Virus might be behind mystery child hepatitis cases: US agency

Nine young children from Alabama affected by a mysterious hepatitis (inflammation of the liver) all tested positive for a common pathogen called adenovirus 41, a study by the US health agency said Friday.

Beijing tightens COVID restrictions as long holiday begins

Beijing residents will need clear COVID tests to enter public spaces, officials said Saturday, announcing fresh virus controls at the start of a Labour Day holiday muted by creeping infections in the capital.

In Scandinavia, wooden buildings reach new heights

A sandy-colored tower glints in the sunlight and dominates the skyline of the Swedish town of Skelleftea as Scandinavia harnesses its wood resources to lead a global trend towards erecting eco-friendly high-rises.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/in-scandinavia-wooden-buildings-reach-new-heights

Two rocky exoplanets discovered around nearby star

Using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), astronomers have detected two rocky alien worlds orbiting a nearby M dwarf star known as HD 260655. The newly found exoplanets are larger and at least two times more massive than the Earth. The finding is reported in a paper published April 21 on arXiv.org.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/two-rocky-exoplanets-discovered-around-nearby-star

Researchers observe three types of hormone response to surgical disruption in cardiac patients

Cardiac surgery patients may experience different levels of disruption to their body producing life-saving hormones during their operations, a new study reveals.

China regulator says 14,684 Teslas recalled for crash risk

Tesla has recalled 14,684 Model 3s due to a software glitch that could cause collisions, China's market regulator said Friday, in its second recall in the country this month.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/china-regulator-says-14-684-teslas-recalled-for-crash-risk

Paris suspends electric bus fleet after fires

Dozens of electric buses will be taken off the streets of Paris temporarily "as a precaution" after two of the vehicles caught fire, public transport operator RATP said Friday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/paris-suspends-electric-bus-fleet-after-fires

Study identifies how blood stem cells maintain their fate

Understanding the molecular mechanisms that specify and maintain the identities of more than 200 cell types of the human body is arguably one of the most fundamental problems in molecular and cellular biology, with critical implications for the treatment of human diseases. Central to the cell fate decision process are stem cells residing within each tissue of the body.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/study-identifies-how-blood-stem-cells-maintain-their-fate

Earth's atmosphere may be source of some lunar water

Hydrogen and oxygen ions escaping from Earth's upper atmosphere and combining on the moon could be one of the sources of the known lunar water and ice, according to new research by University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute scientists.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/earths-atmosphere-may-be-source-of-some-lunar-water

New tests to decide Shanghai reopening as Beijing stocks up

Shanghai authorities said new COVID-19 testing over the next few days will determine which neighborhoods can safely start reopening, as residents in Beijing watched carefully for word for whether the capital will lock down.

Ford confirms 2022 profit outlook despite lingering semiconductor crunch

Ford confirmed its 2022 profit outlook Wednesday despite lower quarterly auto sales as strong vehicle pricing offsets the hit from higher operating costs and the ongoing semiconductor chip shortage.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/ford-confirms-2022-profit-outlook-despite-lingering-semiconductor-crunch

Judge sides with Elon Musk in lawsuit over SolarCity

A judge in the state of Delaware on Wednesday handed Tesla chief Elon Musk a victory in a shareholder lawsuit filed over the controversial buy of solar panel maker SolarCity.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/judge-sides-with-elon-musk-in-lawsuit-over-solarcity

Samsung Electronics Q1 net profit up 58.57 percent

South Korean tech giant Samsung Electronics posted a 58.57 percent rise in first-quarter net profits on Thursday, largely driven by steady memory chip demand and brisk smartphone sales.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/samsung-electronics-q1-net-profit-up-58-57-percent

Mexico says coronavirus now endemic, not pandemic

The Mexican government said Tuesday that COVID-19 has passed from a pandemic to an endemic stage in Mexico, meaning authorities will treat it as a seasonally recurring disease.

Study identifies causes of cancer

A team of Yale-led researchers can now quantify the factors causing changes in the DNA that contribute most to cancer growth in tumors of most major tumor types.

Amazon warehouse collapse probe finds worker safety risks

U.S. regulators are calling on Amazon to improve its procedures for dealing with severe weather like hurricanes and tornadoes that could threaten workers at its warehouses dotted across the country.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/amazon-warehouse-collapse-probe-finds-worker-safety-risks

US 'clean energy' loan for Australian plant in Louisiana

An Australian company's Louisiana subsidiary can get up to $107 million in U.S. Department of Energy loans to expand a plant that produces materials for electric car batteries the department said Monday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/us-clean-energy-loan-for-australian-plant-in-louisiana

Hawaiian teams with Elon Musk company for in-flight internet

Hawaiian Airlines said Monday that it will offer free wireless internet service from SpaceX's Starlink satellite network on flights between Hawaii and the U.S. mainland, Asia and Oceania.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/hawaiian-teams-with-elon-musk-company-for-in-flight-internet

Musk-ruled Twitter: users left to fight trolls and misinformation?

Elon Musk's vow to let everyone say whatever they want on Twitter after his takeover of the social media giant could put the onus on users to combat bullying and misinformation on the platform, experts say.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/musk-ruled-twitter-users-left-to-fight-trolls-and-misinformation

Second Amazon site in New York kicks off vote on joining union

Workers at an Amazon sorting center in New York began voting Monday on whether to join the Amazon Labor Union, which recently became the first union at the e-commerce giant in the United States.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/second-amazon-site-in-new-york-kicks-off-vote-on-joining-union

Long COVID associated with different clinical trajectories, characteristics depending on severity of initial infection

New research to be presented at this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in Lisbon, Portugal (23-26 April), suggests that the clinical trajectories and characteristics of long COVID may be different depending on the severity of the initial SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Relationship quality affects depressive symptoms in African American couples

For individuals in a committed relationship, there is a well-established two-way association between relationship quality and each partner's mental health. But what exactly about relationships shapes mental health? And which direction is stronger—from mental health to relationship quality or relationship quality to mental health?

Study in patients hospitalized with COVID underscores need for improvement in therapeutic approaches for critically ill

Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 are experiencing shorter lengths of stay in hospital and the portion needing intensive care has declined since the early days of the pandemic. However, overall mortality rates have remained unchanged and the all-cause mortality rate has increased in those who are critically ill and in need of invasive mechanical ventilation or ECMO, according to a large nationwide study of 853,219 COVID-19 patients (aged 18 years or older) hospitalized between May 2020 and December 2021.

Amazon union could face a tough road ahead after victory

In the aftermath of their hard-won labor victory, Amazon workers in the New York City borough of Staten Island popped Champagne, cheered their victory and danced in celebration. But their jovial attitude will be tested by a company that seems likely to drag its feet to the bargaining table.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/amazon-union-could-face-a-tough-road-ahead-after-victory

Don't call him CEO: Jack Dorsey says he's 'Block Head' now

Technology entrepreneur and former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has a new title: Block Head.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/dont-call-him-ceo-jack-dorsey-says-hes-block-head-now

China COVID death toll rises as Beijing warns of 'grim' situation

Shanghai reported 39 COVID deaths Sunday, its highest daily toll despite weeks of lockdowns, while China's capital Beijing warned of a "grim" situation with rising infections.

WHO: 1 child has died in mystery liver disease outbreak

The World Health Organization says at least one death has been reported in connection with a mysterious liver disease outbreak affecting children in Europe and the United States.

13-year-old Minnesota youth set to graduate from college

A 13-year-old boy from Minnesota will soon earn his bachelor's degree from college—with a major in physics and a minor in math.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/13-year-old-minnesota-youth-set-to-graduate-from-college

Study finds superbug C. difficile can jump between pigs and humans, providing evidence of zoonotic spread

A study investigating samples of the superbug Clostridioides difficile across 14 pig farms in Denmark finds the sharing of multiple antibiotic-resistance genes between pigs and human patients, providing evidence that that animal to human (zoonotic) transmission is possible.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/study-finds-superbug-c-difficile-can-jump-between-pigs-and-humans-providing-evidence-of-zoonotic-spread

Preliminary study finds organic vegetables contaminated with wide range of disease-causing microbes

New research to be presented at this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in Lisbon, Portugal (23-26 April), suggests that disease-causing amoebas that live on organic leafy vegetables can shelter human pathogens like Pseudomonas, Salmonella, and Helicobacter and are a potential risk to public health. The study is by Dr. Yolanda Moreno and colleagues from Universitat Politècnica de València in Spain.

Twitter bans ads that defy climate change science

Twitter on Friday banned ads that deny the reality of climate change.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/twitter-bans-ads-that-defy-climate-change-science

Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 were three times as likely to die than those with seasonal influenza

Adults (aged 18 or older) hospitalized with COVID-19 are at higher risk of complications and death than those with influenza, despite being younger and having fewer chronic illnesses, according to a retrospective cohort study conducted at the Hospital del Mar in Barcelona.

'Spring-loaded' system pops phosphorus into molecular rings

MIT chemists have devised a new chemical reaction that allows them to synthesize a phosphorus-containing ring, using a catalyst to add phosphorus to simple organic compounds called alkenes.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/spring-loaded-system-pops-phosphorus-into-molecular-rings

Can a blood test help diagnose skin cancer?

New research in Advanced NanoBiomed Research indicates that testing an individual's blood can reveal the presence of circulating melanoma cells. Such tests may allow patients to forego invasive skin biopsies to determine whether they have skin cancer.

Do pain relievers impede bone drug's efficacy?

New research published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research suggests that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are taken to reduce pain may block the beneficial effects of bone-protective drugs called bisphosphonates.

Netflix shares plunge as subscribers drop

Netflix shares lost a quarter of their value Tuesday after the company revealed its ranks of subscribers shrank in the first quarter of this year.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/netflix-shares-plunge-as-subscribers-drop

Researchers take step toward developing 'electric eye'

Georgia State University researchers have successfully designed a new type of artificial vision device that incorporates a novel vertical stacking architecture and allows for greater depth of color recognition and scalability on a micro-level. The new research is published in the top journal ACS Nano.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/researchers-take-step-toward-developing-electric-eye

China sending up next space station crew in June

China will launch three more astronauts to its newest space station in June after the latest crew returned this weekend following a six-month stay in orbit, an official said Sunday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/china-sending-up-next-space-station-crew-in-june

Endangered North Atlantic right whales make a stand in Cape Cod

After many hours scouring Cape Cod Bay and a few false alarms, those aboard the Research Vessel Shearwater on a bright April day make their first sighting: three North Atlantic right whales, including a rare mother-calf pair.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/endangered-north-atlantic-right-whales-make-a-stand-in-cape-cod

Astronomers confirm size of largest comet ever discovered, bigger than Rhode Island

Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Telescope have confirmed the existence the largest comet ever discovered, and it will pass by our sun in the next decade.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/astronomers-confirm-size-of-largest-comet-ever-discovered-bigger-than-rhode-island

In US, every dog has its... DNA test

The routine is now a familiar one: Open the kit, swirl a swab around, put it in solution and wait impatiently for the results. Except this time it's not a test for COVID—it's a DNA test for dogs.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/in-us-every-dog-has-its-dna-test

Mysterious liver illness seen in kids in US, Europe

Health officials in several countries are investigating mysterious cases of severe liver disease in children, and they think it may be related to a kind of virus usually associated with colds.

A key brain region for substance use disorders now has a searchable atlas of distinct cell populations

In a work of systematic biology that advances the field, University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers have identified 16 distinct cell populations in a complex area of the midbrain called the ventral tegmental area, or VTA.

Electrostatics influence the movement of drops on surfaces

Something as simple as the motion of water drops on surfaces should actually be understood—one would think. In fact there are still numerous unanswered questions about the forces acting on a sliding droplet. A team of researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research in collaboration with colleagues from TU Darmstadt has now discovered: In addition to surface energy and viscous friction within the droplet, electrostatics also play a significant role. The results were recently published in the journal Nature Physics.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/electrostatics-influence-the-movement-of-drops-on-surfaces

Shanghai lockdowns threaten China auto production

Chinese auto makers warned they may have to put the brakes on production if strict Covid-19 curbs in Shanghai persist, with a top Huawei executive also sounding the alarm Friday about snarled supply chains.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/shanghai-lockdowns-threaten-china-auto-production

N.Korea-tied hackers executed $620 mn crypto heist: FBI

North Korean-tied hackers were responsible for a $620-million cryptocurrency heist last month targeting players of the popular Axie Infinity game, US authorities said Thursday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/n-korea-tied-hackers-executed-620-mn-crypto-heist-fbi

Management researchers prescribe possible remedy in opioid misuse

A decision-support framework developed by management science researchers from The University of Texas at Dallas could help clinicians objectively identify and estimate harms and benefits of opioid use for pain management.

Scientists identify novel approach to preventing seizures

Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have announced a significant advance in our understanding of epilepsy, as they have identified a potential method of preventing damaging seizure activity.

About 1 in 4 adults has an often-missed liver disorder linked to higher heart disease risk

It is estimated that about one in four adults worldwide has a liver condition that is a risk factor for heart disease, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement published today in the Association's peer-reviewed journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. The condition, called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), occurs when abnormally elevated amounts of fat are deposited in the liver, sometimes resulting in inflammation and scarring. The prevalence of NAFLD is an estimate, given the challenges in diagnosing the condition, which are detailed in the statement.

Genomic time machine: From sponge microbiome, insights into evolutionary past

Sponges in coral reefs, less flashy than their coral neighbors but important to the overall health of reefs, are among the earliest animals on the planet. New research from UNH peers into coral reef ecosystems with a novel approach to understanding the complex evolution of sponges and the microbes that live in symbiosis with them. With this "genomic time machine," researchers can predict aspects of reef and ocean ecosystems through hundreds of millions of years of dramatic evolutionary change.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/genomic-time-machine-from-sponge-microbiome-insights-into-evolutionary-past

New hope to help advanced Parkinson's patients walk, sleep again

People with advanced Parkinson's disease often struggle to walk more than a few steps or sleep through the night, but new research offers hope of relief from these two debilitating symptoms.

UK approves Valneva's COVID-19 vaccine

Britain has approved a new coronavirus vaccine by the Austrian-French drugmaker Valneva, the UK regulatory authority MHRA said on Thursday.

Data from new CDC study reveal key trends in US healthcare personnel COVID-19 exposures

A study conducted by researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides the first assessment of reported COVID-19 exposures over time among U.S. healthcare personnel (HCP) during the global pandemic. Findings from the study, published today in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), suggest that HCPs diagnosed with COVID-19 were most likely to be exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in their workplaces as COVID-19 cases increased in their communities, and offer insights for reducing HCP exposures and risk during future outbreaks.

iPhone maker Pegatron halts Shanghai production over COVID

Key iPhone maker Pegatron has halted operations at two subsidiaries in the Chinese cities of Shanghai and Kunshan, as global supply chains feel the pinch of Beijing's strict zero-COVID measures.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/iphone-maker-pegatron-halts-shanghai-production-over-covid

Endangered pangolins get fresh chance in S.African clinic

The hospital room is air-cooled to feel like a pangolin's burrow. The patient, Lumbi, is syringe-fed with a protein-packed smoothie, given a daily dose of medicine and has his vital signs checked.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/endangered-pangolins-get-fresh-chance-in-s-african-clinic

Keeping web-like NETs from clogging blood vessels could improve stroke outcomes

Preventing the formation of a sticky, web-like substance that can form in blood vessels after a stroke could protect the brain and lead to better outcomes for patients, studies in mice suggest. The research was reported in the Journal of Clinical Investigation and led by scientists at University of Utah Health.

Better coaching needed to prevent burnout among video gaming pros

Early research into the growing electronic sports (esports) industry highlights a need for better coaching to prevent burnout among professional players.

Germany's Bosch buys British automated driving startup Five

German auto parts and technology company Bosch said Tuesday it is buying Five, a British automated driving startup, for an undisclosed amount.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/germanys-bosch-buys-british-automated-driving-startup-five

UN official urges acceleration in coronavirus vaccinations

The U.N. official spearheading global vaccination efforts against the coronavirus said Monday the number of countries where 10% or less of the population has been vaccinated dropped from 34 to 18 since January and called for accelerated progress to end the pandemic.

Etsy sellers protest fees by halting their sales for a week

Some vendors on Etsy say they are halting sales of their items on the site for a week to protest a hike in the fees the crafts e-commerce marketplace charges them.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/etsy-sellers-protest-fees-by-halting-their-sales-for-a-week

Japan's Honda outlines strategy to forge ahead on EVs

Honda is investing 5 trillion yen ($40 billion) over the next decade in research, especially to realize a major shift to ecological electric vehicles, the Japanese automaker said Tuesday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/japans-honda-outlines-strategy-to-forge-ahead-on-evs

More than half of clinical trials do not report race/ethnicity data

Clinical trials represent one the largest investments of collective resources in science. These studies, which recruit participants and rigorously evaluate new interventions and therapeutics, aim to advance scientific knowledge and improve patient treatment. Including diverse and representative patient populations in clinical trials is essential to accurately predict how well therapies will work in the real world. For several decades, the United States has taken steps to try to increase enrollment of minority populations in clinical trials, but it's remained unclear if these initiatives have improved representation. A new study led by investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital examined two decades worth of data from over 20,000 clinical trials and looked for changes over time. The team found that less than half of trials reported race/ethnicity data. Among those that did, minorities remained underrepresented, but there were improvements among certain groups over time. Results are published in Lancet Regional Health —The Americas.

Lung cancer patients with a genetic variant linked to autoimmune disease may respond better to immunotherapy

A variant of the CTLA-4 gene associated with autoimmune disease was found to be more frequent in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who experienced an exceptionally high response to anti-PD-1 immunotherapy and higher immune-related side effects than in a comparable cohort of lung cancer patients and healthy individuals, according to data presented during the AACR Annual Meeting 2022, held April 8-13.

NHS patients requiring fertility freezing treatments face a postcode lottery, study finds

Depending on where some people live in the UK could mean they are denied an NHS treatment which helps patients with medical needs, such as cancer and transgender issues, become parents in the future.

Children older than 5 at higher risk of COVID-19-related multisystem inflammatory syndrome

A new study found that older children and those with high blood markers for inflammation (ferritin) were at highest risk of severe multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) and admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). The research is published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

Older Black adults with cancer have higher rates of frailty and functional impairments

Despite efforts to address racial disparities related to cancer, Black Americans are more likely to die from cancer than most other groups. New research suggests that a partial explanation may be higher rates of frailty and functional impairments among older Black patients with cancer. The findings are published by Wiley online in Cancer journal.

Indonesia tech giant GoTo soars on market debut

Indonesia's biggest tech firm soared in Jakarta trade Monday after a billion-dollar IPO that was the world's fifth-biggest this year, defying recent heavy weather for Asian tech stocks.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/indonesia-tech-giant-goto-soars-on-market-debut

Elon Musk no longer joining Twitter's board of directors

Tesla CEO Elon Musk won't be joining Twitter's board of directors as previously announced. The tempestuous billionaire remains Twitter's largest shareholder.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/elon-musk-no-longer-joining-twitters-board-of-directors

Musk suggests Twitter changes, including accepting Dogecoin

As Twitter's newest board member and largest shareholder, Elon Musk is already floating suggestions for changes he'd like to see on the social media platform.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/musk-suggests-twitter-changes-including-accepting-dogecoin

Spain seizes hundreds of stuffed endangered animals

Spain said on Sunday it seized over 1,000 taxidermied animals, including hundreds of endangered or extinct species, in one of the largest hauls of its kind.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/spain-seizes-hundreds-of-stuffed-endangered-animals

Key particle weighs in a bit heavy, confounding physicists

The grand explanation physicists use to describe how the universe works may have some major new flaws to patch after a fundamental particle was found to have more mass than scientists thought.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/key-particle-weighs-in-a-bit-heavy-confounding-physicists

Twitter stakeholder Elon Musk tweets 'Is Twitter dying?'

Twitter's newest board member and largest stakeholder Elon Musk tweeted Saturday to ask if the social media network was "dying" and to call out users such as singer Justin Bieber, who are highly followed but rarely post.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/twitter-stakeholder-elon-musk-tweets-is-twitter-dying

What makes this invasive, non-native reed grass thrive in the wetlands?

The Mississippi River Delta is home to the world's largest contiguous swath of Phragmites australis, or more commonly known as the common reed. But the plant that can grow to nearly 20 feet tall and has been a critical component in stabilizing the state's coast against erosion is not actually native to Louisiana—well, not entirely.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/what-makes-this-invasive-non-native-reed-grass-thrive-in-the-wetlands

Quantum innovation advances low-cost alternative solar technology

A team of researchers from the University of Toronto's Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering has leveraged quantum mechanics to optimize the active layer within a device known as an inverted perovskite solar cell—a technology that could one day result in mass-market solar cells that a fraction of those currently on the market.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/quantum-innovation-advances-low-cost-alternative-solar-technology

Teaching AI to identify colors in the dark

A team of researchers at the University of California used deep learning to enable limited color vision in the dark. The group published a paper describing their work on the open-access site PLOS ONE.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/teaching-ai-to-identify-colors-in-the-dark

US Space Force releases decades of bolide data to NASA for planetary defense studies

An agreement between NASA and the U.S. Space Force recently authorized the public release of decades of data collected by U.S. government sensors on fireball events (large bright meteors also known as bolides) for the benefit of the scientific and planetary defense communities. This action results from collaboration between NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO) and the U.S. Space Force to continue furthering our nation's efforts in planetary defense, which include finding, tracking, characterizing, and cataloging near-Earth objects (NEOs). The newly released data is composed of information on the changing brightness of bolides as they pass through Earth's atmosphere, called light curves, that could enhance the planetary defense community's current ability to model the effects of impacts by larger asteroids that could one day pose a threat to Earth.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/us-space-force-releases-decades-of-bolide-data-to-nasa-for-planetary-defense-studies

Fighting viruses is as easy as breathing

The average person will take more than 600 million breaths over the course of their life. Every breath stretches the lungs' tissues with each inhale and relaxes them with each exhale. The mere motions of breathing are known to influence vital functions of the lungs, including their development in babies, the production of air-exchange-enhancing fluid on their inner surfaces, and maintenance of healthy tissue structure. Now, new research from the Wyss Institute at Harvard University has revealed that this constant pattern of stretching and relaxing does even more—it generates immune responses against invading viruses.

Toshiba pauses spin-off plan, weighs going private

Troubled Japanese conglomerate Toshiba has said it is suspending its plan to split into two after last month's shareholder vote against the idea and will now weigh the possibility of going private.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/toshiba-pauses-spin-off-plan-weighs-going-private

Japan's Nissan plans 'game changing' electric car batteries

Nissan is working with NASA on a new type of battery for electric vehicles that promises to charge quicker and be lighter yet safe, the Japanese automaker said Friday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/japans-nissan-plans-game-changing-electric-car-batteries

Scientists have spotted the farthest galaxy ever

An international team of astronomers, including researchers at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, has spotted the most distant astronomical object ever: a galaxy.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/scientists-have-spotted-the-farthest-galaxy-ever

State school pupils just as happy with their lives as private school counterparts, national study finds

A private education doesn't lead to better mental health than state schooling.  Nor does it bring with it greater life satisfaction, a new study of thousands of young people reveals.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/state-school-pupils-just-as-happy-with-their-lives-as-private-school-counterparts-national-study-finds

Researchers develop method to advance maturation of human pluripotent stem cell-derived heart cells

A Mount Sinai-led team has developed a reproducible and scalable method to advance maturation of human pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hPSC-CMs)—cells that support heart muscle contraction, generated in the lab from human stem cell lines—which researchers say will improve approaches for disease modeling, regenerative therapies, and drug testing. A study reporting this new protocol was published in the April 7 print edition of the journal Cell Stem Cell.

The metaverse threat: 'TV will die with its audience'

TV companies will need to radically adapt themselves to the fast-evolving world of online entertainment if they hope to survive, experts have warned.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/the-metaverse-threat-tv-will-die-with-its-audience

The race to dominate satellite internet heats up

Though satellite internet has existed for years, the competition is about to rapidly intensify, with companies planning to launch thousands of their own systems into low Earth orbit.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/the-race-to-dominate-satellite-internet-heats-up

JD.com founder Richard Liu leaves CEO post

Chinese e-commerce company JD.com said Thursday that its founder Richard Liu has left his position as CEO, the latest Chinese billionaire founder to step aside amid increased government scrutiny of the country's technology industry.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/jd-com-founder-richard-liu-leaves-ceo-post

What are the motives behind cronyism?

A study in Economic Inquiry uses a novel experimental design to deconstruct the motives behind engaging in cronyism, for example, when a manager hires a friend without proper regard to their qualifications. The research indicates that cronyism persists mainly because it is profitable for those who engage in it.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/what-are-the-motives-behind-cronyism

Both antibiotic resistant bacteria and genes transmitted between healthy dogs and cats and their owners

Healthy pet dogs and cats could be passing on antibiotic-resistant bacteria as well as genes that play a key role in bacterial resistance to their owners, according to new research to be presented at this year's European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in Lisbon, Portugal (23-26 April). The study is by Dr. Juliana Menezes from the University of Lisbon in Portugal and Dr. Sian Frosini from the Royal Veterinary College, UK, and colleagues.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/both-antibiotic-resistant-bacteria-and-genes-transmitted-between-healthy-dogs-and-cats-and-their-owners

How common is fear of cancer recurrence in survivors and patients?

A recent analysis of published studies found that more than half (59%) of cancer survivors and patients experience at least a moderate level of fear of cancer recurrence and that about one in five (19%) have a high level of fear.

Has the kidney health of children with lupus changed in recent years?

Many children with lupus, which is an autoimmune condition, develop kidney problems, but a recent analysis in Arthritis & Rheumatology reveals that patients' kidney-related health has improved in recent years. 

EXPLAINER: What Elon Musk at Twitter might mean for users

Tesla CEO Elon Musk now has a 9% stake in Twitter and a seat on its corporate board of directors, raising questions about how the billionaire business magnate could reshape the social media platform. He is now Twitter's biggest shareholder and has the ear of top managers.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/explainer-what-elon-musk-at-twitter-might-mean-for-users

Sign of times: MLB gives OK to electronic pitch calling

In a move that ends a tradition dating more than 150 years, Major League Baseball approved the use of an electronic device for catchers to signal pitches in an effort to eliminate sign stealing and speed games.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/sign-of-times-mlb-gives-ok-to-electronic-pitch-calling

Twitter says it's testing an 'edit' button

Twitter tweeted Tuesday that it is indeed working on a way for users to edit their 280-character messages, although it says the project has nothing to do with the fact that edit-function fan Elon Musk was just revealed as the company's largest shareholder and now sits on its board.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/twitter-says-its-testing-an-edit-button

Global team of scientists determine 'fingerprint' for how much heat, drought is too much for forests

How hot is too hot, and how dry is too dry, for the Earth's forests? A new study from an international team of researchers found the answers—by looking at decades of dying trees.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/global-team-of-scientists-determine-fingerprint-for-how-much-heat-drought-is-too-much-for-forests

Colombian researchers seek safety for bees in urban jungle

Far from the flowery fields that are their natural home, honey bees imperiled by pesticides in rural Colombia are finding sanctuary on university campuses in the bustling capital Bogota.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/colombian-researchers-seek-safety-for-bees-in-urban-jungle

New non-destructive DNA method opens opportunities

A new method of obtaining ancient genomic data without damaging source material has been developed by University of Otago researchers, creating new opportunities for museum and archaeological collections worldwide.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/new-non-destructive-dna-method-opens-opportunities

New report reveals industry-led initiative restricting products advertised to kids fails to protect them

Although recent revisions to the nutrition criteria used by the Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI), the food industry's self-regulatory program, led to minor nutritional improvements in products that may be advertised to kids, the initiative fails to meaningfully protect them from marketing of unhealthy food and beverages, according to a new report from researchers at the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health at the University of Connecticut.

UN to release handbook of climate change solutions

UN climate experts are set to release what is expected to be the definitive guide to halting global warming on Monday, in a report that lays out how societies and economies must transform to ensure a "liveable" future.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/un-to-release-handbook-of-climate-change-solutions

Viruses that could save millions of lives

It may seem strange after a pandemic that has killed millions and turned the world upside down, but viruses could save just as many lives.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/viruses-that-could-save-millions-of-lives

Opioid prescriptions for pediatric patients following surgical procedures have dropped significantly

Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine found that opioid prescriptions for children who underwent one of eight common outpatient surgeries declined over a period of five years. These findings suggest that clinicians are using more discretion when considering which pediatric patients require an opioid prescription after their procedures. The findings were published online today by the journal Pediatrics.

'Green steel' heating up in Sweden's frozen north

For hundreds of years, raging blast furnaces—fed with coking coal—have forged steel used in cars, railways, bridges and skyscrapers.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/green-steel-heating-up-in-swedens-frozen-north

Tesla sells 310,000 vehicles in 1Q, despite logistics issues

Tesla delivered 310,000 vehicles in the first quarter, up roughly 68% from the same period in 2021, the company said Saturday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/tesla-sells-310-000-vehicles-in-1q-despite-logistics-issues

California peregrine falcon finds partner after mate's death

A peregrine falcon whose longtime mate died this week amid the breeding season appears to have found a new partner to help her hatch two eggs.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/california-peregrine-falcon-finds-partner-after-mates-death

Hong Kong urges testing, Shanghai struggles under lockdown

Hong Kong authorities on Saturday asked the entire population of more than 7.4 million people to voluntarily test themselves for COVID-19 at home for three days in a row starting next week.

Iowa egg, turkey farms to lose 5 million birds to bird flu

Bird flu has infected two more farms in Iowa, forcing the killing of 5.3 million hens and 88,000 turkeys, officials said Friday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/iowa-egg-turkey-farms-to-lose-5-million-birds-to-bird-flu

Which companies are going public in 2022? Almost none so far

As the first quarter of 2022 winds down, the IPO parade is ending with a whimper— there were no initial public offerings this week and just one last week.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/which-companies-are-going-public-in-2022-almost-none-so-far