease, heart failure and arrhythmias is summarized in a new statement. Waist circumference, an indicator of abdominal obesity, should be regularly measured as it is a potential warning sign of increased cardiovascular disease risk. Interventions that lead to weight loss improve risk factors yet may not always lead to improvement in coronary artery disease outcomes.

ALMA discovers rotating infant galaxy with help of natural cosmic telescope Posted: 22 Apr 2021 06:38 AM PDT Using ALMA, astronomers found a rotating baby galaxy 1/100th the size of the Milky Way at a time when the Universe was only seven percent of its present age. Thanks to assistance by the gravitational lens effect, the team was able to explore for the first time the nature of small and dark 'normal galaxies' in the early Universe, which greatly advances our understanding of the initial phase of galaxy evolution.

Know your ally: Cooperative male dolphins can tell who's on their team Posted: 22 Apr 2021 06:38 AM PDT When it comes to friendships and rivalries, male dolphins know who the good team players are. New findings reveal that male dolphins form a social concept of team membership based on cooperative investment in the team.

Membranes unlock potential to vastly increase cell-free vaccine production Posted: 22 Apr 2021 06:38 AM PDT Researchers discovered that enriching cell-free vaccine extracts with cellular membranes increased the yields of protein-based vaccines by five-fold, significantly broadening access to potentially lifesaving medicines.

Average-risk individuals may prefer stool-based test over colonoscopy for cancer screening Posted: 22 Apr 2021 06:38 AM PDT When given a choice, most individuals with an average risk of colorectal cancer said they would prefer a stool-based screening test for colorectal cancer over colonoscopy, the method most often recommended by health care providers.

Astronomers release new all-sky map of Milky Way's outer reaches Posted: 21 Apr 2021 07:22 PM PDT The highlight of the new chart is a wake of stars, stirred up by a small galaxy set to collide with the Milky Way. The map could also offer a new test of dark matter theories.

Higher mushroom consumption is associated with a lower risk of cancer Posted: 21 Apr 2021 05:01 PM PDT Higher mushroom consumption is associated with a lower risk of cancer, according to a new study. The systematic review and meta-analysis examined 17 cancer studies published from 1966 to 2020. Analyzing data from more than 19,500 cancer patients, researchers explored the relationship between mushroom consumption and cancer risk.

California's worst wildfires are helping improve air quality prediction Posted: 21 Apr 2021 05:01 PM PDT Engineers are developing methods to estimate the impact of California's destructive wildfires on air quality in neighborhoods affected by the smoke from these fires. Their research fills in the gaps in current methods by providing air quality information at the neighborhood scales required by public health officials to make health assessments and evacuation recommendations.

Warming seas might also look less colorful to some fish: Here's why that matters Posted: 21 Apr 2021 05:01 PM PDT Climate change is driving some fish into cooler, deeper waters. Now they may be faced with another challenge: how to make sense of a world drained of color. Researchers report that even small increases in depth could make it harder for fish to discern the hues they use to find food, friends and family. They are trying to predict which species will be most impacted, and whether they'll be able to adapt.

Collaborative research could help fine-tune the production of antimalarials, chemo drugs Posted: 21 Apr 2021 05:01 PM PDT Much of common pharmaceutical development today is the product of laborious cycles of tweaking and optimization. In each drug, a carefully concocted formula of natural and synthetic enzymes and ingredients works together to catalyze a desired reaction. But in early development, much of the process is spent determining what quantities of each enzyme to use to ensure a reaction occurs at a specific speed.

The intricate dance between waves, wind, and gliding pelicans explored Posted: 21 Apr 2021 01:00 PM PDT It's a common sight: pelicans gliding along the waves, right by the shore. These birds make this kind of surfing look effortless, but actually the physics involved that give them a big boost are not simple. Researchers have recently developed a theoretical model that describes how the ocean, the wind and the birds in flight interact.

Detailed look at intriguing property of chiral materials Posted: 21 Apr 2021 01:00 PM PDT A new study is advancing scientists' understanding of magneto-chiral dichroism. The research focuses on light-matter interactions in chiral materials under a magnetic field.

Study explains 'cocktail party effect' in hearing impairment Posted: 21 Apr 2021 01:00 PM PDT Plenty of people struggle to make sense of a multitude of converging voices in a crowded room. Commonly known as the 'cocktail party effect,' people with hearing loss find it's especially difficult to understand speech in a noisy environment. New research suggests that, for some listeners, this may have less to do with actually discerning sounds. Instead, it may be a processing problem in which two ears blend different sounds together - a condition known as binaural pitch fusion.

Using floodwaters to weather droughts Posted: 21 Apr 2021 12:12 PM PDT Using a new computer framework, scientists are able to project future floodwaters under a changing climate. The approach could help California water managers plan for and redirect floodwaters toward groundwater aquifers, alleviating both flood and drought risks.

Scientists capture image of an electron's orbit within an exciton Posted: 21 Apr 2021 12:12 PM PDT Researchers have captured an image showing the internal orbits, or spatial distribution, of particles in an exciton - a goal that had eluded scientists for almost a century.

Mechanical engineers develop new high-performance artificial muscle technology Posted: 21 Apr 2021 12:12 PM PDT Researchers have developed a new, high-performance artificial muscle technology. The new technology enables more human-like motion due to its flexibility and adaptability, but outperforms human skeletal muscle in several metrics.

Aerial photos uncover an invisible fault in Chinese city Posted: 21 Apr 2021 12:12 PM PDT Decades-old aerial photos of Yudong District, Datong City in Shanxi Province, Northern China have helped researchers in their search for a fault hidden underneath the city's buildings and cement roads, researchers said.

'Fingerprint' for 3D printer accurate 92% of time Posted: 21 Apr 2021 09:47 AM PDT New research shows 3D printers can be identified by thermodynamic properties, which could could aid intellectual property, security.

New evidence shows important seabird nutrients reach coral reefs after rat eradication Posted: 21 Apr 2021 09:46 AM PDT Scientists have provided the first evidence to show that eradicating rats from tropical islands effects not just the biodiversity on the islands, but also the fragile coral seas that surround them.

A growing problem of 'deepfake geography': How AI falsifies satellite images Posted: 21 Apr 2021 09:46 AM PDT Using satellite photos of three cities and drawing upon methods used to manipulate video and audio files, a team of researchers set out to identify new ways of detecting fake satellite photos and warn of the dangers of falsified geospatial data.

Pepper the robot talks to itself to improve its interactions with people Posted: 21 Apr 2021 09:46 AM PDT Ever wondered why your virtual home assistant doesn't understand your questions? Or why your navigation app took you on the side street instead of the highway? Researchers have now designed a robot that 'thinks out loud' so that users can hear its thought process and better understand the robot's motivations and decisions.

Jane Austen quote encoded in a polymer Posted: 21 Apr 2021 09:46 AM PDT Using a novel molecular-data-storage technique, researchers have encoded a quote from Jane Austen's classic novel Mansfield Park in a series of oligomers, which a third party could read back without prior knowledge of the structures that encoded the passage.

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