Study finds evidence of 55 new chemicals in people

Scientists at UC San Francisco have detected 109 chemicals in a study of pregnant women, including 55 chemicals never before reported in people and 42 "mystery chemicals," whose sources and uses are unknown.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-evidence-chemicals-people.html

Extinct Caribbean bird's closest relatives hail from Africa, South Pacific

In a genetic surprise, ancient DNA shows the closest family members of an extinct bird known as the Haitian cave-rail are not in the Americas, but Africa and the South Pacific, uncovering an unexpected link between Caribbean bird life and the Old World.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-extinct-caribbean-bird-closest-relatives.html

Trouble for honeyeaters that sing the wrong song

The critically endangered regent honeyeater is losing its "song culture" due to the bird's rapidly declining population, according to new research from The Australian National University (ANU).

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-honeyeaters-wrong-song.html

Researchers derive urban scaling laws from the 3D geometry of a city

When complex systems double in size, many of their parts do not. Characteristically, some aspects will grow by only about 80 percent, others by about 120 percent. The astonishing uniformity of these two growth rates is known as "scaling laws." Scaling laws are observed everywhere in the world, from biology to physical systems. They also apply to cities. Yet, while a multitude of examples show their presence, reasons for their emergence are still a matter of debate.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-derive-urban-scaling-laws-3d.html

Online game developed by researchers shows challenges facing the world of work in the future

We live in a world where robots increasingly build our cars, algorithms trade stocks and computers translate texts. Robotics, digitalization and artificial intelligence are transforming numerous professions. Some jobs are disappearing, while other new ones are being created. The online game 'The Automated Life', launched recently, now enables users to try out how they might survive in an increasingly automated world of work. The game was developed in the Center for Humans and Machines at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-online-game-world-future.html

Biosensing with whispering-gallery mode lasers

Whispering-gallery-mode (WGM) microresonators are opening up many new research directions that enable the detection of proteins, enzymes and DNA, down to single molecules. A new class of sensors makes use of active microresonators to drastically expand the functionality and range of WGM sensor applications, especially for biological and chemical assays. We review the most recent advances of WGM microlasers for biosensing and provide an outlook on exciting new research directions and emerging WGM sensor applications.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-biosensing-whispering-gallery-mode-lasers.html

One enzyme dictates cells' response to a probable carcinogen: study

In the past few years, several medications have been found to be contaminated with NDMA, a probable carcinogen. This chemical, which has also been found at Superfund sites and in some cases has spread to drinking water supplies, causes DNA damage that can lead to cancer.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-enzyme-dictates-cells-response-probable.html

Squishy white blood cells quickly become highly stiff and viscous in response to a threat

Like a well-trained soldier, a white blood cell uses specialized abilities to identify and ultimately destroy dangerous intruders, including creating a protrusion to effectively reach out, lock-on, probe, and possibly attack its prey. Researchers reporting March 16 in Biophysical Journal show in detail that these cells take seconds to morph into these highly rigid and viscous defensive units.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-squishy-white-blood-cells-quickly.html

Controlling sloshing motions in sea-based fish farming cages improves fish welfare

Sea-based fish farming systems using net pens are hard on the environment and the fish. A closed cage can improve fish welfare, but fresh seawater must be continuously circulated through the cage. However, ocean waves can cause this circulating water to slosh inside the cage, creating violent motions and endangering the cage and the fish.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-sloshing-motions-sea-based-fish-farming.html

Viruses adapt to 'language of human cells' to hijack protein synthesis

The first systematic study of its kind describes how human viruses including SARS-CoV-2 are better adapted to infecting certain types of tissues based on their ability to hijack cellular machinery and protein synthesis.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-viruses-language-human-cells-hijack.html

Embryonic tissue undergoes phase transition

When scientists at the Institute of Science and Technology (IST) Austria looked at developing zebrafish embryos, they observed an abrupt and dramatic change: Within just a few minutes, the solid-like embryonic tissue becomes fluid-like. What could cause this change, and what is its role in the further development of the embryo? In a multidisciplinary study published in the journal Cell, they found answers that could change how we look at key processes in development and disease, such as tumor metastasis.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-embryonic-tissue-phase-transition.html

Researchers unlock the micro-molecular physiochemical mechanism of dental plaque formation

An inter-disciplinary team of researchers led by Prof. Qian Peiyuan, Chair Professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)'s Department of Ocean Science and Division of Life Science has unraveled how a novel microbial small molecule released by Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans)—a bacterium commonly found in the human oral cavity—is connected to dental caries development using a synthetic biology approach, offering new insights to the health impact of the human oral microbiota and facilitating future research on the prevention of tooth decay. The research findings were recently published in Nature Chemical Biology.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-micro-molecular-physiochemical-mechanism-dental-plaque.html

Mitochondria found to be protected by ketogenesis

Ketone bodies are generally an alternative energy source during starvation, but in newborns, ketogenesis is active regardless of nutritional status. In a recent study from Kumamoto University (Japan), researchers analyzed the effects of ketogenesis in mice and found that it has a protective effect on cells by maintaining the function of mitochondria. They expect that this effect can be used in future therapies for protecting mitochondria and organs.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-mitochondria-ketogenesis.html

Germany hits climate target thanks to pandemic

Germany said Tuesday it had met its national climate goal for 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic helped to drive the biggest reduction in emissions for three decades in Europe's biggest economy.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-germany-climate-pandemic.html

Rynanair plans 200 more Germany-Spain flights for Easter

Ryanair said Tuesday it will offer 200 additional flights between Germany and Spain during Easter, a period when travel between Spanish regions will be banned to battle the coranavirus.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-rynanair-germany-spain-flights-easter.html

Thousands of children have not seen parents for a year: Hidden impact of COVID on prisoners' families

Much has been heard about the devastating impact of COVID-19 on families, torn apart by lockdown restrictions. But Oxford research today has found thousands of children in the UK, have not seen their parents for a year.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-thousands-children-parents-year-hidden.html

Russia gives Twitter one month to remove 'banned' content

Russia's media regulator Roskomnadzor on Tuesday gave Twitter a one-month ultimatum to remove "banned" content, threatening to consider blocking the social media platform within the country if it does not comply.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-russia-twitter-month-content.html

Scientists unearth meteorite from the birth of the solar system

Scientists believe they have identified a meteorite formed in the first million years of our solar system, making it the oldest known meteor of volcanic origin.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-scientists-unearth-meteorite-birth-solar.html

Messaging app Signal no longer working in China

The encrypted messaging app Signal, recommended by Tesla's Elon Musk, appeared to have been blocked in China on Tuesday, closing off one of the last US social media platforms still freely available in the country.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-messaging-app-longer-china.html

Lethal pollution high in 2020 despite lockdowns: report

Deadly small particle pollution in four of five nations exceeded World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations last year despite Covid lockdowns, according to a report released Tuesday.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-lethal-pollution-high-lockdowns.html

US sends team to Detroit to investigate Tesla-semi crash

The U.S. government's highway safety agency is sending a team to Detroit to investigate a crash involving a Tesla that drove beneath a semitrailer.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-team-detroit-tesla-semi.html

China state TV raps Kohler, BMW for using facial recognition

Chinese state TV has criticized bathroom fixtures brand Kohler and automaker BMW for using facial recognition to identify customers in a possible violation of privacy rules that took effect this year.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-china-state-tv-raps-kohler.html

News Corp strikes Facebook pay deal for Australian news

News Corp and Facebook have reached pay deals for news in Australia three weeks after the government passed laws that would make digital giants help cover the costs of journalism.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-03-news-corp-facebook-australian.html

Israeli experts announce discovery of new Dead Sea scrolls

Israeli archaeologists on Tuesday announced the discovery of dozens of new Dead Sea Scroll fragments bearing a biblical text found in a desert cave and believed hidden during a Jewish revolt against Rome nearly 1,900 years ago.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-israeli-experts-discovery-dead-sea.html

An ancient Maya ambassador's bones show a life of privilege and hardship

An important Maya man buried nearly 1,300 years ago led a privileged yet difficult life. The man, a diplomat named Ajpach' Waal, suffered malnutrition or illness as a child, but as an adult he helped negotiate an alliance between two powerful dynasties that ultimately failed. The ensuing political instability left him in reduced economic circumstances, and he probably died in relative obscurity.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-ancient-maya-ambassador-bones-life.html

Migration routes of one of Britain's largest ducks revealed for the first time

New research, just published in the journal Ringing & Migration, has used state of the art tracking technology to investigate how one of Britain's largest ducks, the Shelduck, interacts with offshore wind turbines during their migration across the North Sea.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-03-migration-routes-britain-largest-ducks.html