ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Novel assessment of platelet-rich plasma treatment shows efficacy in patients with osteoarthritis
• Improving strength, stretchiness and adhesion in hydrogels for wound healing
• Improved water splitting method: A green energy innovation
• Hidden in the seeds: Bacteria found to survive the harsh interior of passion fruit seeds
• Reliable oxygenation conceivable with new design for portable concentrators
• How people respond to wildfire smoke
• Record number of ancient elephant bone tools discovered
• Learning from a 'living fossil'
• Tracking genetically modified animals
• Beavers are well established and moving through the Oregon Coast Range
• Granulocytes may weaken immune response in connection with COVID-19
• Breast milk proven to enhance heart performance in premature babies
• Turning thermal energy into electricity
• How a racing heart may alter decision-making brain circuits
• New mathematical solutions to an old problem in astronomy
• At least 80% of opioid overdoses aren’t fatal, but how do they affect the brain?
• ‘Smart’ shirt keeps tabs on the heart
• Hobit turns immune cells into killers
• Upcycled manure may ignite new sustainable fertilizing trend
• 'Charging room' system powers lights, phones, laptops without wires
• Location and intensity of global threats to biodiversity
• AI helps to spot single diseased cells
• Low-sodium salt prevents stroke
• Researchers identify new biomarkers to detect consumption of emerging illicit drug
• Integrated treatment for depression and heart failure improves quality of life and mood
• Drug delivery capsule could replace injections for protein drugs
• One in two pregnancies are affected by iron deficiency, yet many women don’t get a simple screening test to check
• Unease beyond the uncanny valley: How people react to the same faces
• Finerenone improves outcomes in patients with mild-to-moderate kidney disease and diabetes
• New study examines ‘Achilles heel’ of cancer tumors, paving the way for new treatment strategies
• Increased survival with eye melanoma in clinical trial
• How can I avoid heart disease or stroke?
• Bright idea: New LEDs can detect off-food and lethal gases
• Turning cameras off during virtual meetings can reduce fatigue
• Want to play college sports? A wealthy family helps
• Monoclonal antibody treatment combo reduces hospitalization among high-risk patients with COVID-19
• Insights into how a stroke affects reading could help with rehabilitation
• Perceptions of supernatural beings reveal feelings about good and bad in humans
• Eating walnuts daily lowered 'bad' cholesterol and may reduce cardiovascular disease risk
• COVID-19 antibody study shows downside of not receiving second shot
• Staying home, having access to primary care, and limiting contagion hubs may curb COVID-19 deaths
• Synthetic biology enables microbes to build muscle
• Light-to-moderate coffee drinking associated with health benefits
• Four-in-one blood pressure pill: Safe and much more effective than usual hypertension treatment, study finds
• Nanoscale systems for generating various forms of light

Novel assessment of platelet-rich plasma treatment shows efficacy in patients with osteoarthritis Posted: 30 Aug 2021 01:39 PM PDT A pilot study combined wearable technology and patient-reported outcomes to assess the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment in osteoarthritis (OA), finding significant improvements.

Improving strength, stretchiness and adhesion in hydrogels for wound healing Posted: 30 Aug 2021 01:39 PM PDT Scientists use the adhesive capabilities of mussels as a model for simultaneously optimizing the strength, stretchiness and adhesion of GelMA hydrogels, a feat not obtained in previous attempts.

Improved water splitting method: A green energy innovation Posted: 30 Aug 2021 01:39 PM PDT Hydrogen is a promising clean energy source with great potential to replace greenhouse gas-emitting fossil fuels. While total water (H2O) splitting is the easiest way to obtain hydrogen (H2), this reaction is slow and not yet commercially feasible. Now, scientists have developed a novel electrocatalyst that significantly improves hydrogen production from water splitting in an energy and cost-efficient way.

Hidden in the seeds: Bacteria found to survive the harsh interior of passion fruit seeds Posted: 30 Aug 2021 01:39 PM PDT Plant endophytic microorganisms, especially those growing inside seeds, can survive antimicrobial compounds and have attracted attention for their potential biocatalytic activity. Recently, researchers successfully isolated several strains of endophytic bacteria that survive in high concentrations of antimicrobial resveratrol and piceatannol inside passion fruit seeds and get transmitted to next-generation seedlings. One of the bacteria could convert resveratrol and piceatannol to their respective derivatives. These findings will significantly advance endophyte and biocatalyst research.

Reliable oxygenation conceivable with new design for portable concentrators Posted: 30 Aug 2021 12:29 PM PDT Anticipating the increased need for better oxygen concentrators as the fight against COVID-19 rages on, researchers have laid a computational framework to design the most optimal concentrator to filter ambient air and produce oxygen that can scale with patient demand.

How people respond to wildfire smoke Posted: 30 Aug 2021 12:29 PM PDT Interviews with Northern California residents reveal that social norms and social support are essential for understanding protective health behaviors during wildfire smoke events -- information that could be leveraged to improve public health outcomes.

Record number of ancient elephant bone tools discovered Posted: 30 Aug 2021 11:47 AM PDT Humans living about 400,000 years ago produced an unprecedented diversity of elephant bone tools, including pointed tools for carving meat and wedge-shaped tools for cracking open large femurs and other long bones.

Learning from a 'living fossil' Posted: 30 Aug 2021 11:03 AM PDT As we live and breathe, ancient-looking fish known as bowfin are guarding genetic secrets that that can help unravel humanity's evolutionary history and better understand its health.

Tracking genetically modified animals Posted: 30 Aug 2021 11:02 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a new way to track genetically modified animals using the artificial transgenes they leave behind in the environment. The discovery provides a powerful new tool to locate and manage genetically modified animals that have escaped or been released into the wild.

Beavers are well established and moving through the Oregon Coast Range Posted: 30 Aug 2021 11:02 AM PDT Beavers are often translocated to restore populations in areas, reduce their conflicts with humans and to take advantage of their ability to improve ecosystems. However, few studies have accessed the impacts of dispersing beavers, making it difficult to determine best practices for translocations.

Granulocytes may weaken immune response in connection with COVID-19 Posted: 30 Aug 2021 11:02 AM PDT Information on granulocytes sheds light on the mechanisms associated with COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

Breast milk proven to enhance heart performance in premature babies Posted: 30 Aug 2021 11:02 AM PDT New research demonstrates the beneficial effect of breast milk consumption on cardiovascular health and early cardiovascular development in premature infants.

Turning thermal energy into electricity Posted: 30 Aug 2021 11:02 AM PDT With the addition of sensors and enhanced communication tools, providing lightweight, portable power has become even more challenging. New research demonstrated a new approach to turning thermal energy into electricity that could provide compact and efficient power.

How a racing heart may alter decision-making brain circuits Posted: 30 Aug 2021 11:02 AM PDT In an effort to understand how the internal state of the body influences the brain's decision-making processes, scientists analyzed the data from a previous study pre-clinical study. They found that two of the brain's decision-making centers contain neurons that may exclusively monitor the body's internal dynamics. Furthermore, a heightened state of arousal appeared to rewire one of the centers by turning some decision-making neurons into internal state monitors.

New mathematical solutions to an old problem in astronomy Posted: 30 Aug 2021 09:32 AM PDT The Bernese theoretical astrophysicist Kevin Heng has achieved a rare feat: On paper, he has derived novel solutions to an old mathematical problem needed to calculate light reflections from planets and moons. Now, data can be interpreted in a simple way to understand planetary atmospheres, for example. The new formulae will likely be incorporated into future textbooks.

At least 80% of opioid overdoses aren’t fatal, but how do they affect the brain? Posted: 30 Aug 2021 09:32 AM PDT Scientists still know little about how opioid overdoses affect the brain and cognition. Researchers found that, while evidence exists to support a link between overdose, cognitive impairment and brain abnormalities, more research is needed in this area.

‘Smart’ shirt keeps tabs on the heart Posted: 30 Aug 2021 09:32 AM PDT Carbon nanotube thread woven into athletic shirts gathered electrocardiogram and heart rate data that matched standard monitors and beat chest-strap monitors. The fibers are flexible and the shirts are machine washable.

Hobit turns immune cells into killers Posted: 30 Aug 2021 09:32 AM PDT Against infections, tumors and inflammations, immune cells are locally positioned as rapid reaction forces in the organs of the body. On site, they specialize and take on various tasks.

Upcycled manure may ignite new sustainable fertilizing trend Posted: 30 Aug 2021 09:32 AM PDT Judiciously decomposing organic matter from 700 degrees Fahrenheit to 1,200 degrees F, without oxygen -- a process known as pyrolysis -- and retaining nutrients from dairy lagoons can transform manure into a manageable, ecologically friendly biochar fertilizer, according to new research.

'Charging room' system powers lights, phones, laptops without wires Posted: 30 Aug 2021 09:32 AM PDT In a move that could one day free the world's countertops from their snarl of charging cords, researchers have developed a system to safely deliver electricity over the air, potentially turning entire buildings into wireless charging zones.

Location and intensity of global threats to biodiversity Posted: 30 Aug 2021 08:33 AM PDT Using a novel modelling approach, new research reveals the location and intensity of key threats to biodiversity on land and identifies priority areas across the world to help inform conservation decision making at national and local levels.

AI helps to spot single diseased cells Posted: 30 Aug 2021 08:33 AM PDT Researchers developed a novel artificial intelligence algorithm for clinical applications called 'scArches'. It efficiently compares patients' cells with a reference atlas of cells of healthy individuals. This enables physicians to pinpoint cells in disease and prioritize them for personalized treatment in each patient.

Low-sodium salt prevents stroke Posted: 30 Aug 2021 08:33 AM PDT Replacing salt with a low-sodium alternative lowers the risk of stroke in people with high blood pressure or prior stroke, according to recent research.

Researchers identify new biomarkers to detect consumption of emerging illicit drug Posted: 30 Aug 2021 08:33 AM PDT A team of researchers has come up with a new solution to boost the surveillance of designer drug abuse. The team has identified three new urinary biomarkers that could be used to detect consumption of ADB-BUTINACA, an emerging synthetic cannabinoid which is a type of new psychoactive substance. The innovative approach used to identify the biomarkers can be applied to other existing and new synthetic cannabinoids.

Integrated treatment for depression and heart failure improves quality of life and mood Posted: 30 Aug 2021 08:33 AM PDT Results suggest that simple measures, such as depression care administered by phone, can make a big difference for patients recovering from heart failure.

Drug delivery capsule could replace injections for protein drugs Posted: 30 Aug 2021 08:33 AM PDT Researchers have developed a capsule that can carry large protein drugs, such as monoclonal antibodies, and inject them directly into the lining of the stomach.

One in two pregnancies are affected by iron deficiency, yet many women don’t get a simple screening test to check Posted: 30 Aug 2021 07:49 AM PDT Half of pregnant women who had a simple blood test to check their iron stores had low iron levels, and one in four had severe iron deficiency, according to a new article. But despite how common iron deficiency is, 40% of pregnant women in this large regional study never had their iron levels checked, and women of lower socioeconomic status were less likely to get tested. Researchers said the findings underscore the need to revisit clinical guidelines to ensure that ferritin testing, the standard measure of iron deficiency, is included as a routine part of maternal care and pregnancy health screenings.

Unease beyond the uncanny valley: How people react to the same faces Posted: 30 Aug 2021 07:49 AM PDT If humanoid robots with the same appearance are mass-produced and become commonplace, how will human beings react to them? In a series of six experiments, scientists examined peoples' reactions when presented with images of people with the same face. Their results reveal a new phenomenon they call the clone devaluation effect -- a greater eeriness associated with cloned faces than with different faces.

Finerenone improves outcomes in patients with mild-to-moderate kidney disease and diabetes Posted: 30 Aug 2021 07:00 AM PDT Finerenone reduces the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with mild-to-moderate kidney disease and type 2 diabetes. Diabetic kidney disease develops in approximately 40% of patients with diabetes and is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease worldwide. Some patients progress to end-stage renal disease, but most die from cardiovascular diseases and infections before needing kidney replacement therapy.

New study examines ‘Achilles heel’ of cancer tumors, paving the way for new treatment strategies Posted: 30 Aug 2021 07:00 AM PDT Researchers have uncovered a weakness in a key enzyme that solid tumor cancer cells rely on to adapt and survive when oxygen levels are low.

Increased survival with eye melanoma in clinical trial Posted: 30 Aug 2021 07:00 AM PDT Once it has spread (metastasized), uveal (intraocular or eye) melanoma -- an unusual form of cancer -- has a very high mortality rate. Researchers and doctors show that, in a small group of patients with metastatic uveal melanoma, a new combination treatment can bring about tumor shrinkage and prolonged survival.

How can I avoid heart disease or stroke? Posted: 30 Aug 2021 06:59 AM PDT As much as 90% of the risk of a heart attack, stroke, or peripheral arterial disease (PAD) can be explained by smoking, poor eating habits, lack of physical activity, abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, raised blood lipid levels, diabetes, psychosocial factors, or alcohol. These guidelines focus on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD), which affects the arteries. As the inside of the arteries become clogged up by fatty deposits, they can no longer supply enough blood to the body. This process is the main cause of heart attacks, strokes, PAD and sudden death where arteries become completely blocked. The most important way to prevent these conditions is to adopt a healthy lifestyle throughout life, especially not smoking, and to treat risk factors.

Bright idea: New LEDs can detect off-food and lethal gases Posted: 30 Aug 2021 06:22 AM PDT New LED technology has potential to benefit firefighters, miners, military, plumbers and households.

Turning cameras off during virtual meetings can reduce fatigue Posted: 30 Aug 2021 06:22 AM PDT Feeling drained after a day of virtual meetings is worse for those who keep their cameras on throughout those meetings, according to new research. The study also shows the effects are often stronger for women and newer employees.

Want to play college sports? A wealthy family helps Posted: 30 Aug 2021 05:18 AM PDT It takes more than athletic talent to play varsity sports in college, at least for most young people, a new study suggests. Researchers found that U.S. high-school athletes were much more likely to play sports in college if they came from higher-income families with well-educated parents and attended wealthier schools.

Monoclonal antibody treatment combo reduces hospitalization among high-risk patients with COVID-19 Posted: 30 Aug 2021 05:18 AM PDT In an observational study, researchers report that the combination of casirivimab and imdevimab -- two monoclonal antibody treatments under Food and Drug Administration emergency use authorization -- keep high-risk patients out of the hospital when infected with mild to moderate COVID-19.

Insights into how a stroke affects reading could help with rehabilitation Posted: 30 Aug 2021 05:18 AM PDT Researchers, looking at the ability of people to sound out words after a stroke, found that knowing which region of the brain was impacted by the stroke could have important implications for helping target rehabilitation efforts.

Perceptions of supernatural beings reveal feelings about good and bad in humans Posted: 30 Aug 2021 05:18 AM PDT What transpires in comedies and cartoons when a character has a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other is not far off from people's perceptions of the real world, finds a new study.

Eating walnuts daily lowered 'bad' cholesterol and may reduce cardiovascular disease risk Posted: 30 Aug 2021 05:18 AM PDT Healthy older adults who ate a handful of walnuts (about ½ cup) a day for two years modestly lowered their level of low-density lipoprotein or LDL cholesterol levels. Consuming walnuts daily also reduced the number of LDL particles, a predictor of cardiovascular disease risk. The study explored the effects of a walnut-enriched diet on overall cholesterol in elderly individuals from diverse geographical locations and spanning two years.

COVID-19 antibody study shows downside of not receiving second shot Posted: 30 Aug 2021 05:18 AM PDT A new study shows that two months after the second Pfizer/Moderna vaccination, antibody response decreases 20 percent in adults with prior cases of COVID-19, and tests how well current vaccines resist emerging variants. The study also showed that prior exposure to SARS-CoV-2 does not guarantee a high level of antibodies, nor does it guarantee a robust antibody response to the first vaccine dose. This directly contradicts the assumption that contracting COVID will naturally make someone immune to re-infection. The findings further support vaccination (and two doses), even for people who have contracted the virus previously.

Staying home, having access to primary care, and limiting contagion hubs may curb COVID-19 deaths Posted: 30 Aug 2021 05:18 AM PDT Staying home and limiting local travel, supporting access to primary care, and limiting contacts in contagion hubs -- including hospitals, schools, and workplaces -- are strategies that might help reduce COVID-19-related deaths, according to new research that analyzed the first wave of the epidemic in Italy.

Synthetic biology enables microbes to build muscle Posted: 30 Aug 2021 05:17 AM PDT Would you wear clothing made of muscle fibers? Use them to tie your shoes or even wear them as a belt? It may sound a bit odd, but if those fibers could endure more energy before breaking than cotton, silk, nylon, or even the material used in bullet-proof vests, then why not?

Light-to-moderate coffee drinking associated with health benefits Posted: 30 Aug 2021 04:56 AM PDT Up to three cups of coffee per day is associated with a lower risk of stroke and fatal heart disease, according to new research.

Four-in-one blood pressure pill: Safe and much more effective than usual hypertension treatment, study finds Posted: 29 Aug 2021 05:19 AM PDT The first large-scale, long-term trial of a new strategy using combinations of very low-doses in one capsule, has demonstrated significantly improved control of high blood pressure -- the leading cause of heart attack and stroke.

Nanoscale systems for generating various forms of light Posted: 27 Aug 2021 03:41 PM PDT In new findings published in Nature Communications, researchers from Louisiana State University and four collaborating universities have introduced a discovery that changes a paradigm in quantum plasmonics by demonstrating the potential of metallic nanostructures to produce different forms of light.

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