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• Loneliness levels high during COVID-19 lockdown
• Driven by climate, more frequent, severe wildfires in Cascade Range reshape forests
• Accuracy of commercial antibody kits for SARS-CoV-2 varies widely
• Some severe COVID-19 cases linked to genetic mutations or antibodies that attack the body
• Mapping the human heart, cell by cell
• Talc and petroleum jelly among the best lubricants for people wearing PPE, study finds
• Y chromosomes of Neanderthals and Denisovans now sequenced
• Uncovering a 'suPAR' culprit behind kidney injury in COVID-19
• COVID-19: Berlin scientists lay basis for a passive vaccination
• New possibilities for working with quantum information
• A question of reality
• Faint orbital debris that threatens satellites not being monitored closely enough, warn astronomers
• Researchers examine COVID-19 impact on manufacturing
• Job security, finances strongly related to increased anxiety during pandemic
• Placenta is initiated first, as cells of a fertilized egg divide and specialize
• Newly identified 'landfalling droughts' originate over ocean
• Gravity causes homogeneity of the universe
• Variation in genes associated with viral entry of SARS-CoV-2 unlikely to influence COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, study finds
• Solving the strange storms on Jupiter
• Young physicist 'squares the numbers' on time travel
• Camera traps show impact of recreational activity on wildlife
• Remote neuropsychology tests for children shown effective, study finds
• Scientists discover why tarantulas come in vivid blues and greens
• New brain cell-like nanodevices work together to identify mutations in viruses
• Provide shady spots to protect butterflies from climate change
• Climate pledges 'like tackling COVID-19 without social distancing'
• New mechanism of action against SARS-CoV-2 by antiviral drug remdesivir
• Research helps people, lunar rovers, get there on time
• Amazonia racing toward tipping point, fueled by unregulated fires
• New model -- Antarctic ice loss expected to affect future climate change
• Scientists shine light on tiny crystals behind unexpected violent eruptions
• Fructose made in the brain could be a mechanism driving Alzheimer's disease, researchers propose
• Centuries-old conjecture about formation of the solar system verified
• 'Trojan horse' approach to kill cancer cells without using drugs
• New tool mimics human skin to allow detailed study of mosquito biting

Loneliness levels high during COVID-19 lockdown Posted: 24 Sep 2020 11:16 AM PDT During the initial phase of COVID-19 lockdown, rates of loneliness among people in the UK were high and were associated with a number of social and health factors, according to a new study.

Driven by climate, more frequent, severe wildfires in Cascade Range reshape forests Posted: 24 Sep 2020 11:16 AM PDT New research found that while the increased wildfire activity is causing widespread changes in the structure and composition of these mid-to-high elevation forests, the new landscapes are also likely more resilient to projected upward trends in future fire activity and climate conditions.

Accuracy of commercial antibody kits for SARS-CoV-2 varies widely Posted: 24 Sep 2020 11:15 AM PDT There is wide variation in the performance of commercial kits for detecting antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), according to a new study.

Some severe COVID-19 cases linked to genetic mutations or antibodies that attack the body Posted: 24 Sep 2020 11:15 AM PDT Two new studies offer an explanation for why COVID-19 cases can be so variable. A subset of patients has mutations in key immunity genes; other patients have auto-antibodies that target the same components of the immune system. Both circumstances could contribute to severe forms of the disease.

Mapping the human heart, cell by cell Posted: 24 Sep 2020 11:15 AM PDT Scientists have mapped and described the function of cells in six regions of the adult heart, providing a new foundation for studying heart disease.

Talc and petroleum jelly among the best lubricants for people wearing PPE, study finds Posted: 24 Sep 2020 11:15 AM PDT Talcum powder, a coconut oil-cocoa butter beeswax mixture, and petroleum jelly provide the best skin protection for long-term PPE use, say scientists.

Y chromosomes of Neanderthals and Denisovans now sequenced Posted: 24 Sep 2020 11:14 AM PDT An international research team led by Martin Petr and Janet Kelso of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany, has determined Y chromosome sequences of three Neandertals and two Denisovans. These Y chromosomes provide new insights into the relationships and population histories of archaic and modern humans, including new evidence for ancient gene flow from early modern humans into Neandertals.

Uncovering a 'suPAR' culprit behind kidney injury in COVID-19 Posted: 24 Sep 2020 10:54 AM PDT A new observational study finds patients in the hospital for COVID-19 have high levels of soluble urokinase receptor (suPAR), an immune-derived pathogenic protein that is strongly predictive of kidney injury.

COVID-19: Berlin scientists lay basis for a passive vaccination Posted: 24 Sep 2020 10:54 AM PDT Researchers have identified highly effective antibodies against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and are now pursuing the development of a passive vaccination. In this process, they have also discovered that some SARS-CoV-2 antibodies bind to tissue samples from various organs, which could potentially trigger undesired side effects.

New possibilities for working with quantum information Posted: 24 Sep 2020 10:53 AM PDT The spin of particles can be manipulated by a magnetic field. This principle is the basic idea behind magnetic resonance imaging as used in hospitals. A surprising effect has now been discovered in the spins of phosphorus atoms coupled to microwaves: If the atoms are excited, they can emit a series of echoes. This opens up new ways of information processing in quantum systems.

A question of reality Posted: 24 Sep 2020 10:53 AM PDT Physicists have published a review that explores Bell's inequalities and his concepts of reality and explains their relevance to quantum information and its applications.

Faint orbital debris that threatens satellites not being monitored closely enough, warn astronomers Posted: 24 Sep 2020 10:53 AM PDT Astronomers are warning that orbital debris posing a threat to operational satellites is not being monitored closely enough, as they publish a new survey finding that over 75% of the orbital debris they detected could not be matched to known objects in public satellite catalogues.

Researchers examine COVID-19 impact on manufacturing Posted: 24 Sep 2020 10:53 AM PDT A new study finds that manufacturing response to COVID-19 has been largely reactive and uncoordinated, and many firms' crisis communication plans do not include managing an infectious-disease outbreak.

Job security, finances strongly related to increased anxiety during pandemic Posted: 24 Sep 2020 10:53 AM PDT For people still employed during the COVID-19 pandemic, job insecurity and financial concern are associated with greater symptoms of depression and anxiety, according to a new study.

Placenta is initiated first, as cells of a fertilized egg divide and specialize Posted: 24 Sep 2020 08:41 AM PDT The first stages of placental development take place days before the embryo starts to form in human pregnancies. The finding highlights the importance of healthy placental development in pregnancy, and could lead to future improvements in fertility treatments such as IVF, and a better understanding of placental-related diseases in pregnancy.

Newly identified 'landfalling droughts' originate over ocean Posted: 24 Sep 2020 08:41 AM PDT Researchers have identified a new type of 'landfalling drought' that originates over the ocean before traveling onto land, and which can cause larger, drier conditions than other droughts.

Gravity causes homogeneity of the universe Posted: 24 Sep 2020 08:41 AM PDT Gravity can accelerate the homogenization of space-time as the universe evolves.

Variation in genes associated with viral entry of SARS-CoV-2 unlikely to influence COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, study finds Posted: 24 Sep 2020 08:40 AM PDT A comprehensive search of genetic variation databases has revealed no significant differences across populations and ethnic groups in seven genes associated with viral entry of SARS-CoV-2.

Solving the strange storms on Jupiter Posted: 24 Sep 2020 07:19 AM PDT Geometric storm patterns on Jupiter's south pole have been a mystery to scientists, but researchers may have uncovered how they form.

Young physicist 'squares the numbers' on time travel Posted: 24 Sep 2020 07:19 AM PDT Paradox-free time travel is theoretically possible, according to the mathematical modelling of an undergraduate student.

Camera traps show impact of recreational activity on wildlife Posted: 24 Sep 2020 07:19 AM PDT The COVID-19 pandemic has fired up interest in outdoor activities in our parks and forests. Now a new study highlights the need to be mindful of how these activities may affect wildlife living in protected areas. All wildlife tended to avoid places that were recently visited by recreational users. And they avoided mountain bikers and motorized vehicles significantly more than they did hikers and horseback riders.

Remote neuropsychology tests for children shown effective, study finds Posted: 24 Sep 2020 07:19 AM PDT Administering neuropsychology evaluations to children online in the comfort of their own homes is feasible and delivers results comparable to tests traditionally performed in a clinic, a new study indicates. The finding could help expand access to specialists and reduce barriers to care, particularly as the popularity of telemedicine grows during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scientists discover why tarantulas come in vivid blues and greens Posted: 24 Sep 2020 07:19 AM PDT Researchers find support for new hypotheses: that tarantulas' vibrant blue colors may be used to communicate between potential mates, while green coloration confers the ability to conceal among foliage. Their research also suggests that tarantulas are not as color-blind as previously believed, and that these arachnids may be able to perceive the bright blue tones on their bodies.

New brain cell-like nanodevices work together to identify mutations in viruses Posted: 24 Sep 2020 05:27 AM PDT Scientists have described a new nanodevice that acts almost identically to a brain cell. Furthermore, they have shown that these synthetic brain cells can be joined together to form intricate networks that can then solve problems in a brain-like manner.

Provide shady spots to protect butterflies from climate change Posted: 24 Sep 2020 05:27 AM PDT Researchers have discovered significant variations in the ability of different UK butterfly species to maintain a suitable body temperature. Species that rely most on finding a suitably shady location to keep cool are at the greatest risk of population decline. The results predict how climate change might impact butterfly communities, and will inform conservation strategies to protect them.

Climate pledges 'like tackling COVID-19 without social distancing' Posted: 24 Sep 2020 05:27 AM PDT Current global pledges to tackle climate change are the equivalent of declaring a pandemic without a plan for social distancing, researchers say.

New mechanism of action against SARS-CoV-2 by antiviral drug remdesivir Posted: 24 Sep 2020 05:26 AM PDT Researchers have discovered a novel, second mechanism of action by the antiviral drug remdesivir against SARS-CoV-2. The research team previously demonstrated how remdesivir inhibits the COVID-19 virus's polymerase or replication machinery in a test tube.

Research helps people, lunar rovers, get there on time Posted: 23 Sep 2020 01:46 PM PDT A graduate student relied on the bus system to get to class. He wanted to understand why, despite arriving at the bus stop on time, he was sometimes late to class. He developed a tool that considers transportation variables weighed against how great a margin of error bus riders are willing to accept, which can also apply to getting a lunar rover to its destination, and with a high degree of reliability.

Amazonia racing toward tipping point, fueled by unregulated fires Posted: 23 Sep 2020 01:46 PM PDT Amazonia is closer to a catastrophic ecological tipping point than any time in the last 100,000 years, and human activity is the cause.

New model -- Antarctic ice loss expected to affect future climate change Posted: 23 Sep 2020 01:46 PM PDT In a new climate modeling study that looked at the impacts of accelerated ice melt from the Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS) on future climate, a team of climate scientists reports that future ice-sheet melt is expected to have significant effects on global climate.

Scientists shine light on tiny crystals behind unexpected violent eruptions Posted: 23 Sep 2020 11:35 AM PDT In a new study of volcanic processes, scientists have demonstrated the role nanolites play in the creation of violent eruptions at otherwise 'calm' and predictable volcanoes. The study describes how nano-sized crystals (nanolites), 10,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair, can have a significant impact of the viscosity of erupting magma, resulting in previously unexplained and explosive eruptions.

Fructose made in the brain could be a mechanism driving Alzheimer's disease, researchers propose Posted: 23 Sep 2020 09:48 AM PDT New research proposes that Alzheimer's disease may be driven by the overactivation of fructose made in the brain. The study outlined the hypothesis that Alzheimer's is a modern disease driven by changes in dietary lifestyle that has resulted in excessive fructose metabolism in the brain.

Centuries-old conjecture about formation of the solar system verified Posted: 23 Sep 2020 09:46 AM PDT Using a limited set of mathematical equations, a mathematical sciences professor said he has confirmed a 224-year-old math conjecture about the origins of our solar system, providing insights about the process that leads to the formation of solar systems across the universe.

'Trojan horse' approach to kill cancer cells without using drugs Posted: 23 Sep 2020 09:46 AM PDT Cancer cells are killed in lab experiments and tumor growth reduced in mice, using a new approach that turns a nanoparticle into a 'Trojan horse' that causes cancer cells to self-destruct.

New tool mimics human skin to allow detailed study of mosquito biting Posted: 23 Sep 2020 09:46 AM PDT Scientists have developed a tool for studying the biting behavior of common pathogen-carrying mosquitoes.

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