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Categories: Chemistry: Biochemistry, Geoscience: Earthquakes
Published New tool facilitates clinical interpretation of genetic information
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Despite the increasing use of genomic sequencing in clinical practice, interpreting rare genetic mutations, even among well-studied disease genes, remains difficult. Current predictive models are useful for interpreting those mutations, but they are prone to misclassify those that do not cause diseases, contributing to false positives.
Published Ridgecrest faults increasingly sensitive to solid Earth tides before earthquakes
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Faults in the Ridgecrest, California area were very sensitive to solid earth tidal stresses in the year and a half before the July 2019 Ridgecrest earthquake sequence.
Published Puerto Rico tsunami deposit could have come from pre-Columbian megathrust earthquake
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Tsunami deposits identified in a coastal mangrove pond in Northwest Puerto Rico could have come from a megathrust earthquake at the Puerto Rico Trench that occurred between 1470 and 1530, according to new research.
Published Do higher-order interactions promote synchronization?
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A new article shows how the choice of network representation can influence the observed effects. Their work focuses on the phenomenon of synchronization, which emerges in systems from circadian clocks to vascular networks.
Published Synthetic biology meets fashion in engineered silk
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Engineers developed a method to create synthetic spider silk at high yields while retaining strength and toughness using mussel foot proteins.
Published Reinforcement learning: From board games to protein design
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source An AI strategy proven adept at board games like Chess and Go, reinforcement learning, has now been adapted for a powerful protein design program. The results show that reinforcement learning can do more than master board games. When trained to solve long-standing puzzles in protein science, the software excelled at creating useful molecules. In one experiment, proteins made with the new approach were found to be more effective at generating useful antibodies in mice than were previous methods. If this method is applied to the right research problems, it likely could accelerate progress in a variety of scientific fields.
Published AI system can generate novel proteins that meet structural design targets
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A new machine-learning system can generate protein designs with certain structural features, and which do not exist in nature. These proteins could be utilized to make materials that have similar mechanical properties to existing materials, like polymers, but which would have a much smaller carbon footprint.
Published Turkey's next quake: Research shows where, how bad -- but not 'when'
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Using remote sensing, geophysicists have documented the massive Feb. 6 quake that killed more than 50,000 people in Eastern Turkey and toppled more than 100,000 buildings. Alarmingly, researchers found that a section of the fault remains unbroken and locked -- a sign that the plates there may, when friction intensifies, generate another magnitude 6.8 earthquake when it finally gives way.
Published New USGS-FEMA report updates economic risk from earthquakes
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Even though most of the economic losses are concentrated in California and along the West Coast due to that region's high seismic hazard levels, significant population, and building exposure, earthquake risk is spread throughout the country. For example, there is a combined $3.1 billion per year in projected losses across the central U.S., Rocky Mountain region, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Published Versatile, high-speed, and efficient crystal actuation with photothermally resonated natural vibrations
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Mechanically responsive molecular crystals are extremely useful in soft robotics, which requires a versatile actuation technology. Crystals driven by the photothermal effect are particularly promising for achieving high-speed actuation. However, the response (bending) observed in these crystals is usually small. Now, scientists address this issue by inducing large resonated natural vibrations in anisole crystals with UV light illumination at the natural vibration frequency of the crystal.
Published Quantum computer applied to chemistry
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source There are high expectations that quantum computers may deliver revolutionary new possibilities for simulating chemical processes. This could have a major impact on everything from the development of new pharmaceuticals to new materials. Researchers have now used a quantum computer to undertake calculations within a real-life case in chemistry.
Published Nanoparticles provoke immune response against tumors but avoid side effects
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers find that when immunostimulatory drugs called imidazoquinolines are delivered using specialized bottlebrush nanoparticles, the drugs provoke the immune system to attack tumors while eliminating the side effects that occur when the drugs are given on their own.
Published Plate tectonic processes in the Pacific and Atlantic during the Cretaceous period have shaped the Caribbean region to this day
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Earthquakes and volcanism occur as a result of plate tectonics. The movement of tectonic plates themselves is largely driven by the process known as subduction. The question of how new active subduction zones come into being, however, is still under debate. An example of this is the volcanic Lesser Antilles arc in the Caribbean. A research team recently developed models that simulated the occurrences in the Caribbean region during the Cretaceous, when a subduction event in the Eastern Pacific led to the formation of a new subduction zone in the Atlantic. The computer simulations show how the collision of the old Caribbean plateau with the Greater Antilles arc contributed to the creation of this new Atlantic subduction zone. Some 86 million years ago, the triggered processes subsequently resulted in a major mantle flow and thus to the development of the Caribbean large igneous province.
Published Novel nanocages for delivery of small interfering RNAs
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) are novel therapeutics that can be used to treat a wide range of diseases. This has led to a growing demand for selective, efficient, and safe ways of delivering siRNA in cells. Now, in a cooperation between the Universities of Amsterdam and Leiden, researchers have developed dedicated molecular nanocages for siRNA delivery. In a paper just out in the Journal Chem they present nanocages that are easy to prepare and display tuneable siRNA delivery characteristics.
Published Physicists find unusual waves in nickel-based magnet
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Perturbing electron spins in a magnet usually results in excitations called 'spin waves' that ripple through the magnet like waves moving across the surface of a pond that's been struck by a pebble. Physicists have now discovered dramatically different excitations called 'spin excitons' that can also 'ripple' through a nickel-based magnet as a coherent wave.
Published Chemists propose ultrathin material for doubling solar cell efficiency
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers are studying radical new ways to improve solar power and provide more options for the industry to explore. Chemists are proposing to make solar cells using not silicon, but an abundantly available natural material called molybdenum disulfide. Using a creative combination of photoelectrochemical and spectroscopic techniques, the researchers conducted a series of experiments showing that extremely thin films of molybdenum disulfide display unprecedented charge carrier properties that could someday drastically improve solar technologies.
Published How electricity can heal wounds three times as fast
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Chronic wounds are a major health problem for diabetic patients and the elderly -- in extreme cases they can even lead to amputation. Using electric stimulation, researchers have developed a method that speeds up the healing process, making wounds heal three times faster.
Published Graphene 'tattoo' treats cardiac arrhythmia with light
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have developed the first cardiac implant made from graphene, a two-dimensional super material with ultra-strong, lightweight and conductive properties. Similar in appearance to a child's temporary tattoo, the new graphene 'tattoo' implant is thinner than a single strand of hair yet still functions like a classical pacemaker.
Published Researchers create digital map of sympathetic nervous system
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have created a digital topographical map of the cardiac sympathetic neural network, the region that controls the body's heart rate and its 'fight-or-flight' response. They hope this map will eventually serve as a guide to treat cardiovascular conditions using bioelectronic devices.
Published Filtering pollution: A microfluidic device for collecting microplastics via acoustic focusing
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Microplastics (MPs), plastic debris smaller than 5 mm, indirectly harm the environment. They are traditionally collected and removed from water by filtering through meshes, which is inefficient. Researchers have now developed a high-enrichment microfluidic device that utilizes acoustic focusing to collect and remove 10--200 ?m MPs from wastewater without recirculation. Its collection rates and enrichment ratios ranged approximately from 70--90% and 50--100, respectively on test samples.