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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiisciencejournal.blogspot.com).
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ScienceDaily: All - April 03, 2024
Today's top research news
These plants evolved in Florida millions of years ago: They may be gone in decades
Scrub mints are among the most endangered plants you've probably never heard of. More than half of the 24 species currently known to exist are considered threatened or endangered at the state or federal level. In a new study, researchers show there are likely more scrub mint species waiting to be scientifically described. And at least one species has been left without federal protection because of a technicality.
Australia on track for unprecedented, decades-long megadroughts
Australia could soon see megadroughts that last for more than 20 years, according to new modelling. The researchers' bleak findings are before factoring in human impact on the climate since the Industrial Revolution. According to the scientists, the findings paint a worrying picture of future droughts in Australia that are far worse than anything in recent experience.
Image: Australian Outback, kwest/shutterstock.com
Building blocks for greener energy: Reconfigurable elastic metasurface
Energy harvesting, an eco-friendly technology, extends beyond solar and wind power in generating electricity from unused or discarded energy in daily life, including vibrations generated by passing car engines or trains. Recent intriguing research has been announced, aiming to enhance the efficiency of energy harvesting using a new type of metasurface that can be reconfigured, resembling the assembly of LEGO bricks.
How and why animals can live alongside humans
New research suggests animals can thrive in human-dominated environments by being expert judges of risk. Researchers examined the behavior of great-tailed grackles, a bird species successfully invading much of urban North America, showing that the dispersing males shy away from risk, which is a characteristic the researchers show is well-suited to chaotic environments like cities. These findings provide unique insight into how and why animals and humans can coexist.
When did the chicken cross the road? New evidence from Central Asia
An international team of scholars present the earliest clear archaeological and biomolecular evidence for the raising of chickens for egg production, based on material from 12 archaeological sites spanning one and a half millennia. The research indicates that the domestic chicken, now a staple in diets around the world, is not as ancient as previously thought.
Blended antioxidant supplement improves cognition and memory in aged mice
Cell damage from oxidative stress is a major underlying cause of age-related cognitive and muscle strength decline. Antioxidants can reduce oxidative stress and prevent age-related health decline. A new study has found that mice administered with a blended antioxidant supplement show significant improvements in spatial cognition, short-term memory, and mitigated age-related muscle decline. The study suggests that blended antioxidant supplements hold promise as a dietary intervention for health issues associated with aging.
AI's ability to detect tumor cells could be key to more accurate bone cancer prognoses
Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that predominantly affects adolescents. Reliable models that can predict prognosis and treatment response can help improve patient outcomes. However, conventional methods relying on the measurement of necrosis rate are limited by inter-assessor variability and may not accurately predict prognosis. Now, researchers have developed an AI model that can accurately measure the density of viable tumor cells after treatment which correlates well with prognosis and individual tumor cell response.
The math problem that took nearly a century to solve: Secret to Ramsey numbers
Little progress had been made in solving Ramsey problems since the 1930s. Now, researchers have found the answer to r(4,t), a longstanding Ramsey problem that has perplexed the math world for decades.
Early detection of language disorders helps children obtain right interventions
New screening tools in child health care are effective in identifying early language and communication difficulties in children. This is shown by two studies based on more than 6,000 children.
Simulations reveal mechanism behind protein build-up in Parkinson's disease
Researchers have used computational models to understand what drives the accumulation of alpha-synuclein protein, a key culprit in the development of Parkinson's disease.
Older trees help to protect an endangered species
The oldest trees in the forest help to prevent the disappearance of endangered species in the natural environment, according to a new study. This is the case of the wolf lichen -- threatened throughout Europe --, which now finds refuge in the oldest trees in the high mountains of the Pyrenees. This study reveals for the first time the decisive role of the oldest trees in the conservation of other living beings thanks to their characteristic and unique physiology.
Biofilm-resistant glass for marine environments
Engineers have created ultraviolet (UV) rays-emitting glass that can reduce 98% of biofilm from growing on surfaces in underwater environments.
Chemistry researchers modify solar technology to produce a less harmful greenhouse gas
Researchers are using semiconductors to harvest and convert the sun's energy into high-energy compounds that have the potential to produce environmentally-friendly fuels.
Investigators develop novel treatment for T-cell leukemias and lymphomas
A novel treatment for leukemias and lymphomas that arise from immune system T cells was found to be effective at killing these cancers in mice bearing human T-cell tumors.
Wound treatment gel fights the battle against antibacterial resistance
Polymer-based hydrogels are used to treat skin ailments and in tissue engineering because of their ability to retain water, deliver drugs into wounds, and biodegrade. However, they are complicated to manufacture and not very resilient to external forces like rubbing against clothing, sheets, or wound dressings. Scientists have now created a hydrogel enhanced with the amino acid polylysine and blood plasma that is easier to synthesize, contains natural antibiotic properties, and promotes cell growth.
Scientists link certain gut bacteria to lower heart disease risk
Changes in the gut microbiome have been implicated in a range of diseases including type 2 diabetes, obesity, and inflammatory bowel disease. Now, a team of researchers has found that microbes in the gut may affect cardiovascular disease as well. The team has identified specific species of bacteria that consume cholesterol in the gut and may help lower cholesterol and heart disease risk in people.
New materials discovered for safe, high-performance solid-state lithium-ion batteries
All-solid-state lithium-ion batteries offer enhanced safety and energy density compared to liquid electrolyte counterparts, but face challenges like lower conductivity and insufficient electrode contact. In a recent study, scientists have discovered a stable, highly conductive lithium-ion conductor in the form of a pyrochlore-type oxyfluoride. This innovation addresses the need for non-sulfide solid electrolytes, offering higher conductivity and stability and paves the way for advanced all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries with improved performance and safety.
Gloom and doom warnings about climate change do not work
How do you spread a message about climate change? According to an international study involving 59,000 participants, some tactics may actually reduce support.
Infant gut microbiomes oscillate with a circadian rhythm, even when they are cultivated outside of the body. Researchers report that the rhythm is detectable as early as 2 weeks after birth but becomes more pronounced with age. The finding comes from a randomized controlled trial that also showed that diet has less impact on the development and composition of the infant microbiome than previously thought.
These plants evolved in Florida millions of years ago: They may be gone in decades
Scrub mints are among the most endangered plants you've probably never heard of. More than half of the 24 species currently known to exist are considered threatened or endangered at the state or federal level. In a new study, researchers show there are likely more scrub mint species waiting to be scientifically described. And at least one species has been left without federal protection because of a technicality.
Australia on track for unprecedented, decades-long megadroughts
Australia could soon see megadroughts that last for more than 20 years, according to new modelling. The researchers' bleak findings are before factoring in human impact on the climate since the Industrial Revolution. According to the scientists, the findings paint a worrying picture of future droughts in Australia that are far worse than anything in recent experience.
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Image: Australian Outback, kwest/shutterstock.com
Building blocks for greener energy: Reconfigurable elastic metasurface
Energy harvesting, an eco-friendly technology, extends beyond solar and wind power in generating electricity from unused or discarded energy in daily life, including vibrations generated by passing car engines or trains. Recent intriguing research has been announced, aiming to enhance the efficiency of energy harvesting using a new type of metasurface that can be reconfigured, resembling the assembly of LEGO bricks.
How and why animals can live alongside humans
New research suggests animals can thrive in human-dominated environments by being expert judges of risk. Researchers examined the behavior of great-tailed grackles, a bird species successfully invading much of urban North America, showing that the dispersing males shy away from risk, which is a characteristic the researchers show is well-suited to chaotic environments like cities. These findings provide unique insight into how and why animals and humans can coexist.
When did the chicken cross the road? New evidence from Central Asia
An international team of scholars present the earliest clear archaeological and biomolecular evidence for the raising of chickens for egg production, based on material from 12 archaeological sites spanning one and a half millennia. The research indicates that the domestic chicken, now a staple in diets around the world, is not as ancient as previously thought.
Blended antioxidant supplement improves cognition and memory in aged mice
Cell damage from oxidative stress is a major underlying cause of age-related cognitive and muscle strength decline. Antioxidants can reduce oxidative stress and prevent age-related health decline. A new study has found that mice administered with a blended antioxidant supplement show significant improvements in spatial cognition, short-term memory, and mitigated age-related muscle decline. The study suggests that blended antioxidant supplements hold promise as a dietary intervention for health issues associated with aging.
AI's ability to detect tumor cells could be key to more accurate bone cancer prognoses
Osteosarcoma is a type of bone cancer that predominantly affects adolescents. Reliable models that can predict prognosis and treatment response can help improve patient outcomes. However, conventional methods relying on the measurement of necrosis rate are limited by inter-assessor variability and may not accurately predict prognosis. Now, researchers have developed an AI model that can accurately measure the density of viable tumor cells after treatment which correlates well with prognosis and individual tumor cell response.
The math problem that took nearly a century to solve: Secret to Ramsey numbers
Little progress had been made in solving Ramsey problems since the 1930s. Now, researchers have found the answer to r(4,t), a longstanding Ramsey problem that has perplexed the math world for decades.
Early detection of language disorders helps children obtain right interventions
New screening tools in child health care are effective in identifying early language and communication difficulties in children. This is shown by two studies based on more than 6,000 children.
Simulations reveal mechanism behind protein build-up in Parkinson's disease
Researchers have used computational models to understand what drives the accumulation of alpha-synuclein protein, a key culprit in the development of Parkinson's disease.
Older trees help to protect an endangered species
The oldest trees in the forest help to prevent the disappearance of endangered species in the natural environment, according to a new study. This is the case of the wolf lichen -- threatened throughout Europe --, which now finds refuge in the oldest trees in the high mountains of the Pyrenees. This study reveals for the first time the decisive role of the oldest trees in the conservation of other living beings thanks to their characteristic and unique physiology.
Biofilm-resistant glass for marine environments
Engineers have created ultraviolet (UV) rays-emitting glass that can reduce 98% of biofilm from growing on surfaces in underwater environments.
Chemistry researchers modify solar technology to produce a less harmful greenhouse gas
Researchers are using semiconductors to harvest and convert the sun's energy into high-energy compounds that have the potential to produce environmentally-friendly fuels.
Investigators develop novel treatment for T-cell leukemias and lymphomas
A novel treatment for leukemias and lymphomas that arise from immune system T cells was found to be effective at killing these cancers in mice bearing human T-cell tumors.
Wound treatment gel fights the battle against antibacterial resistance
Polymer-based hydrogels are used to treat skin ailments and in tissue engineering because of their ability to retain water, deliver drugs into wounds, and biodegrade. However, they are complicated to manufacture and not very resilient to external forces like rubbing against clothing, sheets, or wound dressings. Scientists have now created a hydrogel enhanced with the amino acid polylysine and blood plasma that is easier to synthesize, contains natural antibiotic properties, and promotes cell growth.
Scientists link certain gut bacteria to lower heart disease risk
Changes in the gut microbiome have been implicated in a range of diseases including type 2 diabetes, obesity, and inflammatory bowel disease. Now, a team of researchers has found that microbes in the gut may affect cardiovascular disease as well. The team has identified specific species of bacteria that consume cholesterol in the gut and may help lower cholesterol and heart disease risk in people.
New materials discovered for safe, high-performance solid-state lithium-ion batteries
All-solid-state lithium-ion batteries offer enhanced safety and energy density compared to liquid electrolyte counterparts, but face challenges like lower conductivity and insufficient electrode contact. In a recent study, scientists have discovered a stable, highly conductive lithium-ion conductor in the form of a pyrochlore-type oxyfluoride. This innovation addresses the need for non-sulfide solid electrolytes, offering higher conductivity and stability and paves the way for advanced all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries with improved performance and safety.
Gloom and doom warnings about climate change do not work
How do you spread a message about climate change? According to an international study involving 59,000 participants, some tactics may actually reduce support.
Infant gut microbiomes oscillate with a circadian rhythm, even when they are cultivated outside of the body. Researchers report that the rhythm is detectable as early as 2 weeks after birth but becomes more pronounced with age. The finding comes from a randomized controlled trial that also showed that diet has less impact on the development and composition of the infant microbiome than previously thought.
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