SciTechDaily.com Newsletter.

"The latest science, space, and technology news."

Views expressed in this science and technology update are those of the reporters and correspondents.  Accessed on 02 January 2025, 1542 UTC.

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

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.

From Birds to Humans: How Hidden Mutations Are Driving the H5N1 Crisis   2025-01-01 08:24:59 +00:00 In light of the ongoing global spread of the H5N1 avian influenza, U.S. public health experts are reassured that current treatments and vaccines are effective against severe disease. The virus, which has caused sporadic human cases, remains primarily a threat to birds and mammals, with limited transmission to humans. Health authorities emphasize the importance of [...] Read more...   5,500-Year-Old Stone Tools Reveal Surprising Secrets About Neolithic Farmers’ Diets   2025-01-01 09:14:32 +00:00 At a Neolithic settlement on the Danish island Funen dating back 5,500 years, archaeologists unearthed 14 Neolithic grinding stones originally thought to be used for processing grains into flour. Surprisingly, analyses of these stones and accompanying plant residues suggest that early Northern European farmers did not primarily use these tools for making bread but possibly [...] Read more...   Scientists Discover Dazzling Array of Otherworldly Creatures in Never-Before-Seen Underwater Canyons   2025-01-01 10:23:09 +00:00 An international team charts four previously unnamed underwater canyons, investigates nearly 20 methane seep ecosystems thriving in complete darkness, and discovers a stunning array of otherworldly creatures, including potential new species. An international team of scientists aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s research vessel R/V Falkor (too) recently surveyed nearly 20 methane seeps, including several newly [...] Read more...   Dark Energy May Be an Illusion: Scientists Uncover a “Lumpy” Universe   2025-01-01 11:42:59 +00:00 Scientists are challenging the existence of dark energy with a new model called “timescape,” which suggests the Universe’s expansion might be influenced by its uneven structure rather than an invisible force. This theory could resolve ongoing cosmological debates, with upcoming satellite data playing a key role in confirming its validity. Questioning Dark Energy’s Existence Dark [...] Read more...   Researchers Develop Revolutionary Diamond Fabrication Technology   2025-01-01 12:51:35 +00:00 Researchers at HKU have devised a rapid, scalable method to produce ultrathin diamond membranes, unlocking applications in electronics, photonics, and quantum devices. This innovation overcomes traditional fabrication challenges, leveraging diamonds’ exceptional properties for next-generation technologies. A research team led by Professor Zhiqin Chu, Associate Professor in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, and Professor Yuan Lin, Professor [...] Read more...   Revealing Hidden Spin Patterns: How Lasers Unlock the Quantum World   2025-01-01 14:02:18 +00:00 A groundbreaking technique using time-resolved electron microscopy and multi-polarization lasers has allowed scientists to analyze plasmonic waves with great precision. This method helped uncover the stable and dynamic nature of meron pairs’ spin textures, opening new avenues in nanoscale technology. Advancing Plasmonics with Multi-Polarization Laser Techniques Plasmons are the collective vibrations of electrons in a [...] Read more...   Harvard Scientists Just Debunked a Big Myth About Aging Bones   2025-01-01 15:11:53 +00:00 Researchers have found that age-related bone loss occurs independently of the gut microbiome, challenging previous beliefs and steering future osteoporosis treatments away from microbial solutions. A study by Harvard Medical School demonstrated that bone deterioration in mice was consistent regardless of their microbiome status, suggesting that other genetic, hormonal, or environmental factors may be more [...] Read more...   The Hypothalamic Hotspot: Revealing the Brain’s Secret to Aging   2025-01-01 16:00:40 +00:00 Largest brain aging study points to possible connections between diet, inflammation, and brain health. Scientists at the Allen Institute have discovered specific types of brain cells in mice that experience significant changes as they age. They also identified a distinct “hotspot” where many of these changes are concentrated. Published today (January 1) in Nature, these [...] Read more...   Can We Stop Brain Aging? Scientists Uncover Mitochondrial Key   2025-01-01 17:16:22 +00:00 New research identifies E-TCmito as a key link between neuronal activity and mitochondrial function, highlighting its potential to address cognitive decline in aging and diseases like Alzheimer’s. New research in mice has identified a critical mechanism that connects neuronal activity with mitochondrial function, offering insight into potential strategies to address age-related cognitive decline. Mitochondria, essential [...] Read more...   How Ebola Hijacks Human Skin for Its Silent Spread   2025-01-01 19:00:40 +00:00 A groundbreaking study has unveiled how the Ebola virus can traverse through layers of human skin, potentially facilitating direct transmission through touch. This highlights critical cellular targets within the skin that could help in developing focused antiviral treatments. Understanding Ebola’s Transmission Through Skin Contact Ebola is a deadly hemorrhagic disease caused by a virus found [...] Read more...   Breaking the 100-Year Mold: Scientists Create Carbon-Neutral Ammonia Solution   2025-01-01 20:07:29 +00:00 Producing sufficient ammonia to sustain global food production carries a significant carbon footprint; a new UB-led study outlines a process that could help address this issue. This groundbreaking industrial reaction, which combines hydrogen and nitrogen to create ammonia, is the foundation of synthetic fertilizers that feed much of the global population. It played a critical [...] Read more...   Quantum Walks: Unlocking Unprecedented Power for Next-Gen Computing   2025-01-01 21:16:36 +00:00 Quantum walks, leveraging quantum phenomena such as superposition and entanglement, offer remarkable computational capabilities beyond classical methods. These versatile models excel in diverse tasks, from database searches to simulating complex quantum systems. With implementations spanning analog and digital methods, they promise innovations in fields like quantum computing, simulation, and graph theory. Harnessing Quantum Phenomena for [...] Read more...   Scientists Uncover Shocking Flaws: Investigation Questions Effectiveness of Popular Anti-Platelet Drug   2025-01-01 22:25:56 +00:00 Ticagrelor costs the United States over $750 million annually, yet a BMJ investigation casts new doubts on the reliability of the pivotal clinical trial that led to the drug’s approval. A new investigation published by The BMJ highlights fresh concerns about the PLATO clinical trial, a pivotal study that led to the global approval of [...] Read more...   Geologists Solve a 620-Mile Mystery: The Forgotten History of the Denali Fault’s   2025-01-01 23:50:19 +00:00 New research on the Denali Fault reveals three geologic sites were once united in a suture zone, marking the integration of Wrangellia into North America. The study uses inverted metamorphism and monazite analysis to trace tectonic history. New research has revealed that three sites along a 620-mile segment of Alaska’s Denali Fault were once part [...] Read more...   Revolutionizing Quantum Tech: Scientists Achieve Collective Motion in Macroscopic Oscillators   2025-01-02 01:09:08 +00:00 Scientists at EPFL achieved a breakthrough by synchronizing six mechanical oscillators into a collective quantum state, enabling observations of unique phenomena like quantum sideband asymmetry. This advance paves the way for innovations in quantum computing and sensing. Quantum technologies are revolutionizing our understanding of the universe, and one promising area involves macroscopic mechanical oscillators. These [...] Read more...   Can a Broken Heart Heal Itself? Science Unveils the Answer   2025-01-02 02:05:09 +00:00 In a pioneering study at the University of Arizona, researchers discovered that some patients with artificial hearts show significant heart muscle regeneration. This breakthrough suggests new treatment pathways for heart failure, potentially leading to cures. The study’s excitement hinges on how artificial hearts might allow the heart muscle to “rest,” similar to how a body [...] Read more...   Volcanoes Ruled Out: Fresh Evidence Uncovers What Ended the Dinosaur Era   2025-01-02 04:04:37 +00:00 Volcanic activity in India altered the climate but didn’t kill the dinosaurs; the Chicxulub meteorite did, by triggering an impact winter and massive environmental changes. Massive volcanic eruptions on the Indian subcontinent have long been suggested as a possible cause of the dinosaurs’ extinction. These eruptions occurred shortly before Earth was struck by a meteorite [...] Read more...   NASA’s InSight Lander Fades Into Mars Dust: Final Images Unveiled   2025-01-02 06:46:31 +00:00 NASA’s retired InSight lander, now covered in Martian dust, continues to offer insights into Mars through images captured by the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Over its four-year mission, InSight unveiled the inner workings of the Red Planet by detecting marsquakes and studying its structure. Even after its retirement, scientists use its site to monitor Martian dust [...] Read more...   Over 130 Years: Right Whales May Live Twice As Long as We Thought   2025-01-02 08:11:58 +00:00 Right whales can live over 130 years, but North Atlantic right whales average only 22 years due to human threats. The study underscores the importance of older whales in teaching survival skills and predicts slow recovery of populations, potentially spanning centuries. New research published in Science Advances reveals that right whales can live over 130 [...] Read more...   Bright Galaxies of the Early Universe Defy Expectations, Sending Astronomers Back to the Drawing Board   2025-01-02 09:17:41 +00:00 New findings from the James Webb Space Telescope contradict traditional theories about early galaxy formation, revealing large and bright galaxies instead of the expected small, dim structures. This observation supports the Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND) theory, which disputes the role of dark matter and suggests a rapid formation of galaxies in the early universe, presenting [...] Read more...   This Fish Protein Could Restore Damaged Hearts   2025-01-02 10:00:53 +00:00 Researchers have discovered that the protein Hmga1, found in zebrafish, can repair damaged mouse hearts by reactivating dormant genes, offering new hope for heart regeneration in humans. Scientists from the Bakkers group at the Hubrecht Institute have achieved a major breakthrough by repairing damaged mouse hearts using a protein found in zebrafish. Their research identified [...] Read more...   NASA’s KiNET-X Rocket Experiment Reveals Hidden Physics of Auroras   2025-01-02 11:05:32 +00:00 Scientists have made groundbreaking progress in understanding the dazzling auroras that light up the night sky. Using NASA’s KiNET-X experiment, researchers simulated auroral conditions by releasing barium into the ionosphere, creating plasma clouds and Alfvén waves. These waves transferred energy to electrons, mimicking the conditions behind Earth’s auroras. Although no visible aurora was generated, the [...] Read more...   Fragile X Breakthrough: Study Shows Existing Drug Restores Early Communication   2025-01-02 12:14:39 +00:00 Research reveals distinct mechanisms underlying neonatal and post-pubertal social behaviors, providing valuable insights for developing targeted early interventions. Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and Hirosaki University have unveiled significant findings on the development of social behaviors in fragile X syndrome, the most common genetic cause of autism spectrum [...] Read more...   Scientists Discover Shocking Levels of Microplastics in Popular Tea Bags   2025-01-02 13:27:16 +00:00 Plastic pollution from food packaging, like tea bags, releases billions of MNPL particles, which can infiltrate human cells, highlighting serious health risks and the need for regulatory action. Plastic waste pollution poses a significant environmental challenge with serious implications for the health and well-being of future generations. A major source of human exposure to micro [...] Read more...

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SciTechDaily.com Newsletter.

"The latest science, space, and technology news."

Views expressed in this science and technology update are those of the reporters and correspondents.  Accessed on 29 December 2024, 2319 UTC.

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

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.

Stanford Researchers Uncover Genetic Secret in Cyanobacteria That Could Transform Carbon Storage   2024-12-27 23:11:26 +00:00 Stanford researchers have identified multiple forms of a ubiquitous enzyme in microbes that flourish in low-oxygen regions along the coasts of Central and South America. Stanford researchers have discovered a fascinating genetic anomaly in a type of microbe that could significantly influence ocean carbon storage. These microbes, commonly called blue-green algae or cyanobacteria, have two [...] Read more...   Quantum Leap: Scientists Successfully Control New Energy Range States   2024-12-28 00:45:26 +00:00 Scientists have controlled hybrid quantum states in helium using intense ultraviolet lasers, opening new paths in quantum research. An international team of scientists, led by Dr. Lukas Bruder, a junior research group leader at the University of Freiburg’s Institute of Physics, has successfully created and controlled hybrid electron-photon quantum states in helium atoms. The team [...] Read more...   Stunning Webb Discovery Forces Rethink of Planet Formation in the Early Universe   2024-12-28 03:20:14 +00:00 New data confirms Hubble’s finding and refutes current theories of planet formation in the universe’s early days. Thanks to its incredible sensitivity and sharp resolution, NASA’s Webb Space Telescope just cracked a cosmic mystery that has puzzled astronomers for over two decades. Back in 2003, the Hubble Space Telescope spotted signs of a massive planet [...] Read more...   Scientists Unveil World’s Smallest Molecular Machine   2024-12-28 04:47:39 +00:00 Researchers have successfully stabilized ferrocene molecules on a flat substrate for the first time, enabling the creation of an electronically controllable sliding molecular machine. Artificial molecular machines, composed of only a few molecules, hold transformative potential across diverse fields, including catalysis, molecular electronics, medicine, and quantum materials. These nanoscale devices function by converting external stimuli, [...] Read more...   Rice? Scientists Propose Promising Solution to Asia’s Diabetes Crisis   2024-12-28 06:17:29 +00:00 Low GI rice, which helps control blood sugar, could play a key role in addressing Asia’s growing diabetes crisis linked to high white rice consumption. A recent study by scientists from the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the Max Planck Institute highlights the potential of low glycemic index (Low GI) rice as a tool [...] Read more...   NASA’s Parker Solar Probe Survives Fiery Sun Flyby at 430,000 MPH   2024-12-28 08:08:20 +00:00 Racing closer to the Sun than ever before, the Parker Solar Probe is unlocking the secrets of our solar system’s fiery heart. NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has successfully transmitted a beacon signal back to Earth, confirming it is in good health and functioning normally after its record-breaking close approach to the Sun. The mission operations [...] Read more...   Scientists Warn: Wearing These Types of Shoes Could Increase Your Risk of Injury   2024-12-28 09:28:55 +00:00 Thick-heeled shoes, heel-strikes were associated with injury. A recent study from the University of Florida revealed that runners wearing thick-heeled sneakers face a higher risk of injury compared to those wearing flatter shoes. This large-scale, comprehensive study also found that runners in thick-heeled shoes struggled to accurately sense how their feet landed with each step, [...] Read more...   Breaking Quantum Boundaries: Atoms Defy Synchronization in Free Space   2024-12-28 10:50:28 +00:00 Superradiance in optical cavities involves atoms emitting light collectively when interacting with cavity photons, a phenomenon not yet observed in free space due to synchronization challenges. Researchers have used theoretical simulations to probe these effects under various conditions, revealing significant differences in behavior between cavity and free-space systems. Superradiance in Optical Cavities Isolated atoms in [...] Read more...   Stanford-Developed Device Produces Critical Fertilizer Ingredient From Thin Air   2024-12-28 12:21:25 +00:00 A new device produces ammonia from air and wind energy, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel-dependent methods for agriculture and clean energy applications. The air we breathe holds the key to more sustainable agriculture, thanks to an innovative breakthrough by researchers at Stanford University and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi [...] Read more...   Why Are Bed Bugs So Hard To Kill? Scientists Uncover Genetic Survival Secrets   2024-12-28 13:44:20 +00:00 Scientists mapped genomes of bed bug strains, identifying 729 mutations linked to insecticide resistance, offering insights for improved pest control. Scientists have successfully mapped near-complete and highly accurate genomes for two strains of bed bugs: one highly susceptible to insecticides and another “superstrain” that is roughly 20,000 times more resistant. This achievement provides the most [...] Read more...   NASA’s Parker Solar Probe: The Fastest Human-Made Object Just “Touched” the Sun and Shattered Records   2024-12-28 15:11:51 +00:00 NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has shattered records by venturing closer to the Sun than ever before, reaching blazing speeds of 430,000 mph. Equipped with groundbreaking technology, it braved extreme temperatures to collect invaluable data, promising to reshape our understanding of solar phenomena and even influence how we explore other stars. Parker Solar Probe’s Record-Breaking Solar [...] Read more...   New Method Detects Ligand-Protein Interactions With Unprecedented Sensitivity   2024-12-28 16:39:22 +00:00 PELSA is a sensitive, versatile method for identifying ligand-binding proteins and sites in native systems without requiring ligand modification. It outperforms traditional approaches in sensitivity, especially for low-affinity metabolite interactions, and offers broad applications in drug design and biological studies. A research team led by Prof. Mingliang Ye from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, [...] Read more...   151 Million People Affected: New Study Reveals That Leaded Gas Permanently Damaged American Mental Health   2024-12-28 18:01:30 +00:00 Childhood lead exposure from leaded gasoline has caused widespread mental health issues, particularly in Generation X, highlighting the dangers of delayed environmental regulation. A recent study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry reveals that childhood exposure to lead, which reached its highest levels between 1960 and 1990 in many industrialized nations due [...] Read more...   Water’s Worst Nightmare: The Rise of Superhydrophobic Materials   2024-12-28 19:26:12 +00:00 New materials with near-perfect water repellency offer potential for self-cleaning surfaces in cars and buildings. Scientists from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) have developed a surface material that repels water droplets almost completely. Using an entirely innovative process, they changed metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) – artificially designed materials [...] Read more...   AI Exposes Accelerated Climate Change: 3°C Temperature Rise Imminent   2024-12-28 20:59:15 +00:00 AI-enhanced research shows regional warming will exceed critical thresholds faster than expected, with most regions surpassing 1.5°C by 2040. Vulnerable areas like South Asia face heightened risks, urging swift adaptation actions. Three leading climate scientists have analyzed data from 10 global climate models, utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance accuracy. Their findings indicate that regional [...] Read more...   Cannibal Sea Dragons: Unveiling the Dark Secrets of Mosasaurs   2024-12-28 23:33:48 +00:00 New research on mosasaurs, based on new technologies and fossil discoveries, sheds light on their evolution, feeding habits, and phylogenetic relationships, revealing aspects like cannibalism and the group’s origins. Mosasaurs, extinct marine lizards, were first discovered in 1766 near Maastricht in the Netherlands. This discovery helped launch the field of vertebrate paleontology, the study of [...] Read more...   Promising New Treatment Successfully Reverses Age-Related Bone Damage   2024-12-29 01:19:20 +00:00 Intermittent fasting combined with localized Wnt3a treatments has been shown to rejuvenate bone repair in older mice, presenting a promising approach to reversing age-related tissue decline. New research suggests that combining intermittent fasting with a specialized biomedical bandage can restore bone healing in aged mice to levels comparable to those in younger animals. Published in [...] Read more...   Supernova Explosions Reveal Universal Pattern in Star Formation Across the Cosmos   2024-12-29 02:52:16 +00:00 Scientists have discovered an exciting new way to uncover how stars are formed by studying their spectacular deaths. Using data from exploding stars like supernovae and gamma-ray bursts, researchers can now calculate the mass of stars in regions of the universe too far away to observe directly. This breakthrough hints at a universal pattern in [...] Read more...   Guardians of the Universe: How Quantum Black Holes Hide the End of Space and Time   2024-12-29 04:44:15 +00:00 Einstein’s theory of general relativity describes the inevitability of singularities, which are obscured by black holes according to Penrose’s cosmic censorship conjecture. Recent studies indicate that quantum mechanics might reinforce this idea, proposing a quantum Penrose inequality that relates entropy to space-time metrics in the vicinity of black holes. General Relativity and Singularities Albert Einstein’s [...] Read more...   Stanford’s Vaccine Breakthrough Boosts Flu Protection Like Never Before   2024-12-29 08:11:59 +00:00 Stanford Medicine researchers have developed a new method for influenza vaccination that encourages a robust immune response to all four common flu subtypes, potentially increasing the vaccine’s efficacy. In laboratory tests using human tonsil organoids, the modified vaccine showed promising results in combating both seasonal and bird flu strains. The approach involves a combined antigen [...] Read more...   Mapping the Heliosphere: NASA’s Ambitious 2025 IMAP Mission Explained   2024-12-29 09:02:29 +00:00 NASA and SpaceX have rescheduled the launch of the IMAP spacecraft to September 2025 to allow more time for preparing its flight systems. The mission will explore the heliosphere to understand the Sun’s protective bubble and its effects on space weather and life. Accompanying IMAP are two rideshare missions: the Carruthers Geocorona Observatory and NOAA’s [...] Read more...   The Dark Side of Electric Vehicles: A Hidden Pollution Problem   2024-12-29 09:53:26 +00:00 EV battery production could increase SO2 pollution, with China and India facing distinct challenges. Clean supply chains, strict pollution standards, and alternative battery chemistries like lithium iron phosphate are essential to mitigating these effects while advancing decarbonization. Electric vehicles are a key component of the global shift toward sustainable energy, but a new study from [...] Read more...   Magic Particles: The Large Hadron Collider’s Quantum Computing Breakthrough   2024-12-29 11:13:54 +00:00 Physicists uncovered a fascinating link between the Large Hadron Collider and quantum computing. They found that top quarks produced at the LHC exhibit a property called “magic,” essential for quantum computation. This discovery could revolutionize our understanding of quantum mechanics and its applications, bridging the gap between quantum theory and particle physics. Quantum Computing and [...] Read more...   NASA’s Perseverance Rover Conquers Jezero Crater Rim Revealing Mars’ Hidden History   2024-12-29 12:40:35 +00:00 Perseverance, NASA’s Mars rover, has completed a daring ascent of Jezero Crater’s rim, tackling steep grades and rugged terrain to reach new scientific frontiers. The rover’s fifth campaign, exploring the Northern Rim, promises groundbreaking insights into Mars’ geological past, including rocks potentially dating back to the early solar system. This mission is not just about [...] Read more...

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