ScienceDaily: All - August 22, 2024
Today's top research news
Gut molecule slows fat burning during fasting
In a struggle that probably sounds familiar to dieters everywhere, the less a Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) worm eats, the more slowly it loses fat. Now, scientists have discovered why: a small molecule produced by the worms' intestines during fasting travels to the brain to block a fat-burning signal during this time.
Image: Alpha Tauri 3D Graphics/Shutterstock.com
Next time you beat a virus, thank your microbial ancestors
When you get infected with a virus, some of the first weapons your body deploys to fight it were passed down to us from our microbial ancestors billions of years ago. According to new research, two key elements of our innate immune system came from a group of microbes called Asgard archaea.
Study of pythons could lead to new therapies for heart disease, other illnesses
In the first 24 hours after a python devours its massive prey, its heart grows bigger, softer and stronger and its metabolism speeds up forty-fold. The extraordinary process could inspire novel treatments for heart disease and metabolic disorders.
Study finds no link between migraine and Parkinson's disease
Contrary to previous research, a new study of female participants finds no link between migraine and the risk of developing Parkinson's disease.
Life from a drop of rain: New research suggests rainwater helped form the first protocell walls
New research shows that rainwater could have helped create a meshy wall around protocells 3.8 billion years ago, a critical step in the transition from tiny beads of RNA to every bacterium, plant, animal, and human that ever lived.
The role of an energy-producing enzyme in treating Parkinson's disease
An enzyme called PGK1 has an unexpectedly critical role in the production of chemical energy in brain cells, according to a preclinical study. The investigators found that boosting its activity may help the brain resist the energy deficits that can lead to Parkinson's disease.
Extraterrestrial chemistry with earthbound possibilities
Who are we? Why are we here? We are stardust, the result of chemistry occurring throughout vast clouds of interstellar gas and dust. To better understand how that chemistry could create prebiotic molecules, researchers investigated the role of low-energy electrons created as cosmic radiation traverses through ice particles. Their findings may also inform medical and environmental applications on our home planet.
Scientists have found infants and young children treated for brain tumors fell behind early in academic readiness, which predicted falling behind in later school years.
A deep dive for environmental data on coastal oceans
A new study addresses the lack of data on how much human-generated carbon dioxide is present in coastal oceans -- the saltwater ecosystems that link the land and sea. Capturing this data is crucial to calculating how much emissions must be cut in the future.
Chalk-based coating creates a cooling fabric
In the scorching heat of summer, anyone who spends time outside could benefit from a cooling fabric. While there are some textiles that reflect the sun's rays or wick heat away, current options require boutique fibers or complex manufacturing processes. But now, demonstrations of a durable chalk-based coating show it can cool the air underneath treated fabric by up to 8 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pilot study uses recycled glass to grow plants for salsa ingredients
Tortilla chips and fresh salsa are tasty, but they could be even more appealing if you grow the ingredients yourself. Now, researchers report that some salsa ingredients -- cilantro, bell pepper and jalapeno -- can be more sustainably cultivated with recycled glass. Their pilot study found that partially substituting soil in a planter with recycled glass fragments speeds up plant development and reduces unwanted fungal growth.
Obese children are more likely to develop skin conditions related to the immune system
Childhood obesity can contribute to the development of common immune-mediated skin diseases (IMSDs), such as alopecia areata, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis, new research finds. Maintaining a healthy weight could potentially help lower the chances of developing these skin conditions. A novel study details the findings of an analysis of 2,161,900 Korean children from 2009 to 2020 to investigate the relationship between obesity or dynamic changes in body weight and the development of IMSDs.
Quality control: Neatly arranging crystal growth to make fine thin films
Researchers have succeeded in forming metal-organic framework thin films on a substrate while controlling the growth direction of crystals so that they are arranged neatly without gaps. The resulting thin films of unprecedented high quality can be expected for use as optical sensors, optical elements, and transparent gas adsorption sheets.
Separating the physical and psychosocial causes of pain
Not all pain is the same. Depending on the cause, it requires different therapies. A team has now developed a method that enables physicians to better distinguish between physical and psychosocial pain.
Positive effects of rhythm and music in brain disorder
Music-based movement therapy, known as the Ronnie Gardiner Method, has the potential to contribute to rehabilitation after a stroke and in other brain disorders.
Research shows reducing future global flooding hinges on cutting greenhouse gas emissions
Pioneering research forecasts worldwide flooding is likely to be significantly worse in future decades if countries fail to meet official pledges to cut carbon emissions.
Eco-friendly cooling device with record-breaking efficiency
Researchers have developed an eco-friendly refrigeration device with record-breaking cooling performance in the world, setting to transform industries reliant on cooling and reduce global energy use. With a boost in efficiency of over 48%, the new elastocaloric cooling technology opens a promising avenue for accelerating the commercialization of this disruptive technology and addressing the environmental challenges associated with traditional cooling systems.
New theory could improve the design and operation of wind farms
A new model accurately represents the airflow around rotors, even under extreme conditions. The first comprehensive model of rotor aerodynamics could improve the way turbine blades and wind farms are designed and how wind turbines are controlled.
P-bodies sustain acute myeloid leukemia
An international team of scientists has uncovered a mechanism by which acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells sustain their growth. AML cells prevent the synthesis of proteins that suppress their growth by forcibly isolating the mRNAs that encode such proteins within structures known as P-bodies. These findings offer a novel perspective into the survival mechanisms of AML and possibilities for new anti-cancer therapies.
More academic freedom leads to more innovation
The innovative strength of a society depends on the level of academic freedom. An international team has now demonstrated this relationship. The researchers analyzed patent applications and patent citations in a sample from around 160 countries over the 1900--2015 period in relation to indicators used in the Academic Freedom Index. In view of the global decline in academic freedom over the past 10 years, the researchers predict a loss in innovative output.
Survival tactics: AI-driven insights into chromatin changes for winter dormancy in axillary buds
Epigenetics confers a survival advantage in plants to endure harsh weather by inducing bud dormancy. Environmental factors or intrinsic signals trigger the transition between growth and dormancy. Researchers explore the role of chromatin and transcriptional changes in the bud and further analyze data using artificial intelligence models. The findings of this study highlight epigenetic strategies to overcome the effects of short winters during global warming for plant survival.
Study reveals best exercise for type-1 diabetes patients
A new study has revealed the best types of exercise for patients with type-1 diabetes.
Dormant capacity reserve in lithium-ion batteries detected
Lithium iron phosphate is one of the most important materials for batteries in electric cars, stationary energy storage systems and tools. It has a long service life, is comparatively inexpensive and does not tend to spontaneously combust. Energy density is also making progress. However, experts are still puzzled as to why lithium iron phosphate batteries undercut their theoretical electricity storage capacity by up to 25 per cent in practice.
Study assesses seizure risk from stimulating thalamus
In awake mice, researchers found that even low deep brain stimulation currents in the central thalamus could sometimes still cause electrographic seizures.
Quenching the intense heat of a fusion plasma may require a well-placed liquid metal evaporator
New fusion simulations of the inside of a tokamak reveal the ideal spot for a 'cave' with flowing liquid lithium is near the bottom by the center stack, as the evaporating metal particles should land in just the right spot to dissipate excess heat from the plasma.
Occupational exposure to particles may increase the risk of chronic kidney disease
Exposure to dust and particles at work may increase the risk of chronic kidney disease, a new study shows. Among Swedish construction workers, followed since the 1970s, the risk was 15% higher among exposed.
Targeted cancer cell therapy may slow endometrial cancer
There may be a way to slow the growth of endometrial cancer using targeted cancer cell therapy to silence the ERBB2 gene expression.
A recent study shows that climate change may cause many areas in Canada to experience significant droughts by the end of the century. In response, the researchers have introduced an advanced AI-based method to map drought-prone regions.
A team of scientists was recently able to observe how promethium forms chemical bonds when placed in an aqueous solution.
Engineered Bacteria make thermally stable plastics similar to polystyrene and PET
Bioengineers around the world have been working to create plastic-producing microbes that could replace the petroleum-based plastics industry. Now, researchers have overcome a major hurdle: getting bacteria to produce polymers that contain ring-like structures, which make the plastics more rigid and thermally stable. Because these molecules are usually toxic to microorganisms, the researchers had to construct a novel metabolic pathway that would enable the E. coli bacteria to both produce and tolerate the accumulation of the polymer and the building blocks it is composed of. The resulting polymer is biodegradable and has physical properties that could lend it to biomedical applications such as drug delivery, though more research is needed.
Benefits and downside of fasting
Researchers identified a signaling pathway in mice that boosts intestinal stem cells' regeneration abilities after fasting. When cancerous mutations occurred during this regenerative period, mice were more likely to develop early-stage intestinal tumors.
Inflammation during childhood linked to onset of mental health issues in early adulthood
Children who have persistently raised inflammation are at a higher risk of experiencing serious mental health disorders including psychosis and depression in early adulthood.
New heaviest exotic antimatter nucleus
Scientists studying the tracks of particles streaming from six billion collisions of atomic nuclei at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) -- an 'atom smasher' that recreates the conditions of the early universe -- have discovered a new kind of antimatter nucleus, the heaviest ever detected. Composed of four antimatter particles -- an antiproton, two antineutrons, and one antihyperon -- these exotic antinuclei are known as antihyperhydrogen-4.
Self-repairing mitochondria use novel recycling system
A newly identified identified cellular mechanism allows mitochondria to recycle localized damage and maintain healthy function.
Mobile species are 'glue' which connect different habitats together
A groundbreaking study conducted across 30 field sites in the southwest UK has revealed the importance of incorporating varied habitats into the landscape at large.
High or low oxygen levels are safe during heart surgery, study finds
A recent study explored one possible cause -- hyperoxia or high concentrations of oxygen given to such patients during surgery -- as opposed to doses more similar to air. The study concluded that hyperoxia increased oxidative stress during surgery, but this effect did not persist after surgery and did not lead to more acute kidney injury.
Hydropower generation projected to rise, but climate change brings uncertain future
Although climate change may bring increased precipitation to many parts of the United States, some areas may face drier conditions and lower streamflow, resulting in decreased hydropower generation.
Surprising mechanism for removing dead cells identified
A tandem signaling process turns ordinary cells into an efficient cleanup crew.
Discovery of 'item memory' brain cells offers new Alzheimer's treatment target
Researchers have discovered the neurons responsible for 'item memory,' deepening our understanding of how the brain stores and retrieves the details of 'what' happened and offering a new target for treating Alzheimer's disease.
Study finds long COVID affects adolescents differently than younger children
Scientists investigating long COVID in youth found similar but distinguishable patterns between school-age children (ages 6-11 years) and adolescents (ages 12-17 years) and identified their most common symptoms.
Biophysics: From filament pick-up sticks to active foams
Physicists have developed a new model that describes how filaments assemble into active foams.
Sharing risk to avoid power outages in an era of extreme weather
Heat waves, droughts, and fires place growing stress on the West's electric grid. New research suggests that more integrated management of electricity resources across the region could significantly reduce the risk of power outages and accelerate the transition to clean energy.
Compound in rosemary extract can reduce cocaine sensitivity
A team of researchers has discovered that an antioxidant found in rosemary extract can reduce volitional intakes of cocaine by moderating the brain's reward response, offering a new therapeutic target for treating addiction.
Organized youth sports are increasingly for the privileged
A sweeping study of U.S. youth sports participation over the past 60 years found that there has been a significant increase over time in kids playing organized sports -- but particularly among more privileged, educated families.
Renewable energy policies provide benefits across state lines
New research suggests U.S. states with clean energy policies provide benefits to their neighbors, including states without their own renewable energy policies.
Researchers have used artificial intelligence tools to accelerate the understanding of the risk of specific cardiac arrhythmias when various parts of the heart are exposed to different thresholds of radiation as part of a treatment plan for lung cancer.
Researchers teaching artificial intelligence about frustration in protein folding
Scientists have found a new way to predict how proteins change their shape when they function, which is important for understanding how they work in living systems. While recent artificial intelligence (AI) technology has made it possible to predict what proteins look like in their resting state, figuring out how they move is still challenging because there is not enough direct data from experiments on protein motions to train the neural networks.
Novel molecular imaging tool objectively measures and diagnoses smell disorders
A new fluorescent imaging probe can for the first time objectively and non-invasively measure loss of smell, clinically known as anosmia. Targeting the olfactory nerve, the new tool has potential to eliminate biopsies used to diagnose certain anosmia conditions and to aid in the development of therapeutic interventions.
It only takes 15 minutes to change your health
Corporate Cup, lunchtime yoga, or even 'walk and talks', organizations come up with all sorts of wellness initiatives to encourage people to be more active in the workplace. But before you duck and hide, new research shows that all it takes is 15 minutes and a touch of gamification to put you on the path to success.
Gut bioelectricity provides a path for 'bad' bacteria to cause diseases
Researchers have discovered a novel bioelectrical mechanism that pathogens like Salmonella use to find entry points in the gut lining that would allow pathogens to pass and cause infection.
Humpbacks are among animals who manufacture and wield tools
Researchers suggest a new designation of the humpback whales they study: tool wielders. Researchers have known that humpback whales create "bubble-nets" to hunt, but they have learned that the animals don't just create the bubble-nets; they manipulate this unique tool in a variety of ways to maximize their food intake in Alaskan feeding grounds.
Hospital bacteria tracked better than ever before with new technique
New method provides high-resolution surveillance data about multiple common antibiotic-resistant bacteria at once and could help prevent the spread of infections.
Meat consumption, particularly consumption of processed meat and unprocessed red meat, is associated with a higher type 2 diabetes risk, an analysis of data from 1.97 million participants.
Environmental laws failing to slow deforestation
Australia's environmental laws are failing to stop high rates of tree clearing to make way for agriculture, development and mining.
Mother's gut microbiome during pregnancy shapes baby's brain development
A study in mice has found that the bacteria Bifidobacterium breve in the mother's gut during pregnancy supports healthy brain development in the fetus.
Incorporating humidity improves estimations of climate impacts on health
Governments, medical institutions and other bodies require accurate models on health-related matters in order to better organize their activities. Climate change has measurable impacts on society, including on human mortality. However, current models to assess the health impacts of climate change do not account for every environmental parameter, especially humidity, which could influence heat stress perceived by the human body, leaving room for improvement. Researchers have now incorporated humidity data from hundreds of cities into so-called heat stress indicators (HSIs) and assessed their performances in predicting heat-related deaths.