Scandinavian wolves found to carry many harmful mutations
In a new scientific study, researchers at Uppsala University have shown that Scandinavian wolves carry around 100,000 harmful mutations in their genome. As long as the harmful mutations can be compensated by a healthy genetic variant, this does not n.....»»
Around a million children in the UK are living in destitution—with harmful consequences for their development
Millions of people in the UK are unable to meet their most basic physical needs: to stay warm, dry, clean and fed. This is known as destitution......»»
How waste from the mining industry has perpetuated apartheid-like policies in South Africa
While apartheid—South Africa's brutal racial segregation laws of the 20th century—officially came to an end in the early 1990s, its harmful effects persist today, says Stanford historian Gabrielle Hecht in her new book, "Residual Governance: How.....»»
Examining the role wolves play in boreal forest dynamics as they constrain beaver movements
A team of land managers at the University of Minnesota, working with a colleague at the University of Manitoba, has learned more about the role wolves play in boreal forest dynamics as they prey on beavers. In their study, published in Proceedings of.....»»
Geese "keep calm and carry on" after deaths in the flock, says study
Canada geese strengthen existing friendships and forge a few new connections after losing close associates from their flock, new research shows. The paper, published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, is titled "Culling-induced perturbation of social.....»»
Why we need to rethink the term "bullying"
Latest research from Flinders University has identified that the term 'bullying'—used to define a range of behaviors—is potentially jeopardizing successful and necessary prevention of harmful behavior at school. The paper, "The Confounding and Pr.....»»
Harmful gases could be detected on-the-spot with new way to generate powerful lasers
Scientists led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a novel method to produce intense and ultra-fast lasers that holds promise for making precise devices that can speed up how quickly trace amounts of pollutan.....»»
Plastic waste in rivers may carry dangerous microbes: Study
Plastic litter in rivers might be allowing dangerous pathogens to hitch-hike downstream, a new study published Wednesday found......»»
Study uncovers giant fluctuation-enhanced phonon magnetic moments in a polar antiferromagnet
Phonons, quasi-particles associated with sounds or lattice vibrations, can carry momentum and angular momentum. However, these quasi-particles are commonly considered to possess negligible magnetic moments......»»
Google falsely flags Samsung apps as “harmful,” tells users to remove them
Samsung says a "server issue" incorrectly flagged the apps, and it should be fixed now. Google says Samsung Wallet is spying on you! (It isn't.) [credi.....»»
How do kingfishers avoid concussions when diving? It might be in their genes
Mutations in the MAPT gene associated with tau proteins seem to play a significant role. Enlarge / Fish-eating kingfishers execute plunging dives into the water to capture prey, yet never seem to get concussed. (credit: Richard T.....»»
Astronomers carry out largest ever cosmological computer simulation
An international team of astronomers has carried out what is believed to be the largest ever cosmological computer simulation, tracking not only dark but also ordinary matter (such as planets, stars and galaxies), giving us a glimpse into how our uni.....»»
Wildfire smoke leaves harmful gases in floors and walls—air purifiers aren"t enough, new study shows
When wildfire smoke turns the air brown and hazy, you might think about heading indoors with the windows closed, running an air purifier or even wearing a mask. These are all good strategies to reduce exposure to the particles in wildfire smoke, but.....»»
Space is starting to look like the better mining operation
Mining in space might be less environmentally harmful than mining asteroids on Earth. Enlarge / Metallic asteroids contain more than a thousand times as much nickel as the Earth's crust. (credit: Arne Hodalic/Getty) Eve.....»»
Genome editing vs natural mutation for variations in tomato size
For tens of thousands of years, evolution shaped tomatoes through natural mutations. Then, humans came along......»»
Structure-destabilizing mutations transform Bcl-2 from an antiapoptotic protein into a proapoptotic protein
Bcl-2 family proteins are highly conserved molecules that play a crucial role in regulating the release of apoptotic proteins from mitochondria. They possess Bcl-2 homology (BH) domains, which are characterized by both sequence and structural similar.....»»
Research shows biodegradable plastics are still harmful to fish
Biodegradable plastics may not be the solution to plastic pollution many hoped for, with a University of Otago study showing they are still harmful to fish......»»
Revealing structural secrets of a key cancer protein
Scientists have breathed new life into the study of a protein with an outsized link to human cancers because of its dangerous mutations, using advanced research techniques to detect its hidden regions......»»
New technique accomplishes precise control of photonic angular momentum
Rotating objects carry angular momentum; this fact extends even to the tiniest of particles, such as photons. Photons possess not one but two distinct forms of angular momentum: spin angular momentum (SAM) and orbital angular momentum (OAM)......»»
US groundwater is getting saltier—what that means for infrastructure, ecosystems, and human health
Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) have been monitoring groundwater quality in wells across the country for more than three decades, looking for harmful chemicals or residual substances that may cause harm to ecosystems or humans. In a.....»»
Meet the new NASA communications system that’s hitching a ride in today’s Psyche launch
The launch of NASA's Psyche mission to visit a metal asteroid will include an extra bonus, as the spacecraft will carry a test of a new communications system......»»