ScienceDaily: Latest Science News

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• Cancer: Drug with new approach on impeding DNA repair shows promise in first clinical trial
• Calling for nursing support amid COVID-19 pandemic
• Mindfulness combined with hypnotherapy aids highly stressed people, study finds
• Coffee, cocoa and vanilla: An opportunity for more trees in tropical agricultural landscapes
• Spectacular bird's-eye view? Hummingbirds see diverse colors humans can only imagine
• Taking a landslide's temperature to avert catastrophe
• No single solution helps all students complete MOOCs
• Accelerating biological systems design for sustainable biomanufacturing
• A carbon sink shrinks in the Arctic
• Disrupted circadian rhythms linked to later Parkinson's diagnoses
• Clues to a dramatic chapter of Earth's geological history
• Molecules that reduce 'bad' gut bacteria reverse narrowing of arteries in animal study
• COVID-19 pandemic could decimate outdoor environmental, science education programs
• First room-temp 'magnon switch' with industrially useful properties
• Excitons form superfluid in certain 2D combos
• New fossil discovery shows 50 million-year-old Canada-Australia connection
• Loneliness alters your brain's social network
• Surprising growth rates discovered in world's deepest photosynthetic corals
• Maternal transmission of COVID-19 to baby during pregnancy is uncommon, study finds
• Tuberculosis vaccine strengthens immune system
• Carbon emission from permafrost soils underestimated by 14%
• Researchers develop model to predict likelihood of testing positive for COVID-19, disease outcomes
• Brothers in arms: The brain and its blood vessels
• Research delves into causes of nightmares that shadow female survivors of sexual trauma
• Atomic physics: Radiation pressure with recoil
• Combination drug treatments for COVID-19 show promise in cell culture tests
• Electrically charged dust storms drive Martian chlorine cycle
• Super-potent human antibodies protect against COVID-19 in animal tests
• Immune properties in ancient DNA found in isolated villages might benefit humanity today
• Addressing the safety of high folate levels in the older population and implications for fortification in Ireland
• COVID-19 hospitalizations could mean significant out-of-pocket medical costs for many Americans
• Human portraits reveals shift in culture, cognition
• The many lifetimes of plastics
• Study examines the prevalence of COVID-19 infections in pregnant women
• Higher parental stress linked to low screen-time enforcement, research finds
• Researchers uncover drivers of healthy gut maintenance
• Benchmark for detecting large genetic mutations linked to major diseases
• Neurons can shift how they process information about motion
• A continental-scale prediction on the functional diversity of stream microbes
• The first intuitive programming language for quantum computers
• Improved gut microbiota with cholesterol-lowering medication
• Tuberculosis spread from animals to humans may be greater than previously thought
• Artificial synapse that works with living cells created
• Elasticity key to plants and animals' ability to sting
• From clickbait to transparency: Reimagining the online world
• Intelligence is impacted if born small for gestational age
• More and safer heart transplants could become possible with new heart box
• Vegetarians tend to be slimmer and less extroverted than meat eaters, study finds
• AI reduces 'communication gap' for nonverbal people by as much as half
• 3D X-ray reveals secrets from inside bones
• Multi-ethnic study suggests vitamin K may offer protective health benefits in older age
• Diluting blood plasma rejuvenates tissue, reverses aging in mice
• How material defects influence the melting process
• Role of lipid rafts in virus infiltration
• Artificial intelligence estimates peoples' ages
• Researchers flush out worrying trend of designer drug use
• Exposure to air pollution impairs cellular energy metabolism
• New light shed on intelligent life existing across the galaxy
• Muscles support a strong immune system
• Significant parental hesitancy about routine childhood and influenza vaccines

Cancer: Drug with new approach on impeding DNA repair shows promise in first clinical trial Posted: 15 Jun 2020 03:41 PM PDT Berzosertib, an ATR-targeting drug, improves progression-free survival in combination with chemotherapy in patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer.

Calling for nursing support amid COVID-19 pandemic Posted: 15 Jun 2020 03:41 PM PDT In a new editorial, researchers call for rapid policy reform and investment in nurses and nursing in order to leverage the skills of this global workforce.

Mindfulness combined with hypnotherapy aids highly stressed people, study finds Posted: 15 Jun 2020 03:41 PM PDT A new treatment for stress which combines mindfulness and hypnotherapy has shown positive results.

Coffee, cocoa and vanilla: An opportunity for more trees in tropical agricultural landscapes Posted: 15 Jun 2020 03:41 PM PDT The cultivation of coffee, cocoa and vanilla secures the income of many small-holder farmers and also drives land-use change. In particular, cultivation in agroforestry, in which these crops are combined with trees that provide shade, is considered to have great potential for ecologically sustainable cultivation. Researchers now show that the land-use history of agroforestry systems plays a crucial role in assessing the sustainability of agroforestry.

Spectacular bird's-eye view? Hummingbirds see diverse colors humans can only imagine Posted: 15 Jun 2020 12:51 PM PDT While humans have three color cones in the retina sensitive to red, green and blue light, birds have a fourth color cone that can detect ultraviolet light. A research team trained wild hummingbirds to perform a series of experiments that revealed that the tiny birds also see combination colors like ultraviolet+green and ultraviolet+red.

Taking a landslide's temperature to avert catastrophe Posted: 15 Jun 2020 12:51 PM PDT Engineers have developed a comprehensive model of deep-seated landslides and demonstrated that it can accurately recreate the dynamics of historic and current landslides occurring under varying conditions. The model points to the temperature of a thin layer of clay at the base of the landslide as critical to the potential for sudden cataclysmic failure. The approach is currently monitoring a landslide in Andorra and suggests methods for mitigating the risk of its escalation.

No single solution helps all students complete MOOCs Posted: 15 Jun 2020 12:21 PM PDT In one of the largest educational field experiments ever conducted, researchers found that promising interventions to help students complete online courses were not effective on a massive scale -- suggesting that targeted solutions are needed to help students in different circumstances or locations.

Accelerating biological systems design for sustainable biomanufacturing Posted: 15 Jun 2020 12:21 PM PDT A new cell-free platform rapidly identifies optimal enzyme combinations for sustainable fuels and materials.

A carbon sink shrinks in the Arctic Posted: 15 Jun 2020 12:21 PM PDT Ice melts in the Arctic Ocean were thought to be drawing large amounts of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, acting as a carbon sink and helping to mitigate greenhouse gases. But new research shows that may not be the case in all areas, particularly in the Canada Basin, where the carbon sink is shrinking, inhibiting the ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into the deep ocean and store it there.

Disrupted circadian rhythms linked to later Parkinson's diagnoses Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:28 AM PDT Older men who have a weak or irregular circadian rhythm guiding their daily cycles of rest and activity are more likely to later develop Parkinson's disease, according to a new study.

Clues to a dramatic chapter of Earth's geological history Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:09 AM PDT How could the planet be covered entirely in ice -- a state known as 'Snowball Earth'-- and still give rise to multicellular life? The transition to such icy periods may not have been as abrupt as previously thought, new research shows.

Molecules that reduce 'bad' gut bacteria reverse narrowing of arteries in animal study Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:09 AM PDT Scientists have developed molecules that can remodel the bacterial population of intestines to a healthier state. They also have shown -- through experiments in mice -- that this approach reduces cholesterol levels and strongly inhibits the thickened-artery condition known as atherosclerosis.

COVID-19 pandemic could decimate outdoor environmental, science education programs Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:09 AM PDT A survey of 1,000 outdoor education programs nationwide finds that nearly two-thirds are in danger of folding because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Such programs connect youth with the world around them and teach about nature, with documented academic, health and social benefits. But most programs are conducted by residential outdoor science schools, nature centers, parks and zoos, not in traditional classrooms. The loss will be felt disproportionately by students of color and low-income students.

First room-temp 'magnon switch' with industrially useful properties Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:09 AM PDT Scientists have demonstrated a practical technique for controlling magnons, which could lead to computer chip switches that would use less energy and radiate less heat. The approach brings two important firsts: It can be built on silicon and operates efficiently at room temperature, meaning it might be more readily employed by computer manufacturers.

Excitons form superfluid in certain 2D combos Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:09 AM PDT Mixing and matching computational models of 2D materials led scientists to the realization that excitons can be manipulated in new and useful ways.

New fossil discovery shows 50 million-year-old Canada-Australia connection Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:09 AM PDT The discovery of a tiny insect fossil in Western Canada is unearthing big questions about the global movement of animals across deep time. The fossil, estimated to be 50 million years old, is the latest in a pattern of discoveries that are leading experts to contemplate a Canada-Australia connection not previously considered.

Loneliness alters your brain's social network Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:09 AM PDT Social media sites aren't the only things that keep track of your social network -- your brain does, too. But loneliness alters how the brain represents relationships.

Surprising growth rates discovered in world's deepest photosynthetic corals Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:09 AM PDT New research has revealed unexpectedly high growth rates for deep water photosynthetic corals. The study alters the assumption that deep corals living on the brink of darkness grow extremely slowly.

Maternal transmission of COVID-19 to baby during pregnancy is uncommon, study finds Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:08 AM PDT Transmission of COVID-19 from mother to baby during pregnancy is uncommon, and the rate of infection is no greater when the baby is born vaginally, breastfed or allowed contact with the mother, according to a new study.

Tuberculosis vaccine strengthens immune system Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:08 AM PDT A tuberculosis vaccine developed 100 years ago also makes vaccinated persons less susceptible to other infections. While this effect has been recognized for a long time, it is not known what causes it.

Carbon emission from permafrost soils underestimated by 14% Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:08 AM PDT Picture 500 million cars stacked in rows. That's how much carbon -- about 1,000 petagrams, or one billion metric tons - -is locked away in Arctic permafrost.

Researchers develop model to predict likelihood of testing positive for COVID-19, disease outcomes Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:08 AM PDT A new risk prediction model for healthcare providers can forecast an individual patient's likelihood of testing positive for COVID-19 as well as their outcomes from the disease.

Brothers in arms: The brain and its blood vessels Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:08 AM PDT The brain and its surrounding blood vessels exist in a close relationship. Researchers have discovered how cells of the blood vessels sense the metabolic condition of the brain and alter vascular function in response. The result could be important for patients with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's because the onset of these age-related diseases coincides with vascular defects and breakdown of vascular function in the brain.

Research delves into causes of nightmares that shadow female survivors of sexual trauma Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:08 AM PDT A new study attempts to shed light on triggers of post-trauma nightmare occurrences -- a topic that has received scant study.

Atomic physics: Radiation pressure with recoil Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:08 AM PDT Light exerts a certain amount of pressure onto a body: sun sails could thus power space probes in the future. However, when light particles (photons) hit an individual molecule and knock out an electron, the molecule flies toward the light source. Atomic physicists have now observed this for the first time, confirming a 90 year-old theory.

Combination drug treatments for COVID-19 show promise in cell culture tests Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:08 AM PDT Researchers have established a cell culture that allows them to test antibody-laden plasma, drugs and drug combinations in the laboratory. A screen of 136 safe-in-human antiviral drugs and identified six promising candidates. One combination of two drugs was so effective that researchers hope others can begin clinical trials on the drugs now.

Electrically charged dust storms drive Martian chlorine cycle Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:08 AM PDT The group that previously studied Martian dust storms now shifts focus to the electrochemical processes resulting from dust storms that may power the movement of chlorine, which is ongoing on Mars today.

Super-potent human antibodies protect against COVID-19 in animal tests Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:08 AM PDT Researchers have discovered antibodies in the blood of recovered COVID-19 patients that provide powerful protection against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes the disease, when tested in animals and human cell cultures.

Immune properties in ancient DNA found in isolated villages might benefit humanity today Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:08 AM PDT Could remnants of DNA from a now extinct human subspecies known as the Denisovans help boost the immune functions of modern humans? An international study represents the first characterizations of genes in the DNA of healthy individuals from geographically and genetically distinct populations in Indonesia.

Addressing the safety of high folate levels in the older population and implications for fortification in Ireland Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:08 AM PDT A new study challenges claims from some international scientific circles, that having high blood levels of folate (folic acid) increases the risk of poor cognition in older adults, especially in those with low levels of vitamin B12. On the contrary the study found that having higher folate seemed to be associated with better cognitive function in these older adults.

COVID-19 hospitalizations could mean significant out-of-pocket medical costs for many Americans Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:08 AM PDT If past hospitalizations for pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses are any guide, many Americans could face high out-of-pocket medical costs for COVID-19 hospitalizations.

Human portraits reveals shift in culture, cognition Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:08 AM PDT Human cognition and cultural norms have changed the composition of human portraits, according to a new analysis of European paintings from the 15th to the 20th century.

The many lifetimes of plastics Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:08 AM PDT Many of us have seen informational posters at parks or aquariums specifying how long plastics bags, bottles, and other products last in the environment. They're a good reminder to not litter, but where does the information on the lifetime expectancy of plastic goods come from, and how reliable is it?

Study examines the prevalence of COVID-19 infections in pregnant women Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:08 AM PDT A new paper reports on the prevalence of infections with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in women admitted to labor and delivery units in several Boston hospitals.

Higher parental stress linked to low screen-time enforcement, research finds Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:08 AM PDT When parents are under stress, household rules about screen time often get abandoned, new research finds.

Researchers uncover drivers of healthy gut maintenance Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:08 AM PDT Researchers have found two genes that regulate the differentiation of stem cells in the small intestine, offering valuable insight into how the body develops and maintains a healthy gut.

Benchmark for detecting large genetic mutations linked to major diseases Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:08 AM PDT Researchers have developed a way for laboratories to determine how accurately they can detect large mutations. The new method and the benchmark material enable researchers, clinical labs and commercial technology developers to better identify large genome changes they now miss and will help them reduce false detections of genome changes.

Neurons can shift how they process information about motion Posted: 15 Jun 2020 11:08 AM PDT New research indicates some neurons can shift to process information about movement depending on the brain's current frame of reference. The findings may have implications for developing future prosthetics and for understanding some brain disorders.

A continental-scale prediction on the functional diversity of stream microbes Posted: 15 Jun 2020 08:58 AM PDT Climate mediates continental scale patterns of stream microbial functional diversity.

The first intuitive programming language for quantum computers Posted: 15 Jun 2020 08:58 AM PDT Several technical advances have been achieved recently in the pursuit of powerful quantum computers. Now, Computer scientists have made an important breakthrough in the field of programming languages: their quantum language is the first of its kind that is as elegant, simple and safe as classical computer languages.

Improved gut microbiota with cholesterol-lowering medication Posted: 15 Jun 2020 08:58 AM PDT There is a clear link between improved gut microbiota and one of our most common cholesterol-lowering drug groups: statins.

Tuberculosis spread from animals to humans may be greater than previously thought Posted: 15 Jun 2020 08:58 AM PDT The number of human tuberculosis (TB) cases that are due to transmission from animals, as opposed to human-to-human transmission, may be much higher than previously estimated, according to an international team of researchers. The results could have implications for epidemiological studies and public health interventions.

Artificial synapse that works with living cells created Posted: 15 Jun 2020 08:58 AM PDT Researchers have created a device that can integrate and interact with neuron-like cells. This could be an early step toward an artificial synapse for use in brain-computer interfaces.

Elasticity key to plants and animals' ability to sting Posted: 15 Jun 2020 08:58 AM PDT A new study explains for the very first time the principles behind the design of stings, needles, and spikes in animals and plants. The principles can be directly used in the development of new tools and medical equipment.

From clickbait to transparency: Reimagining the online world Posted: 15 Jun 2020 08:58 AM PDT Behavioral science perspectives on an alternative Internet.

Intelligence is impacted if born small for gestational age Posted: 15 Jun 2020 08:57 AM PDT People born small for gestational age (SGA) have a lower IQ throughout development, however the differences in IQ to those born appropriate for gestational age (AGA) reduce by adulthood. The effects of SGA on IQ are nearly as large as being born into lower socio-economic status or receiving poor parenting in infancy.

More and safer heart transplants could become possible with new heart box Posted: 15 Jun 2020 08:57 AM PDT A donated heart can now be transported and preserved for longer than what has previously been possible. The new method, which consists of a specially designed heart box, was used for a transplant for the first time as early as the summer of 2017. Now it has been evaluated in a first clinical study.

Vegetarians tend to be slimmer and less extroverted than meat eaters, study finds Posted: 15 Jun 2020 08:57 AM PDT The less animal products someone consumes, the lower his body mass index on average and the less he tends to be extroverted. A connection with depressive moods as other studies had found could not be confirmed.

AI reduces 'communication gap' for nonverbal people by as much as half Posted: 15 Jun 2020 08:57 AM PDT Researchers have used artificial intelligence to reduce the 'communication gap' for nonverbal people with motor disabilities who rely on computers to converse with others.

3D X-ray reveals secrets from inside bones Posted: 15 Jun 2020 08:57 AM PDT Researchers have uncovered a previously unknown substructure in bone tissue using a new X-ray technique to produce 3D images of the internal structure of bones. The discovery potentially questions fundamentally a number of the models of bone tissue and the mechanical properties of bones that, among other things, is used to describe the process of bone formation.

Multi-ethnic study suggests vitamin K may offer protective health benefits in older age Posted: 15 Jun 2020 08:57 AM PDT A new, multi-ethnic study found adults aged 54-76 with low circulating vitamin K levels were more likely to die within 13 years compared to those with adequate levels, suggesting vitamin K may offer protective health benefits as we age.

Diluting blood plasma rejuvenates tissue, reverses aging in mice Posted: 15 Jun 2020 08:57 AM PDT A new study reveals that replacing half of the blood plasma with a mixture of saline and albumin reverses signs of aging and rejuvenates muscle, brain and liver tissue in old mice. The research team is currently finalizing clinical trials to determine if a modified plasma exchange in humans could be used to treat age-associated diseases and improve the overall health of older people.

How material defects influence the melting process Posted: 15 Jun 2020 08:57 AM PDT A new study helps to reconcile a Nobel Prize-winning theory with experiments on how solids actually melt.

Role of lipid rafts in virus infiltration Posted: 15 Jun 2020 08:57 AM PDT New research sheds light on how and why the cell membrane forms and grows lipid rafts triggered by ligand-receptor activity. The work could lead to new strategies and innovative approaches to prevent or fight the action of the virus through the integration of biomedical and engineering knowledge.

Artificial intelligence estimates peoples' ages Posted: 15 Jun 2020 07:09 AM PDT Wrinkles, furrows, spots: a person's aging process is accompanied by tell-tale signs on their face. Researchers have developed an algorithm that interprets these features very reliably.

Researchers flush out worrying trend of designer drug use Posted: 15 Jun 2020 07:09 AM PDT In a sign that designer drugs are becoming more prevalent in Australia, synthetic cathinones -- commonly known as 'bath salts' -- have been detected in the nation's wastewater in the largest study of its kind in the country.

Exposure to air pollution impairs cellular energy metabolism Posted: 15 Jun 2020 07:09 AM PDT Exposure to air particulate matter impairs the metabolism of olfactory mucosal cells, according to a recent study. The results can contribute to a better understanding of how air pollutants may harm brain health, as the olfactory mucosa can act as a key pathway to the brain.

New light shed on intelligent life existing across the galaxy Posted: 15 Jun 2020 06:27 AM PDT Is there anyone out there? This is an age-old question that researchers have now shed new light on with a study that calculates there could be more than 30 intelligent civilizations throughout our Galaxy. This is an enormous advance over previous estimates which spanned from zero to billions.

Muscles support a strong immune system Posted: 15 Jun 2020 06:27 AM PDT In the fight against cancer or chronic infections, the immune system must be active over long periods of time. However, in the long run, the immune defense system often becomes exhausted. Scientists have now found initial evidence in mice that skeletal muscles help to keep the immune system functional in chronic diseases.

Significant parental hesitancy about routine childhood and influenza vaccines Posted: 15 Jun 2020 06:27 AM PDT A national study measuring parental attitudes toward vaccinations found 6.1% were hesitant about routine childhood immunizations while nearly 26% were hesitant about the influenza vaccine.

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