Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Science X Newsletter Wednesday, Jul 4

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Here is your customized Science X Newsletter for July 4, 2018:

Spotlight Stories Headlines

First polluted white dwarf found in Gaia DR2

Test tube artificial neural network recognizes 'molecular handwriting'

Einstein gets it right again—weak and strong gravity objects fall the same way

Our human ancestors walked on two feet but their children still had a backup plan

Robot able to mimic an activity after observing it just one time

Einstein's theory of gravity holds – even in extreme conditions

Rising sea levels could cost the world $14 trillion a year by 2100

How dingoes sculpt the shape of sand dunes in the Australian desert

Study finds no strong evidence that cannabis reduces chronic pain

Nuts may boost male fertility: study

The Gaia Sausage: The major collision that changed the Milky Way galaxy

Ultrathin electronic tattoos for wearable computing

Brain scans reveal bursts of high frequency oscillations during moments of insight

Frigid polar oceans, not balmy coral reefs, are species-formation hot spots

Brain study paves way for therapy for common cause of dementia

Astronomy & Space news

First polluted white dwarf found in Gaia DR2

Astronomers have identified the first metal-polluted white dwarf star from the Gaia Data Release 2 (DR2) provided by ESA's Gaia satellite. The newly found star received designation GaiaJ1738−0826. The finding is detailed in a paper published June 24 on the arXiv pre-print repository.

Einstein gets it right again—weak and strong gravity objects fall the same way

Einstein's understanding of gravity, as outlined in his general theory of relativity, predicts that all objects fall at the same rate, regardless of their mass or composition. This theory has passed test after test here on Earth, but does it still hold true for some of the most massive and dense objects in the known universe, an aspect of nature known as the Strong Equivalence Principle? An international team of astronomers has given this lingering question its most stringent test ever. Their findings, published in the journal Nature, show that Einstein's insights into gravity still hold sway, even in one of the most extreme scenarios the Universe can offer.

Einstein's theory of gravity holds – even in extreme conditions

Drop a marble and a cannon ball off the Leaning Tower of Pisa at the same time and they will hit the ground at the same time. That fact is explained by Albert Einstein's theory of gravity—general relativity—which predicts that all objects fall in the same way, regardless of their mass or composition.

The Gaia Sausage: The major collision that changed the Milky Way galaxy

An international team of astronomers has discovered an ancient and dramatic head-on collision between the Milky Way and a smaller object, dubbed the "Sausage" galaxy. The cosmic crash was a defining event in the early history of the Milky Way and reshaped the structure of our galaxy, fashioning both its inner bulge and its outer halo, the astronomers report in a series of new papers.

Image: Lunar agenda

This image of the Moon was taken by ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst from the International Space Station during his Horizons mission. But he's not the only one to be eyeing the Moon these days.

Next four Galileo satellites fuelled for launch

Europe's next four Galileo satellites have been fuelled at Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, in preparation for their launch on 25 July.

A matter of gravity—understanding how plants grow in space

Last month a rocket thundered off a NASA launch pad in Virginia, destined for the International Space Station. Nestled among the 7,400 lbs. of supplies was a handful of seeds designed to open new windows into our knowledge of how plants grow in space – information that could lead to growing fresh food in space for people aboard the space station or producing biofuel on our own planet.

Celebrate researcher Henrietta Swan Leavitt's 150th birthday on July 4th

On this Independence Day a century and a half ago, Henrietta Swan Leavitt was born. While working at Harvard College Observatory in Cambridge, Mass. – now part of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) – in the late 19th and early 20th century, Leavitt conducted research that led to two of the most surprising and important discoveries in the history of astrophysics.

Searching for alien life on other moons

We usually look for signs of life on planets like ours—but maybe we are looking in the wrong place

Image: Testing MTG's FCI instrument

A test model of the main imager for Europe's forthcoming Meteosat Third Generation weather satellite being lifted towards Europe's largest vacuum chamber for simulated space testing.

Image: Tiny cameras snap pictures of Lake Superior

These two images of Lake Superior and surrounding area show the first data downlinked from the CubeSat Multispectral Observation System (CUMULOS) cameras. The image on the left, taken by a short-wavelength infrared camera, captures a larger area of the lake and shows strong contrast between land and water features. The narrower field of view image on the right taken by the payload's long-wavelength infrared camera indicates a difference in water temperature between the lake's center and the water in the bays and inlets.

Technology news

Test tube artificial neural network recognizes 'molecular handwriting'

Researchers at Caltech have developed an artificial neural network made out of DNA that can solve a classic machine learning problem: correctly identifying handwritten numbers. The work is a significant step in demonstrating the capacity to program artificial intelligence into synthetic biomolecular circuits.

Robot able to mimic an activity after observing it just one time

A team of researchers at UC Berkeley has found a way to get a robot to mimic an activity it sees on a video screen just a single time. In a paper they have uploaded to the arXiv preprint server, the team describes the approach they used and how it works.

Ultrathin electronic tattoos for wearable computing

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University's College of Engineering are using an off-the-shelf printer to develop robust, highly flexible, tattoo-like circuits for use in wearable computing.

Calling Android: Researchers see if Rowhammer-based exploits still possible

Android risks fade... and remorph. A variant of Rowhammer has turned up according to a discovery by researchers from institutions including Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Wikipedia down in several countries in EU law protest

Wikipedia went down in at least three countries Wednesday in a protest at an upcoming European Parliament vote on a highly disputed law that could make online platforms legally liable for copyrighted material put on the web by users.

European tourist magnets hit back as Airbnb turns 10

Facing competition from Airbnb, which will celebrate a decade this summer, top European attractions such as Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin and Barcelona are out to revamp their own offerings.

India slams WhatsApp over deadly rumours

India has told WhatsApp to take "immediate action" after a spate of horrific lynchings sparked by false rumours being shared on the hugely popular smartphone messaging service.

From cash-strapped roommates to Airbnb billionaires

A decade ago a pair of San Francisco roommates decided to make rent money by using air mattresses to turn their place into a bed-and-breakfast when a conference in the city made hotel rooms scarce.

Researchers sharpen predictions of where lost cargo will wash up

The UNSW team tracking cargo lost from a ship near Port Stephens are now predicting the path of the containers days in advance.

China court 'bans sales' of chips from US firm Micron

A Chinese technology firm embroiled in a patent dispute with US chip giant Micron said Wednesday that a court had ruled in its favour and ordered an immediate halt of several Micron products in China.

China's Baidu rolls out self-driving buses

China's internet giant Baidu announced Wednesday it had begun mass producing the country's first autonomous mini-bus, as the firm prepares to roll them out in tourist spots and airports.

Faster big-data analysis with world-class pattern mining technologies

A research team at Korea's Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) succeeded in analyzing big data up to 1,000 times faster than existing technology by using GPU-based 'GMiner' technology. The finding of big data pattern analysis is expected to be utilized in various industries including the finance and IT sectors.

How suppliers of everyday devices make you vulnerable to cyber attack – and what to do about it

If you run a business, you're probably concerned about IT security. Maybe you invest in antivirus software, firewalls and regular system updates.

Why technology puts human rights at risk

Movies such as 2001: A Space Odyssey, Blade Runner and The Terminator brought rogue robots and computer systems to our cinema screens. But these days, such classic science fiction spectacles don't seem so far removed from reality.

UAE further delays launch of first nuclear reactor

The United Arab Emirates said Wednesday that its first nuclear reactor would come online in late 2019 or early 2020, further delaying the launch of the Arab World's first atomic power station.

Facebook and Apple disagree on how to curb fake news for midterms

Apple and Facebook have figured out how to keep us glued to their devices and platforms. But they haven't figured out how to curb the misinformation that plagued them during the 2016 election and have struggled to regain public trust. And now, as the midterm elections approach, they certainly don't agree on a solution.

Under pressure, afraid to take bathroom breaks? Inside Amazon's fast-paced warehouse world

Working at an Amazon warehouse in the U.K., James Bloodworth came across a bottle of straw-colored liquid on a shelf. It looked like pee.

Gadgets: Universal docking station works with all devices

While many universal gadgets claim to do it all, the udoq 400 universal docking station is true to its word and does it well.

Munich officials want train station to have air taxi parking

A group of city counselors in Munich say they want the southern German city's main train station to have a landing pad for flying taxis.

All of a flutter: Chinese bet big on World Cup

At Xia Lugen's run-down, smoky betting shop in downtown Shanghai, hordes of young men cluster around banks of computers, as betting slips and a huge World Cup chart adorn the walls and a projector beams matches onto a makeshift screen.

US lets ZTE resume some activity

The United States has temporarily allowed Chinese telecoms company ZTE to resume some activities while it works to meet conditions set by Washington in a politically charged settlement reached last month.

Edmunds rounds up latest full-size pickups

The 2019 model year marks the start of a new cycle for some of America's top trucks, led by redesigned pickups from Chevrolet and Ram. Ford's top-selling F-150 had updates in 2018, and more may be in the offing for 2019. Typically, Japanese truckmakers Nissan and Toyota aren't far behind with their own updates. Edmunds breaks down what you need to know about today's crop of full-size pickups.

Russia makes new request to Greece for cybercrime suspect

Russian authorities have sent a new extradition request to Greece for a Russian cybercrime suspect also sought on criminal charges by the U.S. and France.

Amazon Prime Day: One million deals kick off July 16 with offers at Whole Foods, too

Amazon's fourth annual Prime Day will kick off at 3 p.m. on July 16 and run for 36 hours with more than 1 million offers.

Jim Rossman: We found your new favorite gadgets, including a nifty way to carry keys and tools

Every so often I accumulate a desk full of gadgets that might not warrant a full review, so I save up a few and run them together.

Renewable energy push in sunny Arizona draws political fight

Arizona's largest utility is fiercely opposing a push to mandate increased use of renewable energy in the sun-drenched state, setting up a political fight over a measure funded by a California billionaire.

GE's Latin American CEO, 21 others, arrested in Brazil for fraud

Brazilian police arrested General Electric's Latin America CEO Daurio Speranzini Junior on Wednesday as part of a probe into suspected fraud and corruption by multinational companies in the Rio de Janeiro state health system.

Brazil police search Philips office in fraud probe

Police searched the offices of Philips in Brazil on Wednesday and detained two people linked to the Dutch company as part of an investigation into a scheme into fraud involving public health services, authorities said.

Medicine & Health news

Study finds no strong evidence that cannabis reduces chronic pain

A four-year study suggests medicinal cannabis is not as effective at relieving chronic non-cancer pain as commonly assumed.

Nuts may boost male fertility: study

Eating nuts "significantly" boosted the number and health of sperm in young men in a scientific trial, researchers said Wednesday.

Brain scans reveal bursts of high frequency oscillations during moments of insight

Insight is that "a-ha!" moment when we get a joke, recognize a hidden image in Where's Waldo, or solve a problem. The Greek mathematician and scientist Archimedes is said to have jumped from his bath and run through the streets naked shouting "Eureka!" after his insight into how to measure the volume of objects by submerging them in water. Understanding insight is important because it has led to some of humanity's most important scientific advances.

Brain study paves way for therapy for common cause of dementia

Scientists have uncovered a potential approach to treat one of the commonest causes of dementia and stroke in older people.

How obesity drives colon cancer in mice

Obesity, which is on the rise worldwide, has been linked to colon cancer but the mechanism has been a mystery. In a new study, Yale researchers and their co-authors have uncovered how obesity drives tumor growth in mice, revealing potential strategies to combat the disease.

New form of wound healing revealed by parasitic gut worms

Experiments using parasitic worms in the mouse gut have revealed a surprising new form of wound repair, a finding that could help scientists develop ways to enhance the body's natural healing abilities.

New research finds 'mind over matter' key to a healthy lifestyle

People who want to increase their participation in regular exercise and adopt a healthier lifestyle may be best to mentally visualise it, new research by Curtin University has found.

Tumors grown in the lab provide insights on rare prostate cancer

Growing miniature tumors from patient's cells in the laboratory may help scientists personalize treatments for those with a rare form of prostate cancer, according a study by Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian scientists.

Only seven percent of social egg freezers have returned for fertility treatment at a large European center

Despite dramatic uptake in the numbers of women electing to freeze their eggs as insurance against an anticipated age-related fertility decline, there is still little that clinics can predict about outcome based on real-life experience. Indeed, at one of Europe's biggest fertility centres—the Brussels Centre for Reproductive Medicine in Belgium—only 7.6% of women have returned to thaw their eggs and try for a pregnancy. And only one-third of those have been successful.

Fungi and bacteria grow on body implants, study finds

A body implant provides a new habitat for bacteria and fungi, a new study conducted at the University of Copenhagen reveals. The researchers have examined a number of implants such as screws implanted in the body in connection with surgery and discovered bacteria and fungi on them – despite the fact that the patients have shown no signs of infection.

Building trees: The protein controlling neuron branch growth

A protein called Metastasis-suppressor 1 (MTSS1) activates one pathway and inhibits another competing pathway, thus playing a dual role that determines how neuron branches in the brain form, according to research published in the journal Cell Reports.

Study finds better visual acuity is associated with less decline in cognitive functioning over time

Lower visual acuity is associated with both lower cognitive function and greater declines in cognitive functioning over a five-year period, according to a new University of Maine study.

Stranger danger and male assault

A notable number of assaults of males are perpetrated by more than one unknown attacker, new data from Flinders University shows.

Toward a better understanding of Parkinson's disease

A new study, published today in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, moves researchers closer to understanding one of the crucial proteins involved in Parkinson's disease.

Expanding primary care buprenorphine treatment could curb opioid overdose crisis

Expanding the availability of medication treatment for opioid use disorder in primary care settings would be a major step toward reducing overdose deaths, write two physicians specializing in addiction medicine and health care delivery in the July 5 issue of New England Journal of Medicine. In their Perspectives article entitled "Primary Care and the Opioid-Overdose Crisis—Buprenorphine Myths and Realities," Sarah Wakeman, MD, medical director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Substance Use Disorders Initiative and Michael Barnett, MD, of the Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, describe current barriers to expanded delivery of buprenorphine treatment and outline possible solutions.

Study highlights shortcomings of moisturisers with sun protection

New University of Liverpool research, presented at the British Association of Dermatologists' Annual Meeting in Edinburgh (3rd-5th July 2018), shows moisturisers with sun protection factor (SPF) provide less sun protection than the equivalent strength sunscreen in real-world scenarios, and people are more likely to miss areas of their face when using them.

Staying safe in the sun — a dermatologist helps separate facts from hype

Skin cancer is the number-one cancer diagnosis in the United States – it's more common than breast, prostate, and lung cancers combined. Skin cancers can be divided into two types – nonmelanoma (basal and squamous cell carcinomas) and melanoma, with melanoma being the least common but most life-threatening. Each year, some 90,000 people are diagnosed with melanoma. Sarah Arron, MD, Ph.D., shares her thoughts on skin cancer prevention and helps separate the facts from the hype.

Cost-effective universal screening for hepatitis C in France

An estimated 75,000 people in France are unaware they are infected by hepatitis C virus. An ANRS-funded study by Sylvie Deuffic-Burban, Ph.D., a research associate at IAME (Infection, Antimicrobials, Modeling, Evolution) (Inserm—Université Paris Diderot—Université Paris 13), and her team show that a universal screening strategy applied to hepatitis C is cost-effective and improves life expectancy in those infected, compared with targeted screening. These modeling results are published in the Journal of Hepatology.

Clinics manage hypertension patients better when more hands are on deck

South Africa's clinic based health system was originally created to provide primary care services like maternal and child care and care for acute conditions such as pneumonia or malaria. But the clinics have been facing rapidly increasing demand for a range of additional services. This is partly because of the need to provide antiretroviral drugs at clinic level and partly because there is an increasing number of older South Africans who have chronic conditions like high blood pressure (hypertension).

The dos and don'ts of supporting women after a miscarriage

So your friend decides to forget the "12 week rule" and tells her family and social networks she is pregnant. She knows the stats – one in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage – but she wants to have the support of family and friends around her in case she needs it.

Why do kids lie, and is it normal?

Children typically begin lying in the preschool years, between two and four years of age. These intentional attempts at deception may worry parents, who fear their child will become a pint-sized social deviant.

Dangers of pregnancy among older women and those with many children rarely discussed

Harmful gender, religious and cultural norms contribute to risky pregnancies in older women and women who already have five or more children, endangering the lives of these women and their babies, suggests new research from the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs. CCP is based at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Care provided by specialist cancer nurses helps improve life expectancy of patients with lung cancer

A new study looking at the picture of lung cancer care in England finds that patients with lung cancer experience significantly better outcomes in terms of life expectancy, avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions and managing the effects of treatment when cared for by specialist lung cancer nurses.

How to start exercising when you're out of shape

(HealthDay)—Though you may face challenges if you're carrying excess weight or haven't been active in a long time, you can still get fit and gain all the benefits that exercise has to offer.

FDA permits marketing of devices to create arteriovenous fistula

(HealthDay)—The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has permitted marketing of two catheter-based devices designed to create an arteriovenous (AV) fistula in patients with chronic kidney disease in need of hemodialysis.

HPV cervical CA screening cuts odds of later CIN3+ diagnosis

(HealthDay)—The use of primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing versus cytology results in reduced likelihood of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 3 or worse (CIN3+) at 48 months, according to a study published in the July 3 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

AMA urges caution with use of wire-bristle BBQ grill brushes

(HealthDay)—The American Medical Association (AMA) states that caution should be exercised with use of wire-bristle grill brushes due to the potential health and safety risks associated with bristles that may break off and adhere to the grill or cooked food.

Vegetable trays tainted with Cyclospora put seven in hospital

(HealthDay)—Federal, state, and local health officials are investigating a Cyclospora outbreak linked to Del Monte 6 oz and 12 oz vegetable trays containing broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and dill dip that were sold at Kwik Trip/Kwik Star locations in Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, and 28 oz vegetable trays that were distributed to Illinois and Indiana. The company has recalled the products.

New anti-clotting drugs linked to lower risk of serious bleeding

New drugs known as direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) used to treat serious blood clots are associated with reduced risks of major bleeding compared with the older anti-clotting drug, warfarin, finds a study in The BMJ today.

Out-of-pocket costs put HIV prevention drug out of reach for many at risk

Public health officials are expanding efforts to get the HIV prevention pill into the hands of those at risk, in a nationwide effort to curb infections. But the officials are hitting roadblocks—the drug's price tag, which has surged in recent years, and changes in insurance coverage that put a heftier financial burden on patients.

A shortcut to testing for Ebola

Viruses and poverty seem to go hand in hand, as we saw with the West African Ebola virus epidemic. But one researcher is fighting back by developing a testing kit that can tackle Ebola, even in the world's poorest places.

Biology news

How dingoes sculpt the shape of sand dunes in the Australian desert

A new study by UNSW scientists has shown how the presence – and absence – of dingoes affects the desert landscape.

Frigid polar oceans, not balmy coral reefs, are species-formation hot spots

Tropical oceans teem with the dazzle and flash of colorful reef fishes and contain far more species than the cold ocean waters found at high latitudes. This well-known "latitudinal diversity gradient" is one of the most famous patterns in biology, and scientists have puzzled over its causes for more than 200 years.

Anti-Bat-Signal: Moths with larger hindwings and longer tails are best at deflecting bats

Each night, dramatic aerial battles are waged above our heads, complete with barrel rolls, razor-sharp turns, sonar jamming, cloaking devices and life-or-death consequences.

How Chesapeake Bay bacteria snack on sunlight

The Chesapeake Bay is known for its blue crabs, but those crustaceans are far outnumbered by much tinier residents: bacteria. Every milliliter of bay water is home to thousands to millions of these marine microbes, critical building blocks of the bay's ecosystem. To protect these ecosystems, scientists want to understand how these bacteria feed themselves.

Artificial light at night found to cause stunting and shorter metamorphic phase in toads

A pair of researchers with Case Western Reserve University in the U.S. has found that artificial light at night (ALAN) causes stunting and shortens metamorphic duration in toads. In their paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, Kacey Dananay and Michael Benard describe their study of the American toad living under artificial lighting conditions and what they learned by doing so.

Combining antibiotics changes their effectiveness

The effectiveness of antibiotics can be altered by combining them with each other, non-antibiotic drugs or even with food additives. Depending on the bacterial species, some combinations stop antibiotics from working to their full potential whilst others begin to defeat antibiotic resistance, report EMBL researchers and collaborators in Nature on July 4.

Study suggests dogs have lost ability to reconcile after violent conflicts

A team of researchers with the University of Vienna's Messerli Research Institute has found that wolves tend to reconcile shortly after conflicts but dogs do not. In their paper published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, the group describes their study of captive wolf packs and dogs from a rescue shelter and what they learned.

Scientists create embryos, hope to save near-extinct rhino

Months after the death of Sudan, the world's last male northern white rhino, scientists said Wednesday they have grown embryos containing DNA of his kind, hoping to save the subspecies from extinction.

Researchers find Mediterranean fish retreat if a diver carries a speargun

Fisheries scientists from the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) and international colleagues have studied the response of fish in the Mediterranean Sea to spearfishing. They found that the fish can exactly distinguish whether divers are carrying a speargun and adjust their escape behaviour, keeping a safe distance outside the shooting range. This is good for the fish and a challenge for the spearfisher.

A promising new tool to measure antibodies against malaria

Antibodies against multiple Plasmodium falciparum proteins (or antigens) can be measured using a simple, accurate and reproducible assay that requires very small amounts of blood. In a series of recently published articles, a team led by ISGlobal reports the development and optimisation of several quantitative suspension array assays (qSATs) to assess natural and vaccine-induced responses to malaria and other parasites.

Study finds new genomic regions associated with weight gain in Nelore cattle

Brazilian research aims at enhancing quality of beef and raising Nelore's food efficiency. Because they are rooted in tropical lands, Nelore cattle do not gain weight as easily as the breeds forged in regions with harsh winters.

Asian hornet nests found by radio-tracking

Electronic radio tags could be used to track invasive Asian hornets and stop them colonising the UK and killing honeybees, new research shows.

New study questions when the brown bear became extinct in Britain

New research provides insights into the extinction of Britain's largest native carnivore.

Piping plovers want people to get off their lawn

A new study in The Condor: Ornithological Applications presents negative associations between anthropogenic disturbance (human recreational use of beaches, coastal modifications) and Piping Plovers on their non-breeding grounds. Shorebirds are one of the most threatened bird families in the world. Numerous studies have shown the negative impacts of humans on these birds, whether it be large-scale (e.g., habitat loss, climate change) or small-scale (e.g., ATV use, running with pets, flying kites). This research indicates that there are direct consequences of disturbance. Most Piping Plover research has focused on the breeding season in an attempt to directly influence population numbers, however this study argues that efforts are required throughout the year in all locations to assist Piping Plover conservation.

To help save northern spotted owls, we need to prevent kissing cousins

The Auk: Ornithological Advances presents a study on a Northern Spotted Owl pedigree, consisting of almost 14,200 individuals over 30 years, which determined inbreeding varies across the species' range. Selection against inbreeding based on decreased future reproduction, fewer offspring, and overall survival of individuals was also supported. These results indicate that Spotted Owl conservation efforts need to address owl breeding more. Another implication of this work is the need to increase genetic diversity to prevent further population decline.

Crows are always the bullies when it comes to fighting with ravens

A study from The Auk: Ornithological Advances presents citizen science data which supports that American Crows and Northwestern Crows almost exclusively (97% of the time) instigate any aggressive interactions with Common Ravens no matter where in North America. The data showed that aggression by crows was most frequent during the breeding season, most likely due to nest predation by ravens. This study not only gives insight into interspecies dynamics, but also how citizen science data can aid behavioral studies at large geographic scales.

SATB1 vital for maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells

Blood plays the important role of transporting oxygen and hormones necessary for the human body. Blood contains blood cells, such as erythrocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes, which are generated from hematopoietic stem cells, or hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs).

Helping a sea turtle that lost its dive

A juvenile green sea turtle discovered floating in an estuary in Broome has been brought to Murdoch University's Animal Hospital for a CT scan.

A new study to improve seabird conservation in Patagonian ecosystems

Preserving a 300,000 square km area in Patagonian waters could improve the conservation of 20 percent of the population of sea birds in their natural habitat, according to a study published in the journal Conservation Biology and led by Francisco Ramírez, researcher from the Faculty of Biology and the Biodiversity Research Institute of the University of Barcelona (IRBio).

Shining new light on the pineal gland

When zebrafish lack a specific protein, the two hemispheres of the brain develop symmetrically, and the sleep hormone melatonin is not produced. These results were recently published by Freiburg biologists Theresa Schredelseker and Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Driever in the journal Development. Their research on the pineal gland have revealed a genetic connection between left-right asymmetry and day-night cycles.

The best time to water your plants during a heatwave

When the warmer weather strikes, our gardens and outdoor spaces become a perfect oasis for rest and relaxation. But as nice as the hot weather might be, extreme conditions and record-breaking temperatures can wreak havoc on your plants.

Research lab rides wave of growth in pulse crops

Like a farmer scanning the horizon for coming changes in weather, in 2014 Mary Burrows looked to the future of Montana agriculture, and what she saw prompted her to start the Regional Pulse Crop Diagnostic Laboratory at Montana State University.

Whale strandings off Washington-Oregon coast highest in nearly two decades

Struck by a ship, entangled in crab pots, stillborn, emaciated: It's been a tough three months for whales.


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