Fire away: Removing imported red fire ant could boost burrow ecosystems

The aptly named gopher tortoise is a keystone species of the southeastern United States, digging burrows that can extend more than 30 feet and serve as a habitat for more than 350 other species. Unfortunately, one of them is the red imported fire ant, an invasive species from South America that likely arrived in the 1930s and is named for the fiery sensation that often follows its sting.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-imported-red-ant-boost-burrow.html

RNA detection method advances in situ transcriptomics with potential for a range of biomedical applications

Human cells typically transcribe half of their roughly 20,000 genes into RNA molecules at any given time. Just like with proteins, the function of those RNA species not only relies on their abundance but also their precise localization within the 3D space of each cell. Many RNA molecules convey gene information from the cell's nucleus to the protein-synthesizing machinery distributed throughout the cytoplasm (messenger RNAs or mRNAs), others are components of that machinery itself, while still different ones regulate genes and their expression, or have functions that remain to be discovered. Importantly, many diseases including cancer and neurological diseases have signatures that appear as changes in the abundance and distribution of RNAs.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-rna-method-advances-situ-transcriptomics.html

Researchers explore mass segregation of galaxy globular clusters

Globular clusters are old and dense star systems in the Galaxy halo and bulge. Their average age is almost equal to the age of our universe.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-explore-mass-segregation-galaxy-globular.html

Evolution of ocean 'twilight zone' creatures linked to global climate change

A team led by scientists from Cardiff University has, for the first time, been able to track the development of the largest and least understood habitat on Earth.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-evolution-ocean-twilight-zone-creatures.html

NASA's Perseverance Mars rover mission honors Navajo language

Working with the Navajo Nation, the rover team has named features on Mars with words from the Navajo language.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-nasa-perseverance-mars-rover-mission.html

Newly discovered material may ease wear and tear on extraterrestrial vehicles

As NASA's Mars Perseverance Rover continues to explore the surface of Mars, scientists on Earth have developed a new nanoscale metal carbide that could act as a "superlubricant" to reduce wear and tear on future rovers.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-newly-material-ease-extraterrestrial-vehicles.html

Deforestation favors an increase in the diversity of antibiotic-resistant soil bacteria

In Brazil, a study conducted by researchers affiliated with the University of São Paulo (USP) and collaborators revealed that deforestation in the Amazon causes an increase in the diversity of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The researchers have reported their findings in Soil Biology and Biochemistry. The study compares the microorganisms that live in the soil of native forest with those found in pasture and croplands. The researchers found a far larger number of genes considered markers of antibiotic resistance in deforested than forested areas.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-deforestation-favors-diversity-antibiotic-resistant-soil.html

Nano-gate: Researchers create voltage-controlled nanopores that can trap particles as they try to pass through

Scientists from the Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research at Osaka University fabricated nanopores in silicon dioxide, that were only 300 nm, in diameter surrounded by electrodes. These nanopores could prevent particles from entering just by applying a voltage, which may permit the development of sensors that can detect very small concentrations of target molecules, as well as next-generation DNA sequencing technology.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-nano-gate-voltage-controlled-nanopores-particles.html

China regulator fines 12 firms over anti-monopoly law

China's market regulator said Friday that it fined a dozen companies, including games company Tencent Holdings and Chinese search engine firm Baidu Inc., for not disclosing past deals as authorities step up anti-monopoly scrutiny in the internet sector.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-china-fines-firms-anti-monopoly-law.html

Tape that: Dutch inventor of audio cassette dies at age 94

Lou Ottens, the Dutch inventor of the cassette tape, the medium of choice for millions of bedroom mix tapes, has died, said Philips, the company where he also helped develop the compact disc.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-tape-dutch-inventor-audio-cassette.html

Accurate aging of wild animals thanks to first epigenetic clock for bats

A new study led by University of Maryland and UCLA researchers found that DNA from tissue samples can be used to accurately predict the age of bats in the wild. The study also showed age-related changes to the DNA of long-lived species are different from those in short-lived species, especially in regions of the genome near genes associated with cancer and immunity. This work provides new insight into causes of age-related declines.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-accurate-aging-wild-animals-epigenetic.html

Experts recreate a mechanical Cosmos for the world's first computer

Researchers at UCL have solved a major piece of the puzzle that makes up the ancient Greek astronomical calculator known as the Antikythera Mechanism, a hand-powered mechanical device that was used to predict astronomical events.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-experts-recreate-mechanical-cosmos-world.html

Controlled by light alone, new smart materials twist, bend and move

Researchers at Tufts University School of Engineering have created light-activated composite devices able to execute precise, visible movements and form complex three-dimensional shapes without the need for wires or other actuating materials or energy sources. The design combines programmable photonic crystals with an elastomeric composite that can be engineered at the macro and nano scale to respond to illumination.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-smart-materials.html

Large asteroid to pass by Earth on March 21: NASA

The largest asteroid to pass by Earth this year will approach within some 1.25 million miles (two million kilometers) of our planet on March 21, NASA said Thursday.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-large-asteroid-earth-nasa.html

Glamorous and worldly: Five things to know about Vikings

In popular culture they're depicted as ruthless warriors who pillaged and plundered. That reputation is not totally undeserved, but is only part of the picture.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-glamorous-worldly-vikings.html

From 'Minecraft' to 'Valheim', Sweden conquers gaming world

Sweden has given the world music stars like ABBA and Robyn, but its biggest cultural export these days is video games, which now rival the country's traditional shipments of iron ore and paper.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-minecraft-valheim-sweden-conquers-gaming.html

Airtime: Flight simulators keep pilots sharp during pandemic

The coronavirus crisis has clipped the wings of airline pilots but those who have kept their jobs are doing what they can to stay sharp—using flight simulators when they're not in the few planes in the air.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-airtime-flight-simulators-sharp-pandemic.html

Latin America's police dogs turn noses to COVID

Their highly superior sense of smell has long been used to sniff out drugs, weapons and dead bodies. Now Latin America's crime-fighting police dogs are being trained to detect COVID-19.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-latin-america-police-dogs-noses.html

Japan Post, Rakuten tie-up in digital delivery, cashless pay

Japan's postal system is investing 150 billion yen ($1.4 billion) in an 8% stake in the e-commerce venture Rakuten to strengthen a partnership in deliveries, fintech and other areas.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-japan-rakuten-tie-up-digital-delivery.html

Honda of America plans to sell 2 fully electric SUVs in 2024

Honda has plans to sell two all-electric SUVs in the U.S. for the 2024 model year, and it soon will offer hybrid gas-electric versions of its top-selling models.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-honda-america-fully-electric-suvs.html

China denies mulling near-$1 bn fine for Alibaba in monopoly case

China denied on Friday it was planning to hit e-commerce giant Alibaba with a fine of almost $1 billion for allegedly flouting monopoly rules, as authorities put the screws on the firm as part of a crackdown on the technology sector.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-china-denies-mulling-near-bn.html

Climate change damaging North America's largest temperate rainforest, harming salmon

New research released in Bioscience found that a remote region of North America's largest temperate rainforest is experiencing changes to its ecosystem due to climate change. Brian Buma, a researcher and professor of integrated biology at University of Colorado Denver, co-leads the research network that outlined the changes in a new paper.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-climate-north-america-largest-temperate.html

How India's rice production can adapt to climate change challenges

As the global population grows, the demand for food increases while arable land shrinks. A new University of Illinois study investigates how rice production in India can meet future needs by adapting to changing climate conditions and water availability.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-india-rice-production-climate.html