ScienceDaily: All - March 01, 2024
Today's top research news
Ice shell thickness reveals water temperature on ocean worlds
Astrobiologists have devised a novel way to determine ocean temperatures of distant worlds based on the thickness of their ice shells, effectively conducting oceanography from space.
purple wings/shutterstock.com
Building bionic jellyfish for ocean exploration
Researchers show how biohybrid robots based on jellyfish could be used to gather climate science data from deep in the Earth's oceans.
Could fiber optic cable help scientists probe the deep layers of the moon?
An increasing number of seismologists are using fiber optic cables to detect seismic waves on Earth -- but how would this technology fare on the Moon, and what would it tell us about the deep layers of our nearest neighbor in space?
Astronomers reveal a new link between water and planet formation
Researchers have found water vapor in the disc around a young star exactly where planets may be forming. Water is a key ingredient for life on Earth, and is also thought to play a significant role in planet formation. Yet, until now, we had never been able to map how water is distributed in a stable, cool disc -- the type of disc that offers the most favorable conditions for planets to form around stars.
Poor spatial navigation could predict Alzheimer's disease years before the onset of symptoms
People at risk of Alzheimer's disease have impaired spatial navigation prior to problems with other cognitive functions, including memory, finds a new study.
Slimming down a colossal fossil whale
A 30 million year-old fossil whale may not be the heaviest animal of all time after all, according to a new analysis by paleontologists. The new analysis puts Perucetus colossus back in the same weight range as modern whales and smaller than the largest blue whales ever recorded.
Astronomers discover heavy elements after bright gamma-ray burst from neutron star merger
An international team of astronomers obtained observational evidence for the creation of rare heavy elements in the aftermath of a cataclysmic explosion triggered by the merger of two neutron stars.
Surprising methane discovery in Yukon glaciers: 'Much more widespread than we thought'
Global melting is prying the lid off methane stocks, the extent of which we do not know. A researcher has now discovered high concentrations of the powerful greenhouse gas in meltwater from three Canadian mountain glaciers, where it was not thought to exist -- adding new unknowns to the understanding of methane emissions from Earth's glaciated regions.
How first cells could have formed on Earth
New phospholipid discovery brings researchers closer to understanding how primordial cells emerged during origin of life.
Lockdowns had an impact on gut microbes and allergies in newborns, new research reveals
Lockdowns imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the gut microbiome development of babies born during these periods according to new research. Our gut microbiome, an ecosystem of microbes that live in our digestive tract, plays an essential role in human health. The study reveals significant differences in the microbiome development of babies born during lockdown periods when compared to pre-pandemic babies.
Continued cocaine use disrupts communication between major brain networks
New research provides new insights into the brain processes underlying cocaine addiction. The findings are crucial for developing new therapeutics and identifying an imaging marker for cocaine use disorders.
80 mph speed record for glacier fracture helps reveal the physics of ice sheet collapse
New research documents the fastest-known large-scale breakage along an Antarctic ice shelf. A 6.5-mile crack formed in 2012 over 5-and-a-half minutes, showing that ice shelves can effectively shatter -- though the speed is limited by seawater rushing in. The results help inform large-scale ice sheet models and projections of future sea level rise.
Older African elephants will be most severely affected by the changing climate
Older elephants in East Africa will be most severely impacted by climate change, threatening the long-term survival of this vulnerable African mammal, according to a new study.
African great apes predicted to see frequent extreme climate events in the next 30 years
African apes are already being exposed to climate change impacts, and will experience extreme events such as wildfires, heatwaves and flooding more frequently in the next 30 years, according to a new study.
EU countries have seen a decade of progress towards their 2030 sustainable energy goal
Countries in the European Union (EU) have made progress over the past decade toward Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7), which calls for 'access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all' by 2030, according to a new study.
Climate change threatens thousands of archaeological sites in coastal Georgia
Thousands of historic and archaeological sites in Georgia are at risk from tropical storm surges, and that number will increase with climate change, according to a new study.
A safer treatment path for high-risk children to overcome food allergies
New research reveals a safe path to overcoming food allergies for older children and others who can't risk consuming allergens orally to build up their resistance. It's called sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), and it involves placing smaller amounts of food allergens under the tongue. A study has found SLIT to be as safe and effective for high-risk older children and adolescents as oral immunotherapy is for preschoolers.
Neurons help flush waste out of brain during sleep
Researchershave found that brain cell activity during sleep is responsible for propelling fluid into, through and out of the brain, cleaning it of debris.
In fight against brain pathogens, the eyes have it
The eyes have been called the window to the brain. It turns out they also serve as an immunological barrier that protects the organ from pathogens and even tumors, researchers have found. In a new study, researchers showed that vaccines injected into the eyes of mice can help disable the herpes virus, a major cause of brain encephalitis. To their surprise, the vaccine activates an immune response through lymphatic vessels along the optic nerve.
How molecular 'handedness' emerged in early biology
Chemists fill a major gap in origin-of-life theories.
Avian influenza virus is adapting to spread to marine mammals
Avian influenza virus H5N1 has adapted to spread between birds and marine mammals, finds a new study.
Could we assess autism in children with a simple eye reflex test?
Scientists may have discovered a new way to test for autism by measuring how children's eyes move when they turn their heads.
Researchers identified environmental factors that explain why reports of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) are more common in certain regions of the country. Most sightings occur in the American West where proximity to public lands, dark skies and military installations afford more opportunities to see strange objects in the air. Understanding the environmental context of these sightings will make it easier to find explanations for their occurrence and help identify truly anomalous objects that may be a legitimate threat.
Fish weight in the western North Pacific Ocean dipped in the 2010s due to warmer water limiting food supplies, according to a new study. Researchers analyzed the individual weight and overall biomass of 13 species of fish. In the 1980s and 2010s, the fish were lighter. They attributed the first period of weight loss to greater numbers of Japanese sardine, which increased competition with other species for food. During the 2010s, while the number of Japanese sardine and chub mackerel moderately increased, the effect of climate change warming the ocean appears to have resulted in more competition for food, as cooler, nutrient-dense water could not easily rise to the surface. These results have implications for fisheries and policymakers trying to manage ocean resources under future climate change scenarios.
Chemistry in the ground affects how many offspring wild animals have
Chemistry in the ground affect how many kids wild animals have Areas with more copper and selenium in the ground lead to higher reproductive success in wild musk oxen in Greenland.
Biomolecules from formaldehyde on ancient Mars
Organic materials discovered on Mars may have originated from atmospheric formaldehyde, according to new research, marking a step forward in our understanding of the possibility of past life on the Red Planet.
Researchers develop novel method to photosynthesize hydrogen peroxide using water and air
Researchers have developed a microporous covalent organic framework with dense donor-acceptor lattices and engineered linkages for the efficient and clean production of hydrogen peroxide through the photosynthesis process with water and air.
Cannabis use linked to increase in heart attack and stroke risk
More frequent use of cannabis was associated with higher odds of adverse cardiovascular outcomes, finds new study.
Light stimulates a new twist for synthetic chemistry
Molecules that are induced by light to rotate bulky groups around central bonds could be developed into photo-activated bioactive systems, molecular switches, and more.
Want fewer microplastics in your tap water? Try boiling it first
Nano- and microplastics are seemingly everywhere -- water, soil and the air. While many creative strategies have been attempted to get rid of these plastic bits, one unexpectedly effective solution for cleaning up drinking water, specifically, might be as simple as brewing a cup of tea or coffee. Boiling and filtering calcium-containing tap water could help remove nearly 90% of the nano- and microplastics present.
First metamaterial developed to enable real-time shape and property control
Engineers have unveiled an encodable multifunctional material that can dynamically tune its shape and mechanical properties in real time.
How air pollution can harm team performance
High levels of air pollution can affect teams doing complex tasks, which holds implications for emerging economies.
Sedentary behavior increases mortality risk
According to new research, sitting for long hours without breaks increases risk of early death.
Double trouble at chromosome ends
New findings suggest the end-replication problem, an old standby of biology textbooks, is twice as intricate as once thought.
How 40Hz sensory gamma rhythm stimulation clears amyloid in Alzheimer's mice
Stimulating a key brain rhythm with light and sound increases peptide release from interneurons, driving clearance of Alzheimer's protein via the brain's glymphatic system, new study suggests.
Change in gene code may explain how human ancestors lost tails
A genetic change in our ancient ancestors may partly explain why humans don't have tails like monkeys.