How nanoplastics can influence metabolism
PET—the plastic used to make bottles, for example—is ubiquitous in our natural environment. In a joint study, scientists from Leipzig University and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) investigated the negative effects that tiny.....»»
Scientists propose aerosol retrieval method for newly launched satellite
Aerosols, suspended particles in the atmosphere, influence the Earth's climate system by directly scattering and absorbing solar and terrestrial radiations as well as by acting as cloud condensation nuclei and ice nuclei to modify the properties of c.....»»
When mafia threatens democracy: Research shows ordinary people are less honest in countries hit by organized crime
Organized crime casts a long shadow, driving violence and an illicit economy. But our research, published in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, has uncovered some more subtle dimensions to its influence, too. We've found that o.....»»
Get ready for the rise of Kencore
Ken has always been a fashion icon, but he hasn’t had Barbie’s cultural influence. Until now. Barbie has always been a source of fashion inspiration to girls. But this year, when she’s about to appear in her own live-action movi.....»»
The trick to finding design inspiration in the age of algorithmic sameness
A new project called ‘Design Interrupted’ explores how social media algorithms influence creativity—and what you can do to stay original. In 2015, Maggie Mustaklem, then a knitwear designer, needed inspiration for a new sweater.....»»
New study uncovers potential risk of arsenic release from sediment under organic matter influence
Researchers from the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences have conducted a study to assess the impact of environmental factors and microbial communities on the mobilization of arsenic (As). The findings, published in the journal Environ.....»»
Detecting nanoplastics in fractions of a second using modified Raman spectroscopy
Microplastics are tiny, barely visible plastic particles that can harm the environment, for example, if they are eaten by animals. However, it has been difficult to assess the effect of even smaller particles, which can hardly be detected using conve.....»»
Colonization found to influence worldwide distribution of plant specimens
A study led by a Florida State University researcher that was published in Nature Human Behaviour shows how colonization has contributed to the distribution of plants specimens stored in herbaria collections around the world......»»
Neutering practices for pet UK cats significantly influence feral populations, math model suggests
A new mathematical model of UK cat populations suggests that neutering of cats that belong to people not only affects the population dynamics of owned cats, but also affects feral, stray, and shelter subpopulations. Jenni McDonald of Cats Protection.....»»
Small-winged and lighter colored butterflies likely to be at greatest threat from climate change
The family, wing length and wing color of tropical butterflies all influence their ability to withstand rising temperatures, say a team led by ecologists at the University of Cambridge. The researchers believe this could help identify species whose s.....»»
Scientists reveal molecular interaction of carbon/nitrogen metabolism in rice
Carbon and nitrogen are the two most abundant nutrients for all living organisms. The metabolism of carbon and nitrogen is tightly coupled and coordinated by different metabolites and signaling pathways. What are the molecular mechanisms that sense a.....»»
China curbs exports of key computer chip materials
Washington and Beijing have been battling for influence over the semiconductor industry......»»
Less rain in town, more on the farm: Effects of urbanization, irrigation on mid-Atlantic summer precipitation
Scientists know that urbanization and irrigation can significantly influence rainfall. However, they don't fully know how these effects vary among different types of rain. Researchers have investigated how large-scale urbanization and irrigation in t.....»»
Everything in balance? How a molecular switch controls lipid metabolism
Our body's fat metabolism plays a vital role in energy production in our body. A research team at the University of Basel, Switzerland, has discovered a molecular switch that regulates lipid metabolism in our cells. This switch controls the storage o.....»»
Study offers strategy for green synthesis of 15N-amino acids
15N isotope-labeled amino acids (15N-amino acids) provide a safe and effective tracer tool for studying the synthesis of natural products, protein metabolism, and disease diagnosis and treatment in living organisms. In addition, it is an important sy.....»»
Sponges react to changes in their microbiome with extensive modifications in gene regulation: Study
For a number of years, mounting evidence has shown that the microbiome—the totality of all microorganisms that inhabit a living being—interacts with its host in various ways and can influence key life processes. Sponges, which rank among the olde.....»»
Rainfall"s impact on pollutants: Unraveling the Tibetan Plateau"s enigmatic dance
A research team led by Prof. Zhao Chun from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) revealed the influence of rainfall on the inter-annual variation of pollutants over the Tibetan Plateau. The.....»»
Gravity and dark matter, a bond beyond distances
Isaac Newton formulated his theory of gravity as an action at a distance: a planet instantly feels the influence of another celestial body, no matter the distance between them. This characteristic motivated Albert Einstein to develop the famous theor.....»»
Investigating dark matter interactions using optical atomic clocks
Can dark matter interact with photons and influence atomic structure? A case for optical atomic clocks: Two different types of such clocks were compared at the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) within the scope of the Collaborative Research.....»»
Plant life found to determine soil bacteria diversity in the Arctic tundra
Living and nonliving factors that influence the types of vegetation that grow at different elevations in the Arctic tundra also regulate the types of bacteria that grow in the soil. The distribution of generalist bacteria, which can adapt to a broade.....»»
Why Some People Get Sick More Often
Genetic susceptibilities, the environment and the body’s response to inflammation all influence our odds of falling ill.....»»