ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Single photon switch advance
• Eye movements of those with dyslexia reveal laborious and inefficient reading strategies
• Tool to track marine litter polluting the ocean
• The shape of light changes our vision
• How to get salt out of water: Make it self-eject
• People of color hardest hit by air pollution from nearly all sources
• Awakening 'ghosts' in patients with Parkinson's, a powerful diagnostic tool
• Uncertainty of future Southern Ocean CO2 uptake cut in half
• Reducing blue light with a new type of LED that won't keep you up all night
• New computer model helps brings the sun into the laboratory
• Socially just population policies can mitigate climate change and advance global equity
• Study finds green spaces linked to lower racial disparity in COVID infection rates, study finds
• Using nanobodies to block a tick-borne bacterial infection
• Mapping the electronic states in an exotic superconductor
• Using cosmic-ray neutron bursts to understand gamma-ray bursts from lightning
• Seasonal water resource on the Upper Indus
• Research delves into link between test anxiety and poor sleep
• Research gives trees an edge in landfill clean-up
• How a SARS-CoV-2 variant sacrifices tight binding for antibody evasion
• Two compounds can make chocolate smell musty and moldy
• Inactive oil wells could be big source of methane emissions
• Preclinical discovery triggers wound healing, skin regeneration
• Processed diets might promote chronic infections that can lead to disorders such as diabetes
• Virtual reality could help improve balance in older people
• Human antibiotic use threatens endangered wild chimpanzees
• Stress slows the immune response in sick mice
• Researchers identify a psychedelic-like drug without the hallucinogenic side effects
• Scientists harness molecules into single quantum state
• Childhood air pollution exposure linked to poor mental health at age 18
• Draining brain's debris enhances Alzheimer's therapies in mice
• Project to read genomes of all 70,000 vertebrate species reports first discoveries
• Major advance enables study of genetic mutations in any tissue
• Cloth face coverings can be as effective as surgical masks at protecting against COVID-19, study finds
• A path to graphene topological qubits
• New model may explain the mystery of asymmetry in Parkinson's disease
• Measuring the Moon's nano dust is no small matter
• Brazilian coronavirus variant likely to be more transmissible and able to evade immunity, study finds
• Black hole-neutron star collisions may help settle dispute over Universe's expansion
• Ageing impairs critical final egg maturation stage
• More sleep or more exercise: the best time trade-offs for children's health
• Researchers use a nanoscale synthetic antiferromagnet to toggle nonlinear spin dynamics
• Lactic acid bacteria can extend the shelf life of foods
• Spring forest flowers likely key to bumblebee survival
• Espresso, latte or decaf? Genetic code drives your desire for coffee
• Only one in four people experience mild systemic side effects from COVID-19 vaccines, study finds
• Drones provide bird's eye view of how turbulent tidal flows affect seabird foraging habits
• Household aerosols now release more harmful smog chemicals than all UK vehicles
• 'Dominating' fungus could be solution to producing more biofuels and chemicals

Single photon switch advance Posted: 28 Apr 2021 01:25 PM PDT The ability to turn on and off a physical process with just one photon is a fundamental building block for quantum photonic technologies. Realizing this in a chip-scale architecture is important for scalability. Researchers have demonstrated the use of 'Rydberg states' in solid state materials (previously shown in cold atom gases) to enhance nonlinear optical interactions to unprecedented levels in solid state systems.

Eye movements of those with dyslexia reveal laborious and inefficient reading strategies Posted: 28 Apr 2021 01:25 PM PDT A new article used eye-tracking technology to record eye movements of readers and concluded that people with dyslexia have a profoundly different and much more difficult way of sampling visual information than normal readers.

Tool to track marine litter polluting the ocean Posted: 28 Apr 2021 01:25 PM PDT In an effort to fight the millions of tons of marine litter floating in the ocean, researchers have developed a new virtual tool to track this debris. Their work will help provide answers to help monitor and deal with the problem of marine litter.

The shape of light changes our vision Posted: 28 Apr 2021 11:09 AM PDT The perception of light is extremely fast. But the analysis was carried out on molecules in solution in the laboratory. Scientists reproduced the experiment on mice, in order to observe the processing of light by a living organism in all its complexity. This study shows that light energy alone does not define the response of the retina. Its shape also has an impact on the signal sent to the brain to form an image.

How to get salt out of water: Make it self-eject Posted: 28 Apr 2021 11:09 AM PDT Researchers have uncovered a mechanism by which dissolved salts can crystallize in a way that makes it easy to remove them from surfaces, potentially helping to prevent fouling of metal surfaces.

People of color hardest hit by air pollution from nearly all sources Posted: 28 Apr 2021 11:09 AM PDT Various studies show that people of color are disproportionately exposed to air pollution in the United States. However, it was unclear whether this unequal exposure is due mainly to a few types of emission sources or whether the causes are more systemic. A new study that models peoples' exposure to air pollution - resolved by race-ethnicity and income level - shows that exposure disparities among people of color and white people are driven by nearly all, rather than only a few, emission source types.

Awakening 'ghosts' in patients with Parkinson's, a powerful diagnostic tool Posted: 28 Apr 2021 11:08 AM PDT Scientists are developing a completely new 'brain stress test' for evaluating the mental status of patients with Parkinson's disease, the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease worldwide. It involves awakening the 'ghosts' hidden in specific networks of the brain to predict the onset of hallucinations.

Uncertainty of future Southern Ocean CO2 uptake cut in half Posted: 28 Apr 2021 11:08 AM PDT The Southern Ocean dominates the oceanic uptake of humanmade CO2. But how much carbon dioxide can it actually absorb in the future? This long-standing question remained unresolved as projections of different generation of climate models repeatedly showed a wide range of future Southern Ocean CO2 sink estimates. Climate scientists have now been able to reduce this large uncertainty by about 50 percent.

Reducing blue light with a new type of LED that won't keep you up all night Posted: 28 Apr 2021 11:08 AM PDT To be more energy efficient, many people have replaced their incandescent lights with light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs. However, those currently on the market emit a lot of blue light, which has been linked to eye troubles and sleep disturbances. Now, researchers have developed a prototype LED that reduces -- instead of masks -- the blue component, while also making colors appear just as they do in natural sunlight.

New computer model helps brings the sun into the laboratory Posted: 28 Apr 2021 10:55 AM PDT Every day, the sun ejects large amounts of a hot particle soup known as plasma toward Earth where it can disrupt telecommunications satellites and damage electrical grids. Now, scientists have made a discovery that could lead to better predictions of this space weather and help safeguard sensitive infrastructure.

Socially just population policies can mitigate climate change and advance global equity Posted: 28 Apr 2021 10:55 AM PDT Socially just policies aimed at limiting the Earth's human population hold tremendous potential for advancing equity while simultaneously helping to mitigate the effects of climate change, researchers say.

Study finds green spaces linked to lower racial disparity in COVID infection rates, study finds Posted: 28 Apr 2021 10:30 AM PDT More green spaces in an area is associated with a lower racial disparity in COVID-19 infection rates, according to the first study to examine the relationship between the supply of green spaces and reduced disparity in infectious disease rates.

Using nanobodies to block a tick-borne bacterial infection Posted: 28 Apr 2021 10:30 AM PDT Tiny molecules called nanobodies, which can be designed to mimic antibody structures and functions, may be the key to blocking a tick-borne bacterial infection that remains out of reach of almost all antibiotics, new research suggests.

Mapping the electronic states in an exotic superconductor Posted: 28 Apr 2021 10:30 AM PDT Scientists mapped the electronic states in an exotic superconductor. The maps point to the composition range necessary for topological superconductivity, a state that could enable more robust quantum computing.

Using cosmic-ray neutron bursts to understand gamma-ray bursts from lightning Posted: 28 Apr 2021 10:30 AM PDT Analysis of data from a lightning mapper and a small, hand-held radiation detector has unexpectedly shed light on what a gamma-ray burst from lightning might look like - by observing neutrons generated from soil by very large cosmic-ray showers.

Seasonal water resource on the Upper Indus Posted: 28 Apr 2021 10:29 AM PDT Seasonally occurring fields of aufeis (icing) constitute an important resource for the water supply of the local population in the Upper Indus Basin. Geographers have now examined the spreading of aufeis and, for the first time, created a full inventory of these more than 3,700 aufeis fields. They are important for these high mountain areas between South and Central Asia, particularly with respect to hydrology and climatology.

Research delves into link between test anxiety and poor sleep Posted: 28 Apr 2021 10:29 AM PDT New research is shedding light on the biopsychosocial process that can lead to poor grades, withdrawal from classes and even students who drop out.

Research gives trees an edge in landfill clean-up Posted: 28 Apr 2021 10:29 AM PDT Matching the capability of different tree species with the types of contaminants present in soil and water is critical in phytoremediation. A research team has developed a new contaminant prioritization tool that has the potential to increase the effectiveness of phytoremediation in landfill clean-up.

How a SARS-CoV-2 variant sacrifices tight binding for antibody evasion Posted: 28 Apr 2021 10:29 AM PDT Researchers used computer modeling to reveal that one of the three mutations that make variant B.1.351 different from the original SARS-CoV-2 reduces the virus' binding to human cells -- but potentially allows it to escape some antibodies.

Two compounds can make chocolate smell musty and moldy Posted: 28 Apr 2021 10:29 AM PDT Chocolate is a beloved treat, but sometimes the cocoa beans that go into bars and other sweets have unpleasant flavors or scents, making the final products taste bad. Surprisingly, only a few compounds associated with these stinky odors are known.

Inactive oil wells could be big source of methane emissions Posted: 28 Apr 2021 10:29 AM PDT Uncapped, idle oil wells could be leaking millions of kilograms of methane each year into the atmosphere and surface water, according to a new study.

Preclinical discovery triggers wound healing, skin regeneration Posted: 28 Apr 2021 10:29 AM PDT Difficult-to-treat, chronic wounds in preclinical models healed with normal scar-free skin after treatment with an acellular product. Derived from platelets, the purified exosomal product, known as PEP, was used to deliver healing messages into cells of preclinical animal models of ischemic wounds. The research team documented restoration of skin integrity, hair follicles, sweat glands, skin oils and normal hydration.

Processed diets might promote chronic infections that can lead to disorders such as diabetes Posted: 28 Apr 2021 08:38 AM PDT Processed diets, which are low in fiber, may initially reduce the incidence of foodborne infectious diseases such as E. coli infections, but might also increase the incidence of diseases characterized by low-grade chronic infection and inflammation such as diabetes, according to researchers.

Virtual reality could help improve balance in older people Posted: 28 Apr 2021 08:38 AM PDT Researchers at CAMERA are investigating VR technology to help improve balance and prevent falls.

Human antibiotic use threatens endangered wild chimpanzees Posted: 28 Apr 2021 08:38 AM PDT Nearly half of the fecal samples from wild chimpanzees in Gombe National Park contain bacteria that is resistant to a major class of antibiotics commonly used by people in the vicinity of the park.

Stress slows the immune response in sick mice Posted: 28 Apr 2021 08:38 AM PDT The neurotransmitter noradrenaline, which plays a key role in the fight-or-flight stress response, impairs immune responses by inhibiting the movements of various white blood cells in different tissues, researchers report. The fast and transient effect occurred in mice with infections and cancer, but for now, it's unclear whether the findings generalize to humans with various health conditions.

Researchers identify a psychedelic-like drug without the hallucinogenic side effects Posted: 28 Apr 2021 08:38 AM PDT Psychedelic drugs have shown promise for treating neuropsychiatric disorders like depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. However, due to their hallucinatory side effects, some researchers are trying to identify drugs that could offer the benefits of psychedelics without causing hallucinations. Researchers now report they have identified one such drug through the development of a genetically encoded fluorescent sensor -- called psychLight -- that can screen for hallucinogenic potential.

Scientists harness molecules into single quantum state Posted: 28 Apr 2021 08:37 AM PDT Being able to build and control systems of quantum particles, which are among the smallest objects in the universe, is the key to developing quantum technology. That goal is now a step closer thanks to scientists who just figured out how to bring multiple molecules at once into a single quantum state -- one of the most important goals in quantum physics.

Childhood air pollution exposure linked to poor mental health at age 18 Posted: 28 Apr 2021 08:37 AM PDT Childhood exposure to air pollution, such as nitrogen oxides and fine particulate matter, is a risk factor for mental illness at age 18. It is less of a factor than family history, but equal to lead, according to a new study. The finding comes from a cohort of 2,000 twins born in England and Wales in 1994-1995 and followed to young adulthood.

Draining brain's debris enhances Alzheimer's therapies in mice Posted: 28 Apr 2021 08:37 AM PDT Researchers have found that improving the function of the brain's drainage network, known as the meningeal lymphatics, can make certain experimental Alzheimer's therapies more effective in mice.

Project to read genomes of all 70,000 vertebrate species reports first discoveries Posted: 28 Apr 2021 08:37 AM PDT A bold project to read the complete genetic sequences of every known vertebrate species reaches its first milestone by publishing new methods and the first 25 high-quality genomes.

Major advance enables study of genetic mutations in any tissue Posted: 28 Apr 2021 08:37 AM PDT For the first time, scientists are able to study changes in the DNA of any human tissue, following the resolution of long-standing technical challenges. The new method, called nanorate sequencing (NanoSeq), makes it possible to study how genetic changes occur in human tissues with unprecedented accuracy.

Cloth face coverings can be as effective as surgical masks at protecting against COVID-19, study finds Posted: 28 Apr 2021 08:37 AM PDT Researchers have found that well-fitting, three-layered cloth masks can be as effective at reducing the transmission of COVID-19 as surgical masks.

A path to graphene topological qubits Posted: 28 Apr 2021 08:37 AM PDT Researchers demonstrate that magnetism and superconductivity can coexist in graphene, opening a pathway towards graphene-based topological qubits.

New model may explain the mystery of asymmetry in Parkinson's disease Posted: 28 Apr 2021 08:37 AM PDT Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by slowness of movement and tremors, which often appear asymmetrically in patients. The new model of PD may explain these perplexing asymmetrical motor symptoms and other known variations such as different degrees of constipation and sleep disorders.

Measuring the Moon's nano dust is no small matter Posted: 28 Apr 2021 08:37 AM PDT Researchers are now measuring tinier moon dust particles than ever before, a step toward more precisely explaining the Moon's apparent color and brightness. This in turn might help improve tracking of weather patterns and other phenomena by satellite cameras that use the Moon as a calibration source.

Brazilian coronavirus variant likely to be more transmissible and able to evade immunity, study finds Posted: 28 Apr 2021 08:32 AM PDT A new study indicates that the coronavirus variant called P.1, which originated in Brazil, could pose a bigger threat than previously assumed. The researchers conclude that it is likely that P.1 is more transmissible than other strains of SARS-Cov2 and that might be able to evade immunity gained from previous infection with coronavirus.

Black hole-neutron star collisions may help settle dispute over Universe's expansion Posted: 28 Apr 2021 07:24 AM PDT A new study simulated 25,000 scenarios of black holes and neutron stars colliding, aiming to see how many would likely be detected by instruments on Earth in the mid- to late-2020s. The researchers found that, by 2030, instruments on Earth could sense ripples in space-time caused by up to 3,000 such collisions, and that for around 100 of these events, telescopes would also see accompanying explosions of light.

Ageing impairs critical final egg maturation stage Posted: 28 Apr 2021 07:02 AM PDT Age may influence an a human egg cell's ability to process gene products essential for the last steps of its development. The final maturation stage is critical for reproduction because it provides the material early embryos need to develop normally and survive. The researchers also found that abnormal BMI also impacted oocyte development, but through different root mechanisms compared to the fertility decline caused by age.

More sleep or more exercise: the best time trade-offs for children's health Posted: 28 Apr 2021 07:02 AM PDT More sleep could offset children's excess indulgence over the school holidays as new research shows that the same decline in body mass index may be achieved by either extra sleep or extra exercise.

Researchers use a nanoscale synthetic antiferromagnet to toggle nonlinear spin dynamics Posted: 28 Apr 2021 07:02 AM PDT Researchers have used a nanoscale synthetic antiferromagnet to control the interaction between magnons -- research that could lead to faster and more energy-efficient computers.

Lactic acid bacteria can extend the shelf life of foods Posted: 28 Apr 2021 06:02 AM PDT Researchers have generated a lactic acid bacterium that efficiently secretes a food-grade preservative when grown on dairy waste.

Spring forest flowers likely key to bumblebee survival Posted: 28 Apr 2021 06:02 AM PDT For more than a decade, ecologists have been warning of a downward trend in bumble bee populations across North America, with habitat destruction a primary culprit in those losses. While efforts to preserve wild bees in the Midwest often focus on restoring native flowers to prairies, a new study finds evidence of a steady decline in the availability of springtime flowers in wooded landscapes.

Espresso, latte or decaf? Genetic code drives your desire for coffee Posted: 28 Apr 2021 05:09 AM PDT Whether you hanker for a hard hit of caffeine or favor the frothiness of a milky cappuccino, your regular coffee order could be telling you more about your cardio health than you think. In a new study of 390,435 people, researchers found causal genetic evidence that cardio health - as reflected in blood pressure and heart rate - influences coffee consumption.

Only one in four people experience mild systemic side effects from COVID-19 vaccines, study finds Posted: 27 Apr 2021 04:51 PM PDT A large-scale study in the United Kingdom compares the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines and investigates the prevalence of mild side effects.

Drones provide bird's eye view of how turbulent tidal flows affect seabird foraging habits Posted: 27 Apr 2021 04:51 PM PDT Scientists used drones to provide a synchronized bird's eye view of what seabirds see and how their behavior changes depending on the movement of tidal flows beneath them.

Household aerosols now release more harmful smog chemicals than all UK vehicles Posted: 27 Apr 2021 09:24 AM PDT Aerosol products used in the home now emit more harmful volatile organic compound (VOC) air pollution than all the vehicles in the UK, new research shows. A new study reveals that the picture is damaging globally with the world's population now using huge numbers of disposable aerosols - more than 25 billion cans per year.

'Dominating' fungus could be solution to producing more biofuels and chemicals Posted: 27 Apr 2021 09:24 AM PDT The discovery of a novel enzyme that releases a valuable chemical from agricultural waste could provide an important breakthrough in the upscaling of renewable fuels and chemicals, a new study shows.

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