'Dead zone' reduced by Hurricane Barry but still 8th largest

This year's Gulf of Mexico "dead zone" is the eighth largest on record, but Hurricane Barry reduced its size from an expected near record, the scientist who has measured it since 1985 said Thursday.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/dead-zone-reduced-by-hurricane-barry-but-still-8th-largest

Treatment for liver disorder in pregnancy ineffective, finds new study

Research led by King's College London has found that the currently recommended treatment for a common pregnancy liver disorder that can result in preterm birth and stillbirth, is ineffective and should be reconsidered.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/treatment-for-liver-disorder-in-pregnancy-ineffective-finds-new-study

Low level exposure to air pollution is harmful, mouse model shows

Air pollution is made up of both gaseous and particulate matter (PM). Each year almost two million people die as a direct result of air pollution with many more experiencing impaired lung function, developing lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However research, on the effects of low level air pollution, is often overlooked.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/low-level-exposure-to-air-pollution-is-harmful-mouse-model-shows

From Japanese basket weaving art to nanotechnology with ion beams

The properties of high-temperature superconductors can be tailored by the introduction of artificial defects. An international research team around physicist Wolfgang Lang at the University of Vienna has succeeded in producing the world's densest complex nano arrays for anchoring flux quanta, the fluxons. This was achieved by irradiating the superconductor with a helium-ion microscope at the University of Tübingen, a technology that has only recently become available. The researchers were inspired by a traditional Japanese basket weaving art. The results have been published recently in ACS Applied Nano Materials, a journal of the renowned American Chemical Society.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/from-japanese-basket-weaving-art-to-nanotechnology-with-ion-beams

Knockout mice are guide to new genes for eye and skin disorders

Albinism is the best-known of a group of rare genetic disorders that can affect both eyes and skin. Some genes have been identified that are linked to these conditions, but many remain mysterious. Now a team led by UC Davis researchers has identified dozens of these genetic mutations in a screen of gene-targeted "knockout" mice. The authors hope the work, published Aug. 1 in Scientific Reports, will be a resource for clinicians specializing in genetic disorders.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/knockout-mice-are-guide-to-new-genes-for-eye-and-skin-disorders

Middle-school Latino children report more depressive symptoms after family member arrested

Latino children who experience the immigration-related arrest of a family member report more severe levels of depression than those who don't have such an experience, especially if one or both parents are undocumented, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/middle-school-latino-children-report-more-depressive-symptoms-after-family-member-arrested

Super-resolution microscopy sheds light on how dementia protein becomes dysfunctional

University of Queensland researchers have used super-resolution microscopy to observe key molecules at work inside living brain cells, further unravelling the puzzle of memory formation and the elusive causes of dementia.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/super-resolution-microscopy-sheds-light-on-how-dementia-protein-becomes-dysfunctional

Sugarcoating the search for a new vaccine

A vaccine based on sugarcoats does have the potential to combat a multi-resistant staphylococcus. That is what Jeroen Codée and his colleagues from Utrecht state in Nature. In doing so, they are contradicting the earlier conclusions of German colleagues.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/sugarcoating-the-search-for-a-new-vaccine

One of two newly discovered exoplanets shows potential as a habitable world

A super-scorched planet orbiting around a nearby dim star has helped reveal the presence of two previously unseen planets—one of which could host liquid water and thus be friendly to life, astronomers say.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/one-of-two-newly-discovered-exoplanets-shows-potential-as-a-habitable-world

Researchers demonstrate low voltage LEDs

When atomically thin semiconductors are combined together in a Lego style, they emit light at a lower voltage potentially leading to low energy consumption devices.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/researchers-demonstrate-low-voltage-leds

Research looks at virus past to predict future outbreaks

Looking at the past may help the future when combating some viruses in humans, especially the evolutionary history of hantaviruses.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/research-looks-at-virus-past-to-predict-future-outbreaks

Are there certain foods you can eat to reduce your risk of Alzheimer's disease?

With the rise of fad diets, "superfoods", and a growing range of dietary supplement choices, it's sometimes hard to know what to eat.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/are-there-certain-foods-you-can-eat-to-reduce-your-risk-of-alzheimers-disease

Brain activity may help predict success of CBT in depression

In a new study, led by the University of Glasgow and published in Science Advances, scientists show that brain activity recorded using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) may help predict response to CBT in depression before the treatment commences. The advances could help patients receive the most appropriate treatment for depression in a timely manner.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/brain-activity-may-help-predict-success-of-cbt-in-depression

Anaemic star carries the mark of its ancient ancestor

A newly discovered ancient star containing a record-low amount of iron carries evidence of a class of even older stars, long hypothesised but assumed to have vanished.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/anaemic-star-carries-the-mark-of-its-ancient-ancestor

Digital games may beat mindfulness apps at relieving stress

Digital games, typical of those used on smartphones, may relieve stress after a day's work more effectively than mindfulness apps, according to a study by UCL and the University of Bath.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/digital-games-may-beat-mindfulness-apps-at-relieving-stress

Ancient drop of water rewrites Earth's history

The remains of a microscopic drop of ancient seawater has assisted in rewriting the history of Earth's evolution when it was used to re-establish the time that plate tectonics started on the planet.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/ancient-drop-of-water-rewrites-earths-history

LightSail 2 spacecraft successfully demonstrates flight by light

Years of computer simulations. Countless ground tests. They've all led up to now. The Planetary Society's crowdfunded LightSail 2 spacecraft is successfully raising its orbit solely on the power of sunlight.

source https://www.lifetechnology.com/blogs/life-technology-news-blog/lightsail-2-spacecraft-successfully-demonstrates-flight-by-light