ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• New study challenges understanding of pandemic preparedness and resilience in Africa
• Older age, chronic co-morbidities associated with more severe COVID disease in children
• Making musical performances safer in the era of COVID-19
• COVID-19 slows birth rate in US, Europe
• Have we detected dark energy? Scientists say it’s a possibility
• Planets form in organic soups with different ingredients
• Milk enabled massive steppe migration
• Many mothers may have delayed or abandoned plans for additional children because of COVID-19 pandemic
• ‘Whoop’ – new autonomous method precisely detects endangered whale vocalizations
• Astronomers solve 900-year-old cosmic mystery surrounding Chinese supernova of 1181AD
• New findings on ambient UVB radiation, vitamin D, and protection against severe COVID-19
• Life-sized camel carvings in Northern Arabia date to the Neolithic period
• Roads have far-reaching impact on chimpanzees
• Natural cycles in the Gulf of Alaska accentuate ocean acidification
• Primate mothers may carry infants after death as a way of grieving, study finds
• Loggers, landscapers face deadly danger felling trees in forests and urban areas
• Probiotic-containing yogurt protects against microbiome changes that lead to antibiotic-induced diarrhea
• Study shows protein that reverses aging of skeletal muscle
• Protein from the liver may cause Alzheimer's disease in the brain, study finds
• Concentration of microparticles in lakes reflect nearby human activity and land use
• Gut microbiota influences the ability to lose weight
• Novel technology makes studying gene function easier, faster and more efficient
• Fountain of youth for aging stem cells in bone marrow
• LSD-triggered altered behaviors linked to abnormal brain communication
• Rapid increase in global light pollution
• Solar cells with 30-year lifetimes for power-generating windows
• Engineers create 3D-printed objects that sense how a user is interacting with them
• Scientists pinpoint the uncertainty of our working memory
• People synchronize heart rates while listening attentively to stories
• Scientists can now assemble entire genomes on their personal computers in minutes
• Fixing protein production errors lengthens lifespan
• Modern snakes evolved from a few survivors of dino-killing asteroid
• Light does the twist for quantum computing
• Species in polar regions hard hit by climate change
• Body clock off-schedule? Prebiotics may help
• Jet stream changes could amplify weather extremes by 2060s
• Just by changing its shape, scientists show they can alter material properties
• Oldest known mammal cavities discovered in 55-million-year-old fossils suggests a sweet tooth for fruit
• Researchers shed new light on molecular mechanisms in brain diseases
• Thousands of tiny anchors keep our cells in place – and now we know how
• Utilitarian approach to global climate policy improves equity, environment and wellbeing
• Star attraction: Magnetism generated by star-like arrangement of molecules
• Elevated stress hormones linked to higher risk of high blood pressure and heart events
• Creative exploration followed by exploitation can lead to a career’s greatest hits
• Researchers identify a novel player in acute myeloid leukemia

New study challenges understanding of pandemic preparedness and resilience in Africa Posted: 15 Sep 2021 10:52 AM PDT Countries in Africa assessed as being least vulnerable to an epidemic were the worst affected by Covid-19, new research suggests.

Older age, chronic co-morbidities associated with more severe COVID disease in children Posted: 15 Sep 2021 10:51 AM PDT A recent study determined the factors associated with severe disease and poor health outcomes among children presenting to the hospital with COVID. These included older age and chronic co-morbidities such as obesity, diabetes and neurologic conditions, among others.

Making musical performances safer in the era of COVID-19 Posted: 15 Sep 2021 10:51 AM PDT Researchers have studied aerosol production from playing wind instruments, singing and acting, allowing them to develop recommendations to minimize COVID transmission.

COVID-19 slows birth rate in US, Europe Posted: 15 Sep 2021 10:51 AM PDT Throughout history, pandemics have been a key driver of human population change, thanks to mortality and declining fertility rates. And, according to a new study, COVID-19 is no exception.

Have we detected dark energy? Scientists say it’s a possibility Posted: 15 Sep 2021 10:51 AM PDT Dark energy, the mysterious force that causes the universe to accelerate, may have been responsible for unexpected results from the XENON1T experiment, deep below Italy's Apennine Mountains.

Planets form in organic soups with different ingredients Posted: 15 Sep 2021 08:10 AM PDT Astronomers have mapped out the chemicals inside of planetary nurseries in extraordinary detail. The newly unveiled maps reveal the locations of dozens of molecules within five protoplanetary disks -- regions of dust and gas where planets form around young stars.

Milk enabled massive steppe migration Posted: 15 Sep 2021 08:10 AM PDT The long-distance migrations of early Bronze Age pastoralists in the Eurasian steppe have captured widespread interest. But the factors behind their remarkable spread have been heavily debated by archaeologists. Now a new study provides clues regarding a critical component of the herders' lifestyle that was likely instrumental to their success: dairying.

Many mothers may have delayed or abandoned plans for additional children because of COVID-19 pandemic Posted: 15 Sep 2021 08:10 AM PDT Nearly half of New York City mothers who had been trying to become pregnant again before the coronavirus pandemic began stopped in the first few months of the outbreak, a new study shows.

‘Whoop’ – new autonomous method precisely detects endangered whale vocalizations Posted: 15 Sep 2021 06:54 AM PDT One of the frequently used methods to monitor endangered whales is called passive acoustics technology, which doesn't always perform well. In the increasingly noisy ocean, current methods can mistake other sounds for whale calls. This high 'false positive' rate hampers scientific research and hinders conservation efforts. Researchers used artificial intelligence and machine learning methods to develop a new and much more accurate method of detecting Right whale up-calls -- a short 'whoop' sound that lasts about two seconds.

Astronomers solve 900-year-old cosmic mystery surrounding Chinese supernova of 1181AD Posted: 15 Sep 2021 06:54 AM PDT A 900-year-old cosmic mystery surrounding the origins of a famous supernova first spotted over China in 1181AD has finally been solved, according to an international team of astronomers. New research says that a faint, fast expanding cloud (or nebula), called Pa30, surrounding one of the hottest stars in the Milky Way, known as Parker's Star, fits the profile, location and age of the historic supernova.

New findings on ambient UVB radiation, vitamin D, and protection against severe COVID-19 Posted: 15 Sep 2021 06:54 AM PDT New research has examined the association between vitamin D and COVID-19, and found that ambient ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation (which is key for vitamin D production in the skin) at an individual's place of residence in the weeks before COVID-19 infection, was strongly protective against severe disease and death.

Life-sized camel carvings in Northern Arabia date to the Neolithic period Posted: 15 Sep 2021 05:58 AM PDT A new study uses a wide range of methods to date the heavily eroded reliefs, and connecting them to a period in which a green Arabia was home to monument-building pastoralists.

Roads have far-reaching impact on chimpanzees Posted: 15 Sep 2021 05:58 AM PDT Roads have a negative impact on chimpanzee populations that can extend for more than 17 km, new research shows.

Natural cycles in the Gulf of Alaska accentuate ocean acidification Posted: 15 Sep 2021 05:58 AM PDT New research shows that the fluctuations of major wind and ocean circulation systems can temporarily accelerate or reverse the rate of ocean acidification in the Gulf of Alaska.

Primate mothers may carry infants after death as a way of grieving, study finds Posted: 14 Sep 2021 04:28 PM PDT Some primate species may express grief over the death of their infant by carrying the corpse with them, sometimes for months, according to a new UCL-led study - with implications for our understanding of how non-human animals experience emotion.

Loggers, landscapers face deadly danger felling trees in forests and urban areas Posted: 14 Sep 2021 03:48 PM PDT Tree felling -- whether by professional loggers in a forest setting or by landscapers in urban and rural landscapes -- is the most dangerous job in what are two of the most dangerous industries, according to researchers who conducted a new study of associated deaths.

Probiotic-containing yogurt protects against microbiome changes that lead to antibiotic-induced diarrhea Posted: 14 Sep 2021 03:48 PM PDT Eating yogurt containing a particular strain of a well-studied probiotic appears to protect against harmful changes in the gut microbiome that are associated with antibiotic administration.

Study shows protein that reverses aging of skeletal muscle Posted: 14 Sep 2021 03:47 PM PDT A research team has shown that a protein named for the mythical land of youth in Irish folklore is effective at reversing aging in skeletal muscle cells.

Protein from the liver may cause Alzheimer's disease in the brain, study finds Posted: 14 Sep 2021 12:25 PM PDT Amyloid protein made in the liver can cause neurodegeneration in the brain, according to a new study. Since the protein is thought to be a key contributor to development of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the results suggest that the liver may play an important role in the onset or progression of the disease.

Concentration of microparticles in lakes reflect nearby human activity and land use Posted: 14 Sep 2021 12:25 PM PDT A new study suggests that microparticle concentrations in lakes are higher than previously reported, and that human activity and surrounding land use may be a strong predictor of microplastics and anthropogenic fiber pollution.

Gut microbiota influences the ability to lose weight Posted: 14 Sep 2021 10:55 AM PDT Gut microbiota influences the ability to lose weight in humans, according to new research.

Novel technology makes studying gene function easier, faster and more efficient Posted: 14 Sep 2021 09:50 AM PDT Researchers have developed a drug-based genetic platform that enables scientists to track genetic manipulations in the laboratory fruit fly without having to screen thousands of individual flies.

Fountain of youth for aging stem cells in bone marrow Posted: 14 Sep 2021 09:49 AM PDT Epigenetic changes in old age increase risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures.

LSD-triggered altered behaviors linked to abnormal brain communication Posted: 14 Sep 2021 08:13 AM PDT Researchers have discovered changes in the brain, triggered by LSD, that may explain the profound altered behavior associated with LSD, helping to understand how the brain generates behavior.

Rapid increase in global light pollution Posted: 14 Sep 2021 08:13 AM PDT Global light pollution has increased by at least 49% over 25 years, new research shows.

Solar cells with 30-year lifetimes for power-generating windows Posted: 14 Sep 2021 08:12 AM PDT A new transparency-friendly solar cell design could marry high efficiencies with 30-year estimated lifetimes, new research has shown. It may pave the way for windows that also provide solar power.

Engineers create 3D-printed objects that sense how a user is interacting with them Posted: 14 Sep 2021 08:12 AM PDT Researchers found a way to integrate sensing capabilities into 3D printable structures made of repetitive cells, enabling designers to rapidly prototype interactive input devices.

Scientists pinpoint the uncertainty of our working memory Posted: 14 Sep 2021 08:12 AM PDT The human brain regions responsible for working memory content are also used to gauge the quality, or uncertainty, of memories, a team of scientists has found. Its study uncovers how these neural responses allow us to act and make decisions based on how sure we are about our memories.

People synchronize heart rates while listening attentively to stories Posted: 14 Sep 2021 08:12 AM PDT People often unconsciously synchronize bodily functions like heartbeat and breathing when they share an experience, such as a live performance or have a personal conversation. According to a new study, subjects' heart rates synchronize even if they are just listening to a story by themselves, and this synchronization only occurs when the subjects are paying attention to the story.

Scientists can now assemble entire genomes on their personal computers in minutes Posted: 14 Sep 2021 08:12 AM PDT Scientists have developed a technique for reconstructing whole genomes, including the human genome, on a personal computer. This technique is about a hundred times faster than current state-of-the-art approaches and uses one-fifth the resources. The study allows for a more compact representation of genome data inspired by the way in which words, rather than letters, offer condensed building blocks for language models.

Fixing protein production errors lengthens lifespan Posted: 14 Sep 2021 08:12 AM PDT Reducing naturally occurring errors in protein synthesis (production) improves both health and lifespan, finds a new study in simple model organisms.

Modern snakes evolved from a few survivors of dino-killing asteroid Posted: 14 Sep 2021 08:12 AM PDT A new study suggests that all living snakes evolved from a handful of species that survived the giant asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs and most other living things at the end of the Cretaceous. The authors say that this devastating extinction event was a form of 'creative destruction' that allowed snakes to diversify into new niches, previously filled by their competitors.

Light does the twist for quantum computing Posted: 14 Sep 2021 08:03 AM PDT Scientists have generated circularly polarized light and controlled its direction without using clunky magnets or very low temperatures. The findings show promise for the development of materials and device methods that can be used in optical quantum information processing.

Species in polar regions hard hit by climate change Posted: 14 Sep 2021 08:02 AM PDT Many species will become extinct as a consequence of global warming. This is the prediction of a mathematical model. The simulations show that climate change will have a particularly large impact on ecosystems in polar regions, mirroring changes that can already be seen in the natural world.

Body clock off-schedule? Prebiotics may help Posted: 14 Sep 2021 07:00 AM PDT A new study suggests simple dietary compounds known as prebiotics, which serve as food for beneficial gut bacteria, could play an important role in helping us bounce back faster from jet lag, shift work or other sources of circadian rhythm disruption.

Jet stream changes could amplify weather extremes by 2060s Posted: 13 Sep 2021 07:02 PM PDT The ribbon of fast winds familiar to air travelers between North America and Europe is a big influencer on weather in North America and Europe. By drilling deep into the Greenland Ice Sheet, researchers reconstructed the jet stream's past and found that climate-caused disruptions are likely to have drastic weather-related consequences for societies on both sides of the Atlantic.

Just by changing its shape, scientists show they can alter material properties Posted: 13 Sep 2021 07:01 PM PDT Scientists have observed that when the shape of a thin film of metal oxide known as titania is confined at the mesoscale, its conductivity increases. This finding demonstrates that nanoscale confinement is a way to control quantum effects.

Oldest known mammal cavities discovered in 55-million-year-old fossils suggests a sweet tooth for fruit Posted: 13 Sep 2021 07:01 PM PDT A new study has discovered the oldest known cavities found in a mammal, the likely result of a diet that included eating fruit.

Researchers shed new light on molecular mechanisms in brain diseases Posted: 13 Sep 2021 10:58 AM PDT Rutgers researchers have discovered some of the first molecular insights into how toxic proteins are regulated in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Thousands of tiny anchors keep our cells in place – and now we know how Posted: 13 Sep 2021 10:58 AM PDT Most of our cells are locked into place with the help of tiny anchors (called 'focal adhesions'). But if a cell morphs into a cancer cell, the chain can break, letting the cancer spread to other parts of the body. A team of scientists have now found the specific protein (or link) in the chain responsible for upholding the connection. The discovery gives scientists new directions for future cancer research.

Utilitarian approach to global climate policy improves equity, environment and wellbeing Posted: 13 Sep 2021 10:57 AM PDT An approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions that is informed by the ethical theory of utilitarianism would lead to better outcomes for human development, equity, and the climate, according to a new study.

Star attraction: Magnetism generated by star-like arrangement of molecules Posted: 13 Sep 2021 10:57 AM PDT A new study demonstrating the emergence of localized magnetism due to a 2D nanomaterial's unique, star-like atomic-scale structure has potential for applications in next-generation electronics based on organic nanomaterials, where tuning of electronic interactions can lead to a vast range of new electronic and magnetic phases.

Elevated stress hormones linked to higher risk of high blood pressure and heart events Posted: 13 Sep 2021 10:57 AM PDT In a study of more than 400 adults with normal blood pressure, those who had high levels of stress hormones detected in their urine were more likely to develop high blood pressure over the next 6-7 years. Higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol were also linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke.

Creative exploration followed by exploitation can lead to a career’s greatest hits Posted: 13 Sep 2021 10:57 AM PDT By using artificial intelligence to mine big data related to artists, film directors and scientists, researchers have found that years of exploration (studying diverse styles or topics) immediately followed by years of exploitation (focusing on a narrow area to develop deep expertise) can lead to a career's greatest hits.

Researchers identify a novel player in acute myeloid leukemia Posted: 13 Sep 2021 10:57 AM PDT A new study has shown that the protein RNF5 plays an unusual role in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Unlike its expected role, marking aberrant proteins for destruction, RNF5 binds with a second cell protein called RBBP4 to control expression of genes implicated in AML. These findings have important implications for improving AML patient outcomes.

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