363 articles from THURSDAY 9.7.2020
Neonatal exposure to antigens of commensal bacteria promotes broader immune repertoire
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/9 23:28
Researchers have added fresh evidence that early exposure to vaccine-, bacterial- or microbiota-derived antigens has a dramatic effect on the diversity of antibodies an adult mammal will have to fight future infections by pathogens. This antibody diversity is called the clonal repertoire -- basically different single cells with distinct antibody potential that can multiply into a large clone of...
Community initiative increases teenage use of effective contraception
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/9 23:28
Study finds that teenagers utilize Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) at a rate five times higher than the United States as a whole.
A complex gene program initiates brain changes in response to cocaine
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/9 23:28
Researchers used single-nucleus RNA sequencing to compare transcriptional responses to acute cocaine in 16 unique cell populations from the brain nucleus accumbens. The atlas is part of a major study that used multiple cutting-edge technologies to describe a dopamine-induced gene expression signature that regulates the brain's response to cocaine. The study shows neurobiological processes that...
Key role of immune cells in brain development
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/9 23:28
Researchers have identified how specific brain cells interacting during development could be related to neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases, including some that occur later in life.
New study supports remdesivir as COVID-19 treatment
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/9 23:28
A new study found that remdesivir potently inhibited SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19, in human lung cell cultures and that it improved lung function in mice infected with the virus.
Salmonella biofilm protein causes autoimmune responses -- Possible link with Alzheimer's
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/9 23:28
Scientists have demonstrated that a Salmonella biofilm protein can cause autoimmune responses and arthritis in animals.
New evidence of long-term volcanic, seismic risks in northern Europe
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/9 23:28
An ancient European volcanic region may pose both a greater long-term volcanic risk and seismic risk to northwestern Europe than scientists had realized, geophysicists report. The densely populated area is centered in the Eifel region of Germany, and covers parts of Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Luxembourg.
CT of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) versus CT of influenza virus pneumonia
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/9 23:28
A new article investigating the differences in CT findings between coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pneumonia and influenza virus pneumonia found that most lesions from COVID-19 were located in the peripheral zone and close to the pleura, whereas influenza virus was more prone to show mucoid impaction and pleural effusion. The more important role of CT during the present pandemic is in finding...
A new role for a tiny linker in transmembrane ion channels
In the molecular-level world of ion channels—passageways through membranes that carry signals in a cell's environment and allow it to respond—researchers have debated about the role of a small piece of the channel called a linker, says computational biophysicist Jianhan Chen at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Spacewatch: Nasa asteroid mission passes key milestone
Design review stage passed for craft intended to visit iron-and-nickel mini-world in 2022Nasa’s mission to explore a metal-rich asteroid passed a key milestone in its development this week. The critical design review makes sure everyone is satisfied that the spacecraft will work as expected. Now that the review has been passed, engineers can begin making the various bits of spacecraft hardware...
Study finds food safety practices benefit small farmers
The costs of implementing food safety practices to prevent foodborne illnesses have been viewed as a threat to the financial well-being of small farms, which must pay a higher percentage of their annual sales than larger farms to meet safety standards.
Science education community should withdraw from international tests, study says
The science community should withdraw from involvement in international tests such as PISA because they have forced schools to adopt "narrow" curricula and pedagogies, a study says.
Bats offer clues to treating COVID-19
Bats are often considered patient zero for many deadly viruses affecting humans, including Ebola, rabies, and, most recently, the SARS-CoV-2 strain of virus that causes coronavirus.
Study looks at life inside and outside of seafloor hydrocarbon seeps
Microbial cells are found in abundance in marine sediments beneath the ocean and make up a significant amount of the total microbial biomass on the planet. Microbes found deeper in the ocean, such as in hydrocarbon seeps, are usually believed to have slow population turnover rates and low amounts of available energy, where the further down a microbe is found, the less energy it has available.
Native bees also facing novel pandemic
Move over, murder hornets. There's a new bee killer in town.
Discovery reveals how plants make cellulose for strength and growth
New research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine reveals how plants create the load-bearing structures that let them grow—much like how building crews frame a house.
Endangered California condors in Sequoia National Park for the first time in 50 years
For the first time in nearly 50 years, California condors have been spotted at Sequoia National Park, wildlife officials announced.
New study predicts coral bleaching and coral-eating starfish invasions months in advance
A new study by the Marine Laboratory at the University of Guam may help researchers predict coral bleaching months earlier than current tools, and, for the first time, may help predict invasion events of coral-eating crown-of-thorns starfish. The study was published on May 8 in Scientific Reports.
Covid-19 cases tied to fraternity parties disrupt UC Berkeley’s reopening plans
Forty-seven cases make it ‘harder to imagine bringing our campus community back’ as planned, university saysPlans for the fall semester at the University of California, Berkeley, are in question after 47 new Covid-19 cases tied to fraternity parties emerged in the past week. University officials warn the outbreak could jeopardize the ability to move forward with in-person classes in the months...
Science education community should withdraw from international tests, experts urge
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/9 21:01
The science community should withdraw from involvement in international tests such as PISA because they have forced schools to adopt 'narrow' curricula and pedagogies, a study says.
Biologists trace plants' steady mitochondrial genomes to a gene found in viruses, bacteria
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/9 21:01
Biologists have traced the stability of plant mitochondrial genomes to a particular gene - MSH1 - that plants have but animals don't. Their experiments could lend insight into why animal mitochondrial genomes tend to mutate.
Conditions ripe for active Amazon fire, Atlantic hurricane seasons
Warmer than average sea surface temperatures in the tropical North Atlantic Ocean so far in 2020 have set the stage for an active hurricane season and elevated the risk of fires in the southern Amazon, according to scientists at NASA and the University of California, Irvine.
Discovery reveals how plants make cellulose for strength and growth
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/9 20:16
The discovery unveils the molecular machinery that plants use to weave cellulose chains into cable-like structures called 'microfibrils.'
Study identifies unique cells that may drive lung fibrosis
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/9 20:16
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...
Ways to keep buildings cool with improved super white paints
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/9 20:16
Materials scientists have demonstrated ways to make super white paint that reflects as much as 98% of incoming heat from the sun. The advance shows practical pathways for designing paints that, if used on rooftops and other parts of a building, could significantly reduce cooling costs, beyond what standard white 'cool-roof' paints can achieve.
Safer CRISPR gene editing with fewer off-target hits
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/9 20:16
The CRISPR system is a powerful tool for the targeted editing of genomes, with significant therapeutic potential, but runs the risk of inappropriately editing ''off-target'' sites. However, a new study shows that mutating the enzyme at the heart of the CRISPR gene editing system can improve its fidelity.
Scientists urge caution, further assessment of ecological impacts above deep sea mining
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/9 20:16
A new study argues that deep-sea mining poses significant risks, not only to the area immediately surrounding mining operations but also to the water hundreds to thousands of feet above the seafloor, threatening vast midwater ecosystems. Further, the scientists suggest how these risks could be evaluated more comprehensively to enable society and managers to decide if and how deep-sea mining should...
Fair justice systems need open data access
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/9 20:16
Researchers are developing an A.I. platform that provides users with access to the information and insights hidden inside federal court records, regardless of their data and analytic skills.
Scientists trace the origin of our teeth from the most primitive jawed fish
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/9 20:16
Scientists have digitally 'dissected', for the first time, the most primitive jawed fish fossils with teeth found near Prague more than 100 years ago. The results show that their teeth have surprisingly modern features.
Researchers find rise in broken heart syndrome during COVID-19 pandemic
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/9 20:16
Researchers have found a significant increase in patients experiencing stress cardiomyopathy, also known as broken heart syndrome, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Global wildlife surveillance could provide early warning for next pandemic
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/9 20:16
Researchers propose a decentralized, global wildlife biosurveillance system to identify -- before the next pandemic emerges -- animal viruses that have the potential to cause human disease.
A 'regime shift' is happening in the Arctic Ocean
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/9 20:15
Scientists find the growth of phytoplankton in the Arctic Ocean has increased 57 percent over just two decades, enhancing its ability to soak up carbon dioxide. While once linked to melting sea ice, the increase is now propelled by rising concentrations of tiny algae.
No association found between exposure to mobile devices and brain volume alterations in adolescents
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/9 20:15
A new study of 2,500 Dutch children is the first to explore the relationship between brain volume and different doses of radiofrequency electromagnetic fields.
Why stakeholders in 'wind energy vs biological conservation' conflict have low mutual trust
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/9 20:15
Each year, wind turbines are responsible for the death of hundreds of thousands of airborne animals such as bats. To find a constructive way out of this ''green-green'' dilemma, companies building and running wind turbines might have to work together with environmental experts and conservationists. Yet lack of trust between them can hinder effective collaboration. Scientists show: shared values...
Women who deliver by C-section are less likely to conceive subsequent children
- ScienceDaily
- 20/7/9 20:15
Women who deliver their first child by cesarean section (C-section) are less likely to conceive a second child than those who deliver vaginally, despite being just as likely to plan a subsequent pregnancy, according to researchers. The team followed more than 2,000 women for three years after they delivered their first child.