341 articles from THURSDAY 6.5.2021

PCB contamination in Icelandic orcas: a matter of diet

A new study suggests that some Icelandic killer whales have very high concentrations of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) in their blubber. But it seems that other orcas from the same population have levels of PCBs that are much lower. It mainly depends on what they eat.

Swiping, swabbing elevates processing plant food safety

By swiping surfaces in commercial food processing plants with specially designed rapid-testing adenosine triphospate (ATP) swabs -- which produce a light similar to the glow of fireflies in the presence of microorganisms -- spoilage and foodborne illness could diminish, according to a new study.

Scrap for cash before coins

How did people living in the Bronze Age manage their finances before money became widespread? Researchers ave discovered that bronze scrap found in hoards in Europe circulated as a currency. These pieces of scrap -- which might include swords, axes, and jewellery broken into pieces -- were used as cash in the late Bronze Age, and in fact complied with a weight system used across Europe.

The 3 Science-Backed Strategies That Can Help You Achieve Your Post-Pandemic Goals

With gyms, restaurants, and workplaces reopening, people from every part of my life are asking for expert advice on how to ingrain new and healthier habits as we re-emerge from our pandemic cocoons. Their instinct that now is the right time to make a change is spot on—my research shows that having a “fresh start” is a powerful motive to initiate positive change at home and at...

NASA Invites Public, Media to Watch Asteroid Mission Begin Return to Earth

Portal origin URL: NASA Invites Public, Media to Watch Asteroid Mission Begin Return to EarthPortal origin nid: 470821Published: Thursday, May 6, 2021 - 16:41Featured (stick to top of list): noPortal text teaser: NASA invites the public and the media to watch its first asteroid sample return mission begin a two-year cruise home at 4 p.m. EDT Monday, May 10, on NASA...

Mathematical model predicting disease spread patterns

A team of environmental engineers, alerted by the unusual wealth of data published regularly by county health agencies throughout the pandemic, began researching new methods to describe what was happening on the ground in a way that does not require obtaining information on individuals' movements or contacts. A new model predicts where a disease will spread from an outbreak, in what patterns and...

Why do some neurons degenerate and die in Alzheimer's disease, but not others?

Researchers have uncovered molecular clues that help explain what makes some neurons more susceptible than others in Alzheimer's disease. The scientists present evidence that neurons with high levels of the protein apolipoprotein E (apoE) are more sensitive to degeneration, and that this susceptibility is linked to apoE's regulation of immune-response molecules within neurons.

Feeling younger buffers older adults from stress, protects against health decline

People who feel younger have a greater sense of well-being, better cognitive functioning, less inflammation, lower risk of hospitalization and even live longer than their older-feeling peers. A study suggests one potential reason for the link between subjective age and health: Feeling younger could help buffer middle-aged and older adults against the damaging effects of stress.

Transforming atmospheric carbon into industrially useful materials

Plants are unparalleled in their ability to capture carbon from the air, but this benefit is temporary. Researchers have proposed a more permanent, and even useful, fate for this captured carbon by turning plants into a valuable industrial material called silicon carbide (SiC). A new study from scientists quantifies this process with more detail than ever before.