Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Science News Archive July 2020 - Page 34


Page 34 of 47

Using electricity to break down pollutants left over after wastewater treatment

Researchers at INRS have successfully tested an advanced electro-oxidation process, which uses electric current to break down non-biodegradable pollutants in treated domestic wastewater. The process generates hydroxide radicals that attack refractory molecules without requiring chemicals, reducing the cost of treatment.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateJul 9, 2020

Intimate partner violence, history of childhood abuse worsen trauma symptoms for new moms

A study found that recent episodes of intimate partner violence and history of childhood abuse worsen trauma symptoms such as anxiety, depression, self-harm, and sleep disorders in new mothers. Postnatal medical screenings may help identify signs of abuse and provide an opportunity for intervention.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Traumatic Stress·DateJul 9, 2020

Cell-cell signaling promotes invariability in sea squirt embryogenesis

Researchers discovered precise cell-to-cell contact areas required for invariant embryonic cell lineages, suggesting a range of cell signaling events limits reproducibility during development. Ascidian embryos maintain highly regimented cell-fate from early developmental stages to later stages, even between distantly related species.

Unraveling the mystery of wheat herbicide tolerance

Researchers used alien substitution lines to pinpoint chromosomal region 5A as key player in wheat's natural tolerance to synthetic auxin herbicides. They found minimal injury in some plant lines due to their ability to naturally detoxify the chemical, while others were highly sensitive to high rates of the herbicide.

Evolution makes the world less ragged

A team of international researchers found that evolution tends to dampen or smooth out variations in ecological patterns across landscapes. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, analyzed over 500 studies and identified 14 mechanisms affecting the direction of evolution's impact.

SourceUniversity of Connecticut·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 9, 2020

Aquaculture's role in nutrition in the COVID-19 era

The article discusses four possible scenarios for the future of aquaculture, including a growth-first nationalistic approach, sustainable localized production, and a globally competitive market. These scenarios aim to maximize aquaculture's nutrition benefits while ensuring environmental sustainability.

SourceAmerican University·JournalReviews in Fisheries Science & Aquaculture·DateJul 9, 2020

Native bees also facing novel pandemic

A growing evidence suggests a fungal pathogen known as Nosema is infecting native bees worldwide, with little known about its impact on these species. This infection threatens pollination and ecosystems, as native bees contribute to agricultural crop pollination and play a crucial role in local ecosystems.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalPLOS Pathogens·DateJul 9, 2020

Shining light into the dark

Researchers have developed a new method to analyze microscopic samples without using external light, reducing interference and damage to living specimens. The 'glow in the dark' approach uses chemical stimuli to activate chemicals, enabling precise control over localized oxidative hotspots.

SourceCurtin University·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·DateJul 9, 2020

Cherned up to the maximum

Researchers have observed that palladium gallium (PdGa) reaches the maximum allowed Chern number of four, a fundamental aspect yet to be settled in topological physics. The team also demonstrated control over the sign of the Chern number by manipulating the crystal's handedness during growth.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalScience·DateJul 9, 2020

Flaring, massively

Astronomers have successfully detected a superflare on the nearby red dwarf AD Leonis, with one flare being 20 times larger than those emitted by our sun. The high-quality data from the Seimei Telescope has revealed intriguing phenomena, including an increase in high-energy electrons and unusual light patterns.

SourceKyoto University·JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Japan·DateJul 9, 2020