Hidden in our genes: Discovering the fate of cell development

As cells develop, changes in how our genes interact determines their fate. Differences in these genetic interactions can make our cells robust to infection from viruses or make it possible for our immune cells to kill cancerous ones.

Understanding how these gene associations work across the development of human tissue and organs is important for the creation of medical treatments for complex diseases as broad as cancer, developmental disorders, or  heart disease.

A new technology called single-cell RNA-sequencing has made it possible to study the behavior of genes in human and mammal cells at an unprecedented resolution and promises to accelerate scientific and medical discoveries.

A  team of international collaborators from China, the US and the UK, University of Sydney scientists have developed an analytical approach for this single-cell sequencing, which is able to test for broad changes in gene behavior within human tissue. It has been called single-cell higher-order testing, or scHOT.

Published today in Nature Methods, the team has demonstrated the effectiveness of this method by identifying genes in mice whose variability change in cells during embryonic liver development.

 scHOT is a powerful new tool that will uncover hidden gene associations in our cells and facilitate the full exploitation of these cutting-edge single-cell technologies to make important biological discoveries.

This research will help to uncover hidden gene associations in our cells providing a new way to view and describe biological complexity.

Investigating higher-order interactions in single-cell data with scHOT, Nature Methods (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41592-020-0885-x

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-hidden-genes-fate-cell.html?utm_sourc...

Turning off 'junk DNA' may free stem cells to become neurons

For every cell in the body there comes a time when it must decide what it wants to do for the rest of its life. In an article published in the journal PNAS, NIH researchers report for the first time that ancient viral genes that were once considered "junk DNA" may play a role in this process. The article describes a series of preclinical experiments that showed how some human endogenous retrovirus (HERV-K) genes inscribed into chromosomes 12 and 19 may help control the differentiation, or maturation, of human stem cells into the trillions of neurons that are wired into our nervous systems.

Over the course of evolution, the human genome has absorbed thousands of human endogenous retrovirus genes. As a result, nearly eight percent of the DNA that lines our chromosomes includes remnants of these genes. Although once thought to be inactive, or "junk", recent studies have shown that these genes may be involved in human embryonic development, the growth of some tumors, and nerve damage during multiple sclerosis.

Previously, researchers showed that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may be linked to activation of the HERV-K gene. In this study, the team showed that deactivation of the gene may free stem cells to become neurons.

The researchers performed most of their experiments on blood cells, drawn from healthy volunteers at the NIH's Clinical Center, that they genetically transformed into induced pluripotent stem cells, which can then turn into any cell type in the body. Surprisingly, they found that the surfaces of the stem cells were lined with high levels of HERV-K, subtype HML-2, an envelope protein, that viruses often use to latch onto and infect cells. These proteins progressively disappeared as the cells were served two rounds of "cocktails." One round nudged the cells into an intermediate, neural stem cell state followed by a second round that pushed the cells into finally becoming neurons. The researchers sped up this process by turning off HERV-K, HML-2 genes in the stem cells or by treating the cells with antibodies against the HML-2 protein. In contrast, they delayed neural differentiation by artificially overloading the cells with the HML-2 genes. Finally, the team discovered that interactions on the stem cell surfaces between HML-2 and another immune cell protein called CD98HC may restrain differentiation by triggering internal chemical reactions that are known to control cell growth and tumors. In the future, the team plans to explore how HERV-K genes may shape the wiring of a nervous system.

Wang, T. et al., Regulation of stem cell function and neuronal differentiation by HERV-K via mTOR pathway, PNAS (2020). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2002427117

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-junk-dna-free-stem-cells.html?utm_sou...

Human sperm stem cells grown in lab, an early step toward infertility treatment

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-human-sperm-stem-cells-grown.html?utm...

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-materials-extra-thin-chips.html?utm_s...

New materials for extra thin computer chips

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-micro-lab-chip-blood-minutes.html?utm...

A micro-lab on a chip detects blood type within minutes

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Scientists have discovered a new physical paradox

Scientists have discovered a new physical paradox: Researchers have discovered and theoretically explained a new physical effect: amplitude of mechanical vibrations can grow without external influence.

A new physical phenomenon of 'ballistic resonance," where mechanical oscillations can be excited only due to internal thermal resources of the system has been demonstrated: that heat spreads at abnormally high speeds at nano and micro levels in ultrapure crystalline materials. This phenomenon is called ballistic heat conductivity.

The discovered phenomenon describes that the process of heat equilibration leads to mechanical vibrations with an amplitude that grows with time. The effect is called ballistic resonance.

The scientific group offered their explanation on how to eliminate the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam-Tsingou paradox.

Vitaly A. Kuzkin et al, Ballistic resonance and thermalization in the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam-Tsingou chain at finite temperature, Physical Review E (2020). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.101.042209

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-scientists-physical-paradox.html?utm_...

Using math formulas to predict earthquakes

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-math-formulas-earthquakes.html?utm_so...

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-fluorine.html?utm_source=nwletter&...

**How much fluorine is too much fluorine?

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** The new tattoo: Drawing electronics on skin

https://techxplore.com/news/2020-07-tattoo-electronics-skin.html?ut...

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** 

Earth-shaking science in the freezer: Next generation vibration sensors at cryogenic temperatures

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-earth-shaking-science-freezer-vibrati...

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-chemicals-faster-reactions.html?utm_s...

Spinning chemicals for faster reactions

**scientists have devised a new way of making reactions up to 70 times faster by using state-of-the-art equipment to spin chemicals around.

They found that efficient mixing within a chemical reaction could be achieved by spinning chemicals and catalysts around in a small tube, causing the reactions to happen much quicker.

The new findings could have a profound influence on the way that chemicals are made in a wide variety of industries, from drug development to agriculture and fragrances.

Crop plants are taking up microplastics

Scientists  recently found that microplastics are indeed contaminating edible plants, including vegetables we eat.

Microplastics (MPs), i.e., tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in length, can now be found throughout the ocean and other aquatic ecosystems, and even in our seafood and salt. As MPs have become ubiquitous, scientists have become concerned about the transfer of MPs from the environment to the food chain and the potential impact of MPs on human health.

Most MPs are emitted to the terrestrial environment and accumulate in large amounts in soil. In addition, secondary particles are formed by the degradation of plastics. Wastewater, an important source of water for agricultural irrigation, also contains small-sized MPs.

Despite the prevalence of MPs throughout the environment, the matter of MP uptake by crop plants has not received much attention.

For decades, scientists believed that plastic particles were simply too large to pass through the physical barriers of intact plant tissue. But this new study disproves this assumption.

Cracks at the emerging sites of new lateral roots of lettuce and wheat crops can take in MPs from the surrounding soil and water. Those MPs can then be transferred from the roots up to the edible parts of the crop.

The MPs identified in this study were spherical plastic particles up to 2 micrometers in size with a small degree of mechanical flexibility. These features allowed the MPs to squeeze into the small apoplastic space of plant root cells.

"Another mechanism is that at the lateral root emergence sites there are small cracks, and then the particles go through those cracks and enter the xylem vessels. Thus it is even possible that particles larger than the ones we studied might also be taken up by plants.

Li, L et al. Effective uptake of submicrometre plastics by crop plants via a crack-entry mode. Nat Sustain (2020). doi.org/10.1038/s41893-020-0567-9

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-crop-microplastics.html?utm_source=nw...

 Why Some Birds Are Likely To Hit Buildings

Birds that eat insects, are on migrations or that usually live in the woods are most likely to fly into buildings that feature a lot of glass.

Billion birds die from flying into buildings each year. Suspicions have been that birds may perceive the open areas behind glass as safe passageways. Or they may mistake the reflected foliage for the real thing.

Most migratory species travel at night, when lights near buildings can distract or disorient them. insect-eating birds might be attracted to buildings because their insect prey is attracted to the lights. woodland species get fooled by the reflections of trees and shrubs in the windows.

journal Conservation Biology. [Jared A. Elmore, et al. Correlates of bird collisions with buildings across three North Ame...]

By understanding which birds are more likely to collide with buildings, researchers can perhaps determine the best way to modify buildings, or their lighting, to help prevent such accidents. And by knowing risks along with migration timing and behavior, building managers can better anticipate when birds are at their greatest danger—and modify lighting strategies accordingly.

 https://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode/why-some-birds-a...

 Coronavirus: Llamas provide key to immune therapy

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-53369103

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Controlling COVID 19 in flats ....

To prevent droplet spread in a locked down residential building:

• keep at least 1.5 metres away from others

• allow only essential personnel in the building

• residents should keep to their own apartment

• people servicing the building can wear gloves and masks, but it’s important they be trained in their proper use

• infected/symptomatic residents should wear a mask (and be aware of how to handle these correctly so as not to increase the risk of infection)

• avoid shared spaces, for example shared laundries; limit numbers in lifts/stairwells at any given time

• if movement is required, adopt staggered, rostered times to move through the building

• if the structure allows it, utilise separate entry and exit points and one-way pathways through the building

• practise good respiratory etiquette (such as coughing into your elbow). This can reduce the number of people each infected person passes the virus to.

To reduce spread via contaminated objects:

• everyone who lives in or is visiting the building should frequently wash or sanitise their hands. Sanitiser should be available at entry and exit points and shared areas

• avoid touching your face and your food unless your hands have been freshly cleaned

• regular cleaning of shared spaces is important, including lift buttons, handrails, and door handles

• rubbish bins should be kept in separate areas to other supplies to avoid cross-contamination.

Additional measures to reduce airborne spread include:

• plumbing and ventilation systems should be maintained to ensure they’re operating effectively, particularly as buildings age

• HEPA filters in air conditioners may help to filter out the virus.

https://theconversation.com/we-could-have-more-coronavirus-outbreak...

 What happens if you ignore science, fall prey for conspiracy theories, think what scientists say are hoax theories? 

A man learnt the lesson in his final moments .... sadly at the cost of his life. 

'I thought this was a hoax': Patient in 30s dies after attending 'COVID party'

Coronavirus Is What You Get When You Ignore Science

https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/i-thought-this-was-a-hoax-pa...

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https://theconversation.com/one-vaccine-to-beat-covid-sars-mers-and...

 One vaccine to beat COVID, Sars, Mers and common cold – possible?

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The next pandemic: The warnings are clear – more diseases will follow the coronavirus pandemic.

https://www.scidev.net/global/spotlight/the-next-pandemic.html?utm_...

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 Wriggling Roundworm Found in Woman's Tonsil After She Ate Sashimi

Eating raw meat of any kind carries with it a risk of parasites, but few are as well known as those found in sashimi. The Japanese delicacy can infect the eater with a number of unpleasant aquatic parasites.

https://www.sciencealert.com/a-wriggling-moulting-roundworm-was-fou...

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Blood Transplants from Active Mice Give Brain Boost to Others

** Andean condors, at 10kg or more, are among the world’s heaviest flying birds. Once birds get this big, the energetic costs of flapping are so high they instead rely on currents of rising air to travel long distances.

on average, condors fly for three hours a day, but they flap for less than two minutes of this – just 1% of their flight time. One bird even flew for more than five hours without a single flap, covering 172km. Surprisingly, the amount they flapped hardly changed whether they were in the Andes or the steppe, or whether it was windy or not.

Moving between weak thermals of air seemed more challenging as birds flapped towards the end of the glides, when they were likely to be close to the ground. This is a critical time as birds need to find rising air to avoid an unplanned landing.

Thermals can behave like lava lamps, with bubbles of air rising intermittently from the ground when the air is warm enough. Birds may therefore arrive in the right place for a thermal, but at the wrong time. And the lengths of time when the bubbles are not rising sufficiently rapidly to be useful to a condor will be longer when thermals are weaker.

Nonetheless, even in weak thermal conditions, which may occur in winter, our results suggest condors may flap for only around two seconds per km. This remarkably low investment in flapping flight is on a par with albatrosses. In fact, albatrosses appear to flap more than condors – between (1% and 15% of their flight time outside take-off) –although it is unclear how their overall energy expenditure compares.

What is particularly striking about this findings is that all the birds teh researchers studied were immature. There was some suggestion that flight performance improved with age, but the demonstration that all birds flap so rarely shows that it is possible for even young condors to invest little energy in flying.

https://theconversation.com/we-tagged-andean-condors-to-find-out-ho...

https://theconversation.com/heres-how-scientists-know-the-coronavir...

Here’s how scientists know the coronavirus came from bats and wasn’t made in a lab

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A brain-inspired architecture for human gesture recognition

https://techxplore.com/news/2020-07-brain-inspired-architecture-hum...

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-burrowing-crabs-reshaping-salt-marshe...

**Burrowing crabs reshaping salt marshes, with climate change to blame

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-scientists-fault-southeastern-nepal.h...

**Scientists discover fault system in southeastern Nepal

Why does some frogs' skin colour  appear green? 

Frogs and toads are green for a very good reason—it makes them harder to see in their leafy environments. Good camouflage allows them to eat and not be eaten. But not all frogs have arrived at this life-saving greenness in the same way.

Most of these animals rely on color-controlling structures in their skin called chromatophores that use crystals to bend light to specific colors and make them appear green. But there are hundreds of species of frogs and toads that have nearly translucent skin and very few chromatophores.

Their greenness, which can be found deep in their lymphatic fluid, soft tissues and even bones, comes from a clever biochemical workaround that combines a normally virus-fighting type of protein with a toxic byproduct of blood breakdown.

many of these frogs contain very high levels of bile pigment called biliverdin that is a byproduct of breaking apart old red blood cells. This pigment is normally considered a toxin to be filtered out in the liver and excreted as quickly as possible. But these frogs are found to carry four times as much biliverdin as even the sickest human with liver disease, and 200 times as much as their chromatophore-equipped frog cousins.

When you see something green, its color really should be called 'everything but green,' because it is soaking up all the colors of incoming light except for green. The color we see is the frequency of light it does not absorb that bounces back to our eyes.

Biliverdin by itself would appear to be somewhat greenish, as sometimes seen in an old bruise, but the researchers found that a bound serpin, BBS, stretches out biliverdin's helical shape to fine-tune its light absorbance, making it more cyan, a blue-green. Cyan, added to some other yellow pigments scattered in the skin, bounces back just the right shade of green. It also makes biliverdin less toxic as well.

This new protein has the same spectroscopic properties or light absorption properties as some plant pigments.

So this is a convergence in evolution. Being arboreal (living in trees), they developed a different way to make their coloration. This shows how natural selection can co-opt proteins for just about any purpose.

Source: Carlos Taboada et al, Multiple origins of green coloration in frogs mediated by a novel biliverdin-binding serpin, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2020). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2006771117

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-green-skin-deep-hundreds-frog-species...

 Scientists investigate radiolabeling of calcium carbonate particles in vivo

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-scientists-radiolabeling-calcium-carb...

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 https://phys.org/news/2020-07-road-traffic-microplastics-world-ocea...

Road traffic microplastics flooding world's oceans: study

Researchers find sun and rain transform asphalt binder into potentially toxic compounds

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-sun-asphalt-binder-potentially-toxic....

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-air-pollution-affects-brain.html?utm_...

Air pollution affects brain development, but when does the damage start?

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-cloud-hidden-greenhouse-gas-emissions...

Cloud computing could be producing hidden greenhouse gas emissions

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https://techxplore.com/news/2020-07-codes-smartphone-easily.html?ut...

'Knock codes' for smartphone security are easily predicted, researchers say

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https://www.sciencenews.org/article/time-universe-fundamental-cosmi...

The universe might have a fundamental clock that ticks very, very fast

Time could be the result of particles interacting with a ticking cosmic timepiece

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https://www.sciencealert.com/a-giant-wall-of-galaxies-has-been-foun...

A Giant 'Wall' of Galaxies Has Been Found Stretching Across The Universe

One in Three Young Adults at Risk of Severe Coronavirus Infections, Study Finds

certain factors that can put anyone at risk of serious illness, regardless of age. A new study from researchers at the University of California, San Francisco determined that one in three young adults ages 18 to 25 are vulnerable to severe COVID-19 cases.

Patients were considered vulnerable if they had least one risk factor, including a smoking habit or chronic illness like heart disease, diabetes, asthma, obesity, autoimmune disease, or liver problems.

https://www.sciencealert.com/smoking-may-explain-why-1-in-3-young-a...

Ex-Harvard Medical School faculty member warns COVID-19 herd immunity is ‘wishful thinking'

A Washington D.C.-based internist and former Harvard Medical School faculty member has claimed the idea that herd immunity may slow the coronavirus pandemic is "wishful thinking" after a 50-year-old patient was infected for a second time with COVID-19.

"During his first infection, my patient experienced a mild cough and sore throat," Dr. Clay Ackerly explained in an opinion piece for Vox. "His second infection, in contrast, was marked by a high fever, shortness of breath, and hypoxia, resulting in multiple trips to the hospital.

"It is possible, but unlikely, that my patient had a single infection that lasted three months," Dr. Ackerly added. "Some Covid-19 patients (now dubbed 'long haulers') do appear to suffer persistent infections and symptoms.

"My patient, however, cleared his infection — he had two negative PCR tests after his first infection — and felt healthy for nearly six weeks."

Typically, experts estimate that between 70 and 90 percent of a population must be immune to a contagious disease to achieve herd immunity -- whether through vaccination or other exposure to an infection.

However, a recent study in Spain, one of the countries hardest-hit by the pandemic, found just five percent of those surveyed had coronavirus antibodies. On a regional basis, the percentage varied from fewer than three percent in coastal regions to more than 10 percent in areas around Madrid.

https://www.foxnews.com/health/clay-ackerly-coronavirus-herd-immuni...

"My patient caught Covid-19 twice. So long to herd immunity hopes?" (Vox, 7/12/20) - original article

Researchers discover how cells remember infections decades later

https://phys.org/news/2017-12-cells-infections-decades.html

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An exploding white dwarf star blasted itself out of its orbit with another star in a "partial supernova" and is now hurtling across our galaxy, according to a new study from the University of Warwick.

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-blast-star-hurtling-milky.html?utm_so...

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-scientists-uncover-key-ribosomes-prot...

Scientists uncover key process in the manufacture of ribosomes and proteins

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Scientists discover heavy element chemistry can change at high pressures

New research shows that one of the heaviest known elements can be manipulated to a greater degree than previously thought, potentially paving the way for new strategies to recycle nuclear fuel and better long-term storage of radioactive elements.

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-fsu-news-scientists-heavy-element.htm...

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-true-scientists-discuss-evolution-whi...

Scientists discuss evolution of white coloration of velvet ants

Bacteria with a metal diet discovered in dirty glassware

Microbiologists have discovered bacteria that feed on manganese and use the metal as their source of calories. Such microbes were predicted to exist over a century ago, but none had been found or described until now.

The study also reveals that the bacteria can use manganese to convert carbon dioxide into biomass, a process called chemosynthesis. Previously, researchers knew of bacteria and fungi that could oxidize manganese, or strip it of electrons.

Researchers found the bacteria serendipitously after performing unrelated experiments using a light, chalk-like form of manganese. They had left a glass jar soiled with the substance to soak in tap water in their  office sink before departing for several months to work off campus. When they returned, the jar was coated with a dark material.

They wondered, 'What is that?' and systematically performed tests to figure that out.

The black coating was in fact oxidized manganese generated by newfound bacteria that had likely come from the tap water itself. There is evidence that relatives of these creatures reside in groundwater.

Manganese is one of the most abundant elements on the surface of the earth. Manganese oxides take the form of a dark, clumpy substance and are common in nature; they have been found in subsurface deposits and can also form in water-distribution systems.

There is a whole set of environmental engineering literature on drinking-water-distribution systems getting clogged by manganese oxides. But how and for what reason such material is generated there has remained an enigma. Clearly, many scientists have considered that bacteria using manganese for energy might be responsible, but evidence supporting this idea was not available until now.

The finding helps researchers better understand the geochemistry of groundwater. It is known that bacteria can degrade pollutants in groundwater, a process called bioremediation. When doing this, several key organisms will "reduce" manganese oxide, which means they donate electrons to it, in a manner similar to how humans use oxygen in the air. Scientists have wondered where the manganese oxide comes from in the first place.

The bacteria discovered now can produce it, thus they enjoy a lifestyle that also serves to supply the other microbes with what they need to perform reactions that we consider to be beneficial and desirable.

The research findings also have possible relevance to understanding manganese nodules that dot much of the seafloor.

Bacterial chemolithoautotrophy via manganese oxidation, Nature (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2468-5

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-bacteria-metal-diet-dirty-glassware.h...

Hallmark of severe COVID-19 patients identified

In analyzing blood, tissue, immune cells and other samples from the patients, the researchers came upon what they think is a signature for people with severe infections—a combination of an interferon response deficiency and exacerbated inflammation. They suggest the signature may represent a hallmark for severely ill COVID-19 patients. The researchers suggest their findings could lead to therapies that boost interferon response to an infection while also reducing inflammation.

More specifically, the researchers found that critically ill patients had a deficiency in the response of type I interferons—a kind of protein that is used by the immune system to fight infections. In addition, there were higher than normal levels of proinflammatory signaling. Together, the two responses left patients with little ammunition to fight their infections. The work builds on studies by other researchers finding that interferon signaling in infected areas may play a role in mitigating disease progression. Such work has shown that duration, timing and location of interferon exposure to the virus are critical factors that appear to underlie the degree of success with current therapies.

Jérôme Hadjadj et al, Impaired type I interferon activity and inflammatory responses in severe COVID-19 patients, Science (2020). DOI: 10.1126/science.abc6027

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-07-hallmark-severe-covid-patien...

Invasive alien species may soon cause dramatic global biodiversity loss

An increase of 20 to 30 per cent of invasive non-native (alien) species would lead to dramatic future biodiversity loss worldwide. This is the conclusion of a study by an international team of researchers.

Human activities intentionally and unintentionally introduce more and more plant and animal species to new regions of the world—for example, via commodity transport or tourism.

Some of these alien species have negative consequences for biodiversity and humans well-being, for example by displacing native species or transmitting diseases. However, while we have relatively good information on the historical spread of alien species, there is still little knowledge about their future development.

The study shows that an increase of 20 to 30 per cent in the number of newly introduced alien species is considered sufficient to cause massive global biodiversity loss—a value that is likely to be reached soon, as the number of introduced species is constantly increasing.

humans are the main driver of the future spread of alien species. The experts identify three main reasons, primarily the increasing global transport of goods, followed by climate change and then the impacts of economic development such as energy consumption and land use. The study also shows that the spread of alien species can be greatly slowed down by ambitious countermeasures.

Franz Essl et al, Drivers of future alien species impacts: An expert‐based assessment, Global Change Biology (2020). DOI: 10.1111/gcb.15199

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-invasive-alien-species-global-biodive...

Researchers develop first of its kind, simple test for identifying toxic silver ions

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-kind-simple-toxic-silver-ions.html?ut...

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-car-microplastics-ocean-thousands-mil...

How your car sheds microplastics into the ocean thousands of miles away

A new study has revealed that microplastics released from car tires and brake systems are a major source of marine plastic pollution

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-cases-black-hole-mistaken-identity.ht...

Cases of black hole mistaken identity

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Researchers create a robotic camera backpack for insects

https://techxplore.com/news/2020-07-gopro-beetles-robotic-camera-ba...

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https://techxplore.com/news/2020-07-alexa-siri-cortana-private-conv...

Are Alexa, Siri, and Cortana recording your private conversations?

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“The world has now witnessed the compression of 6 years of work int...

The Covid-19 Vaccine-Development Multiverse

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2025111?utm_source=Natur...

How Galileo Battled the Science Deniers of His Time

The man who discovered Jupiter’s satellites and the mountains of the moon had no patience for idiots

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-galileo-battled-the-...

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On Antarctica, humanity's small footprint has big impact

Humanity's accelerating impact on the vast wilderness of Antarctica extends well beyond scientific stations and eco-tourism along its fringes, both in scope and intensity, scientists warned 

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-antarctica-humanity-small-footprint-b...

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Researchers find technique for 3-D printing on nanoscale that can correct mistakes

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-technique-d-nanoscale.html?utm_source...

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$$ Is psychiatry shrinking what’s considered normal?

https://theconversation.com/is-psychiatry-shrinking-whats-considere...

Palaeontologists Have Unearthed a Distinctive Hook-Clawed Dinosaur 

https://www.sciencealert.com/paleontologists-have-unearthed-one-of-...

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https://www.sciencealert.com/for-the-first-time-scientists-have-com...

For The First Time, Scientists Have Completely Sequenced a Human Chromosome

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https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-07-scientists-uncover-sars-cov-...

Scientists uncover SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell immunity in recovered COVID-19 and SARS patients

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-devices-fibers-laundry.html?utm_sourc...

Using fiber-catching devices as part of the laundry process can dramatically reduce the amount of microscopic particles potentially entering the marine environment, according to new research.

Devices can reduce fibers produced in laundry cycle by up to 80%

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Blood vessels communicate with sensory neurons to decide their fate

Blood vessels communicate with sensory neurons to decide whether they remain as a reservoir of stem cells or differentiate

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-07/upf--bvc071620.php

Decoding Butterfly Color

Scientists Modify Biology with Technology

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https://www.ted.com/talks/christina_agapakis_what_happens_when_biol...

Study reveals how a dangerous parasite controls its host cell to spread around the body

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-reveals-dangerous-parasite-host-cell....

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-dietary-guidelines-compatible-global-...

Most dietary guidelines are not compatible with global health and environmental targets

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-galaxies-die-insights-quenching-star....

How galaxies die: New insights into the quenching of star formation

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-astronomers-black-hole-corona-reappea...

In a first, astronomers watch a black hole's corona disappear, then reappear

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https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-07/ou-ppr071420.php

In a random crossover trial, researchers were able to reduce phantom-limb pain after only three days of training with a brain-computer-interface

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https://www.sciencealert.com/some-masks-are-better-than-others-here...

The Best And Worst Face Masks For COVID-19, Ranked by Their Level of Protection

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Identified: Molecular Predictors of Rheumatoid Arthritis Relapse

Siberia heat 'almost impossible' without climate change

A heatwave in Siberia that saw temperature records tumble as the region sweltered in 38-degree Celsius highs was "almost impossible" without the influence of manmade climate change, leading scientists said.

An international team of researchers found that the record-breaking warm period was more than 2C hotter than it would have been if humans had not warmed the planet through decades of greenhouse gas emissions.

This is further evidence of the extreme temperatures we can expect to see more frequently around the world in a warming climate.

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-siberia-impossible-climate.html?utm_s...

Immunity to COVID-19 may not last. This threatens a vaccine and herd immunity

An important new study released online this week could have a large bearing on how our future looks in 2021 and beyond.

It suggests our immunity to SARS-CoV-2 does not last very long at all — as little as two months for some people. If this is the case, it means a potential vaccine might require regular boosters, and herd immunity might not be viable at all.

https://theconversation.com/immunity-to-covid-19-may-not-last-this-...

Replacing lithium with sodium in batteries

An international team of scientists  has found that instead of lithium (Li), sodium (Na) "stacked" in a special way can be used for battery production. Sodium batteries would be significantly cheaper and equivalently or even more capacious than existing lithium batteries.

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-lithium-sodium-batteries.html?utm_sou...

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Scientists achieve major breakthrough in preserving integrity of sound waves

In a breakthrough for physics and engineering, researchers have presented the first demonstration of topological order based on time modulations. This advancement allows the researchers to propagate sound waves along the boundaries of topological metamaterials without the risk of waves traveling backwards or being thwarted by material defects.

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-scientists-major-breakthrough.html?ut...

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-power-toxic-dominance-groups.html?utm...

Dominance reduces influence in groups

dominant individuals can influence a group through force, but passive individuals are far better at bringing a group to consensus.

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-chemical-thermometers-temperature-nan...

Chemical thermometers take temperature to the nanometric scale

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-scientists-uncover-atomic-epstein-bar...

Scientists uncover first atomic structure of Epstein-Bar virus nucleocapsid

'Erasing' drug-associated memories may help prevent addiction relapse

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-07-erasing-drug-associated-memo...

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Blood test detects positive COVID-19 result in 20 minutes

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-07-blood-positive-covid-result-...

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Atomtronic device could probe boundary between quantum, everyday worlds

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-atomtronic-device-probe-boundary-quan...

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-hairpin-vortices-supersonic-turbulenc...

Study confirms hairpin vortices in supersonic turbulence

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**Measuring drug-induced molecular changes within a cell at sub-wavelength scale

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-drug-induced-molecular-cell-sub-wavel...

Sperm discovery reveals clue to genetic 'immortality'

New insights into an elusive process that protects developing sperm cells from damage in growing embryos, sheds light on how genetic information passes down, uninterrupted, through generations.

The study identified a protein, known as SPOCD1, which plays a key role in protecting the early-stage precursors to sperm, known as germ cells, from damage in a developing embryo.

During their development, germ cells undergo a reprogramming process that leaves them vulnerable to rogue genes, known as jumping genes, which can damage their DNA and lead to infertility. 

Reprogramming is essential for correct germ cell development in embryos, but leaves them temporarily vulnerable to a subset their own genes, known as jumping genes, that threaten genetic chaos.

Evading such damage allows germ cells to become the pool of self-renewing cells that produce healthy sperm throughout adult life.

Germ cells are the vital link between generations but they need unique strategies to protect the genetic information they carry, so it can be passed successfully from parents to their offspring. 

The study is the first to reveal the role of the SPOCD1 protein, which helps to recruit protective chemical tags, known as DNA methylations, to disable jumping genes.

Scientists have long puzzled over how germ cells escape damage during the reprogramming process, as it temporarily wipes their genetic slate clean of existing protective tags.  

"The identification of SPOCD1 finally opens the doors to further investigation that will give a more elaborate understanding of this elusive process and male fertility. 

Tests in male mice revealed that loss of this protein leads to infertility because the DNA methylation process does not happen correctly, allowing jumping genes to damage the developing sperms' DNA.

Jumping genes make up over half of our DNA and move around the genome controlling how our genes are used. But their activity needs to be carefully regulated to avoid them causing damage.

The team discovered that early sperm's secret line of defence is activated when SPOCD1 binds with another protein, known as MIWI2, which is already known to have a role in silencing jumping genes.

Previous studies revealed that MIWI2 protein is bound to small molecules, known as piRNAs, that play a key role in disabling jumping genes through DNA methylation.

Ansgar Zoch et al. SPOCD1 is an essential executor of piRNA-directed de novo DNA methylation, Nature (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2557-5

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-sperm-discovery-reveals-clue-genetic....

New insight into the origin of water on the earth

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-insight-earth.html?utm_source=nwlette...

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 Cancer-causing dust released by earthworks

Tiny, needle-like fibers that can become airborne if bedrock is disturbed during earthworks has the potential to cause asbestos-type disease and should be investigated, scientists say.

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-cancer-causing-earthworks.html?utm_so...

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Enhanced water repellent surfaces discovered in nature

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-repellent-surfaces-nature.html?utm_so...

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-airplanes.html?utm_source=nwletter&am...

  What if airplanes could repair their own damage?

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New explosive materials to bring nontoxic ammunition

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-explosive-materials-nontoxic-ammuniti...

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 https://www.sciencefocus.com/future-technology/cryonics-could-you-l...

Cryonics: Could you live forever?

A new facility will store tens of thousands of cryogenically-frozen people. The hope is to one day bring them back to life, but just how realistic are its aims?

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-chemistry-d-transition-metal-carbides...

Researchers discover new chemistry of 2-D transition metal carbides and carbonitrides

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-rainbow-pace.html?utm_source=nwletter...

A walk through the rainbow with PACE

For The First Time, Human Cartilage Has Been Engineered in Space

https://www.sciencealert.com/for-the-first-time-human-cartilage-has...

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Scientific evidence: Ancient Teeth Show 'Invasion' of Egypt 3,600 Years Ago Was No Invasion at All

https://www.sciencealert.com/archaeologists-think-the-foreign-invas...

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https://www.sciencealert.com/here-s-why-our-mind-s-eye-sees-the-wor...

Brain Scans Show Why Our Mind's Eye Sees The World So Differently to Everyday Vision

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https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-07/uoc-sss071620.php

Scientists supercharge shellfish to tackle vitamin deficiency in humans

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$$ https://phys.org/news/2020-07-dogs-earth-magnetic-field.html?utm_so...

How can lost dogs return to their homes? 

Dogs may use Earth's magnetic field to navigate

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-exhaled-biomarkers-reveal-lung-diseas...

Exhaled biomarkers can reveal lung disease

What’s the difference between a scientific law and theory?

Scientists achieve first complete assembly of human X chromosome

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-scientists-human-chromosome.html?utm_...

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Herd immunity: why the figure is always a bit vague

https://theconversation.com/herd-immunity-why-the-figure-is-always-...

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-scientists-volcanoes-venus.html?utm_s...

Scientists discover volcanoes on Venus are still active

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Cacti and other iconic desert plants threatened by solar development

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-cacti-iconic-threatened-solar.html?ut...

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-covid-viral-shutdown-protein-synthesi...

COVID-19: Viral shutdown of protein synthesis method found

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-astrophysicists-billion-years-univers...

Astrophysicists fill in 11 billion years of the universe's expansion history

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Study reveals strange magnetic behaviour 8-11 million years ago

Research has revealed that strange behaviour of the magnetic field in the South Atlantic region existed as far back as eight to 11 million years ago, suggesting that today's South Atlantic Anomaly is a recurring feature and unlikely to represent an impending reversal of the Earth's magnetic field.

The South Atlantic Anomaly is an area characterized by a significant reduction in the strength of Earth's magnetic field compared with areas at similar geographic latitudes. Here, protection from harmful radiation from space is reduced. The most significant signs of this are technical malfunctions aboard satellites and spacecraft.

The geomagnetic records from the rocks covering 34 different volcanic eruptions that took place between eight and 11 million years ago revealed that at these occurrences the direction of the magnetic field for St Helena often pointed far from the North pole, just like it does today.

The Earth's magnetic field, or the geomagnetic field, not only gives us the ability of navigating with a compass, but also protects our atmosphere from charged particles coming from the sun, called solar wind. However, it is not completely stable in strength and direction, both over time and space, and it has the ability to completely flip or reverse itself with substantial implications.

The South Atlantic Anomaly is a topic of debate between scientists in this field. Besides the fact that it causes damages to space technology, it also raises the question of where it comes from and whether it represents the start of the total weakening of the field and a possible upcoming pole reversal.

study provides the first long term analysis of the magnetic field in this region dating back millions of years. It reveals that the anomaly in the magnetic field in the South Atlantic is not a one-off, similar anomalies existed eight to 11 million years ago.

"This is the first time that the irregular behaviour of the geomagnetic field in the South Atlantic region has been shown on such a long timescale. It suggests that the South Atlantic Anomaly is a recurring feature and probably not a sign of an impending reversal.

"It also supports earlier studies that hint towards a link between the South Atlantic Anomaly and anomalous seismic features in the lowermost mantle and the outer core. This brings us closer to linking behaviour of the geomagnetic field directly to features of the Earth's interior"

Elevated paleomagnetic dispersion at Saint Helena suggests long-lived anomalous behavior in the South Atlantic, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2020). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2001217117

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-reveals-strange-magnetic-behaviour-.h...

Using drones to reduce disease-spreading mosquito populations

Vector-borne diseases are illnesses that can be transmitted to humans by blood-feeding insects, such as mosquitoes, ticks and fleas. Mosquitoes are known to contribute to the spread of a number of vector-borne diseases, including malaria, dengue, yellow fever and Zika.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this class of diseases accounts for 17% of all infectious diseases in the world, causing over 1 million human deaths per year. Developing methods to reduce the spread and prevalence of these diseases is thus of utmost importance, as it could ultimately save countless human lives.

In recent years, scientists have devised a number of control methods to reduce or manage harmful insect populations without injecting harmful chemicals into the environment. One of these methods is the sterile insect technique (SIT), a form of insect birth control that entails the use of radiation to sterilize male mosquitoes, which are then released into the air in a target area and start mating with wild female insects.

As a sterile male and a fertile female do not produce any offspring after they mate, SIT produces a decline in the insect population. In order to reduce the incidence of vector-borne diseases, however, large amounts of good quality sterile insects need to be released continuously over affected geographical areas. Techniques for the cost-effective aerial release of sterile mosquitoes over extended geographical regions are thus a bottleneck to enabling the application of SIT on a large scale.

Researchers have recently developed a system to apply the SIT using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, to manage and reduce vector-borne-disease-transmitting mosquito populations. This unique system  entails the release of sterile mosquitoes in the air over large geographical areas using UAVs or drones. The system, tested in Brazil, enabled a uniform dispersal of sterile male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes while maintaining their quality, leading to a consistent sterile-to-wild male ratio.

The key goal of the study  was to measure the survival, dispersal and sexual competitiveness of sterile male mosquitoes after they were mass-produced, sorted, handled, irradiated, marked and released within a geographical area using UAVs. The UAV-based release system they devised uses a canister in which mosquitoes are chilled down to 8-12 °C and compacted. Each canister can contain up to 50,000 sterile males. When the canister opens, the mosquitoes fall into a rotating cylinder that releases them into the open air with each of its rotations. The rotation speed controls the number of sterile males released per minute. It is fully automated, and release rates can be controlled depending on the location and speed of the drone.

 J. Bouyer et al. Field performance of sterile male mosquitoes released from an uncrewed aerial vehicle, Science Robotics (2020). DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.aba6251

https://techxplore.com/news/2020-07-drones-disease-spreading-mosqui...

Poisons used to make food more beautiful, last longer

• Some fishermen using highly toxic pesticides to ‘catch’ fish
• Butchers preserving meat with formalin – a product normally applied to dead bodies
• Legal additives misused, putting consumer health at risk

https://www.scidev.net/global/health/feature/poisons-used-to-make-f...

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Oh No, Salmonella Has Found a Way to Avoid Being Washed Off Our Salads

Some Salmonella bacteria strains have found a way of evading plant defences and sneaking their way into leafy greens – a strategy that's effective enough to protect them against plant immune systems and from being washed off in the kitchen.

https://www.sciencealert.com/salmonella-sneaks-into-plant-air-holes...

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Even People With Mild COVID-19 Symptoms Are Experiencing Long-Term Fatigue

https://www.sciencealert.com/why-are-some-people-experiencing-long-...

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https://www.the-scientist.com/news-opinion/could-covid-19-trigger-c...

Could COVID-19 Trigger Chronic Disease in Some People?

Interaction dynamics between designer microrobots and the immune system

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-07-interaction-dynamics-microro...

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-unparalleled-human-gut-ecosystem.html...

Inventory of the human gut ecosystem: An international team of scientists has collated all known bacterial genomes from the human gut microbiome into a single large database, allowing researchers to explore the links between bacterial genes and proteins, and their effects on human health.

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https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-07-chronic-inflammation-evoluti...

Chronic inflammation alters the evolution of cells in the colon, study finds: researchers have compared diseased colon with healthy tissue to better understand how inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancers, at a molecular level.

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-artificial-cells-viruses-safe.html?ut...

Artificial cells produce parts of viruses for safe studies

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-physicists-ways-gamma.html?utm_source...

Physicists find ways to control gamma radiation: by means of acoustics.

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-carbon-footprint.html?utm_source=nwle...

New model proposed to reduce carbon footprint

New model proposed to reduce carbon footprint: to bring the carbon footprint of international conferences down. The model can apply to small regional conferences as well. The model identifies three key areas for action; carefully selecting venues to minimize transport emissions, hosting conferences every second year to instantly cut travel by 50%, and creating hubs so people travel shorter distances to still benefit from networking while linking virtually to other hubs.

Gamma-ray telescopes measure diameters of distant stars

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-gamma-ray-telescopes-diameters-distan...

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-comprehensive-description-human-tissu...

A comprehensive description of the human tissue virome in healthy individuals

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-viruses-bacteria-gut-microbiome.html?...

How viruses and bacteria balance each other in the gut microbiome

--

https://theconversation.com/what-makes-people-switch-to-reusable-cu...

What makes people switch to reusable cups? It’s not discounts, it’s what others do

--

https://www.sciencealert.com/astrophysicists-unveil-biggest-ever-3d...

Scientists Just Revealed The Largest-Ever 3D Map of The Universe

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Proteins—and labs—coming together to prevent Rett syndrome

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-proteinsand-labscoming-rett-syndrome....

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-chemists-tough-plastics-recyclable.ht...

Chemists make tough plastics recyclable

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Diamonds shine a light on hidden currents in graphene

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-diamonds-hidden-currents-graphene.htm...

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Mapping the brain's sensory gatekeeper

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-07-brain-sensory-gatekeeper.htm...

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-image-multi-planet-sun-like-star.html...

First image of a multi-planet system around a sun-like star

Genomic basis of bat superpowers revealed: Like how they survive deadly viruses

The genetic material that codes for bat adaptations and superpowers—such as the ability to fly, to use sound to move effortlessly in complete darkness, to tolerate and survive potentially deadly viruses, and to resist aging and cancer—has been revealed and published.

One aspect of the paper findings shows evolution through gene expansion and loss in a family of genes, APOBEC3, which is known to play an important role in immunity to viruses in other mammals. The details in the paper that explain this evolution set the groundwork for investigating how these genetic changes, found in bats but not in other mammals, could help prevent the worst outcomes of viral diseases in other mammals, including humans.

The team compared these bat genomes against 42 other mammals to address the unresolved question of where bats are located within the mammalian tree of life. Using novel phylogenetic methods and comprehensive molecular data sets, the team found the strongest support for bats being most closely related to a group called Fereuungulata that consists of carnivorans (which includes dogs, cats and seals, among other species), pangolins, whales and ungulates (hooved mammals).

To uncover genomic changes that contribute to the unique adaptations found in bats, the team systematically searched for gene differences between bats and other mammals, identifying regions of the genome that have evolved differently in bats and the loss and gain of genes that may drive bats' unique traits

The researchers found evidence the exquisite genomes revealed "fossilized viruses," evidence of surviving past viral infections, and showed that bat genomes contained a higher diversity of these viral remnants than other species providing a genomic record of ancient historical interaction with viral infections. The genomes also revealed the signatures of many other genetic elements besides ancient viral insertions, including 'jumping genes' or transposable elements.

Six reference-quality genomes reveal evolution of bat adaptations, Nature (2020). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2486-3

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-genomic-basis-superpowers-revealed-su...

Researchers diffract a beam of organic molecules

A team of researchers has succeeded in diffracting a beam of organic molecules. In their paper published in the journal Physical Review Letters, the researchers describe demonstrating Bragg diffraction of the molecules ciprofloxacin and phthalocyanine.

Over the long history of wave-particle research, scientists have found that light is both a wave and a particle. They have also shown that electrons have a similar wave-particle duality. Physicists theorize that wave-particle duality is a fundamental feature of the universe. This suggests that all matter should have wave-like phenomena, which means that it should be able to behave in ways that are similar to light and electrons. As one example, it should be possible to demonstrate interference and diffraction of matter, such as whole molecules. In this new effort, the researchers have done exactly that by demonstrating a type of diffraction pattern with molecules of ciprofloxacin (an antibiotic) and phthalocyanine (a kind of dye).

The work involved firing a laser beam at a sheet of glass upon which the ciprofloxacin and phthalocyanine molecules were applied, forcing them to fly off the glass at a very rapid speed. The molecules flew toward a barrier with a vertical slit that allowed only those molecules traveling in the desired direction to pass through. Those that passed through were met by another laser beam focused with a standing wave pattern. The high-intensity parts of the beam deflected the molecules in a way akin to passing through a gap, which led to the creation of a diffraction pattern. The molecules were then directed through another slit and immediately thereafter impacted a flat screen, where they adhered. And because the types of molecules the researchers chose for the experiment glow when exposed to UV or blue light, the researchers were able to see them. By running the experiment for a short period of time, the researchers were able to observe a pattern appear on the screen—evidence of a diffraction pattern.

The researchers were able to create different patterns by using different initial laser velocities and different incident angles. They note also that the patterns were weak, though still observable, and agreed with theory.

Sophia Chen. Defracting a Beam of Organic Molecules, Physics (2020). DOI: 10.1103/Physics.13.s93

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-diffract-molecules.html?utm_source=nw...

'Seeing' and 'manipulating' functions of living cells

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-functions-cells.html?utm_source=nwlet...

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-leak-sea-bed-methane-antarctica.html?...

Active leak of sea-bed methane discovered in Antarctica for first time

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-evidence-hormone-disruptor-chemical-t...

Evidence of "hormone disruptor" chemical threats grows

A growing number of chemicals in pesticides, flame retardants, and certain plastics have been linked to widespread health problems including infertility, diabetes, and impaired brain development, a set of reviews of hundreds of studies concludes.

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-toxic-wildfire-ages.html?utm_source=n...

 'Four times more toxic': How wildfire smoke ages over time

Enormous plumes of smoke thrown into the atmosphere by uncontrolled wildfires may be affecting the health of people living hundreds of miles away.

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 https://phys.org/news/2020-07-unique-narrow-wavebands-uv-germs.html...

Researchers describe unique system for testing how well narrow wavebands of UV light kill germs

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-cells.html?utm_source=nwletter&ut...

 Cells communicate by doing the 'wave'

https://theconversation.com/bacteria-and-viruses-are-travelling-the...

Bacteria and viruses are travelling the world on highways in the sky

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** Chronic fatigue syndrome may hold keys to understanding post-Covid syndrome

https://www.statnews.com/2020/07/21/chronic-fatigue-syndrome-keys-u...

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 https://www.sciencealert.com/new-study-says-a-blood-test-can-find-5...

New Blood Test Detects 5 Types of Cancer Years Before Standard Diagnosis

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 https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/quantum-tunneling-is-not...

Quantum Tunneling Is Not Instantaneous, Physicists Show

A new experiment tracks the transit time of particles burrowing through barriers, revealing previously unknown details of a deeply counterintuitive phenomenon

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** New research identifies the rules that termites use to build their nests

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-termites.html?utm_source=nwletter&...

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 https://www.the-scientist.com/notebook/fly-colonies-help-calculate-...

Forensic science: Fly Colonies Help Calculate Time of Death of Car Trunk Cadavers

COVID-19 lockdown caused 50% global reduction in human-linked Earth vibrations

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-covid-lockdown-global-reduction-human...

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-scientists-topological-magnet-exotic-...

Scientists discover a topological magnet that exhibits exotic quantum effects

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-technique-capture-carbon-dioxide-grea...

New technique to capture carbon dioxide could greatly reduce power plant greenhouse gases

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-quantum-physicists-mystery-strange-me...

Quantum physicists crack mystery of 'strange metals,' a new state of matter

Dark energy: map gives clue about what it is – but deepens dispute about the cosmic expansion rate

https://theconversation.com/dark-energy-map-gives-clue-about-what-i...

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https://techxplore.com/news/2020-07-laughter-unique-biometric-signa...

Laughter as a unique biometric signature

The popular view of biometric security often invokes fingerprint readers, iris or retinal scans, and voice-activated systems. However, any unique human characteristic whether the shape of one's ears, the whole face, the pattern of blood vessels in the back of the hand, walking pattern, heart rhythm or even how one types at a keyboard, might be used to provide a secure signature of login. Some traits are easier to analyze than others and some, such as fingerprints, can be spoofed.

Research published in the International Journal of Biometrics has taken an amusing trait to demonstrate how the way a person laughs might be used in biometrics.

people can recognize other people by the unique nature of their laughter, perhaps in an even more obvious way than their voice. Moreover, while many people are adept at impersonating the voices of other people, mimicking someone's laugh is far more difficult. The team has now used statistical analyses of the various audible frequencies present in a person's laugh to create a digital signature for each unique laugh.

Tests on the approach show their prototype recognition algorithm to be 90 percent accurate, which compares very favorably with the 65% accuracy of a conventional Gaussian model. However, combining their algorithm with the Gaussian approach can boost accuracy overall by more than 5 percent.

Comfort Oluwaseyi Folorunso et al. Laughter signature: a novel biometric trait for person identification, International Journal of Biometrics (2020). DOI: 10.1504/IJBM.2020.108480

Mammal cells could struggle to fight space germs

https://phys.org/news/2020-07-mammal-cells-struggle-space-germs.htm...

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-lightning-million-year-tropics.html?u...

estimate that more than 100 million lighting strikes on land each year will radically alter forests and other ecosystems in the region between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn.

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https://phys.org/news/2020-07-mosquitoes-human-blood-future.html?ut...

How mosquitoes got their taste for human blood and what it means for the future

Of about 3,500 mosquito species around the world, only a few have taken to specifically targeting people for biting, making them important spreaders of infectious diseases. To predict and help control the spread of those mosquito-borne illnesses, it's important to know where and why, evolutionarily speaking, certain mosquitoes got their taste for biting humans in the first place. Now, researchers reporting in the journal Current Biology on July 23 have identified two major factors: a dry climate and city life. Based on these findings, they predict that increased urbanization in the coming decades will mean even more human-biting mosquitoes in the future. They 

 found that in their native range of sub-Saharan Africa, they show extremely variable attraction to human hosts, ranging from strong preference for humans to strong preference for non-human animals."

"Mosquitoes living near dense human populations in cities such as Kumasi, Ghana, or Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, showed increased willingness to bite human hosts," adds Noah Rose, also of Princeton. "But they only evolve a strong preference for human hosts in places with intense dry seasons—in particular, in the Sahel region, where rainfall is concentrated in just a couple months out of the year. We think this is because mosquitoes in these climates are especially dependent on humans and human water storage for their life cycle."

Noah H. Rose et al, Climate and Urbanization Drive Mosquito Preference for Humans, Current Biology (2020). DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.06.092

https://theconversation.com/as-if-space-wasnt-dangerous-enough-bact...

bacteria become more deadly in microgravity

Worryingly, research from space flight missions has shown bacteria become more deadly and resilient when exposed to microgravity (when only tiny gravitational forces are present).

In space, bacteria seem to become more resistant to antibiotics and more lethal. They also stay this way for a short time after returning to Earth, compared with bacteria that never left Earth.

Adding to that, bacteria also seem to mutate quicker in space. However, these mutations are predominately for the bacteria to adapt to the new environment – not to become super deadly.

More research is needed to examine whether such adaptations do, in fact, allow the bacteria to cause more disease.

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https://theconversation.com/the-ten-factors-linked-to-increased-ris...

The ten factors linked to increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease

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https://www.acsh.org/news/2020/07/21/science-communicators-are-rout...

** Science Communicators Are Routinely Lied About, Harassed, Threatened

How to stop your glasses from fogging up while wearing a face mask

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**How Does Caffeine Affect Sleep?

https://www.ted.com/talks/matt_walker_how_caffeine_and_alcohol_affe...