New class of antibiotics against resistant bacteria

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a growing threat to human health. In an article published in the journal PNAS, Umeå researcher Fredrik Almqvist and his colleagues present a new type of antibiotic that effectively kills hard-to-fight bacteria.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/new-class-of-antibiotics-against-resistant-bacteria

Fairy tales are salient for teaching primary students about social justice and emotional intelligence, study finds

From Little Red Riding Hood to the Ugly Duckling, fairy tales have long been read to children across the ages. Yet despite criticisms of being outdated and sexist, new research shows that fairy tales still hold an important place in primary education.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/fairy-tales-are-salient-for-teaching-primary-students-about-social-justice-and-emotional-intelligence-study-finds

Young star-forming complexes detected in the galaxy NGC 4324

Using the Caucasus Mountain Observatory, Russian astronomers have investigated a nearby lenticular galaxy known as NGC 4324. They detected young star-forming complexes in the inner ring of this galaxy. The findings, presented October 14 on arXiv.org, could improve our knowledge about the formation and evolution of NGC 4324.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/young-star-forming-complexes-detected-in-the-galaxy-ngc-4324

Sinuses offer new way of studying the evolution of ancient humans

The changing shape of the frontal sinuses is helping to reveal more about how modern humans, and our ancient relatives, evolved.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/sinuses-offer-new-way-of-studying-the-evolution-of-ancient-humans

New method can quickly derive contact binary parameters for large photometric surveys

A contact binary is a strongly interacting binary system with two component stars filled with Roche lobes, and there is a common envelope around the component stars.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/new-method-can-quickly-derive-contact-binary-parameters-for-large-photometric-surveys

How heart failure disrupts the cell's mitochondria

Chronic heart failure causes the cell's powerhouses to malfunction, in part due to overconsumption of an important intermediary compound in energy production. Supplementing the diet to compensate for this could prove a promising strategy for treating heart failure. The findings were published in the journal PNAS by Hokkaido University scientists and colleagues in Japan.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/how-heart-failure-disrupts-the-cells-mitochondria

Science sleuths solve century-old mystery of Martian meteorite's discovery

A toxin that makes pigs vomit is the surprising key which has unlocked the century-old mystery of the origins of a Martian meteorite, and the possible identity of the Black student who discovered it.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/science-sleuths-solve-century-old-mystery-of-martian-meteorites-discovery

Positive ESG ratings in the past led to 25% drop in philanthropic giving

Everywhere you look, something or someone is being rated—that movie you're thinking of seeing, the restaurant you might try, the president's popularity this week. We don't seem to agree on much right now, but we can all agree that a positive rating is good, and a negative rating is bad. Or can we?

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/positive-esg-ratings-in-the-past-led-to-25-drop-in-philanthropic-giving

Different blossoming schedules have kept these flowers from driving each other extinct

A big part of evolution is competition— when there are limited resources to go around, plants and animals have to duke it out for nutrients, mates, and places to live. That means that the flower-covered meadows of China's Hengduan mountains were an evolutionary mystery— there are dozens of species of closely-related rhododendrons that all live in harmony. To figure out why, scientists spent a summer carefully documenting the flowering patterns of 34 Rhododendron species, and they discovered the reason why the plants were able to coexist: they burst into bloom at different points in the season so they don't have to compete for pollinators.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/different-blossoming-schedules-have-kept-these-flowers-from-driving-each-other-extinct

Israel to spend millions on Einstein museum

The Israeli government decided on Sunday to allocate millions of dollars for a museum to house the world's largest collection of Albert Einstein documents, the Hebrew University said.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/israel-to-spend-millions-on-einstein-museum

New data transmission record set using a single laser and a single optical chip

An international group of researchers from Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden have achieved dizzying data transmission speeds and are the first in the world to transmit more than 1 petabit per second (Pbit/s) using only a single laser and a single optical chip.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/new-data-transmission-record-set-using-a-single-laser-and-a-single-optical-chip

Partial solar eclipse from Iceland to India on Tuesday

A partial solar eclipse will be visible across a swathe of the Northern Hemisphere on Tuesday, with amateur astronomers warned to take care watching the rare phenomenon.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/partial-solar-eclipse-from-iceland-to-india-on-tuesday

Farmers in US Midwest struggle amid prolonged drought

Months without rain have left farmers across the vast US Midwest, part of the country's essential "breadbasket," seeing crop yields in freefall, with some fields too damaged to harvest.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/farmers-in-us-midwest-struggle-amid-prolonged-drought

Major Hurricane Roslyn approaches Mexico's Pacific coast

Communities along the west coast of Mexico prepared Saturday for Hurricane Roslyn, a major Category 4 storm, as the US National Hurricane Center warned of potentially damaging winds, dangerous storm surge and flash flooding.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/major-hurricane-roslyn-approaches-mexicos-pacific-coast

India launches 36 internet satellites delayed by Ukraine war

India launched a rocket carrying 36 private internet satellites on early Sunday, stepping in to keep the orbital constellation growing after a monthslong interruption related to the war in Ukraine.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/india-launches-36-internet-satellites-delayed-by-ukraine-war

New strategy enables targeted treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

The high level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) microenvironment and its persistent inflammatory nature can promote damage to joints, bones, and the synovium. Strategies that integrate effective RA microenvironment regulation with imaging-based monitoring could lead to improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of RA.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/new-strategy-enables-targeted-treatment-of-rheumatoid-arthritis

Antibiotic resistance testing no longer impeded by time

Significant time is needed to determine the drug susceptibility profile of a bacterial infection. Now, researchers from Nara Institute of Science and Technology and collaborating partners have published reports on a technology that will dramatically speed up this otherwise slow process and possibly help save lives.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/antibiotic-resistance-testing-no-longer-impeded-by-time

FAST discovers largest atomic gas structure around a galaxy group

Atomic gas is the basic material that all galaxies are formed from. The evolution of galaxies is mostly a procedure of accreting atomic gas from the intergalactic medium and then converting it into stars.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/fast-discovers-largest-atomic-gas-structure-around-a-galaxy-group

Food aid staving off famine in Somalia: UN

The United Nations said Friday that international food assistance to Somalia was the only reason why famine was being kept at bay in the troubled country.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/food-aid-staving-off-famine-in-somalia-un

Climate Questions: How does carbon dioxide trap heat?

That carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases trap heat is something scientists have known about for more than a 150 years. The underlying concept behind climate change is simple enough that school children can replicate the chemistry and physics and so can you.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/climate-questions-how-does-carbon-dioxide-trap-heat

Unlocking hidden connections between cell death and inflammation

As researchers glean new insights into the dynamic inner world of the human immune system, it has become increasingly clear that mitochondria are critical regulators of how our bodies respond to disease.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/unlocking-hidden-connections-between-cell-death-and-inflammation

Navigating when GPS goes dark

Words like "tough" or "rugged" are rarely associated with a quantum inertial sensor. The remarkable scientific instrument can measure motion a thousand times more accurately than the devices that help navigate today's missiles, aircraft and drones. But its delicate, table-sized array of components that includes a complex laser and vacuum system has largely kept the technology grounded and confined to the controlled settings of a lab.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/navigating-when-gps-goes-dark

Scientists discover the source of one of the rarest groups of meteorites

Since return mission Hayabusa2 brought samples of asteroid Ryugu back to Earth in 2020, a team of experts from across the world have been examining them to learn more about the origins of our solar system.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/scientists-discover-the-source-of-one-of-the-rarest-groups-of-meteorites

First measurement of interactions between Fermi polarons in an atomically-thin 2D semiconductor

Recent Australian-led research has provided a world's first measurement of interactions between Fermi polarons in an atomically-thin 2D semiconductor, using ultrafast spectroscopy capable of probing complex quantum materials.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/first-measurement-of-interactions-between-fermi-polarons-in-an-atomically-thin-2d-semiconductor

Volcanic 'trombone music' could provide early warning of eruptions

University of Canterbury (UC) postdoctoral researcher Dr. Leighton Watson (Ngāi Tahu), in collaboration with researchers at the Italian National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology and Boise State University, has developed a modeling tool that uses sound waves from volcanic activity to help understand and forecast volcanic behavior.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/volcanic-trombone-music-could-provide-early-warning-of-eruptions

Observations shed more light on the star formation history of galaxy NGC 2915

Using the Very Large Telescope (VLT), Chinese astronomers have investigated a nearby blue compact dwarf galaxy known as NGC 2915. Results of the study, presented in a paper published October 12 on arXiv.org, yield important insights regarding the star formation history of this galaxy.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/observations-shed-more-light-on-the-star-formation-history-of-galaxy-ngc-2915

Acidic layer in single-walled carbon nanotubes facilitates confinement of anion impurities

Efficient purification processes that separate impurities from air and water are necessary to sustain life on Earth. To this end, carbon materials have long been used for deodorizing, separating, and removing harmful anion impurities by adsorption. So far, the detailed mechanism by which carbon purifies water has remained a mystery. Additionally, it is not known if the aqueous solution adsorbed on the carbon material is acidic, alkaline, or neutral.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/acidic-layer-in-single-walled-carbon-nanotubes-facilitates-confinement-of-anion-impurities

Analysis of research on Myanmar amber fossils shows explicit links to political, legal and economic changes

Myanmar, a country in Southeast Asia, is plagued by political and economic crises. The fall of a president, a military putsch and the crackdown on religious minorities have had an impact not only on life but also on research in the country. One area of research that has been particularly affected is research into fossils preserved in amber.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/analysis-of-research-on-myanmar-amber-fossils-shows-explicit-links-to-political-legal-and-economic-changes

Study reveals a broken symmetry in the roughness of elastic interfaces

A large class of problems in non-equilibrium statistical physics deal with driven dynamics of elastic interfaces in random media. Examples include stress-driven propagation of crack fronts in disordered solids, motion of domain walls driven by applied magnetic fields in disordered ferromagnets, and dynamics of fluid fronts invading a porous medium—for example, when coffee spilled on the table is absorbed by the tablecloth.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/study-reveals-a-broken-symmetry-in-the-roughness-of-elastic-interfaces

Mysterious breeding habits of aquarium fish vex experts

It took a broken air conditioner for Tom Bowling to figure out—after nearly eight months of failure—how to breed the coveted pink-yellow tropical fish known as blotched anthias.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/mysterious-breeding-habits-of-aquarium-fish-vex-experts

Novel genomic technology provides ultra-sensitive detection of gene fusions from RNA

Biofidelity, a genomic technology company, has developed a low-cost, simple and rapid assay for single-molecule detection of multiple gene fusions from RNA. A new scientific paper describes the assay and how detecting these fusions faster and at a lower cost has the potential to revolutionize patient care and make precision medicine globally accessible to more people.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/novel-genomic-technology-provides-ultra-sensitive-detection-of-gene-fusions-from-rna

Sustainably extracting bactericidal mixtures from tomato peels

In recent years, agro-industrial residues have been explored for the development of bioplastics, food supplements, and other applications. In Europe, nearly 10 million tons of tomato fruit were processed in 2020, generating half a million tons of tomato pomace (residues of peels, stems and seeds). In an article published on the cover of ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, a team of ITQB NOVA and INRAE (France) scientists showed that it is possible to extract bactericidal mixtures from tomato peels in a short and sustainable process.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/sustainably-extracting-bactericidal-mixtures-from-tomato-peels

Astronomers explore the properties of supernova SN 2017hcc

Using various spacecraft and ground-based telescopes, astronomers have conducted multiwavelength observations of a Type IIn supernova known as SN 2017hcc. Results of the observational campaign, published October 6 on arXiv.org, shed more light on the properties of this supernova.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/astronomers-explore-the-properties-of-supernova-sn-2017hcc

Color-selective, three-dimensional polarization structures

Polarization has been a central concept to our understanding of optics and has found many applications ranging from quantum science to our daily life. 3D polarization structures possess peculiar optical features and extra degrees of freedom for carrying information.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/color-selective-three-dimensional-polarization-structures

Exploring the decay processes of a quantum state weakly coupled to a finite-size reservoir

In quantum physics, Fermi's golden rule, also known as the golden rule of time-dependent perturbation theory, is a formula that can be used to calculate the rate at which an initial quantum state transitions into a final state, which is composed of a continuum of states (a so-called "bath"). This valuable equation has been applied to numerous physics problems, particularly those for which it is important to consider how systems respond to imposed perturbations and settle into stationary states over time.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/exploring-the-decay-processes-of-a-quantum-state-weakly-coupled-to-a-finite-size-reservoir

Warming waters 'key culprit' in Alaska crab mass die-off

Climate change is a prime suspect in a mass die-off of Alaska's snow crabs, experts say, after the state took the unprecedented step of canceling their harvest this season to save the species.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/warming-waters-key-culprit-in-alaska-crab-mass-die-off

One in six younger Australians live in poverty

Poverty persists in Australia with younger demographics—including children, young adults and working families— bearing the brunt of the unequal distribution of resources in Australia.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/one-in-six-younger-australians-live-in-poverty

Lab-grown cell machinery prompts real cells to sense and react to outside cues

Imperial researchers have programmed bacterial cells to react to changes in light and temperature with the help of synthetic cell machinery.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/lab-grown-cell-machinery-prompts-real-cells-to-sense-and-react-to-outside-cues

Grazing animals key to long-term soil carbon stability, study finds

Large mammalian herbivores like the yak and ibex play a crucial role in stabilizing the pool of soil carbon in grazing ecosystems such as the Spiti region in the Himalayas, according to a 16-year-long study carried out by researchers at the Center for Ecological Sciences (CES) and the Divecha Center for Climate Change (DCCC), Indian Institute of Science (IISc).

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/grazing-animals-key-to-long-term-soil-carbon-stability-study-finds

Bringing photocatalysis from laboratory to industry

Photocatalysis is considered a promising novel approach for the sustainable synthesis of, amongst others, active pharmaceutical ingredients and agrochemicals.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/bringing-photocatalysis-from-laboratory-to-industry

Honeybees use a 'mental number line' to keep track of things

A small team of researchers with members from the University of Toulouse, the University of Lausanne and the University of Padova has found evidence that honeybees have a mental number line in their tiny brains. In their paper published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the group describes experiments they conducted with captive honeybees.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/honeybees-use-a-mental-number-line-to-keep-track-of-things

Plants use their roots to measure manganese concentration available in the soil

A team of researchers led by Jörg Kudla from the Institute of Biology and Biotechnology at the University of Münster are the first to demonstrate, using the model plant thale cress (Arabidopsis thaliana), how plants perceive manganese deficiency and which processes subsequently take place in the plant at the molecular level.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/plants-use-their-roots-to-measure-manganese-concentration-available-in-the-soil

Reliably estimating proportion of bait-vaccinated populations in wildlife

Researchers developed a ground-breaking model to estimate bait vaccination effectiveness in wild animals based on the proportion of immunized animals in a population and the number of vaccine applications.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/reliably-estimating-proportion-of-bait-vaccinated-populations-in-wildlife

CAPITAL: A major advance in single-cell RNA data analysis

New developments in high-throughput biological studies mean that the genes that are active in just a single cell can now be determined. However, analyzing the complex datasets that result can be challenging. Now, a team at Osaka University has developed CAPITAL, a new computational tool for comparing complex datasets from single cells. Their research appears in Nature Communications.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/capital-a-major-advance-in-single-cell-rna-data-analysis

Germany slaps messaging app Telegram with $5 million fine

Germany announced Monday that it is issuing fines of 5.125 million euros ($5 million) against the operators of the messaging app Telegram for failing to comply with German law.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/germany-slaps-messaging-app-telegram-with-5-million-fine

Pandemic had disproportionate impact on female educators

A new study by University at Albany researchers found that female educators experienced the COVID-19 pandemic more negatively than their male counterparts.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/pandemic-had-disproportionate-impact-on-female-educators

Study addresses causes of eye color variation in primates

Have you ever wondered why some people have lighter eyes than others? Differences in iris coloration have traditionally been explained as a result of sexual selection, but a recent study led by researchers from the Department of Biological Sciences at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Faculty of Science revealed that this is partly due to differences in lighting in the habitats of primate species.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/study-addresses-causes-of-eye-color-variation-in-primates

Ultra-precise quantum thermometer to measure temperatures of space and time

An international team of scientists including experts from the University of Adelaide has designed a quantum thermometer to measure the ultra-cold temperatures of space and time predicted by Einstein and the laws of quantum mechanics.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/ultra-precise-quantum-thermometer-to-measure-temperatures-of-space-and-time

Scientists use surfactant to help make 'inert' templates for nanotube growth

Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have used a surfactant to disperse insulating boron nitride nanotubes and coat them onto surfaces without bundling. The team demonstrated that heat treatment could remove the surfactant to reveal clean nanoscale templates; chemical vapor deposition could then form coaxial nanotubes on the template using a range of materials. The ability to coat nanotubes onto "inert" insulating structures gives scientists unprecedented access to the properties of new nanotube materials.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/scientists-use-surfactant-to-help-make-inert-templates-for-nanotube-growth

Supernova remnant SNR 0509-67.5 investigated with Chandra

Using NASA's Chandra X-ray observatory, astronomers have carried out an X-ray proper motion study of a supernova remnant known as SNR 0509-67.5. Results of the research, published October 5 on arXiv.org, yield essential information regarding the expansion of this structure.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/supernova-remnant-snr-0509-67-5-investigated-with-chandra

Marijuana-dependent patients at higher risk for infection after knee or shoulder arthroscopy procedures

Patients who are dependent on marijuana may face higher infection rates following knee and shoulder arthroscopy—a minimally invasive surgery in which a small camera is inserted to diagnose and sometimes treat injury—according to a study presented at the Scientific Forum of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2022.

New palliative care screening tool for surgical ICU patients may facilitate decision-making processes

To aid in decision-making processes and increase awareness around palliative care in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU), a research team at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) has developed a screening tool to identify—within seconds—patients who may benefit from palliative care consultations or goals of care discussions. Their research findings, presented at the Scientific Forum during the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Clinical Congress 2022, show that the screening tool successfully identified SICU patients who were later deemed candidates for palliative care by their medical team.

'Sentient' brain cells in dish learn to play video game: study

Brain cells living in a dish can learn to play the classic video game Pong, thus demonstrating "intelligent and sentient behavior," Australian neuroscientists argue in a new paper.

Astronomers are captivated by brightest flash ever seen

Astronomers have observed the brightest flash of light ever seen, from an event that occurred 2.4 billion light years from Earth and was likely triggered by the formation of a black hole.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/astronomers-are-captivated-by-brightest-flash-ever-seen

Life may have thrived on early Mars, until it drove climate change that caused its demise

If there ever was life on Mars—and that's a huge "if"—conditions during the planet's infancy most likely would have supported it, according to a study led by University of Arizona researchers.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/life-may-have-thrived-on-early-mars-until-it-drove-climate-change-that-caused-its-demise

How bad is red meat for you? Health risks get star ratings

Research about what is healthy comes so thick and fast—red meat can appear good for you one week, stroke-inducing the next—that a confused public often struggles to keep up.

Scientists reappraise the role of 'zombie' cells that anti-aging medicine has sought to eliminate

Not all senescent cells are harmful "zombies" that should be wiped out to prevent age-related disease, according to new research from UC San Francisco, which found that some of them are embedded in young, healthy tissues and promote normal repair from damage.

Ex-head of US electric truck firm found guilty of fraud

The former head of Nikola, a start-up making electric- and hydrogen-powered trucks, was found guilty of fraud on Friday for misleading investors about his company's alleged progress and capabilities in order to raise more money.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/ex-head-of-us-electric-truck-firm-found-guilty-of-fraud

NASA's Lucy to fly past thousands of objects for Earth gravity assist

Mission engineers will track NASA's Lucy spacecraft nonstop as it prepares to swoop near Earth on Oct. 16 to use this planet's gravity to set itself on a course toward the Jupiter Trojan asteroids.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/nasas-lucy-to-fly-past-thousands-of-objects-for-earth-gravity-assist

Gene associated with better immune response, protection after COVID-19 vaccination

Researchers from the University of Oxford have today reported new findings from a study exploring how certain genes can help generate a strong immune response following vaccination with two commonly used COVID-19 vaccines—identifying a particular gene associated with a high antibody response.

Secret structure in the wiring diagram of the brain

In the brain, our perception arises from a complex interplay of neurons that are connected via synapses. But the number and strength of connections between certain types of neurons can vary. Researchers from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB), the University Medical Center Mainz and the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU), together with a research team from the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research in Frankfurt, as part of the Priority Program Computational Connectomics (SPP2041), have now discovered that the structure of the seemingly irregular neuronal connection strengths contains a hidden order. This is essential for the stability of the neuronal network. The study has now been published in the journal PNAS.

A new system that could improve robot navigation in uneven terrains

As mobile robots become more advanced, they also become easier to deploy in a wide range of real-world settings. One of the factors that will enable their large-scale implementation is their ability to autonomously move around within different types of environments.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/a-new-system-that-could-improve-robot-navigation-in-uneven-terrains

With morphing limbs, a robot that travels by land and water

Imagine being able to morph your legs into flippers before you jump in the water. Yale researchers have created a robot that accomplishes this feat through a process they dubbed "adaptive morphogenesis."

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/with-morphing-limbs-a-robot-that-travels-by-land-and-water

Aspirin as effective as standard blood thinner to prevent life-threatening blood clots and death after fracture surgery

Patients who have surgery to repair bone fractures typically receive a type of injectable blood thinner, low-molecular-weight heparin, to prevent life-threatening blood clots, but a new clinical trial found that over-the-counter aspirin is just as effective. The findings, presented today at the Orthopedic Trauma Association (OTA) annual meeting in Tampa, FL, could cause surgeons to change their practice and administer aspirin instead to these patients.

New omicron subvariant largely evades neutralizing antibodies

A study at Karolinska Institutet shows that the coronavirus variant BA.2.75.2, an omicron sublineage, largely evades neutralizing antibodies in the blood and is resistant to several monoclonal antibody antiviral treatments. The findings, published in the journal The Lancet Infectious Diseases, suggest a risk of increased SARS-CoV-2 infections this winter, unless the new updated bivalent vaccines help to boost immunity in the population.

Europe's high mortality linked to antimicrobial resistance needs action now

The latest and most comprehensive analysis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and its impact in the entire WHO European Region (53 countries) was published in a paper today in The Lancet Public Health. Researchers at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington's School of Medicine, Oxford Center for Global Health Research, Center for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, and other collaborators analyzed 23 bacterial pathogens and 88 pathogen-drug combinations to release the following findings:

Talk therapy could improve mental health of people with dementia

People living with dementia may benefit from talking therapies available on the NHS, if they suffer from anxiety or depression, finds a new study led by UCL researchers.

Quit removing wax from your ears

It can be a common habit—after a shower or getting out of the pool, grabbing a cotton-tipped swab to clean out one's ears to help get rid of excess water, or to remove what one thinks is earwax build-up.

Do new job tools improve women's performance in male-dominated fields? Evidence from robotic surgery

We all are likely to underestimate the daunting physical barriers faced by female employees due to the prevalence of working tools designed for men, but previous research has documented such an effect in various sectors. In construction, where the majority of the tools are sized for a man of average stature, for example, musculoskeletal disorders are common among female workers. In the U.S. military, weapons systems were required to accommodate a user with 5th to 95th male percentile body dimensions, which prevented many women from flying fighter planes.

Experimental antibiotic torpedoes the protective slime that makes resistant bacteria tougher to fight

An experimental antibiotic is under development that is capable of neutralizing a wide range of drug-resistant, Gram-positive bacteria—pathogens that protect themselves in a slimy shield, called a biofilm, designed by nature to keep threats out.

Tips for treating the flu at home

It's flu season, during which approximately 30 million Americans will get the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fortunately, most of those cases don't require medical attention and can be treated at home with remedies such as over the counter (OTC) medication and common kitchen staples.

Are women really better at finding and remembering words than men? Large study settles score

Textbooks and popular science books claim with certainty that women are better at finding words and remembering words, but is this really a fact?

Red Alert: Massive stars sound warning they are about to go supernova

Astronomers from Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Montpellier have devised an 'early warning' system to sound the alert when a massive star is about to end its life in a supernova explosion. The work was published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/red-alert-massive-stars-sound-warning-they-are-about-to-go-supernova

New device for early detection of gum disease

Researchers from the University of Birmingham are developing a rapid test for gum disease, and they expect the technology—a probe for use in point of care settings such as dental surgeries or pharmacies—to play a pivotal role in early detection of heart or lung disease, type 2 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.

Small-molecule drug reverses neural effects of concussion

A small molecule called ISRIB that was identified at UC San Francisco can reverse the neuronal and cognitive effects of concussion in mice weeks after an injury occurred, new research has found.

TikTok going big on US e-commerce? Job listings offer clues

TikTok appears to be deepening its foray into e-commerce with plans to operate its own U.S. warehouses, the kind of packing and shipping facilities more associated with Amazon or Walmart than the social media platform best known for addictive short videos.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-technology-news/tiktok-going-big-on-us-e-commerce-job-listings-offer-clues

477 whales die in 'heartbreaking' New Zealand strandings

Some 477 pilot whales have died after stranding themselves on two remote New Zealand beaches over recent days, officials say.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/477-whales-die-in-heartbreaking-new-zealand-strandings

Japanese rocket launch fails in blow for space agency

The launch of a Japanese rocket taking satellites into orbit to demonstrate new technologies failed after blast-off on Wednesday because of a positioning problem, the country's space agency said.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/japanese-rocket-launch-fails-in-blow-for-space-agency

Survey: Most women unaware of the signs of an aggressive form of breast cancer

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and a new national survey commissioned by The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center—Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC—James) found that most women are unaware of the unusual symptoms of a particularly aggressive and deadly form of the disease known as inflammatory breast cancer.

Paternal stress associated with children's emotional and behavioral problems at age two

New research from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King's College London with the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare and others has found an association between fathers who experience too much stress in the months following the birth of their child, and the child's subsequent development of emotional and behavioral problems at age two.

Physicians debate CRC guidelines, available screening options for younger patients

In a new Annals of Internal Medicine "Beyond the Guidelines" feature, a primary care physician and a gastroenterologist discuss the recommendation to begin colorectal cancer (CRC) screening at age 45, review options for CRC screening, and discuss how to choose among the available options. All "Beyond the Guidelines" features are based on the Department of Medicine Grand Rounds at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) in Boston and include print, video, and educational components published in Annals of Internal Medicine. 

Most persons screened for lung cancer meet USPSTF criteria, but adherence to follow-up screening low

A cohort study of more than 1 million people has found that most persons screened for lung cancer meet U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) criteria, but men, persons who formerly smoked, and younger eligible patients are less likely to be screened. Adherence to follow-up screening was also poor. The findings are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Study shows some children with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia miss out on decades of life-saving treatment

The Family Heart Foundation, a leading research and advocacy organization, has shared results from an analysis of patients in its CASCADE FH Registry showing that children with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) are diagnosed earlier and have much higher untreated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) than adults with HoFH.

New survey: 91% of parents say their family is less stressed when they eat together

Chronic, constant stress can increase lifetime risk of heart disease and stroke, but a new survey from the American Heart Association, a global force for longer, healthier lives for all, reveals regular mealtime with others could be a simple solution to help manage stress.

What other storms can teach us about looming mental health impacts of Hurricane Ian

As residents of southwest Florida begin the arduous process of rebuilding their lives in the wake of Hurricane Ian, Tulane University experts who have studied long-term impacts of storms in New Orleans have one piece of advice: don't ignore your mental health.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/what-other-storms-can-teach-us-about-looming-mental-health-impacts-of-hurricane-ian

InSight Mars lander waits out dust storm

NASA's InSight mission, which is expected to end in the near future, saw a recent drop in power generated by its solar panels as a continent-size dust storm swirls over Mars' southern hemisphere. First observed on Sept. 21, 2022, by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), the storm is roughly 2,175 miles (3,500 kilometers) from InSight and initially had little impact on the lander.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/insight-mars-lander-waits-out-dust-storm

Reign of Papua New Guinea's megafauna lasted long after humans arrived

A giant kangaroo that once roamed on four legs through remote forests in the Papua New Guinea Highlands may have survived as recently as 20,000 years ago—long after large-bodied megafauna on mainland Australia went extinct, new research indicates.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-science-news/reign-of-papua-new-guineas-megafauna-lasted-long-after-humans-arrived

How genetics influences our body weight beyond genes

Heredity plays a role in how strongly we are predisposed to put on excess weight. In recent years, researchers have extensively examined which genes and gene variants play a role in this, and have identified roughly one hundred obesity susceptibility genes. However, genome-wide association studies have shown that less than half of all cases of hereditary obesity can be explained by these genes. The other half are the result of factors that, although part of our DNA, are not genes in the classical sense. Epigenetic information would be one example of such a factor.

Financial toxicity after robotic prostate cancer surgery: Younger patients at higher risk

Among men undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) for treatment of prostate cancer, younger patients are more likely to experience cancer-related financial toxicity, suggests a study in the Journal of Urology, an official journal of the American Urological Association (AUA). The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer.

Research finds association between plasma metabolites and COVID-19 antibody levels in recovered patients

A study led by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has revealed the association between rapidly fading antibody levels in some recovered COVID-19 patients and a high plasma concentration of a metabolite called glycylproline (gly-pro) and its producing enzyme.

Identifying the underlying causes of ovarian cancer

Two new discoveries led by Cedars-Sinai Cancer investigators help improve the understanding of what drives the development of ovarian cancer and why some women's tumors do not respond to therapy.

China imposes lockdowns as COVID-19 surges after holiday

Chinese cities were imposing fresh lockdowns and travel restrictions after the number of new daily COVID-19 cases tripled during a weeklong holiday, ahead of a major Communist Party meeting in Beijing next week.

Telemedicine was made easy during COVID-19. Not any more

Telemedicine exploded in popularity after COVID-19 hit, but limits are returning for care delivered across state lines.

Dinner at 5 p.m.? New research suggests eating early and within a 10-hour window is healthier

Researchers have provided more evidence that eating earlier in the day might be good for you—and eating all of your meals within a 10-hour window could be healthier, too.

Rugby players face highly increased MND risk: disease study

Rugby chiefs must take urgent action to reduce head injuries after a study indicated that former international players are 15 times more likely to develop motor neurone disease, researchers said Tuesday.

Policy statement addresses safety for children in emergency care settings

All emergency departments should understand the unique safety issues related to children, according to a policy statement and accompanying technical report released by the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Emergency Physicians, and Emergency Nurses Association and published online Oct. 3 in Pediatrics.

IV immune globulin bests placebo for dermatomyositis

Significantly more adults with dermatomyositis receiving intravenous immune globulin (IVIG) versus placebo have a response of at least minimal improvement, according to a study published in the Oct. 6 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

A one-stop-shop for brain imaging

The brain is a complex organ, and no one imaging mode can catch everything that's going on inside it. Over the years, multiple "brain maps" have emerged, each focusing on different brain processes, from metabolism to cognitive function. While these maps are important, using them in isolation limits the discoveries researchers can make from them.

Syria reports 39 dead in cholera outbreak

Syria's health ministry has recorded 39 deaths from cholera and nearly 600 cases in an outbreak spreading in the war-ravaged country that the United Nations warned is "evolving alarmingly".

Health worker burnout and 'compassion fatigue' put patients at risk

The toll of COVID on our health care workers has been brutal, with many saying they want to quit their jobs.

Particle radioactivity linked to pollution-associated heart attack and stroke death

Particle radioactivity, a characteristic of air pollution that reflects the colorless, odorless gas radon found in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution, enhances PM2.5 toxicity and increases risk of death from cardiovascular disease, especially from heart attack or stroke, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Parenting practices in teen years set the stage for closeness, warmth later on

High-quality parenting practices in adolescence lay the foundation for close parent-child relationships when the children become young adults, according to new research from Penn State.

Putting the brakes on heroin relapse

Neuroscientists from the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) report in Science Advances that star-shaped brain cells known as astrocytes can "turn off" neurons involved in relapse to heroin. Drug-related cues in the environment can intensify the drive to seek drugs, leading to relapse. In this article, a team led by Peter Kalivas, Ph.D., and Anna Kruyer, Ph.D., both of the Department of Neuroscience, examined how astrocytes interact with neurons and whether astrocytes play an important role in regulating the response to drug cues.

Do attitudes and behaviors in response to stress impact the health of older people with diabetes?

New research published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society suggests that psychological resilience—having attitudes and behaviors that help people bounce back after stressful challenges—may help older individuals with type 2 diabetes have fewer hospitalizations, better physical functioning, lower disability, better mental quality of life, and a lower likelihood of becoming frail.

Can paid parental leave help prevent newborn deaths?

A recent analysis published in Contemporary Economic Policy indicates that 6-week paid family leave in California saved 339 infants' lives from 2004–2008.

Can excessive physical activity during adolescence lead to problems with leg alignment?

A study published in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research used imaging tests to reveal that physical activity levels may impact adolescents' and young adults' leg alignment during development.

Uganda health worker dies of Ebola, raising toll to 10

Uganda on Wednesday confirmed the death of a health worker from Ebola, bringing the total number of fatalities from the highly contagious virus to 10.

Study shows synergistic association between genetic and behavioral risks for liver disease

Excessive alcohol use and obesity are known to increase the risk for developing cirrhosis and liver cancer, but the risk is not the same for everyone with those factors. Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found that a key genetic variant risk factor, PNPLA3, plays a synergistic role in increasing the risk for cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver-related death when combined with alcohol use and obesity. The findings were published today in JAMA Network Open.

Video games offer the potential of 'experiential medicine'

After a decade of work, scientists at UC San Francisco's Neuroscape Center have developed a suite of video game interventions that improve key aspects of cognition in aging adults.

No significant increase in Guillain-Barré syndrome after COVID-19 vaccination, researchers find

There is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccination increases the incidence of Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the nerves, according to a Rutgers-led study.

Psychological factors contribute to biological aging: Evidence from the aging rate in Chinese older adults

Aging clocks are statistical models that enable measurements of biological age, as opposed to chronological age. While the latter is determined by one's date of birth, the former depends on the intensity of aging processes and can be affected by genetics, life choices, and the environment. Most commonly, such aging clocks are regressors, trained to predict a person's chronological age based on a vector of input parameters, such as clinical blood test results, gene expression levels, or DNA methylation intensities.

Study reveals main target of SARS-CoV-2 in brain and describes effects of virus on nervous system

A Brazilian study published in the journal PNAS describes some of the effects infection by SARS-CoV-2 can have on the central nervous system. A preliminary version (not yet peer-reviewed) posted in 2020 was one of the first to show that the virus that causes COVID-19 can infect brain cells, especially astrocytes. It also broke new ground by describing alterations in the structure of the cortex, the most neuron-rich brain region, even in cases of mild COVID-19.