320 articles from MONDAY 1.3.2021
From scavenger to household royalty: How dogs evolved from wolves to pampered pets
Scientists agree that dogs evolved from wolves and were the first domesticated animals. But exactly how that happened is hotly contested. IDEAS contributor Neil Sandell examines the theories and the evolution of the relationship between dogs and...
Predicting microbial interactions in the human gut
- ScienceDaily
- 21/3/1 23:10
A new study describes how to use modeling to predict microbial interactions and metabolite composition in the human gut.
Swapping alpha cells for beta cells to treat diabetes
- ScienceDaily
- 21/3/1 23:10
Blocking cell receptors for glucagon, the counter-hormone to insulin, cured mouse models of diabetes by converting glucagon-producing cells into insulin producers instead, a team reports in a new study. The findings could offer a new way to treat both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in people.
Stressed-out young oysters may grow less meat on their shells
- ScienceDaily
- 21/3/1 23:10
Early exposure to tough conditions -- particularly warmer waters and nightly swings of low oxygen -- could leave lasting scars on oysters' ability to grow meaty tissue.
Future of immunotherapy could be 'off-the-shelf' treatments
- ScienceDaily
- 21/3/1 23:10
Scientists argue that emerging protein-based immunotherapies could lead to highly effective 'off-the-shelf' cancer treatments for more patients.
Repurposed arthritis drug did not significantly improve severe COVID-19 pneumonia
- ScienceDaily
- 21/3/1 23:10
A repurposed drug used to treat arthritis did not significantly improve the outcomes of patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Tocilizumab did not significantly improve clinical status or mortality rate at 28 days for participants who received it compared to a placebo, according to a new study.
NASA's Perseverance rover to drill into Mars using part made on Vancouver Island
A Vancouver Island company has provided a drill bit that will be used to pierce the surface of the red planet and collect core samples that will be brought back to...
UK meteor: 'huge flash' as fireball lights up skies
Pieces may have landed just north of Cheltenham, computer modelling suggestsThe yellow-green fireball that pierced Earth’s atmosphere on Sunday night, delighting observers from the UK to the Netherlands, is thought to have partially survived the journey in the form of meteorites most likely landing just north of Cheltenham.Fireballs are particularly bright meteors – space matter that burns up...
Biden's hopes for rare earth independence at least a decade away
Joe Biden's ambition to make the U.S. less dependent on other nations for rare earths and minerals critical to the clean energy transition will take years to accomplish.
New exotic invasive snake is captured in Everglades National Park. It's likely a released pet
Visitors hiking the Mahogany Hammock Trail in Everglades National Park earlier this month spotted an unfamiliar snake. It turned out to be a brand-new invasive species.
A research group proposes six guidelines for managing the impacts of invasive species
Invasive alien species, defined as animals and plants that breed and disperse in a landscape beyond their native range, have negative environmental, social, and economic impacts. One example among many is the forage grass genus Brachiaria, originally African and introduced to Brazil to form cattle pasture. It has become a major threat to the survival of native species and biodiversity at several...
Deep dive into bioarchaeological data reveals Mediterranean migration trends over 8,000 years
A team of international researchers led by a Florida State University assistant professor has analyzed reams of data from the Neolithic to Late Roman period looking at migration patterns across the Mediterranean and found that despite evidence of cultural connections, there's little evidence of massive migration across the region.
4-D bioengineering materials bend, curve like natural tissue
Tissue engineering has long-depended on geometrically static scaffolds seeded with cells in the lab to create new tissues and even organs. The scaffolding material—usually a biodegradable polymer structure—is supplied with cells and the cells, if supplied with the right nutrients, then develop into tissue as the underlying scaffold biodegrades. But this model ignores the extraordinarily...
Scientists describe 'hidden biodiversity crisis' as variation within species is lost
The rapid loss of variation within species is a hidden biodiversity crisis, according to the authors of a new study looking at how this variation supports essential ecological functions and the benefits nature provides for people.
Due to climate change, Miami Beach moving away from palm trees to create more shade
Whether swaying in the background of a Super Bowl glamour shot or printed on Art Deco-themed postcards, palm trees are synonymous with the sun-and-fun allure of Miami Beach. In a city with nearly 50,000 trees, more than half have fronds.
"We have to put our foot down": Florida wildlife managers ban invasive reptiles
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Thursday signed off on banning the sale, ownership and breeding of tegus, iguanas and other invasive reptiles that have overrun native wildlife populations.
On calm days, sunlight warms the ocean surface and drives turbulence
In tropical oceans, a combination of sunlight and weak winds drives up surface temperatures in the afternoon, increasing atmospheric turbulence, unprecedented new observational data collected by an Oregon State University researcher shows.
4D bioengineering materials bend, curve like natural tissue
- ScienceDaily
- 21/3/1 21:15
Researchers have developed new 4D hydrogels -- 3D materials that have the ability to change shape over time in response to stimuli -- that can morph multiple times in a preprogrammed or on-demand manner in response to external trigger signals.
Deep dive into bioarchaeological data reveals Mediterranean migration trends over 8,000 years
- ScienceDaily
- 21/3/1 21:15
A team of international researchers has analyzed reams of data from the Neolithic to Late Roman period looking at migration patterns across the Mediterranean and found that despite evidence of cultural connections, there's little evidence of massive migration across the region.
COVID-19 lockdown highlights ozone chemistry in China
- ScienceDaily
- 21/3/1 21:15
Recently, the ozone season in China has been getting longer, spreading from summer into early spring and late winter. The COVID-19 lockdown can help explain why. Researchers found that decreases in NOx emissions are driving increased ozone pollution in late winter in China.
Scientists use lipid nanoparticles to precisely target gene editing to the liver
- ScienceDaily
- 21/3/1 21:15
Scientists developed a highly efficient, targeted method for delivering gene editing machinery to specific tissues and organs, demonstrating the treatment of high cholesterol by targeting genes in the liver of mice, reducing cholesterol for over 3 months (and potentially more) with one treatment.