210 articles from FRIDAY 7.8.2020
Canada’s Last Remaining Ice Shelf Crumbles Due to Global Warming
Much of Canada’s remaining intact ice shelf has broken apart into hulking iceberg islands thanks to a hot summer and global warming, scientists said.
Canada’s 4,000-year-old Milne Ice Shelf on the northwestern edge of Ellesmere Island had been the country’s last intact ice shelf until the end of July when ice analyst Adrienne White of the Canadian Ice Service noticed that...
Italian valley still in 'red zone' as Mont Blanc glacier threatens collapse
An Italian alpine resort remained on high alert Friday over fears a vast chunk of a glacier on the slopes of the Mont Blanc massif could plummet in high temperatures.
Eye candy: More than 50,000 pink flamingos mass in France
Behold a treat for the eyes! Tens of thousands of pink flamingos have amassed in the wetlands of southern France along with their offspring still lacking flamboyant plumage.
Thousands seek refuge as high heat slams Britain, France
Residents and visitors in Britain sought refuge from searing heat Friday, with thousands mobbing beaches and parks despite warnings to maintain social distance and other precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deep-sea misconceptions cause underestimation of seabed-mining impacts
A new publication on the impacts of deep-seabed mining by 13 prominent deep-sea biologists, led by University of Hawai'i at Mānoa oceanography professor Craig Smith, seeks to dispel scientific misconceptions that have led to miscalculations of the likely effects of commercial operations to extract minerals from the seabed.
Integration of gene regulatory networks in understanding animal behavior
For years, scientists have attributed animal behavior to the coordinated activities of neuronal cells and its circuits of neurons, known as the neuronal network (NN). However, researchers are pushing the boundaries in understanding animal behavior through the integration of gene regulation.
New process fast-tracks drug treatments for viral infections and cancer
Discovering antiviral and anticancer drugs will soon be faster and cheaper thanks to new research from Simon Fraser University chemist Robert Britton and his international team.
Decline in plant breeding programs could impact food security
Public plant breeding programs are declining across the United States.
Highly sensitive dopamine detector uses 2-D materials
A supersensitive dopamine detector can help in the early diagnosis of several disorders that result in too much or too little dopamine, according to a group led by Penn State and including Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and universities in China and Japan.
Programmable synthetic materials
Artificial molecules could one day form the information unit of a new type of computer or be the basis for programmable substances. The information would be encoded in the spatial arrangement of the individual atoms—similar to how the sequence of base pairs determines the information content of DNA, or sequences of zeros and ones form the memory of computers.
Inexpensive, accessible device provides visual proof that masks block droplets
Duke physician Eric Westman was one of the first champions of masking as a means to curtail the spread of coronavirus, working with a local non-profit to provide free masks to at-risk and under-served populations in the greater Durham community.
Materials science researchers develop first electrically injected laser
Materials science researchers, led by electrical engineering professor Shui-Qing "Fisher" Yu, have demonstrated the first electrically injected laser made with germanium tin.
How windy is it on Mars? Sand 'megaripples' offer a clue
A new study that monitored the subtle movements of huge ripples of sand on the Martian surface suggests that Mars may actually be windier than researchers...
Decline in plant breeding programs could impact food security
- ScienceDaily
- 20/8/7 21:36
A team of scientists led by a horticulture professor who leads a pome fruit (apples and pears) breeding program, found that public plant breeding programs are seeing decreases in funding and personnel.
Advance in programmable synthetic materials
- ScienceDaily
- 20/8/7 21:36
DNA information is stored in a sequence of chemical building blocks; computers store information as sequences of zeros and ones. Researchers want to transfer this concept to artificial molecules. Researchers have taken another step toward encoding information in the sequence of metal atoms in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), showing how to read the sequence. Multivariate MOFs could encode digital...
Layer of nanoparticles could improve LED performance and lifetime
- ScienceDaily
- 20/8/7 21:36
Adding a layer of nanoparticles to LED designs could help them produce more light for the same energy, and also increase their lifetime.
Highly sensitive dopamine detector uses 2D materials
- ScienceDaily
- 20/8/7 21:36
A supersensitive dopamine detector can help in the early diagnosis of several disorders that result in too much or too little dopamine, according to new research.
Authors' 'invisible' words reveal blueprint for storytelling
- ScienceDaily
- 20/8/7 21:36
The ''invisible'' words that shaped Dickens classics also lead audiences through Spielberg dramas. And according to new research, these small words can be found in a similar pattern across most storylines, no matter the length or format.
Alberta signs on to help develop nuclear reactor technology
Alberta is joining three other provinces to support the advancement and deployment of nuclear energy through small modular reactors...
Mars may not have been the warm, wet planet we thought it was
Mars today is a cold, dry wasteland—but things were likely much different billions of years ago. Since we started launching robotic missions to Mars in the 1970s, scientists have collected evidence that points to a warmer, wetter past for the Red Planet, where the surface was teeming with lakes and oceans that could have been home to life of some kind. It’s part of the reason NASA built and...
Covid-19 spread may be levelling off in England, say experts
Latest ONS figures appear to show better picture, even as more lockdown measures relaxedCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageCommunity spread of Covid-19 in England may be levelling off even as some lockdown measures are relaxed, experts said following the release of official data. Related: Preston added to areas with bans on households mixing due to Covid-19 Continue...
Scientists develop principles for the creation of an 'acoustic diode'
In research published in Science Advances, a group led by scientists from the RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science (CEMS) have used the principle of magneto-rotation coupling to suppress the transmission of sound waves on the surface of a film in one direction while allowing them to travel in the other. This could lead to the development of acoustic rectifiers—devices that allow waves to...
Authors' 'invisible' words reveal blueprint for storytelling
The "invisible" words that shaped Dickens classics also lead audiences through Spielberg dramas. And according to new research, these small words can be found in a similar pattern across most storylines, no matter the length or format.
Why do so many refugees move after arrival? Opportunity and community
What do you think of when you hear the word "refugee"? For many people, what comes to mind is vulnerability—you might imagine the grim conditions of a refugee camp or the dangers of the desperate journey to safety. So perhaps it's unsurprising that refugees are widely perceived to be especially needy or dependent on public assistance.
NASA drops 'colonial' nicknames for distant cosmic objects
A nebula and a pair of galaxies will now be referred to by a string of numbers as NASA reviews “insensitive” and “actively harmful”...
Materials science researchers develop first electrically injected laser
- ScienceDaily
- 20/8/7 19:19
Materials science researchers have demonstrated the first electrically injected laser made with germanium tin. Used as a semiconducting material for circuits on electronic devices, the diode laser could improve micro-processing speed and efficiency at much lower costs.
New test better predicts which babies will develop type 1 diabetes
- ScienceDaily
- 20/8/7 19:19
A new approach to predicting which babies will develop type 1 diabetes moves a step closer to routine testing for newborns which could avoid life-threatening complications.
Sugar-based signature identifies T cells where HIV hides despite antiretroviral therapy
- ScienceDaily
- 20/8/7 19:19
Scientists may have discovered a new way of identifying and targeting hidden HIV viral reservoirs during treatment with antiretroviral therapy (ART). These findings may have translational implications for improving the long-term care of HIV positive people.
Strong link found between abnormal liver tests and poor COVID-19 outcomes
- ScienceDaily
- 20/8/7 19:19
Researchers found that patients with COVID-19 presented with abnormal liver tests at much higher rates than suggested by earlier studies. They also discovered that higher levels of liver enzymes -- proteins released when the liver is damaged -- were associated with poorer outcomes for these patients, including ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and death.
Newly discovered mutation could point to heart disease therapeutic target
- ScienceDaily
- 20/8/7 19:19
New work identifies a potential therapeutic target for clogged arteries and other health risks that stem from an excess of harmful fats in the bloodstream. The study opens the door for the design of more specific MTP inhibitors that could reduce circulating triglyceride levels without the risk of unpleasant and serious side effects in the intestines and liver.
NASA sounding rocket finds helium structures in sun's atmosphere
Helium is the second most abundant element in the universe after hydrogen. But scientists aren't sure just how much there actually is in the Sun's atmosphere, where it is hard to measure. Knowing the amount of helium in the solar atmosphere is important to understanding the origin and acceleration of the solar wind—the constant stream of charged particles from the Sun.
Nearly 60 different types of fish found in Chicago waterways, study shows
Amazing what can happen when a city stops dumping massive amounts of bleach into its waterways.
Cluster's 20 years of studying Earth's magnetosphere
Despite a nominal lifetime of two years, ESA's Cluster is now entering its third decade in space. This unique four-spacecraft mission has been revealing the secrets of Earth's magnetic environment since 2000 and, with 20 years of observations under its belt, is still enabling new discoveries as it explores our planet's relationship with the Sun.
ESA's 'first' satellite: COS-B
This weekend sees the 45th anniversary of the launch of Cos-B, the first satellite to be launched under the banner of the newly created European Space Agency, on 9 August 1975.
A titanate nanowire mask that can eliminate pathogens
Filter 'paper' made from titanium oxide nanowires is capable of trapping pathogens and destroying them with light. This discovery by an EPFL laboratory could be put to use in personal protective equipment, as well as in ventilation and air conditioning systems.
Stellar egg hunt with ALMA—Tracing evolution from embryo to baby star
Astronomers using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) took a census of stellar eggs in the constellation Taurus and revealed their evolution state. This census helps researchers understand how and when a stellar embryo transforms to a baby star deep inside a gaseous egg. In addition, the team found a bipolar outflow, a pair of gas streams, that could be telltale evidence of a...
Better precipitation forecasts up to several hours in advance
Where, when and how much precipitation is expected? Information on precipitation not only crucial for water management and agriculture, but also for events, road traffic, aviation and other sectors of the economy. While weather models have gotten better over the decades, predicting the exact location and amount of rainfall remains challenging, even for just a few hours in advance. Deltares,...
Electric cars won't save us if the numbers don't add up—economist
Electric cars are one of the fastest growing sectors of the automotive industry. Record sales are being made despite the economic crisis posed by the coronavirus pandemic. Seven years ago, there were only 3500 plug-in cars in the UK—there are now 300,000. Almost 120,000 of them run purely on battery power. Many view the current period, even though it coincides with the pandemic, as a watershed...
Researchers find link between Atlantic hurricanes and weather system in East Asia
With a new Atlantic hurricane season in full swing, scientists may have found a new influence on how tropical cyclones develop.
Measuring electron emission from irradiated biomolecules
When fast-moving ions cross paths with large biomolecules, the resulting collisions produce many low-energy electrons which can go on to ionize the molecules even further. To fully understand how biological structures are affected by this radiation, it is important for physicists to measure how electrons are scattered during collisions. So far, however, researchers' understanding of the process...
Making N-C bonds directly from dinitrogen: Summary and perspective
As the most abundant constituent in Earth's atmosphere, dinitrogen (N2) is the main nitrogen source of N-containing compounds in the Earth. Therefore, N2 fixation and activation are essential both for nature and humans. Nevertheless, the high bond dissociation energy (942 kJ/mol) and large HOMO-LUMO gap (10.82 eV) make N2 exhibit extremely low reactivity and may be regarded as an inert gas.
More than 1,600 square kilometers of Brazilian Amazon deforested in July
More than 1,600 square kilometers of Brazil's Amazon rainforest were cleared in July, a significant reduction on the record 2019 numbers—though the total area deforested this year remains higher than 2019, according to official data published on Friday.
NASA Sounding Rocket Finds Helium Structures in Sun’s Atmosphere
Portal origin URL: NASA Sounding Rocket Finds Helium Structures in Sun’s AtmospherePortal origin nid: 463429Published: Friday, August 7, 2020 - 12:00Featured (stick to top of list): noPortal text teaser: Helium is the second most abundant element in the universe after hydrogen. But scientists aren’t sure just how much there actually is in the Sun’s atmosphere....
Painting 'en game air': Artists turning to video game landscapes for inspiration during pandemic
Artists call it painting "en game air" - using the virtual landscapes of video games as a source of inspiration for painters of all levels. And while it has been going on for years, the isolating, quarantine conditions of the pandemic have made this approach to visual art even more...
Updating Turing's model of pattern formation
- ScienceDaily
- 20/8/7 17:19
New research revisits the Turing instability mechanism; proving mathematically how the instabilities which give rise to patterns can occur through simple reactions, and in widely varied environmental conditions.
Measuring electron emission from irradiated biomolecules
- ScienceDaily
- 20/8/7 17:19
Researchers have successfully determined the characteristics of electron emission when high-velocity ions collide with adenine - one of the four key nucleobases of DNA.
Pinpointing the cells that keep the body's master circadian clock ticking
- ScienceDaily
- 20/8/7 17:19
Scientists have developed a genetically engineered mouse and imaging system that lets them visualize fluctuations in the circadian clocks of cell types in mice. The method gives new insight into which brain cells are important in maintaining the body's master circadian clock. But they say the approach will also be broadly useful for answering questions about the daily rhythms of cells throughout...
Scientists use CRISPR to knock down gene messages early in development
- ScienceDaily
- 20/8/7 17:19
Researchers have harnessed the technology to target gene messages (messenger RNA) involved in early vertebrate development.
Florida current is weaker now than at any point in the past century
- ScienceDaily
- 20/8/7 17:19
A key component of the Gulf Stream has markedly slowed over the past century -- that's the conclusion of a new research paper.
Atlantic hurricanes linked to weather system in East Asia
- ScienceDaily
- 20/8/7 17:19
Climate researchers have found a link between hurricanes that form in the Atlantic Ocean - and threaten the United States - and a weather system in East Asia. A jet stream originating in East Asia carries an atmospheric wave to the Atlantic Ocean that affects wind shear - a key element in whether tropical storms develop.