Showing 20 articles starting at article 1781
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Categories: Biology: Biochemistry, Environmental: General
Published Advances in forensic science improve accuracy of 'time of death' estimates
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Accurate 'time of death' estimates are a mainstay of murder mysteries and forensic programs, but such calculations in the real world are often complex and imprecise. In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers have discovered a group of common microbes that work together specifically to decompose flesh. These microorganisms serve as a biological clock and allow scientists to investigate the post-mortem breakdown of tissue with unprecedented precision.
Published Studies on coffee consumption: New biomarker proposed
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source In order to record coffee consumption in nutrition and health studies, researchers usually rely on self-reporting by participants. However, this is not always reliable. It would therefore be desirable to conduct additional studies to objectively verify individual consumption using biomarkers. A research team has now validated the suitability of a specific roasted coffee compound and proposes it as a new, practical food biomarker.
Published Humans have driven the Earth's freshwater cycle out of its stable state
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source New analysis shows that the global freshwater cycle has shifted far beyond pre-industrial conditions.
Published Photosynthetic secrets come to light
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Secrets of photosynthesis have been discovered at atomic level, shedding important new light on this plant super-power that greened the earth more than a billion years ago.
Published Cost of direct air carbon capture to remain higher than hoped
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers estimate the cost of removing 1 ton of CO2 from the air in the year 2050 to be between 230 and 540 US dollars to remove 1 ton. This is twice as high as previous estimates. The researchers compared the potential costs of three technologies that are already in use. From today's perspective, none of these technologies has clear advantages over the others in terms of potential costs. All three technologies should therefore be further developed, say the researchers.
Published Unraveling the mystery of chiton visual systems
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source You'd probably walk past a chiton without even seeing it. These creatures often look like nothing more than another speck of seaweed on the crusty intertidal rocks. But it sees you. At least, if it's one of the species with eyes dotting its platemail shell.
Published Tests show high-temperature superconducting magnets are ready for fusion
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A comprehensive study of high-temperature superconducting magnets confirms they meet requirements for an economic, compact fusion power plant.
Published 2020 extreme weather event that brought fires and snow to western US
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source The same weather system that led to the spread of the devastating Labor Day wildfires in 2020 brought record-breaking cold and early-season snowfall to parts of the Rocky Mountains. Now, new research is shedding light on the meteorology behind what happened and the impacts of such an extreme weather event.
Published Researchers create coating solution for safer food storage
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Galvanized steel containers and surfaces are used for harvested produce because of their durability, strength and lower cost compared to stainless steel. However, bacteria residing in storage containers can cause corrosion. The new coating will reduce corrosion by at least 70 percent, researchers say.
Published Researchers use GPS-tracked icebergs in novel study to improve climate models
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Research unearthed new information to help scientists better understand circulation patterns of ocean water around glaciers. In the summers of 2014 and 2019, a group of pioneers in glacial research attached GPS devices to 13 icebergs and tracked hourly changes in their positions as they passed through Greenland's Ilulissat Icefjord toward the ocean. Study results showed circulation in the primary fjord is greatly affected by freshwater flow from connecting tributary fjords, which is critically important to consider in circulation models.
Published New antibodies target 'dark side' of influenza virus protein
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have identified antibodies targeting a hard-to-spot region of the influenza virus, shedding light on the relatively unexplored 'dark side' of the neuraminidase (NA) protein head. The antibodies target a region of the NA protein that is common among many influenza viruses, including H3N2 subtype viruses, and could be a new target for countermeasures.
Published Convergent evolution of algal CO2-fixing organelles
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers identified the proteins of a CO2-fixing organelle, namely, 'pyrenoid,' in the marine algal group Chlorarachniophyta and revealed various pyrenoid-associated proteins among algal groups, suggesting the independent evolution of pyrenoids in different algal groups.
Published Study identifies multi-organ response to seven days without food
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source New findings reveal that the body undergoes significant, systematic changes across multiple organs during prolonged periods of fasting. The results demonstrate evidence of health benefits beyond weight loss, but also show that any potentially health-altering changes appear to occur only after three days without food.
Published Light into the darkness of photosynthesis
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers succeed at generating 3D visualizations of chloroplasts' copying machines.
Published Lithium-ion batteries from drones might find second lives in less 'stressful' devices
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Taking flight can be stressful -- especially for a lithium-ion battery that powers a drone. Too much strain on these cells causes damage and shortens a device's overall lifespan. Research shows the potential to improve batteries in aerial electric vehicles that take off and land vertically. The team developed a new electrolyte to address these challenges and said the 'stressed out' batteries could also have second lives in less strenuous applications.
Published Glacier shrinkage is causing a 'green transition'
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Glacier-fed streams are undergoing a process of profound change, according to scientists. This conclusion is based on the expeditions to the world's major mountain ranges by members of the Vanishing Glaciers project.
Published Hurricanes and power grids: Eliminating large-scale outages with a new approach
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Large scale-power outages caused by tropical cyclones can be prevented almost entirely if a small but critical set of power lines is protected against storm damages, a new study finds. Scientists developed a new method that can be used to identify those critical lines and increase the system's resilience.
Published How virus causes cancer: Potential treatment
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have discovered a key mechanism used by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), also known as human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8), to induce cancer. The research points to effective new treatment options for KSHV-associated cancers, including Kaposi's sarcoma, primary effusion lymphoma, and HHV8-associated multicentric Castleman disease.
Published Tiny magnetic particles in air pollution linked to development of Alzheimer's
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Magnetite, a particle found in air pollution, can induce signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, new research suggests.
Published Scientists ID burned bodies using technique used for extracting DNA from woolly mammoths, Neanderthals
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A technique originally devised to extract DNA from woolly mammoths and other ancient archaeological specimens can be used to potentially identify badly burned human remains, according to research.