New methods for detecting single molecules

Resistance to antibiotics is on the rise worldwide. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM alongside the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich have developed a process for rapidly detecting multidrug-resistant pathogens. The unique feature: Even one single molecule of DNA is sufficient for pathogen detection. In future, the platform could be introduced as part of point-of-care diagnostics on hospital wards or in medical practices as an alternative to the established PCR analyses or in combination with other diagnostic methods. The system will be presented at MEDICA 2021.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-11-methods-molecules.html

Remote sensing enables the prediction of potential berry picking locations

By combining nationwide airborne laser scanning data and data on berries collected in connection with forest inventories, it is possible to make small-scale berry yield predictions for an entire country. These predictions indicate potential berry picking locations, but do not accurately predict berry yields.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-11-remote-enables-potential-berry.html

Tree ring helps to reveal intensification of hydroclimatic change in middle reaches of Yangtz River

Hydroclimate is an important part of the global climate system. How hydroclimate will change in the future has attracted lots of attention under global warming.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-11-tree-reveal-intensification-hydroclimatic-middle.html

Will debt, liability and Indigenous action see the sun set on the Ring of Fire?

Noront Resources Ltd.—the company at the heart of Ontario's embattled Ring of Fire mining development—is once again making headlines as the subject of competing corporate takeover bids by mining giant BHP Billiton and Australian private investment firm Wyloo Metals.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-11-debt-liability-indigenous-action-sun.html

Using ocean plastic waste to power ocean cleanup ships

A team of researchers from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Harvard University believes that the plastic amassing in floating islands in the oceans could be used to power the ships that are sent to clean them up. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes how ocean plastics could be converted to ship fuel.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-11-ocean-plastic-power-cleanup-ships.html

'Chainmail catalysis' improves efficiency of CO oxidation at room temperature

CO oxidation at room temperature is significant for gas purification. Pt promoted by 3d transition metals (TMs) is a promising candidate for this reaction. However, TMs are prone to be deeply oxidized in an oxygen-rich atmosphere, leading to low activity.

A commonly found parasite could treat certain types of cancer

Scientists have discovered that a deadly parasite, known to cause ill health in pregnant women and immunocompromised patients, could potentially be used to treat various types of tumors.

New methods for detecting single molecules

Resistance to antibiotics is on the rise worldwide. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM alongside the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich have developed a process for rapidly detecting multidrug-resistant pathogens. The unique feature: Even one single molecule of DNA is sufficient for pathogen detection. In future, the platform could be introduced as part of point-of-care diagnostics on hospital wards or in medical practices as an alternative to the established PCR analyses or in combination with other diagnostic methods. The system will be presented at MEDICA 2021.

New tool assesses how well people read kids' emotions

Psychology researchers at North Carolina State University have developed and validated a new tool for assessing how accurate people are at recognizing emotion in elementary school-aged children. The technique will facilitate research on understanding emotions of children—and highlights the fact that adults are often wrong when assessing the emotions of children.

Remote sensing enables the prediction of potential berry picking locations

By combining nationwide airborne laser scanning data and data on berries collected in connection with forest inventories, it is possible to make small-scale berry yield predictions for an entire country. These predictions indicate potential berry picking locations, but do not accurately predict berry yields.

COP26: 2021 extreme weather a 'canary in the coal mine,' say experts

University of Reading climate scientists have called on world leaders at COP26 to keep the damaging consequences of climate change seen this year in mind as they begin their negotiations.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-11-cop26-extreme-weather-canary-coal.html

A cosmic whodunit: ALMA study confirms what's robbing galaxies of their star-forming gas

Astronomers examining the nearby universe with the help of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) have just completed the largest high-resolution survey of star-forming fuel ever conducted in galaxy clusters. But more importantly, they're tackling a long-standing mystery in astrophysics: What's killing galaxies? The research, which provides the clearest evidence to date that extreme environments in space have severe impacts on the galaxies within them, will be published in an upcoming edition of The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-11-cosmic-whodunit-alma-galaxies-star-forming.html

Researchers explore the extremely metal-poor galaxy DDO 68

By performing hydrodynamical simulations, astronomers have investigated an extremely metal-poor galaxy known as DDO 68. Results of the study, presented in a paper published October 25 on the arXiv pre-print server, shed more light on the origin and nature of this peculiar galaxy.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-11-explore-extremely-metal-poor-galaxy-ddo.html

Satellite monitoring of Greenland ice melting highlights global flood risk

Global warming has caused extreme ice melting events in Greenland to become more frequent and intense over the past 40 years, raising sea levels and flood risk worldwide, finds new research involving UCL academics.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-11-satellite-greenland-ice-highlights-global.html

Using optical microscopy to take a look beneath the skin of 'surfactant onions'

Surfactant onions form when layers of surfactant molecules organize around each other into a sphere. They are easily pictured by thinking of their vegetable namesake. Until now it has not been clear whether surfactant onions are perfect layered structures or whether they contain defects. Researchers from the University of Tokyo Institute of Industrial Science have used microscopy to get a better understanding of surfactant onion layers, which is important for their potential application. Their findings are published in Physical Review Research.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-11-optical-microscopy-beneath-skin-surfactant.html

Chemo helps breast cancer cells to spread and attach to blood vessel linings in the lungs

A new study adds to the evidence that chemotherapy enhances cancer's spread beyond the primary tumor, showing how one chemo drug allows breast cancer cells to squeeze through and attach to blood vessel linings in the lungs.

Tree ring helps to reveal intensification of hydroclimatic change in middle reaches of Yangtz River

Hydroclimate is an important part of the global climate system. How hydroclimate will change in the future has attracted lots of attention under global warming.

Study: Lack of sleep affecting students' mental health, especially women

More than two thirds (65.5 percent) of students are experiencing poor sleep quality and this is linked to mental health problems, new research published in the peer-reviewed journal Annals of Human Biology suggests.

Will debt, liability and Indigenous action see the sun set on the Ring of Fire?

Noront Resources Ltd.—the company at the heart of Ontario's embattled Ring of Fire mining development—is once again making headlines as the subject of competing corporate takeover bids by mining giant BHP Billiton and Australian private investment firm Wyloo Metals.

Using ocean plastic waste to power ocean cleanup ships

A team of researchers from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Harvard University believes that the plastic amassing in floating islands in the oceans could be used to power the ships that are sent to clean them up. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes how ocean plastics could be converted to ship fuel.

Women show the way as India pushes 'eco-miracle' seaweed

Draped in a colourful saree and shirt, Lakshmi Murgesan dives into the azure waters off India's southern coast to collect seaweed, which is being hailed by scientists as a miracle crop that absorbs more carbon dioxide than trees.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-women-india-eco-miracle-seaweed.html

'Never seen anything like it': astronaut on 2021 climate disasters

From his perch 400 kilometres above Earth, French astronaut Thomas Pesquet has had a unique perspective on the climate-fuelled natural disasters that have swept the planet over the past six months.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-astronaut-climate-disasters.html

Floating farms, salt-resistant rice: Bangladeshis adapt to survive

Rising sea levels and violent flooding are already putting tens of millions of lives at risk in Bangladesh, but they bring another problem that threatens the entire nation: Water-logged land and high salinity in streams and soil are killing crops.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-farms-salt-resistant-rice-bangladeshis-survive.html

Five climate change myths

As world leaders prepare for the COP26 climate summit from October 31, AFP Fact Check examines some common claims that question the existence of global heating caused by humans.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-climate-myths.html

World faces growing threat of 'unbearable' heatwaves

From Death Valley to the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent to sub-Saharan Africa, global warming has already made daily life unbearable for millions of people.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-world-threat-unbearable-heatwaves.html

Ford, GM profits fall as sales drop due to chip shortage

The global computer chip shortage cut into third-quarter profits at both Ford and crosstown rival General Motors, with both companies having to temporarily close factories, pinching supplies on dealer lots.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-ford-gm-profits-fall-sales.html

Turkey's Lake Tuz dries up due to climate change, farming

For centuries, Lake Tuz in central Turkey has hosted huge colonies of flamingos that migrate and breed there when the weather is warm, feeding on algae in the lake's shallow waters.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-turkey-lake-tuz-dries-due.html

Samsung reports 28% jump in profit despite supply chain woes

South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics posted a 28-percent jump in operating profit on Thursday despite global supply chain challenges caused by the pandemic.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-samsung-profit-chain-woes.html

Sony upgrades full-year net profit and sales forecast

Sony upgraded its full-year sales and profit forecast on Thursday, saying it expected strong performances in the music, movie and electronics sectors.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-sony-full-year-net-profit-sales.html

Reviews highlight consequences of failing to tackle climate change

A set of scientific reviews published today reinforces the urgent need for global action to reduce the impact of climate change on vital carbon sinks, our oceans and the Arctic.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-highlight-consequences-tackle-climate.html

Industry must prepare now for a new world of green electricity

Industry must speed up investment in new technologies that allow manufacture of materials using renewable electricity if net zero emissions targets are to be met, research led by the University of Leeds warns.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-industry-world-green-electricity.html

Computer scientists develop method for identifying disease biomarkers with high accuracy

Researchers are developing a deep learning network capable of detecting disease biomarkers with a much higher degree of accuracy.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-scientists-method-disease-biomarkers-high.html

For less than $10, anyone can now get up close and explore single cells in VR

While often thought of as being limited to expensive hardware for dedicated gamers, virtual reality (VR) has become a lot more affordable in recent years with entry-level hardware—such as Google Cardboard—costing less than $10. With this headset, anyone with a smartphone can place their device into the headset and view VR content through its large screen.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-explore-cells-vr.html

Ford lifts forecast, citing better semiconductor supply

Ford reported better-than-expected results Wednesday, citing a "significant" improvement in semiconductor availability in the latest quarter and announcing it would restore dividends.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-ford-citing-semiconductor.html

Ransomware gang says it targeted National Rifle Association

A ransomware gang believed to operate out of Russia says it hacked the National Rifle Association, the most powerful gun-rights group in the United States.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-ransomware-gang-national-rifle-association.html

Scientists discover how forest fires influence rain cloud formation in the Amazon

A Brazilian study published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment shows how wildfires and forest burning for agriculture influence rain cloud formation in the Amazon. According to the authors, aerosols (tiny solid particles and liquid droplets emitted into the atmosphere by fire) hinder the freezing of cloud droplets when the atmosphere is humidified, but can also promote freezing when the atmosphere is dry. This alters the natural functioning of clouds and their typical height, and may also affect precipitation and the amount of sunlight reaching the ground.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-scientists-forest-cloud-formation-amazon.html

Exploring the dual function of the CTCF protein

The rapid scientific advancements that followed the mapping of the human genome have revealed just how staggeringly complex the world of genetics is. We now know that proteins are not just the products of genes, but that they also interact with genes, influencing and regulating the rhythm of their expression. A typical example of this are transcription factors, which begin the transcription of genes from DNA into mRNA—the first step to making a protein.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-exploring-dual-function-ctcf-protein.html

How Black Twitter has become the new 'Green Book,' and more

In 1936 in Harlem, New York, a Black postal worker named Victor Green bound together a green, 15-page booklet listing New York City businesses that were welcoming to African Americans.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-black-twitter-green.html

Getting NASA data to the ground with lasers

NASA launches satellites, rovers, and orbiters to investigate humanity's place in the Milky Way. When these missions reach their destinations, their science instruments capture images, videos, and valuable insights about the cosmos. Communications infrastructure in space and on the ground enables the data collected by these missions to reach Earth. Without ground stations to receive it, the extraordinary data captured by these missions would be stuck in space, unable to reach scientists and researchers on Earth.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-nasa-ground-lasers.html

How to find hidden oceans on distant worlds? Use chemistry

A new study shows how the chemicals in an exoplanet's atmosphere can, in some cases, reveal whether or not the temperature on its surface is too hot for liquid water.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-hidden-oceans-distant-worlds-chemistry.html

Robinhood's growth in the summer slowed as trading calmed

The meteoric growth of Robinhood Markets is coming back to earth, much like its stock price.

US panel recommends Pfizer COVID vaccine for younger children

A medical panel of US government advisors endorsed the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in five-to-11-year-olds Tuesday, paving the way for younger children to get their shots within weeks.

Microsoft profit up 24% in quarter, driven by cloud growth

Growth in Microsoft's cloud computing business helped push its profit up 24% in the July-September quarter over the same time last year.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-microsoft-profit-quarter-driven-cloud.html

Robinhood's growth in the summer slowed as trading calmed

The meteoric growth of Robinhood Markets is coming back to earth, much like its stock price.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-robinhood-growth-summer-calmed.html

Google-parent Alphabet tops expectations with $18.9 bn quarterly profit

Google's parent company Alphabet on Tuesday beat quarterly earnings expectations, raking in $18.9 billion in profit as its online ad engine and cloud services thrived.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-google-parent-alphabet-tops-bn-quarterly.html

Google-parent Alphabet tops expectations with $18.9 bn quarterly profit

Google's parent company Alphabet on Tuesday beat quarterly earnings expectations, raking in $18.9 billion in profit as its online ad engine and cloud services thrived.

Twitter posts $537 mn net loss over lawsuit payout

Twitter said Tuesday it had posted a $537 million net loss in the third quarter after settling a lawsuit alleging investors were misled about slowing user growth.

Stem cells lose their 'glue' and escape from hair follicle to cause hair loss, says new study

A newly discovered cause of balding in aging male mice could reveal a cause of hair loss in men and women as well, reports a study from Northwestern Medicine scientists. The findings provide new insight into how hair and tissues age.

Machine learning reveals brain networks involved in child aggression

Child psychiatric disorders, such as oppositional defiant disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), can feature outbursts of anger and physical aggression. A better understanding of what drives these symptoms could help inform treatment strategies. Yale researchers have now used a machine learning-based approach to uncover disruptions of brain connectivity in children displaying aggression.

Smart material switches between heating and cooling in minutes

As anyone who has ever parked a car in the sun on a hot summer day knows, glass windows are great at letting sunlight in but terrible at allowing heat out.

Twitter posts $537 mn net loss over lawsuit payout

Twitter said Tuesday it had posted a $537 million net loss in the third quarter after settling a lawsuit alleging investors were misled about slowing user growth.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-twitter-mn-net-loss-lawsuit.html

Searching for Earth 2.0? Zoom in on a star

Astronomers searching for Earth-like planets in other solar systems have made a breakthrough by taking a closer look at the surface of stars.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-earth-star.html

How do plants act fast to fight off infections?

New work led by Carnegie's Kangmei Zhao and Sue Rhee reveals a new mechanism by which plants are able to rapidly activate defenses against bacterial infections. This understanding could inspire efforts to improve crop yields and combat global hunger.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-fast-infections.html

A new 3D printing frontier: Self-powered wearable devices

When most people think of wearable devices, they think of smart watches, smart glasses, fitness trackers, even smart clothing. These devices, part of a fast-growing market, have two things in common: They all need an external power source, and they all require exacting manufacturing processes. Until now.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-3d-frontier-self-powered-wearable-devices.html

Smart material switches between heating and cooling in minutes

As anyone who has ever parked a car in the sun on a hot summer day knows, glass windows are great at letting sunlight in but terrible at allowing heat out.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-smart-material-cooling-minutes.html

Searching for Earth 2.0? Zoom in on a star

Astronomers searching for Earth-like planets in other solar systems have made a breakthrough by taking a closer look at the surface of stars.

Alzheimer's disease may cause vicious circle between brain network and immune cell dysfunctions

Studying the complex causes of Alzheimer's disease, and how to treat and prevent this condition, is like solving a many-piece puzzle, with scientists each tackling a small section, unsure of how it might fit into the larger picture. Now, researchers at Gladstone Institutes have determined how a handful of previously unconnected puzzle sections fit together.

How do plants act fast to fight off infections?

New work led by Carnegie's Kangmei Zhao and Sue Rhee reveals a new mechanism by which plants are able to rapidly activate defenses against bacterial infections. This understanding could inspire efforts to improve crop yields and combat global hunger.

A new 3D printing frontier: Self-powered wearable devices

When most people think of wearable devices, they think of smart watches, smart glasses, fitness trackers, even smart clothing. These devices, part of a fast-growing market, have two things in common: They all need an external power source, and they all require exacting manufacturing processes. Until now.

Horse hyperimmune antibody may help the fight against COVID-19, study finds

A study conducted by a consortium of Brazilian researchers has demonstrated that a hyperimmune serum consisting of purified antibody fragments produced in horses may be an efficient approach to combat COVID-19. Tests conducted in hamsters improved the animal clinical conditions. The neutralizing activity of the sera developed by the scientists has been proved to be high against the P.1 (Gamma) and P.2 variants. The results have been published in iScience.

Asia suffered hottest year on record in 2020: UN

Asia suffered its hottest year on record in 2020, the United Nations said Tuesday ahead of the COP26 summit, with extreme weather taking a heavy toll on the continent's development.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-asia-hottest-year.html

Rescued from extinction, bison rediscover Romania mountains

Hoof prints in the mud, tree bark nibbled away: even if the newest residents of Romania's Carpathian mountain forest shy away from visitors, their traces are there for those who know where to look.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-extinction-bison-rediscover-romania-mountains.html

YouTube, TikTok, Snap execs face senators on kids' safety

Bearing down on hugely popular social media platforms and their impact on children, the leaders of a Senate panel have called executives from YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat to face questions on what their companies are doing to ensure young users' safety.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-youtube-tiktok-snap-execs-senators.html

Facebook profits rise amid Facebook Papers findings

Amid fallout from the Facebook Papers documents supporting claims that the social network has valued financial success over user safety, Facebook on Monday reported higher profit for the latest quarter.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-facebook-profits-papers.html

YouTube, TikTok, Snap execs face senators on kids' safety

Bearing down on hugely popular social media platforms and their impact on children, the leaders of a Senate panel have called executives from YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat to face questions on what their companies are doing to ensure young users' safety.

Facebook profits rise amid Facebook Papers findings

Amid fallout from the Facebook Papers documents supporting claims that the social network has valued financial success over user safety, Facebook on Monday reported higher profit for the latest quarter.

Poll: Majority in US concerned about climate

President Joe Biden heads to a vital U.N. climate summit at a time when a majority of Americans regard the deteriorating climate as a problem of high importance to them, an increase from just a few years ago.

Addition of genotypic resistance testing did not improve virologic response in patients with HIV virologic failure

A randomized controlled trial found that the addition of genotypic resistance testing to routine care did not improve virologic suppression among persons whose first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) failed in public-sector HIV clinics in Uganda and South Africa. These results reinforce the critical need for and persistent challenge of finding effective interventions for persons who have virologic failure after ART initiation in the public sector in sub-Saharan Africa. The findings are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Stress In America 2021: Pandemic impedes basic decision-making ability

Americans are struggling with the basic decisions required to navigate daily life as the effects of pandemic-related stress continue to take a toll, especially on younger adults and parents, according to a national survey from the American Psychological Association.

'Nanozyme' therapy prevents harmful dental plaque build-up

A growing body of evidence points to a link between iron-deficiency anemia and severe tooth decay. Whether the connection is correlative or causative is unknown, though both conditions are associated with poor diets and are more common in people living in impoverished environments and with underlying medical conditions.

Publication of 500-year-old manuscript exposes medieval beliefs and religious cults

A rare English illuminated medieval prayer roll, believed to be among only a few dozen still in existence worldwide, has been analyzed in a new study to expose Catholic beliefs in England before the Reformation in the sixteenth century.

Shadow loss: Young adults cope with missing out during pandemic

A new paper featuring college students' experiences with loss during the COVID-19 pandemic shows that although few directly experienced a close death, everyone lost something that impacted their lives.

Stimulus designed to help restaurant workers led to more COVID cases

A new paper in The Economic Journal indicates that a large-scale government subsidy aimed at encouraging people to eat out in restaurants in the wake of the first 2020 COVID-19 wave in the United Kingdom accelerated a second COVID19 wave.

Waters off French coast in winter may be a deadly trap for small, foraging turtles

The documented habitat boundaries of the loggerhead, Kemp's ridley and green turtles are questioned by a new study suggesting that stranded turtles rescued from European French Atlantic and Channel waters could be visiting the area to forage for food. Published in Frontiers in Marine Science, satellite tracking data reveals that while some turtles may be able to return home, after their rehabilitation and release to Florida in the US, or Cape Verde off the African coast, younger individuals are at risk of being trapped in the region.

Poll: Majority in US concerned about climate

President Joe Biden heads to a vital U.N. climate summit at a time when a majority of Americans regard the deteriorating climate as a problem of high importance to them, an increase from just a few years ago.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-poll-majority-climate.html

'Nanozyme' therapy prevents harmful dental plaque build-up

A growing body of evidence points to a link between iron-deficiency anemia and severe tooth decay. Whether the connection is correlative or causative is unknown, though both conditions are associated with poor diets and are more common in people living in impoverished environments and with underlying medical conditions.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-nanozyme-therapy-dental-plaque-build-up.html

Publication of 500-year-old manuscript exposes medieval beliefs and religious cults

A rare English illuminated medieval prayer roll, believed to be among only a few dozen still in existence worldwide, has been analyzed in a new study to expose Catholic beliefs in England before the Reformation in the sixteenth century.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-year-old-manuscript-exposes-medieval-beliefs.html

Waters off French coast in winter may be a deadly trap for small, foraging turtles

The documented habitat boundaries of the loggerhead, Kemp's ridley and green turtles are questioned by a new study suggesting that stranded turtles rescued from European French Atlantic and Channel waters could be visiting the area to forage for food. Published in Frontiers in Marine Science, satellite tracking data reveals that while some turtles may be able to return home, after their rehabilitation and release to Florida in the US, or Cape Verde off the African coast, younger individuals are at risk of being trapped in the region.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-french-coast-winter-deadly-small.html

Clinically significant cataract linked to increased risk of vascular death

Clinically significant cataract is associated with an increased risk of death from vascular causes, such as stroke and heart attack, suggests research published online in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Emotional bullying, and sexual harassment and physical assault of women is widespread in the military

Women serving in the UK military face a considerable risk of emotional bullying, sexual harassment and physical assault, which can have a serious and long-lasting impact on their mental health and wellbeing, finds research published online in the journal BMJ Military Health.

Urgent changes needed to global guidelines designed to stop surgical infection

Wound infections are the most common problem after surgery, particularly in developing countries, but promised innovations to tackle the issue do not work and global guidance needs changing, a new study reveals.

Remember 3G? It's going away as AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile shift to 5G. What to know about 3G shutdown

In 2002, Verizon was the first to launch a 3G network in the U.S., during a time when the BlackBerry was the top smartphone to own and we were five years away from the arrival of the iPhone.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-3g-att-verizon-t-mobile-shift.html

Identification of genes that cause resistance to treatment of the pathogenic fungus Candida

It is estimated that 80% of women will suffer from vaginal candidiasis at least once in their lives. In addition to superficial infections, which can be oral or vaginal and do not usually have a serious prognosis, fungi of the Candida  genus can cause systemic diseases in immunocompromised individuals and these are fatal in 40% of cases. Drugs are available to treat these conditions, but doctors are increasingly encountering varieties of fungi that have developed resistance to treatments, thus making candida infection a serious global health problem.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-identification-genes-resistance-treatment-pathogenic.html

Neutron star collisions are 'goldmine' of heavy elements, study finds

Most elements lighter than iron are forged in the cores of stars. A star's white-hot center fuels the fusion of protons, squeezing them together to build progressively heavier elements. But beyond iron, scientists have puzzled over what could give rise to gold, platinum, and the rest of the universe's heavy elements, whose formation requires more energy than a star can muster.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-neutron-star-collisions-goldmine-heavy.html

From waste to resource: Turning exhaust heat into energy with unprecedented efficiency

Thanks to the ongoing digital revolution, we are on the verge of transitioning to a hyper-connected world. However, the Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices and remote sensors that promise such a reality require energy. With sustainability as a top priority, the energy source must be abundant, ubiquitous, and renewable. Fortunately, low-grade waste heat (temperatures below 100 °C) could fit the bill provided we develop efficient energy harvesting technologies.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-resource-exhaust-energy-unprecedented-efficiency.html

A big leap forward in using iron catalysts for pharmaceuticals

If there were a classroom full of all the transition metals that could be used as catalysts for complex pharmaceutical reactions, iron would be the most promising but most unruly member.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-big-iron-catalysts-pharmaceuticals.html

COVID-19 immunity in young Swedish adults investigated

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have analyzed the presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies and memory cells of the immune system in young adults. The results, published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, show that over one in four had antibodies due to the infection. Fewer of these individuals had measurable levels of memory B and T cells compared with other age groups. The researchers will now continue to study long COVID in young adults and the effects of vaccination on immunity.

Use of stimulants in older adults associated with higher risk for cardiovascular events in first month

New research led by Mina Tadrous, Assistant Professor, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto shows that use of prescription stimulant medications in older adults increased the risk of a cardiovascular events by 40 per cent within the first thirty days of medication use.

Research finds higher disease protection in fat cells in females

Research from the University of Cincinnati finds a higher presence of mitochondria in fat tissue in females. The research suggests this provides women protection against obesity and metabolic diseases. The study was published in Nature Metabolism.

Seagrass restoration study shows rapid recovery of ecosystem functions

As the dominant seagrass species on the U.S. West Coast, eelgrass supports a wide range of ecosystem services and functions, making its preservation and restoration a top priority for the region. Eelgrass restoration has a spotty record of success, however, and studies of restoration sites have rarely assessed the full range of ecosystem functions.

Study shows environmental and social factors contribute to higher rates of pneumonia in children

A new study led by researchers in the LSU Superfund Research Program demonstrates that children who are exposed to a certain type of environmental air pollution are more likely to contract community acquired pneumonia, or CAP, and to be hospitalized for longer periods of time. Social factors, including race and socioeconomic status, were also found to be associated with living in high-risk areas for CAP.

Mapping the path to carbon neutrality

Ahead of COP26 in Glasgow, the University of Surrey has published a paper in Sustainability detailing how it will reduce its carbon emissions and reach Net-Zero by 2030. In the paper, Surrey's researchers share ideas and provide guidance on how other universities can apply the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi). 

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-path-carbon-neutrality.html

Facebook staff say core products make misinformation worse

For years, Facebook has fought back against allegations that its platforms play an outsized role in the spread of false information and harmful content that has fueled conspiracies, political divisions and distrust in science, including COVID-19 vaccines.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-facebook-staff-core-products-misinformation.html

Insect digestive enzyme activates sugar-containing plant defence substance

Plants are not entirely at the mercy of their herbivore enemies. Often, chemical defenses ensure that the plants are inedible, or even toxic, and as a result insects and other hungry animals steer clear of them. A new study has shown, for the first time, that the degradation of plants' defense substances by insects' digestive enzymes can influence the insects' preference for certain food plants. Researchers at the University of Münster, the University of Bern (Switzerland) and the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena investigated this phenomenon in the larvae of cockchafers (Melolontha melolontha) and the plant they feed on, dandelion (Taraxacum officinale).

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-insect-digestive-enzyme-sugar-containing-defence.html

The underestimated impact of vapor pressure deficit on terrestrial carbon cycle

This study is led by Dr. Bin He (College of Global Change and Earth System Science, Beijing Normal University) and Dr. Wenping Yuan (School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University). Terrestrial ecosystem, as a major carbon sink, plays an important role in regulating the global carbon cycle and atmospheric CO2 mixing ratio. Traditionally, atmospheric temperature or land water availability have been considered as the two dominant drivers of interannual variability of global terrestrial carbon sink. In 2019, Wenping Yuan's group observed an apparent shift in global vegetation growth from greening to browning in the 1990s, and attributed this shift to the sharp increase in vapor pressure deficit (VPD). Inspired by this study, Bin He proposed that VPD should regulate the global terrestrial carbon cycle to a significant extent, which has been ignored by previous studies. "When I found the strong correlation between VPD and atmospheric CO2 growth rate, and the latter is an integrated measurement of global land carbon sink, I realized this finding may bring a completely new research objective in the field of global carbon cycle and climate change" Bin He says.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-underestimated-impact-vapor-pressure-deficit.html

Interglobular dentine identified in cremated human teeth

The cremation process destroys a lot of information that can usually be obtained from the human skeleton. Diseases are especially difficult to observe. This has caused a paucity in our knowledge of the disease load in populations that practiced cremation as their main funerary ritual. Dr. Barbara Veselka and Prof. Christophe Snoeck, of the Brussels Bioarchaeology Lab and research groups MARI and AMGC for the first time have detected vitamin D deficiency in cremated human remains.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-interglobular-dentine-cremated-human-teeth.html

Facebook accuses Ukrainian programmer of selling 178 million users' data, files lawsuit

Facebook is suing a Ukrainian programmer for allegedly scraping and selling publicly accessible information from millions of Facebook users.

Perovskite solar cells with atomically coherent interlayers on SnO₂ electrodes

A research team, led by Professor Sang Il Seok in the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering at UNIST has set a new efficiency record for a perovskite solar cell (PSC) at 25.8% by forming an interlayer between electron-transporting and perovskite layers to minimize interfacial defects, contributing to the decrease in the power conversion efficiencies. The new record, according to the research team, is the world's highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) reported so far. Besides, the record, certified by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), is also the highest confirmed conversion efficiency of 25.5%.

Ammonia synthesis by mechanocatalysis in a ball mill

A breakthrough in the fight against hunger, three Nobel Prizes, and 150 million tonnes of annual production—yet still a tricky topic for research: For over 100 years, the chemical industry has been using the Haber-Bosch process to convert atmospheric nitrogen and hydrogen into ammonia, an important component of mineral fertilizers and many other chemical products. Scientists at the Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung have now found a surprisingly simple way to produce ammonia at ambient temperature—and even at atmospheric pressure—and thus under much milder conditions than those required for the Haber-Bosch process. The reactants are passed through a mill that grinds the catalyst used to facilitate the reaction between the inert nitrogen and hydrogen. The result is a thin but continuous stream of ammonia.

Why are cases of pancreatic cancer rising in young women?

In his work with patients who have pancreatic cancer, Dr. Srinivas Gaddam was bothered by something that he was seeing.

Astronomers may have discovered the first planet outside of our galaxy

Signs of a planet transiting a star outside of the Milky Way galaxy may have been detected for the first time. This intriguing result, using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, opens up a new window to search for exoplanets at greater distances than ever before.

On Nov. 1, no GM plants will be closed due to chip shortage

For the first time in eight months, the global shortage of computer chips won't force General Motors to close any North American factories.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-nov-gm-due-chip-shortage.html

Big tech data centers spark worry over scarce Western water

Conflicts over water are as old as history itself, but the massive Google data centers on the edge of this Oregon town on the Columbia River represent an emerging 21st century concern.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-big-tech-centers-scarce-western.html

NASA targeting Feb. 2022 to launch new lunar program Artemis

NASA said Friday it is now targeting February 2022 for the uncrewed lunar mission Artemis 1, the first step in America's plan to return humans to the Moon later this decade.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-nasa-feb-lunar-artemis.html

Shares in Trump-linked social media venture surge again

A new investment vehicle linked to Donald Trump's fledgling media venture soared again Friday in a frenzy that reflects the former president's staying power, as well as a stock market increasingly prone to casino-like tendencies.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-10-trump-linked-social-media-venture-surge.html

How can lizards adapt to a changing climate?

Researchers at the University of Toronto and Ohio Wesleyan University are collaborating in a quest to find out how lizards can adapt to the world's changing climate.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-10-lizards-climate.html

Scientists urge UK to prep rapid return of COVID measures

The British government's scientific advisers urged the government on Friday to ensure coronavirus restrictions can be introduced rapidly, as the rate of new infections continues to grow.

How can lizards adapt to a changing climate?

Researchers at the University of Toronto and Ohio Wesleyan University are collaborating in a quest to find out how lizards can adapt to the world's changing climate.

New study suggests that breastfeeding may help prevent cognitive decline

A new study led by researchers at UCLA Health has found that women over the age of 50 who had breastfed their babies performed better on cognitive tests compared to women who had never breastfed. The findings, published in Evolution, Medicine and Public Health, suggest that breastfeeding may have a positive impact on postmenopausal women's cognitive performance and could have long-term benefits for the mother's brain.

Slow release of a drug, TT-10, improves heart attack recovery in a mouse model

A heart attack kills heart muscle cells, leading to a scar that weakens the heart, often leading to eventual heart failure. The lack of muscle repair is due to the very limited ability of mammalian heart muscle cells to proliferate, except for a brief period around birth.

Seamless wayfinding by a deafblind adult on an urban college campus: A case study

Portland State University researchers Martin Swobodzinski and Amy Parker, with student co-authors Julie Wright, Kyrsten Hansen and Becky Morton, have published a new article in Frontiers in Education: "Seamless Wayfinding by a Deafblind Adult on an Urban College Campus: A Case Study on Wayfinding Performance, Information Preferences, and Technology Requirements."