277 articles from WEDNESDAY 20.5.2020
NIST team builds hybrid quantum system by entangling molecule with atom
Physicists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have boosted their control of the fundamental properties of molecules at the quantum level by linking or 'entangling' an electrically charged atom and an electrically charged molecule, showcasing a way to build hybrid quantum information systems that could manipulate, store and transmit different forms of data.
Noninvasive brain stimulation with ultrasonic waves controls monkeys' choices
Noninvasive pulses of ultrasound waves aimed at specific regions in the brains of macaque monkeys can give some control over the monkeys' choices, scientists report. These findings indicate that ultrasonic brain stimulation could provide a noninvasive, drug-free avenue to study and potentially treat decision-making disorders such as addiction.
NUS researchers create novel device that harnesses shadows to generate electricity
NUS researchers have created a device called a 'shadow-effect energy generator' that makes use of the contrast in illumination between lit and shadowed areas to generate electricity. This novel concept opens up new approaches in harnessing indoor lighting conditions to power electronics.
Obesity not related to how close you live to fast food or gyms
A new study from Lund University in Sweden has shown no correlation between obesity and how close you live to fast food restaurants or gyms. Studies from other countries have previously indicated that these factors may be important in adult obesity.
Oldest connection with Native Americans identified near Lake Baikal in Siberia
Using human population genetics, ancient pathogen genomics and isotope analysis, a team of researchers assessed the population history of the Lake Baikal region, finding the deepest con-nection to date between the peoples of Siberia and the Americas. The current study, published in the journal Cell, also demonstrates human mobility, and hence connectivity, across Eurasia during the Early Bronze...
Overcoming challenges of individuals with autism during the COVID-19 pandemic
Dr. Adrien Eshraghi and Miller School coauthors published a new correspondence titled COVID-19: overcoming the challenges faced by individuals with autism and their families in The Lancet Psychiatry. In this commentary, the authors address specific challenges patients with autism and their families might encounter during the pandemic, as well as what healthcare providers should know and do to...
Pandemic likely to cause long-term health problems, Yale School of Public Health finds
The coronavirus pandemic's life-altering effects are likely to result in lasting physical and mental health consequences for many people--particularly those from vulnerable populations--a new study led by the Yale School of Public Health finds.
Parents with degrees give their children significant advantage in maths
Children of parents with a degree are almost a year of schooling ahead in maths by the age 11 than peers whose parents have just GCSEs, a new study by the University of Sussex has discovered.
Potentially treatable genetic mutations revealed in subset of prostate cancer patients
Prostate cancer patients resistant to PSMA-targeted therapy often have potentially treatable mutations in their DNA damage-repair genes, according to research published in the May issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine. In an exploratory study using a relatively new technique--targeted next-generation gene sequencing--researchers found mutations in six out of seven patients with metastatic...
Primary care physicians experience more burnout and anxiety than other health professions
Health care professionals experience high rates of anxiety and burnout, a growing public health concern, particularly in light of projected physician shortages and the COVID-19 pandemic. New research led by Dr. Debora Goldberg of George Mason University's College of Health and Human Services before the COVID-19 pandemic found that primary care physicians reported burnout at twice the rate of other...
Quantum leap: Photon discovery is a major step toward at-scale quantum technologies
A team of physicists at the University of Bristol has developed the first integrated photon source with the potential to deliver large-scale quantum photonics. The development of quantum technologies promises to have a profound impact across science, engineering and society. Quantum computers at scale will be able to solve problems intractable on even the most powerful current supercomputers, with...
Release of a new soil moisture product (2002-2011) for mainland China
A gridded soil moisture product for mainland China from 2002 to 2011 was released in a recent paper in 'Science China Earth Sciences'. This new dataset, which was generated by assimilating passive microwave satellite data, is proven to outperform existing remote sensing products and expected to better support regional climate and eco-hydrological studies.
Replacing time spent sitting with sleep or light activity may improve your mood
New research, published by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, found that substituting prolonged sedentary time with sleep was associated with lower stress, better mood and lower body mass index (BMI), and substituting light physical activity was associated with improved mood and lower BMI across the next year.
Researchers develop material capable of being invisible or reflective
Scientists have proposed a new metamaterial capable of changing its optical properties without any mechanical input. This development could result in a significant improvement in the reliability of complex optical devices while making them cheaper to manufacture.
Researchers may have uncovered the Achilles heel of viruses
A new research study headed by the Department of Biomedicine at Aarhus University, Denmark, identifies how viruses avoid the body's immune system and cause infections and diseases. The new knowledge could pave the way for the treatment of viral diseases such as COVID-19.
Researchers reveal origins of complex hemoglobin by resurrecting ancient proteins
Researchers trace the evolutionary origins of hemoglobin by resurrecting ancient proteins from more than 400 million years ago.
Risk of death following nonfatal intentional, unintentional opioid overdoses
Researchers looked at whether patients with nonfatal intentional opioid overdoses would be more likely to die by suicide than patients with unintentional overdoses with an analysis of deaths following nonfatal opioid overdoses of intentional, unintentional and undetermined intent in California from 2009 to 2011.
Scientists find a new way to reverse symptoms of Fragile X
MIT scientists have identified a potential new strategy for treating Fragile X syndrome, a disorder that is the leading heritable cause of intellectual disability and autism. In a study of mice, the researchers showed that inhibiting an enzyme called GSK3 alpha reversed many of the behavioral and cellular features of Fragile X.
Scientists find evidence of link between diesel exhaust, risk of Parkinson's
A new UCLA study in zebrafish identified the process by which air pollution can damage brain cells, potentially contributing to Parkinson's disease.
Scientists find out which of the metazoans has the smallest known genome
Researchers at St Petersburg University have deciphered the Intoshia variabili gene, the smallest representative of the parasite from the Orthonectida group. At present, its genome is proved to be smallest among all metazoans and includes only 5,120 genes. Phylogenetic relationships of Orthonectida have remained controversial for a long time. According to recent data from St Petersburg University...
Should tomatoes go in the fridge?
There is much debate about the correct storage of tomatoes. Should tomatoes be in the fridge or kept at room temperature? Researchers from the University of Göttingen investigated whether there are differences in the flavour of ripe tomatoes depending on how they are stored, taking into account the chain of harvesting from farm to fork. No difference was found: the variety of tomato is much...
Small risk of muscle and bone problems in babies of mothers who took common thrush treatment
Pregnant women who take the thrush treatment fluconazole orally appear to have a higher risk of giving birth to a baby with muscle and bone malformations, suggests research published by The BMJ today.
Some recommended cardiovascular medications prescribed less frequently to women
In primary care, sex differences for recommended cardiovascular (CVD) prescriptions were found for patients who were at high risk or who had CVD. Women were less likely than men to receive cholesterol-lowering medicines and aspirin, yet equally likely to receive blood-pressure-lowering medications.
Spring rains are a surprising source of pollen
Spring rains washes away some pollen, but not all. University of Iowa researchers have found tree pollen fragments can remain airborne for hours after a storm. The tiny pollen particles can exacerbate allergies because they can reach deep in the lungs.
Study indicates the need to revise the protocol for detecting Zika in placenta
Brazilian researchers show that the virus can infect different placental regions and that collection and storage methods should be taken into consideration to ensure that the results are trustworthy and representative.