3,290 articles from FEBRUARY 2022
Discovery of an innate immunological memory in the intestine
- ScienceDaily
- 22/2/28 18:56
The innate immune system plays a crucial role in regulating host-microbe interactions, and especially in providing protection against pathogens that invade the mucosa. Using an intestinal infection model, scientists discovered that innate effector cells -- group 3 innate lymphoid cells -- act not only during the early stages of infection but can also be trained to develop an innate form of...
Metasurface-based antenna turns ambient radio waves into electric power
Researchers have developed a new metasurface-based antenna that represents an important step toward making it practical to harvest energy from radio waves, such as the ones used in cell phone networks or Bluetooth connections. This technology could potentially provide wireless power to sensors, LEDs and other simple devices with low energy requirements.
Potential impacts of emerald ash borer on wildlife in black ash wetlands
Black ash wetlands cover approximately 1.2 million acres of wetland forest in the western Great Lakes. They are an ecologically significant part of Minnesota's landscapes and provide critical habitat for wildlife.
A new way to control atomic interactions
In a new study, Stanford researchers demonstrate how to manipulate atoms so they interact with an unprecedented degree of control. Using precisely delivered light and magnetic fields, the researchers programmed a straight line of atoms into treelike shapes, a twisted loop called a Möbius strip and other patterns.
Team significantly improves BioCro software for growing virtual crops
A team from the University of Illinois has revamped the popular crop growth simulation software BioCro, making it a more user-friendly and efficient way to predict crop yield. The updated version, BioCro II, allows modelers to use the technology much more easily and includes faster and more accurate algorithms.
Ring my string: Building silicon nano-strings
Tightening a string, e.g. when tuning a guitar, makes it vibrate faster. But when strings are nano-sized, increased tension also reduces, or 'dilutes', the loss of the string's vibrational modes.
How a two-faced molecule can silence problematic genes
T and B lymphocytes, which are part of a group of immune cells commonly called white blood cells, work together to eliminate foreign invaders in the body such as viruses. However, certain diseases can arise when T and B cells are activated at inappropriate times, including autoimmune disorders and various cancers. In a recent article published in Nature Communications, a team led by researchers at...
Trees may benefit from earlier start of growing season in cold humid areas
A research group led by Prof. Liang Eryuan from the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research (ITP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has found that trees may benefit from an earlier start of the growing season in cold humid areas, but not in dry areas.
Chicago area grapples with reducing road salt as chloride levels rise in waterways, Lake Michigan
During icy Midwest winters, a Chicagoan's step onto the sidewalk is often met with a familiar crunch underfoot. But salt, used to keep roads safe for driving and sidewalks safe for walking, comes with an ecological price: It ends up in our water, and once it's there, it's almost impossible to remove. As levels of chlorides continue to rise in Lake Michigan and exceed state limits in Chicago-area...
More accurate modeling of flue gas desulfurization in powder-particle spouted beds
Sulfur dioxide is the main source of air pollution and easily forms a haze deteriorating the air quality. Therefore, various studies on the reduction of sulfide emissions generated during fossil combustion have been performed. Among them, the semi-dry flue gas desulfurization technology in powder-particle spouted beds (PPSBs) is considered a reliable and effective desulfurization method.
Hydrogels containing a hygroscopic salt can harvest freshwater from dry air
Hydrogels have an astonishing ability to swell and take on water. In daily life, they are used in dressings, nappies, and more to lock moisture away. A team of researchers has now found another use: quickly extracting large amounts of freshwater from air using a specially developed hydrogel containing a hygroscopic salt. The study, published in the journal Angewandte Chemie, shows that the salt...
The Unfolding Story of a Kilonova Told in X-rays
Portal origin URL: The Unfolding Story of a Kilonova Told in X-raysPortal origin nid: 477688Published: Monday, February 28, 2022 - 12:17Featured (stick to top of list): noPortal text teaser: An artist’s conception illustrates the aftermath of a "kilonova," a powerful event that happens when two neutron stars merge.Portal image: An artist’s conception...
The AI promise: Put IT on autopilot
Sercompe Business Technology provides essential cloud services to roughly 60 corporate clients, supporting a total of about 50,000 users. So, it’s crucial that the Joinville, Brazil, company’s underlying IT infrastructure deliver reliable service with predictably high performance. But with a complex IT environment that includes more than 2,000 virtual machines and 1 petabyte—equivalent to a...
Possible case of deer-to human Covid infection identified in Canada
Researchers say its unlikely that the variant found in deer could bypass vaccines, but urge better monitoring of Covid in animalsCanadian researchers believe they have found the first-ever instance of a deer passing the coronavirus to a human, warning that broader surveillance of wildlife is needed to prevent further mutations from developing and spreading undetected.In a paper published last...
New climate change report highlights rising danger, costs for Canadians
Global warming is already costing Canada billions, from wildfires in the West to reduced seafood harvests in the East, says a new report from the world's top climate change research...
Metasurface-based antenna turns ambient radio waves into electric power
- ScienceDaily
- 22/2/28 17:44
Researchers report that lab tests of a new metasurface-based antenna that can harvest 100 microwatts of power, enough to power simple devices, from low power radio waves. This represents an important step toward making it practical to harvest energy from radio waves, such as the ones used in cell phone networks or Bluetooth connections.
How a two-faced molecule can silence problematic genes
- ScienceDaily
- 22/2/28 17:44
Researchers have developed a technology, heteroduplex oligonucleotide (HDO), that silences certain genes whose high expression levels fuel disease. Adding a specific molecular tag allowed them to target the HDO to immune cells called lymphocytes safely and efficiently. Doing so with an HDO specific to a gene called Itga4 improved symptoms in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, suggesting this...
Healthy gut microbiome improves success of cancer treatment
- ScienceDaily
- 22/2/28 17:44
The largest study to date has confirmed the link between the gut microbiome and the response to cancer immunotherapy therapy for melanoma.
The root of it: Understanding molecular basis of lateral root development in rice
- ScienceDaily
- 22/2/28 17:44
The ability of rice plants to modify their root systems to adapt to the surrounding soil water conditions is a great example of a phenomenon called phenotype plasticity. However, the exact mechanism behind this remained unknown. Now researchers have determined the role of two WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) genes in controlling the root primordium size in lateral roots.
Your lunchtime walks in the summer could be making you less productive
- ScienceDaily
- 22/2/28 17:44
Researchers discovered that a brief 15-minute walk in a hot outdoor environment impairs cognitive function. Moreover, this effect was most pronounced in sleep-deprived men and could negatively impact the productivity and learning of workers and students in urban cities in the summer months.
Cholesterol-lowering drugs may slow down metastases
- ScienceDaily
- 22/2/28 17:43
Many people have to take statins to lower their cholesterol levels. But statins may be able to do even more: Researchers report that these drugs inhibit a gene that promotes cancer cell metastasis.
Spintronics: Innovative crystals for future computer electronics
- ScienceDaily
- 22/2/28 17:43
Computer chips and storage elements are expected to function as quickly as possible and be energy-saving at the same time. Innovative spintronic modules are at an advantage here thanks to their high speed and efficiency, as there is no lossy electrical current, rather the electrons couple with one another magnetically -- like a series of tiny magnetic needles which interact with almost no friction...
Suspending syringe services programs will result in an increase of HIV infections
- ScienceDaily
- 22/2/28 17:43
A new study shows the effectiveness of syringe services programs in both curbing HIV transmission among people who use drugs and preventing future outbreaks.
Bark of neem tree may protect against coronavirus variants, study finds
- ScienceDaily
- 22/2/28 17:43
Extract from the bark of the Neem tree may help treat and reduce the spread of coronavirus, according to a new study. The research shows that components of Neem bark may target a wide range of viral proteins, suggesting its potential as an antiviral agent against emerging variants of coronaviruses (including SARS-CoV-2).