Antarctic 'greening' at dramatic rate

Vegetation cover across the Antarctic Peninsula has increased more than tenfold over the last four decades, new research shows.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241007115554.htm

New therapeutic target for cardiac arrhythmias emerges

Researchers identified a lipid that is involved in regulating cardiac ion channels, providing insights into possible mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias in heart failure and a potential pathway for future therapeutic development.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241004171115.htm

Preventing organ transplant rejection

Breakthrough research uses nanoparticles to help the body accept transplanted organs without lifelong immunosuppressive drugs, reducing risks.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241004121844.htm

Are auditory magic tricks possible for a blind audience?

Magic tricks make the impossible seem possible. Magicians have long captivated audiences with visual tricks, such as pulling a bunny from a hat or sawing someone in half, but tricks that rely on sound are scarce. A new article explores why creating a magical experience using only sound may be challenging and underscores the importance of making magic accessible to people with blindness.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241004121719.htm

Improved water quality offsets in growing cities could protect Reef

New research shows how growing Queensland regions can learn from biodiversity and carbon offsetting efforts to better meet water quality targets.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241003221637.htm

Green subsidies may have hidden costs, experts warn

Government subsidies for business practices and processes should be approached with caution, even when they seem to be environmentally friendly, writes a group of scientists and economists. They argue that subsidies can alter market pressures, leading to unintended consequences that not only perpetuate harmful subsidies over time but also diminish the overall effectiveness of those intended to promote environmental sustainability.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241003145456.htm

Balancing health: diabetes and obesity increase risk of liver cancer relapse

A research team analyzed how diabetes mellitus and obesity factor into recurrence and survival after surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241003123551.htm

Psychological distress in adults and caregivers about food allergy is widespread and unrecognized

Psychological distress is common amongst those living with food allergy, but a new study has shown that little support is available to those who are struggling.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241003123420.htm

Wastewater bacteria can breakdown plastic for food

Comamonadacae is a family of bacteria often found growing on plastics in water. New study finds a bacterium in this family can break down the plastic for food. Researchers also identified the enzyme the bacterium use to degrade plastic. The discovery opens new possibilities for developing bacteria-based engineering solutions to help clean up difficult-to-remove plastic waste.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241003123307.htm

Widespread ice deposits on the moon

Deposits of ice in lunar dust and rock (regolith) are more extensive than previously thought, according to a new analysis of data from NASA's LRO (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter) mission. Ice would be a valuable resource for future lunar expeditions. Water could be used for radiation protection and supporting human explorers, or broken into its hydrogen and oxygen components to make rocket fuel, energy, and breathable air.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241003123252.htm

Study reveals limits of using land surface temperature to explain heat hazards in Miami-Dade County

New findings underscore the importance of further research to enhance our understanding of urban heat dynamics in subtropical and tropical regions, ensuring that heat mitigation efforts are informed by the most accurate data available. A recent study examines the effectiveness of using land surface temperatures (LSTs) as proxies for surface air temperatures (SATs) in subtropical, seasonally wet regions. Scientists used satellite remote sensing data to explore how LST reflects human heat exposure in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241002224103.htm

Unpacking polar sea ice

University of Utah mathematics and climate researchers are building new models for understanding the dynamics of sea ice, which is not as solid as you might think.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241002180915.htm

Spinning out a new biomaterials startup is harder than you think

Spider silk, long prized for its strength and elasticity, has created something of a furor in the biomanufacturing world as businesses look for ways to cheaply scale up production for silks, which can be used in everything from tactical gear to sutures and textiles. However, a comprehensive study shows that there are many challenges facing the spider silk industry.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241002154715.htm

Medical and psychological harms of obesity depend on where you live, study indicates

Researchers collected archival data on more than 3.4 million people living in the United States and United Kingdom. They found evidence that obesity tends to spur lighter medical and psychological harms when those who struggle with the disorder feel less conspicuous.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241002154711.htm

NASA's TESS spots record-breaking stellar triplets

Professional and amateur astronomers teamed up with artificial intelligence to find an unmatched stellar trio called TIC 290061484, thanks to cosmic 'strobe lights' captured by NASA's TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite).

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241002123146.htm

Study links hurricanes to higher death rates long after storms pass

U.S. tropical cyclones, including hurricanes, indirectly cause thousands of deaths for nearly 15 years after a storm. Researchers estimate an average U.S. tropical cyclone indirectly causes 7,000 to 11,000 excess deaths. All told, they estimate tropical storms since 1930 have contributed to between 3.6 million and 5.2 million deaths in the U.S. -- more than all deaths nationwide from motor vehicle accidents, infectious diseases, or battle deaths in wars during the same period.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241002123012.htm

Airborne plastic chemical levels shock researchers

A new study documents how Southern Californians are chronically being exposed to toxic airborne chemicals called plasticizers, including one that's been banned from children's items and beauty products.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241001170432.htm

Researchers integrate fast OCT system into neurosurgical microscope

Clinical study of microscope-integrated system lays groundwork for using OCT to define tumor margins and reveal subsurface brain anatomy.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241001152958.htm

New security protocol shields data from attackers during cloud-based computation

Researchers developed a technique guaranteeing that data remain secure during multiparty, cloud-based computation. This method, which leverages the quantum properties of light, could enable organizations like hospitals or financial companies to use deep learning to securely analyze confidential patient or customer data.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241001142659.htm

Climate scientists express their views on possible future climate scenarios in a new study

A new survey of climate experts reveals that a majority believes the Earth to be headed for a rise in global temperatures far higher than the 2015 Paris Agreement targets of 1.5 to well-below 2 degrees Celsius. It also shows that two-thirds of respondents believe we may succeed in achieving net zero CO2 emissions during the second half of this century. This indicates some optimism that mitigation efforts may be starting to bend the emissions curve toward what would be needed to achieve the Paris temperature goal.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/10/241001124656.htm