ScienceDaily

Acropora spp. coral still thrives in the holdout refuge of Coral Gardens, Belize

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 18:44:33 GMT

Coral Gardens Reef in Belize remains a refuge for Acropora spp. coral despite widespread devastation in other areas of the western North Atlantic/Caribbean, according to a new study.

AI can detect COVID-19 in the lungs like a virtual physician, new study shows

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 18:44:26 GMT

New research shows that artificial intelligence can be nearly as accurate as a physician in diagnosing COVID-19 in the lungs. The study also shows the new technique can also overcome some of the challenges of current testing.

Screen time can change visual perception -- and that's not necessarily bad

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 18:44:22 GMT

The coronavirus pandemic has shifted many of our interactions online, with Zoom video calls replacing in-person classes, work meetings, conferences and other events. Will all that screen time damage our vision? Maybe not. It turns out that our visual perception is highly adaptable, according to new research.

Stellar explosion in Earth's proximity, eons ago

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 18:44:17 GMT

When the brightness of the star Betelgeuse dropped dramatically a few months ago, some observers suspected an impending supernova - a stellar explosion that could also cause damage on Earth. While Betelgeuse has returned to normal, physicists have found evidence of a supernova that exploded near the Earth around 2.5 million years ago.

Antidepressant drug effective in treating 'lazy eye' in adults

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 18:44:11 GMT

Researchers reveal how subanesthetic ketamine, which is used for pain management and as an antidepressant in humans, is effective in treating adult amblyopia, a brain disorder commonly known as 'lazy eye.'

Greenland is on track to lose ice faster than in any century over 12,000 years

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 15:42:09 GMT

If human societies don't sharply curb emissions of greenhouse gases, Greenland's rate of ice loss this century is likely to greatly outpace that of any century over the past 12,000 years, a new study concludes. Scientists say the results reiterate the need for countries around the world to take action now to reduce emissions, slow the decline of ice sheets, and mitigate sea level rise.

New detector breakthrough pushes boundaries of quantum computing

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 15:42:07 GMT

A new article shows potential for graphene bolometers to become a game-changer for quantum technology.

Rodent ancestors combined portions of blood and venom genes to make pheromones

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 15:01:31 GMT

Experts who study animal pheromones have traced the evolutionary origins of genes that allow mice, rats and other rodents to communicate through smell. The discovery is a clear example of how new genes can evolve through the random chance of molecular tinkering and may make identifying new pheromones easier in future studies. The results represent a genealogy for the exocrine-gland secreting peptide (ESP) gene family.

Rapeseed instead of soy burgers: Researchers identify a new source of protein for humans

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 15:01:24 GMT

Rapeseed has the potential to replace soy as the best plant-based source of protein for humans. In a current study, nutrition scientists found that rapeseed protein consumption has comparable beneficial effects on human metabolism as soy protein. The glucose metabolism and satiety were even better. Another advantage: The proteins can be obtained from the by-products of rapeseed oil production.

Delirium a key sign of COVID-19 in frail, older people

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 15:01:20 GMT

A new analysis, using information from the COVID Symptom Study app and patients admitted to St Thomas' Hospital in London, has shown that delirium -- a state of acute confusion associated with a higher risk of serious illness and death -- is a key symptom of COVID-19 in frail, older people.

The ancient Neanderthal hand in severe COVID-19

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 13:47:58 GMT

Genetic variants that leave their carrier more susceptible to severe COVID-19 are inherited from Neanderthals, a new study finds.

Planet collision simulations give clues to atmospheric loss from Moon's origin

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 12:52:19 GMT

Earth could have lost anywhere between ten and 60 per cent of its atmosphere in the collision that is thought to have formed the Moon.

Genomes of two millipede species shed light on their evolution, development and physiology

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 19:21:54 GMT

Researchers have sequenced and analyzed complete genomes from two very different millipede species. The study provides important insights into arthropod evolution, and highlights the genetic underpinnings of unique features of millipede physiology.

Social media use linked with depression, secondary trauma during COVID-19

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 19:21:49 GMT

Can't stop checking social media for the latest COVID-19 health information? You might want to take a break, according to researchers who discovered that excessive use of social media for COVID-19 health information is related to both depression and secondary trauma.

Many ventilation systems may increase risk of COVID-19 exposure, study suggests

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 17:03:01 GMT

Ventilation systems in many modern office buildings, which are designed to keep temperatures comfortable and increase energy efficiency, may increase the risk of exposure to the coronavirus, particularly during the coming winter, according to new research.

Volcanic ash could help reduce CO2 associated with climate change

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 16:37:17 GMT

Scientists investigating ways of removing carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases from our atmosphere believe volcanic ash could play an important role.

Are China's pollution remediation efforts making the planet warmer?

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 16:37:15 GMT

A 10-year effort by China to improve air quality and reduce pollution-related health risks has caused warming in areas across the northern hemisphere, according to new work.

Untapped potential exists for blending hydropower, floating solar panels

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 16:37:02 GMT

Hybrid systems of floating solar panels and hydropower plants may hold the technical potential to produce a significant portion of the electricity generated annually across the globe, according to a new analysis.

Wearable exosuit that lessens muscle fatigue could redesign the future of work

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 16:35:14 GMT

A new clothing-like exoskeleton can reduce back muscle fatigue and providing needed physical relief to material handlers, medical professionals and frontline workers.

Discovery enables adult skin to regenerate like a newborn's

Tue, 29 Sep 2020 16:35:12 GMT

A newly identified genetic factor allows adult skin to repair itself like the skin of a newborn. The discovery has implications for wound treatment and preventing some of the aging process in skin. Researchers identified a factor in the skin of baby mice controlling hair follicle formation. When it was activated in adult mice, their skin was able to heal wounds without scarring. The reformed skin even included fur and could make goose bumps.