science blogspot

Found: A new form of DNA in our cells Scientists have tracked down an elusive 'tangled knot' of DNA Date: April 23, 2018 Source: Garvan Institute of Medical Research Summary: In a world first, researchers have identified a new DNA structure -- called the i-motif -- inside cells. A twisted 'knot' of DNA, the i-motif has never before been directly seen inside living cells. Share:      FULL STORY This is an artist's impression of the i-motif DNA structure inside cells, along with the antibody-based tool used to detect it. Credit: Chris Hammang It's DNA, but not as we know it. In a world first, Australian researchers have identified a new DNA structure -- called the i-motif -- inside cells. A twisted 'knot' of DNA, the i-motif has never before been directly seen inside living cells. The new findings, from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, are published today in the leading journal Nature Chemistry. Deep inside the cells in our body li...

Dark chocolate consumption reduces stress and inflammation Data represent first human trials examining the impact of dark chocolate consumption on cognition and other brain functions April 24, 2018 Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center Findings from two new studies show dark chocolate consumption reduces stress and inflammation, while improving memory, immunity and mood. a b v e g d Cite This Page : Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center. "Dark chocolate consumption reduces stress and inflammation: Data represent first human trials examining the impact of dark chocolate consumption on cognition and other brain functions." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 24 April 2018. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/04/180424133628.htm>. FULL STORY Research shows there might be health benefits to eating certain types of dark chocolate. Credit: LLU Health New research shows there might be health benefits to eating certain types of dark chocolat...

Increased UV from ozone depletion sterilizes trees Evidence links volcanoes to Earth's largest mass extinction 252 million years ago Date: February 7, 2018 Source: University of California - Berkeley Summary: Paleobotanists put dwarf, bonsai pine trees in growth chambers and subjected them to up to 13 times the UV-B radiation Earth experiences today, simulating conditions that likely existed 252 million years ago during the planet's worst mass extinction. The UV-B made the pines temporarily sterile and created malformed pollen, evidence that ozone depletion from volcanic eruptions could have led to high UV-B levels that contributed to the end-Permian crisis for plants and animals. Share: FULL STORY UC Berkeley researchers subjected dwarf pines (Pinus mugo) to enhanced UV-B radiation in growth chambers for two months. The irradiated pines not only produced malformed pollen, but they dropped...

No sex for all-female fish species Date: February 12, 2018 Source: University of Würzburg Summary: They reproduce through gynogenesis. Their offspring are clones of the mother. According to established theories, the Amazon molly should have become extinct a long time ago. A new study shows how the fish avoids this fate. Share: FULL STORY The Amazon molly does not produce any male offspring. The females reproduce asexually through gynogenesis. Nevertheless they need sperm to trigger the cloning process. Credit: Manfred Schartl The Amazon molly does not produce any male offspring. The females reproduce asexually through gynogenesis. Nevertheless they need sperm to trigger the cloning process. Credit: Manfred Schartl Close Species that produce asexually are rare among vertebrates, making the Amazon molly ( Poecilia formosa ) the big exception. The small fi...

New research advances spintronics technology Discoveries will help realize the promise of faster, energy-efficient spintronic computers and ultra-high-capacity data storage Date: February 1, 2018 Source: University of California - Riverside Summary: Engineers have reported advances in so-called 'spintronic' devices that will help lead to a new technology for computing and data storage. They have developed methods to detect signals from spintronic components made of low-cost metals and silicon, which overcomes a major barrier to wide application of spintronics. Share: FULL STORY UCR researchers have developed methods to detect signals from spintronic components made of low-cost metals and silicon. Credit: UC Riverside UCR researchers have developed methods to detect signals from spintronic components made of low-cost metals and silicon. Credit: UC Riverside Close ...

Viruses -- lots of them -- are falling from the sky An astonishing number of viruses are circulating around the Earth's atmosphere -- and falling from it Date: February 6, 2018 Source: University of British Columbia Summary: An astonishing number of viruses are circulating around the Earth's atmosphere -- and falling from it -- according to new research. The study marks the first time scientists have quantified the viruses being swept up from the Earth's surface into the free troposphere, beyond Earth's weather systems but below the stratosphere where jet airplanes fly. The viruses can be carried thousands of kilometers there before being deposited back onto the Earth's surface. Share: FULL STORY Viruses and bacteria fall back to Earth via dust storms and precipitation. Saharan dust intrusions from North Africa and rains from the Atlantic. Credit: NASA Visible Earth ...

Quantum race accelerates development of silicon quantum chip Date: January 25, 2018 Source: Delft University of Technology Summary: Scientists have shown that the quantum information of an electron spin can be transported to a photon, in a silicon quantum chip. This is important in order to connect quantum bits across the chip and allowing to scale up to large numbers of qubits. Share: zrbwtdrdaeawwbyqrse FULL STORY The quantum computer of the future will be able to carry out computations far beyond the capacity of today's computers. Credit: TU Delft The quantum computer of the future will be able to carry out computations far beyond the capacity of today's computers. Credit: TU Delft Close The worldwide race to create more, better and reliable quantum processors is progressing fast, as a team of TU Delft scientists led by Professor Vandersypen has reali...