Metal pollution in British waters may be threatening scallops, study reveals
Metal pollution in British waters may be threatening scallops, study reveals
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Research suggests that the contamination of Isle of Man seabed sediments with zinc, lead and copper from the mining of these metals, which peaked on the island in the late 19th century, is causing the shells of king scallops to become significantly more britt
Host genetic factors shape composition of virus communities
Host genetic factors shape composition of virus communities
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Plants can be infected by multiple viruses at once. However, the composition of the pathogen community varies, even if individuals belong to the same species and the same population. Ecologists have now shown that these differences are primarily due to geneti
Tokyo's voluntary standstill may have stopped COVID-19 in its tracks
Tokyo's voluntary standstill may have stopped COVID-19 in its tracks
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Research shows that Japan's noncompulsory state of emergency generally succeeded in reducing human movement. A recent study used mobile phone location data for January-April 2020 to record and plot movement of people in metro Tokyo during the emergence and fi
Next-generation computer chip with two heads
Next-generation computer chip with two heads
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Engineers have developed a computer chip that combines two functions - logic operations and data storage - into a single architecture, paving the way to more efficient devices. Their technology is particularly promising for applications relying on artificial
Scientists develop energy-saving 'liquid window'
Scientists develop energy-saving 'liquid window'
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Scientists have developed a liquid window panel that can simultaneously block the sun to regulate solar transmission, while trapping thermal heat that can be released through the day and night, helping to reduce energy consumption in buildings.
Analysis reveals high burden of musculoskeletal disorders across the globe
Analysis reveals high burden of musculoskeletal disorders across the globe
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Musculoskeletal disorders -- which affect muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and joints -- can severely affect individuals' physical and mental health, and they're especially prevalent among aging adults. Although many researchers are studying these conditio
Early big-game hunters of the Americas were female, researchers suggest
Early big-game hunters of the Americas were female, researchers suggest
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For centuries, historians and scientists mostly agreed that when early human groups sought food, men hunted and women gathered. Not so, say researchers.
The first duckbill dinosaur fossil from Africa hints at how dinosaurs once crossed oceans
The first duckbill dinosaur fossil from Africa hints at how dinosaurs once crossed oceans
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The first fossils of a duckbilled dinosaur have been discovered in Africa, suggesting dinosaurs crossed hundreds of kilometres of open water to get there.
Crystals reveal the danger of sleeping volcanoes
Crystals reveal the danger of sleeping volcanoes
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Most active volcanoes on Earth are dormant and are normally not considered hazardous. A team of volcanologists has devised a technique that can predict their devastating potential. The scientists used zircon, a tiny crystal contained in volcanic rocks, to est
New research traces the origins of trench fever
New research traces the origins of trench fever
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Trench fever was first clinically described in World War 1 when it sickened nearly 500,000 soldiers. New DNA evidence proves the disease predates that time period by thousands of years.
Eradicating black rats on Palmyra Atoll uncovers eye-opening indirect effects
Eradicating black rats on Palmyra Atoll uncovers eye-opening indirect effects
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The black rats weren't supposed to be there, on Palmyra Atoll. Likely arriving at the remote Pacific islet network as stowaways with the US Navy during World War II, the rodents, with no natural predators, simply took over. Omnivorous eating machines, they di
Near-atomic 'maps' reveal structure for maintaining pH balance in cells
Near-atomic 'maps' reveal structure for maintaining pH balance in cells
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For the first time, scientists have visualized a new class of molecular gates that maintain pH balance within brain cells, a critical function that keeps cells alive and helps prevent stroke and other brain injuries. These gates, called proton-activated chlor
Herbicide: Hydrogen bonds may be key to airborne dicamba
Herbicide: Hydrogen bonds may be key to airborne dicamba
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Research has discovered the mechanism that keeps formulations of the herbicide dicamba from going airborne. And they consider why it sometimes fails.
DNA in seawater can reveal fish diversity in the deep ocean
DNA in seawater can reveal fish diversity in the deep ocean
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A new study demonstrates the effectiveness of a novel method for using DNA in seawater samples to determine which fish species are present in a given part of the deep sea.
Brain region tracking food preferences could steer our food choices
Brain region tracking food preferences could steer our food choices
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Researchers discovered that a specific brain region monitors food preferences as they change across thirsty and quenched states. By targeting neurons in that part of the brain, they were able to shift food choice preferences from a more desired reward (think
Identifying communities at risk for impacts of extreme heat
Identifying communities at risk for impacts of extreme heat
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An analysis of ways to measure a community's vulnerability to climate change suggests that California's current method may leave some at-risk communities behind in efforts to reduce health impacts of extreme heat.
Mimicking moth eyes to produce transparent anti-reflective coatings
Mimicking moth eyes to produce transparent anti-reflective coatings
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The eyes of moths have a biological nanostructure that grants them anti-reflective properties. Though researchers have managed to mimic this structure to produce anti-reflective coatings, current techniques are not easily scalable. Now, researchers have devis
Building a quantum network one node at a time
Building a quantum network one node at a time
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Researchers create 'optically active spin arrays' within a device that could serve as a node for exchanging photons with distant locations.
'Environmentally-friendly' tableware harms marine animals
'Environmentally-friendly' tableware harms marine animals
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A new study compares the effects of two types of disposable dishes on the marine environment -- regular plastic disposable dishes and more expensive bioplastic disposable dishes certified by various international organizations -- and determines that the biopl
Local cooking preferences drove acceptance of new crop staples in prehistoric China
Local cooking preferences drove acceptance of new crop staples in prehistoric China
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The food preparation preferences of Chinese cooks -- such as the technological choice to boil or steam grains, instead of grinding or processing them into flour -- had continental-scale consequences for the adoption of new crops in prehistoric China, accordin
Smaller earthquakes with 'ambition' produce the most ground shaking
Smaller earthquakes with 'ambition' produce the most ground shaking
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An earthquake of magnitude 8.0 or larger will almost always cause strong shaking, but a new study suggests that smaller earthquakes -- those around magnitude 5.5 or so -- are the cause of most occurrences of strong shaking at a 60-kilometer (37-mile) distance
Model for acid-tolerant yeast helps guide industrial organic acid production
Model for acid-tolerant yeast helps guide industrial organic acid production
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Microbes and other microscopic organisms could serve as sustainable 'factories' to create many types of industrial materials because they naturally convert nutrients such as sugars into byproducts. However, creating industrial amounts of organic acids from re
Beetles cooperate in brood care
Beetles cooperate in brood care
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Ambrosia beetles are fascinating: they practice agriculture with fungi and they live in a highly developed social system. A biologist has now discovered new facts about them.
Why protecting the brain against infection takes guts
Why protecting the brain against infection takes guts
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The brain is uniquely protected against invading bacteria and viruses, but its defence mechanism has long remained a mystery. Now, a study in mice, confirmed in human samples, has shown that the brain has a surprising ally in its protection: the gut.
How birth experience shapes development
How birth experience shapes development
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During birth, hormones in the body surge in both mother and baby, sent along by the nervous system. These stress hormones are there to spur delivery and to help a baby adapt to living outside the womb. A new study finds how one is born can have an effect on t
Luminescent wood could light up homes of the future
Luminescent wood could light up homes of the future
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The right indoor lighting can help set the mood, from a soft romantic glow to bright, stimulating colors. But some materials used for lighting, such as plastics, are not eco-friendly. Now, researchers have developed a bio-based, luminescent, water-resistant w
Effective government saves lives in cyclones, other disasters
Effective government saves lives in cyclones, other disasters
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Effective national and local governments are associated with fewer deaths from tropical cyclone disasters -- even in countries with similar levels of wealth and development.
'Monster tumors' could offer new glimpse at human development
'Monster tumors' could offer new glimpse at human development
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Finding just the right model to study human development -- from the early embryonic stage onward -- has been a challenge for scientists over the last decade. Now, bioengineers have homed in on an unusual candidate: teratomas.
Detection of a short, intense radio burst in Milky Way
Detection of a short, intense radio burst in Milky Way
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New data from astronomers strongly suggest that magnetars -- a type of neutron star believed to have an extremely powerful magnetic field -- could be the source of some fast radio bursts (FRBs).
Brain region implicated in predicting the consequences of actions
Brain region implicated in predicting the consequences of actions
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A new study highlights the sophisticated mental machinery that helps the brain simulate the results of different actions and make the best choice.
Magma 'conveyor belt' fuelled world's longest erupting supervolcanoes
Magma 'conveyor belt' fuelled world's longest erupting supervolcanoes
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Geologists have found that a volcanic province in the Indian Ocean was the world's most continuously active -- erupting for 30 million years -- fueled by a constantly moving 'conveyor belt' of magma.
The dangers of collecting drinking water
The dangers of collecting drinking water
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Fetching drinking water in low and middle income countries can cause serious injury, particularly for women. A new study reveals dangers including falls, traffic accidents, animal attacks, and fights, which can result in broken bones, spinal injuries, lacerat
Scientists generate realistic storm turbulence in the lab
Scientists generate realistic storm turbulence in the lab
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Turbulence is an omnipresent phenomenon - and one of the great mysteries of physics. A research team has now succeeded in generating realistic storm turbulence in the wind tunnel of the Center for Wind Energy Research (ForWind).
Scientists grow carbon nanotube 'forest' much longer than any other
Scientists grow carbon nanotube 'forest' much longer than any other
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Carbon nanotube (CNT) forests are a solution to scaling up the production of CNTs, which are becoming a staple in many industries. However, even the best catalyst used to grow these forests deteriorates quickly, capping possible forest length at ~2 cm. Now, s
Western diet impairs odor-related learning and olfactory memory in mice
Western diet impairs odor-related learning and olfactory memory in mice
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Problems with the sense of smell appear to be an early indicator of cognitive decline in people with type 2 diabetes. However, it's unknown whether factors such as diet and obesity play a role in who develops these symptoms. Now, researchers have found that m
Different outcomes by race/ethnicity among patients with COVID-19 and rheumatic disease
Different outcomes by race/ethnicity among patients with COVID-19 and rheumatic disease
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Among U.S. patients with rheumatic disease and COVID-19, racial/ethnic minorities had higher risks of needing to be hospitalized and put on ventilators, according to new research.
Supersonic winds, rocky rains forecasted on lava planet
Supersonic winds, rocky rains forecasted on lava planet
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Among the most extreme planets discovered beyond the edges of our solar system are lava planets: fiery hot worlds that circle so close to their host star that some regions are likely oceans of molten lava. According to scientists, the atmosphere and weather c
3D print experts discover how to make tomorrow's technology using ink-jet printed graphene
3D print experts discover how to make tomorrow's technology using ink-jet printed graphene
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Researchers have cracked the conundrum of how to use inks to 3D-print novel electronic devices with useful properties, such as an ability to convert light into electricity.
Leaf-cutter bees as plastic recyclers? Not a good idea, say scientists
Leaf-cutter bees as plastic recyclers? Not a good idea, say scientists
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Scientists have noted instances of leaf-cutter bees using plastic waste to construct their nests and one research group suggested such behavior could be an 'ecologically adaptive trait' and beneficial recycling effort. Other scientists say no; such behavior i
Researchers pioneer more effective way to block malaria transmission in mosquitoes
Researchers pioneer more effective way to block malaria transmission in mosquitoes
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Employing a strategy known as 'population modification,' which involves using a CRISPR-Cas9 gene drive system to introduce genes preventing parasite transmission into mosquito chromosomes, researchers have made a major advance in the use of genetic technologi
