Making computer science research more accessible in India

Imagine that you are teaching a technical subject to children in a small village. They are eager to learn, but you face a problem: There are few resources to educate them in their mother tongue.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/making-computer-science-research-more-accessible-in-india

AI voice tool 'misused' as deepfakes flood web forum

A British AI firm said it was rethinking its "safeguards" after its audio tool was used to clone celebrity voices and have them say racist and homophobic slurs.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/ai-voice-tool-misused-as-deepfakes-flood-web-forum

New method to control electron spin paves the way for efficient quantum computers

Quantum science has the potential to revolutionize modern technology with more efficient computers, communication, and sensing devices. Challenges remain in achieving these technological goals, however, including how to precisely manipulate information in quantum systems.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/new-method-to-control-electron-spin-paves-the-way-for-efficient-quantum-computers

Self-driving semis focus of California rules, legislation

As California regulators explore new rules to put self-driving semitrucks on the road, labor unions are rushing to the state Legislature to ask for a new law they say will protect their jobs—the start of a debate that could shape the future of the nation's nearly $900 billion trucking industry.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/self-driving-semis-focus-of-california-rules-legislation

Online forums help those with dementia find missing support and companionship

Online forums for people with dementia provide a much-needed sense of community and hope and fill an important gap in the support they receive after diagnosis, a new study has found.

Surgeons should prepare to face more abortion complications post-Roe, say experts

Acute care surgeons should prepare to treat complications of forced pregnancies and unsafe abortions following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in the U.S. in 2022 (also known as the Dobbs decision), argue experts in an opinion piece published in the journal Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open.

Understanding long-term changes in the synapses between the hypothalamus and hippocampus

The complexity of the human brain is unparalleled. Fortunately, thanks to constant progress in neuroscience over the past decades, we have started to make some sense of it. For instance, we now know that neuronal synapses can undergo long-lasting changes in response to their activity and that of nearby neurons, and it is believed this "synaptic plasticity" is one of the key mechanisms behind learning and memory.

UK's Overseas Territories at ongoing risk from wide range of invasive species

A new study has for the first time predicted which invasive species could pose a future threat to the UK's ecologically unique Overseas Territories.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/uks-overseas-territories-at-ongoing-risk-from-wide-range-of-invasive-species

Wintertime wandering: A real danger for people with Alzheimer's

Winter weather can add a layer of danger to the wandering behavior common in people with dementia.

Elon Musk's mysterious ways on display in Tesla tweet trial

Elon Musk's enigmatic personality and unconventional tactics are emerging as key exhibits in a trial revolving around one of his most polarizing pursuits—tweeting.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/elon-musks-mysterious-ways-on-display-in-tesla-tweet-trial

Puerto Rico's southern region fights for cleaner air, water

Shuttered windows are a permanent fixture in Salinas, an industrial town on Puerto Rico's southeast coast that is considered one of the U.S. territory's most contaminated regions.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/puerto-ricos-southern-region-fights-for-cleaner-air-water

How three dust specks reveal an asteroid's secrets

The specks are tiny. No, really tiny. Smaller than the diameter of a hair. But they hold billions of years of history that reveal some of the secrets of asteroids.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/how-three-dust-specks-reveal-an-asteroids-secrets

'Drought' has New Yorkers asking: 'Where's the snow?'

The idea of New York in wintertime conjures up images of Manhattan's Times Square and Central Park shrouded in snow. Not this year.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/drought-has-new-yorkers-asking-wheres-the-snow

IMSA takes North American sports cars into hybrid era

The Cadillac growls, while the Porsche and BMW scream. The Acura sounds like an Indy car, and for fun, turn your back to the track and listen carefully as the cars roar around Daytona International Speedway in a new era of IMSA sports car racing.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/imsa-takes-north-american-sports-cars-into-hybrid-era

Camera captures night sky spiral after SpaceX rocket launch

A camera atop Hawaii's tallest mountain has captured what looks like a spiral swirling through the night sky.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/camera-captures-night-sky-spiral-after-spacex-rocket-launch

Small, convenient mosquito repellent device passes test to protect military personnel

A device developed at the University of Florida for the U.S. military provides protection from mosquitos for an extended period and requires no heat, electricity or skin contact.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/small-convenient-mosquito-repellent-device-passes-test-to-protect-military-personnel

Alien plant species are spreading rapidly in mountainous areas, says new monitoring study

Many mountain ranges contain semi-natural habitats experiencing little human interference. They are home to many animal and plant species, some of them endemic and highly specialized. Mountains have also been largely spared by invasions of alien plant species or neophytes.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/alien-plant-species-are-spreading-rapidly-in-mountainous-areas-says-new-monitoring-study

Climate modelers add ocean biogeochemistry and fisheries to forecasts of future upwelling

A handful of hyper-productive fisheries provide sustenance to a billion people and employ tens of millions. These fisheries occur on the eastern edges of the world's oceans—off the West Coast of the U.S., the Canary Islands, Peru, Chile, and Benguela. There, a process called upwelling brings cold water and nutrients to the surface, which in turn supports large numbers of larger sea creatures that humans depend on for sustenance.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/climate-modelers-add-ocean-biogeochemistry-and-fisheries-to-forecasts-of-future-upwelling

Madison Square Garden's facial recognition blacklisting sparks outcry

The heated debate over facial recognition technology has a new flashpoint: Manhattan's celebrated Madison Square Garden, home to the New York Knicks basketball team and countless Billy Joel concerts.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/madison-square-gardens-facial-recognition-blacklisting-sparks-outcry

New electrode design for lithium-ion batteries that improves performance

Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM) has announced the development of the design and process technology for the world's first battery electrode that significantly improves the performance and stability of batteries used in electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/new-electrode-design-for-lithium-ion-batteries-that-improves-performance

New test could detect Alzheimer's disease 3.5 years before clinical diagnosis

New research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King's College London has established a blood-based test that could be used to predict the risk of Alzheimer's disease up to 3.5 years before clinical diagnosis.

China says COVID deaths down by nearly 80 percent

The number of daily COVID-19 deaths in China has fallen by nearly 80 percent since the start of the month, authorities have said, in a sign that the country's unprecedented infection surge may have started to abate.

Study shows updated bivalent boosters are more effective at preventing hospitalization and death from Omicron

In a peer-reviewed study on the real-world effectiveness of updated bivalent mRNA vaccines, researchers at the University of North Carolina's Gillings School of Global Public Health found that bivalent boosters are more effective than original monovalent boosters at preventing COVID-19 hospitalization and death. The study was published today in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Why a high-fat diet could reduce the brain's ability to regulate food intake

Regularly eating a high-fat/calorie diet could reduce the brain's ability to regulate calorie intake. New research in rats published in The Journal of Physiology has found that after short periods of being fed a high-fat/high calorie diet, the brain adapts to react to what is being ingested and reduces the amount of food eaten to balance calorie intake.

Pioneering approach advances study of CTCF protein in transcription biology

CTCF is a critical protein known to play various roles in key biological processes such as transcription. Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have used a next-generation protein degradation technology to study CTCF. Their work revealed the superiority of the approach in addition to providing functional insights into how CTCF regulates transcription. The study, published today in Genome Biology, paves the way for more clear, nuanced studies of CTCF.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/pioneering-approach-advances-study-of-ctcf-protein-in-transcription-biology

Preeclampsia in mothers linked with four-fold higher risk of heart attack in decade after childbirth

Women with preeclampsia develop a higher likelihood of heart attack and stroke than their peers within just seven years of delivery, with risks remaining elevated more than 20 years later. The study of more than one million pregnant women is published today in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

Gambling advertising restrictions could reduce harm, says study

Gambling advertising restriction could reduce related harms, especially on vulnerable individuals, a new review of the evidence has shown.

Researchers solve an 80-year-old medical mystery that caused baby deaths

Researchers at the University of East Anglia have solved an 80-year-old medical mystery of the cause of kidney damage in children, which can be fatal in babies.

Healthy lifestyle linked to slower memory decline in older adults

A healthy lifestyle, in particular a healthy diet, is associated with slower memory decline, finds a decade-long study of older adults in China, published today in The BMJ.

Research reveals protein plaques associated with Alzheimer's are stickier than thought

Scientists from Rice University are using fluorescence lifetime to shed new light on a peptide associated with Alzheimer's disease, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates will affect nearly 14 million people in the U.S. by 2060.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/research-reveals-protein-plaques-associated-with-alzheimers-are-stickier-than-thought

New study shows increased cancer mortality in people with type 2 diabetes

New research published in Diabetologia shows that cancer mortality in people with type 2 diabetes is substantially higher than in the general population, by 18% for all cancers combined, 9% for breast cancer and 2.4 times for colorectal cancer. Cancer mortality in people with diabetes was also around double that in the general population for diabetes-related cancers including liver (both sexes), pancreatic (both sexes) and endometrial (women only) cancers.

New poem by famed early American poet Phillis Wheatley discovered

A University at Albany professor has discovered the earliest known full-length elegy by famed poet Phillis Wheatley (Peters), widely regarded as the first Black person, enslaved person and one of the first women in America to publish a book of poetry.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/new-poem-by-famed-early-american-poet-phillis-wheatley-discovered

One in three US public health workers reports feeling threatened by the public while working during pandemic

A new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine documents the record levels of non-physical violence directed at public health workers on the frontlines of the COVID-19 response and the impact of the public anger and aggression on these workers' mental health. While the pandemic's effects on healthcare and other frontline workers are well documented, this study is one of the first to explore its impact on the public health workforce, an occupation that has not historically been at risk for workplace violence. Researchers found that one out of three public health workers surveyed had experienced at least one form of workplace violence.

Care costs more in consolidated health systems, reveals new research

Health care integration has long been touted as a panacea for reining in health care costs and boosting quality of care.

Athletic heart syndrome: What it is, and its symptoms and treatments

It's no secret that athletic endurance and strength go hand-in-hand with a healthy heart.

FDA wants to lower lead levels in baby food

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has proposed stricter limits on levels of lead in infant food products.

How regulatory T cells halt aberrant, self-reactive T cells

New research findings show in detail how self-reactive T cells—white blood cells that mistakenly attack healthy instead of infected cells, thereby causing an autoimmune or an inflammatory response—are held in check by regulatory T cells.

Study discovers immense diversity and interdependence in high temperature deep-sea microorganism communities

A new study by researchers at Portland State University and the University of Wisconsin finds that a rich diversity of microorganisms live in interdependent communities in high-temperature geothermal environments in the deep sea. The study, which was published in the journal Microbiome, was led by Anna-Louise Reysenbach, professor of biology at PSU. Emily St. John, who earned a master's degree in microbial ecology from PSU, also contributed significantly to the study, along with researchers from the University of Wisconsin.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/study-discovers-immense-diversity-and-interdependence-in-high-temperature-deep-sea-microorganism-communities

Neuronal molecule makes prostate cancer more aggressive

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among American men. Now, researchers have discovered key molecular players that drive prostate cancer to progress into a highly aggressive form of the disease called neuroendocrine prostate cancer that currently has no effective treatment. The finding uncovers new avenues to explore for therapeutics to treat neuroendocrine prostate cancer.

'Golden boy' mummy was protected by 49 precious amulets, CT scans reveal

The ancient Egyptians believed that when we died, our spiritual body sought out an afterlife similar to this world. But entry into this afterlife wasn't guaranteed; it first required a perilous journey through the underworld, followed by an individual last judgment. For this reason, relatives and embalmers did everything they could to ensure that their loved one might reach a happy destination.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/golden-boy-mummy-was-protected-by-49-precious-amulets-ct-scans-reveal

Higher physical activity levels associated with reduced respiratory infection susceptibility in children

Higher levels of daily physical activity are associated with reduced susceptibility to upper respiratory tract infections such as the common cold, suggests a study of 104 Polish children published in Pediatric Research.

Midlife moderate and vigorous physical activity levels associated with brain power

The amount of time spent in moderate and vigorous physical activity every day is linked to midlife brain power, indicates research published online in the Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health.

Split-second of evolutionary cellular change could have led to mammals, suggests new hypothesis

A newly-published hypothesis, led by a UCL researcher, suggests a momentary leap in a single species on a single day millions of years ago might ultimately have led to the arrival of mammals—and therefore humans.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/split-second-of-evolutionary-cellular-change-could-have-led-to-mammals-suggests-new-hypothesis

'Not afraid of the virus': Wuhan turns page on COVID, three years on

Residents of China's Wuhan said Monday they were hopeful for the future and no longer afraid of COVID-19, three years after the city was locked down over what was then a mysterious virus.

Race and geography linked to different risks of breast cancer treatment delays

For patients with cancer, lengthy delays in treatment can decrease their chances of survival. In an analysis of 2004–2017 information on patients with breast cancer in North Carolina, Black patients were more likely to experience such treatment delays than non-Black patients. Also, patients living in certain geographic regions of the state, regardless of race/ethnicity, tended to experience delays. The research is published online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.

National Poll: Some parents may not be making the most of well child visits

While most parents and caregivers stay on top of scheduling regular well child visits, they may not always be making the most of them, a new national poll suggests.

Scientists explain emotional 'blunting' caused by common antidepressants

Scientists have worked out why common anti-depressants cause around half of users to feel emotionally "blunted." In a study published today in Neuropsychopharmacology, they show that the drugs affect reinforcement learning, an important behavioral process that allows people to learn from their environment.

Climate change trauma has real impacts on cognition and the brain, wildfire survivors study shows

Psychological trauma from extreme weather and climate events, such as wildfires, can have long-term impacts on survivors' brains and cognitive functioning, especially how they process distractions, my team's new research shows.

Steps we can take to combat COVID in 2023

Despite everyone wanting 2023 to be the year we go "back to normal," the COVID-19 pandemic is still with us, and with open borders, increased travel and new variants appearing, decision-makers face further challenges in deciding what policies to implement, and when, in the face of an uncertain future.

China logs nearly 13,000 COVID deaths in a week

China reported nearly 13,000 COVID-related deaths in hospitals between January 13 and 19, after a top health official said the vast majority of the population had already been infected.

Mexican students intoxicated by TikTok challenge

Mexican authorities are warning about the dangers of a viral TikTok challenge that has left school students intoxicated after taking a controlled medication.

Average pregnancy length in the US is shorter than in European countries

Maternal health outcomes continue to worsen in the United States, where maternal and infant mortality rates far exceed rates in European countries and other wealthy nations. Now, a new study led by researchers at Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) and Harvard Medical School-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) is shedding insight on how hospital organizational structures and staffing within US maternity care may affect the birthing process and possibly contribute to adverse birth outcomes.

Study reveals new genetic disorder that causes susceptibility to opportunistic infections

An international consortium co-led by Vanderbilt University Medical Center immunogeneticist Rubén Martínez-Barricarte, Ph.D., has discovered a new genetic disorder that causes immunodeficiency and profound susceptibility to opportunistic infections including a life-threatening fungal pneumonia.

CRISPR-based strategy restores neurons affected by Rett syndrome

Rett syndrome is a rare, progressive neurodevelopmental disorder that typically affects girls, causing severe intellectual disability, loss of motor skills, and autism-like symptoms, and there is currently no cure. Rett syndrome is caused by a loss-of-function mutation in the X chromosome gene MECP2. Females typically have two copies of MECP2—one on each X chromosome—and in most cases of Rett syndrome, only one copy has the mutation. The disease occurs because the other, normal copy of MECP2 is turned off in neurons by a process called X chromosome inactivation.

Study reveals protein sirtuin 7 suppresses heat production in brown adipose tissue

Mammals convert the energy stored in adipose (fat) tissue into heat via a process known as thermogenesis. This process is regulated by a family of signaling proteins called sirtuins. A recent study by researchers from Kumamoto University reveals the mechanism through which the protein sirtuin 7 suppresses thermogenesis in mice. These findings may pave the way for new therapies that target diseases caused by metabolic dysregulation.

Study shows 'false balance' in media coverage of COVID vaccine requirement for organ transplant

When they launched their study, Timothy Caulfield and Marco Zenone could hardly have anticipated how the issue would capture headlines in Alberta.

Protective mutation shown to impair esophagus tumor growth

A protective mutation found in most cells in the human esophagus reduces tumor growth in mice, potentially highlighting new ways to prevent or treat cancer in similar tissues.

New drug candidate slows the progression of adrenoleukodystrophy

The work of Professor Fanny Mochel (AP-HP, Sorbonne University) at Paris Brain Institute, in collaboration with clinical research teams in eight countries and Spanish biotech Minoryx Therapeutics, has demonstrated the protective effects of leriglitazone in the progression of adrenoleukodystrophy—a rare genetic disease in which the white matter of the central nervous system is damaged. The results are published in The Lancet Neurology.

Study: Non-infectious diseases cause early death in Pakistan

Pakistan has considerable control over infectious diseases but now struggles against cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer as causes of early deaths, according to a new study published Thursday.

UK health system faces biggest day of strikes next month

The UK's crisis-hit National Health Service (NHS) is set for its biggest ever day of industrial action next month after thousands of ambulance workers announced on Friday a series of new strikes.

Chinese turn to traditional remedies to fight COVID

As COVID-19 rips through China's vast population, making millions sick and fuelling a shortage of drugs, many are turning to old-school traditional medicines to battle the aches and pains of the virus.

Series: More cooperation needed among various types of health organizations to protect against public health crises

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed weaknesses in the world's global health security networks, says a new four-paper series published in The Lancet. The series authors argue that we must implement a "One Health" approach globally, with human, animal and environmental health organizations working together to prevent, monitor and respond to public health emergencies.

Stroke symptoms, even if they disappear within an hour, need emergency assessment

Stroke symptoms that disappear in under an hour, known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), need emergency assessment to help prevent a full-blown stroke, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement published today in the Association's journal Stroke. The statement offers a standardized approach to evaluating people with suspected TIA, with guidance specifically for hospitals in rural areas that may not have access to advanced imaging or an on-site neurologist.

Vaccination provides protection against increased risk of pregnancy complications due to COVID-19 omicron variant

The global network led by the Oxford Maternal and Perinatal Health Institute (OMPHI) at the University of Oxford has published in the journal Lancet the results of the '2022 INTERCOVID Study' conducted in 41 hospitals across 18 countries, including Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.

Commonly used antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV and hepatitis B reduce immune cells' energy production

New UCLA-led research suggests that antiretroviral drugs called TAF and TDF directly reduce energy production by mitochondria, structures inside cells that generate the power that cells use to function. Both drugs led to reduced cellular oxygen consumption rates, a measure of the ability of the mitochondria to produce energy, compared with controls. But in combination with other antiretrovirals, TAF appeared to result in a larger energy reduction than TDF did. Whether this is a cause for concern is not known at this point.

Genetic diagnosis helps guide care of childhood hearing loss

Advances in understanding the many different genetic causes of childhood-onset hearing loss indicate that genomic testing could assist in treatment planning, including optimal timing of treatment.

COVID-19 patients retain elevated risk of death for at least 18 months after infection, finds large-scale study

COVID-19 is associated with higher risks of cardiovascular disease and death in the short- and long-term, according to a study in nearly 160,000 participants published today in Cardiovascular Research, a journal of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Compared to uninfected individuals, the likelihood of COVID-19 patients dying was up to 81 times higher in the first three weeks of infection and remained five times higher up to 18 months later.

Pakistan's health crisis: Inside and outside the flood zone

Before Pakistan plunged into a cataclysmic health emergency from its worst flooding disaster, the country was already confronting the burden of infectious diseases, the rising rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and widespread disparities. That's according to the first and most comprehensive research of Pakistan's health trends that drills down to the latest available data for all four provinces and three territories.

Reducing total calories may be more effective for weight loss than intermittent fasting

The frequency and size of meals was a stronger determinant of weight loss or gain than the time between first and last meal, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

World's oldest known person, French nun, dies at 118

A French nun who was believed to be the world's oldest person has died a few weeks before her 119th birthday, the spokesperson for her nursing home in southern France said Wednesday.

World first test to detect diabetics at risk of kidney disease

In a world first international study led by Monash University researchers in Australia, the genetic markers for people with diabetes at risk of developing kidney disease have been identified.

Calling patients after heart failure may save lives

Phone calls from a nurse may improve survival for patients treated for heart failure, according to a new study by investigators from the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai.

From sword swallowers to acrobats, contortionists, and clowns: New research to help prevent injury in circus artists

The popularity of circus arts is increasing around the world, however knowledge about injuries and illness in performers is lacking.

Milk consumption increased ancient human body size, finds study

A new study led by Western biological anthropology professor Jay Stock, suggests that milk consumption in some regions between 7,000 and 2,000 years ago led to an increase in human body mass and stature. This ran counter to trends in body size experienced elsewhere in the world. This size increase is found in regions where there was evolution for higher frequencies of genes that allow humans to produce enzymes to digest milk into adulthood—called lactase persistence.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/milk-consumption-increased-ancient-human-body-size-finds-study

Inclusive gender signs connected to positive attitudes toward trans, nonbinary people

Something as simple as seeing all-gender signs in public places, like restrooms, was linked to adolescents' acceptance of transgender and nonbinary people, a new study has found.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/inclusive-gender-signs-connected-to-positive-attitudes-toward-trans-nonbinary-people

Procrastination is linked to poor health—new study

University students have a lot of freedom but not much structure. This can be bad for habitual procrastinators. Studies have shown that at least half of university students procrastinate to a level that is potentially harmful to their education.

New species of lizard discovered in Peru national park

Scientists have discovered a new species of lizard in a protected natural area in Cusco, southeastern Peru, national park officials said Monday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/new-species-of-lizard-discovered-in-peru-national-park

COVID-19 infection at any time during pregnancy boosts mother's risk of death

COVID-19 infection at any time during pregnancy boosts the mother's risk of death and is associated with serious illness in both mothers and their newborns, finds a pooled data analysis of international evidence, published in the open access journal BMJ Global Health.

Frequent visits to green space linked to lower use of certain prescription meds

Frequent visits to urban green spaces, such as parks and community gardens in Finland, rather than the amount, or views of them from home, may be linked to lower use of certain prescription meds, suggests research published online in Occupational & Environmental Medicine.

Rare fossilized feathers reveal secrets of paleontology hotspot during Cretaceous period

The site of Jehol Biota in China is famous for stunning fossils which preserve soft tissue—skin, organs, feathers, and fur. These fossils offer rare insights into the evolution of characteristics like flight, but they need careful interpretation to understand what the soft tissue looked and behaved like in life, and how decomposition may have affected it.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/rare-fossilized-feathers-reveal-secrets-of-paleontology-hotspot-during-cretaceous-period

A geochemical journey from the center of the Earth

Yale researchers have a new theory to explain some of the geochemistry of "hotspots"—magma plumes from deep in the Earth that erupt at the surface.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/a-geochemical-journey-from-the-center-of-the-earth

20,000 premature US deaths caused by human-ignited fires

Over 80% of premature deaths caused by small smoke particles in the United States result directly from human-ignited fires. This is the outcome of a study published today in IOP Publishing's journal Environmental Research Letters.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/20-000-premature-us-deaths-caused-by-human-ignited-fires

Genetically modified rice could be key to tackling food shortages caused by climate change

As sea levels rise as a result of climate change, more and more places around the world are struggling with seawater inundation—where salt water from the sea is flooding further inland and destroying crops which can't cope with the increased salinity.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/genetically-modified-rice-could-be-key-to-tackling-food-shortages-caused-by-climate-change

Using machine learning to predict brain tumor progression

Researchers at the University of Waterloo have created a computational model to predict the growth of deadly brain tumours more accurately.

Flooded three times in two weeks, California town is fed up

Using a plastic broom, Camilla Shaffer scrapes at the thick layer of mud caking her yard—it's the third time in two weeks that her house has been flooded thanks to the string of storms that have hit California in rapid succession.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/flooded-three-times-in-two-weeks-california-town-is-fed-up

Study: Exxon Mobil accurately predicted warming since 1970s

Exxon Mobil's scientists were remarkably accurate in their predictions about global warming, even as the company made public statements that contradicted its own scientists' conclusions, a new study says.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/study-exxon-mobil-accurately-predicted-warming-since-1970s

Most long COVID symptoms clear up in a year for mild cases: study

Most symptoms from long COVID clear up within a year for people who had mild initial infections, a large Israel study said Thursday, with the findings welcomed as "reassuring".

Forest lizards genetically morph to survive life in the city

Lizards that once dwelled in forests but now slink around urban areas have genetically morphed to survive life in the city, researchers have found.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/forest-lizards-genetically-morph-to-survive-life-in-the-city

Nuclear reactor experiment rules out one dark matter hope

It was an anomaly detected in the storm of a nuclear reactor so puzzling that physicists hoped it would shine a light on dark matter, one of the universe's greatest mysteries.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/nuclear-reactor-experiment-rules-out-one-dark-matter-hope

Nearly 1 in 4 hospital patients have harmful event during their stay

Nearly one quarter of hospitalized people experience a harmful event during their stay, a new study finds.

Telehealth parent-child interaction therapy aids child behavior

Telehealth-delivered parenting interventions lead to significant and maintained improvements for young children with developmental disorders (DD) and their caregivers, according to a study published online Jan. 9 in JAMA Pediatrics.

US birth rates are at record lows, even though the number of kids most Americans say they want has held steady

Birth rates are falling in the U.S. After the highs of the Baby Boom in the mid-20th century and the lows of the Baby Bust in the 1970s, birth rates were relatively stable for nearly 50 years. But during the Great Recession, from 2007–2009, birth rates declined sharply—and they've kept falling. In 2007, average birth rates were right around 2 children per woman. By 2021, levels had dropped more than 20%, close to the lowest level in a century. Why?

A strong ethnic identity can buffer or bolster the effects of online sexual racism in Black men

While some scholars believe that a strong ethnic identity mitigates the negative mental health impact of racism for people of color, others suggest it can exacerbate these effects.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/a-strong-ethnic-identity-can-buffer-or-bolster-the-effects-of-online-sexual-racism-in-black-men

Hormone replacement therapy could ward off Alzheimer's among at-risk women

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) could help prevent Alzheimer's Dementia among women at risk of developing the disease—according to University of East Anglia research.

Researchers publish 'wake-up call' to help protect biodiversity in the face of climate change

When the U.S. government committed last January to conserving 30% of the United States' natural land and water by the year 2030, the decision was embraced by the majority of Americans. A poll found that 80% of voters supported what's known as the "30 by 30 plan" but questions remain about how to decide which pieces of nature should be protected to reach that goal.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/researchers-publish-wake-up-call-to-help-protect-biodiversity-in-the-face-of-climate-change

Triple-drug therapy for post-transplant management of multiple myeloma

Researchers from the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center and colleagues in Poland report promising results from their ongoing ATLAS trial, published on January 12, 2023 in the journal Lancet Oncology.

Heat and drought have 'significant influence' on food security and agricultural production, new review argues

Heat and drought are the utmost limiting abiotic factors that pose a major threat to food security and agricultural production, and are exacerbated by "extreme and rapid" climate change, according to a new paper in CABI Reviews.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/heat-and-drought-have-significant-influence-on-food-security-and-agricultural-production-new-review-argues

Remains of Ohio fighter pilot shot down in WWII identified

Authorities have positively identified the remains of an Army Air Forces pilot from Ohio who died when his plane was shot down over Germany during World War II, the Defense Department announced Thursday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/remains-of-ohio-fighter-pilot-shot-down-in-wwii-identified

Transcriptomic analysis of human ALS skeletal muscle reveals a disease-specific pattern of dysregulated circRNAs

A new research paper was published in Aging, entitled, "Transcriptomic analysis of human ALS skeletal muscle reveals a disease-specific pattern of dysregulated circRNAs."

Study refutes industry claims that ban on menthol cigarettes leads to increased use of illegal smokes

A new research study has found that banning menthol cigarettes does not lead more smokers to purchase menthols from illicit sources, contradicting claims made by the tobacco industry that the proposed ban of menthol cigarettes in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will lead to a significant increase in illicit cigarettes.

Six minutes of daily high-intensity exercise could delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease

Six minutes of high-intensity exercise could extend the lifespan of a healthy brain and delay the onset of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. New research published in The Journal of Physiology shows that a short but intense bout of cycling increases the production of a specialized protein that is essential for brain formation, learning and memory, and could protect the brain from age-related cognitive decline. This insight on exercise is part of the drive to develop accessible, equitable and affordable non-pharmacological approaches that anyone can adopt to promote healthy aging.

Why don't students stick with STEM degrees?

The number of jobs requiring expertise in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields has risen by 34% over the past decade, leaving employers scrambling to recruit graduates with the required skills. But training the workforce of tomorrow isn't easy: research shows that fewer than 40% of students who begin a STEM program ultimately graduate with a degree in their chosen field, while about a fifth drop out of college altogether.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/why-dont-students-stick-with-stem-degrees

Most long COVID effects resolve within a year after mild infection, finds study

Most symptoms or conditions that develop after mild COVID-19 infection linger for several months but return to normal within a year, finds a large study from Israel published by The BMJ today.

4 ways to reduce risks of cervical cancer

HPV plays a role in causing most cervical cancer. Cervical cancer occurs in the cells of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.

Researchers create Cyborg Cells—natural-artificial cell hybrids

Natural and artificial cells are useful for research, with each having different pros and cons. In research published in Advanced Science, investigators recently created a hybrid called Cyborg Cells that have the engineering simplicity of synthetic materials and the complex functionalities of natural cells.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/researchers-create-cyborg-cells-natural-artificial-cell-hybrids

Super-resistant mosquitoes in Asia pose growing threat: Study

Mosquitoes that transmit dengue and other viruses have evolved growing resistance to insecticides in parts of Asia, and novel ways to control them are desperately needed, new research warns.

Blood-based markers may reveal Alzheimer's disease ten years before symptoms show

Alzheimer's disease begins decades before the onset of any symptoms, such as memory loss. Consequently, early diagnosis increases the chances of slowing the disease down with drugs. A new study on an inherited form of the disease shows that a protein called GFAP is a possible biomarker for very early stages of the disease. The study, conducted by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and published in the journal Brain, could one day lead to an earlier detection of this serious and common disease.

Sunsetting EU laws risks rights of more than 8.6 million UK workers, think tank warns

Government plans to rush the "sunsetting" of EU laws by the end of 2023 will put the rights and protections of more than 8.6 million UK workers at risk, the Work Foundation warns.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/sunsetting-eu-laws-risks-rights-of-more-than-8-6-million-uk-workers-think-tank-warns

Scientists detail major mechanism lung cancers use to evade immune attack

A protein commonly found at high levels in lung cancer cells controls a major immunosuppressive pathway that allows lung tumors to evade immune attack, according to a study led by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine. The discovery could hasten the development of treatments that overcome this tumor defense mechanism and improve outcomes for lung cancer patients.

Scientists use machine learning to fast-track drug formulation development

Scientists at the University of Toronto have successfully tested the use of machine learning models to guide the design of long-acting injectable drug formulations. The potential for machine learning algorithms to accelerate drug formulation could reduce the time and cost associated with drug development, making promising new medicines available faster.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/scientists-use-machine-learning-to-fast-track-drug-formulation-development

Callers keep flooding 988 mental health, suicide helpline

When Jamieson Brill answers a crisis call from a Spanish speaker on the newly launched national 988 mental health helpline, he rarely mentions the word suicide, or "suicidio"

Europe ski resorts struggle to stay open in warm winter

Many Alpine ski resorts have closed or partially shut because of the lack of snow and high temperatures as Europe has seen what experts have said is "extreme" warm winter weather.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/europe-ski-resorts-struggle-to-stay-open-in-warm-winter

Uganda set to declare end of Ebola outbreak

Uganda said on Monday it was expecting to declare an end to an Ebola virus outbreak that emerged late last year and has claimed the lives of at least 56 people.

Consumers care more about taste than gene editing for table grapes

Despite some hesitation about gene-edited foods, taste trumps everything, according to a Washington State University-led survey of U.S. consumers.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/consumers-care-more-about-taste-than-gene-editing-for-table-grapes

AstraZeneca buys US biotech firm CinCor

Anglo-Swedish pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca on Monday agreed to buy US biotech company CinCor for $1.8 billion, expanding further into the field of heart and kidney drugs.

Dead endangered whale washes up on Mississippi Gulf Coast

Scientists are examining the corpse of an endangered whale that washed up on a Mississippi Gulf Coast beach.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/dead-endangered-whale-washes-up-on-mississippi-gulf-coast

'Vaccination desserts' identified in northern, rural and French-speaking Ontario

New research out of the University of Waterloo has identified "vaccination deserts" in parts of northern and rural Ontario and in locations where French is predominantly spoken. These areas have little to no access to pharmacist-administered vaccination sites for COVID vaccines or the flu shot.

Group summarizes new guidelines for treating patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease

The latest clinical practice guideline from the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) organization offers advice for treating patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). A synopsis published in Annals of Internal Medicine focuses on the key recommendations pertinent to the following issues: comprehensive care, glycemic monitoring and targets, lifestyle interventions, antihyperglycemic therapies, and educational and integrated care approaches to management.

Is your specialist friends with your primary care doctor? You may get better care

Patients might be happier with their care when their physician trained with the specialist they're referred to, a new study suggests.

How a 'Dry January' could help your health

Having a "dry January," or giving up alcohol for the first month of the year, is a trend.

Ditch the multivitamins and take a cold shower: New Year wellness resolutions for 2023

There is no better time than the start of the New Year to adopt some wellness resolutions. The first thing you can start doing today to boost your immunity and improve your wellness in 2023? Save money and ditch the multivitamins.

Sinking land forces hundreds to leave Indian temple town

Authorities in an Indian Himalayan town have stopped construction activities and started moving hundreds of people to temporary shelters after a temple collapsed and cracks appeared in over 600 houses because of sinking of land, officials said Saturday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/sinking-land-forces-hundreds-to-leave-indian-temple-town

Best of CES 2023: A color-changing BMW and a boba tea robot

Tech companies showed off their latest products this week at CES, formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/best-of-ces-2023-a-color-changing-bmw-and-a-boba-tea-robot

New US rule on abortion pills: What changes?

US public health officials this week authorized pharmacies to sell abortion pills by prescription. What exactly does that change for women in the United States, after several states banned abortion last year?

EXPLAINER: New drug slows Alzheimer's but comes with caveats

A new Alzheimer's drug is hitting the market—the first with clear-cut evidence that it can slow, by several months, the mind-robbing disease.

Jack Ma: tycoon who soared on China's tech dreams grounded by regulators

Jack Ma, the unconventional billionaire founder of tech giant Alibaba and the totem of China's entrepreneurial brilliance, has stepped out of the limelight since a Communist Party crackdown that chopped back his empire.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/jack-ma-tycoon-who-soared-on-chinas-tech-dreams-grounded-by-regulators

Once in 50,000-year comet may be visible to the naked eye

A newly discovered comet could be visible to the naked eye as it shoots past Earth and the Sun in the coming weeks for the first time in 50,000 years, astronomers have said.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/once-in-50-000-year-comet-may-be-visible-to-the-naked-eye

Riddle solved: Why was Roman concrete so durable?

The ancient Romans were masters of engineering, constructing vast networks of roads, aqueducts, ports, and massive buildings, whose remains have survived for two millennia. Many of these structures were built with concrete: Rome's famed Pantheon, which has the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome and was dedicated in A.D. 128, is still intact, and some ancient Roman aqueducts still deliver water to Rome today. Meanwhile, many modern concrete structures have crumbled after a few decades.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/riddle-solved-why-was-roman-concrete-so-durable

Development of standardized tests for assessing lidars in autonomous vehicles

Today, autonomous vehicles (AVs) and advanced driver assistance systems (ADASs) are rapidly growing research avenues aimed at increasing vehicle and road safety. Both technologies minimize human error by enabling cars to "perceive" their surroundings and act accordingly. This is achieved using light detection and ranging (lidar) technology, one of the most important and versatile components in AVs. Lidars provide a three-dimensional map of all objects around the vehicle regardless of external lighting conditions. This map, updated hundreds of times per second, can be used to estimate the position of the vehicle relative to its surroundings in real time.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/development-of-standardized-tests-for-assessing-lidars-in-autonomous-vehicles

Scars mended using transplanted hair follicles in new study

In a new Imperial College London study involving three volunteers, skin scars began to behave more like uninjured skin after they were treated with hair follicle transplants. The scarred skin harbored new cells and blood vessels, remodeled collagen to restore healthy patterns, and even expressed genes found in healthy unscarred skin.

CES 2023: Ram electric pickup joins crowded field next year

When a futuristic-looking electric Ram pickup truck goes on sale next year, it will hardly be the first in line.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/ces-2023-ram-electric-pickup-joins-crowded-field-next-year

Study details impact of prairie dog plague die-off on other species

When an outbreak of sylvatic plague decimated black-tailed prairie dog numbers in the Thunder Basin National Grassland in 2017, researchers saw an opportunity for a "natural experiment" to explore the impact of the rodents' die-off on the plants and other wildlife in that area of northeast Wyoming.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/study-details-impact-of-prairie-dog-plague-die-off-on-other-species

Soaring COVID cases shine light on China's healthcare gap

Understaffed and underfunded clinics stand half-empty in parts of the Chinese countryside even as hospitals in major cities heave under an unprecedented COVID wave—an illustration of the stark disparities in the country's healthcare system.

Study shows how liver cancer hijacks circadian clock machinery inside cells

The most common type of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is already the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally—and cases are on the rise, both in the U.S. and worldwide. While chemotherapy, surgery and liver transplants can help some patients, targeted treatments for HCC could save millions more lives.

A brief cognitive behavioral therapy appears promising for head and neck cancer survivors

Talking, smiling, eating together—these are all social activities that are inherent to the human experience. But for some head and neck cancer survivors, they are dreaded tasks. These survivors can go through disfiguring surgeries and radiation treatments to their tongues, jaws, voice boxes, necks and faces that radically affect their appearances and their control over facial muscles.

The brain's ability to perceive space expands like the universe

Young children sometimes believe that the moon is following them, or that they can reach out and touch it. It appears to be much closer than is proportional to its true distance. As we move about our daily lives, we tend to think that we navigate space in a linear way. But Salk scientists have discovered that time spent exploring an environment causes neural representations to grow in surprising ways.

Medical providers often lack training in caring for those with disabilities

Patients with disabilities often face medical providers who make inaccurate assumptions about their quality of life that can lead to paternalism and substandard care, according to an essay published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

Blood pressure drug holds promise for treating PTSD

There is new evidence that a 50-year-old blood pressure drug could find new purpose as a treatment to mitigate the often life-altering effects of increasingly prevalent PTSD, scientists say.

Improved diagnostic tools needed for chronic hepatitis B patients in Africa

A group of international researchers is calling for revised guidelines to help improve access to hepatitis B treatment in Africa.

CES gadget gala looks to shake off economic gloom

The annual CES consumer electronics extravaganza throws open its doors in Las Vegas on Thursday as the industry looks to the latest innovations to help cure the pain from an ailing global economy.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/ces-gadget-gala-looks-to-shake-off-economic-gloom

Dry January: Giving up alcohol can mean better sleep, weight loss and more energy

As the holidays end, millions of Americans give up alcohol during a month-long sobriety challenge called "Dry January."

Traveling farther away from home linked to better health

People who travel more outside of their local area feel that they are healthier than those who stay closer to home, finds a new study led by UCL researchers.

Antibiotic residues in water a threat to human health

Antibiotic residues in wastewater and wastewater treatment plants in the regions around China and India risk contributing to antibiotic resistance, and the drinking water may pose a threat to human health, according to a comprehensive analysis from Karolinska Institutet published in The Lancet Planetary Health. The researchers also determined the relative contribution of various sources of antibiotic contamination in waterways, such as hospitals, municipals, livestock, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

FDA finalizes rule expanding availability of abortion pills

The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday finalized a rule change that broadens availability of abortion pills to many more pharmacies, including large chains and mail-order companies.

Researchers uncover how embryonic cells sense their mechanical environment to collectively form tissues

Building tissues and organs is one of the most complex and important tasks that cells must accomplish during embryogenesis. Individual cells do not make these decisions; rather, building tissue is a collective task that requires cells to constantly communicate with each other. Different communication methods exist, including chemical cues, similar to a cell's sense of smell, and also mechanical cues, the cell's sense of touch. Researchers in a variety of fields have been fascinated by cell communication for decades and have discovered how cells use biochemical cues for that purpose. However, how cells use their sense of touch to make decisions during embryogenesis is still a mystery.

Reef fish must relearn the 'rules of engagement' after coral bleaching

Mass coral bleaching events are making it harder for some species of reef fish to identify competitors, new research reveals.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/reef-fish-must-relearn-the-rules-of-engagement-after-coral-bleaching

Tipping points complicate the evaluation of complex climate models

An analysis by Robbin Bastiaansen and Anna von der Heydt, the University of Utrecht, the Netherlands; and Peter Ashwin, the University of Exeter, UK, indicates that it might remain difficult to accurately find the equilibrium climate sensitivity in complex climate models. The equilibrium climate sensitivity is used to compare and evaluate models and is calculated using a limited set of data from a relatively short simulation. But such results could be heavily underestimating long-term warming as late climate tipping cannot be excluded by the commonly used methods to estimate equilibrium climate sensitivity, conclude the authors. The work is part of the European TiPES project on tipping points in the Earth system.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/tipping-points-complicate-the-evaluation-of-complex-climate-models

Emergence of private high schools in rural India increases stratification by gender, income, socioeconomic status

From 2004 to 2014, private high schools opened in more than 200 rural villages in one large Indian state. In a new study, researchers have compared student outcomes in these villages with outcomes in several thousand villages with no private schools.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/emergence-of-private-high-schools-in-rural-india-increases-stratification-by-gender-income-socioeconomic-status

Generous parental leave is protective against poorer mental health

Being on parental leave is protective against poorer mental health particularly among mothers, with evidence of this beneficial effect continuing in later life, according to a systematic review in The Lancet Public Health.

Decreased influenza prevalence potentially associated with public health measures against COVID-19 in China

A recent study provides preliminary evidence of the long-term relationship between prevention and control measures and influenza transmission in China during the COVID-19 pandemic, accounting for the impact under various prevention and control levels. This study, the first of its kind, was published in Health Data Science.

Babies form a memory for grammatical relationships, even without sleep

From an early age, children learn to name things and events and also how to combine words according to the rules of their language. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (MPI CBS) Leipzig and the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin have now found that even six-month-old babies store relationships between speech elements in memory.

Elderly patients fill hospitals in Shanghai COVID surge

Coughing, groaning, and gasping for breath, elderly COVID patients crammed hospital corridors in Shanghai on Tuesday as a wave of COVID-19 cases raged through the Chinese megacity.

South Korea's lunar orbiter sends photos of Earth, Moon

South Korea's first-ever lunar orbiter Danuri has sent black-and-white photos of the Moon's surface and Earth, the national space center said Tuesday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/south-koreas-lunar-orbiter-sends-photos-of-earth-moon

ACP recommends bisphosphonates for initial treatment for osteoporosis in males and postmenopausal females

The American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued an update of its guideline with clinical recommendations for treatments of primary osteoporosis and low bone mass in adults. In the new guideline, ACP recommends bisphosphonates as initial pharmacologic treatment to reduce the risk of fractures in males and postmenopausal females diagnosed with primary osteoporosis. The full guideline is published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Malawi shuts schools over worsening cholera outbreak

Schools in Malawi's two largest cities are to remain closed until further notice due to a worsening cholera outbreak, the government said on Monday.

Insider Q&A: Navier CEO Sampriti Bhattacharyya

Sampriti Bhattacharyya is bringing a 30-foot electric yacht to the upcoming CES gadget show in Las Vegas.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/insider-q-a-navier-ceo-sampriti-bhattacharyya

AI infused everything on show at CES gadget extravaganza

The latest leaps in artificial intelligence in everything from cars, robots to appliances will be on full display at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) opening Thursday in Las Vegas.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/ai-infused-everything-on-show-at-ces-gadget-extravaganza

Which countries have imposed fresh COVID rules on travellers from China?

Around a dozen countries have slapped fresh travel regulations on travellers from China, as the world's most populous nation faces a surge in COVID cases following its decision to relax strict virus restrictions.

Looted ancient sarcophagus returned to Egypt from US

An ancient wooden sarcophagus that was featured at the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences was returned to Egypt after U.S. authorities determined it was looted years ago, Egyptian officials said Monday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/looted-ancient-sarcophagus-returned-to-egypt-from-us

Good hydration linked to healthy aging

Adults who stay well-hydrated appear to be healthier, develop fewer chronic conditions, such as heart and lung disease, and live longer than those who may not get sufficient fluids, according to a National Institutes of Health study published in eBioMedicine.     Using health data gathered from 11,255 adults over a 30-year period, researchers analyzed links between serum sodium levels—which go up when fluid intake goes down—and various indicators of health. They found that adults with serum sodium levels at the higher end of a normal range were more likely to develop chronic conditions and show signs of advanced biological aging than those with serum sodium levels in the medium ranges. Adults with higher levels were also more likely to die at a younger age. 

EU to discuss joint Covid response to China arrivals on Jan 4: Sweden

EU countries will meet next week to discuss a joint response to travellers from China amid concern over the country's explosion of Covid cases, incoming EU presidency holder Sweden announced Saturday.