198 articles from WEDNESDAY 9.11.2022

Enzyme treatment given directly to fetus prevents symptoms of rare genetic disease

In a medical first, researchers have delivered an enzyme into the womb to treat a fetus’ rare genetic disorder, helping head off heart and muscle defects. The girl, who cannot make the enzyme on her own, is now a seemingly healthy 16-month-old who has escaped the fate of two of her siblings. Both died from the same disease early in life. This success paves the way for treating...

Geoscientists analyze fans' earthshaking reaction to win over Alabama

Fans inside and outside Tiger Stadium erupted with excitement as they watched their team beat Alabama in overtime. At the same time, a seismometer on LSU's campus captured the excitement, recording two distinctive seismic wave events. The first came at 10:03 p.m. after LSU football quarterback Jayden Daniels scored a touchdown from a 25-yard run. The second event came just minutes later at 10:06...

Biomarkers that predict preeclampsia risk

In a study of pregnant women in the United States, investigators found that a specific imbalance of two placental proteins could predict which women were at risk of developing a severe form of preeclampsia, a life-threatening blood pressure disorder.

Using SNAP benefits can help your memory, study finds

Eligible older adults who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the United States may have slower memory decline than eligible people who do not participate, according to a new study. Researchers found that those who used SNAP had about two fewer years of cognitive aging over a 10-year period compared with those who didn't use SNAP.

Pandemic led to 7.5 percent decrease in 2020 U.S. energy consumption

Total energy consumption decreased 7.5 percent nationwide in 2020 compared with 2019 as the COVID-19 pandemic led to lockdowns, business closures and employees working from home, according to a new study. The research is the first to quantify the effects of pandemic disruptions on energy consumption trends across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

How squid and octopus get their big brains

Cephalopods—which include octopus, squid, and their cuttlefish cousins—are capable of some truly charismatic behaviors. They can quickly process information to transform shape, color, and even texture, blending in with their surroundings. They can also communicate, show signs of spatial learning, and use tools to solve problems. They're so smart, they can even get bored.

Study: Germans more satisfied with democracy as a form of government

Public satisfaction with democracy in Germany has risen over the past two years, while in some cases extreme right-wing attitudes have declined significantly. At the same time, hatred of migrants, women, Muslims and other groups in Germany has increased and become widespread. In addition, stronger desires for authority can be observed in the wake of the pandemic. These are key findings of the...

Expert Comment: Is the future of transport electric? We have to do everything, and fast

Focusing solely on electric vehicles and technology that is not proven at scale is actually slowing down the path to zero emissions—it diverts resources and political will away from other solutions. In reality, if we are to meet the decarbonization targets of the Paris Agreement by 2050, we also need to focus on the movement of people and goods—and look at introducing traffic reduction...

Nazi propaganda from 1927–1945 reveals the role of dehumanization of Jews in the Holocaust

A linguistic analysis of Nazi propaganda suggests that dehumanization of Jews shifted over time, with propaganda after the onset of the Holocaust portraying Jews as having a greater capacity for agency, relative to earlier propaganda focused on disengaging moral concern. Alexander Landry of the Stanford Graduate School of Business, California, and colleagues present these findings in the...

US political partisanship affects first impressions of faces

In an experimental study, participants' first impressions of photos of strangers' faces were strongly influenced by disclosure of the stranger's political partisanship. Brittany Cassidy of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, U.S., and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on November 9, 2022.

Electrons zip along quantum highways in new material

Researchers at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) have discovered a new material, MnBi6Te10, which can be used to create quantum highways along which electrons can move. These electron thoroughfares are potentially useful in connecting the internal components of powerful, energy-efficient quantum computers.

Identification of the cells responsible for colon cancer relapse

Researchers report the discovery of the population of residual tumor cells responsible for the recurrence of colorectal cancer in other organs after removal of the primary tumor. The study shows that early immunotherapy, before surgery, can eliminate these cells before they have started to develop a metastasis, and thus prevent relapse of the disease. The work paves the way for the development of...

Early diagnosis tool for childhood kidney disease

Early diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is key to managing progression of the disease. A new technique analyzing urine extracellular vesicles (uEVs) -- cell-derived nanoscale spherical structures involved in multiple biological functions -- in urine samples identifies changes in the kidneys earlier than conventional methods and can also predict renal function decline.

NASA’s MAVEN Observes Martian Light Show Caused by Major Solar Storm

Portal origin URL: NASA’s MAVEN Observes Martian Light Show Caused by Major Solar StormPortal origin nid: 483867Published: Wednesday, November 9, 2022 - 15:00Featured (stick to top of list): noPortal text teaser: For the first time in its eight years orbiting Mars, NASA’s MAVEN mission witnessed two different types of ultraviolet aurorae simultaneously, the result of...

Florida-bound tropical storm forces new delay to uncrewed Artemis moonshot

Giant rocket, designed to withstand winds of 85mph, will remain on launchpad, with new launch date set for 16 NovemberThe imminent arrival of Tropical Storm Nicole in Florida has prompted Nasa to further delay its first crew-capable moon mission in half a century, although mission managers say they are comfortable leaving the multibillion-dollar Artemis spacecraft on its coastal launchpad.The...

Cop27: Is it time to rethink endless economic growth?

A key goal of governments around the world is economic growth – continually increasing production and consumption to keep GDP rising. But can our economies grow on a rapidly warming planet with finite resources? According to a recent UN report, the only way left to limit the worst impacts of the climate crisis is a “rapid transformation of societies”. In our third Cop27 special, Ian Sample...