Science & Technology
Bood metabolites associated with coffee consumption may affect kidney disease risk
Researchers have identified several metabolites in the blood whose levels are altered by coffee consumption. Levels of 3 of these coffee-related metabolites were significantly associated with individuals’ risk of developing chronic kidney disease.
Nerves may be key to blocking abnormal bone growth in tissue
Blocking a molecule that draws sensory nerves into musculoskeletal injuries prevents heterotopic ossification (HO), a process in which bone abnormally grows in soft tissue during healing, researchers reported. The findings suggest that drugs currently …
Physicists discover novel quantum effect in bilayer graphene
Theorists have observed a rare phenomenon called the quantum anomalous Hall effect in a very simple material. Previous experiments have detected it only in complex or delicate materials.
Autonomous driving: Saving millions in test kilometers
Researchers have developed a method to validate test drives through highly realistic driving simulation studies and to substantially simplify the approval process for automated driving systems.
Study finds fish rubbing up against their predators — sharks
While rubbing up against a shark sounds like a risky move if you’re a fish, a collaborative research team found that this behavior is frequent, widespread, and could play a previously unappreciated important ecological role for aquatic animals.
Giving robots social skills
Researchers have developed a control framework that enables robots to understand what it means to help or hinder one another and incorporate social reasoning into the tasks they are accomplishing.
Creating solar cells and glass from wood – or a billion tons of biowaste
Scientists have taken a close look at how lignocellulose — or plant biomass — can be used for optical applications, potentially replacing commonly used materials like sand and plastics.
Repurposing carbon dioxide may be key to net-zero emissions
While only a mere 4% of the atmosphere, carbon dioxide plays a vital role in sustaining life on our planet. However, if this delicate balance is disrupted, excess carbon dioxide can pose a formidable threat to our environment and the living beings that…
RAS inhibitors for use in fighting more cancers
New findings help better understand the how one of the most commonly mutated genetic drivers of cancer passes signals that cause the disease.
Scientists discover how mitochondria import antioxidants
A new finding offers researchers a direct way to investigate oxidative stress and its damaging effects in aging, cancer and other diseases.
New climate pledges, if fulfilled, now significantly more likely to prevent worst of global warming
New climate pledges issued ahead of COP26 boost the chances of limiting global warming to 2 degrees, according to a new study.
Scanning a single protein, one amino acid at a time
Using nanopore DNA sequencing technology, researchers have managed to scan a single protein: by slowly moving a linearized protein through a tiny nanopore, one amino acid at the time, the researchers were able to read off electric currents that relate …
New insights into how the infant microbiome impacts early childhood behavior in boys and girls
A new study has found a direct and sex-specific association between the composition of infant microbiome and early childhood behavioral health.
Working through a mental ‘Bloch’
Lightspeed is the fastest velocity in the universe. Except when it isn’t. Anyone who’s seen a prism split white light into a rainbow has witnessed how material properties can influence the behavior of quantum objects: in this case, the speed at which l…