320 articles from MONDAY 1.3.2021

Velcro-like cellular proteins key to tissue strength

Where do bodily tissues get their strength? New research provides important new clues to this long-standing mystery, identifying how specialized proteins called cadherins join forces to make cells stick -- and stay stuck -- together. The findings could lead to more life-like artificial tissues and tumor busting drugs.

Time to say goodbye? Calls rarely end when we want them to, study finds

Whether talking to family, friends or strangers, calls hardly ever end when both parties are ready Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageSo you just called to say “I love you”, but how long should you stay on the phone?New research suggests no matter who we’re talking to, or what we’re talking about, conversations rarely conclude when the two individuals want them...

New study challenges 'established' mechanism about selectivity of cellular ion channels

The cell membranes of all organisms contain ion channels that permit ions to pass into or out of the cell, and these channels play extremely important roles in fundamental physiological processes such as heartbeats and the rapid conduction of signals along neurons. An important property of these ion channels is their selective conductivity—they selectively permit the passage of particular ions....

Optimally promoting biodiversity in agricultural landscapes

Due to modern agriculture, biodiversity across many species groups is in decline. Over the last three decades, attempts have been made to counteract this with agri-environmental schemes at various levels—from the national federal state to EU-wide programs. This is not only out of appreciation of nature, but also because many species fulfill important functions for agriculture itself: some...

Scientists use lipid nanoparticles to precisely target gene editing to the liver

The genome editing technology CRISPR has emerged as a powerful new tool that can change the way we treat disease. The challenge when altering the genetics of our cells, however, is how to do it safely, effectively, and specifically targeted to the gene, tissue and organ that needs treatment. Scientists at Tufts University and the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT have developed unique...

COVID-19 lockdown highlights ozone chemistry in China

In early 2020, daily life in Northern China slammed to a halt as the region entered a strict period of lockdown to slow the spread of COVID-19. Emissions from transportation and industry plummeted. Emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from fossil fuels fell by 60 to 70 percent.

Velcro-like cellular proteins key to tissue strength

Where do bodily tissues get their strength? New University of Colorado Boulder research provides important new clues to this long-standing mystery, identifying how specialized proteins called cadherins join forces to make cells stick—and stay stuck—together.

Reinforced by policies, charters segregate schools

The expansion of charter schools in the 2000s led to an increase in school segregation and a slight decline in residential segregation, according to new research from Cornell University providing the first national estimates of the diverging trends.

How a plant regulates its growth

Plants grow in two directions: the shoots of plants grow toward the light to make the best use of it, and the roots grow toward the center of the earth into the soil. A team has now been able to describe in detail how the molecular mechanisms work that control these processes.

Understanding the spatial and temporal dimensions of landscape dynamics

As a result of global and local phenomena, the Earth's surface is subject to continual changes that dynamically shape natural landscapes. The 3D Geospatial Data Processing research group has developed a new analysis method to help improve our understanding of such processes. It can determine - fully automatically and over long periods - when and where surface alterations occur and which type of...

Novel soft tactile sensor with skin-comparable characteristics for robots

A research team has developed a new soft tactile sensor with skin-comparable characteristics. A robotic gripper with the sensor mounted at the fingertip could accomplish challenging tasks such as stably grasping fragile objects and threading a needle. Their research provided new insight into tactile sensor design and could contribute to various applications in the robotics field, such as smart...

Study examines what makes people susceptible to fake health news

Researchers conducted a study to see what makes people susceptible to fake health news. They found the credentials of the author and how the info is written make little difference in how people assess health news, but that social media efficacy and labeling of potentially false info makes people think more critically about what they're reading.