ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Plastic pollution in the deep sea: A geological perspective
• Study examines movement in children with autism
• Speeding new treatments
• Mutant corn gene boosts sugar in seeds, leaves, may lead to breeding better crop
• Using social values for profit cheapens them, a new study cautions
• Stable, efficient, anode-free sodium battery
• Local impacts from fracking the Eagle Ford
• Solar development: Super bloom or super bust for desert species?
• Revealing the secret cocoa pollinators
• Intranasal influenza vaccine enhances immune response and offers broad protection
• Previously unrecognized tsunami hazard identified in coastal cities
• Mating with relatives? Not a big deal in nature
• Cell atlas of stony corals is boost for coral reef conservation efforts
• Human organ chips enable COVID-19 drug repurposing
• Unraveling a mystery of dinoflagellate genomic architecture
• Flexible, easy-to-scale nanoribbons move graphene toward use in tech applications
• GM grass cleanses soil of toxic pollutants left by military explosives, new study shows
• Human behavior must be factored into climate change analyses
• New research shows long-term recovery possible for areas impacted by seagrass die-off
• Equipping crop plants for climate change
• Flatfish got weird fast due to evolutionary cascade
• Bornean rajah scops owl rediscovered after 125 years
• Short-term exposure to air pollution may impede cognition; Aspirin could help
• Earthquake, tsunami hazards from subduction zones might be higher than current estimates
• Genetics, not the intrauterine environment, controls abnormal development
• Newly identified giant saber-toothed cat roamed North America 5-9 million years ago
• Will your future clothes be made of algae?
• An animal able to regenerate all of its organs even when it is dissected into three parts
• Less precipitation means less plant diversity
• Dogs' aggressive behavior towards humans is often caused by fear
• When will your elevator arrive? Two physicists do the math
• Need to vent? Turn to real-life support, not social media
• Research with neutrons for better mRNA medicines
• Tailor-made therapy of multi-resistant tuberculosis
• Cube-shaped iron-sulfur clusters support multiple bond between iron and nitrogen
• How plants find their symbiotic partners
• A new way to make AR/VR glasses
• Limited fishing zones support reef conservation
• Natural immunity to malaria provides clues to potential therapies
• Reduction in wetland areas will affect Afrotropical migratory waterbirds
• Scientists invent catheter system to deliver electricity-activated glue path
• A physics perspective on wound healing
• Researchers promote usability for everyone, everywhere
• Applying UV light to common disinfectants makes them safer to use, study finds
• Volunteer firefighters have higher levels of 'forever chemicals'
• Three ways to improve scholarly writing to get more citations
• Novel coronavirus' spike protein plays additional key role in illness

Plastic pollution in the deep sea: A geological perspective Posted: 03 May 2021 02:29 PM PDT A new article summarizes research on plastic waste in marine and sedimentary environments.

Study examines movement in children with autism Posted: 03 May 2021 02:28 PM PDT Researchers have used real-time 3D animation to investigate motor impairments in children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study found that when teaching or coaching new movements to an individual with autism, the teacher or coach needs to understand the individual with autism's specific motor learning characteristics.

Speeding new treatments Posted: 03 May 2021 02:28 PM PDT Researchers have created an open-source online suite of computational models that will help scientists rapidly screen small molecules for their potential COVID-fighting properties.

Mutant corn gene boosts sugar in seeds, leaves, may lead to breeding better crop Posted: 03 May 2021 02:28 PM PDT An abnormal build up of carbohydrates -- sugars and starches -- in the kernels and leaves of a mutant line of corn can be traced to one misregulated gene, and that discovery offers clues about how the plant deals with stress.

Using social values for profit cheapens them, a new study cautions Posted: 03 May 2021 02:28 PM PDT Businesses sometimes align themselves with important values such as a clean environment, feminism, or racial justice, thinking it's a win-win: the value gets boosted along with the company's bottom line. But be careful, warns new research. Using these values primarily for self-interested purposes such as profit or reputation can ultimately undermine their special status and erode people's commitment to them.

Stable, efficient, anode-free sodium battery Posted: 03 May 2021 02:28 PM PDT Scientists have developed a stable, anode-free sodium ion battery that is highly efficient, will be less expensive and is significantly smaller than a traditional lithium ion battery.

Local impacts from fracking the Eagle Ford Posted: 03 May 2021 02:28 PM PDT Scientists simulated the local risk of damaging or nuisance-level shaking caused by hydraulic fracturing across the Eagle Ford shale formation in Texas. The results could inform a new approach to managing human-caused earthquakes.

Solar development: Super bloom or super bust for desert species? Posted: 03 May 2021 02:28 PM PDT A study of a rare and common desert plant indicates solar development in the desert may impact rare species more. It also demonstrates the importance of taking the time to understand the ever-changing desert ecosystem before irrevocably changing it.

Revealing the secret cocoa pollinators Posted: 03 May 2021 02:28 PM PDT The importance of pollinators to ensure successful harvests and thus global food security is widely acknowledged. However, the specific pollinators for even major crops - such as cocoa - haven't yet been identified. Now an international research team has found that in fact ants and flies - but not ceratopogonid midges - appear to have a crucial role to play.

Intranasal influenza vaccine enhances immune response and offers broad protection Posted: 03 May 2021 12:13 PM PDT An influenza vaccine that is made of nanoparticles and administered through the nose enhances the body's immune response to influenza virus infection and offers broad protection against different viral strains, according to new research.

Previously unrecognized tsunami hazard identified in coastal cities Posted: 03 May 2021 12:13 PM PDT A new study found overlooked tsunami hazards related to undersea, near-shore strike-slip faults, especially for coastal cities adjacent to faults that traverse inland bays. Several areas around the world may fall into this category, including the San Francisco Bay area, Izmit Bay in Turkey and the Gulf of Al-Aqaba in Egypt.

Mating with relatives? Not a big deal in nature Posted: 03 May 2021 11:47 AM PDT The idea that animals should avoid mating with relatives has been the starting point for hundreds of scientific studies performed among many species. But new research shows that there is little support for this assumption. The study provides a synthesis of 139 experimental studies in 88 species and 40 years of research, settling the debate about if and when animals should avoid inbreeding.

Cell atlas of stony corals is boost for coral reef conservation efforts Posted: 03 May 2021 11:47 AM PDT Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals 40 different cell types in Stylophora pistillata, a reef-building stony coral native to the Indo-Pacific oceans. The calcium carbonate skeleton of stony coral colonies are the main habitat for a huge diversity of marine species. The study has detected the presence of specialized immune cells in corals or any cnidaria. The findings will aid present and future conservation efforts to protect coral reef ecosystems threatened by rising temperatures and ocean acidification.

Human organ chips enable COVID-19 drug repurposing Posted: 03 May 2021 11:47 AM PDT Emulating the human lung airway in vitro identified the SARS-CoV2-inhibiting effects of the antimalarial drug amodiaquine, which is now in COVID-19 clinical trials.

Unraveling a mystery of dinoflagellate genomic architecture Posted: 03 May 2021 11:47 AM PDT New work unravels a longstanding mystery about the relationship between form and function in the genetic material of a diverse group of algae called dinoflagellates. The findings have implications for understanding genomic organizational principles of all organisms.

Flexible, easy-to-scale nanoribbons move graphene toward use in tech applications Posted: 03 May 2021 11:47 AM PDT Silicon-based fiber optics are currently the best structures for high-speed, long distance transmissions, but graphene -- an all-carbon, ultra-thin and adaptable material -- could improve performance even more.

GM grass cleanses soil of toxic pollutants left by military explosives, new study shows Posted: 03 May 2021 11:45 AM PDT A grass commonly used to fight soil erosion has been genetically modified to successfully remove toxic chemicals left in the ground from munitions that are dangerous to human health, new research shows.

Human behavior must be factored into climate change analyses Posted: 03 May 2021 10:56 AM PDT A new Cornell University-led study examines how temperature affects fishing behavior and catches among inland fisher households in Cambodia, with important implications for understanding climate change.

New research shows long-term recovery possible for areas impacted by seagrass die-off Posted: 03 May 2021 10:56 AM PDT A new study finds nearly 10,000 acres of lush seagrass vanished from Florida Bay over 20 years, leading to massive ecological changes in the region near the Florida Keys.

Equipping crop plants for climate change Posted: 03 May 2021 10:56 AM PDT Biologists have significantly enhanced the tolerance of blue-green algae to high light levels -- with the aid of artificial evolution in the laboratory.

Flatfish got weird fast due to evolutionary cascade Posted: 03 May 2021 10:56 AM PDT Flatfishes rapidly evolved into the most asymmetric vertebrates by changing multiple traits at once, according to a new study.

Bornean rajah scops owl rediscovered after 125 years Posted: 03 May 2021 10:56 AM PDT The Bornean subspecies of Rajah scops owl (Otus brookii brookii), documented in the wild for the first time since 1892, may be its own unique species and deserving of a conservation designation. Researchers reported the rediscovery and photographed this elusive subspecies in the mountainous forests of Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia.

Short-term exposure to air pollution may impede cognition; Aspirin could help Posted: 03 May 2021 10:56 AM PDT Exposure to air pollution, even over the course of just a few weeks, can impede mental performance, according to a new study. However, these adverse effects were lessened in people taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin. The study is among the first to explore short-term air pollution exposures and the use of NSAIDs to mitigate their effects.

Earthquake, tsunami hazards from subduction zones might be higher than current estimates Posted: 03 May 2021 08:39 AM PDT Two of the most destructive forces of nature - earthquakes and tsunamis - might actually be more of a threat than current estimates according to new research.

Genetics, not the intrauterine environment, controls abnormal development Posted: 03 May 2021 08:39 AM PDT Researchers have shown that developmental abnormalities, including those that lead to pregnancy loss, are controlled by the genetics of the fetus and placenta -- and not the mother's intrauterine environment.

Newly identified giant saber-toothed cat roamed North America 5-9 million years ago Posted: 03 May 2021 08:39 AM PDT A giant saber-toothed cat lived in North America between 5 million and 9 million years ago, weighing up to 900 pounds and hunting prey that likely weighed 1,000 to 2,000 pounds, scientists reported today in a new study.

Will your future clothes be made of algae? Posted: 03 May 2021 07:48 AM PDT For the first time, researchers have used 3D printers and a novel bioprinting technique to print algae into living, photosynthetic materials that are tough and resilient.

An animal able to regenerate all of its organs even when it is dissected into three parts Posted: 03 May 2021 07:48 AM PDT This animal, a member of the chordates, can regenerate all of its organs so that each piece knows exactly how to regain functioning of all its missing body systems within a short period of time.

Less precipitation means less plant diversity Posted: 03 May 2021 07:48 AM PDT Water is a scarce resource in many of the Earth's ecosystems. This scarcity is likely to increase in the course of climate change. This, in turn, might lead to a considerable decline in plant diversity. Using experimental data from all over the world, a team of scientists have demonstrated for the first time that plant biodiversity in drylands is particularly sensitive to changes in precipitation.

Dogs' aggressive behavior towards humans is often caused by fear Posted: 03 May 2021 07:48 AM PDT A study encompassing some 9,000 dogs demonstrated that fearfulness, age, breed, the company of other members of the same species and the owner's previous experience of dogs were associated with aggressive behavior towards humans. The findings can potentially provide tools for understanding and preventing aggressive behavior.

When will your elevator arrive? Two physicists do the math Posted: 03 May 2021 07:47 AM PDT The human world is, increasingly, an urban one -- and that means elevators. Two physicists saw this as an opportunity to explore the factors that determine elevator transport capabilities in a new article.

Need to vent? Turn to real-life support, not social media Posted: 03 May 2021 07:46 AM PDT Research compares effectiveness of seeking social support in real-life versus over social media.

Research with neutrons for better mRNA medicines Posted: 03 May 2021 07:00 AM PDT mRNA can be used to produce much more than just vaccines. Around 50 different procedures for the treatment of diseases including cancer are already being studied in clinical trials. Scientists have now discovered how the subcutaneous administration of mRNA can be improved. The goal is for chronically ill patients to be able to self-administer the medication on a regular basis.

Tailor-made therapy of multi-resistant tuberculosis Posted: 03 May 2021 07:00 AM PDT The successful treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis requires clarification in advance as to which antibiotics the pathogens are resistant to. Classic testing is very time-consuming and delays the start of therapy. Researchers have now prepared a catalogue of all mutations in the genome of tuberculosis bacteria and on the basis of a genome sequencing can quickly and cheaply predict which medicines are most effective for tuberculosis treatment.

Cube-shaped iron-sulfur clusters support multiple bond between iron and nitrogen Posted: 03 May 2021 07:00 AM PDT In a number of biological processes, iron-sulfur clusters play a vital role, where they act as cofactors to enzymes. Research now shows that cubic clusters can support unusual bonding states. This study shows that the cluster copes well with a multiple bond between iron and nitrogen -- a structural motif that may be involved in biological nitrogen fixation.

How plants find their symbiotic partners Posted: 03 May 2021 07:00 AM PDT Researchers explain an evolutionary step in the symbiosis between plants and nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

A new way to make AR/VR glasses Posted: 03 May 2021 06:59 AM PDT Researchers have imprinted freeform optics with a nanophotonic optical element called a metasurface to create AR/VR glasses that are not only compact and easy to wear, but deliver high quality optics without looking like 'bug eyes.'

Limited fishing zones support reef conservation Posted: 03 May 2021 06:35 AM PDT Green (no-take) and yellow (limited take) fishing zones within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park equally support a great diversity of fish species. The new research on yellow zones is crucial for future marine park management.

Natural immunity to malaria provides clues to potential therapies Posted: 03 May 2021 06:35 AM PDT Researchers have identified how natural human antibodies can block malaria parasites from entering red blood cells, potentially indicating how new protective therapies could be developed against this globally significant disease. The research provides greater insight into how antibodies block the entry of Plasmodium vivax malaria parasites into young red blood cells called reticulocytes. It builds on an earlier discovery that the P. vivax latches onto the transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1) to enter cells.

Reduction in wetland areas will affect Afrotropical migratory waterbirds Posted: 03 May 2021 06:35 AM PDT Migratory waterbirds are particularly exposed to the effects of climate change at their breeding areas in the High Arctic and in Africa, according to a new study. The research team came to this conclusion after modelling climatic and hydrological conditions under current and future climate scenarios (in 2050) and comparing the impact on the distribution of 197 of the 255 waterbird species listed under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).

Scientists invent catheter system to deliver electricity-activated glue path Posted: 03 May 2021 06:35 AM PDT Researchers have developed a device that offers a quicker and less invasive way to seal tears and holes in blood vessels, using an electrically-activated glue patch applied via a minimally invasive balloon catheter.

A physics perspective on wound healing Posted: 03 May 2021 06:35 AM PDT In material physics understanding how systems interact across the interfaces separating them is of central interest. But can physical models clarify similar concepts in living systems, such as cells? Physicists used the framework of disordered elastic systems to study the process of wound healing - the proliferation of cell fronts which eventually join to close a lesion. Their study identified the scales of the dominant interactions between cells which determine this process.

Researchers promote usability for everyone, everywhere Posted: 03 May 2021 06:09 AM PDT Researchers discuss how bad user design is especially detrimental to the underprivileged and how a wider usability movement can help 'everyone, everywhere.'

Applying UV light to common disinfectants makes them safer to use, study finds Posted: 03 May 2021 06:09 AM PDT Over 400 common disinfectants currently in use could be made safer for people and the environment and could better fight the COVID-19 virus with the simple application of UVC light, a new study shows.

Volunteer firefighters have higher levels of 'forever chemicals' Posted: 03 May 2021 05:37 AM PDT Volunteer firefighters -- who comprise more than 65 percent of the U.S. fire service -- have higher levels of 'forever chemicals,' per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in their bodies than the general public, according to a new study. It is the first study to evaluate volunteer firefighters' exposure to PFAS.

Three ways to improve scholarly writing to get more citations Posted: 02 May 2021 05:32 AM PDT To make a greater impact, scholars need to overcome the curse of knowledge so they can package their ideas with concrete, technical, and active writing.

Novel coronavirus' spike protein plays additional key role in illness Posted: 30 Apr 2021 09:04 AM PDT A new study shows that COVID-19 is a vascular disease, demonstrating exactly how the SARS-CoV-2 virus damages and attacks the vascular system on a cellular level. The findings help explain COVID-19's wide variety of seemingly unconnected complications, and could open the door for new research into more effective therapies.

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