195 articles from THURSDAY 16.6.2022
Sharks may be closer to the city than you think, new study finds
The world's coastlines are rapidly urbanizing, but how this increased human presence may impact species living in the ocean is not fully understood. In a new study led by scientists at the University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, researchers tracked the movements of three shark species, bull, nurse and great hammerhead, in relation to the city of Miami. Given...
The coronal veil: Are the sun's magnetic arches an optical illusion?
From afar, the Sun appears blank and featureless in visible light. But through a solar telescope in different wavelength, it is revealed to be much, much more.
Solving the puzzle of 2D disorder
When players try to solve word games, they attempt to put together clues to find the solution. Sure, it helps to have a strong vocabulary, but finding the right answers to those puzzles is as much about logic and strategy as it is about being a wordsmith.
NASA completes critical testing milestone for NOAA's JPSS-2 satellite
The Joint Polar Satellite System-2 satellite, or JPSS-2, has cleared a critical testing milestone, bringing it a step closer to launch. Last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's polar-orbiting satellite emerged from the chamber after completing its thermal vacuum testing. This test is meant to show that the spacecraft and all of its instruments will perform successfully when...
NASA spacecraft observes asteroid Bennu's boulder 'body armor'
Asteroid Bennu's boulder-covered surface gives it protection against small meteoroid impacts, according to observations of craters by NASA's OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorer) spacecraft.
Supercomputing helps reveal weaknesses in HIV-1 virus
Much remains to be discovered on how the HIV-1 virus infects our cells. Scientists know that it slips past the defenses of our immune system, entering white blood cells to deliver its genetic payload and hijack the cell's transcription machinery that in turn cranks out copies of viral RNA and new HIV-1 viruses. But many of the details remain hazy.
Experiment results confirm anomaly, could point to new elementary particle
New scientific results confirm an anomaly seen in previous experiments, which may point to an as-yet-unconfirmed new elementary particle, the sterile neutrino, or indicate the need for a new interpretation of an aspect of standard model physics, such as the neutrino cross section, first measured 60 years ago. Los Alamos National Laboratory is the lead American institution collaborating on the...
San Diego Zoo welcomes 1st aardvark birth in years
An aardvark cub born at the San Diego Zoo is doing well and developing quickly, according to wildlife specialists.
Gateway towns to Yellowstone become dead ends after flood
This gateway town to Yellowstone National Park has become a dead end, a casualty of the severe flooding that tore through one of America's most beloved natural attractions and swept away roads, bridges and homes.
Disgraced Italian surgeon convicted of criminal harm to stem cell patient
A surgeon who just a decade ago was celebrated around the globe as a pioneer in stem cell transplants has been convicted of one count of “causing bodily harm,” a felony, in a Swedish court. The district court in Solna today found Paolo Macchiarini not guilty on other charges, including aggravated assault, that could have carried prison sentences of up to 4 years, relating to three...
Arkansas scientist gets 1-year sentence in case stemming from China Initiative
U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Brooks today sentenced Simon Ang to 1 year and 1 day in prison for lying to FBI about his status as an inventor. He was also fined $5500. Ang, a former engineering professor at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, was ordered to report to federal prison on 20 July to begin serving his sentence, after which he will be on supervised release for 1...
Understanding learning by inference
- ScienceDaily
- 22/6/16 21:25
Both humans and other animals are good at learning by inference, using information we do have to figure out things we cannot observe directly. New research shows how our brains achieve this by constructing cognitive maps.
Experiment results confirm anomaly suggesting new physics possibility
- ScienceDaily
- 22/6/16 21:25
New scientific results confirm an anomaly seen in previous experiments, which may point to an as-yet-unconfirmed new elementary particle, the sterile neutrino, or indicate the need for a new interpretation of an aspect of standard model physics, such as the neutrino cross section, first measured 60 years ago.
New images using data from retired telescopes reveal hidden features in neighboring galaxies
New images using data from ESA (European Space Agency) and NASA missions showcase the gas and dust that fill the space between stars in four of the galaxies closest to our own Milky Way. More than striking, the snapshots are also a scientific trove, lending insight into how dramatically the density of dust clouds can vary within a galaxy.
Researchers change the game when it comes to activity tracking
- ScienceDaily
- 22/6/16 21:25
The creation of high-resolution extrusion printing -- think 3D printing but with ink that conducts electricity -- has enabled researchers to explore the potential of wearable human motion devices. Wearable technology -- smartwatches, heart monitors, sleep aid devices, even step counters -- have become part of everyday life. And researchers have now created even smaller, lighter and highly-accurate...
Soy sauce's salt-enhancing peptides
- ScienceDaily
- 22/6/16 21:24
Soy sauce deepens the flavor of soup stocks, gives stir-fried rice its sweet-salty glaze and makes a plate of dumplings absolutely enjoyable. But what exactly makes this complex, salty, umami sauce so tasty? Now, researchers have discovered the proteins and other compounds that give soy sauce its distinctive flavors and they say that proteins and peptides help make it salty.
A glucose meter could soon say whether you have SARS-CoV-2 antibodies
- ScienceDaily
- 22/6/16 21:24
Over-the-counter COVID tests can quickly show whether you are infected with SARS-CoV-2. But if you have a positive result, there's no equivalent at-home test to assess how long you're protected against reinfection. Researchers now report a simple, accurate glucose-meter-based test incorporating a novel fusion protein. The researchers say that consumers could someday use this assay to monitor their...
New global biodiversity framework falls short on inclusion of chemical pollutants, say environmental experts
Environmental scientists, ecologists, and policy experts argue in a letter published today in Science that the proposed Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework—a new international agreement to protect biodiversity—fails to account for the totality of chemical pollutants that threaten the health of ecosystems worldwide. Their recommendations arrive ahead of Post-2020 Global Biodiversity...
Off-season cattle grazing to help control fire danger from invasive cheatgrass
Cheatgrass, an invasive annual grass that has invaded Nevada rangelands, is responsible for much of the increasing wildfire danger in the Intermountain West. However, scientists at the University of Nevada, Reno have discovered that fire danger can be reduced through the application of targeted cattle grazing in the dormant growing season by attracting the cattle with stations containing protein...
Exploring soy sauce's salt-enhancing peptides
Soy sauce deepens the flavor of soup stocks, gives stir-fried rice its sweet-salty glaze and makes a plate of dumplings absolutely enjoyable. But what exactly makes this complex, salty, umami sauce so tasty? Now, researchers reporting in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry have discovered the proteins and other compounds that give soy sauce its distinctive flavors and they say that...
Researchers discuss 'WRNing' for the right DNA repair pathway choice
A new editorial paper titled "WRNing for the right DNA repair pathway choice" has been published in Aging .
Murders of women worldwide remain vastly undercounted. Activists are now filling in the gaps
An unknown number of women and girls are killed every year primarily because of their gender, murders known as “femicides” or “feminicides.” Although gender-related violence is a serious problem worldwide, official government data on the issue are often inaccurate, incomplete, or nonexistent. These “missing data” have real consequences, says Helena Suárez Val, a researcher at...
Watching the death of a rare giant star
- ScienceDaily
- 22/6/16 20:43
Extreme supergiant stars known as hypergiants are very rare, with only a few known to exist in the Milky Way. By tracing molecular emissions in the outflows around the red hypergiant star VY Canis Majoris, astronomers obtained the first detailed map of the star's envelope, which sheds light on the mechanisms involved in the final stages of extreme supergiant star.
Using cell phone data to track population movements and more efficiently implement pandemic lockdowns
New research in the INFORMS journal Management Science identifies a new method of implementing pandemic lockdowns that decreases infection rates while also limiting negative economic impacts.
Privileges confirmed for straight white men working in STEM
A new study that considered multiple aspects including sexual identity and disabilities confirms a long-held belief: White, heterosexual men without disabilities are privileged in STEM careers.
Biochemistry researchers repair and regenerate heart muscle cells
- ScienceDaily
- 22/6/16 20:27
Researchers are reporting new technology that not only repairs heart muscle cells in mice but also regenerates them following a heart attack, or myocardial infarction as its medically known.
Genetic screening algorithm could identify people with kidney disease risk
- ScienceDaily
- 22/6/16 20:27
By analyzing thousands of genetic risk variants, a new algorithm may be able to predict your risk of developing chronic kidney disease decades before onset.
Largest study of domestic cat DNA identifies disease-causing variants in new breeds
- ScienceDaily
- 22/6/16 20:27
Thirteen genetic variants associated with disease in cats are present in more pedigreed breeds than previously thought, according to the largest ever DNA-based study of domestic cats. However, these variants are declining in frequency in breeds that are regularly screened for the genetic markers.
Quantum simulator delivers new insight
- ScienceDaily
- 22/6/16 20:27
A quantum simulator is giving physicists a clear look at spin-charge separation, a bizarre phenomenon in which two parts of indivisible particles called electrons travel at different speeds in extremely cold 1D wires. The research has implications for quantum computing and electronics with atom-scale wires.
Researchers develop a comprehensive atlas of disease mortality
- ScienceDaily
- 22/6/16 20:27
Researchers have published a detailed collection of mortality estimates for diseases, disorders and external factors. The study provides a resource to estimate reductions in life expectancy for a comprehensive range of disorders. The atlas will be a useful tool for clinicians, academics, and policymakers looking into links between disorders and mortality estimates, as well as for researchers...
Newly documented population of polar bears in Southeast Greenland sheds light on the species' future in a warming Arctic
- ScienceDaily
- 22/6/16 20:27
A new population of polar bears documented on the southeast coast of Greenland use glacier ice to survive despite limited access to sea ice. This small, genetically distinct group of polar bears could be important to the future of the species in a warming world.
Humans responsible for over 90% of world's oil slicks
- ScienceDaily
- 22/6/16 20:27
Scientists mapping oil pollution across the Earth's oceans have found that more than 90% of chronic oil slicks come from human sources, a much higher proportion than previously estimated.
Computer tool can track stroke rehabilitation to boost recovery
- ScienceDaily
- 22/6/16 20:27
A sensor-equipped computer program can accurately identify and count arm movements in people undergoing stroke rehabilitation, a new study shows.
Engineers create single-step, all-in-one 3D printing method to make robotic materials
- ScienceDaily
- 22/6/16 20:27
Engineers have developed a new design strategy and 3D printing technique to build robots in one single step. The breakthrough enabled the entire mechanical and electronic systems needed to operate a robot to be manufactured all at once by a new type of 3D printing process for engineered active materials with multiple functions (also known as metamaterials). Once 3D printed, a 'meta-bot' will be...