Science news

• Grapevines are more drought-tolerant than thought

  31-01-2018 23:33
  
  Grapevines handle drought better than previously thought. This could inform irrigation management.
  
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• Luxembourg PM watches GovSat-1 space launch

  31-01-2018 23:10 via bbc.co.uk
  Xavier Bettel is at Cape Canaveral in Florida to see his nation's latest space project go into orbit.
  
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• Field Museum scientists in Chicago studying Michigan meteor

  31-01-2018 23:01 via cbc.ca
  NASA scientists say the two-metre wide meteor broke apart about 20 miles over Earth on Jan. 16. It created a bright light and what sounded like thunder in the sky.
  
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• Facebook's user engagement dips on news feed tweaks

  31-01-2018 22:25 via cbc.ca
  Facebook reported slightly slower-than-expected growth in daily active users in the latest quarter and said changes made to the News Feed reduced the time spent by users by about 50 million hours every day.
  
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• Suncor driverless trucks will kill 400 net jobs, says company

  31-01-2018 21:05 via cbc.ca
  About 400 jobs are expected to disappear at Suncor Energy Inc.'s oilsands mines in northern Alberta as it deploys driverless ore-hauling trucks to replace the ones humans operate now.
  
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• Super blue blood moon puts on a show around the world

  31-01-2018 20:56 via cbc.ca
  It's the first time in 35 years a blue moon has synced up with a supermoon and a total lunar eclipse, so-called a blood moon because of its red hue.
  
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• Stone Tools from India Fan Debate over Origins of Cultural Complexity

  31-01-2018 20:30 via rss.sciam.com
  The tools could suggest that Homo sapiens reached South Asia far earlier than previously thought, but critics disagree -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
  
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• Young tourist helps Edmonton researchers in discovery of rare Colombian fish fossil

  31-01-2018 20:26 via cbc.ca
  Edmonton palaeontologists are crediting a keen-eyed tourist for spotting a never-before-seen fish fossil in flagstones outside a Colombian monastery.
  
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• Zika may not be the only virus of its kind that can damage a fetus

  31-01-2018 20:21
  
  Zika may not be alone among flaviviruses in its ability to harm a developing fetus, a new study in mice finds.
  
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• Gassy farm soils are a shockingly large source of these air pollutants

  31-01-2018 20:13
  
  California’s farm soils produce a surprisingly large amount of smog-causing air pollutants.
  
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• Sharp stones found in India signal surprisingly early toolmaking advances

  31-01-2018 19:00
  
  Toolmaking revolution reached what’s now India before Homo sapiens did, a new study suggests.
  
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• A Big Step Toward a Blood Test For Alzheimer's

  31-01-2018 19:00 via rss.sciam.com
  A simple technique to gauge brain levels of a toxic protein could improve diagnosis and drug trials-- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
  
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• Hong Kong bans ivory trade in 'historic' vote

  31-01-2018 18:36 via bbc.co.uk
  The move by Hong Kong's lawmakers is hailed by campaigners as "a lifeline for elephants".
  
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• The 'super blue blood Moon' across the world

  31-01-2018 18:23 via bbc.co.uk
  Eyes around the globe have been turning to the skies to view the lunar event.
  
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• In the Hollywood Hills, eyes on the moon, not the stars

  31-01-2018 17:32
  LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A thousand people crowded onto a hilltop outside Los Angeles before dawn on Wednesday for one of the most picturesque views in America of a rare lunar eclipse called a "Super Blue Blood Moon," as the Earth's shadow fell across its natural satellite.
  
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• U.S. agencies reported to be probing Apple over slowing iPhones

  31-01-2018 15:19 via cbc.ca
  The U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission are investigating whether Apple Inc violated securities laws concerning its disclosures that it slowed older iPhones with flagging batteries, according to a published report.
  
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• Scientists record orca mimicking 'hello' and other human words

  31-01-2018 14:57 via cbc.ca
  Scientists have taught a captive killer whale to imitate human speech, and have recorded the female orca mimicking words including "hello" and "one two three."
  
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• Beijing treated to super lunar eclipse not seen since Qing dynasty

  31-01-2018 14:14
  BEIJING (Reuters) - Millions of people across the Chinese capital were treated to a "super blood blue moon" eclipse on a cold but clear night on Wednesday, a phenomenon not seen since the late Qing dynasty more than 150 years ago.
  
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• Shooting for the Moon--This Time to Stay

  31-01-2018 14:00 via rss.sciam.com
  After almost a half-century hiatus, lunar missions are once again becoming the next big thing in space science and exploration-- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
  
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• Rewetting the Swamp: Indonesia's Bold Plan

  31-01-2018 12:45 via rss.sciam.com
  A controversial project to restore 2.5 million hectares of tropical peatland hinges on sustainable farming-- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com
  
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• Killer whale says 'hello'

  31-01-2018 12:15 via bbc.co.uk
  A killer whale is taught to mimic words such as "hello" and "bye bye" in a scientific experiment.
  
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• Skywatchers see 'super blue blood Moon'

  31-01-2018 11:57 via bbc.co.uk
  A blue blood supermoon and lunar eclipse across Asia heralds a year of lunar science milestones, say scientists.
  
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• Cryonics: Your body preserved for future revival?

  31-01-2018 11:49 via bbc.co.uk
  Arizona-based company Alcor offers cryonic preservation in the hope of reviving you in the future.
  
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• The privacy implications of DNA testing kits that can 'alter your life'

  31-01-2018 11:00 via cbc.ca
  More than a few Canadians are now awaiting results of DNA testing kits they received as Christmas gifts, but many remain blissfully unaware of the privacy implications or the possibilities that flow from such a test.
  
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• Today's kids will need right to remove online posts about them

  31-01-2018 10:00 via cbc.ca
  Many of today's teens have had their whole lives documented in their parents' social media posts, including some that might be embarrassing. A new report looks at what options they should have to edit their online reputation.
  
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• Super blue blood moon: Get ready for a rare celestial show

  31-01-2018 07:21 via bbc.co.uk
  A very rare lunar event is due to occur on 31 January.
  
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• Who's still smoking: Report highlights populations still at risk

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (American Cancer Society) Although tobacco control measures have reduced overall smoking rates in the United States, a new report says several vulnerable subpopulations continue to smoke at high rates.
  
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• Vitiligo treated successfully with arthritis drug and light therapy

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (Yale University) Building on prior research that examined the use of an arthritis medication to treat vitiligo, a team of Yale dermatologists has successfully applied a novel combination therapy -- the medication and light -- to restore skin color in patients.
  
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• UTA moves bioengineered REHEAL glove toward commercialization

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (University of Texas at Arlington) The University of Texas at Arlington has received a new $227,000 grant funded through the federal government's Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium to develop the manufacturing process for the REHEAL glove, a bioengineered healing glove that delivers medicine to injured hands to speed up healing.
  
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• University of Washington, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory team up to make the materials of tomorrow

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (University of Washington) The Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the University of Washington have announced the creation of the Northwest Institute for Materials Physics, Chemistry and Technology -- or NW IMPACT -- a joint research endeavor to power discoveries and advancements in materials that transform energy, telecommunications, medicine, information technology and other fields. UW President Ana Mari Cauce and PNNL Director Steven Ashby formally launched NW IM
  
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• Trust is good, quantum trickery is better

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (ETH Zurich Department of Physics) An international team of scientists prove, for the first time, the security of so-called device-independent quantum cryptography in a regime that is attainable with state-of-the-art quantum technology, thus paving the way to practical realization of such schemes in which users don not have to worry whether their devices can be trusted or not.
  
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• Treating sleep apnea could reduce dementia risk

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (University of Queensland) Inadequate oxygen levels during sleep can damage the brain and increase the riskof developing Alzheimer's disease, University of Queensland researchers have found. Scientists from UQ's Queensland Brain Institute and School of Biomedical Sciences are now initiating a clinical study of patients with sleep apnea to determine whether treatment lowers the risk of developing dementia.
  
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• The science behind the fizz: How the bubbles make the beverage

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (American Chemical Society) From popping a bottle of champagne for a celebration to cracking open a soda while watching the Super Bowl, everyone is familiar with fizz. But little is known about the chemistry behind the bubbles. Now, one group sheds some light on how carbonation can affect the creaminess and smoothness of beverages, as reported in ACS' The Journal of Physical Chemistry B.
  
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• The same psychological mechanism explains violence among Muslim and Western extremists

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (Uppsala University) Why do some Westerners attack Muslim minorities and asylum seekers and why do some Muslims support and engage in terror against the West? New research suggests that the reasons for such extreme behaviour might be the same in both groups. The results have now been published in the European Journal of Social Psychology.
  
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• Teens need vigorous physical activity and fitness to cut heart risk

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (University of Exeter) Guidelines for teenagers should stress the importance of vigorous physical activity and fitness to cut the risk of heart disease, new research suggests.
  
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• Stealth virus for cancer therapy

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (University of Zurich) Scientists from the University of Zurich have redesigned an adenovirus for use in cancer therapy. To achieve this they developed a new protein shield that hides the virus and protects it from being eliminated. Adapters on the surface of the virus enable the reconstructed virus to specifically infect tumor cells.
  
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• Spinal cord injury research: Bonus benefit to activity-based training

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (University of Louisville) Researchers in the Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center (KSCIRC) at the University of Louisville have discovered that the training, designed to help individuals with SCI improve motor function, also leads to improved bladder and bowel function and increased sexual desire.
  
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• Skin-inspired coating that's as hard as teeth and can heal itself

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (American Chemical Society) Self-healing smart coatings could someday make scratches on cell phones a thing of the past. But researchers often have to compromise between strength and the ability to self-repair when developing these materials. Now, one group reports in ACS Nano the development of a smart coating that is as hard as tooth enamel on the outside but can heal itself like skin can.
  
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• Scientists join international research team in discovery that could improve HD TV

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (Queen's University Belfast) Scientists at Queen's University Belfast have been working as part of an international team to develop a new process, which could lead to a new generation of high-definition (HD), paving the way for brighter, lighter and more energy efficient TVs and smart devices.
  
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• Rutgers engineers 3-D print shape-shifting smart gel

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (Rutgers University) Rutgers engineers have invented a '4-D printing' method for a smart gel that could lead to the development of 'living' structures in human organs and tissues, soft robots and targeted drug delivery.
  
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• Reconstructing an ancient lethal weapon

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (University of Washington) University of Washington researchers reconstructed prehistoric projectiles and points from ancient sites in what is now Alaska and studied the qualities that would make for a lethal hunting weapon. By examining and testing different projectile points, the team has come to a new understanding about the technological choices people made in ancient times.
  
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• Pulling an all-nighter impairs working memory in women

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (Uppsala University) Over the last few decades, a wealth of evidence has accumulated to suggest that a lack of sleep is bad for mind and body. Working memory is important for keeping things in mind for briefer periods of time, which thereby facilitates reasoning and planning. A team of sleep scientists from Uppsala University now demonstrates that acute sleep loss impacts working memory differently in women and men.
  
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• Projects to develop new approaches to tackle international health challenges

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) Fifteen projects announced today, Jan. 31, 2018, will develop new healthcare technologies to tackle international health challenges, ranging from the prevention of limb loss by Syrian refugees to faster diagnosis and treatment for parasitic diseases such as malaria. The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) are committing £16 million to the projects: EPSRC through
  
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• Penn engineering research gives optical switches the 'contrast' of electronic transistors

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (University of Pennsylvania) Penn Engineers have taken an important step toward the creation of a working optical transistor: precisely controlling the mixing of optical signals via tailored electric fields, and obtaining outputs with a near perfect contrast and extremely large on/off ratios.
  
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• Pandemic risk: How large are the expected losses?

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (University of Hawaii at Manoa) Greater investment is needed to prepare against pandemics -- the worldwide spread of an infectious disease. A study published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization shows the expected annual count of pandemic-related deaths is 700,000, and expected annual losses from pandemic risk is $500 billion. The paper applied a theoretical model to calculate the expected number of deaths and economic losses in rare pandemic scenarios.
  
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• Overabundance of massive stars in the Tarantula Nebula

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)) An international team of astronomers with participation of researchers at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) and the University of La Laguna (ULL) has revealed an 'astonishing' overabundance of massive stars in a neighbouring galaxy. The discovery, made in a gigantic star-forming region of the Large Magellanic Cloud galaxy, has 'far-reaching' consequences for our understanding of how stars transformed the pristine Universe in
  
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• NSF grant awarded to fund study of using augmented reality to interest girls in STEM

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science) How do you attract young women to science and technology careers where they continue to be underrepresented? "Designing augmented reality (AR) stories and games offers one potential effective strategy," said Dr. Cathlyn (Cat) Stylinski, a researcher at University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science's (UMCES) Appalachian Laboratory. She and her colleagues received a $1 million three-year National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to
  
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• News about Tabby's star, the most mysterious star of 2017

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC)) Several telescopes of the Canary Island Observatories are studying this controversial star in a coordinated campaign involving over a hundred professional and amateur astronomers throughout the world, among them researchers at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) and the University of La Laguna (ULL).
  
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• New universe simulation prompts breakthrough discoveries in astrophysics

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (Simons Foundation) Novel computational methods have helped create the most information-packed, universe-scale simulation ever produced. The new tool provides fresh insights into how black holes influence the distribution of dark matter, how heavy elements are produced and distributed throughout the cosmos, and where magnetic fields originate.
  
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• New report evaluates the VA's mental health services, finds substantial unmet need

  31-01-2018 06:00
  (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine) While the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides mental health care of comparable or superior quality to care provided in private and non-VA public sectors, accessibility and quality of services vary across the VA health system, leaving a substantial unmet need for mental health services among veterans of the recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, says a new congressionally mandated report from the National Academies of Sciences,
  
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