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Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 3, 2020 at 6:00am

Understanding  how cirrus clouds form in a better way

New research provides insights into how cirrus clouds form, with implications for agriculture, urban development and climate-change predictions. The study shows that trees and plants play an important role that affects precipitation and global climate change.

An international team combined theory, field measurements and lab experiments to develop a better understanding of the formation of clouds.

Scientists knew that particles in the air from smoke and auto emissions would influence the creation of clouds, but this new research spotlights the importance of volatile emissions from plants and organic amterial, which the scientists call "secondary organic aerosols."

The new data will help us better predict how activities such as deforestation or reforestation will affect the world's climate, because these secondary organic aerosols are derived from plants. If the levels of these organic aerosols change, we'll now have a better understanding of what effects this will have and be able to use this information in global climate models.

The researchers were able to take data supplied by other researchers on the project and use it to create cirrus-like ice clouds in their Purdue laboratory, and then analyze the results using a specialized spectrometry instrument.

Martin J. Wolf et al. A biogenic secondary organic aerosol source of cirrus ice nucleating particles, Nature Communications (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18424-6

https://phys.org/news/2020-10-cirrus-clouds.html?utm_source=nwlette...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 3, 2020 at 5:53am

Physicists build circuit that generates clean, limitless power from graphene

A team of  physicists has successfully developed a circuit capable of capturing graphene's thermal motion and converting it into an electrical current.

Now an energy-harvesting circuit based on graphene could be incorporated into a chip to provide clean, limitless, low-voltage power for small devices or sensors.

The idea of harvesting energy from graphene is controversial because it refutes physicist Richard Feynman's well-known assertion that the thermal motion of atoms, known as Brownian motion, cannot do work. But now this team found that at room temperature the thermal motion of graphene does in fact induce an alternating current (AC) in a circuit, an achievement thought to be impossible.

Additionally, they discovered that their design increased the amount of power delivered.

1. P. M. Thibado, P. Kumar, Surendra Singh, M. Ruiz-Garcia, A. Lasanta, L. L. Bonilla. Fluctuation-induced current from freestanding graphene. Physical Review E, 2020; 102 (4) DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.102.042101

https://phys.org/news/2020-10-physicists-circuit-limitless-power-gr...

utm_source=nwletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-nwletter

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 3, 2020 at 5:45am

New nanotechology design provides hope for personalized vaccination for treating cancer

One of the key challenges in developing effective, targeted cancer treatments is the heterogeneity of the cancer cells themselves. This variation makes it difficult for the immune system to recognize, respond to and actively fight against tumors. Now, however, new advances in nanotechnology are making it possible to deliver targeted, personalized "vaccines" to treat cancer.

A new study demonstrates the use of charged nanoscale metal-organic frameworks for generating free radicals using X-rays within tumor tissue to kill cancer cells directly. Furthermore, the same frameworks can be used for delivering immune signaling molecules known as PAMPs to activate the immune response against tumour cells. By combining these two approaches into one easily administered "vaccine," this new technology may provide the key to better local and systemic treatment of difficult-to-treat cancers.

"Nanoscale metal-organic frameworks for x-ray activated in situ cancer vaccination" Science Advances (2020). advances.sciencemag.org/lookup … .1126/sciadv.abb5223

https://phys.org/news/2020-10-nanotechology-personalized-vaccinatio...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 3, 2020 at 5:41am

Why do people respond differently to the same drug?

Scientists  have comprehensively mapped how a key class of proteins within cells regulates signals coming in from cell surface receptors.

The study reveals, among other things, that people commonly have variants in these proteins that cause their cells to respond differently when the same cell receptor is stimulated—offering a plausible explanation for why people's responses to the same drugs can vary widely.

The findings could lead to new treatment approaches for a range of conditions.

Ikuo Masuho et al, A Global Map of G Protein Signaling Regulation by RGS Proteins, Cell (2020). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.08.052

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-10-people-differently-drug.html...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 3, 2020 at 5:33am

Enhancing blood sugar control boosts brain health for people with type 2 diabetes

Controlling blood sugar levels improved the ability to clearly think, learn and remember among people with type 2 diabetes who were overweight, a new study shows. But losing weight, especially for people who were obese, and increasing physical activity produced mixed results.

Owen T Carmichael et al, Long-term change in physiological markers and cognitive performance in type 2 diabetes: the Look AHEAD Study, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (2020). DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa591

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-10-blood-sugar-boosts-brain-hea...

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Researchers test brain stimulation in zero gravity

Bashar W. Badran et al, Brain stimulation in zero gravity: transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) motor threshold decreases during zero gravity induced by parabolic flight, npj Microgravity (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41526-020-00116-6

https://phys.org/news/2020-10-brain-gravity.html?utm_source=nwlette...

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 Researchers discover a rare genetic form of dementia

A new, rare genetic form of dementia has been discovered by a team of  researchers. This discovery also sheds light on a new pathway that leads to protein build up in the brain—which causes this newly discovered disease, as well as related neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's Disease—that could be targeted for new therapies. 

Alzheimer's disease(AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by a buildup of proteins, called tau proteins, in certain parts of the brain. Following an examination of human brain tissue samples from a deceased donor with an unknown neurodegenerative disease, researchers discovered a novel mutation in the Valosin-containing protein (VCP) gene in the brain, a buildup of tau proteins in areas that were degenerating, and neurons with empty holes in them, called vacuoles. The team named the newly discovered disease Vacuolar Tauopathy (VT)—a neurodegenerative disease now characterized by the accumulation of neuronal vacuoles and tau protein aggregates.

Nabil F. Darwich et al, Autosomal dominant VCP hypomorph mutation impairs disaggregation of PHF-tau, Science (2020). DOI: 10.1126/science.aay8826

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-10-rare-genetic-dementia.html?u...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 3, 2020 at 5:31am

Snippet: Cat imitates human, in first scientific demonstration of behavior

Evidence of a cat recognizing and mimicking human behavior

In the research demonstration the cat responded to 18 requests to perform an action it had never done before following requests mimic the researchers, including opening a drawer, spinning around, reaching out and touching a toy, and laying down in a certain position. The cat was found to respond as desired approximately 81 percent of the time. The researchers suggest that the cat demonstrated the capability of mapping its own body parts to those of another creature, and to understand how those parts could be used in similar ways.

Claudia Fugazza et al. Did we find a copycat? Do as I Do in a domestic cat (Felis catus), Animal Cognition (2020). DOI: 10.1007/s10071-020-01428-6

https://phys.org/news/2020-10-evidence-cat-mimicking-human-behavior...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 3, 2020 at 5:16am

Radiation-immune and repairable chips to fabricate durable electronics

To operate safely and reliably in outdoor environments, electronic devices should be resistant to a wide variety of external factors, including radiation. In fact, high-energy radiation can damage several components of field-effect transistors (FETs) commonly used to make electronics, including their superconducting channel, gate oxide and the insulating materials surrounding it (e.g., isolation or substrate oxides).

For several years, research teams worldwide have thus been trying to devise strategies that could make transistors more resistant to radiation. Researchers have recently fabricated a radiation-hardened and repairable integrated circuit (IC) based on carbon nanotube transistors with ion gel gates. This IC could be used to build new electronic devices that are more resistant to high-energy radiation.

Radiation-hardened and repairable integrated circuits based on carbon nanotube transistors with ion gel gates. Nature Electronics (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41928-020-0465-1.

https://techxplore.com/news/2020-10-radiation-immune-chips-fabricat...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 2, 2020 at 9:30am

Sci-com: Have Questions About Science? Skype A Scientist - It’s Now That Easy

https://www.skypeascientist.com/events.html

https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicolefisher/2020/09/30/have-questions...

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Risk of Severe Coronavirus Linked to Neanderthal Genes From 60,000 Years Ago

https://www.sciencealert.com/severe-coronavirus-has-been-linked-to-...

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 2, 2020 at 8:01am

Radar developed for rapid rescue of buried people

When someone is buried by an avalanche, earthquake or other disaster, a rapid rescue can make the difference between life and death. Now researchers have developed a new kind of mobile radar device that can search hectare-sized areas quickly and thoroughly. The new technology combines greater mobility with accurate detection of vital signs.

Although radar devices can provide useful assistance, current systems are limited to stationary operation. Set up in a fixed spot, they can only search up to a distance of twenty to thirty meters, depending on the radar specifications. In disasters involving large-scale destruction, this distance is simply too short.

 The new technology  aims to significantly increase the search radius.  This one  is a mobile radar system that locates people buried under rubble by detecting their pulse and breathing. The longer-term goal is to mount this radar device on a drone and fly it over the disaster site. This would make searches faster and more effective even in areas extending over various hectares.

https://www.fhr.fraunhofer.de/en/businessunits/human_and_environmen...

https://phys.org/news/2020-10-radar-rapid-people.html

Comment by Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa on October 2, 2020 at 7:52am

Timing the life of antimatter particles may lead to better cancer treatment

Researchers have devised a simple way to glean more detailed information out of standard medical imaging scans. A research team  has designed a timer that can enable positron emission tomography (PET) scanners to detect the oxygen concentration of tissues throughout patients' bodies. This upgrade to PET scanners may lead to a future of better cancer treatment by quickly identifying parts of tumours with more aggressive cell growth.

The positrons that PET scans are named for are the positively charged antimatter forms of electrons. Due to their tiny size and extremely low mass, positrons pose no danger in medical applications. Positrons produce gamma rays, which are electromagnetic waves similar to X-rays, but with shorter wavelengths.

When receiving a PET scan, a patient receives a small amount of very weakly radioactive liquid, often composed of modified sugar molecules, usually injected into their blood. The liquid circulates for a short period of time. Differences in blood flow or metabolism affect how the radioactivity is distributed. The patient then lies in a large, tube-shaped PET scanner. As the radioactive liquid emits positrons that then decay into gamma rays, rings of gamma-ray detectors map the locations of gamma rays emitted from the patient's body.

Doctors request PET scans when they need information about not just the structure, but also the metabolic function of tissues inside the body. Detecting oxygen  concentration using the same PET scan would add another layer of useful information about the body's function.

Kengo Shibuya, Haruo Saito, Fumihiko Nishikido, Miwako Takahashi, and Taiga Yamaya. 2020. Oxygen sensing ability of positronium atom for tumor hypoxia imaging. Communication Physics. DOI: 10.1038/s42005-020-00440-z

https://phys.org/news/2020-10-life-antimatter-particles-cancer-trea...

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