242 articles from FRIDAY 23.4.2021
Researchers uncover activation mechanism of a cell growth protein that can trigger cancer
The uncontrolled growth and division of cells can lead to the creation of tumours. The signalling molecule SHP2 is believed to play a crucial role in this process. But the question of how SHP2 becomes activated has never been fully resolved. Understanding the activation mechanism is, however, of fundamental importance for the development of anti-cancer drugs. Massimiliano Anselmi and Jochen Hub...
Response options should be at the center of climate risk assessment and management
A team of researchers from the Africa Climate and Development Initiative (ACDI) led a global team of 21 climate risk scholars to better understand and inform decision making around climate change risks in Africa and globally by examining how the drivers of risk interact. Their work extends on existing risk frameworks with the hope that this research could help decision makers, managers and...
Seismicity on Mars full of surprises, in first continuous year of data
The SEIS seismometer package from the Mars InSight lander has collected its first continuous Martian year of data, revealing some surprises among the more than 500 marsquakes detected so far.
Simple robots, smart algorithms
Inspired by a theoretical model of particles moving around on a chessboard, new robot swarm research led by Georgia Tech shows that, as magnetic interactions increase, dispersed "dumb robots" can abruptly gather in large, compact clusters to accomplish complex tasks. Researchers report that these "BOBbots" (behaving, organizing, buzzing bots) are also capable of collectively clearing debris that...
Simulated identification of silent COVID-19 infections among children; estimated future infection rates with vaccination
What The Study Did: This simulation modeling study estimates the benefits of identifying silent COVID-19 infections among children as a proxy for their vaccination.
Skeletal defects may be ameliorated after immobility in the womb
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have discovered that some skeletal defects associated with a lack of movement in the womb during early development may still be ameliorated after such periods of immobility if movement resumes. The discovery was made using chicken embryos, which develop similarly to their human equivalents and which can be easily viewed as development takes place - raising...
Study reports novel role of enzyme in plant immunity and defense gene expression
A recently published article in the Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions journal provides new evidence that pathogens are hijacking the plant immune system to cause disease while providing insights into a newly discovered mechanism.
Study uncovers human-to-cat transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19
New research provides evidence that people have transmitted SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, to cats during the pandemic in the UK. The study, which is published in Veterinary Record, detected the virus last year in cats that developed mild or severe respiratory disease.
Successful cancer therapy using artificial metalloenzymes to deliver drugs
Researchers led by Katsunori Tanaka and Kenward Vong at the RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research (CPR) in Japan have combined cancer therapy drugs with a cancer cell-selective delivery system made from an artificial enzyme. The system reduced tumor onset and growth in mice.
Synthetic gelatin-like material mimics lobster underbelly's stretch and strength
MIT researchers fabricated a synthetic hydrogel that mimics the stretch and strength of a lobster's underbelly. The material could provide a blueprint for stretchy protective fabrics and artificial tissues.
Targeting drug-resistant breast cancer with estrogen
Researchers at Dartmouth's and Dartmouth-Hitchcock's Norris Cotton Cancer Center show better long-term control of drug-resistant breast cancer growth in mice by switching between estrogen and anti-estrogen therapies. An ongoing clinical trial will determine whether this cycling strategy is effective in human patients with advanced breast cancer. By studying molecular characteristics of cancer...
The type of blood vessel damage determines its path to regeneration
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba discovered how cells marked by platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRa+) residing predominantly in the outermost layer of blood vessels (adventitia) respond to vascular injury and contribute to neointima formation. By inducing various forms of vessel injury and tracking PDGFRa+ cells, they found that PDGFRa+ cells respond differently to...
Toward new solar cells with active learning
Scientists from the Theory Department of the Fritz-Haber Institute in Berlin and Technical University of Munich use machine learning to discover suitable molecular materials. To deal with the myriad of possibilities for candidate molecules, the machine decides for itself which data it needs.
TPU scientists first study composition of pore waters in methane cold seep of eastern Arctic seas
Young scientists of Tomsk Polytechnic University as a part of the team of Arctic researchers have studied pore waters in three areas of methane release on the surface. They first managed to define in details the composition of pore waters in the cold methane seeps of the Eastern Arctic seas. The research findings are published in the Water academic journal.
Travel paths of primates show how their minds work
Using data from 164 wild primate populations, the global survey examines the mental abilities that primates, including ourselves, use to know where and when to travel in the most efficient way.
UNH research: Climate change affects deep-sea corals and sponges differently
Corals and sponges are important foundations in ocean ecosystems providing structure and habitats that shelter a high number of species like fish, crabs and other creatures, particularly in the seamounts and canyons of the deep sea. Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have discovered that when it comes to climate change not all deep-sea corals and sponges are affected the same and some...
US and Iranian researchers collaborate on Lake Urmia restoration
Lake Urmia -- a massive salt lake in Iran's northwest and a sister to Utah's Great Salt Lake -- has lost nearly 95 percent of its volume over the last two decades. Researchers from Utah and Iran are working together to better understand how the changes will impact the lake's ecosystems services.
US asbestos sites made risky by some remediation strategies
Efforts to prevent human exposure to asbestos may be mobilizing the cancer-causing mineral so that it can reach water supplies, based on new findings about how the fibers move through soil.
Use of HINTS exam in emergency department is of limited value
The diagnostic value of the Head-Impulse, Nystagmus, Test of Skew (HINTS) exam in the emergency department setting is limited.
Using spatial distance strategically with luxury and popular product displays
The distance between the product and the consumer, whether in real life or in ads, can have a profound influence on how consumers evaluate the product and make purchase decisions.
Violence-legitimizing verses in religious scriptures increase support for lethal violence
Extremist perpetrators of violence often quote verses from their religion's holy scriptures that authorize, or even prescribe, attacks on enemies of the faith. However, whether the religious motivation that extremist perpetrators of violence emphasize is causally related to their actions is often doubted. Now, WZB researchers Ruud Koopmans and Eylem Kanol can prove for the first time that verses...
VR visualization supports research on molecular networks
Networks offer a powerful way to visualize and analyze complex systems. However, many visualizations are limited. Protein interactions in the human body constitute such a complex system that can hardly be visualized. Scientists at CeMM and Max Perutz Labs developed an immersive virtual reality (VR) platform that solves this problem. With the help of VR visualization of protein interactions, it...
With new optical device, engineers can fine tune the color of light
A new sort of optical device allows engineers to change the frequencies of individual photons, putting new capabilities in engineers' hands.
Australia set to host clinical trial of genetically modified Covid nasal spray vaccine
Australian company applies for permission to conduct trial of men and women aged 18 to 55Australia is set to host the first human clinical trial of a genetically modified adenovirus vaccine for Covid-19 delivered via nasal spray.Avance Clinical, an Australian contract research organisation, has applied to the office of the gene technology regulator for permission to conduct the phase 1 clinical...