139 articles from MONDAY 25.5.2020
Synthesis of prebiotic peptides gives clues to the origin of life on Earth
Coordination Compounds Lab of Kazan Federal University started researching prebiotic peptide synthesis in 2013 with the use of the ASIA-330 flow chemistry system. Many lab projects are devoted to the problem of selectivity and specificity of processes in living nature.
The deep ocean is warming slowly -- but dramatic changes are ahead
The world's deep oceans are warming at a slower rate than the surface, but it's still not good news for deep-sea creatures according to an international study.
The evolutionary history of the Milky Way determined in more detail than ever
Thanks to data from the Gaia mission, of the European Space Agency (ESA), and international team led by researchers from the Instituto de AstrofÃsica de Canarias (IAC) has presented a study which shows the crucial role of the Sagittarius Dwarf Galaxy in the evolution of our galaxy. These results, published in the magazine Nature Astronomy, also hint that the Sun might have been formed due to...
There is no escaping from climate change, even in the deep sea
Even though the deeper layers of the ocean are warming at a slower pace than the surface, animals living in the deep ocean are more exposed to climate warming and will face increasing challenges to maintain their preferred thermal habitats in the future.
Title: Two-dimensional MXene as a novel electrode material for next-generation display
Researchers in the US and Korea reported the first efficient flexible light-emitting diodes with a two-dimensional titanium carbide MXene as a flexible and transparent electrode. This MXene-based light-emitting diodes (MX-LED) with high efficiency and flexibility have been achieved via precise interface engineering from the synthesis of the material to the application (Advanced Materials,2020,...
Towards visible-wavelength passively mode-locked lasers in all-fibre format
Mode-locked fibre lasers are the fundamental building blocks of many photonic systems, ultrafast lasers in the visible region are costly and challenging to make. Chinese scientists have first demonstrated a visible-wavelength passively mode-locked all-fibre laser. The laser generates picosecond pulses at 635 nm, which represents an essential step towards miniaturized ultrafast fibre lasers in the...
Understanding ceramic materials' 'mortar' may reveal ways to improve them
New research shows that in the important ceramic material silicon carbide, carbon atoms collect at those grain boundaries when the material is exposed to radiation. The finding could help engineers better understand the properties of ceramics and could aid in fine-tuning a new generation of ceramic materials.
Unique insight into development of the human brain: Model of the early embryonic brain
Stem cell researchers from the University of Copenhagen have designed a model of an early embryonic brain. The model will increase our understanding of how the human brain develops and can thereby help to accelerate the development of stem cell treatments for brain disorders such as Parkinson's disease, epilepsy and dementia.
uOttawa researchers discover new sex hormone
When University of Ottawa biologists Kim Mitchell and Vance Trudeau began studying the effects of gene mutations in zebrafish, they uncovered new functions that regulate how males and females interact while mating. They changed the secretogranin-2 genes through specific mutation and found that it affected the ability of females and males to breed. It severely reduced their sexual behaviour.
We need a new approach to UK resilience -- leading Cranfield academics
Leading academics from across Cranfield University are calling for a new approach to UK resilience. Writing in today's Financial Times, the academics believe that as well as lessons learnt from the response to COVID-19 there is a much wider lesson to be learnt about how the UK identifies, prepares and responds to threats and risks, such as to our safety, our national security and from climate...
What information is coded in bird alarm calls -- a new study from Korea
Recordings of the Oriental tit's alarm responses showed that alarm calls to snakes have special acoustic properties different from calls to chipmunks, even though both predators can enter bird's nests and destroy broods. Nestlings escaped from nests (and from the snake) when they heard a recording of the "snake call" but not "chipmunk call" by parents. This suggests that the calls do not carry...
Why are we still failing to stop deforestation?
While national and international efforts to reverse the trend of deforestation have multiplied in recent years, there is still no clear evidence to suggest that these initiatives are actually working. A new paper published in One Earth, calls for a radically different approach that focuses on our understanding of how individuals make their choices about forests and livelihoods.
Worth their salt: Skoltech and MIPT researchers report first case of hexagonal NaCl
Skoltech and MIPT scientists have predicted and then experimentally confirmed the existence of exotic hexagonal thin films of NaCl on a diamond surface. These films may be useful as gate dielectrics for field effect transistors in electric vehicles and telecommunication equipment.
Coronavirus: Drivers plan to walk more to keep cleaner air of lockdown - survey
Survey suggests British motorists are ready to change their behaviour to protect the environment.