ScienceDaily: All - October 24, 2024
Today's top research news
What standing on one leg can tell you: Biological age
How long a person can stand -- on one leg -- is a more telltale measure of aging than changes in strength or gait, according to new research.
Image: Lio putra/Shutterstock.com
Implantable device may prevent death from opioid overdose
A team has developed a device that may rescue people from overdose without bystander help. In animal studies, the researchers found that the implantable device detects an overdose, rapidly delivers naloxone to prevent death and can alert emergency first responders.
'Paleo-robots' to help scientists understand how fish started to walk on land
The transition from water to land is one of the most significant events in the history of life on Earth. Now, a team of roboticists, palaeontologists and biologists is using robots to study how the ancestors of modern land animals transitioned from swimming to walking, about 390 million years ago.
Paleontologists discover Colorado 'swamp dweller' that lived alongside dinosaurs
The new mammal lived in Colorado 70 to 75 million years ago -- a time when a vast inland sea covered large portions of the state, and animals like sharks, turtles and giant crocodiles abounded.
Adapting GenAI for the next generation of learning
A new study by learning analytics researchers presents key considerations for generative AI (GenAI) educational tools so they are carefully developed to support, rather than replace, human learning.
Risk of cardiovascular disease linked to long-term exposure to arsenic in community water supplies
Long-term exposure to arsenic in water may increase cardiovascular risk and especially heart disease risk even at exposure levels below the federal regulatory limit, according to new research. A study describes exposure-response relationships at concentrations below the current regulatory limit and substantiates that prolonged exposure to arsenic in water contributes to the development of ischemic heart disease.
Listening skills bring human-like touch to robots
Researchers give robots a sense of touch by 'listening' to vibrations, allowing them to identify materials, understand shapes and recognize objects just like human hands. The ability to interpret the world through acoustic vibrations emanating from an object -- like shaking a cup to see how much soda is left or tapping on a desk to see if it's made out of real wood -- is something humans do without thinking. And it's an ability that researchers are on the cusp of bringing to robots to augment their rapidly growing set of sensing abilities.
Ethical framework aims to counter risks of geoengineering research
A new report says any research into large-scale interventions in Earth's climate system must be grounded in sound ethical principles so society can make informed choices about whether to deploy them.
Lyme borreliosis: New approach for developing targeted therapy
Lyme borreliosis is the most common tick-borne infectious disease in Europe. Up to 70,000 new cases are estimated each year in Austria alone. The bacterial infection can cause lasting health problems for patients. A research team has made significant progress in understanding the mechanism of infection and identified a potential way forward for the development of targeted therapies that do not rely on antibiotics.
Femtosecond-fieldoscopy accesses molecules fingerprints at near-infrared spectral range
In a breakthrough that could revolutionize biomarker detection, researchers have developed a novel technique called 'femtosecond-fieldoscopy'. This method enables the precise measurement of minute liquid quantities, down to the micromolar level, with unmatched sensitivity in the near-infrared region. It opens up new possibilities for label-free bio-imaging and the detection of target molecules in aqueous environments, paving the way for advanced biomedical applications.
New method for producing innovative 3D molecules
Chemists have synthesized so-called heteroatom-substituted cage-like 3D molecules. The innovative structures are created by precisely inserting a triatomic unit into the strained ring of a reaction partner. They could help address key challenges in drug design by serving as more stable alternatives to traditional, flat, aromatic rings.
Safety and security: Study shines light on factors behind refugees' resilience
A systematic review has identified several strong protective and promotive factors that are associated with better mental health outcomes among refugee adults.
Birth: It's a tight squeeze for chimpanzees, too
According to a new study, chimpanzees, like humans, must contend with a confined bony birth canal when giving birth. In humans, the problem was exacerbated by our unique form of upright walking since this led to a twisting of the bony birth canal, while the fetal head got larger. The 'obstetrical dilemma' therefore evolved gradually over the course of primate evolution rather than suddenly in humans as originally argued.
Thread-like, flexible thermoelectric materials applicable for extreme environments
A team of researchers developed a thermoelectric material that can be used in wearable devices, such as smart clothing, and while maintaining stable thermal energy performance even in extreme environments.
Cannabis use in adolescence: Visible effects on brain structure
A collaborative study sheds light on how cannabis use affects brain development in young people, the main one being atrophy of certain regions of the cerebral cortex.
Dehydration linked to muscle cramps in IRONMAN triathletes
Contrary to previous research, a study of three decades of the IRONMAN's top competition found a connection between dehydration and exercise-induced muscle cramps. Based on medical data of more than 10,500 triathletes, the study found a strong link between dehydration and participants seeking treatment for muscle cramps during the competition. While many popular theories hold that unbalanced electrolytes or potassium and salt levels contribute to cramps, this study did not find evidence to support that, which is consistent with other recent research.
Data security: Breakthrough in research with personalized health data
The European research project 'Federated Secure Computing' presents a new approach that allows patient data from different institutions to be analysed securely and anonymously.
Geography: Improving our understanding of complex crises
Researcher presents a new model for risk research which takes interactions into account and brings together various disciplines.
Rocky planets orbiting small stars could have stable atmospheres needed to support life
A sequence of events during the evolution of certain rocky planets orbiting M-dwarfs, the most common stars in the universe, creates an atmosphere that would be stable over time. This is true for more temperate planets, orbiting a bit farther from the central star.
New tool enables a more complete and rapid decoding of the language of algal gene expression
A new method that research teams can use to measure and compare different forms of proteins and protein complexes helped reveal a previously unseen molecular signature of how algal genomes are controlled during the cell cycle.
Bacteria and fungi from the wings of bats could play a significant role in saving them from white-nose syndrome (WNS), a fungal disease affecting the skin of wings and muzzle, which has nearly wiped out vulnerable bat populations across North America.
A multi-level breakthrough in optical computing
Until now, researchers have been limited in developing photonic memory for AI processing -- gaining one important attribute like speed while sacrificing another like energy usage. An international team demonstrates a unique solution that addresses current limitations of optical memory that have yet to combine non-volatility, multibit storage, high switching speed, low switching energy, and high endurance in a single platform.
Researchers develop new coatings to boost turbine engine efficiency
A multidisciplinary research group has formulated new protective coatings to allow turbine engines to run hotter -- with potential dividends for the environment and people.
Photosynthesis, the chemical reaction that enables almost all life on Earth, is extremely inefficient at capturing energy -- only around 1% of light energy that a plant absorbs is converted into chemical energy within the plant. Bioengineers propose a radical new method of food production that they call 'electro-agriculture.' The method essentially replaces photosynthesis with a solar-powered chemical reaction that more efficiently converts CO2 into an organic molecule that plants would be genetically engineered to 'eat.' The researchers estimate that if all food in the US were produced using electro-agriculture, it would reduce the amount of land needed for agriculture by 94%. The method could also be used to grow food in space.
Healthy coral reefs echo with a chorus of grunts and purrs from fish feeding, looking for mates, or defending their territories, underscored by the persistent crackling of snapping shrimp. Larval corals use these sounds as cues to decide where to choose a home. The researchers found that now a second species of coral larvae responded to the sounds of a healthy reef played through a speaker, indicating 'acoustic enrichment' encourages coral to settle has the potential to be a widely applicable method among coral species for reef restoration. Golfball coral larvae settled at significantly higher rates when exposed to the sounds of a healthy reef during their first 36 hours in the water. After that window, sound had little effect. Coral reefs support more than a quarter of all marine animals, protect coastlines from strong waves and storms, and provide food and tourism opportunities for millions of people around the world. Researchers estimate that 25% of all coral reefs have been lost in the last 30 years.
Researchers flip genes on and off with AI-designed DNA switches
Researchers have used artificial intelligence to design thousands of new DNA switches that can precisely control the expression of a gene in different cell types. Their new approach opens the possibility of controlling when and where genes are expressed in the body, for the benefit of human health and medical research, in ways never before possible.
Novel antibody platform tackles viral mutations
Scientists have developed an innovative antibody platform aimed at tackling one of the greatest challenges in treating rapidly evolving viruses like SARS-CoV-2: their ability to mutate and evade existing vaccines and therapies. Their findings, including preclinical studies in mice, introduce the Adaptive Multi-Epitope Targeting and Avidity-Enhanced (AMETA) Nanobody Platform, a new antibody approach for addressing how viruses like SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, evolve to evade vaccines and treatments.
Immunotherapy blocks scarring, improves heart function in mice with heart failure
Researchers have reduced scar formation and improved heart function in mouse models of heart failure using a monoclonal antibody treatment, similar to that approved by the FDA to treat other conditions. The findings point to the possibility of developing such immunotherapies for heart failure in patients who have experienced a heart attack or other injury.
How ovarian cancer disables immune cells
Researchers have discovered a mechanism that ovarian tumors use to cripple immune cells and impede their attack -- blocking the energy supply T cells depend on. The work points toward a promising new immunotherapy approach for ovarian cancer, which is notoriously aggressive and hard to treat.
Physicists discover first 'black hole triple'
A surprising discovery about the black hole V404 Cygnus is expanding our understanding of black holes, the objects they can host, and the way they form.
A 'chemical ChatGPT' for new medications
Researchers have trained an AI process to predict potential active ingredients with special properties. Therefore, they derived a chemical language model -- a kind of ChatGPT for molecules. Following a training phase, the AI was able to exactly reproduce the chemical structures of compounds with known dual-target activity that may be particularly effective medications.
Capturing carbon from the air just got easier
In the face of rising CO2 levels, scientists are searching for sustainable ways of pulling carbon dioxide out of the air, so-called direct air capture. A new type of porous material, a covalent organic framework (COF) with attached amines, stands out because of its durability and efficient adsorption and desorption of CO2 at relatively low temperatures. The material would fit into carbon capture systems currently used for point source capture.
Ultra-small spectrometer yields the power of a 1,000 times bigger device
Researchers are designing new ways to make spectrometers that are ultra-small but still very powerful, to be used for anything from detecting disease to observing stars in distant galaxies.
The decision to eat may come down to these three neurons
Manipulating a newly identified neural circuit can curb appetite -- or spur massive overeating.
A research team has used nitrogen isotope analysis to demonstrate that 385 million years old corals from the Eifel and Sauerland regions had symbionts. This finding represents the earliest evidence of photosymbiosis in corals. Photosymbiosis might explain why ancient coral reefs grew to massive sizes despite being in nutrient-poor environments.
Researchers develop method to 'hear' defects in promising nanomaterial
An international research team has pioneered a new technique to identify and characterize atomic-scale defects in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), a two-dimensional (2D) material often dubbed 'white graphene' for its remarkable properties. This advance could accelerate the development of next-generation electronics and quantum technologies.
Gardens prevent pollinators from starving when farmland nectar is scarce
Gardens offer a steady and reliable source of nectar all year round, helping to keep pollinators fed when farmland sources are limited, researchers have discovered.
Clinical study confirms tissue stiffening in breast cancer can drive metastasis
Researchers evaluated tissues for fibrosis using MeCo Score, a diagnostic tool that can potentially predict the likelihood of relapse or recurrence among patients with early-stage breast cancer.
NASA reveals prototype telescope for gravitational wave observatory
NASA has revealed the first look at a full-scale prototype for six telescopes that will enable, in the next decade, the space-based detection of gravitational waves.
How climate change will impact outdoor activities in the US
Scientists modeled the number of 'outdoor days' -- with comfortable temperatures for outside activities -- that U.S. regions will experience as climate warms. States in the Southeast will lose a significant number of outdoor days, while the Northwest should see a slight increase.
From Catwoman to Han Solo, newly discovered wasps named after famous thieves
Twenty-two new species of gall wasps have been identified and named, thanks to new research. The study nearly doubles the number of known species in this genus of wasps.
A fully automated AI-based system for assessing IVF embryo quality
A new artificial intelligence-based system can accurately assess the chromosomal status of in vitro-fertilized (IVF) embryos using only time-lapse video images of the embryos and maternal age, according to a new study.
Bilingualism may maintain protection against Alzheimer's
In a study, researchers use neuroimaging methods to examine brain resilience in regions of the brain linked to language and aging. They found that the hippocampus in bilinguals with Alzheimer's disease was noticeably larger than those who were monolingual when matched for age, education, cognitive function and memory, which suggests that there may be some form of brain maintenance related to bilingualism.
Will tropical biodiversity run dry under climate change? Two visions for the future
Changing precipitation patterns in the Neotropics, one of Earth's most biodiverse regions, could threaten two-thirds of the area's bird species by the year 2100 if climate change goes unchecked, according to research. This would represent a dramatic loss, as the region is home to 30% of all bird species globally.
Reaction conditions tune catalytic selectivity
Chemists have developed a new theoretical framework for more accurately predicting the behavior of catalysts. The study reveals how conditions such as temperature and pressure can change a catalyst's structure, efficiency, and even the products it makes -- and can potentially be used to control reaction outcomes.
Get a grip: The best thumb position for disc launch speed and spin rate
Disc golf is a sport growing in popularity, but there hasn't been much research into the best techniques -- until now. Researchers and disc golf enthusiasts have determined the best thumb position on a disc to maximize angular and translational speeds.
Geometric mechanics shape the dog's nose
The noses of many mammals, such as dogs, ferrets and cows, feature grooves forming a multitude of polygons. A team has analyzed in detail how these patterns form in the embryo using 3D imaging techniques and computer simulations. The researchers discovered that differential growth of the skin tissue layers leads to the formation of domes, which are mechanically supported by the underlying blood vessels. This work describes for the first time this morphogenetic process, which could help explain the formation of other biological structures associated with blood vessels.
'Visual clutter' alters information flow in the brain
Whether we're staring at our phones, the page of a book, or the person across the table, the objects of our focus never stand in isolation; there are always other objects or people in our field of vision. How that visual 'clutter' affects visual processing in the brain, however, is not well understood. In a study, researchers show that this clutter alters how information flows in the brain, as does the precise location of that clutter within the wider field of vision. The findings help clarify the neural basis of perception and offer a deeper understanding of the visual cortex in the brain.
Expanding access to weight-loss drugs could save thousands of lives a year
Expanding access to new, highly effective weight-loss medications could prevent more than 40,000 deaths a year in the United States, according to a study. The findings highlight the critical need to remove existing barriers that are hindering people's access to effective weight loss treatments and impeding public health efforts to address the national obesity crisis, the researchers said. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 74% of Americans are considered overweight, with about 43% of those individuals considered obese.
Paws of polar bears sustaining ice-related injuries in a warming Arctic
Polar bears in some parts of the high Arctic are developing ice buildup and related injuries to their feet. The changes appear to be an unexpected consequence of climate change, related to changing conditions in a warming Arctic.