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40 articles from ScienceDaily

Novel method for early disease detection using DNA droplets

Droplet systems such as DNA droplets, which are formed by liquid-liquid phase separation of macromolecules, play an essential role in cellular functions. Now, by combining the technologies of DNA droplets and DNA computing, computational DNA droplets have been developed, which can recognize specific patterns in tumor biomarker microRNA sequences.

Great timing, supercomputer upgrade lead to successful forecast of volcanic eruption

In the fall of 2017, a team of geologists had just set up a new volcanic forecasting modeling program on the Blue Waters and iForge supercomputers. Simultaneously, another team was monitoring activity at the Sierra Negra volcano in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. The teams shared their insights and what happened next was the fortuitous forecast of the June 2018 Sierra Negra eruption five months...

Shaping up the genome for cell division

Our cells perform a marvel of engineering when it comes to packing information into small spaces. Every time a cell divides, it bundles up an amazing 4 meters of DNA into 46 tiny packages, each of which is only several millionths of a metre in length. Researchers have now discovered how a family of DNA motor proteins succeeds in packaging loosely arranged strands of DNA into compact individual...

Scientists uncover key factor in human brain development

Scientists have made a breakthrough discovery about the development of the brain. This new information contributes to our understanding of how the part of the brain that makes humans more intelligent than other mammals develops, and offers insights into what causes intellectual disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders.

Research reveals secrets of baffling but all-too-common type of diabetes

A mysterious form of diabetes known as malnutrition-related diabetes afflicts tens of millions of people in Asian and sub-Saharan African countries. Its victims -- mainly thin and impoverished adolescents and young adults -- rarely live more than a year after diagnosis. Their young age and thinness suggest type 1 diabetes (T1D), but insulin injections usually don't help and can even cause death...

Tracking sleep with a self-powering smart pillow

The human body needs sleep as much as it needs food and water. Yet many people fail to get enough, causing both mind and body to suffer. People who struggle for shut-eye could benefit from monitoring their sleep, but they have limited options for doing so. One team describes a potential solution: a self-powering smart pillow that tracks the position of the head.

AI ethical decision making: Is society ready?

With the accelerating evolution of technology, artificial intelligence (AI) plays a growing role in decision-making processes. Humans are becoming increasingly dependent on algorithms to process information, recommend certain behaviors, and even take actions of their behalf. A research team has studied how humans react to the introduction of AI decision making. Specifically, they explored the...

An atomic-scale window into superconductivity paves the way for new quantum materials

Superconductors are materials with no electrical resistance whatsoever, commonly requiring extremely low temperatures. They are used in a wide range of domains, from medical applications to a central role in quantum computers. Superconductivity is caused by specially linked pairs of electrons known as Cooper pairs. So far, the occurrence of Cooper pairs has been measured indirectly macroscopically...

Fecal transplant throws new light on inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease is accompanied by a number of changes in the intestines, such as a change in epithelial permeability, a change in the composition of the microorganisms, and altered levels of antimicrobial substances that are secreted by cells lining the gut. Finding out whether changes are a cause or an effect of the inflammation is difficult. Microbiologists have now teased out the...

Bone, heal thyself: Toward ceramics tailored for optimized bone self-repair

Researchers have determined chemical parameters that affect the rate of calcium phosphate ceramic conversion into hydroxyapatite in a simulated body fluid. Shorter carbon chain lengths in the phosphate ester facilitated faster remodeling than longer chains. These findings will help researchers design bone substitutes that better meet the needs of real medical practice and improve outcomes from...

A novel path for sustainable photon upconversion with non-precious metals

Sustainable chemical applications need to be able to employ renewable energy sources, renewable raw materials, and earth-abundant elements. However, to date many techniques have only been possible with the use of expensive precious metals or rare earth metals, the extraction of which can have serious environmental impacts. A team of researchers has now achieved a breakthrough in the use of...

A model of improved safety for LNG storage

A new high-performance computational model optimizing the design of large liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanks will lead to improved safety and security of storage facilities, with the bonus of reduced construction costs, according to new research.

The link between temperature, dehydration and tectonic tremors in Alaska

No one is at their best when they are dehydrated and that goes for tectonic plates too. Researchers using a thermomechanical model of the Alaska subduction zone indicates that plate dehydration is at its highest in the region where low-frequency tremors occur, suggesting that the expelled water contributes towards these seimic events. This improved understanding will contribute to better...