245 articles from WEDNESDAY 8.7.2020

Scaling up the quantum chip

MIT researchers have developed a process to manufacture and integrate 'artificial atoms,' created by atomic-scale defects in microscopically thin slices of diamond, with photonic circuitry, producing the largest quantum chip of its type.

Simple blood test may predict concussion severity just as well as spinal tap

A blood biomarker in people who have had concussions may be just as accurate at predicting the severity of the injury and how long it will last as biomarkers that are obtained through more expensive and invasive tests, according to a study published in the July 8, 2020, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Soil studies can be helpful for border control

Underground tunnels have been used by warriors and smugglers for thousands of years to infiltrate battlegrounds and cross borders. A new analysis published in the Open Journal of Soil Science presents a series of medieval and modern case studies to identify the most restrictive and ideal soil and geologic conditions for tunneling.

Spider silk made by photosynthetic bacteria

A research team in Japan reported that they succeeded in producing the spider silk -- ultra-lightweight, though, biodegradable and biocompatible material -- using photosynthetic bacteria. This study will open a new era in which bio-factories stably output the bulk of spider silk.

STRIDE study results on fall injury prevention in older adults: PCORI Media Availability

As reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, the STRIDE Study found that a personalized approach to delivering proven falls risk reduction strategies to high-risk older adults in typical care settings resulted in an 8% to 10% reduction in serious fall injuries, but this effect was not statistically significant. Potential impediments, such as transportation availability and copayments, are...

Tackling coral reefs' thorny problem

Researchers from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) have revealed the evolutionary history of the crown-of-thorns starfish -- a predator of coral that can devastate coral reefs. Their findings shed light on how the populations of these starfish have changed over time and could potentially help reduce their ecological destruction.

Technique fishes valuable nutrients out of shrimp processing water

The seafood industry requires large amounts of water for food processing. Before used water is discharged, some organic matter, including protein, is typically removed. This sludge is usually landfilled or converted into biogas, which results in the valuable nutrients it contains being lost from the food chain. Now researchers report in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering a method to recover...

Texas will face driest conditions of the last 1,000 years

Texas' future climate will feature drier summers and decreasing water supplies for much of the state for the remainder of the 21st century -- likely resulting in the driest conditions the state has endured in the last 1,000 years, according to a team of researchers led by a Texas A&M University professor.

TGen-led study identifies unique cells that may drive lung fibrosis

This is one of the first comprehensive looks at lung cells using a technology called single-cell RNA sequencing. Instead of examining a mash-up of many cells from a tissue sample, single-cell sequencing allowed researchers in this study to closely examine the individual cells that make up the lungs; to identify their function, and ultimately understand the molecular changes that may be driving the...

The best (and worst) materials for masks

It's intuitive and scientifically shown that wearing a face covering can help reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. But not all masks are created equal, according to new University of Arizona-led research.

The CNIO creates a collaborative platform to streamline brain metastasis research

The Brain Metastasis Cell Lines Panel (BrMPanel) is the first to compile information on +60 cell lines related to brain metastasis researchIt was spearheaded by CNIO researcher Manuel Valiente, who coordinated its 19 constituent international laboratories and seeks to turn it into a 'white paper' for research in this areaThe goal is to streamline brain metastasis research for the development of...

The effects of smartphone use on parenting

Parents may worry that spending time on their smartphones has a negative impact on their relationships with their children. However, a new comprehensive analysis published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that this is unlikely to be the case.

Towards climate resilient urban energy systems

Nik and colleagues evaluated the progress achieved in the energy sector to adapt to climate change, focusing on the climate resilience of urban energy systems. They investigated the relevant concepts, criteria, methods and gaps that exist to assess climate resilience. A framework is suggested to account for climate change including extreme events when designing urban energy systems, considering...

UBC research shows hearing persists at end of life

Hearing is widely thought to be the last sense to go in the dying process. Now, the first study to investigate hearing in palliative care patients who are close to death provides evidence that some may still be able to hear while in an unresponsive state. Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to measure the dying brain's response to sound. The findings may help family and friends bring comfort to...

UBCO kindness researcher challenges the notion of mean teens

A UBC Okanagan researcher is hoping to flip the switch on the pre-convinced stereotype that teens are mean. Associate Professor John-Tyler Binfet, a researcher in the School of Education, says teenagers often receive a negative reputation, sometimes showcased in mainstream media reports of bullying, cyber harassment or schoolyard battles.