Science News
Towards a nanomechanical quantum switchboard
Phys.org - 24 Apr 2020 16:34
Physicists at Universität Regensburg have coupled the vibrations of a macromolecule--a carbon nanotube--to a microwave cavity, creating a novel and highly miniaturized optomechanical system. The team of Dr. Andreas K. H...
Microwaved bamboo could be used to build super-strong skyscrapers
New Scientist - 24 Apr 2020 18:41
Bamboo is a renewable material that when microwaved becomes stronger by weight than steel or concrete - which could make it ideal for constructing buildings, cars and planes
Two steps closer to flexible, powerful, fast bioelectronic devices
Science Daily - 24 Apr 2020 21:07
Researchers have designed biocompatible ion-driven soft transistors that can perform real-time neurologically relevant computation and a mixed-conducting particulate composite that allows creation of electronic component...
COVID-19: The downside of social distancing
Science Daily - 24 Apr 2020 19:25
When faced with danger, humans draw closer together. Social distancing thwarts this impulse. Researchers argue that this dilemma poses a greater threat to society than overtly antisocial behavior.
After a heart attack, physical activity makes you feel better
Science Daily - 24 Apr 2020 15:36
Heart attack patients who take part in a lifestyle improvement program feel better -- especially when they do additional physical activity.
The most promising strategies for defeating coronavirus: A review study
Science Daily - 24 Apr 2020 14:17
Experts from UNC Chapel Hill review possible clinical approaches from antivirals to gene therapy against the virus responsible for COVID-19 and related diseases.
The best material for homemade face masks may be a combination of two fabrics
Science Daily - 24 Apr 2020 14:16
Researchers report that a combination of cotton with natural silk or chiffon can effectively filter out aerosol particles -- if the fit is good.
Black hole bends escaping light 'like a boomerang'
Live Science - 24 Apr 2020 22:39
Light behaves even more strangely than expected around the irresistible pull of a black hole.
Alcohol use during pregnancy linked to offspring depression
Neuroscience News - 24 Apr 2020 22:18
Children whose mothers consumed alcohol at 18 weeks of pregnancy were 17% more likely to be diagnosed with depression at age 18 compared to those whose mothers abstained from drinking.
Brain insulin sensitivity determines body weight and fat distribution
Neuroscience News - 24 Apr 2020 21:35
Study sheds light on the role brain insulin plays in weight and visceral fat accumulation.
Infrared-reflecting paint can cool buildings even when it is black
New Scientist - 24 Apr 2020 21:00
Black paint usually absorbs heat, but a new two-layer polymer paint reflects infrared light and keeps objects 16°C cooler, which could help make buildings more energy efficient
Purified botanical CBD reduces early death in Dravet syndrome
Neuroscience News - 24 Apr 2020 20:54
Using purified botanical cannabidiol (CBD) to treat mouse models of Davet syndrome improved mortality and reduced behavioral symptoms associated with the condition.
Asthma drug in clinical trial to treat severe COVID-19 patients
Neuroscience News - 24 Apr 2020 20:36
A new clinical trial is underway to test ibudilast, an asthma drug approved in Japan, for the treatment of severe COVID-19. Ibudilast is a MIF inhibitor. MIF is a gene that regulates immune response and is a driver of in...
NASA engineers build new COVID-19 ventilator in 37 days
Live Science - 24 Apr 2020 20:05
A prototype ventilator built in just 37 days by engineers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory passed a key test this week at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.
Scientists discover just how runny a liquid can be
Phys.org - 24 Apr 2020 20:00
Scientists from Queen Mary University of London and the Russian Academy of Sciences have found a limit to how runny a liquid can be.
Covid-19 news: US not involved in global WHO plan to tackle pandemic
New Scientist - 24 Apr 2020 19:30
The latest coronavirus news updated every day including coronavirus cases, the latest news, features and interviews from New Scientist and essential information about the covid-19 pandemic
New COVID-19 vaccine shows promise in monkeys. Next step: humans.
Live Science - 24 Apr 2020 19:22
The vaccine has entered early clinical trials in human volunteers.
Pet food can contain drug-resistant bacteria that may pass to humans
New Scientist - 24 Apr 2020 19:18
Some dogs and cats may be passing gut microbes to their owners that withstand last-resort antibiotics, which can be needed to fight off pneumonia from a coronavirus infection
Bose-Einstein condensate: Magnetic particles behave repulsively
Phys.org - 24 Apr 2020 18:54
Data transmission that works by means of magnetic waves instead of electric currents: For many scientists, this is the basis of future technologies that will make transmission faster and individual components smaller and...
The world's largest iceberg may have just begun its death march
Live Science - 24 Apr 2020 18:09
Iceberg A-68 is large enough to hold New York City five times over -- and it may finally be cracking.
What the first coronavirus antibody testing surveys can tell us
New Scientist - 24 Apr 2020 17:55
We need to be very cautious about preliminary studies estimating how many people have already been infected by the coronavirus
What is it like to be a covid-19 contact tracer and what do they do?
New Scientist - 24 Apr 2020 17:53
Covid-19 contact tracers are part healthcare worker, part detective and part call centre operative. But what is the job really like? New Scientist spoke to one in Ireland to find out