Scientists have developed a workflow management system that addresses irreproducibility when analyzing large genomics datasets with computers. Nextflow contributes to establishing good scientific practices and provides an important framework for those research projects where the analysis of large datasets are used to take decisions, for example, in precision medicine. (via WSJ)
Around 300 million tons of plastic is manufactured each year globally. Plastic is not naturally biodegradable and pollutes the environment. Environmental researchers have been persevering to find a way to dispose of the huge amounts of plastic and plastic products in an effective manner, without harming the Earth. A new study has found that a caterpillar commonly bred for fish bait can chew through polyethylene (plastic) products […]
India will not be able to meet its Paris climate agreement commitments in the coming years if it carries through with plans to construct nearly 370 coal-fired power plants, according to researchers. (via WSJ)
LONDON British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservatives have a large lead over the opposition Labour Party, according to an opinion poll published on Tuesday by the Kantar research group. The survey showed the Conservatives had the support of 46 percent of likely voters in the June 8 election, ahead of Labour on 24 percent, the Liberal Democrats on 11 percent and the UK Independence Party on 8 […]
Scientists have clarified through theory and simulation research that turbulence in a plasma confined in the magnetic field is suppressed and the heat and particle losses are reduced in cases with larger ion mass. This research provides a novel understanding for clarifying the ‘ion mass effect’ which has been a riddle since the beginning of fusion and plasma research. (via WSJ)
A novel microscopy method allows unprecedented insights into the spatial organization and direct interactions of immune cells within blood and liquid multi-lineage tissues. The assay, called ‘Pharmacoscopy,’ is able to determine the immunomodulatory properties of drugs within large libraries on immune cells in high resolution and high throughput, enabling new possibilities for drug discovery, particularly in cancer immunotherapy, personalized medicine, and research on signaling pathways of the […]
Inspired by 3-D printing, researchers explored development of one mechanical property called effective static compressibility. As they now report, by using a single cartridge it’s possible to print a metamaterial which expands in size under hydrostatic pressure, even though it’s made up of material which behaves normally under hydrostatic pressure — that is, it shrinks. In principle, there is no limit to the negative value this material’s […]
New insight into how forests globally will respond to long-term climate change has been gained by recent research. The new work suggests that climate-change driven increases in rainfall in warm, wet forests are likely to cause increased plant growth. Plant-growth declines are still expected in cooler forests with increased precipitation. (via WSJ)
The finalized prototype of Google self-driving car. First, it was just a dream. Then it became a quirky research project undertaken by a handful of the nerdiest engineers in the robotics industry. Now self-driving cars are on the brink of transforming transportation. The industry creating the technology for autonomous vehicles has morphed from a collaborative space of free-flowing ideas into a high-speed road race where the winners […]
Technion researchers have a developed safe and efficient way to produce hydrogen on board a plane in flight. Using aluminum particles and (fresh or waste), the technology could one day help meet in-flight energy needs on commercial aircraft. (via WSJ)
By Sam Nussey and Ritsuko Shimizu | TOKYO TOKYO Japan’s growing labor shortage threatens the nation’s ubiquitous convenience stores, whose business model relies on an army of part-timers packing bento lunch boxes, manning cash registers and delivering goods 24/7. The big three “combini” operators 7-Eleven, FamilyMart and Lawson, which have expanded through Japan’s long slump, are scrambling to ease the pressure on franchisees by offering a mix […]
Photo Steven Mnuchin, left, the secretary of the Treasury, announced sanctions on Monday in response to a chemical weapons attack in Syria. “The United States is sending a strong message with this action that we will not tolerate the use of chemical weapons by any actor,” he said. Credit Stephen Crowley/The New York Times WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Monday imposed sanctions on 271 employees of […]
Mathematical formulas that model how deadly mosquito-borne diseases spread can help medical researchers accurately predict how real-life outbreaks develop and find countermeasures, report scientists. (via WSJ)
A new scientific discovery game called Mozak is allowing video gamers to significantly speed up reconstructing the intricate architecture of brain cells, a fundamental task in 21st century brain science. These citizen scientists have outperformed computers in tracing the intricate shapes of neurons, a first step in understanding how our brain circuitry works. (via WSJ)
Liam disassembles iPhones and sorts components into bins for further processing. (Image: Apple) Apple has released new details about Liam, its line of robots that disassembles the iPhone 6 so that individual components can be reused to make new gadgets in the future. Liam was first introduced last year , and now that the pilot has been successful, there are plans to expand the project. This will […]
By Toby Sterling | AMSTERDAM AMSTERDAM U.S. paint maker PPG Industries (PPG.N) raised its proposed offer for Akzo Nobel (AKZO.AS) by about 8 percent to 26.9 billion euros ($28.8 billion) on Monday, increasing the pressure on its Dutch rival to enter into talks. PPG said its proposal was a “final” invitation to Akzo to enter negotiations and included a break fee in case the deal was rejected […]
Escalation of alcoholic cirrhosis is more pronounced in regions where peak cold climate prevails accompanied by less sunshine, according to a study. The study was led by Neil Shah, MD, of the University of North Carolina. To some extent, the findings implicitly endorse the popular perception that an alcoholic drink is the best means to stay warm. However, it invariably exposes people to many consequences, noted Shah at […]
The US Treasury has responded to this month’s gas attack in Syria by launching one of its biggest one-off rounds of sanctions, targeting employees of a Syrian agency it accuses of developing non-conventional weapons. The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced that 271 employees of Syria’s Scientific Studies and Research Center were being sanctioned, more than doubling the number of individuals and entities targeted by previous […]
Researchers have shown that engineered nanosponges can reduce the severity of infections caused by the bacteria responsible for strep throat and flesh-eating disease. (via WSJ)
Enviroserve UAE has signed an agreement with Dubai Wholesale City for the construction of a 228,000 sq ft electronics and specialised waste recycling plant at Dubai Industrial Park. Backed by the Swiss Government Export Finance Agency, the AED120 million project represents one of the largest foreign direct investments in the field of environmental management in the UAE, a statement said. It added that the facility will serve […]
In a new synthesis of anatomy research, scientists showcase the surprising, record-breaking and just plain weird adaptations of the star-nosed mole. The animal eats faster and sports a more sensitive touch organ than any other mammal, is the first mammal known to smell underwater and offers fascinating insights about the brain-body interface. Source
UK and US share a similar mindset when it comes to horizontal drilling for shale energy, say Cardiff University researchers and colleagues While an entire ocean separates the UK from the US, when the issue of fracking arises, the great divide—philosophically speaking—narrows considerably. Concerns about short-term and long-term impacts of horizontal drilling for shale energy are prevalent in both countries. According to a new study by […]
Zika — caused due to disease carrying mosquitoes — is expected to rear its ugly head once again in Texas. Places with plenty of mosquito growth are the worst impacted when it comes to the disease’s outbreak. In 2016, Texas was the worst hit state in the country. Numerous Zika cases occurred in the Rio-Grande Valley and health officials are worried that with the approaching monsoons, the virus […]
Three-dimensional printing allows extremely small and complex structures to be made even in small series. A new method now allows glass to be used for this technique. As a consequence of the properties of glass, such as transparency, thermal stability and resistance to acids, the use of this material in 3D-printing opens up manifold new applications in production and research, such as optics, data transmission, and biotechnology. […]
