179 articles from THURSDAY 8.9.2022
Gender inequities in mentoring may disproportionately affect women researchers
A new analysis of mentoring relationships in academic research finds that gender inequities in the resources available to women mentors in the life sciences appear to disproportionately affect the subsequent careers of women trainees. Leah Schwartz and colleagues at Oregon Health and Science University present these findings on September 8th in the open-access journal PLOS Biology.
Ecological tipping point: 5+ El Nino events per century controls coastal biotic communities
The El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a global climate phenomenon most famous for the El Niño phase characterized by warm sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean, intense winter storms and high precipitation. El Niño impacts plants, animals and people around the world by devastating Pacific fisheries, sparking droughts in some parts of the world and causing massive flooding...
Modern humans generate more brain neurons than Neandertals
The question of what makes modern humans unique has long been a driving force for researchers. Comparisons with our closest relatives, the Neandertals, therefore provide fascinating insights. The increase in brain size, and in neuron production during brain development, are considered to be major factors for the increased cognitive abilities that occurred during human evolution. However, while...
Chiral quasi bound states in the continuum for a high-purity circularly polarized light source
An ultracompact circularly polarized light source is a crucial component for the applications of classical and quantum optics information processing. The development of this field relies on the advances of two fields: quantum materials and chiral optical cavities. Conventional approaches for circularly polarized photoluminescence suffer from incoherent broadband emission, limited DOP, and large...
Risk of multiple climate tipping points escalates above 1.5°C global warming
Multiple climate tipping points could be triggered if global temperature rises beyond 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, according to a major new analysis published in the journal Science. Even at current levels of global heating the world is already at risk of passing five dangerous climate tipping points, and risks increase with each tenth of a degree of further warming.
‘Breakthrough’ finding shows how modern humans grow more brain cells than Neanderthals
We humans are proud of our big brains, which are responsible for our ability to plan ahead, communicate, and create. Inside our skulls, we pack, on average, 86 billion neurons—up to three times more than those of our primate cousins. For years, researchers have tried to figure out how we manage to develop so many brain cells. Now, they’ve come a step closer: A new study shows a...
From a single domestication, donkeys helped build empires around the world
Donkeys may lack the popularity and prestige of horses, but these diminutive equines played an outsize role in human history. Now, an extensive analysis of the genomes of both modern and ancient donkeys reveals they were domesticated only once, in East Africa around 5000 B.C.E. Soon after, they rapidly spread throughout Eurasia and became distinctive populations, with limited mixing...
Just a small rise in Earth’s temperature could cause irreversible ecosystem and weather changes
From melting ice sheets to stressed coral reefs, global warming is changing our world in unmistakable ways. But identifying “tipping points,” thresholds past which such transformations become irreversible or self-sustaining, has been more difficult—and controversial. Some researchers argue that emphasizing looming but uncertain points of no return could feed public apathy,...
News at a glance: La Niña’s triple dip, Yak lungs, and a drop in U.S. life expectancy
ASTRONOMY
Webb telescope snaps its first exoplanet
An exoplanet was imaged at various wavelengths (insets); the white pentagram marks the parent star.
NASA/ESA/CSA; A. CARTER/UCSC; THE ERS 1386 TEAM; A. PAGAN/STSCI
The James Webb Space Telescope...
The link between mental health and social conditions | Letters
Readers and healthcare professionals respond to Dr Sanah Ahsan’s article which argued that for too long, the dominant mental health narrative has located problems in individuals, and not in social injustice or inequalityLike Dr Sanah Ahsan (I’m a psychologist – and I believe we’ve been told devastating lies about mental health, 6 September), I too work as a clinical psychologist and I see...
When it comes to military intervention, Americans prefer to 'give peace a chance'
A new Rice University and University of Nevada, Las Vegas study on Americans' attitudes about military intervention finds the public prefers when the U.S. works with other military powers, protects civilians and resolves conflicts peacefully.
Cloud over Mount Rainier stirs panic after people mistake it for sign of eruption
An alarming video of what appeared to be volcanic activity at Mount Rainier left people wondering if the volcano would erupt.
Research improves upon conventional LED displays
LED lights have become ubiquitous lighting solutions for homes and businesses, but when it comes to large, high-resolution displays, traditional LEDs have documented disadvantages. LED displays use a high voltage and a factor called the internal power conversion efficiency is low, which means the energy costs to run the displays are high, the displays do not last as long, and they can run too hot.
Attitudes toward online learning improve post-pandemic, according to survey
Positive attitudes toward online learning have increased to their highest levels yet among learners who use it, according to Wiley's annual Voice of the Online Learner report, issued today.
New kit enables study of microplastics in the ocean
New equipment designed by British Antarctic Survey is helping scientists to study the impact of microplastics in the ocean. The Ocean Plastic Incubator Chamber (OPIC) exposes various types of plastics to oceanic conditions for predetermined lengths of time to measure weathering rates. Lots of discarded plastic ends up in the ocean, where it remains, so it's important to understand how plastic may...
Molecular mechanisms of spawning habits for adaptive radiation of endemic East Asian cyprinid fishes
Adaptive radiations represent rapid branching in the tree of life and are recognized as critical drivers of biodiversity. Studies on them is central to understand the mechanisms that drive speciation, diversification, and many associated ecological and evolutionary processes. During adaptive radiations, traits related to ecological and reproductive isolation play a major role in shaping...
Examining the trends Europe's agriculture will have to cope with
Climate change, environmental and animal welfare policies, aging farmers: Europe's agriculture is facing enormous challenges, which vary diametrically depending on the region. Where will farming soon become unprofitable? Where are laws forcing them to change their practices? A study co-led by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL has now investigated this for all...
A new road towards spin-polarized currents
The second half of the 20th century was the age of electronics, electronic devices became miniaturized and even more complex, creating problems for their energy consumption and waste heat. Spintronics promises to store or transport information based on spins alone, which would work faster with much less energy. Unfortunately it is still a challenge to control spin in a material by external fields...
Research shows manager movement impacts subordinates' careers
Think ahead. The manager who rewards you with raises, bonuses and career opportunities could be replaced by a new boss who puts the brakes on your growth.
What makes the 'Appalachian truffle' taste and smell delicious?
A hallmark of a truly luxurious meal is a sprinkling of truffle shavings—the fungal kind, not the chocolate. Nicknamed "diamonds" of the culinary world, these fanciful fungi are prized for their unique flavor and scent. But newer truffle species are fighting to achieve that same gourmet status. Now, researchers reporting in ACS Omega have performed the first full aroma characterization of the...
New advances in stem-cell derived mouse embryo model
- ScienceDaily
- 22/9/8 19:19
Researchers announce the development of a mouse embryo model, complete with beating hearts and the foundations for a brain and other organs, out of mouse embryonic stem cells.
New study provides insights into each US state's COVID-19 vaccination rate
- ScienceDaily
- 22/9/8 19:18
Many people unvaccinated for COVID-19 remain unconvinced of its necessity, and the social and demographic factors underlying this decision vary substantially from region to region, researchers report.
Family ties: Inherited genetic variants increase risk of Hodgkin lymphoma
- ScienceDaily
- 22/9/8 19:18
Scientists have completed the largest study of families affected by Hodgkin lymphoma and identified novel variants linked to cancer predisposition.
Researchers reveal stratospheric air intrusion process
Long-term monitoring of radionuclides transported with through the atmosphere can help to reveal atmospheric dynamics. The cosmogenic 10Be/7Be ratio is an effective tracer of atmospheric motion.
New research investigates domestic abuse of Asian women in East of England
New research has found that Asian women in the East of England struggle to speak out against domestic abuse due to several barriers, including pressures from within their communities and gaps in services, while the support provided to victims must be better tailored to their specific needs.