304 articles from TUESDAY 2.3.2021
A new blindness gene uncovered in a canine study
- ScienceDaily
- 21/3/2 19:06
A study has uncovered a mutation in the IFT122 gene in blind dogs. The gene defect now discovered results in the progressive destruction of photoreceptor cells and retinal dystrophy. IFT122 is a new candidate also for retinal dystrophy in humans. A gene test in support of breeding and diagnostics has been developed based on the finding.
Bitter receptor involved in anti-inflammatory effect of resveratrol?
- ScienceDaily
- 21/3/2 19:06
At least in cell-based test systems, the plant compound resveratrol has anti-inflammatory properties. A recent collaborative study has now shown that the bitter receptor TAS2R50 is involved in this effect.
Groundbreaking research into white-rot fungi proves its value in carbon sequestration
- ScienceDaily
- 21/3/2 19:06
A foundational study shows for the first time that white-rot fungi are able to use carbon captured from lignin as a carbon source. Until now, scientists were unsure whether white-rot fungi -- the most efficient lignin-degrading organisms in nature -- actually consume the products generated from breaking down lignin.
Fuel efficiency of one car may be cancelled by your next car purchase
- ScienceDaily
- 21/3/2 19:06
Researchers find that consumers tend to buy something less fuel efficient for their second car after springing for an eco-friendly vehicle. The study reports a 57% reduction in the benefits of your fuel efficient car based on the purchase of your second vehicle. Findings have major implications for the design of carbon mitigation programs that aren't taking into account consumers with multiple...
Division of labor within regenerating liver maintains metabolism, mouse study finds
- ScienceDaily
- 21/3/2 19:06
The liver has a rare superpower among body organs - the ability to regenerate. It also keeps up its metabolic and toxin-removing work while regenerating, thanks to a subset of cells that expand their workload while the rest focus on multiplication, a new study in mice found. Furthermore, the cells of the liver communicate with each other to coordinate regeneration activity, which progresses from...
'Canary in the mine' warning follows new discovery of effects of pollutants on fertility
- ScienceDaily
- 21/3/2 19:06
New research has found that shrimp like creatures on the South Coast of England have 70 per cent less sperm than less polluted locations elsewhere in the world. The research also discovered that individuals living in the survey area are six times less numerous per square meter than those living in cleaner waters.
Wolf social group dynamics matter for infectious disease spread, models suggest
- ScienceDaily
- 21/3/2 19:06
By modeling wolves in Yellowstone National Park, researchers have discovered that how a population is organized into social groups affects the spread of infectious diseases within the population. The findings may be applicable to any social species and could be useful in the protection of endangered species that suffer from disease invasion.
Covering metal catalyst surfaces with thin two-dimensional oxide materials can enhance chemical reactions
- ScienceDaily
- 21/3/2 19:06
Scientists have discovered that physically confined spaces can make for more efficient chemical reactions.
Indoor air quality study shows aircraft in flight may have lowest particulate levels
- ScienceDaily
- 21/3/2 19:06
If you're looking for an indoor space with a low level of particulate air pollution, a commercial airliner flying at cruising altitude may be your best option. A newly reported study of air quality in indoor spaces such as stores, restaurants, offices, public transportation -- and commercial jets -- shows aircraft cabins with the lowest levels of tiny aerosol particles.
Atmospheric rivers increase snow mass in West Antarctica
- ScienceDaily
- 21/3/2 19:06
A new study used NASA's ice-measuring laser satellite to identify atmospheric river storms as a key driver of increased snowfall in West Antarctica during the 2019 austral winter.
Study points to the challenges of harvest-time weed seed controls in Pacific Northwest
Herbicide-resistant weeds have fueled a growing demand for effective, nonchemical weed controls. Among the techniques used are chaff carts, impact mills and other harvest-time practices that remove or destroy weed seeds instead of leaving them on the field to sprout.
New study finds atmospheric rivers increase snow mass in West Antarctica
A new study published today in the journal Geophysical Research Letters used NASA's ice-measuring laser satellite to identify atmospheric river storms as a key driver of increased snowfall in West Antarctica during the 2019 austral winter.
Gold-phosphorus nanosheets catalyzes natural gas to greener energy selectively
Advances in hydraulic fracturing technology have enabled discovery of large reserves of natural gas which primarily contains methane, and which is mainly burned directly, potentially causing global warming. Upgrading methane to greener energy such as methanol through aerobic oxidation is an ideal way to solve the problem.
Researchers detects chiral structures using vortex light
Recently, the Laboratory of Micro and Nano Engineering, School of Engineering Science, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) has made important progress in the field of structural chirality detection research using vortex light, and found that photon orbital angular momentum can efficiently detect the optical chiral signal of structures.
Polymerization process of hydrogel microspheres on video
Aqueous free-radical precipitation polymerization is one of the most useful methods to prepare uniformly sized hydrogel microspheres (microgels), and an understanding of the polymerization mechanism is crucial to control the structure or physicochemical properties of microgels. However, the details of the mechanism of precipitation polymerization remain unclear.
Soft and comfortable e-textiles that can be used to measure photoplenthysmography
Advances in wearable devices have enabled e-textiles, which fuse lightweight and comfortable textiles with smart electronics, and are garnering attention as the next-generation wearable technology. In particular, fiber electronic devices endowed with electrical properties, while retaining the specific characteristics of textiles, are key elements in manufacturing e-textiles.
Indoor air quality study shows aircraft in flight may have lowest particulate levels
If you're looking for an indoor space with a low level of particulate air pollution, a commercial airliner flying at cruising altitude may be your best option. A newly reported study of air quality in indoor spaces such as stores, restaurants, offices, public transportation—and commercial jets—shows aircraft cabins with the lowest levels of tiny aerosol particles.
New cell line could lead to more reliable vaccine development to fight costly pig virus
Vaccines are an important tool in fighting porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), but the fast-mutating virus that causes the disease sometimes requires the production of autogenous vaccines tailored to particular variants.
Researchers uncover how some animals sense the gritty texture of their food
There's more to taste than flavor. Let ice cream melt, and the next time you take it out of the freezer you'll find its texture icy instead of the smooth, creamy confection you're used to. Though its flavor hasn't changed, most people would agree the dessert is less appetizing.
Bitter receptor involved in anti-inflammatory effect of resveratrol?
Resveratrol is a plant compound found primarily in red grapes and Japanese knotweed. Its synthetic variant has been approved as a food ingredient in the EU since 2016. At least in cell-based test systems, the substance has anti-inflammatory properties. A recent collaborative study by the Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich and the Institute of...
Wolf social group dynamics matter for infectious disease spread, models suggest
By modeling wolves in Yellowstone National Park, researchers have discovered that how a population is organized into social groups affects the spread of infectious diseases within the population. The findings may be applicable to any social species and could be useful in the protection of endangered species that suffer from disease invasion.
Model describes interactions between light and mechanical vibration in microcavities
Optomechanical microcavities are extremely small structures with diameters of less than 10 micrometers (about a tenth of a human hair) inside which light and mechanical vibrations are confined. Thanks to their small size and to efficient microfabrication techniques that enable them to hold intense light energy and interact with mechanical waves, microcavities can be used as mass and acceleration...
Study finds the fuel efficiency of one car may be cancelled by your next car purchase
In a recent collaborative study led by the University of Maryland (UMD), researchers find that consumers tend to buy something less fuel efficient than they normally would for their second car after springing for an eco-friendly vehicle. While this sounds like an all-too-logical conclusion, the study reports a 57% reduction in the benefits of driving your fuel efficient car for carbon emissions...
Photon-photon polaritons: the intriguing particles that emerge when two photons couple
Scientists at the University of Bath in the UK have found a way to bind together two photons of different colors, paving the way for important advancements in quantum-electrodynamics—the field of science that describes how light and matter interact. In time, the team's findings are likely to impact developments in optical and quantum communication, and precision measurements of frequency, time...
A quantum internet is closer to reality, thanks to this switch
When quantum computers become more powerful and widespread, they will need a robust quantum internet to communicate.