ScienceDaily: All - August 06, 2024
Today's top research news
Horse miscarriages offer clues to causes of early human pregnancy loss
A study of horses -- which share many important similarities with humans in their chromosomes and pregnancies -- revealed that 42% of miscarriages and spontaneous abortions in the first two months of pregnancy were due to complications from an extra set of chromosomes, a condition called triploidy.
Image: Erica Hollingshead/Shutterstock.com
New method tracks how psychedelics affect neurons in minutes
A new tool to track the neurons and molecules activated in the brain by psychedlic drugs could help scientists unlock the benefits of psychedelic treatments for patients with brain disorders.
Astronomers uncover risks to planets that could host life
A groundbreaking study has revealed that red dwarf stars can produce stellar flares that carry far-ultraviolet (far-UV) radiation levels much higher than previously believed.
Greenland fossil discovery reveals increased risk of sea-level catastrophe
Seeds, twigs, and insect parts found under two miles of ice confirm Greenland's ice sheet melted in the recent past, the first direct evidence that the center -- not just the edges -- of the two-mile-deep ice melted away in the recent geological past. The new research indicates that the giant ice sheet is more fragile than scientists had realized until the last few years -- and reveals increased risk of sea-level catastrophe in a warmer future.
Forecasting climate's impact on a debilitating disease
In Brazil, climate and other human-made environmental changes threaten decades-long efforts to fight schistosomiasis, a widespread and debilitating parasitic disease. Now, researchers have developed models that can predict how the disease risk will shift in response to environmental changes.
Researchers have discovered a new species of sea star (also known as starfish). The discovery came about thanks to collaborative work among researchers, fishers, and aquarium and museum staff. The starfish, which has been named Paragonaster hoeimaruae, belongs to the family Pseudarchasteridae. It is a distinctive red and beige color, with five arms and spans just over 10 centimeters.
Seismic detectors measure soil moisture using traffic noise
Using state of the art techniques, researchers use vibrations from traffic to measure underground soil moisture.
Nature's design marvel: How shark skin's denticles adapt to wide speed
New findings on how sharks achieve drag reduction could inspire the design of riblets for more efficient aircraft and boats. In their investigation of great white shark denticles, researchers found that ridge height and spacing play crucial roles in drag reduction at different swimming speeds. Higher middle ridges aid sharks in efficient cruising at slower speeds, while the lower side ridges become more critical for drag reduction during high-speed hunting bursts. The analysis also suggests that the speeds of an extinct giant shark, megalodon, may not much differ from those of the white shark.
Ultrafine particles linked to over 1,000 deaths per year in Canada's two largest cities
A new study conducted in Canada's two largest cities has linked about 1,100 premature deaths per year to an unregulated air pollutant. Ultrafine particles (UFPs) primarily come from vehicle emissions and industrial activities. Canada's federal and provincial governments have not set concentration limits for UFPs, as they have for larger fine particles known as PM2.5.
Physicists develop new method to combine conventional internet with the quantum internet
Researchers send entangled photons and laser pulses of the same color over a single optical fiber for the first time.
New model refutes leading theory on how Earth's continents formed
Computational modeling shows that plate tectonics weren't necessary for early continents.
A team developed a new microscopy technique that uses electrical pulses to track the nanosecond dynamics within a material that is known to form charge density waves. Controlling these waves may lead to faster and more energy-efficient electronics.
Honey added to yogurt supports probiotic cultures for digestive health
If you enjoy a bowl of plain yogurt in the morning, adding a spoonful of honey is a delicious way to sweeten your favorite breakfast food. It also supports the probiotic cultures in the popular fermented dairy product, according to two new studies.
Tradition meets transformation for Maasai women
A new study reveals that a changing Africa is creating avenues of empowerment for Maasai women.
Improved chemokine homing enhances CAR T--cell therapy for osteosarcoma
Investigators identified a chemokine/chemokine receptor mismatch for osteosarcoma (i.e., osteosarcomas secrete chemokines for which CAR T cells do not express receptors). The researchers modified CAR T cells targeting the osteosarcoma antigen B7-H3 to express CXCR2 or CXCR6 receptors, which recognize chemokines (CXCL8 or CXCL16) secreted by osteosarcoma.
Scientists and climate change: Extreme concern and high level of engagement
Scientists from across academic disciplines are extremely concerned about climate change. Many of them have already changed their own lifestyles or engaged in advocacy and protest, with even more being willing to do so in future. This is evident from a large-scale survey of scientists from all over the world.
'Laser view' into the avocado: New method reveals cell interior
Checking whether an avocado is hard or soft by looking at it? This would require recognizing how the plant cells behave behind the skin. The same applies to all other cells on our planet: Despite more than 100 years of intensive research, many of their properties remain hidden inside the cell. Researchers now describe a new approach that can determine the particularly difficult-to-detect mechanical properties of the cell interior by taking a closer look.