360 articles from THURSDAY 19.3.2020

Fine-tuning radiocarbon dating could 'rewrite' ancient events

A new paper points out the need for an important new refinement to radiocarbon dating. The research has relevance for understanding key dates in Mediterranean history and prehistory, including the tomb of Tutankhamen and a controversial but important volcanic eruption on the Greek island of Santorini.

Chip-based devices improve practicality of quantum-secured communication

Researchers have demonstrated new chip-based devices that contain all the optical components necessary for quantum key distribution while increasing real-world security. The fast and cost-effective platform is poised to facilitate implementation of extremely secure data communication that can be used to protect everything from emails to online banking information.

Scientists program cells to carry out gene-guided construction projects

Researchers developed a technique called genetically targeted chemical assembly, or GTCA, which they used to assemble electronically active biopolymer meshes on mammalian brain cells and on neurons in C. elegans. The polymers changed the firing rates of neurons in mammalian cells and altered C. elegans crawling behavior. GTCA was also tested on kidney cells and should work with other cell types.

Global human genomes reveal rich genetic diversity shaped by complex evolutionary history

A new study has provided the most comprehensive analysis of human genetic diversity to date, after the sequencing of 929 human genomes. The study uncovers a large amount of previously undescribed genetic variation and provides new insights into our evolutionary past, highlighting the complexity of the process through which our ancestors diversified, migrated and mixed throughout the world.

Glucagon receptor structures reveal G protein specificity mechanism

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play essential roles in cell signal transduction and serve as important therapeutic targets for a large number of diseases. Upon binding to extracellular agonists, GPCRs stimulate various signaling pathways by recruiting different G proteins (Gs, Gi, Gq, etc.) to mediate a wide variety of physiological functions. The selective coupling between a GPCR and...

Global human genomes reveal rich genetic diversity shaped by complex evolutionary history

A new study has provided the most comprehensive analysis of human genetic diversity to date, after the sequencing of 929 human genomes by scientists at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the University of Cambridge and their collaborators. The study uncovers a large amount of previously undescribed genetic variation and provides new insights into our evolutionary past, highlighting the complexity of...

Snow may be headed for Northeast just days after spring arrives

Friday, March 20, marks the first full day of spring, but Old Man Winter may pay a visit to the northeastern United States in the form of snow during the first part of the coming week.Millions of Americans might think the idea of winter weather is just a joke after the snow drought that parts of the Northeast have experienced this year. However, there's even a chance, if a storm materializes,...

A sustainable wood biorefinery for low-carbon footprint chemicals production

The profitability and sustainability of future biorefineries are dependent on efficient feedstock use. Therefore, it is essential to valorize lignin when using wood. We have developed an integrated biorefinery that converts 78 weight % (wt %) of birch into xylochemicals. Reductive catalytic fractionation of the wood produces a carbohydrate pulp amenable to bioethanol production and a lignin oil....