Modelling HIV fusion

An interdisciplinary team of researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has used robust computer simulations to understand how HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, fuses with the host cell membrane. Published in the Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling, the study focuses on a process called gp41–mediated membrane fusion.

Researchers create low-cost, AI-powered device to measure optical spectra

A team of researchers at the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering has demonstrated a new approach to an old problem: measuring spectra of light, also known as spectroscopy. By leveraging scalable, cost-effective nano-fabrication techniques, as well as AI-driven algorithms, they built and tested a system that is more compact than conventional spectrometers, while also offering additional design advantages.

Scientists create armour for fragile quantum technology

An international team of scientists has invented the equivalent of body armour for extremely fragile quantum systems, which will make them robust enough to be used as the basis for a new generation of low-energy electronics.

New research reveals devastating impact of COVID-19 on the diagnosis of oesophageal and stomach cancer

New research by Queen's University Belfast and the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry has highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on diagnoses of cancer of the oesophagus (foodpipe) and stomach, in addition to Barrett's oesophagus, which is a condition that can lead to oesophageal cancer.

Neutrinos, atomic clocks and an experiment to detect a time dilation

Griffith University researchers are conducting an experiment at ANSTO that will test a revolutionary physics theory that time reversal symmetry-breaking by neutrinos might cause a time dilation at the quantum scale.

A steady DRIP with NASA satellites

When drought hits the Horn of Africa, it's a threat to lives and livelihoods. Communities need access to water for sanitation, hydration, livestock and agriculture – and in many cases, tapping groundwater supplies is the difference between a "drought" and a "drought emergency." But maintaining the thousands of groundwater pumps that supply fresh water to drought-prone areas in east Africa is a significant challenge. NASA satellite data helps the people who maintain this crucial infrastructure by highlighting the places most at-risk for drought and informing early warning actions to prevent the worst drought impacts on local communities.

Image: Hubble sees a stellar furnace

An orange glow radiates from the center of NGC 1792, the heart of this stellar furnace. Captured by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, this intimate view of NGC 1792 gives us some insight into this galactic powerhouse. The vast swathes of tell-tale blue seen throughout the galaxy indicate areas that are full of young, hot stars, and it is in the shades of orange, seen nearer the center, that the older, cooler stars reside.

Newly developed material could lead to lighter, safer car designs

A new form of 3-D-printed material made by combining commonly-used plastics with carbon nanotubes is tougher and lighter than similar forms of aluminium, scientists say.

Researchers advance simple and inexpensive diagnostic blood test

In diagnostic medicine, biopsies, where a sample of tissue is extracted for analysis, is a common tool for the detection of many conditions. But this approach has several drawbacks—it can be painful, doesn't always extract the diseased tissue, and can only be used in a sufficiently advanced disease stage, making it, in some cases, too late for intervention. These concerns have encouraged researchers to find less invasive and more accurate options for diagnoses.

CLOUD at CERN reveals the role of iodine acids in atmospheric aerosol formation

In a paper published today in the journal Science, the CLOUD collaboration at CERN shows that aerosol particles made of iodic acid can form extremely rapidly in the marine boundary layer—the portion of the atmosphere that is in direct contact with the ocean. Aerosol particles in the atmosphere affect the climate, both directly and indirectly, but how new aerosol particles form and influence clouds and climate remains relatively poorly understood. This is particularly true of particles that form over the vast ocean.

Dinosaur frills were likely the result of sexual selection

Why dinosaurs evolved such a huge diversity of crests and frills on their skulls has long been an enigma.

Researchers find peptide that treats, prevents killer citrus disease

New research affirms a unique peptide found in an Australian plant can destroy the No. 1 killer of citrus trees worldwide and help prevent infection.

Winner-takes-all synthetic gene circuit process opens new pathways to disease treatment

A new process for inserting synthetic gene circuits into host cells, developed by a team of bioengineers at Arizona State University, has broad implications for improving the effectiveness of a range of disease therapies.

Hearing acrobatics: Dynamic, delicate connection between protein filaments enables hearing

The sense of hearing is, quite literally, a molecular tightrope act. Turns out, it involves acrobatics as well.

Clubhouse app gives Chinese rare access to uncensored topics

Chinese internet users are flocking to a rare uncensored app to breach the "Great Firewall" and freely discuss taboo topics, including the mass detention of Uighurs, democracy protests in Hong Kong and the concept of Taiwanese independence.

Reducing biases about autism may increase social inclusion

Efforts to improve the social success of autistic adolescents and adults have often focused on teaching them ways to think and behave more like their non-autistic peers and to hide the characteristics that define them as autistic. Psychology researchers at The University of Texas at Dallas, however, have been focusing on another approach: promoting understanding and acceptance of autism among non-autistic people.

Happy childhood? That's no guarantee for good mental health

It's well understood that a difficult childhood can increase the likelihood of mental illness, but according to new research from the University of South Australia, a happy and secure childhood does not always protect a child from developing a mental illness later in life.

Survey: Most Americans say they'll continue health precautions after COVID-19

A new national survey of more than 2,000 Americans by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center finds most plan to continue many of the pandemic precautions in the name of public health, even when the pandemic is over.

Online searches can help foreshadow future COVID-19 surges and declines, new study shows

Online searches for mobile and isolated activities can help to predict later surges and declines in COVID-19 cases, a team of researchers has found. Its findings, based on a four-month analysis of online searches, offer a potential means to anticipate the pathways of the pandemic—before new infections are reported.

Higher blood pressure over life span increases congestive heart failure risk in Black people

Starting with early childhood, otherwise healthy Black people show signs of slightly diminished heart muscle strength and a slightly higher blood pressure than their white counterparts, factors which may put them on a course for early development of congestive heart failure, researchers report.

Front-of-package product names and ingredient lists of infant and toddler food can be hard to navigate

Early exposure to nutritious foods may help children develop more healthful eating habits, but package labels can make it difficult for parents to understand what they are feeding their young children, according to a new study in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior.

79% decrease in primary care visits, 56-fold increase in virtual care: COVID-19 pandemic

In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an almost 80% decrease in primary care office visits in Ontario and a 56-fold increase in virtual visits, found new research in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

Study links exposure to nighttime artificial lights with elevated thyroid cancer risk

People living in regions with high levels of outdoor artificial light at night may face a higher risk of developing thyroid cancer. The finding comes from a study published early online in Cancer.