Month: March 2020

  • Relative Humidity Indoors Between 40 to 60 Percent Can Slow Virus Transmission

    Relative Humidity Indoors Between 40 to 60 Percent Can Slow Virus Transmission

    Mice kept in environments with 40 to 60 percent relative humidity have much less ability to transmit viruses to non-infected mice. Researchers from Yale University made this conclusion after finishing their review study. The findings were published in the journal Annual Review of Virology, and the article is titled “Seasonality of Respiratory Viral Infections.” Seasonal…

  • Astronauts’ Pee May Be Used to Build Moon Bases in the Future

    Astronauts’ Pee May Be Used to Build Moon Bases in the Future

    The urea in astronauts’ urine can act as a plasticizer for the concrete used to build moon base structures. Researchers at NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and its Chinese counterpart are exploring how to apply urea from the urine of astronauts to help build moon base structures. The details of their research are published…

  • Plant-Based Diet is Better for Asthma Sufferers Than Dairy or High-Fat Diets

    Plant-Based Diet is Better for Asthma Sufferers Than Dairy or High-Fat Diets

    Eating a plant-based diet is better for preventing and managing asthma, while dairy or high-fat diets can worsen asthma. This finding was from a review study by researchers with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. The results were published in the journal Nutrition Reviews. Asthma Sufferers Can Be Vulnerable to COVID-19 Asthma affects over 25…

  • This Gene Mutation Seems to Make Mice Smarter

    This Gene Mutation Seems to Make Mice Smarter

    Mice with a genetic mutation in the gene called KCND2 showed improved cognitive flexibility. They were able to adapt faster to changing situations than mice without the mutation. The discovery was made by researchers at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The findings were published in the journal Nature Communications. The…

  • Spreading COVID-19 Through Tears is Unlikely

    Spreading COVID-19 Through Tears is Unlikely

    There is low risk of spreading the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 through tears. It’s better to worry about the droplets and mucus expelled by coughing or sneezing. Those are more likely to spread the virus than through the bodily fluid of tears. The findings were by researchers from the National University Hospital in Singapore. Their…

  • Smell of Hunger Prompts Rats to Give Food More Generously

    Smell of Hunger Prompts Rats to Give Food More Generously

    Hungry rats can emit smells that prompt other rats to provide them with food assistance quicker. Researcher from the Universities of Bern in Switzerland and Potsdam in Germany made these findings. They showed that rats can use odor cues alone to determine how urgently to provide food assistance to other rats in need. The findings…

  • Tiny Gyroscope 10,000 Times More Accurate Than One in Your Smartphone

    Tiny Gyroscope 10,000 Times More Accurate Than One in Your Smartphone

    Researchers have developed a tiny gyroscope that is 10,000 times more accurate than the one in your smartphone. When devices like your smartphone lose a GPS signal, a gyroscope is important to keep things on track. This is important for applications like drones or autonomous cars. However, the performance of most gyroscopes, like the one…

  • Device Use Sound Waves to Detect Cancer Invasion

    Device Use Sound Waves to Detect Cancer Invasion

    Scientists have designed a device that uses sound waves to detect cancer invasion. The device sends sound waves through the structure surrounding cells called the extracellular matrix. The stiffness of the extracellular matrix can then be measured. Stiffening of the extracellular matrix can indicate cancer is invading other tissue. The device was developed by engineers…

  • Substances Linked to Bladder Cancer Found in Urine of E-cigarette Users

    Substances Linked to Bladder Cancer Found in Urine of E-cigarette Users

    A review study shows e-cigarette users can have up to six substances with a strong link to bladder cancer in their urine. Researchers from the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and NYU Langone Health reported the findings. They analyzed multiple studies that looked at urine of people who used e-cigarettes and sometimes…

  • Researchers Produce Fat Busting Human Protein in the Lab

    Researchers Produce Fat Busting Human Protein in the Lab

    A fat busting human protein called APOA5 (Apolipoprotein A5) was produced in a lab by researchers. APOA5 clears out fats called triglycerides that circulate in our blood. Too much of this fat causes you to grow that fat belly. APOA5 plays an important role in metabolizing and clearing excess levels of triglycerides from the bloodstream.…