120 articles from WEDNESDAY 22.3.2023
Ludwig von Beethoven's genome sheds light on chronic health problems and cause of death
- ScienceDaily
- 23/3/22 19:09
In 1802, Ludwig van Beethoven asked his brothers to request that his doctor, J.A. Schmidt, describe his malady -- his progressive hearing loss -- to the world upon his death so that 'as far as possible at least the world will be reconciled to me after my death.' Now, more than two centuries later, a team of researchers have partially fulfilled his wish by analyzing DNA they lifted and pieced...
Fun climate change education programs could boost interest in STEM subjects
Make climate change education technology-based and fun from the offset to help reverse the declining interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects, say the authors of a new study from the University of Surrey.
New water treatment zaps 'forever chemicals' for good
- ScienceDaily
- 23/3/22 19:04
Engineers have developed a new water treatment that removes 'forever chemicals' from drinking water safely, efficiently -- and for good.
Imaging captures social dynamics of 'pee-shy' mice
- ScienceDaily
- 23/3/22 19:04
Urine scent marks are the original social media, allowing animals to advertise their location, status and identity. Now research is shining a new light -- via thermal imaging of mice -- on how this behavior changes depending on shifting social conditions.
Photosynthesis 'hack' could lead to new ways of generating renewable energy
- ScienceDaily
- 23/3/22 19:03
Researchers have 'hacked' the earliest stages of photosynthesis, the natural machine that powers the vast majority of life on Earth, and discovered new ways to extract energy from the process, a finding that could lead to new ways of generating clean fuel and renewable energy.
Simulated terrible drivers cut the time and cost of AV testing by a factor of one thousand
- ScienceDaily
- 23/3/22 19:03
The push toward truly autonomous vehicles has been hindered by the cost and time associated with safety testing, but a new system shows that artificial intelligence can reduce the testing miles required by 99.99%.
New NIH study reveals shared genetic markers underlying substance use disorders
- ScienceDaily
- 23/3/22 19:03
By combing through genomic data of over 1 million people of European or African descent, scientists have identified genes commonly inherited across addiction disorders, regardless of the substance being used. This dataset -- one of largest and most diverse of its kind -- may help reveal new treatment targets across multiple substance use disorders, including for people diagnosed with more than...
Surprisingly simple explanation for the alien comet 'Oumuamua's weird orbit
- ScienceDaily
- 23/3/22 19:03
When the first interstellar comet ever seen in our solar system was discovered in 2017, one characteristic -- an unexplained acceleration away from the sun -- sparked wild speculation, including that it was an alien spacecraft. An astrochemist found a simpler explanation and tested it with an astronomer: in interstellar space, cosmic rays converted water to hydrogen in the comet's outer layers....
Why subvariants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus accelerated the pandemic
- ScienceDaily
- 23/3/22 19:03
Researchers describe why SARS-CoV-2 subvariants spread more rapidly than the original virus strain, and how an early treatment might have made people more susceptible to future infections.
Semiconductor lattice marries electrons and magnetic moments
- ScienceDaily
- 23/3/22 19:03
A model system created by stacking a pair of monolayer semiconductors is giving physicists a simpler way to study confounding quantum behavior, from heavy fermions to exotic quantum phase transitions.
One in five people in UK suffer from misophonia, researchers find
Disorder involves strong negative reaction to sounds such as chewing or snoringIf the sound of someone chewing gum or slurping their tea gets on your nerves, you are not alone. Researchers say almost one in five people in the UK has strong negative reactions to such noises.Misophonia is a disorder in which people feel strong emotional responses to certain sounds, feeling angry, distressed or even...
Geoscientists shed a light on life's evolution 800 million years ago
Is nitrate responsible for algae, flowers, and even your neighbors? A team of Virginia Tech geoscientists have unearthed evidence that may indicate yes.
Tackling counterfeit seeds with 'unclonable' labels
Average crop yields in Africa are consistently far below expected, and one significant reason is the prevalence of counterfeit seeds whose germination rates are far lower than those of the genuine ones. The World Bank estimates that as much as half of all seeds sold in some African countries are fake, which could help to account for crop production that is far below potential.
Perception of Russia-Ukraine conflict linked to endorsement of false news about adversary
In a 2020 survey, Ukrainians who perceived a higher level of conflict between Ukraine and Russia were less inclined to endorse false, negative news about the European Union, but were more likely to endorse false, negative news about Russia. Honorata Mazepus of Leiden University in the Netherlands and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.
The challenge of keeping an audience engaged: How language shapes attention
Researchers from University of Pennsylvania, University or Maryland, and Emory University published a new Journal of Marketing article that examines how and why the language used in content engages readers.
Online dashboard details surge in New York state eviction filings
New York state saw a resurgence of eviction proceedings after a nearly two-year moratorium ended in early 2022, with rates that year exceeding pre-pandemic levels in 40 of 62 counties, according to an ILR School analysis of census and court data.
Research uncovers details about the mysterious author of early astronomy textbooks
Around 1800, an English schoolmistress named Margaret Bryan wrote several well-regarded textbooks on astronomy and physics for young women. While Bryan corresponded with some of the most illustrious astronomers and mathematicians of her time, relatively little was known about her until now.
Researchers make biodegradable optical components from crab shells
Researchers have developed a process to turn crab shells into a bioplastic that can be used to make optical components known as diffraction gratings. The resulting lightweight, inexpensive gratings are biodegradable and could enable portable spectrometers that are also disposable.
New UN report: Limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius requires deep decarbonization across all sectors
Limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels will require severely cutting greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030. Doing so calls for the immediate, large-scale adoption of renewable energy like solar and wind, electrified transportation, energy-efficient systems, alternative fuels, and carbon capture and storage technologies across all sectors globally.
An ancient mound of shells has been mined in the San Francisco Bay for 100 years—but the oyster's future is uncertain
For years now, if a commuter were to glance to the north side of the San Mateo Bridge, they might see a lonely barge, painted with the words "Lind Marine," floating a few hundred yards from the shoreline.