ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Researchers find immune component to rare neurodegenerative disease
• New study confirms relationship between toxic pollution, climate risks to human health
• New framework applies machine learning to atomistic modeling
• New algorithm flies drones faster than human racing pilots can
• Origami comes to life with new shape-changing materials
• Kids eat more fruit and vegetables with longer seated lunch time
• Ibrutinib effective treatment for difficult-to-treat forms of hairy cell leukemia, study finds
• Why weren't New World rabbits domesticated?
• Study links vaccine immune response to age
• Unexpected proteome plasticity in response to persistent temperature rise
• Chromosomes separation under focus
• Genome editing meets marsupials
• 'Magic-angle' trilayer graphene may be a rare, magnet-proof superconductor
• Thumb-sized device quickly 'sniffs out' bad breath
• Toward one drug to treat all coronaviruses
• Rounding errors could make certain stopwatches pick wrong race winners, researchers show
• A large tidal stream observed in the Sombrero galaxy
• The weather forecast for Venus
• Nanostructures enable record high-harmonic generation
• Breakthrough in detection of SARS-CoV-2 variant in wastewater
• Wearable brain-machine interface turns intentions into actions
• Toxicity testing on the placenta and embryo
• Batteries for grid-scale energy storage
• Advancing the long-term well-being of people living with HIV
• New method predicts COVID-19 severity, could help with hospital triage
• Who eats the invaders?
• Breastfeeding, even for a few days, linked to lower blood pressure in early childhood
• Cognitive decline may help predict future fracture risk in women
• Residential proximity to oil and gas drilling linked to lower birthweights in newborns
• C is for Vitamin C -- a key ingredient for immune cell function
• Fully booked at the bottom of the sea: There seems no room for new bacteria on sand grains
• Blocking how the malaria parasite suppresses the immune response
• Smartphone gaming can be harmful for some seeking relief from boredom, study finds
• Novel method predicts if COVID-19 clinical trials will fail or succeed
• Tiny organisms shed big light on ocean nutrients
• Scientists link frailty and neurocognitive decline in childhood cancer survivors
• How managing building energy demand can aid the clean energy transition
• Nanoparticles create heat from light to manipulate electrical activity in neurons
• New tool differentiates endangered salt marsh harvest mouse from abundant look-alike
• A mutual exchange: Synthesizing aryl sulfides from non-smelling, non-toxic compounds
• Effectiveness of mRNA vaccines against the Alpha and Beta variants in France
• Cancer: Information theory to fight resistance to treatments
• Using ultra-low temperatures to understand high-temperature superconductivity
• Many ICU staff have experienced mental health conditions in COVID-19 pandemic
• SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.617 gives the immune system a hard time
• Long-term prognosis for some patients with severe brain injury better than expected, study finds

Researchers find immune component to rare neurodegenerative disease Posted: 21 Jul 2021 02:27 PM PDT Researchers have identified an immune protein tied to the rare neurodegenerative condition known as Niemann-Pick disease type C. The finding, made in mouse models, could offer a powerful new therapeutic target for Niemann-Pick disease type C, a condition that was identified more than a century ago but still lacks effective treatments.

New study confirms relationship between toxic pollution, climate risks to human health Posted: 21 Jul 2021 02:27 PM PDT In a new study that combines assessments of the risks of toxic emissions, nontoxic emissions and people's vulnerability to them, researchers found a strong and statistically significant relationship between the spatial distribution of global climate risk and toxic pollution.

New framework applies machine learning to atomistic modeling Posted: 21 Jul 2021 02:26 PM PDT A new method could lead to more accurate predictions of how new materials behave at the atomic scale.

New algorithm flies drones faster than human racing pilots can Posted: 21 Jul 2021 11:20 AM PDT For the first time an autonomously flying quadrotor has outperformed two human pilots in a drone race. The success is based on a novel algorithm that calculates time-optimal trajectories that fully consider the drones' limitations.

Origami comes to life with new shape-changing materials Posted: 21 Jul 2021 11:19 AM PDT Researchers have created butterflies that flap their wings, flower petals that wiggle with the touch of a button and self-folding origami drawing on new advances in soft robotics.

Kids eat more fruit and vegetables with longer seated lunch time Posted: 21 Jul 2021 11:19 AM PDT When kids sit down to eat lunch at school, fruits and vegetables may not be their first choice. But with more time at the lunch table, they are more likely to pick up those healthy foods. If we want to improve children's nutrition and health, ensuring longer school lunch breaks can help achieve those goals, according to new research.

Ibrutinib effective treatment for difficult-to-treat forms of hairy cell leukemia, study finds Posted: 21 Jul 2021 11:19 AM PDT The oral targeted therapy drug ibrutinib is an effective treatment option for high-risk hairy cell leukemia, according to a new study.

Why weren't New World rabbits domesticated? Posted: 21 Jul 2021 11:19 AM PDT Rabbits were raised for over a thousand years in Mexico without becoming domesticated. A new study finds that their solitary lifestyle and greater species diversity made domestication unlikely.

Study links vaccine immune response to age Posted: 21 Jul 2021 11:19 AM PDT Older people appear to have fewer antibodies against the novel coronavirus, a new laboratory study suggests. With vaccine uptake slowing in Oregon and across United States, researchers say their findings underscore the importance of promoting vaccinations in local communities.

Unexpected proteome plasticity in response to persistent temperature rise Posted: 21 Jul 2021 11:19 AM PDT Common yeast are able to adapt and thrive in response to a long-term rise in temperature by changing the shape, location and function of some of their proteins. The surprising findings demonstrate the unappreciated plasticity in the molecular and conformational level of proteins and bring the power of molecular biology to the organismal response to climate change.

Chromosomes separation under focus Posted: 21 Jul 2021 11:19 AM PDT During cell division, chromosomes are duplicated and separated so that one copy of each chromosome is inherited by each of the two emerging daughter cells. Correct distribution of chromosomes requires high accuracy and defects in this process can cause aberrant distribution of chromosomes and facilitate cancer development. By analyzing the structure of the protein responsible for chromosome separation, a team has shed light on the mechanisms controlling this essential player in cell division.

Genome editing meets marsupials Posted: 21 Jul 2021 11:19 AM PDT Researchers at RIKEN, Japan have succeeded in creating the first genetically engineered marsupial. This study will contribute to deciphering the genetic background of unique characteristics observed only in marsupials.

'Magic-angle' trilayer graphene may be a rare, magnet-proof superconductor Posted: 21 Jul 2021 11:19 AM PDT Physicists have observed signs of a rare type of superconductivity in a material called 'magic-angle' twisted trilayer graphene. They report that the material exhibits superconductivity at surprisingly high magnetic fields of up to 10 Tesla, which is three times higher than what the material is predicted to endure if it were a conventional superconductor.

Thumb-sized device quickly 'sniffs out' bad breath Posted: 21 Jul 2021 09:07 AM PDT Researchers have constructed a portable, thumb-sized device that diagnoses bad breath by quickly 'sniffing' exhalations for the gas that makes it stinky -- hydrogen sulfide.

Toward one drug to treat all coronaviruses Posted: 21 Jul 2021 09:07 AM PDT Researchers have analyzed viral proteins across 27 coronavirus species and thousands of samples from COVID-19 patients, identifying highly conserved sequences that could make the best drug targets.

Rounding errors could make certain stopwatches pick wrong race winners, researchers show Posted: 21 Jul 2021 09:07 AM PDT Simulated swimming race times show a small number of times recorded on quartzite oscillator-based devices are off by margins large enough to determine winners.

A large tidal stream observed in the Sombrero galaxy Posted: 21 Jul 2021 09:07 AM PDT Astronomers have made detailed observations of a large tidal flow around the Sombrero galaxy, whose strange morphology has still not been definitively explained.

The weather forecast for Venus Posted: 21 Jul 2021 09:07 AM PDT Little is known about the weather at night on Venus as the absence of sunlight makes imaging difficult. Now, researchers have devised a way to use infrared sensors on board the Venus orbiter Akatsuki to reveal the first details of the nighttime weather of our nearest neighbor. Their analytical methods could be used to study other planets including Mars and gas giants as well.

Nanostructures enable record high-harmonic generation Posted: 21 Jul 2021 09:07 AM PDT Researchers have developed nanostructures that enable record-breaking conversion of laser pulses into high-harmonic generation, paving the way for new scientific tools for high-resolution imaging.

Breakthrough in detection of SARS-CoV-2 variant in wastewater Posted: 21 Jul 2021 09:07 AM PDT Researchers have developed an innovative method to detect and quantify the more transmissible B.1.1.7 (Alpha) variant of concern via wastewater epidemiology.

Wearable brain-machine interface turns intentions into actions Posted: 21 Jul 2021 09:06 AM PDT An international team of researchers is combining soft scalp electronics and virtual reality in a brain-interface system.

Toxicity testing on the placenta and embryo Posted: 21 Jul 2021 09:06 AM PDT Researchers have developed a cell culture test to detect substances that are directly or indirectly harmful to embryos. Based on an existing test used for developing new drugs and chemicals, the augmented version is designed to help reduce the number of animal experiments.

Batteries for grid-scale energy storage Posted: 21 Jul 2021 09:06 AM PDT Researchers have designed a new class of molten sodium batteries for grid-scale energy storage.

Advancing the long-term well-being of people living with HIV Posted: 21 Jul 2021 09:06 AM PDT A global multidisciplinary group of HIV experts has developed a consensus statement identifying the key issues health systems must address in order to move beyond the longtime emphasis on viral suppression to instead deliver integrated, person-centered healthcare for people living with HIV throughout their lives.

New method predicts COVID-19 severity, could help with hospital triage Posted: 21 Jul 2021 09:06 AM PDT Researchers have developed a blood test to predict which people infected with COVID-19 are most likely to experience serious symptoms, which could help health care workers prioritize patients for hospitalization and intensive care.

Who eats the invaders? Posted: 21 Jul 2021 07:24 AM PDT A landmark study documenting instances where native Mediterranean species have preyed upon two highly invasive marine fish -- the Pacific red lionfish and the silver-cheeked toadfish -- has just been published.

Breastfeeding, even for a few days, linked to lower blood pressure in early childhood Posted: 21 Jul 2021 07:24 AM PDT Babies who were breastfed, even for a few days, had lower blood pressure at 3 years of age than children who had never been breastfed. Toddlers who had been breastfed had lower blood pressure regardless of their body mass index or their mothers' social, health or lifestyle factors.

Cognitive decline may help predict future fracture risk in women Posted: 21 Jul 2021 07:24 AM PDT A 16-year study has revealed a link between cognitive decline, bone loss and fracture risk in women.

Residential proximity to oil and gas drilling linked to lower birthweights in newborns Posted: 21 Jul 2021 07:23 AM PDT A new study has found that infants born within three kilometers of oil and natural gas drilling facilities in Texas had slightly lower birthweights than those born before drilling began in their vicinity.

C is for Vitamin C -- a key ingredient for immune cell function Posted: 21 Jul 2021 07:23 AM PDT Regulatory T cells (Tregs) help control inflammation and autoimmunity in the body. Unfortunately, it has proven difficult to find the right molecular ingredients to induce stable iTregs. Now a new study reports that Vitamin C and TET proteins can work together to give Tregs their life-saving power.

Fully booked at the bottom of the sea: There seems no room for new bacteria on sand grains Posted: 21 Jul 2021 07:23 AM PDT Whether summer or winter, midnight sun or polar night, the sand on the ocean floor is always inhabited by the same bacteria. Although the microbial communities differ between different ocean regions, they do not change between the seasons. Presumably, there is simply no room for change. Researchers now describe this phenomenon in a new study.

Blocking how the malaria parasite suppresses the immune response Posted: 21 Jul 2021 07:23 AM PDT The parasites that cause severe malaria are well-known for the sinister ways they infect humans, but new research may lead to drugs that could block one of their most reliable weapons: interference with the immune response.

Smartphone gaming can be harmful for some seeking relief from boredom, study finds Posted: 21 Jul 2021 07:23 AM PDT Smartphone gaming can be harmful to players who game to escape their negative mood and feelings of boredom, a new study has found.

Novel method predicts if COVID-19 clinical trials will fail or succeed Posted: 21 Jul 2021 07:23 AM PDT Researchers have modeled COVID-19 completion versus cessation in clinical trials using machine learning algorithms and ensemble learning.

Tiny organisms shed big light on ocean nutrients Posted: 21 Jul 2021 07:23 AM PDT Sweeping changes in marine nutrients may seem to be a likely consequence of increasing global temperatures; however, new research suggests that processes below the ocean surface could play a larger role than previously thought.

Scientists link frailty and neurocognitive decline in childhood cancer survivors Posted: 21 Jul 2021 07:23 AM PDT Scientists have shown that frailty contributes to neurocognitive decline in young adult survivors of childhood cancer.

How managing building energy demand can aid the clean energy transition Posted: 21 Jul 2021 07:23 AM PDT A comprehensive new study quantifies what can be done to make buildings more energy efficient and flexible in granular detail by both time (including time of day and year) and space (looking at regions across the U.S.). The research team found that maximizing the deployment of building demand management technologies could avoid the need for up to one-third of coal- or gas-fired power generation.

Nanoparticles create heat from light to manipulate electrical activity in neurons Posted: 21 Jul 2021 07:23 AM PDT Engineers developed technology to use nanoparticles to heat, manipulate cells in the brain and heart.

New tool differentiates endangered salt marsh harvest mouse from abundant look-alike Posted: 21 Jul 2021 07:23 AM PDT Scientists have developed a tool that is able to differentiate the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse from its non-endangered doppelgänger with up to 99% accuracy.

A mutual exchange: Synthesizing aryl sulfides from non-smelling, non-toxic compounds Posted: 21 Jul 2021 07:23 AM PDT The importance of aryl sulfides in biologically active compounds has led chemists to develop methods to synthesize them from carbon-sulfur bond forming reactions. The conventional reaction, however, uses thiols that are foul-smelling and toxic. Now, chemists report a novel, thiol-free synthesis technique comprising a nickel-catalyzed aryl exchange between 2-pyridyl sulfide and aromatic esters, providing a versatile and inexpensive technology for both scientific and industrial applications.

Effectiveness of mRNA vaccines against the Alpha and Beta variants in France Posted: 21 Jul 2021 07:22 AM PDT In a new study, scientists show that the two-dose vaccination regimen of mRNA vaccines provides 88 percent protection against non-variant virus, 86 percent against the Alpha variant, and 77 percent against the Beta variant.

Cancer: Information theory to fight resistance to treatments Posted: 21 Jul 2021 07:22 AM PDT A major challenge in cancer therapy is the adaptive response of cancer cells to targeted therapies. Although this adaptive response is theoretically reversible, such a reversal is hampered by numerous molecular mechanisms that allow the cancer cells to adapt to the treatment. A team has used information theory, in order to objectify in vivo the molecular regulations at play in the mechanisms of the adaptive response and their modulation by a therapeutic combination.

Using ultra-low temperatures to understand high-temperature superconductivity Posted: 21 Jul 2021 07:22 AM PDT A so-called 'strange metal', well-known for its unusual properties, has been shown to be a superconductor at very low temperatures. This allows scientists to study the connection between 'strange metal'-behavior and superconductivity, which could be an important step towards understanding the phenomenon of high-temperature superconductivity.

Many ICU staff have experienced mental health conditions in COVID-19 pandemic Posted: 21 Jul 2021 07:22 AM PDT A high proportion of staff working in intensive care units during the COVID-19 pandemic have experienced mental health conditions, according to a new study.

SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.617 gives the immune system a hard time Posted: 21 Jul 2021 07:22 AM PDT Researchers have investigated the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.617 in detail. In cell culture studies, they found that this variant can infect certain lung and intestinal cell lines more efficiently than the original virus. The researchers also demonstrated that B.1.617 is less sensitive to inhibition by antibodies present in the blood of convalescent or vaccinated individuals and resistant to a therapeutic antibody used for COVID-19 treatment.

Long-term prognosis for some patients with severe brain injury better than expected, study finds Posted: 20 Jul 2021 10:52 AM PDT New research adds to a body of evidence indicating decisions about withdrawing life-sustaining treatment for patients with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) should not be made in the early days following injury.

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