ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Designed antiviral proteins inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in the lab
• Seeing objects through clouds and fog
• Physicists explain mysterious dark matter deficiency in galaxy pair
• Physicists use classical concepts to decipher strange quantum behaviors in an ultracold gas
• New tracking technology will help fight rhino poaching in Namibia
• National parks preserve more than species
• Biological roots for teen risk-taking: Uneven brain growth
• AI used to show how hydrogen becomes a metal inside giant planets
• Artificial intelligence aids gene activation discovery
• Atomistic modelling probes the behavior of matter at the center of Jupiter
• Massive halo finally explains stream of gas swirling around the Milky Way
• New insight on the impacts of Earth's biosphere on air quality
• More cats might be COVID-19 positive than first believed, study suggests
• Cell-autonomous immunity shaped human evolution
• Metabolite signature of COVID-19 reveals multi-organ effects
• Bat tick found for the first time in New Jersey
• Sand-sized meteoroids are peppering asteroid Bennu
• Gut microbiota not involved in the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus
• Mysterious cellular droplets come into focus
• Consequences of the 2018 summer drought
• In ancient giant viruses lies the truth behind evolution of nucleus in eukaryotic cells
• Do as plants do: Novel photocatalysts can perform solar-driven conversion of CO2 into fuel
• Bacteria are in key role for successful recirculating aquaculture farming
• Lecturer takes laptops and smart phones away and musters student presence
• Vitamin B1 deficiency a key factor in the development of alcohol-related dementia
• Climate engineering: Modelling projections oversimplify risks
• Humans, not climate, have driven rapidly rising mammal extinction rate
• Lumpy proteins stiffen blood vessels of the brain
• Nature as a model: Researchers develop novel anti-inflammatory substance
• Malnutrition among a hunter-gatherer group
• People who were children when their parents divorced have less 'love hormone'
• Tool transforms world landmark photos into 4D experiences
• New role of arginine metabolism in plant morphogenesis identified
• New glove-like device mimics sense of touch
• Mindfulness with paced breathing and lowering blood pressure
• New corals discovered in deep-sea study of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park
• Unlocking the mystery of tau for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases
• More than one drink a day may raise high blood pressure risk in adults with Type 2 diabetes
• Muscle aging: Stronger for longer
• Australian telescope finds no signs of alien technology in 10 million star systems
• Unconscious learning underlies belief in God, study suggests
• Wild cousins may help crops battle climate change
• Insomnia identified as a new risk factor for type 2 diabetes in new study which also confirms many other risk and protective factors
• New fossil ape discovered in India

Designed antiviral proteins inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in the lab Posted: 09 Sep 2020 11:03 AM PDT Computer-designed miniproteins have now been shown to protect lab-grown human cells from SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The lead antiviral candidate rivals the best-known SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies in its protective actions. The synthetic antiviral candidates were designed to prevent infection by interfering with the mechanism that coronaviruses use to break into and enter cells.

Seeing objects through clouds and fog Posted: 09 Sep 2020 10:21 AM PDT Using a new algorithm, researchers have reconstructed the movements of individual particles of light to see through clouds, fog and other obstructions.

Physicists explain mysterious dark matter deficiency in galaxy pair Posted: 09 Sep 2020 10:21 AM PDT A new theory about the nature of dark matter helps explain why a pair of galaxies about 65 million light-years from Earth contains very little of the mysterious matter.

Physicists use classical concepts to decipher strange quantum behaviors in an ultracold gas Posted: 09 Sep 2020 10:20 AM PDT There they were, in all their weird quantum glory: ultracold lithium atoms in the optical trap. Held by lasers in a regular, lattice formation and 'driven' by pulses of energy, these atoms were doing crazy things.

New tracking technology will help fight rhino poaching in Namibia Posted: 09 Sep 2020 09:40 AM PDT Interactive software that 'reads' and analyzes footprints left by black rhinoceroses can be used to monitor the movements of the animals in the wild, giving conservationists a new way to keep watch on the endangered species and help keep it safe from poachers, according to a new study.

National parks preserve more than species Posted: 09 Sep 2020 09:40 AM PDT National parks are safe havens for endangered and threatened species, but an analysis by data scientists finds parks and protected areas can preserve more than species.

Biological roots for teen risk-taking: Uneven brain growth Posted: 09 Sep 2020 08:53 AM PDT Why do some adolescents take more risks than others? Research suggests that two centers in the brain, one which makes adolescents want to take risks and the other which prevents them from acting on these impulses, physically mature at different rates and that adolescents with large differences in the rate of development between these two brain regions are more likely to be risk-takers.

AI used to show how hydrogen becomes a metal inside giant planets Posted: 09 Sep 2020 08:48 AM PDT Researchers have used a combination of AI and quantum mechanics to reveal how hydrogen gradually turns into a metal inside giant planets.

Artificial intelligence aids gene activation discovery Posted: 09 Sep 2020 08:48 AM PDT Scientists have long known that human genes are activated through instructions delivered by the precise order of our DNA. With the aid of artificial intelligence, researchers have solved a long-standing DNA activation code mystery. Their discovery, which they termed the downstream core promoter region (DPR), could eventually be used to control gene activation in biotechnology and biomedical applications.

Atomistic modelling probes the behavior of matter at the center of Jupiter Posted: 09 Sep 2020 08:48 AM PDT Scientists have developed a physics-based machine learning approach to examine the behavior of hydrogen at extremely high pressures. The model reveals evidence of continuous metalization, and so has significant implications for planetary science. More fundamentally, it shows the way ahead for a simulation-driven change in how we understand the behavior of matter in fields as diverse as drug development and alloys for automobiles.

Massive halo finally explains stream of gas swirling around the Milky Way Posted: 09 Sep 2020 08:48 AM PDT Astronomers have discovered that a halo of warm gas surrounding the Magellanic Clouds likely acts as a protective cocoon, shielding the dwarf galaxies from the Milky Way's own halo and contributing most of the Magellanic Stream's mass.

New insight on the impacts of Earth's biosphere on air quality Posted: 09 Sep 2020 08:48 AM PDT A new study provides the first global satellite measurements of one of the most important chemicals affecting Earth's atmosphere.

More cats might be COVID-19 positive than first believed, study suggests Posted: 09 Sep 2020 08:48 AM PDT A newly published study looking at cats in Wuhan, where the first known outbreak of COVID-19 began, shows more cats might be contracting the disease than first believed.

Cell-autonomous immunity shaped human evolution Posted: 09 Sep 2020 08:48 AM PDT Every human cell harbors its own defenses against microbial invaders, relying on strategies that date back to some of the earliest events in the history of life, researchers report. Because this 'cell-autonomous immunity' is so ancient and persistent, understanding it is essential to understanding human evolution and human medicine, the researchers said.

Metabolite signature of COVID-19 reveals multi-organ effects Posted: 09 Sep 2020 08:48 AM PDT Researchers compared lipoproteins and metabolites in the blood of COVID-19 patients and healthy subjects, revealing signs of multi-organ damage in patients that could someday help diagnose and treat COVID-19.

Bat tick found for the first time in New Jersey Posted: 09 Sep 2020 08:48 AM PDT A tick species associated with bats has been reported for the first time in New Jersey and could pose health risks to people, pets and livestock, according to a new study. This species (Carios kelleyi) is a 'soft' tick. Deer ticks, which carry Lyme disease, are an example of 'hard' ticks.

Sand-sized meteoroids are peppering asteroid Bennu Posted: 09 Sep 2020 08:48 AM PDT A new study posits that the major particle ejections off the near-Earth asteroid Bennu may be the consequence of impacts by small, sand-sized particles called meteoroids onto its surface as the object nears the Sun.

Gut microbiota not involved in the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus Posted: 09 Sep 2020 08:47 AM PDT Consuming the combination of fish oil and probiotic food supplements modulate the composition of gut microbiota in overweight and obese pregnant women, reveals a new study. The same study shows that gut microbiota composition and function is not related to gestational diabetes.

Mysterious cellular droplets come into focus Posted: 09 Sep 2020 08:47 AM PDT Researchers are shedding light on a type of membrane-less organelle, known as biological condensates, that play a role in DNA repair and aging. Using the Frontera supercomputer, biophysicists performed coarse-grained molecular dynamics of one particular biomolecular condensate -- fused in sarcoma (FUS). They have now outlined a phase diagram showing the physical states of the condensate under different conditions of temperature and pressure.

Consequences of the 2018 summer drought Posted: 09 Sep 2020 08:47 AM PDT The drought that hit central and northern Europe in summer 2018 had serious effects on crops, forests and grasslands. Researchers are showing what effects this had and what lessons can be learned.

In ancient giant viruses lies the truth behind evolution of nucleus in eukaryotic cells Posted: 09 Sep 2020 07:03 AM PDT An exchange of genetic material that occurred when ancient giant viruses infected ancient eukaryotic cells could have caused the nucleus of the eukaryotic cell -- its defining feature -- to form. A novel evolutionary hypothesis opens doors to new discussions on the subject, bringing us one giant step closer to the truth.

Do as plants do: Novel photocatalysts can perform solar-driven conversion of CO2 into fuel Posted: 09 Sep 2020 07:03 AM PDT Scientists develop a novel 'heterostructured' photocatalyst using titanium and copper, two abundant and relatively inexpensive metals. Their cost-effective synthesis procedure, coupled with the high stability of the photocatalyst, provides an economically feasible way to convert waste carbon dioxide and water into useful hydrocarbon fuels using endless sunlight.

Bacteria are in key role for successful recirculating aquaculture farming Posted: 09 Sep 2020 07:02 AM PDT Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food production sectors globally. Due to continuous growth, ecologically, economically and socially sustainable sites for aquaculture are already in use, which has caused a need for new fish farming techniques. Recirculating aquaculture systems, technology that recycles and saves water, has expanded in recent years. The operation and management of bioreactors has been one of the biggest issues.

Lecturer takes laptops and smart phones away and musters student presence Posted: 09 Sep 2020 07:02 AM PDT A Danish university lecturer experiments with banning screens in discussion lessons. A new study looks at the results, which include greater student presence, improved engagement and deeper learning.

Vitamin B1 deficiency a key factor in the development of alcohol-related dementia Posted: 09 Sep 2020 07:02 AM PDT A research group has now developed a hypothesis whereby iron deposits in the brain -- resulting from alcohol-induced vitamin B1 deficiency -- can be regarded as key factors in cognitive decline.

Climate engineering: Modelling projections oversimplify risks Posted: 09 Sep 2020 07:02 AM PDT Climate change is gaining prominence as a political and public priority. But many ambitious climate action plans foresee the use of climate engineering technologies whose risks are insufficiently understood. Researchers now describe how evolving modelling practices are trending towards 'best-case' projections. They warn that over-optimistic expectations of climate engineering may reinforce the inertia with which industry and politics have been addressing decarbonization.

Humans, not climate, have driven rapidly rising mammal extinction rate Posted: 09 Sep 2020 07:02 AM PDT Human impact can explain ninety-six percent of all mammal species extinctions of the last hundred thousand years, according to a new study.

Lumpy proteins stiffen blood vessels of the brain Posted: 09 Sep 2020 07:02 AM PDT Deposits of a protein called 'Medin', which manifest in virtually all older adults, reduce the elasticity of blood vessels during aging and hence may be a risk factor for vascular dementia.

Nature as a model: Researchers develop novel anti-inflammatory substance Posted: 09 Sep 2020 07:02 AM PDT Anti-inflammatory substances based on components of human cells could one day improve treatment in patients. Researchers have developed a method for producing those substances with controlled quality. Since the body does not recognize them as foreign substances, they offer advantages over anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or diclofenac.

Malnutrition among a hunter-gatherer group Posted: 09 Sep 2020 07:02 AM PDT The diets of hunter-gatherers are changing at a fast pace, as in the contemporary world, they are increasingly being deprived of their access to land and natural resources and urged to adapt to sedentary lifestyle. An interdisciplinary study brings forth the underlying causes of food and nutrition insecurity among a San group in Namibia.

People who were children when their parents divorced have less 'love hormone' Posted: 09 Sep 2020 07:02 AM PDT People who were children when their parents were divorced showed lower levels of oxytocin -- the so-called 'love hormone' -- when they were adults than those whose parents remained married, according to a new study. The lower level may play a role in having trouble forming attachments when they are grown.

Tool transforms world landmark photos into 4D experiences Posted: 09 Sep 2020 07:02 AM PDT Using publicly available tourist photos of world landmarks such as the Trevi Fountain in Rome or Top of the Rock in New York City, researchers have developed a method to create maneuverable 3D images that show changes in appearance over time.

New role of arginine metabolism in plant morphogenesis identified Posted: 09 Sep 2020 07:02 AM PDT A research team found that arginine metabolism has a vital role in regulating gametophore shoot formation in the moss Physcomitrium patens.

New glove-like device mimics sense of touch Posted: 09 Sep 2020 07:02 AM PDT Engineers have invented a soft wearable device which simulates the sense of touch and has wide potential for medical, industrial and entertainment applications.

Mindfulness with paced breathing and lowering blood pressure Posted: 09 Sep 2020 07:02 AM PDT Now more than ever, Americans and people all over the world are under increased stress, which may adversely affect their health and well-being. Researchers explore the possibility that mindfulness with paced breathing reduces blood pressure. One of the most plausible mechanisms is that paced breathing stimulates the vagus nerve and parasympathetic nervous system, which reduce stress chemicals in the brain and increase vascular relaxation that may lead to lowering of blood pressure.

New corals discovered in deep-sea study of Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Posted: 09 Sep 2020 06:28 AM PDT For the first time, scientists have viewed the deepest regions of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, discovered five undescribed species consisting of black corals and sponges, and recorded Australia's first observation of an extremely rare fish.

Unlocking the mystery of tau for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases Posted: 09 Sep 2020 05:59 AM PDT A team of researchers has uncovered crucial molecular details regarding the activity of the 'tau' protein, promising to revolutionize the therapy of tau-induced neurodegenerative diseases.

More than one drink a day may raise high blood pressure risk in adults with Type 2 diabetes Posted: 09 Sep 2020 05:59 AM PDT In a large study of adults with Type 2 diabetes, moderate drinking (defined as eight or more alcoholic beverages a week) was associated with a 60% or higher increased risk of high blood pressure. The severity of high blood pressure also increased with eight or more drinks per week.

Muscle aging: Stronger for longer Posted: 09 Sep 2020 05:59 AM PDT With life expectancy increasing, age-related diseases are also on the rise, including sarcopenia, the loss of muscle mass due to aging. Researchers have demonstrated that a well-known drug can delay the progression of age-related muscle weakness.

Australian telescope finds no signs of alien technology in 10 million star systems Posted: 09 Sep 2020 05:59 AM PDT A radio telescope in outback Western Australia has completed the deepest and broadest search at low frequencies for alien technologies, scanning a patch of sky known to include at least 10 million stars. Astronomers used the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) telescope to explore hundreds of times more broadly than any previous search for extraterrestrial life.

Unconscious learning underlies belief in God, study suggests Posted: 09 Sep 2020 05:59 AM PDT Individuals who can unconsciously predict complex patterns, an ability called implicit pattern learning, are likely to hold stronger beliefs that there is a god who creates patterns of events in the universe, according to neuroscientists.

Wild cousins may help crops battle climate change Posted: 09 Sep 2020 05:59 AM PDT Wild relatives of our domestic crops already cope with harsh conditions and resist disease. Can we use them to help our preferred crops adapt?

Insomnia identified as a new risk factor for type 2 diabetes in new study which also confirms many other risk and protective factors Posted: 08 Sep 2020 05:08 PM PDT A new study identifies insomnia as a risk factor associated with increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D). The study identifies 34 risk factors that are thought to increase (19) or decrease risk (15), as well as a further 21 'suggestive' risk factors where evidence was not quite as strong.

New fossil ape discovered in India Posted: 08 Sep 2020 05:05 PM PDT A 13-million-year-old fossil unearthed in northern India comes from a newly discovered ape, the earliest known ancestor of the modern-day gibbon. The discovery fills a major void in the ape fossil record and provides important new evidence about when the ancestors of today's gibbon migrated to Asia from Africa.

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