In Scandinavia, wooden buildings reach new heights

A sandy-colored tower glints in the sunlight and dominates the skyline of the Swedish town of Skelleftea as Scandinavia harnesses its wood resources to lead a global trend towards erecting eco-friendly high-rises.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/in-scandinavia-wooden-buildings-reach-new-heights

Changing climate impacts biodiversity in protected areas globally

Protected areas—such as nature reserves, national parks, and wilderness areas—are essential to conserving biodiversity. New research published in Environmental Research Letters provides insights for developing climate-smart conservation strategies. The study looked at the global network of protected areas, evaluated potential for shifts in where plants and animals occur due to climate change, and as a result identifies the need for strategic conservation plans that transcend international borders and protect at-risk species.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/changing-climate-impacts-biodiversity-in-protected-areas-globally

Breakthrough in treatment for Dupuytren's disease

Researchers at the Kennedy Institute, University of Oxford, led by Professor Jagdeep Nanchahal have demonstrated the efficacy of the anti-TNF drug adalimumab for patients with early stage Dupuytren's disease.

Osteoporosis in men overlooked by doctors and patients

Osteoporosis in men is often overlooked by health care professionals, a study in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology from the University of Sheffield has found.

Revolutionary find: 19 cannons in river likely sunk in 1779

A warehouse along the Savannah River is holding historical treasures that evidence suggests remained lost for more than 240 years—a cache of 19 cannons that researchers suspect came from British ships scuttled to the river bottom during the American Revolution.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/revolutionary-find-19-cannons-in-river-likely-sunk-in-1779

Racial split on COVID-19 endures as restrictions ease in US

Black and Hispanic Americans remain far more cautious in their approach to COVID-19 than white Americans, recent polls show, reflecting diverging preferences on how to deal with the pandemic as federal, state and local restrictions fall by the wayside.

Autism, ADHD and school absence are risk factors for self-harm, according to new study

Research led by King's College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has analyzed factors associated with self-harm in over 111,000 adolescents aged 11-17 years old.

Musk offloads $4 bn in Tesla shares after Twitter deal

Tesla chief Elon Musk sold about $4 billion worth of shares in the electric carmaker in the days after Twitter's board agreed to his $44 billion takeover of the social media platform.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/musk-offloads-4-bn-in-tesla-shares-after-twitter-deal

Fireball spotted over southern Mississippi, NASA confirms

A loud boom prefaced a streaking fireball spotted in three Southern states, scientists confirmed Thursday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/fireball-spotted-over-southern-mississippi-nasa-confirms

New study shows fewer people die from COVID-19 in better vaccinated communities

A large US study published by The BMJ today finds that fewer people die from COVID-19 in better vaccinated communities.

Ingenuity Mars Helicopter spots gear that helped Perseverance rover land

NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter recently surveyed both the parachute that helped the agency's Perseverance rover land on Mars and the cone-shaped backshell that protected the rover in deep space and during its fiery descent toward the Martian surface on Feb. 18, 2021. Engineers with the Mars Sample Return program asked whether Ingenuity could provide this perspective. What resulted were 10 aerial color images taken April 19 during Ingenuity's Flight 26.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/ingenuity-mars-helicopter-spots-gear-that-helped-perseverance-rover-land

Study reveals genetic diversity of a particularly problematic pathogen

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine and Jacobs School of Engineering, with colleagues at Baylor College of Medicine, have used a systems biology approach to parse the genetic diversity of Clostridioides difficile, a particularly problematic pathogen in health care settings.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/study-reveals-genetic-diversity-of-a-particularly-problematic-pathogen

A nasty I of the storm: Ida is 12th I hurricane name retired

There's something about hurricanes starting with the letter I that is particularly nasty. Last year's Ida now joins the list of storms so deadly their names don't get used again.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/a-nasty-i-of-the-storm-ida-is-12th-i-hurricane-name-retired

Brain imaging shows what happens when we question fake news

Misinformation on social media may seem like an intractable problem, but a new study from business researchers at The University of Texas at Austin shows that asking a single question can be a powerful weapon against fake news.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/brain-imaging-shows-what-happens-when-we-question-fake-news

In Florida panther, multi-pronged approach critical to disease management

The Florida panther, an endangered subspecies of mountain lion found exclusively in southern Florida, is being affected by a viral disease called feline leukemia virus (FeLV). FeLV can spread from domestic cats and cause large outbreaks in panthers, resulting in severe illness or death. While a domestic cat vaccine is available, it has uncertain efficacy in panthers. New research led by the University of Minnesota studies FeLV management and has implications for infectious disease management, such as COVID-19 in humans.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/in-florida-panther-multi-pronged-approach-critical-to-disease-management

Language that belittles or blames patients is overdue for change

Medical language that casts doubt, belittles, or blames patients for their health problems continues to be commonly used in everyday clinical practice, but is outdated and overdue for change, argue experts in The BMJ today.

Amazon warehouse collapse probe finds worker safety risks

U.S. regulators are calling on Amazon to improve its procedures for dealing with severe weather like hurricanes and tornadoes that could threaten workers at its warehouses dotted across the country.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/amazon-warehouse-collapse-probe-finds-worker-safety-risks

UK wildlife watchers welcome 'ecological refugees'

Wildlife watchers generally welcome species that have arrived in the UK due to climate change, new research suggests.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/uk-wildlife-watchers-welcome-ecological-refugees

Synthetic 'forever chemicals' known as PFAS linked to liver damage

Exposure to a class of widely used synthetic chemicals is connected to liver damage according to a new study conducted by researchers from the Keck School of Medicine of USC and published April 27th, 2022, in Environmental Health Perspectives. 

New tool to assess Long COVID symptoms

A comprehensive tool that can assess the symptoms of Long COVID has been developed at the University of Birmingham for use in research and clinical care.

High depressive symptoms in adolescents increased by 6% due to pandemic

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, depressive symptoms increased and life satisfaction decreased among secondary school children in England, particularly among girls, reports a new study led by UCL researchers.

Japanese population projected to live longer without dementia

A new detailed microsimulation, using a database of 40 million people, has examined the future of Japan's aging population up to 2043. It projects that more people will live longer, and that overall years spent living with dementia will decrease. However, the model highlighted the diversity of impacts on different segments of the population, as Japanese women with a less than high school education and aged 75 and over may be disproportionately affected by both dementia and frailty. Better understanding where health gaps like this exist can help inform public health planning, to minimize future economic costs and support those most in need.

Immigrants to Denmark hospitalized with COVID-19 appear less likely to die than Danish-born residents

Immigrants to Denmark and their descendants hospitalized with COVID-19 are 46% less likely to die from COVID-19 than Danish-born residents, according to a year-long nationwide study investigating COVID-related death and use of mechanical ventilation in all adults hospitalized with COVID-19 in Denmark between February 2020 and March 2021, to be presented at this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in Lisbon, Portugal (23-26 April).

New evidence of how exercise can counter diabetes damage

One way exercise can counter the damage of diabetes is by enabling activation of a natural system we have to grow new blood vessels when existing ones are ravaged by this disease, scientists report.

New drug combo 'promising candidate' for on-demand contraceptive pill

A new combination of drugs has emerged as a "promising candidate" for an on-demand contraceptive pill, suggests preliminary research published online in the journal BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health.

Calcium supplements linked to earlier death in older people with heart valve disease

Calcium supplements, frequently given to older people to lessen the risk of brittle bones (osteoporosis) and fractures, are linked to a heightened risk of death among those with aortic valve stenosis, a progressive and potentially fatal condition, finds research published online in the journal Heart.

A combination of three simple treatments may reduce invasive cancer risk by 61% among adults aged 70+

A new study published in Frontiers in Aging found that a combination of high-dose vitamin D, omega-3s, and a simple home strength exercise program (SHEP) showed a cumulative reduction by 61% in cancer risk in healthy adults aged 70 or older. It is the first study to test the combined benefit of three affordable public health interventions for the prevention of invasive cancers. Following future studies, the results may impact the future of cancer prevention in older adults.

Study in patients hospitalized with COVID underscores need for improvement in therapeutic approaches for critically ill

Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are experiencing shorter lengths of stay in hospital and the portion needing intensive care has declined since the early days of the pandemic. However, overall mortality rates have remained unchanged and the all-cause mortality rate has increased in those who are critically ill and in need of invasive mechanical ventilation or ECMO, according to a large nationwide study of 853,219 COVID-19 patients (aged 18 years or older) hospitalized between May 2020 and December 2021.

China COVID death toll rises as Beijing warns of 'grim' situation

Shanghai reported 39 COVID deaths Sunday, its highest daily toll despite weeks of lockdowns, while China's capital Beijing warned of a "grim" situation with rising infections.

Amazon union could face a tough road ahead after victory

In the aftermath of their hard-won labor victory, Amazon workers in the New York City borough of Staten Island popped Champagne, cheered their victory and danced in celebration. But their jovial attitude will be tested by a company that seems likely to drag its feet to the bargaining table.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/amazon-union-could-face-a-tough-road-ahead-after-victory

Don't call him CEO: Jack Dorsey says he's 'Block Head' now

Technology entrepreneur and former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has a new title: Block Head.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/dont-call-him-ceo-jack-dorsey-says-hes-block-head-now

Study finds superbug C. difficile can jump between pigs and humans, providing evidence of zoonotic spread

A study investigating samples of the superbug Clostridioides difficile across 14 pig farms in Denmark finds the sharing of multiple antibiotic-resistance genes between pigs and human patients, providing evidence that that animal to human (zoonotic) transmission is possible.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/study-finds-superbug-c-difficile-can-jump-between-pigs-and-humans-providing-evidence-of-zoonotic-spread

WHO: 1 child has died in mystery liver disease outbreak

The World Health Organization says at least one death has been reported in connection with a mysterious liver disease outbreak affecting children in Europe and the United States.

California breaks ground on largest urban wildlife crossing

Construction has begun on what is billed as the world's largest wildlife crossing for mountain lions and other animals caught in Southern California's urban sprawl.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/california-breaks-ground-on-largest-urban-wildlife-crossing

Two largest marsquakes to date recorded from planet's far side

The seismometer placed on Mars by NASA's InSight lander has recorded its two largest seismic events to date: a magnitude 4.2 and a magnitude 4.1 marsquake. The pair are the first recorded events to occur on the planet's far side from the lander and are five times stronger than the previous largest event recorded.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/two-largest-marsquakes-to-date-recorded-from-planets-far-side

Preliminary study finds organic vegetables contaminated with wide range of disease-causing microbes

New research to be presented at this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in Lisbon, Portugal (23-26 April), suggests that disease-causing amoebas that live on organic leafy vegetables can shelter human pathogens like Pseudomonas, Salmonella, and Helicobacter and are a potential risk to public health. The study is by Dr. Yolanda Moreno and colleagues from Universitat Politècnica de València in Spain.

Twitter bans ads that defy climate change science

Twitter on Friday banned ads that deny the reality of climate change.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/twitter-bans-ads-that-defy-climate-change-science

Discovery sheds light on why Pacific islands were colonized

The discovery of pottery from the ancient Lapita culture by researchers at The Australian National University (ANU) has shed new light on how Papua New Guinea (PNG) served as a launching pad for the colonization of the Pacific—one of the greatest migrations in human history.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/discovery-sheds-light-on-why-pacific-islands-were-colonized

Ecotourism giving rare iguanas a sweet tooth

Ecotourists feeding grapes to rock iguanas on remote islands in the Bahamas have given them a sweet tooth and high blood sugar, researchers said Thursday, warning of unknown effects on the health of the vulnerable reptiles.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/ecotourism-giving-rare-iguanas-a-sweet-tooth

Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were three times as likely to die than those with seasonal influenza

Adults (aged 18 or older) hospitalized with COVID-19 are at higher risk of complications and death than those with influenza, despite being younger and having fewer chronic illnesses, according to a retrospective cohort study conducted at the Hospital del Mar in Barcelona.

Protected areas can be the beating heart of nature recovery in the UK, but they must be more than lines on a map

A new report launched today (22 April) by the British Ecological Society (BES) says that the UK government's commitment to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030 offers the opportunity to revitalize the contribution of protected areas to nature recovery. But it also warns that this ambitious pledge will fail if we don't make radical, transformative changes.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/protected-areas-can-be-the-beating-heart-of-nature-recovery-in-the-uk-but-they-must-be-more-than-lines-on-a-map

New ASM Academy report shows critical role microbes play in climate change

The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) has issued a new report, Microbes and Climate Change: Science, People, & Impacts, examining the relationship between microbes and climate change. As major drivers of elemental cycles and producers and consumers of 3 of the gases responsible for 98% of increased global warming (carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide), microbes have a pivotal impact on climate change and are, in turn, impacted by it. To fully understand how to adapt to climate change, it is critical to learn how our changing climate will impact microbes and how they relate to humans and the environment.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/new-asm-academy-report-shows-critical-role-microbes-play-in-climate-change

Emerging superbug MRSA in humans found in urban hedgehogs in Finland

For the first time, a highly transmissible strain of the antibiotic-resistant superbug MRSA currently plaguing hospitals in Northern Europe has been isolated from hedgehogs in Helsinki. The study by Venla Johansson and colleagues from the University of Helsinki, Finland, is to be presented at this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in Lisbon, Portugal (23-26 April).

Scientists identify new molecular strategies for tackling aggressive form of leukemia

A discovery by researchers at the University of Sussex has the potential to benefit leukemia patients by opening up new treatment strategies for treating the disease.

Reversible fuel cells can support grid economically, study finds

A major challenge for producers of electricity from solar panels and wind turbines is akin to capturing lightning in a bottle. Both solar and wind increasingly generate electricity amid little demand, when market prices are too low to cover costs. At noon on sunny days, for example, wholesale power prices in areas with high quantities of solar and wind occasionally fall below zero.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/reversible-fuel-cells-can-support-grid-economically-study-finds

A layered approach is needed to prevent infections from becoming harder to treat

Counteracting antimicrobial resistance needs a multipronged approach, including training, labeling food products, working with the media and changing mindsets, according to a new study.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/a-layered-approach-is-needed-to-prevent-infections-from-becoming-harder-to-treat

Canadian researchers urge legislation to end organ donation anonymity

A team of researchers at Western University is calling for an end to a long-held, strict policy of anonymity in organ donations, pushing for new legislation that will allow donor families to connect with organ recipients, if they choose to.

Alarmingly high rates of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing to older and Black patients, finds US study

Almost three-quarters of antibiotics prescriptions to patients aged 65 years or older, and two thirds to Black patients, are inappropriate, according to a study analyzing over 7 billion visits to doctor's offices, hospital clinics and emergency departments by US adults and children over 7 years.

We are more satisfied with life as we age, thanks to this neurochemical

People whose brains release more of the neurochemical oxytocin are kinder to others and are more satisfied with their lives. This is the finding of new research, published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, that also discovered that oxytocin release increases with age, showing why, on average, people are more caring as they get older.

Netflix shares plunge as subscribers drop

Netflix shares lost a quarter of their value Tuesday after the company revealed its ranks of subscribers shrank in the first quarter of this year.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/netflix-shares-plunge-as-subscribers-drop

Do personality traits and social norms impact the gender pay gap?

Despite increasing female employment and diminishing differences between men and women in career expectations, the gender pay gap is persistent. An analysis in the Journal of Economic Surveys that included 39 relevant studies has examined how personality traits and social norms may affect this problem.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/do-personality-traits-and-social-norms-impact-the-gender-pay-gap

The answer to keeping moose populations healthy? Wolves

Predators may keep prey populations healthy by acting as a selective force against genetic diseases. A new study found that wolves select adult moose based on age and osteoarthritis, a chronic disease that can be influenced by genetics. Wolves also showed a strong preference for elderly moose over prime-aged adults. The results indicate that wolves play an important role in keeping prey populations healthy and have considerable implications for the conservation management of predator and prey populations.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/the-answer-to-keeping-moose-populations-healthy-wolves

When severe infection causes long-term mood disorders: Researchers identify promising treatment path

The brain is able to detect and regulate localized or systemic inflammation by using two communication pathways. The first, humoral, makes use of specific brain structures that enable circulating inflammatory mediators to enter the brain. The second, neural, involves nerves whose sensory afferents transmit the inflammatory signal detected at local level.

Product label changes do not prevent accidental acetaminophen overdoses

Changes to acetaminophen product labels did not decrease rates of hospitalization for accidental acetaminophen overdoses, according to a new Canadian study in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

Sun releases significant solar flare

The Sun emitted a significant solar flare on April 16, 2022, peaking at 11:34 p.m. EST. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, which watches the Sun constantly, captured an image of the event.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/sun-releases-significant-solar-flare-1

Sustainable investing: How effective is it really?

In October, a report released by the White House warned that "Climate change is an emerging threat to the financial stability of the United States."

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/sustainable-investing-how-effective-is-it-really

Study finds local voluntary programs are effective in promoting green energy

Programs encouraging voluntary solar energy use at the local level are effective in spurring the adoption of solar power, a Florida State University researcher has found.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/study-finds-local-voluntary-programs-are-effective-in-promoting-green-energy

Perception matters: How fear about crime impacts presidential approval

Only one in three Americans, or 36%, approve of President Joe Biden's handling of crime, according to a December 2021 poll by ABC News and Ipsos. An ABC News story tied the low approval to "historic jumps" in the nation's murder rates. However, new research from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that other less objective factors may be contributing to Biden's low approval rating.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/perception-matters-how-fear-about-crime-impacts-presidential-approval

Excess weight almost doubles risk of womb cancer

New research shows that lifelong excess weight almost doubles a woman's risk of developing womb cancer, according to a Cancer Research UK-funded study published today in BMC Medicine.

NASA moon rocket faces more flight delays as repairs mount

The flight debut of NASA's mega moon rocket faces additional delays following a string of failed fueling tests.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/nasa-moon-rocket-faces-more-flight-delays-as-repairs-mount

US judge deemed controversial Musk tweet on Tesla 'false': investors

A 2018 tweet posted by Elon Musk in which he claimed to have secured the funding to take Tesla private was deemed "false and misleading" by a judge, according to documents filed by investors suing his electric car company.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/us-judge-deemed-controversial-musk-tweet-on-tesla-false-investors

China sending up next space station crew in June

China will launch three more astronauts to its newest space station in June after the latest crew returned this weekend following a six-month stay in orbit, an official said Sunday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/china-sending-up-next-space-station-crew-in-june

Endangered North Atlantic right whales make a stand in Cape Cod

After many hours scouring Cape Cod Bay and a few false alarms, those aboard the Research Vessel Shearwater on a bright April day make their first sighting: three North Atlantic right whales, including a rare mother-calf pair.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/endangered-north-atlantic-right-whales-make-a-stand-in-cape-cod

Astronomers confirm size of largest comet ever discovered, bigger than Rhode Island

Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Telescope have confirmed the existence the largest comet ever discovered, and it will pass by our sun in the next decade.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/astronomers-confirm-size-of-largest-comet-ever-discovered-bigger-than-rhode-island

Three Chinese astronauts return to Earth after six months in space

Three Chinese astronauts returned to Earth on Saturday after 183 days in space, ending China's longest crewed mission as it continues its quest to become a major space power.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/three-chinese-astronauts-return-to-earth-after-six-months-in-space

In US, every dog has its... DNA test

The routine is now a familiar one: Open the kit, swirl a swab around, put it in solution and wait impatiently for the results. Except this time it's not a test for COVID—it's a DNA test for dogs.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/in-us-every-dog-has-its-dna-test

A key brain region for substance use disorders now has a searchable atlas of distinct cell populations

In a work of systematic biology that advances the field, University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers have identified 16 distinct cell populations in a complex area of the midbrain called the ventral tegmental area, or VTA.

Israel to top up shrinking Sea of Galilee with desalinated water

Israel, a leader in making seawater drinkable, plans to pump excess output from its desalination plants into the Sea of Galilee, depleted by overuse and threatened by climate change.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/israel-to-top-up-shrinking-sea-of-galilee-with-desalinated-water

S. Korea to remove most virus restrictions as omicron slows

South Korea will remove most pandemic restrictions, including indoor gathering limits, as it slowly wiggles out of an omicron outbreak officials say is stabilizing.

FDA authorizes 1st breath test for COVID-19 infection

The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday issued an emergency use authorization for what it said is the first device that can detect COVID-19 in breath samples.

Elon Musk wants to buy Twitter, make it 'maximally trusted'

In 10 days, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has gone from popular Twitter contributor and critic to the company's largest individual shareholder to a would-be owner of the social platform—a whirlwind of activity that could change the service dramatically given the sometimes whimsical billionaire's self-identification as a free-speech absolutist.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/elon-musk-wants-to-buy-twitter-make-it-maximally-trusted

US agencies: Industrial control system malware discovered

Multiple U.S. government agencies issued a joint alert Wednesday warning of the discovery of a suite of malicious cyber tools created by unnamed advanced threat actors that are capable of sabotaging the energy sector and other critical industries.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/us-agencies-industrial-control-system-malware-discovered

Genomic time machine: From sponge microbiome, insights into evolutionary past

Sponges in coral reefs, less flashy than their coral neighbors but important to the overall health of reefs, are among the earliest animals on the planet. New research from UNH peers into coral reef ecosystems with a novel approach to understanding the complex evolution of sponges and the microbes that live in symbiosis with them. With this "genomic time machine," researchers can predict aspects of reef and ocean ecosystems through hundreds of millions of years of dramatic evolutionary change.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/genomic-time-machine-from-sponge-microbiome-insights-into-evolutionary-past

Data from new CDC study reveal key trends in US healthcare personnel COVID-19 exposures

A study conducted by researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides the first assessment of reported COVID-19 exposures over time among U.S. healthcare personnel (HCP) during the global pandemic. Findings from the study, published today in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), suggest that HCPs diagnosed with COVID-19 were most likely to be exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in their workplaces as COVID-19 cases increased in their communities, and offer insights for reducing HCP exposures and risk during future outbreaks.

Researchers find limited economic cost to robust carbon emission goals

A new paper in Oxford Open Climate Change indicates that, while various models to measure the economic impact of reducing carbon emissions show low current economic benefits, after 2050, most scenarios show higher benefits than costs. These benefits are the largest in developing countries.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/researchers-find-limited-economic-cost-to-robust-carbon-emission-goals

Better coaching needed to prevent burnout among video gaming pros

Early research into the growing electronic sports (esports) industry highlights a need for better coaching to prevent burnout among professional players.

Pouring it on: Climate change made 2020 hurricanes rainier

Climate change made the record-smashing deadly 2020 Atlantic hurricane season noticeably wetter, a new study says. And it will likely make this season rainier, too, scientists said.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/pouring-it-on-climate-change-made-2020-hurricanes-rainier

Germany's Bosch buys British automated driving startup Five

German auto parts and technology company Bosch said Tuesday it is buying Five, a British automated driving startup, for an undisclosed amount.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/germanys-bosch-buys-british-automated-driving-startup-five

Etsy sellers protest fees by halting their sales for a week

Some vendors on Etsy say they are halting sales of their items on the site for a week to protest a hike in the fees the crafts e-commerce marketplace charges them.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/etsy-sellers-protest-fees-by-halting-their-sales-for-a-week

Japan's Honda outlines strategy to forge ahead on EVs

Honda is investing 5 trillion yen ($40 billion) over the next decade in research, especially to realize a major shift to ecological electric vehicles, the Japanese automaker said Tuesday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/japans-honda-outlines-strategy-to-forge-ahead-on-evs

Lung cancer drug could improve survival rates for bladder cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

Scientists from the University of Sheffield have discovered a drug already used to treat lung cancer could help to improve survival rates for bladder cancer patients.

Myopericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination is rare, finds international study

The overall risk of myopericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination is very low, affecting 18 people per million vaccine doses. A new study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, confirms that this risk is comparable to or lower following COVID-19 vaccination than other non-COVID-19 vaccines.

Children older than 5 at higher risk of COVID-19-related multisystem inflammatory syndrome

A new study found that older children and those with high blood markers for inflammation (ferritin) were at highest risk of severe multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). The research is published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

Trainee teachers made sharper assessments about learning difficulties after receiving feedback from AI

A trial in which trainee teachers who were being taught to identify pupils with potential learning difficulties had their work 'marked' by artificial intelligence has found the approach significantly improved their reasoning.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/trainee-teachers-made-sharper-assessments-about-learning-difficulties-after-receiving-feedback-from-ai

Older Black adults with cancer have higher rates of frailty and functional impairments

Despite efforts to address racial disparities related to cancer, Black Americans are more likely to die from cancer than most other groups. New research suggests that a partial explanation may be higher rates of frailty and functional impairments among older Black patients with cancer. The findings are published by Wiley online in Cancer journal.

Indonesia tech giant GoTo soars on market debut

Indonesia's biggest tech firm soared in Jakarta trade Monday after a billion-dollar IPO that was the world's fifth-biggest this year, defying recent heavy weather for Asian tech stocks.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/indonesia-tech-giant-goto-soars-on-market-debut

Elon Musk no longer joining Twitter's board of directors

Tesla CEO Elon Musk won't be joining Twitter's board of directors as previously announced. The tempestuous billionaire remains Twitter's largest shareholder.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/elon-musk-no-longer-joining-twitters-board-of-directors

Musk suggests Twitter changes, including accepting Dogecoin

As Twitter's newest board member and largest shareholder, Elon Musk is already floating suggestions for changes he'd like to see on the social media platform.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/musk-suggests-twitter-changes-including-accepting-dogecoin

Key particle weighs in a bit heavy, confounding physicists

The grand explanation physicists use to describe how the universe works may have some major new flaws to patch after a fundamental particle was found to have more mass than scientists thought.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/key-particle-weighs-in-a-bit-heavy-confounding-physicists

Global ambitions drive Algerian tech start-up Yassir

It's the Algerian start-up that made good: despite the country's notoriously complex business climate, taxi and home-delivery firm Yassir has millions of users and is expanding across Africa.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/global-ambitions-drive-algerian-tech-start-up-yassir

Favourable breezes boost Spain's wind power sector

Buoyed by a surge in investment and new projects, wind power has become Spain's main source of electricity generation just as Europe seeks to curb its energy imports from Russia.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/favourable-breezes-boost-spains-wind-power-sector

Iraqis clean up river as first green projects take root

Garbage clogs the banks of Iraq's Tigris River in Baghdad but an army of young volunteers is cleaning it, a rare environmental project in the war-battered country.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/iraqis-clean-up-river-as-first-green-projects-take-root

Crypto-curious corporations struggle to find right recipe

Four years ago, fried-chicken chain KFC tweeted from its Canadian account that it would accept bitcoin as payment for its "buckets".

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/crypto-curious-corporations-struggle-to-find-right-recipe

What makes this invasive, non-native reed grass thrive in the wetlands?

The Mississippi River Delta is home to the world's largest contiguous swath of Phragmites australis, or more commonly known as the common reed. But the plant that can grow to nearly 20 feet tall and has been a critical component in stabilizing the state's coast against erosion is not actually native to Louisiana—well, not entirely.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/what-makes-this-invasive-non-native-reed-grass-thrive-in-the-wetlands

Space tourism: the arguments in favor

To its many detractors, space tourism amounts to nothing more than joy-rides for the global super rich that will worsen the planet's climate crisis.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/space-tourism-the-arguments-in-favor

In 'project of the century', Swiss seek to bury radioactive waste

Storing radioactive waste above ground is a risky business, but the Swiss think they have found the solution: burying spent nuclear fuel deep underground in clay.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/in-project-of-the-century-swiss-seek-to-bury-radioactive-waste

Melting ice caps may not shut down ocean current

Most simulations of our climate's future may be overly sensitive to Arctic ice melt as a cause of abrupt changes in ocean circulation, according to new research led by scientists at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/melting-ice-caps-may-not-shut-down-ocean-current

Computerized, rolling DNA motors move molecular robotics to next level

Chemists integrated computer functions into rolling DNA-based motors, opening a new realm of possibilities for miniature, molecular robots. Nature Nanotechnology published the development, the first DNA-based motors that combine computational power with the ability to burn fuel and move in an intentional direction.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/computerized-rolling-dna-motors-move-molecular-robotics-to-next-level

Amazon to fight union's win in NY labor election

Amazon told a federal agency it will file "substantial" objections to last week's worker election in New York that established the company's first union in the United States, according to a filing released Thursday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/amazon-to-fight-unions-win-in-ny-labor-election

Researchers develop method to advance maturation of human pluripotent stem cell-derived heart cells

A Mount Sinai-led team has developed a reproducible and scalable method to advance maturation of human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs)—cells that support heart muscle contraction, generated in the lab from human stem cell lines—which researchers say will improve approaches for disease modeling, regenerative therapies, and drug testing. A study reporting this new protocol was published in the April 7 print edition of the journal Cell Stem Cell.

Uranium detectable in two-thirds of US community water system monitoring records

A study on metal concentrations in U.S. community water systems (CWS) and patterns of inequalities, researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health found that metal concentrations were particularly elevated in CWSs serving semi-urban, Hispanic communities independent of location or region, highlighting environmental justice concerns. These communities had the highest levels of uranium, selenium, barium, chromium, and arsenic concentrations.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/uranium-detectable-in-two-thirds-of-us-community-water-system-monitoring-records

Researchers develop injectable microtissue to preserve muscle function in rats with severed sciatic nerves

Researchers engineered the first injectable microtissue containing motor and sensory neurons encased in protective tissue, called tissue engineered neuromuscular interfaces (TE-NMIs). The TE-NMI neurons provide a source of axons to muscles in rats who suffered nerve injuries, and "babysit" the muscles to prevent degeneration and loss of function, while the damaged nerve regrows, according to researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Their findings were published in Bioactive Materials.

Call to alter elder abuse assessment to better protect vulnerable

A simple change to an assessment tool would double the capture rate of elder abuse sufferers, a University of Otago study has shown.

Colombian researchers seek safety for bees in urban jungle

Far from the flowery fields that are their natural home, honey bees imperiled by pesticides in rural Colombia are finding sanctuary on university campuses in the bustling capital Bogota.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/colombian-researchers-seek-safety-for-bees-in-urban-jungle

New report reveals industry-led initiative restricting products advertised to kids fails to protect them

Although recent revisions to the nutrition criteria used by the Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI), the food industry's self-regulatory program, led to minor nutritional improvements in products that may be advertised to kids, the initiative fails to meaningfully protect them from marketing of unhealthy food and beverages, according to a new report from researchers at the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health at the University of Connecticut.

New non-destructive DNA method opens opportunities

A new method of obtaining ancient genomic data without damaging source material has been developed by University of Otago researchers, creating new opportunities for museum and archaeological collections worldwide.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/new-non-destructive-dna-method-opens-opportunities

Opioid prescriptions for pediatric patients following surgical procedures have dropped significantly

Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that opioid prescriptions for children who underwent one of eight common outpatient surgeries declined over a period of five years. These findings suggest that clinicians are using more discretion when considering which pediatric patients require an opioid prescription after their procedures. The findings were published online today by the journal Pediatrics.

'Green steel' heating up in Sweden's frozen north

For hundreds of years, raging blast furnaces—fed with coking coal—have forged steel used in cars, railways, bridges and skyscrapers.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/green-steel-heating-up-in-swedens-frozen-north

Five minutes of daily breath training improves exercise tolerance in middle-aged and older adults

Despite the myriad known benefits of exercise, many middle-aged and older adults struggle to meet physical activity recommendations. New research finds potential for high-resistance inspiratory muscle strength training (IMST) to help this population transition to a healthier lifestyle. The study will be presented this week at the American Physiological Society annual meeting at Experimental Biology 2022.

Exercise improves health markers in young female survivors of childhood trauma

New research shows a progressive exercise training program mitigates some physiological and psychological effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) in otherwise healthy young women. These experiences are linked to "lasting, negative effects on health, well-being, as well as life opportunities," according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study will be presented this week at the American Physiological Society annual meeting at Experimental Biology (EB) 2022.

UK hits record COVID-19 levels; nearly 5 million infected

The prevalence of COVID-19 in the U.K. has reached record levels, with about 1 in 13 people estimated to be infected with the virus in the past week, according to the latest figures from Britain's official statistics agency.

Researchers provide new data on landmark clinical trial that targeted hypertension epidemic in Black community

The Los Angeles Barbershop Blood Pressure Study is delivering cutting-edge insights more than four years after the study results were published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Advice to prevent consequences of interference in cardiac device patients published today

Recommendations on the prevention and management of interference caused by medical procedures in patients with implanted electronic cardiac devices is published today in EP Europace, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and presented at EHRA 2022,a scientific congress of the ESC.

Tesla sells 310,000 vehicles in 1Q, despite logistics issues

Tesla delivered 310,000 vehicles in the first quarter, up roughly 68% from the same period in 2021, the company said Saturday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/tesla-sells-310-000-vehicles-in-1q-despite-logistics-issues

Torrential rains kill 14 in Brazil

Torrential downpours triggered flash floods and landslides across Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state, killing at least 14 people including eight children, and leaving five missing, authorities said Saturday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/torrential-rains-kill-14-in-brazil

Stung by drought, Morocco's bees face disaster

Morocco's village of Inzerki is proud to claim it has the world's oldest and largest collective beehive, but instead of buzzing with springtime activity, the colonies have collapsed amid crippling drought.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/stung-by-drought-moroccos-bees-face-disaster

US agency acknowledges damage to dinosaur tracks in Utah

Dinosaur tracks from 112 million years ago have been damaged in southeastern Utah by heavy machinery used to rebuild a boardwalk at the popular tourist area, U.S. officials say.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/us-agency-acknowledges-damage-to-dinosaur-tracks-in-utah

California peregrine falcon finds partner after mate's death

A peregrine falcon whose longtime mate died this week amid the breeding season appears to have found a new partner to help her hatch two eggs.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/california-peregrine-falcon-finds-partner-after-mates-death

Twinkle, twinkle: Astronomers discover farthest star yet

Astronomers have discovered the farthest star yet, a super-hot, super-bright giant that formed nearly 13 billion years ago at the dawn of the cosmos.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/twinkle-twinkle-astronomers-discover-farthest-star-yet

Hong Kong urges testing, Shanghai struggles under lockdown

Hong Kong authorities on Saturday asked the entire population of more than 7.4 million people to voluntarily test themselves for COVID-19 at home for three days in a row starting next week.

Iowa egg, turkey farms to lose 5 million birds to bird flu

Bird flu has infected two more farms in Iowa, forcing the killing of 5.3 million hens and 88,000 turkeys, officials said Friday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/iowa-egg-turkey-farms-to-lose-5-million-birds-to-bird-flu

Losing a hectare of wetlands could cost upward of $8,000 in flood damages

A first-of-its-kind article coauthored by scholars at Resources for the Future (RFF) and Columbia University in the journal American Economic Review finds that the loss of a hectare of wetlands (roughly the size of two and a half football fields) costs society an average of $1,900 in flood damages per year. In developed areas, that figure jumps to more than $8,000.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/losing-a-hectare-of-wetlands-could-cost-upward-of-8-000-in-flood-damages

Number of COVID patients in US hospitals reaches record low

COVID-19 hospitalization numbers have plunged to their lowest levels since the early days of the pandemic, offering a much needed break to health care workers and patients alike following the omicron surge.

New research shows survival rate improvement for extremely pre-term infants

A new study in JAMA co-authored by a University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) researcher has found that the survival rates of extremely pre-term babies has increased significantly in the past decade.

CRISPR and HIV: New technique in human blood unveils potential paths toward cure

Scientists at Northwestern Medicine are using new advances in CRISPR gene-editing technology to uncover new biology that could lead to longer-lasting treatments and new therapeutic strategies for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).