307 articles from WEDNESDAY 15.7.2020

Climate change made Siberian heatwave 600 times more likely – study

Human fingerprint on record temperatures ‘has rarely, if ever, been clearer’, says reportThe record-breaking heatwave in the Siberian Arctic was made at least 600 times more likely by human-caused climate change, according to a study. Between January and June, temperatures in the far north of Russia were more than 5C above average, causing permafrost to melt, buildings to collapse, and...

New antiplatelet drug shows promise for treating heart attack

Researchers have developed a new drug that prevents blood clots without causing an increased risk of bleeding, a common side effect of all antiplatelet medications currently available. A new study describes the drug and its delivery mechanisms and shows that the drug is also an effective treatment for heart attack in animal models.

Do campaign finance reforms truly help make elections more competitive?

Proponents of campaign finance reform claim that putting limits on how much money can be raised and spent to support a political candidate leads to more competitive elections by helping level the political playing field between incumbents—the people holding the political office—and challengers. However, a new study by two social scientists at the University of Missouri finds state campaign...

Single drop of blood could help rapidly detect radiation sickness

A new proof-of-concept study reports evidence that a new testing method has the potential to rapidly identify radiation sickness based on biomarkers measured through a single drop of blood. Scientists say the test could help save lives through early and real-time identification of the condition to enable timely clinical interventions.

Comet NEOWISE Seen in an Aurora-Filled Sky

Portal origin URL: Comet NEOWISE Seen in an Aurora-Filled SkyPortal origin nid: 462798Published: Wednesday, July 15, 2020 - 15:00Featured (stick to top of list): noPortal text teaser: Comet NEOWISE is visible in an aurora-filled sky in this photo taken on July 14, 2020, by Aurorasaurus Ambassador Donna Lach.Portal image: Comet NEOWISE appears in a sky streaked with...

Scientists constructed 'DNA droplets' comprising designed DNA nanostructures

In living organisms, DNA is the storage unit of all genetic information. It is with this information that proteins are encoded, which then enable biological systems to function as needed for the organism to survive. DNA's functioning is enabled by its structure: a double-stranded helix formed via the joining of specific pairs of molecules called 'nucleotides' in specific orders, called...

COVID-19 Risk Doesn't Depend (Much) on Blood Type, New Studies Find

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers found preliminary evidence suggesting that people's blood type might be an important risk factor -- both for being infected by the virus and for falling dangerously ill.But over the past few months, after looking at thousands of additional patients with COVID-19, scientists are reporting a much weaker link to blood type.Two studies -- one at the...

New nuclear magnetic resonance method enables monitoring of chemical reactions in metal containers

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is employed in a wide range of applications. In chemistry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is in standard use for the purposes of analysis, while in the medical field, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to see structures and metabolism in the body. Scientists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) and the Helmholtz Institute Mainz (HIM), working...

High-fat diet with antibiotic use linked to gut inflammation

Researchers have found that combining a Western-style high-fat diet with antibiotic use significantly increases the risk of developing pre- inflammatory bowel disease. This combination shuts down the mitochondria in cells of the colon lining, leading to gut inflammation. Mesalazine can help restart the mitochondria and treat pre-IBD condition.

Credit-card sized tool provides new insights into how cancer cells invade host tissues

Researchers have developed a credit-card sized tool for growing cancer cells outside the human body, which they believe will enhance their understanding of breast cancer metastasis. The device reproduces various environments within the human body where breast cancer cells live. Studying the cells as they go through the process of invasion and metastasis could point the way toward new biomarkers...