244 articles from FRIDAY 14.2.2020
Earth's cousins: Upcoming missions to look for 'biosignatures' in exoplanet atmospheres
University of Washington astronomer Victoria Meadows answers questions about characterizing the atmospheres of terrestrial and potentially Earth-like exoplanets, and searching for signs of life on these worlds, ahead of her talk at the American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting in Seattle. Meadows will present in the 'Detecting Life and Extraterrestrial Technologies'...
Electrons in rapid motion
Researchers observe quantum interferences in real-time using a new extreme ultra-violet light spectroscopy technique.
ESO telescope sees surface of dim Betelgeuse
Using ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT), astronomers have captured the unprecedented dimming of Betelgeuse, a red supergiant star in the constellation of Orion. The stunning new images of the star's surface show not only the fading red supergiant but also how its apparent shape is changing.
For evolutionary study finds rare bats in decline, CCNY research
A study led by Susan Tsang, a former Fulbright Research Fellow from The City College of New York, reveals dwindling populations and widespread hunting throughout Indonesia and the Philippines of the world's largest bats, known as flying foxes.
Galactic cosmic rays affect Titan's atmosphere
Planetary scientists using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) revealed the secrets of the atmosphere of Titan, the largest moon of Saturn. The team found a chemical footprint in Titan's atmosphere indicating that cosmic rays coming from outside the Solar System affect the chemical reactions involved in the formation of nitrogen-bearing organic molecules. This is the first...
Gold nanoclusters: new frontier for developing medication for treatment of Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease (AD) as the major neurodegenerative disease afflicts over 50 million individuals worldwide without cure. Zhang et al. demonstrated that Au23(CR)14, a novel gold nanocluster modified with Cys-Arg (CR) dipeptide, inhibits the misfolding and fibrillation of amyloid-β (Aβ), fully restores the natural unfolded state of Aβ from misfolded β-sheets with abolished...
Green tea extract combined with exercise reduces fatty liver disease in mice
The combination of green tea extract and exercise reduced the severity of obesity-related fatty liver disease by 75% in mice fed a high-fat diet, according to Penn State researchers, whose recent study may point to a potential health strategy for people.
How did dinosaur parents know when their kids had a fever?
How Did Dinosaur Parents Know When Their Kids Had a Fever? Prehistoric egg shells provide clues to dinosaurs' evolution from cold- to warm-blooded creatures.
How social media makes breakups that much worse
Even those who use Facebook features like unfriending, unfollowing, blocking and Take a Break still experience troubling encounters with ex-partners online, a new study shows.
Iodide salts stabilise biocatalysts for fuel cells
Contrary to theoretical predictions, oxygen inactivates biocatalysts for energy conversion within a short time, even under a protective film. A research team of the Resolv Cluster of Excellence at Ruhr Universität Bochum (RUB) has found out why: Hydrogen peroxide forms on the protective film. The addition of iodide salts to the electrolyte can prevent this from happening and considerably extend...
Key modifier identified in large genetic deletion related to neurodevelopmental disorders
Neurodevelopmental disorders, including schizophrenia and autism, likely result from complex interactions that modify the effects of individual genes, according to new research.
KIST unveils the mystery of van der Waals magnets, a material for future semiconductors
The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) have announced that their team successfully controlled the magnetic properties of FGT (Fe3GeTe2) in a joint research project with for Basic Science(IBS) team. Fe3GeTe2 has recently attracted attention as a material for next-generation spintronic semiconductors.
Leaking away essential resources isn't wasteful, actually helps cells grow
Experts have been unable to explain why cells from bacteria to humans leak essential chemicals necessary for growth into their environment. New mathematical models reveal that leaking metabolites -- substances involved in the chemical processes to sustain life with production of complex molecules and energy -- may provide cells both selfish and selfless benefits.
Longstanding flaw in sensor readings could lead to heating and cooling design errors
Standard comfort measurements used to design heating and cooling systems share a common flaw, according to new research. The researchers said the error was caused by the standard instrument used to measure thermal effects of radiant heating and cooling. The instrument and associated formulas used to calculate comfort based on the sensor's readings do not properly account for air flow called free...
Looking for aliens who might be looking for us
Data from a massive search for cosmic radio emission released Feb 14. by the Breakthrough Listen Initiative has allowed astronomers to look for technological signatures of extraterrestrial civilizations that might be looking for us.
Low-cost 'smart' diaper can notify caregiver when it's wet
MIT researchers have developed a "smart" diaper embedded with a moisture sensor that can alert a caregiver when a diaper is wet. When the sensor detects dampness in the diaper, it sends a signal to a nearby receiver, which in turn can send a notification to a smartphone or computer.
Major study shows climate change can cause abrupt impacts on dryland ecosystems
A study finds for the first time that as levels of aridity increase due to climate change, abrupt changes are experienced on dryland ecosystems.
Mapping the landscape of citizen science
A new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has found that citizen science is reshaping research. It can greatly facilitate large-scale research by providing opportunities to study more topics while teaching people more about science and enhancing science education.The report is one of the first of its kind to examine the available information on citizen science...
Mayo Clinic study looks at changes in outcomes for coronary revascularization
The most common type of heart disease -- coronary artery disease -- affects 6.7% of adults and accounts for 20% of 2 in 10 deaths of adults under age 65. The condition builds over time as inflammation and cholesterol-containing plaques settle in the heart's arteries, where they can eventually cause narrowing and blockages that lead to a heart attack.
Molecule offers hope for halting Parkinson's
A promising molecule has offered hope for a new treatment that could stop or slow Parkinson's, something no treatment can currently do.
Mother nature and child development
A world first review of the importance of nature play could transform children's play spaces, supporting investment in city and urban parks, while also delivering important opportunities for children's physical, social and emotional development.
NASA catches the re-birth of zombie tropical cyclone Francisco
The low-pressure area that had once been Tropical Cyclone Francisco has been lingering in the Southern Indian Ocean since Feb. 6 when it weakened below tropical cyclone status. Since then, Francisco's remnants moved into an area of warm waters and low wind shear allowing the low-pressure area to re-organize, consolidate and re-form. NASA's Aqua satellite provided forecasters with a visible image...
NASA finds ex-Tropical Cyclone Uesi's rains affecting New Zealand
Although it is now an 'ex-tropical cyclone,' Uesi continues to generate some moderate rainfall, especially in its southern quadrant as it moves toward New Zealand.
New CRISPR-based tool can probe and control several genetic circuits at once
Stanford researchers have devised a biological tool that can not only detect faulty genetic circuits but also "debug" them - like running a patch cord around a computer hardware glitch.
New Dartmouth research: Fast food intake leads to weight gain in preschoolers
There is a strong link between the amount of fast food that pre-school age children consume and their likelihood of becoming overweight or obese, according to a new Dartmouth-led study, published in the journal Pediatric Obesity.