154 articles from WEDNESDAY 11.5.2022
Investigating mercury contamination in freshwater lakes in Korea
During the 1950s and 1960s, Minamata Bay in Japan was the site of widespread mercury poisoning caused by the consumption of fish containing methylmercury—a toxic form of mercury that is synthesized when bacteria react with mercury released in water. Mercury poisoning caused deaths and widespread neurological disorders, as well as intergenerational harm as many of the survivors had children with...
Dropping permit requirement for carrying concealed weapon increases officer-involved shootings with civilian victims
A new study from researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that the estimated average rate of officer-involved shootings increased by 12.9 percent in 10 U.S. states that relaxed restrictions between 2014 and 2020 on civilians carrying concealed firearms in public.
Exploring how forest restoration affects water cycles
How would afforestation and restoration of large areas worldwide affect water-fluxes world wide? A new study led by Wageningen University researcher Anne Hoek van Dijke with contributions from Martin Herold, GFZ, has interesting answers. Impacts on precipitation reach far beyond country or even continent level: Tree restoration in the Amazon can, for example, affect rainfall in Europe and...
New research finds that preference for remaining is key to successful immigration
New research finds that policies granting permanent residency to immigrants conditional on acquiring host country skills—like language—are most likely to generate higher fiscal contributions to the host country through income taxes. In fact, immigrants with a preference for remaining in the host country develop social contacts and other specific skills that allow them to find better paid jobs...
International satellite to track impacts of small ocean currents
The Surface Water and Ocean Topography mission will explore how the ocean absorbs atmospheric heat and carbon, moderating global temperatures and climate change.
Marine sponge chemical and synthetic derivatives hijack human enzyme to kill cells
A human enzyme converts chemicals produced by marine sponges and related synthetic derivatives into cell-killing compounds, shows a study published today in eLife.
Dust and smoke are turning Colorado's blue skies red. Here's where it's coming from
Dust and smoke blowing in from fires, dry land and construction this spring periodically have turned Colorado's blue skies red, and air quality experts anticipate more crazy haze in the future as wind scours particles from the arid Southwest.
Why can't smoggy Southern California improve air quality? Local regulators blame the federal government
With smoggy Southern California poised to miss a critical clean air goal next year, local regulators are now threatening to sue the Environmental Protection Agency, saying the federal government has made their job "impossible."
Colorado's snowpack is melting at a 'ridiculous' rate
Colorado didn't see enough snow this winter to fully recover from the ongoing megadrought and now what snow the state did see is melting too quickly, experts say.
Astronomers hint at 1st photos of Milky Way's supermassive black hole
Just over three years after astronomers revealed the first photograph of a black hole, scientists are hinting at another remarkable...
Online retail images reveal skin tone discrepancies
When Lee Humphreys noticed that models for a retail company—one known for its diversity—appeared lighter-skinned in still photos than in videos, she didn't think it was intentional.
UK company reveals micro-launcher rocket
Orbex's Prime rocket reaching technical readiness represents a significant achievement that brings together key elements of the ground infrastructure and prototype launch vehicle for the first time and is a major step forward for the company and for the U.K. launch industry.
In Texas, two lizards battle for territory
Fifty years ago, the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge overflowed with prairie lizards. Today, the species can't be found there.
Study identifies barriers for women returning to work after breast cancer
Occupational therapy researchers find women living with and beyond breast cancer in Ireland are not aware of their employment entitlements and in response to findings have developed the occupational therapy-led "Work and Cancer" program that focuses on these entitlements and strategies for managing physical and psychological health in the workplace.
Fashion faux pas: Fashion trends are costing the environment
From balaclavas to cowgirl hats—and even the return of low-rise jeans—whatever the latest trends, they're sure to fly from catwalks to consumers the moment that models leave the stage at the Australian Fashion Week next week.
Seeing more species at the coast improves well-being: New research underlines benefits of biodiversity
Seeing a larger number of species on urban coastlines—from marine animals to seaweed—is likely to improve the well-being of local people and visitors, new research from a team at Swansea University has revealed. The findings provide further evidence that biodiversity brings wide-ranging benefits.
Biggest white diamond ever auctioned fetches $18.8 million
The Rock, the biggest white diamond ever auctioned, sold for a hammer price of 18.6 million Swiss francs ($18.8 million) on Wednesday, far short of the record for such a jewel.
Designer neurons offer new hope for treatment of Parkinson's disease
- ScienceDaily
- 22/5/11 18:36
Scientists describe a process for converting non-neuronal cells into functioning neurons able to take up residence in the brain, send out their fibrous branches across neural tissue, form synapses, dispense dopamine and restore capacities undermined by Parkinson's destruction of dopaminergic cells.
Multiple sclerosis: Glatiramer acetate compatible with breastfeeding, study suggests
- ScienceDaily
- 22/5/11 18:36
For patients suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS), becoming a mother is fraught with difficult questions: is it acceptable to continue disease modifying treatment during pregnancy and breastfeeding to keep the disease at bay, or does this put the child at risk? A study on the drug glatiramer acetate can relieve mothers of this concern during the breastfeeding period. A comparative study between...
Novel supramolecular CRISPR-Cas9 carrier enables more efficient genome editing
- ScienceDaily
- 22/5/11 18:36
CRISPR-Cas9 is considered a revolutionary gene editing tool, but its applications are limited by a lack of methods by which it can be safely and efficiently delivered into cells. Recently, a research team has constructed a highly flexible CRISPR-Cas9 carrier using aminated polyrotaxane (PRX) that can not only bind with the unusual structure of Cas9 and carry it into cells, but can also protect it...
One particle on two paths: Quantum physics is right
- ScienceDaily
- 22/5/11 18:35
The famous double slit experiment shows that particles can travel on two paths at the same time -- but only by looking at a lot of particles and analysing the results statistically. Now a two-path-interference experiment has been designed that only has to measure one specific particle to prove that it travelled on two paths.
Scientists study links between obesity, age and body chemistry
- ScienceDaily
- 22/5/11 18:35
A team of scientists is making inroads in understanding the relationship between certain enzymes that are normally produced in the body and their role in regulating obesity and controlling liver diseases. Researchers studied male mice that lacked the Cyp2b enzyme and how the lack of the enzyme affected the mice's metabolism.
Hepatitis: 3D structure determination of the 'gateway' to the liver
- ScienceDaily
- 22/5/11 18:35
Scientists have published a ground-breaking study of the structure and function of a central protein in the liver: NTCP, a cellular-entry pathway for bile salts, but also for certain hepatitis viruses. These results reveal the 3D structure of NTCP and two architectures it can adopt. One may be helpful in the development of therapeutic tools against hepatitis viral infection.
Structure of 'gliding bird' plant protein could lead to better crops
- ScienceDaily
- 22/5/11 18:35
When pathogens attack, the NPR1 protein steps in to control a plant's immune response. Scientists have now figured out what the protein looks like and how it works --- a possible boon for agriculture.