ScienceDaily: All - October 01, 2024
Today's top research news
Watch water form out of thin air
Palladium, a rare metallic element, can rapidly generate water from hydrogen and oxygen. Researchers witnessed this process at the nanoscale for the first time with an electron microscope. By viewing the process with extreme precision, researchers discovered how to optimize it to generate water at a faster rate. Process could be used to generate water on-demand in arid environments, including on other planets.
Helping robots zero in on the objects that matter
Engineers developed a system that helps robots quickly map a scene and identify items they need to complete a set of tasks.
Could a bout of COVID protect you from a severe case of flu?
New findings on how past viral respiratory infections affect future, unrelated ones could lead to therapies for boosting general antiviral immunity -- and potentially pandemic preparedness.
Image: CROCOTHERY/Shutterstock.com
Thaumatin: Natural sweetener with anti-inflammatory potential
A new study shows that bitter tasting protein fragments (peptides) are produced in the stomach during the digestion of the natural sweetener thaumatin. In a cellular test system, the peptides are able to stimulate the acid secretion of human stomach cells and influence inflammatory reactions.
Frequent fizzy or fruit drinks and high coffee consumption linked to higher stroke risk
Frequent drinking of fizzy drinks or fruit juice is associated with an increased risk of stroke, according to new findings . The research also found that drinking more than four cups of coffee per day also increases the risk of stroke.
Medical imaging breakthrough could transform cancer and arthritis diagnosis
A new hand-held scanner can generate highly detailed 3D photoacoustic images in just seconds, paving the way for their use in a clinical setting for the first time and offering the potential for earlier disease diagnosis.
Fluorescent molecules to illuminate life: simplified synthesis with formaldehyde
A team develops an efficient method for synthesizing organic fluorophores using formaldehyde.
The Vikings were part of a global network trading in ivory from Greenland
New research shows that the Vikings traveled more than 6,000 kilometers to the Arctic to hunt for walrus. DNA analyses reveal that walrus ivory from Greenland was brought to Europe and probably as far as the Middle East [M1] via extensive trade networks.
Megadiverse flowering plant family on isolated islands
Asteraceae, a family of flowering plants which includes daisies, sunflowers and asters, are the most diverse group of flowering plants in the world. This plant family comprises around 34,000 species, some of which are well-known, such as artichokes, chamomile, dahlias and lettuce. An international research team has now compiled and analyzed a new global database on the distribution and evolutionary history of all Asteraceae species. The researchers found that an unexpectedly high number of evolutionary events -- known as 'speciation' where a new species of plants evolves from a common ancestor -- occurred in the aster family within relatively short time periods on many islands worldwide.
Vast 'stranded assets' if world continues investing in polluting industries
Continued investment in carbon-intensive industries will drastically increase the amount of 'stranded assets' as the world moves to net-zero emissions, researchers warn.
New synthesis strategy could speed up PFAS decontamination
Engineers have developed an innovative way to make covalent organic frameworks, special materials that can be used to trap gases, filter water and speed up chemical reactions.
Support for meat rationing to protect climate
Rationing of goods such as meat and fuel can both effectively and fairly reduce consumption with high climate impact. Almost 40 percent of the public say they could accept such measures.
A new and unique fusion reactor
As part of the global effort to harness power from fusing plasma, scientists worked on the computer codes, engineering and physics for a new and unique fusion reactor: the SMall Aspect Ratio Tokamak.
Microplastics which have been used in leave-on cosmetic and personal care products are being overlooked by research and regulators, according to new critical review.
Reduced risk of serious cardiovascular disease after COVID vaccination
People who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 have a significantly lower risk of developing more severe cardiovascular conditions linked to COVID-19 infection, according to a new Swedish study. At the same time, some cardiovascular effects are seen after individual doses of the vaccine.
Getting the flu and then your shot may benefit immunity
Researchers found that natural immunity from previous flu infections has a significant impact on how well future influenza vaccinations work.
New laser-based headset can measure blood flow, assess risk of stroke
Researchers have developed a laser-based device that can measure blood flow noninvasively and differentiate stroke risk based on current physiological conditions.
A river is pushing up Mount Everest's peak
Mount Everest is about 15 to 50 meters taller than it would otherwise be because of uplift caused by a nearby eroding river gorge, and continues to grow because of it.
Study highlights complex ocean conditions facing world's most powerful tidal turbine
Scientists combined innovative drone technology and boat-based surveys to map out the complex tidal flows encountered by the world's most powerful tidal turbine -- Orbital Marine Power's O2, sited in the heart of the Orkney Islands, Scotland (UK). They hope the technique could pave the way for the efficient and sustainable development and deployment of tidal energy.
Wheat is the world's most important grain. But it has high environmental costs due to the need to fertilize with nitrogen. Researchers have now determined that new wheat varieties produce better crops with the same quantities of fertilizer.
Unraveling the role of tRNA modifying enzyme in brain function
A groundbreaking study has shed light on the critical role of a tRNA methylation enzyme, TRMT10A, in supporting brain function. The findings reveal how the absence of TRMT10A leads to a reduction in specific transfer RNA (tRNA) levels, disrupting protein synthesis in the brain and impairing synaptic structure and function.
Researchers measure more detailed data on the 'magic' N=50 neutron shell closure
Researchers have found new information about the strength of the so-called magic neutron number 50 shell closure in the silver isotope chain. The new more detailed information on the properties of the nuclei will contribute crucial information for refining our understanding of nuclear forces. The research improves state-of-the-art theoretical models and thus benefits the global description of the atomic nucleus.
Large variation in how girls grow after their first period
There is unexpectedly large variation in height growth in girls after their first period. Every second girl grows either more or less in length than the 6-8 centimeters that is considered standard.
Extremely thin materials consisting of just a few atomic layers promise applications for electronics and quantum technologies. Researchers have now made remarkable progress with a new experiment: The experts were able to induce an extremely fast switching process between electrically neutral and charged luminescent particles in an ultra-thin, effectively two-dimensional material. The result opens up new perspectives for research as well as for optical data processing and flexible detectors.