3,290 articles from FEBRUARY 2022

Discovery of an innate immunological memory in the intestine

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.

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.

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...

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...

Metasurface-based antenna turns ambient radio waves into electric power

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

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...

The root of it: Understanding molecular basis of lateral root development in rice

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.

Spintronics: Innovative crystals for future computer electronics

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...