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Oct 28, 2019

Untangling The Link Between Alzheimer’s Disease And Diabetes: What The Latest Science Tells Us

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, neuroscience, science

Alzheimer’s and diabetes could be connected in ways we’re only beginning to identify, say scientists presenting the latest research on links between blood sugar metabolism and dementia.

Oct 28, 2019

Rarely Seen Gravity Waves Captured Rippling in Earth’s Atmosphere

Posted by in categories: physics, satellites

The atmosphere is fluid. This means it’s subject to fluid dynamics, such as circulation, currents, and, yes, gravity waves. The atmosphere is always in motion, so these phenomena happen all the time; but actually seeing them is another matter.

Well, thanks to weather satellites, now you can take a mighty gawk at atmospheric gravity waves that rippled out over Western Australia last week.

Not to be confused with gravitational waves, which are disturbances in the curvature of spacetime created by massive acceleration, gravity waves, also known as buoyancy waves, are a physical phenomenon where waves are generated in any fluid medium, such as waves at the beach, or ripples in a glass of water.

Oct 28, 2019

Alert system for failing nuclear plant pipes uses thin films and sound vibrations

Posted by in categories: 3D printing, food, life extension, nanotechnology

A failing pipe can be tough to spot. It may cause a puddle, produce another sign of damage, or simply burst before detection. A flooded kitchen or laundry room is messy and inconvenient, but the stakes are much, much higher in nuclear power plants—which on average contain many miles of pipeline.

As concern about aging plants escalates, Vanderbilt engineers are working on an early warning system. They are using on the inside of the and 3D-printed polymer devices infused with nanoparticles as sensors to signal the changes on the outside of the pipe. And, they hope, sound.

A huge challenge is to detect the changes in the polymer film occurring inside the pipe. To create a useful and proactive technique, the team wants to use sound, or vibrometry, to identify these internal changes from outside the pipe.

Oct 28, 2019

How sunlight on the skin directly affects the gut microbiome

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, genetics

New research from a team of Canadian scientists has for the first time demonstrated how exposure to Narrow Band Ultraviolet B light (UVB) can directly influence gut microbiome diversity in humans. The research hypothesizes that this result is modulated by vitamin D and presents evidence of a novel skin-gut communication pathway.

Autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and multiple sclerosis are thought to be caused by a number of environmental and genetic factors. Gut bacterial diversity, exposure to sunlight and vitamin D levels, have all been observed as influential factors for inflammatory disease, however a new study is asserting a causal chain may link all three of these elements.

The new research examined 21 female subjects who were all administered three 60-second full-body UVB exposure sessions across one week. Blood and fecal samples were taken from all subjects at the beginning and end of the study to track changes to vitamin D levels and gut bacterial diversity. Half of the subjects were noted as having taken vitamin D supplements across the prior three winter months.

Oct 28, 2019

I’m an academic doctor. But research from for-profit companies may be the best way to help patients and science in the future

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, science

Such studies are distrusted by professionals because of possible conflicts of interest. But important research will be increasingly conducted, funded or aided by such firms.

Oct 28, 2019

Genetic testing

Posted by in categories: economics, genetics

The low cost of genetic testing has prompted a slew of Chinese companies, including 23Mofang and Shenzhen-based WeGene, to enter the market and tap growing demand in the world’s second largest economy, which is expected to reach US$4.3 billion by 2023. Compared to the US, China remains a fairly nascent market for direct-to-consumer genetic testing.


The low cost of direct-to-consumer genetic testing has prompted a slew of Chinese companies to enter the domestic market, which is expected to reach US$4.3 billion by 2023.

Oct 27, 2019

How ‘Arrival’s’ Designers Crafted a Mesmerizing Alien Alphabet

Posted by in category: futurism

A single logogram can express a simple thought (“Hi”) or a complex one (“Hi Louise, I’m an alien but I come in peace”).

Oct 27, 2019

Ford to debut Mustang-inspired Tesla Model Y competitor Nov 17

Posted by in categories: sustainability, transportation

The electric crossover SUV is planned to have around 300 miles of range and will “go like hell.” It will be revealed days before the LA Auto Show.

Oct 27, 2019

A new theory of brain organization takes aim at the mystery of consciousness

Posted by in category: neuroscience

Summary: Entropy during consciousness is higher than during unconscious states. Source: Novela NeurotechConsciousness is one of the brain’s most enigmatic mysteries. A new theory, inspired by t.

Oct 27, 2019

Scientists say solar technology may detect, attack cancer cells

Posted by in categories: biotech/medical, chemistry, solar power, sustainability

A study claims a new way to detect and attack cancer cells using technology traditionally reserved for solar power as the results showcased dramatic improvements.

The results published in Scientific Reports said that dramatic improvements were seen in light-activated fluorescent dyes for disease diagnosis, image-guided surgery and site-specific tumor treatment.

“We’ve tested this concept in breast, lung cancer and skin cancer cell lines and mouse models, and so far it’s all looking remarkably promising,” said Sophia, Michigan State University’s (MSU) biochemistry and molecular biologist.