SciTechDaily.com Newsletter

"Rewriting Dodo history:  How 400 years of research got it wrong."

Views expressed in this science and technology update are those of the reporters and correspondents.  Accessed on 23 August 2024, 1343 UTC.

Content and Source:  https://scitechdaily.com/newsletter.

Please check link or scroll down to read your selections.  Thanks for joining us today.

Russ Roberts (https://hawaiisciencejournal.blogspot.com).

 

SciTechDaily Newsletter

The latest science, space, and technology news.

Rewriting Dodo History: How 400 Years of Research Got It Wrong   2024-08-22 08:19:13 +00:00 Recent research corrects misconceptions about the Dodo, depicting it as an agile and well-adapted bird, and uses historical analysis to aid contemporary conservation efforts. The Dodo is often depicted as a slow, dumb bird, predestined for extinction. However, new research from the University of Southampton, the Natural History Museum (NHM), and the Oxford University Museum [...] Read more...   The Next Frontier: DNA Emerges as a Powerhouse for Data Storage and Computing   2024-08-22 09:00:22 +00:00 Researchers from NC State and Johns Hopkins have developed a breakthrough technology that leverages DNA for data storage and computing, offering capabilities such as storing, retrieving, computing, and rewriting data. This technology is made viable by innovative polymer structures called dendricolloids, enhancing data density and preservation. It enables functions similar to electronic devices and could [...] Read more...   Molecular Trickery: How COVID-19 Silently Sabotages the Human Immune System   2024-08-22 10:03:11 +00:00 Researchers have discovered that SARS-CoV-2 manipulates the human immune system by forcing cells to produce non-functional proteins, hindering the body’s antiviral defenses. This groundbreaking study by teams from prestigious Brazilian universities highlights potential targets for new COVID-19 treatments, emphasizing the importance of restoring normal RNA processing in infected cells. SARS-CoV-2’s Immune Evasion Strategies To evade [...] Read more...   The Hidden Sounds of the Earth: What Our Soil is Telling Us   2024-08-22 11:12:27 +00:00 Eco-acoustic studies at Flinders University indicate that healthier soils have more complex soundscapes, pointing to a novel tool for environmental restoration. Healthy soils produce a cacophony of sounds in many forms barely audible to human ears – a bit like a concert of bubble pops and clicks. In a new study published in the Journal [...] Read more...   From Science Fiction to Reality: How Scientists Plan To Build a Lunar Base   2024-08-22 12:22:32 +00:00 Anticipating a key resource for enhancing the efficiency of microwave heating. NASA’s Artemis program aims to establish a lunar base as part of its crewed lunar exploration initiative. However, the public’s expectations for this space base may differ from those depicted in popular science fiction movies. Constructing a moon base requires a wide range of [...] Read more...   Cleveland Clinic’s Groundbreaking Universal Vaccine Could End Flu Season Woes   2024-08-22 13:00:11 +00:00 Cleveland Clinic researchers have developed a universal flu vaccine candidate showing strong immune responses in animals, with human trials expected soon. This vaccine could potentially protect against various influenza strains over multiple seasons. Flu vaccine efficacy varies year to year. A universal flu vaccine would protect people against all influenza strains that infect humans and [...] Read more...   The Plant That Changed History: How an Ancient Hybrid Grass Birthed the World’s Most Iconic Crop   2024-08-22 14:04:39 +00:00 A study has elucidated how bread wheat’s genetic diversity, stemming from Aegilops tauschii, spurred its global spread and agricultural dominance, providing essential resources for future wheat breeding. A significant international study has revealed how bread wheat played a pivotal role in transforming the ancient world, eventually becoming the staple crop that now sustains a global [...] Read more...   Pong Prodigy: “Hydrogel Brain” Defies Expectations With Deep Learning   2024-08-22 15:00:26 +00:00 Researchers have developed a hydrogel that can learn to play the game Pong, demonstrating that even simple materials can exhibit adaptive behaviors akin to those seen in living systems. The study, led by Dr. Yoshikatsu Hayashi from the University of Reading, also revealed that similar hydrogels could mimic cardiac tissue, potentially offering new avenues for [...] Read more...   Unlocking the Universe With AI and Next-Gen Telescopes   2024-08-22 16:05:44 +00:00 Modern astrophysics has enabled scientists to observe the universe with unprecedented clarity, from exoplanets to entire galaxies. Despite our galaxy blocking some views, advanced tools like the James Webb Space Telescope and upcoming projects such as the Square Kilometre Array are pushing the boundaries of our cosmic understanding. Visualization techniques help researchers explore the universe [...] Read more...   Uncovering “Snowball Earth”: Hidden Rock Record Unveils Secrets of Earth’s Deep Freeze   2024-08-22 17:11:45 +00:00 Research on the Port Askaig Formation in Ireland and Scotland suggests it is a key geological record of Earth’s ice-covered era, providing unique geological insights into the prelude to complex life evolution. A team of researchers led by the University College London (UCL) has discovered that a rock formation in Ireland and Scotland may represent [...] Read more...   Stanford Reverses Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s With Brain Metabolism Drug   2024-08-22 18:00:25 +00:00 Neuroscientists at Stanford have linked Alzheimer’s disease to the disruption of brain metabolism via the kynurenine pathway, which is affected by amyloid plaque and tau proteins. Their research has demonstrated that drugs blocking this pathway can restore cognitive function in Alzheimer’s mice by improving brain metabolism. This discovery not only bridges the gap between neuroscience [...] Read more...   New Air-Powered Computer Revolutionizes Healthcare Monitoring   2024-08-22 19:12:38 +00:00 A new air-powered computer detects failures in medical devices using air pressure, eliminating electronic sensors for a safer, cheaper alternative. Future plans include expanding its use to hazardous environments. Researchers have developed an air-powered computer that can detect and issue alerts when certain medical devices fail. This device simplifies the monitoring process by eliminating the [...] Read more...   Lose Weight Faster With These Two Nutrients, Scientists Say   2024-08-22 20:42:50 +00:00 Participants in a self-directed diet program lost significantly more weight by consuming higher amounts of protein and fiber, along with adhering to a personalized and flexible diet plan. Over a 25-month study, the most successful participants, who made up 41% of the total, lost an average of 12.9% of their body weight by following individualized [...] Read more...   Polaris’ Hidden Details: New Observations Reveal the North Star’s Spotted Surface   2024-08-22 22:17:15 +00:00 Using the CHARA Array at Georgia State University, researchers have unveiled new insights into Polaris, the North Star. Known for its role in navigation and as the brightest in a triple-star system, Polaris has now been observed in greater detail, revealing its size to be 46 times that of the Sun and showcasing large surface [...] Read more...   New Research Reveals Why Diabetes Could Lead to Alzheimer’s Disease   2024-08-22 23:53:46 +00:00 A study indicates that type 2 diabetes may impair the elimination of Alzheimer’s-related proteins, suggesting potential strategies to mitigate cognitive risks by managing blood sugar levels. People with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive issues. A recent study led by Umeå University in Sweden suggests that [...] Read more...   Rewriting History: Ice Age Hunters Used Planted Pikes, Not Throwing Spears, To Bring Down Mammoths   2024-08-23 02:56:30 +00:00 UC Berkeley archaeologists suggest that the findings could help settle the debate over Clovis points and offer new insights into what life was like approximately 13,000 years ago. Researchers propose early humans used Clovis points to impale charging megafauna by bracing spears on the ground, inflicting severe wounds akin to modern hollow-point bullets. This new [...] Read more...   Nature’s Hidden Highway: Over 17 Million Insects Migrate Through a Single Mountain Pass Each Year   2024-08-23 05:30:24 +00:00 An annual migration of over 17 million insects through the Pyrenees has been documented, showcasing the vital ecological roles these insects play and the need for their conservation. New research from the University of Exeter reveals that over 17 million insects migrate each year through a single mountain pass on the border between France and [...] Read more...   August 2024 Supermoon Rises Over “Rocket City”   2024-08-23 07:02:14 +00:00 A super blue Moon, combining the brightness of a supermoon with the rarity of a Blue Moon, was photographed over Huntsville, Alabama, also known as “The Rocket City.” A super blue Moon rises over Huntsville, Alabama, home to NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and the U.S. Space and Rocket Center on August 19. Visible through [...] Read more...   Rethinking the “Doomsday Glacier”: Scientists Challenge Alarming Antarctic Ice Collapse Predictions   2024-08-23 08:13:24 +00:00 Researchers are questioning the model of rapid polar ice collapse, but they still describe the retreat as dire. In recent years, the headlines about Earth’s climate have been dominated by alarming events like raging wildfires, more powerful hurricanes, devastating floods, and intense heat waves, leaving little room for positive news. A new Dartmouth-led study, however, [...] Read more...   This COVID Mutation Could Explain Your Brain Fog   2024-08-23 09:00:56 +00:00 Researchers have identified a key mutation in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 that increases its infectivity in the brain, potentially explaining the neurological symptoms of COVID-19 and the phenomena of “long COVID.” Still unknown what causes neurological complications of COVID-19 including ‘long COVID,’ ‘brain fog’ and loss of taste and smell Viruses with a deletion [...] Read more...   Massive Hailstone Collection Unlocks Secrets of Storm Behavior   2024-08-23 09:53:54 +00:00 University of Queensland researchers are enhancing storm predictions by creating a ‘hailstone library’ with real hailstones, revealing significant variations in storm behavior and aiming to improve safety and industry resilience. A global library, filled with hailstones rather than books, is aiding researchers in improving their understanding and prediction of damaging storms. Dr. Joshua Soderholm, an [...] Read more...   Countdown To Escape: NASA and Boeing To Decide Starliner’s Fate   2024-08-23 10:26:16 +00:00 NASA and Boeing are currently analyzing data to determine the future of the Starliner spacecraft, with a decision expected by August 24 following an agency-level review. This review, involving top NASA leaders and technical authorities, will culminate in a televised news conference to outline the next steps. Preparations for Starliner’s return include training sessions and [...] Read more...   Alzheimer’s Drug May Slow Progression of Lewy Body Dementia   2024-08-23 11:00:12 +00:00 Lewy body disease, particularly dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), affects a significant portion of dementia patients and is marked by a variety of symptoms including sleep disruptions and cognitive impairments. Recent research at Karolinska Institutet investigated the long-term effectiveness of cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine in managing DLB. The study, involving over a thousand patients, suggests [...] Read more...   Solving the Puzzle of X-Ray Radiation From Black Holes   2024-08-23 12:22:47 +00:00 Researchers at the University of Helsinki have advanced our understanding of black holes using supercomputer simulations, revealing how magnetic fields cause turbulence that heats plasma and produces X-ray radiation observable from Earth. Their groundbreaking study, which included all significant quantum interactions between radiation and plasma, shows that the plasma around black holes can exist in [...] Read more...

1042 N. El Camino Real Ste B-395 ENCINITAS California 92024 US