190 articles from WEDNESDAY 1.4.2020

Vermont has conserved one third of the land needed for an ecologically functional future

For the first time in more than a century, Vermont and neighboring states are losing forestland to development at a rate of almost 1,500 acres per year. As forest fragmentation gains ground across the New England landscape, where private ownerships and small land parcels are the norm, conserving land for future generations of people, wildlife, and plants becomes more necessary but more difficult.

Understanding how the protein tau moves between neurons yields insight into possible treatments for neurodegenerative diseases

In the fight against neurodegenerative diseases such as frontotemporal dementia, Alzheimer's and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, the tau protein is a major culprit. Found abundantly in our brain cells, tau is normally a team player -- it maintains structure and stability within neurons, and it helps with transport of nutrients from one part of the cell to another.

American robins now migrate 12 days earlier than in 1994

Every spring, American robins migrate north from all over the U.S. and Mexico, flying up to 250 miles a day to reach their breeding grounds in Canada and Alaska. There, they spend the short summer in a mad rush to find a mate, build a nest, raise a family, and fatten up before the long haul back south.

Global nuclear medicine community shares COVID-19 strategies and experiences

In an effort to provide safer working environments for nuclear medicine professionals and their patients, clinics across five continents have shared their approaches to containing the spread of COVID-19. This compilation of strategies, experiences and precautions is intended to support nuclear medicine clinics as they make decisions regarding patient care.

Retired hospital medical director latest to die from Covid-19 in UK

Dr Alfa Saadu, 68, was volunteering in Welwyn when he fell ill with coronavirusCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageA retired hospital medical director has become the latest doctor to die from coronavirus in the UK.Dr Alfa Saadu, 68, was volunteering at the Queen’s Victoria memorial hospital, in Welwyn, Hertfordshire – one of the counties worst hit by the virus –...

Cats can infect each other with coronavirus, Chinese study finds

Feline transmission to humans not shown but infected pet owners warned to be carefulCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageCat owners may wish to be more cautious about contact with their pets as a study from China has revealed Covid-19 can be transmitted between cats.The team, at Harbin Veterinary Research Institute in China, found that cats are highly susceptible to...

Coronavirus live news: Italy records lowest daily increase in deaths in a week

Germany and Italy extend lockdowns; Spain cases pass 100,000; global cases near 900,000; record daily fatalities in UKUS coronavirus - latest updatesAt a glance: summary of key events Wimbledon cancelled due to coronavirus crisisBrazil state governors ignore Bolsonaro amid anger over handling of crisis See all our coronavirus coverage 7.00pm BST The Scottish government has significantly increased...

Physical force alone spurs gene expression, study reveals

Cells will ramp up gene expression in response to physical forces alone, a new study finds. Gene activation, the first step of protein production, starts less than one millisecond after a cell is stretched—hundreds of times faster than chemical signals can travel, the researchers report.

Skull scans reveal evolutionary secrets of fossil brains

Scientists have long been able to measure and analyze the fossil skulls of our ancient ancestors to estimate brain volume and growth. The question of how these ancient brains compare to modern human brains and the brains of our closest primate cousin, the chimpanzee, continues to be a major target of investigation.

Homo naledi juvenile remains offers clues to how our ancestors grew up

A partial skeleton of Homo naledi represents a rare case of an immature individual, shedding light on the evolution of growth and development in human ancestry, according to a study published April 1, 2020 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Debra Bolter of Modesto Junior College in California and the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and colleagues.

Pausing the World to Fight Coronavirus Has Carbon Emissions Down—But True Climate Success Looks Like More Action, Not Less

Runaway exponential growth. Unprecedented economic impacts. Untold deaths and suffering, especially among the poor and vulnerable. All these superlatives are sadly apt descriptors for the COVID-19 crisis unfolding in front of our eyes. They also apply to climate change. But while the slowdown in activity due to COVID-19 has led to a temporary fall in China’s carbon dioxide emissions by up...