Health workers once saluted as heroes now get threats
Thursday 30 September 2021
Stress of COVID-19 pandemic caused irregular menstrual cycles, study found
Women and people who menstruate experienced irregularities in their menstrual cycle because of increased stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, a new study has found.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929155707.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929155707.htm
Last Chance - 2022 Muni Service Network Survey Closes October 1, 2021
Last Chance - 2022 Muni Service Network Survey Closes October 1, 2021
By Mariana Maguire
Published September 30, 2021 at 04:46AM
https://ift.tt/3uoUbzT
By Mariana Maguire
SFMTA staff talks with customer about 2022 Muni service options at farmer’s market pop-up event.
The SFMTA recently introduced three options for increasing Muni service in early 2022. We launched efforts to get community input on them, including a brief survey that closes Friday, October 1. If you haven’t taken the survey yet, there are still a few days left! You can find the survey link at SFMTA.com/2022Network.
We’ve received more than 4,000 survey responses so far and a few hundred calls to our hotline and feedback to our TellMuni@SFMTA.com email. You can also provide feedback on the shortened J Church route and changes to the 23 Monterey, 57 Parkmerced, 35 Eureka and 48 Quintara/24th Street by contacting TellMuni@SFMTA.com or 415.646.2005.
All three alternatives to increase Muni bus service in early 2022 have the same amount of total bus service – they’re just arranged differently. The “Familiar” alternative uses available resources to bring back the seven all-day Muni bus lines that have yet to restored since the pandemic began. The “Frequent” alternative instead uses the available resources to reduce wait times and crowding on Muni’s highest ridership lines (and does not restore those seven all-day bus lines). The “Hybrid” alternative aims to balance more routes and more frequency.
We’ve talked with over 30 stakeholder groups, a couple hundred attendees at our virtual meetings and several hundred more community members at tabling events and pop-ups in neighborhoods throughout the city.
Once our survey closes this Friday, our transit planners will use the input, paired with data that shows which lines are being used most and where ridership is highest, to develop a single proposal for increasing Muni service in early 2022. The proposal is expected to be ready in mid-October. We will also share details about how the survey results and other public feedback influenced the proposal.
After we release our proposal for early 2022 Muni service additions and changes, we will seek public feedback and refine the proposal in October and November. You will also have a chance to give input at upcoming open houses and office hours, by contacting TellMuni@SFMTA.com or 415.646.2005 and by taking our proposal survey in October.
The proposal for Muni service in early 2022 will be brought to the SFMTA Board for its consideration in December.
Published September 30, 2021 at 04:46AM
https://ift.tt/3uoUbzT
European fishing communities face their own specific climate risks
Of all European fisheries and coastal communities, the ones in the UK and the Eastern Mediterranean have the highest risk of being affected by climate change. To reduce climate risks, researchers are advising regional policy makers to focus on sustainable and diverse fisheries management.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929163811.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929163811.htm
Wiggling worms suggest link between vitamin B12 and Alzheimer's
Worms lose their wiggle when they get Alzheimer's disease, but researchers found that worms fed a diet of E. coli with higher levels of vitamin B12 were given a layer of protection from the dreaded degenerative brain disease.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929163805.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929163805.htm
How sepsis need not be fatal
Researchers have identified molecular biomarkers, pathways and immune cell dynamics associated with sepsis that could be therapeutically targeted to prevent the condition from leading to death.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929163803.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929163803.htm
New tool predicts changes that may make COVID variants more infectious
Researchers have created a novel framework that can predict with reasonable accuracy the amino-acid changes in the virus' spike protein that may improve its binding to human cells and confer increased infectivity to the virus. The tool could enable the computational surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 and provide advance warning of potentially dangerous variants with an even higher binding affinity potential. This can aid in the early implementation of public health measures to prevent the virus's spread and perhaps even may inform vaccine booster formulations.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929163800.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929163800.htm
Expanding the genetic code with quadruplet codons
Cells working with an expanded genetic code could make more diverse medicines. A new study shows scientists are within striking distance.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929163758.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929163758.htm
What are ideal blood sugar levels for preventing repeat strokes, heart attacks?
Blood sugar control has always been important for people with diabetes when it comes to preventing a stroke. But a new study finds for people with diabetes who have a stroke, there may be an ideal target blood sugar range to lower the risk of different types of vascular diseases like a stroke or heart attack later on.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929160134.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929160134.htm
Extending LIGO's reach into the cosmos
New mirror coatings will increase the volume of space LIGO can probe in its next run.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929155704.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929155704.htm
Glioma subtype may hold the secret to the success of immunotherapies
A common mutation in gliomas sensitizes them to immunotherapy, a finding which researchers believe could have broader therapeutic implications for all glioma patients.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929154202.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929154202.htm
Correlated electrons ‘tango’ in a perovskite oxide at the extreme quantum limit
Scientists have found a rare quantum material in which electrons move in coordinated ways, essentially 'dancing.' Straining the material creates an electronic band structure that sets the stage for exotic, more tightly correlated behavior -- akin to tangoing -- among Dirac electrons, which are especially mobile electric charge carriers that may someday enable faster transistors.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929154159.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929154159.htm
Team rewires a behavioral circuit in the worm using hydra parts
New research highlights the development of HySyn, a system designed to synthetically reconnect neural circuits using neuropeptides from Hydra, a small, freshwater organism, into the model organism C. elegans.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929142810.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929142810.htm
Clover growth in Mars-like soils boosted by bacterial symbiosis
Clover plants grown in Mars-like soils experience significantly more growth when inoculated with symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria than when left uninoculated, researchers report.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929142804.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929142804.htm
Exoskeleton research demonstrates the importance of training
New research shows that the benefits people could reap from exoskeletons rely heavily on having time to train with the device.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929142712.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929142712.htm
Strikingly simple means of diagnosing ecosystem health uncovered
Scientists say the health of a terrestrial ecosystem can be largely determined by three variables: vegetations' ability to uptake carbon, its efficiency in using carbon and its efficiency in using water.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929142708.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929142708.htm
Strict lineage tracing crucial to nerve cell regeneration research
Stem cell scientists find that stringent lineage tracing is crucial for studies of nerve cell regeneration.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929125803.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210929125803.htm
Wednesday 29 September 2021
Past suffering can affect future praise
Researchers have discovered that people tend to give more praise to someone for their good deeds as an adult after discovering that person has also had to overcome adversity or suffering earlier in life, such as abuse and neglect as a child.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928171906.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928171906.htm
Reducing salt in bread without sacrificing taste
Most people in the U.S. consume too much salt; adult Americans typically eat twice the daily amount recommended by dietary guidelines. Bread may not seem like an obvious culprit; however, due to high consumption and relatively high salt content, baked goods are a major source of sodium in the diet. A new study from the explores ways to reduce sodium in bread without sacrificing taste and leavening ability.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928171904.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928171904.htm
Counting cells may shed light on how cancer spreads
Engineers developed a technique that allows them to measure the generation rate and half-life of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in mice.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928155116.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928155116.htm
Magnetic stimulation of the brain can improve episodic memory, study finds
The ability to form episodic memories declines with age, certain dementias, and brain injury. However, a new study shows that low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation delivered over the left prefrontal cortex of the brain can improve memory performance by reducing the power of low frequency brain waves as memories form.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928141848.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928141848.htm
Elephants strive to cooperate with allies, until the stakes get too high
Asian elephants are keen to cooperate with friends and have evolved strategies to mitigate competition in their social groups, but cooperation breaks down when food resources are limited, according to new research. The study sheds light on the evolution of cooperative behavior in mammals.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928141845.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928141845.htm
Researchers identify mutations of Delta, Delta Plus variants
Using bioinformatics tools and programming, researchers identified five specific mutations that are far more prevalent in Delta Plus infections compared to Delta infections, including one mutation, K417N, that is present in all Delta Plus infections but not present in nearly any Delta infections. The findings provide important clues to researchers about the structural changes to the virus recently and highlight the need to expand the toolbox in the fight against COVID-19.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928155119.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928155119.htm
Liquid metal coating creates effective antiviral, antimicrobial fabric
Researchers used liquid gallium to create an antiviral and antimicrobial coating and tested it on a range of fabrics, including face masks. The coating adhered more strongly to fabric than some conventional metal coatings, and eradicated 99% of several common pathogens within five minutes.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928151825.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928151825.htm
AI may predict the next virus to jump from animals to humans
A new study suggests that machine learning using viral genomes may predict the likelihood that any animal-infecting virus will infect humans, given biologically relevant exposure.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928141839.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928141839.htm
Seven symptoms jointly predict COVID-19 diagnosis, study finds
A set of 7 symptoms, considered together, can be used to maximize detection of COVID-19 in the community, according to researchers.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928141836.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928141836.htm
Living retina achieves sensitivity and efficiency engineers can only dream about
'Efficient coding theory' describes the most perfect, low-energy way to design a light-detecting device for a future camera or prosthetic retina. Or you could just look at a mammalian retina that's already organized this way. In a pair of papers on retinal structure, a team of neurobiologists has shown that the rigors of natural selection and evolution shaped our retinas to capture noisy data just as this theory of optimization would prescribe.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928130825.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928130825.htm
‘Research autopsy’ enable scientists study why certain cancer therapies stop working
A new research study turns cancer scientists into molecular detectives, searching for clues for why certain cancers are able to spread and evolve by studying tissues collected within hours of death.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928121338.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928121338.htm
Intense workouts before bedtime won’t guarantee a good night’s rest, new research shows
A new meta-analysis assessed data from 15 published studies to see how a single session of intense exercise affects young and middle-aged healthy adults in the hours prior to bedtime. And while no two bodies are the same, the researchers did find that the combination of factors would interact to enhance or modulate the effects of exercise on sleep.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928121330.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928121330.htm
Happiness in early adulthood may protect against dementia
While research has shown that poor cardiovascular health can damage blood flow to the brain increasing the risk for dementia, a new study indicates that poor mental health may also take its toll on cognition.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928121341.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210928121341.htm
Tuesday 28 September 2021
Amazonian protected areas benefit both people and biodiversity
Highly positive social outcomes are linked to biodiversity efforts in Amazonian Sustainable-Use Protected Areas, according to new research. The study investigated the social consequences of living both inside and outside Sustainable-Use Protected Areas containing aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in Brazil's state of Amazonas. Researchers used data from more than 80 local semi-subsistence communities along a 2,000-km section of the Juruá River, the second-longest tributary of the Amazon River.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210927150539.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210927150539.htm
Late Pleistocene humans may have hatched and raised cassowary chicks
As early as 18,000 years ago, humans in New Guinea may have collected cassowary eggs near maturity and then raised the birds to adulthood, according to an international team of scientists, who used eggshells to determine the developmental stage of the ancient embryos/chicks when the eggs cracked.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210927150526.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210927150526.htm
N95 respirators could offer robust protection from wildfire smoke
N95 respirators offer the best protection against wildfire smoke and other types of air pollution, performing better than synthetic, cotton and surgical masks. N95s were so effective in the lab experiments that the researchers estimate their widespread use could reduce hospital visits attributable to wildfire smoke by 22% to 39%.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210927143654.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210927143654.htm
Withdrawal from psychostimulants restructures functional architecture of brain
Researchers describe how withdrawal from nicotine, methamphetamine and cocaine alters the functional architecture and patterns in the brains of mice, compared to control animals, a key to developing addiction treatments.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210927143649.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210927143649.htm
Drugs used by some Type 2 diabetics may lessen risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes, study suggests
A type of drug already used to treat obesity and Type 2 diabetes, when taken six months prior to the diagnosis of COVID-19, was associated with a decreased risk of hospitalization, respiratory complications and death in COVID-19 patients with Type 2 diabetes, according to researchers.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210927132058.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210927132058.htm
Benefits of early intervention in autoimmune diseases
Complex autoimmune diseases affecting various organ systems remain one of the greatest medical challenges in spite of immense advances in treatment. In particular, the diffuse symptoms at the early stage of complex autoimmune diseases make it hard to diagnose the condition early on, which in turn delays treatment. A team of researchers has now demonstrated that treatment can be extremely effective if autoimmune diseases are treated as early as possible, even before the first clinical symptoms appear.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210927132044.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210927132044.htm
Detecting dementia in the blood
Researchers want to image proteins with unprecedented precision -- and thus gain insights into the molecular pathogenesis of Alzheimer's. This should pave the way for an earlier diagnosis of the dementia disorder via a simple blood test. A successful pilot study has now been completed.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210927132042.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210927132042.htm
Record in materials research: X-ray microscopy with 1000 tomograms per second
Tomoscopy is an imaging method in which three-dimensional images of the inside of materials are calculated in rapid succession. Now a team has achieved a new record: with 1000 tomograms per second, it is now possible to non-destructively document very fast processes and developments in materials on the micrometer scale, such as the burning of a sparkler or the foaming of a metal alloy for the production of stable lightweight materials.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210927132039.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210927132039.htm
Shrinking waveforms on electrocardiograms predict worsening health and death of hospitalized COVID-19 and influenza patients
Specific and dynamic changes on electrocardiograms (EKGs) of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 or influenza can help predict a timeframe for worsening health and death, according to a new study.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210924182525.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210924182525.htm
Unusual visual examination of objects may indicate later autism diagnosis in infants
A new study suggests that unusual visual inspection of objects may precede the development of the social symptoms that are characteristic of autism syndrome disorder.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210924182521.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210924182521.htm
Monday 27 September 2021
Sunday 26 September 2021
Saturday 25 September 2021
The origin and legacy of the Etruscans
Researchers present comprehensive ancient DNA data retrieved from peoples culturally affiliated with the iconic Etruscans, settling a long-lasting debate on the origins of this highly skilled and enigmatic culture.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210924182513.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210924182513.htm
In a gene tied to growth, scientists see glimmers of human history
A new study delves into the evolution and function of the human growth hormone receptor gene, and asks what forces in humanity's past may have driven changes to this vital piece of DNA.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210924182510.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210924182510.htm
Guiding microbes along their path
The direction of movement of a microbe directly depends on the curvature of its environment, according to new findings. The researchers investigated the navigation of a model microbe, a small self-propelling microalga, in confined compartments with different shapes. They also developed theoretical models to predict the probability flux of that microswimmer which was confirmed by experiments. With this model available, it is now possible to pre-define the average trajectory of such microbes by manipulating the curvature of the compartments which directly affects their movement.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210924104323.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210924104323.htm
Residents Overwhelmingly Support Slow Streets
Residents Overwhelmingly Support Slow Streets
By Eillie Anzilotti
Published September 25, 2021 at 03:14AM
https://ift.tt/3CHm8Gc
By Eillie Anzilotti
After over a year of Slow Streets providing safe, low-volume corridors for people to walk, bike, play and travel during the pandemic, we’re excited to share our first comprehensive evaluation of the program. The key takeaway? San Franciscans are overwhelmingly in support of Slow Streets.
Slow Streets are designed to limit through traffic on certain residential streets and allow them to be used as a shared roadway for people traveling by foot and by bicycle. Since introducing Slow Streets in April 2020 in response to the Mayor’s Emergency Health Order, SFMTA has designated around 30 corridors covering 47 miles of roadway as Slow Streets. The program has evolved from a critical component of San Francisco’s pandemic response and recovery to a potential new avenue to further the city and SFMTA’s goals around climate action and sustainable transportation.
As the Slow Streets program has grown, we wanted to make sure we were understanding its impact on residents and city streets. Over the course of the program, we sent out a mail survey to anyone living within 0.25 mile of a Slow Street. We received over 15,000 responses on overall opinions of the program, how frequently residents use the streets, their experience when doing so and if they’d like to see the program continue. In tandem, we analyzed data on traffic volumes, vehicle speeds, collisions, bicycling and pedestrian volumes and spillover traffic impacts on adjacent streets to understand how the Slow Streets designation is changing conditions along the corridors.Through this initial evaluation, we were able to answer some of the main questions about Slow Streets that have come up over the past year and a half:
How do people feel about Slow Streets?
Residents who responded to the survey overwhelmingly supported the program. And, they noticed improvements in safety across the board: 71% agree that a street designated as a Slow Street became safer after the change.
Do Slow Streets impact traffic conditions on surrounding streets?
Our analysis of traffic data on adjacent streets shows that overall, Slow Streets do not cause an increase in traffic. We recognize, though, that COVID impacted traffic volumes throughout the city and we will continue to monitor for impacts as traffic conditions evolve.
Does a Slow Street designation make the road safer?
Of the Slow Streets in the network, 100% met the baseline conditions for a low-stress facility—fewer than 3,000 average daily vehicles and typical vehicle speeds of less than 25 mph. After a street is designated as a Slow Street, it sees, on average, a 35% decrease in daily traffic and a 14% decrease in vehicle speeds—along with a 36% decrease, on average, in collisions across the network.
Do Slow Streets encourage more people to walk or bike? In evaluating the Slow Streets program, we saw a virtuous cycle unfold: The less traffic on the street, the more likely people are to use it for biking and walking—and the more people use the street for safe and sustainable transport and play, the more likely others are to join in. Seeing young people learning to ride bikes on a number of Slow Streets was a sign that the roads were safe enough for all users.
This Evaluation Summary shows data spanning from June 2020 through July 2021 for each of the corridors in the program, with a handful of exceptions that are outlined in the report.
Next Steps
As San Francisco continues to move through the COVID-19 crisis, we are beginning the process of transitioning Slow Streets to from an emergency response measure to an ongoing program. We were able to use the data shown in this report to determine the first four corridors to remain in place after the pandemic: Sanchez Street, Shotwell Street, Golden Gate Avenue, and Lake Street. More information about the plans for these streets is available at Post-Pandemic Slow Streets.
We will continue to evaluate all existing Slow Streets to determine their post-pandemic future. To learn more about the overall program, visit Slow Streets.
Published September 25, 2021 at 03:14AM
https://ift.tt/3CHm8Gc
Insights from our genome and epigenome will help prevent, diagnose and treat cancer
In 2020, an estimated 10 million people lost their lives to cancer. This devastating disease is underpinned by changes to our DNA – the instruction manual for all our cells.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210924104308.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210924104308.htm
Gamma rays and neutrinos from mellow supermassive black holes
The Universe is filled with energetic particles, such as X rays, gamma rays, and neutrinos. However, most of the high-energy cosmic particles' origins remain unexplained.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210924104306.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210924104306.htm
Friday 24 September 2021
Decoding birds’ brain signals into syllables of song
Researchers can predict what syllables a bird will sing -- and when it will sing them -- by reading electrical signals in its brain, reports a new study. The work is an early step toward building vocal prostheses for humans who have lost the ability to speak.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210923153306.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210923153306.htm
Carbon dioxide reactor makes 'Martian fuel'
Engineers are developing new ways to convert greenhouse gases to fuel to address climate change and get astronauts home from Mars.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210923132604.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210923132604.htm
How tactile vibrations create illusions
Among the traditional five human senses, touch is perhaps the least studied. Yet, it is solicited everywhere, all the time, and even more so in recent years with the widespread daily use of electronic devices that emit vibrations. Indeed, any moving object transmits oscillatory signals that propagate through solid substrates. Our body detects them by means of mechanoreceptors located below the skin and transmits the information to the brain similarly to auditory, olfactory or visual stimuli. By studying how mice and humans perceive tactile vibrations, researchers discovered that the brain does not reliably perceive the frequency of a vibration when its amplitude varies. An illusory phenomenon is thereby created, which highlights how far our perception of the world around us can deviate from its physical reality.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210923115648.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210923115648.htm
Intensified water cycle slows down global warming
A new study shows that the intensification of global hydrological cycle drives more ocean heat uptake into the deep ocean and moderates the pace of global warming.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210923115637.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210923115637.htm
Muni’s R-Howard 80 Years On
Muni’s R-Howard 80 Years On
By Jeremy Menzies
Published September 24, 2021 at 03:29AM
https://ift.tt/3u8p0J3
By Jeremy Menzies
Eighty years ago on September 7, 1941, the San Francisco Municipal Railway launched its first all-electric bus route, the R Howard. Today the route no longer survives in its original form but the legacy of the R lives on in our electric trolley bus fleet and bus routes that serve the same area.
Two Muni buses lay over at the “Bridge Terminal” at Beale and Howard Streets in this November 1941 photograph. At left is the 4 Embarcadero, which ran along the waterfront and the recently established R Howard trolley bus at right.
The R traces its lineage back to the 35 Howard streetcar line, operated by the Market Street Railway Company. This line ran from the Ferry Building to 24th and Rhode Island Streets on Howard and South Van Ness. In 1939, when the company’s agreement to run the 35 expired, the city decided to establish the R Howard in its place. Electric trolley buses were chosen for the new service for their low cost of operation and to test the viability of these uncommon vehicles.
While the privately-operated 33 Ashbury/18th was the very first trolley bus route in the city, the launch of Muni’s R line marked the beginning of a new era for electric buses in San Francisco. Just a few years after starting the R, Muni decided to build on its positive experience with the route by converting many streetcar lines to trolley bus operation. Electric trolley buses were a natural choice for San Francisco because they could handle the hills without problems and utilize (with modification) the existing overhead electrical system that powered the streetcars they replaced. Add to that a lower cost of operation and these buses became the highest earning mode in the Muni system during the early 1950s.
In this 1913 photo, streetcars await passengers at the terminal of the Howard Street Line just south of the Ferry Building.
In 1947, the R was combined with the E Union streetcar line to form the 41 Union-Howard route. Connecting the Presidio to the Mission via Russian Hill and Downtown, the 41 covered nearly 7 miles one-way. Over 20 years later in 1970, the route was modified again when Howard Street was converted into a one-way street. The 41 was split in two with the portion north of Howard remaining the 41 and the southern portion becoming the 12.
The 41 Union-Howard climbs Russian Hill heading for its terminal in the Mission in this 1948 photo taken on Union Street.
Today, the legacy of the R continues in the 12 Folsom-Pacific, which serves the original area of the R Howard, and in the numerous trolley buses that tirelessly climb hill after hill.
Published September 24, 2021 at 03:29AM
https://ift.tt/3u8p0J3
Breast cancers: Ruptures in cell nuclei promotes tumor invasion
When cells multiply and migrate, they can be compressed and their nucleus may break open. This phenomenon causes DNA damage. Scientists have now shown that this facilitates the spread of cancer cells in breast tumors.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210923115630.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210923115630.htm
Child abuse and neglect linked to early death in adulthood
A new study found that adults who reported experiencing sexual abuse by the age of 16 had a 2.6 times higher risk of dying in middle age -- that is, between 45 and 58 -- than those who did not report sexual abuse.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210923115627.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210923115627.htm
Ancient DNA analysis sheds light on dark event in medieval Spain
Researchers used ancient DNA analysis to identify a member of a population expelled from medieval Spain known as the 'Segorbe Giant'. The results have shed light on the brutal political decision that led to a dramatic change in population following the Christian reconquest of Spain.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210923115624.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210923115624.htm
Deadly virus’s pathway to infect cells identified
Researchers have discovered how Rift Valley fever virus enters cells, pointing the way to new therapies to treat deadly Rift Valley fever.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210923115604.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210923115604.htm
Thursday 23 September 2021
Those earrings are so last year – but the reason you're wearing them is ancient
Shell beads found in a cave in Morocco are at least 142,000 years old. The archaeologists who found them say they're the earliest known evidence of a widespread form of human communication.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922143305.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922143305.htm
Wind energy can deliver vital slash to global warming
Implementing advance wind energy scenarios could achieve a reduction in global warming atmospheric average temperatures of 0.3 to 0.8 degrees Celsius by the end of the century, according to new research.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922143300.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922143300.htm
Early Homo sapiens groups in Europe faced subarctic climates
Using oxygen stable isotope analysis of tooth enamel from animals butchered by humans at the site of Bacho Kiro Cave, Bulgaria, researchers show that human groups belonging to an early wave of dispersal of our species into Europe were faced with very cold climatic conditions while they occupied the cave between about 46,000 and 43,000 years ago. Archaeological remains at Bacho Kiro Cave currently represent the oldest known remnants of Upper Palaeolithic Homo sapiens in Europe, and thus open a unique window into the time when our species started to move out of the Levant and establish itself across the mid latitudes of Eurasia as part of an archaeological phenomenon called the Initial Upper Palaeolithic.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922143250.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922143250.htm
New research 'sniffs out' how associative memories are formed
Has the scent of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies ever taken you back to afternoons at your grandmother's house? Has an old song ever brought back memories of a first date? The ability to remember relationships between unrelated items (an odor and a location, a song and an event) is known as associative memory.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922133058.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922133058.htm
Hubble finds early, massive galaxies running on empty
When the universe was about 3 billion years old, just 20% of its current age, it experienced the most prolific period of star birth in its history. But when NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in northern Chile gazed toward cosmic objects in this period, they found something odd: six early, massive, 'dead' galaxies that had run out of the cold hydrogen gas needed to make stars. Without more fuel for star formation, these galaxies were literally running on empty.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922121920.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922121920.htm
Engineers discover way to turn organic waste into renewable biofuel additives using radiation
The renewable proportion of petrol is set to increase to 20 per cent over the coming years, meaning the discovery of a new production pathway for these additives could help in the fight to cut carbon dioxide emissions and tackle climate change. Engineers propose a process to generate one such additive, solketal, using waste from both biochemical and nuclear industries -- termed a nuclear biorefinery.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922121913.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922121913.htm
Poorly circulated room air raises potential exposure to contaminants by up to six times
Having good room ventilation to dilute and disperse indoor air pollutants has long been recognized, and with the COVID-19 pandemic its importance has become all the more heightened. But new experiments show that certain circumstances will result in poor mixing of room air, meaning airborne contaminants may not be effectively dispersed and removed by building level ventilation.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922121908.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922121908.htm
Quantum cryptography Records with Higher-Dimensional Photons
A new and much faster quantum cryptography protocol has been developed: Usually, quantum cryptography is done with photons that can be in two different states. Using eight different states, cryptographic keys can be generated much faster and with much more robustness against interference.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922121850.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922121850.htm
Genetic regulation of blood cells: Proximity of a gene to a genetic change plays an important role
Researchers have gained significant new insight into the genetic regulation of blood cells. They achieved this by analyzing a dataset that included more than 31,000 study participants, to date the largest dataset of its kind.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922121845.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922121845.htm
Dog parasite is developing resistance to treatments
Right now, U.S. veterinarians rely on three types of drugs to kill the hookworms, but the parasites appear to becoming resistant to all of them. Dog hookworms can also infect humans.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922121842.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922121842.htm
An experimental loop for simulating nuclear reactors in space
Nuclear thermal propulsion, which uses heat from nuclear reactions as fuel, could be used one day in human spaceflight, possibly even for missions to Mars. Its development, however, poses a challenge. The materials used must be able to withstand high heat and bombardment of high-energy particles on a regular basis. A nuclear engineering doctoral student is contributing to research that could make these advancements more feasible.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922121831.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922121831.htm
Unveiling galaxies at cosmic dawn that were hiding behind the dust
While investigating the data of young, distant galaxies observed with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, astronomers noticed unexpected emissions coming from seemingly empty regions in space that, a global research team confirmed, came actually from two hitherto undiscovered galaxies heavily obscured by cosmic dust. This discovery suggests that numerous such galaxies might still be hidden in the early Universe, many more than researchers were expecting.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922121803.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922121803.htm
Functioning of terrestrial ecosystems is governed by three main factors
A large international research team has identified three key indicators that together summarize the integrative function of terrestrial ecosystems: 1. the capacity to maximize primary productivity, 2. the efficiency of using water, and 3. the efficiency of using carbon. The monitoring of these key indicators will allow a description of ecosystem function that shapes the ability to adapt, survive and thrive in response to climatic and environmental changes.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922121758.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922121758.htm
Global cancer risk from burning organic matter comes from unregulated chemicals
Scientists have found that benzo(a)pyrene, traditionally measured to gauge risk of developing cancer from exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), is a poor proxy for this type of cancer risk.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922121755.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922121755.htm
Blowing up medieval gunpowder recipes
First used for battle in China in about 900 A.D., gunpowder spread throughout Eurasia by the end of the 13th century, eventually revolutionizing warfare as a propellant in firearms and artillery. Meanwhile, master gunners tinkered with gunpowder formulas, trying to find the ideal concoction. Now, researchers have recreated medieval gunpowder recipes and analyzed the energies released during combustion, revealing that the evolution of the perfect powder was a slow, trial-and-error process.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922121347.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210922121347.htm
Wednesday 22 September 2021
Roman-era mixers and millstones made with geology in mind
A study on stone tools from an outpost of the Roman Empire has found that for ancient bakers and millers, having the right tools was a matter of geology.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210921140124.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210921140124.htm
Our eyes and brain work together to create a ‘pipeline’ of meaning – new study
Humans read by 'pre-processing' written words to create a pipeline of meaning, according to new research.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210921140122.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210921140122.htm
Records from Lake Magadi, Kenya, suggest environmental variability driven by changes in Earth’s orbit
Rift Valley lakes within eastern Africa range from freshwater to highly alkaline systems and are homes to diverse ecosystems. These Rift Valley lakes are also sedimentary repositories, yielding a high-resolution environmental record that can be targeted to better understand the environmental and climatic context of human evolution over the past few million years in eastern Africa.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210921134350.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210921134350.htm
Novel method of bioprinting neuron cells
Researchers have developed a new method of bioprinting adult neuron cells. They're using a new laser-assisted technology that maintains high levels of cell viability and functionality.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210921134345.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210921134345.htm
'Beach ball' representations calculated for US underground nuclear tests can aid monitoring
Researchers have calculated moment tensors for 130 underground nuclear and 10 chemical test explosions that took place at the Nevada National Security test site.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210921134342.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210921134342.htm
Darwin’s short-beak enigma solved
Biologists discovered that a mutation in the ROR2 gene is linked to beak size reduction in numerous breeds of domestic pigeons. Surprisingly, different mutations in ROR2 also underlie a human disorder called Robinow syndrome. The ROR2 signaling pathway plays an important role in the craniofacial development of all vertebrates.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210921125156.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210921125156.htm
Right program could turn immune cells into cancer killers
Cancer-fighting immune cells in patients with lung cancer whose tumors do not respond to immunotherapies appear to be running on a different 'program' that makes them less effective than immune cells in patients whose cancers respond to these immune treatments, suggests a new study.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210921125139.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210921125139.htm
Tuesday 21 September 2021
Physicists probe light smashups to guide future research
Light has no mass, but Europe's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) can convert light's energy into massive particles. Physicists studied matter-generating collisions of light and showed the departure angle of their debris is subtly distorted by quantum interference patterns in the light prior to collision. Their findings will help physicists accurately interpret future experiments aimed at finding 'new physics' beyond the Standard Model.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210920152005.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210920152005.htm
Diabetes medications linked to glaucoma prevention
Retrospective data from more than 5,000 patients shows that GLP-1R agonists may be protective against the disease.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210920152003.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210920152003.htm
Meeting sleep recommendations could lead to smarter snacking
Missing out on the recommended seven or more hours of sleep per night could lead to more opportunities to make poorer snacking choices than those made by people who meet shut-eye guidelines, a new study suggests.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210920132613.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210920132613.htm
Students’ certainty about belonging and their performance in a STEM course reinforce each other – for better or worse
New research shows that belonging insecurity in a STEM course, specifically a first-year chemistry course, can affect a student's midterm scores, which can then feed back into the student's belonging uncertainty. For students in groups that are underrepresented in STEM, there's a danger that such a feedback loop could cause them to decide that science isn't for them, deterring potential scientists from even entering a STEM field.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210920121807.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210920121807.htm
Behold the humble water flea, locked in a battle of mythological proportions
Biologists sized up an unlikely natural phenomenon: when parasitism actually causes the number of hosts to increase, an effect known as a hydra effect. A study of common water fleas and their fungal parasites includes laboratory components and an analysis of 13 fungal epidemics in nature. The scientists use consumer-resource theory to explain why -- and in what types of systems -- the hydra effect can occur.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210920121803.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210920121803.htm
Lack of trust exacerbates loneliness spiral
Loneliness is a painful feeling. If it persists, it can lead to mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety disorders. Researchers have now discovered how loneliness is associated with reduced trust. This is reflected in changes in the activity and interaction of various brain structures, especially the insular cortex. The results therefore provide clues for therapeutic options.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210920121800.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210920121800.htm
How pruning the cytoskeleton moves the cell
Cells are characterized to be stable yet highly flexible. They constantly modify their shape and even move through tissue. These vital properties are based on a dynamically organized network of branched actin filaments, which generates pushing forces to move the cell membrane. An interdisciplinary team has now revealed a previously unknown mechanism, explaining how stopping the growth of older actin filaments within the network promotes the formation of new ones, thereby maintaining the structure and function of the cytoskeleton, much like proper pruning of hedges in the garden.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210920121753.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210920121753.htm
Right light on the mother’s belly may be important to the fetus
There may be a link between exposure to light during pregnancy and fetal brain development. New findings may provide better understanding of certain neurological diseases later in life.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210920121749.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210920121749.htm
Vaccinated groups who are at highest risk of COVID-19 hospitalization and death identified using new QCovid tool
Researchers report new findings on the vaccinated people who are at greatest risk from severe COVID-19 leading to hospitalization or death from 14 days post the second dose vaccination, when substantial immunity should be expected. By updating the QCovid tool, they are able to identify groups more at risk of hospitalization or death from COVID-19.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210918085828.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210918085828.htm
Lessons from how bats resist COVID could inform new treatments in humans
A new paper explores the idea that studying bats' responses to SARS-CoV-2 may provide key insights into how and when to best use existing therapies for COVID-19, and to develop new treatments. The paper is a major review of how the virus that has caused the current pandemic wreaks havoc on the human immune system.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917161147.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917161147.htm
Monday 20 September 2021
Sunday 19 September 2021
Yeast and bacteria together biosynthesize plant hormones for weed control
Plants regulate their growth using hormones, including a group called strigolactones that prevent excessive budding and branching. Strigolactones also help plant roots form symbiotic relationships with microorganisms that allow the plant to absorb nutrients from the soil. These two factors have led to agricultural interest in using strigolactones to control the growth of weeds and root parasites, as well as improving nutrient uptake. These root-extruding compounds also stimulate germination of witchweeds and broomrapes, which can cause entire crops of grain to fail, making thorough research essential prior to commercial development. Now scientists have synthesized strigolactones from microbes.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210918085833.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210918085833.htm
Infants exposed to domestic violence have poorer cognitive development
Infants coming from homes with domestic violence often go on to have worse academic outcomes in school due to neurodevelopmental lags and a higher risk for a variety of health issues, including gastrointestinal distress, trouble eating and sleeping, as well as stress and illness.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210918085831.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210918085831.htm
Discovery highlights the complex lifestyles of frontline immune cells
Researchers have made a surprise discovery about how immune 'sentinel' cells are maintained, which could have implications for drugs in development for treating cancer.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917161209.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917161209.htm
Brain microstructural damage related to cognitive dysfunction and steroid medication in lupus patients
Researchers attempted to unravel such mechanisms by adopting non-invasive diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to study the brains of SLE patients, particularly the white matter, coupled with computerized neuropsychological assessment. White matter lies beneath the grey matter cortex in the human brain and comprises millions of bundles of nerve fibers that transmit signals to different brain regions.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917161206.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917161206.htm
Now we’re cooking with lasers
Imagine having your own digital personal chef; ready to cook whatever you want, tailoring the shape, texture, and flavor just for you -- all at the push of a button. Engineers have been working on doing just that, using lasers for cooking and 3D printing technology for assembling foods. In their new study they discovered that laser-cooked meat shrinks 50% less, retains double the moisture content, and shows similar flavor development to conventionally cooked meat.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917161157.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917161157.htm
Saturday 18 September 2021
Allergies to mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines rare, generally mild, study finds
Allergic reactions to the new mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines are rare, typically mild and treatable, and they should not deter people from becoming vaccinated, according to researchers.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917161212.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917161212.htm
Time until dementia symptoms appear can be estimated via brain scan
Researchers have developed an approach to estimating when a person who is at high risk of Alzheimer's dementia but has no cognitive symptoms will start showing signs of cognitive decline. The approach is based on data from a single brain scan, combined with the person's age.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917122052.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917122052.htm
Fiber tracking method delivers important new insights into turbulence
A new technique for measuring turbulent flows has been developed. By using fibers rather than particles -- the usual method of measurement -- the researchers could get a more detailed picture of turbulent flows.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917122049.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917122049.htm
Quantitative assessment for sustainable agriculture
Scientists have assembled a quantitative assessment for agriculture sustainability for countries around the world based not only on environmental impacts, but economic and social impacts, as well. The Sustainable Agriculture Matrix, or SAM, provides independent and transparent measurements of agricultural sustainability at a national level that can help governments and organizations to evaluate progress, encourage accountability, identify priorities for improvement, and inform national policies and actions towards sustainable agriculture around the globe.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917110900.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917110900.htm
The microbial molecule that turns plants into 'zombies'
A newly discovered manipulation mechanism used by parasitic bacteria to slow down plant aging, may offer new ways to protect disease-threatened food crops. Research has identified a manipulation molecule produced by Phytoplasma bacteria to hijack plant development. When inside a plant, this protein causes key growth regulators to be broken down, triggering abnormal growth. The new findings show how the bacterial protein known as SAP05 manipulates plants by taking advantage of some of the host's own molecular machinery.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917110855.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917110855.htm
Coral reefs are 50% less able to provide food, jobs, and climate protection than in 1950s, putting millions at risk
The capacity of coral reefs to provide ecosystem services such as food and jobs, relied on by millions of people worldwide, has declined by half since the 1950s, according to a new study. Other findings are equally bleak: the authors found that global coverage of living corals had declined by about half since the 1950s and consequently, the diversity of species had also declined, by more than 60 per cent. Finding targets for recovery and climate adaptation would require a global effort, while also addressing needs at a local level, authors say.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917110852.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917110852.htm
Gut bacteria might be an indicator of colon cancer risk
Researchers are finding a link between the increased presence of certain bacteria in a gut biome and colon cancer.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917110850.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917110850.htm
Faster research through automation: New way to count micronuclei in cells
Researchers have created a novel automated program that accurately and quickly counts micronuclei in stained images. Micronuclei are small nucleus-like structures that are markers of pathologies such as cancer. The development of this automated program will be useful for future research into micronuclei and may aid in the diagnosis and tracking of a range of pathologies.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917095408.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210917095408.htm
Fossil: New species of otter discovered in Germany
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown species of otter from 11.4-million-year-old strata at the Hammerschmiede fossil site.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210916191141.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210916191141.htm
Six stages of engagement in ADHD treatment revealed in new, diverse study
Six stages of engagement in treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have been reported by researchers based on a diverse study, inclusive of parents of predominantly racial and ethnic minority children with ADHD.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210916173451.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210916173451.htm
Friday 17 September 2021
Parental alienation, partner abuse: Two sides of same coin, says social psychologist
According to a new study, parental alienating behaviors and coercively controlling abuse are similar, and should be treated similarly in family court proceedings.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210916114558.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210916114558.htm
A simple way to get complex semiconductors to assemble themselves
A new way to make complex, layered semiconductors is like making rock candy: They assemble themselves from chemicals in water. The method will aid design and large-scale production of these materials.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210916114556.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210916114556.htm
Reforestation could help save coral reefs from catastrophe
Increasing reforestation efforts in coastal regions could substantially reduce the amount of sediment run-off reaching coral reefs and improve their resilience, a new study has found.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210916114539.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210916114539.htm
Ancient bone tools found in Moroccan cave were used to work leather, fur
When researchers first started to look at animal bones from Contrebandiers Cave, Morocco, they wanted to learn about the diet and environment of early human ancestors who lived there between 120,000 and 90,000 years ago. But they soon realized that the bones they had found weren't just meal scraps. They'd been shaped into tools, apparently for use in working leather and fur.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210916114534.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210916114534.htm
Fossil bird with fancy tail feathers longer than its body
Peacock tails are just one example of how evolution walks a line between favoring traits that make it easier to survive, and traits that make it easier to find a mate. In a new study, scientists have found evidence of this age-old conundrum in the form of a fossil bird from the Early Cretaceous with a pair of elaborate tail feathers longer than its body.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210916114528.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210916114528.htm
Better fibers: Fireproof and comfortable
A new chemical process turns cotton into a fire-resistant fabric that nevertheless retains the skin-friendly properties of cotton.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210915111022.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210915111022.htm
Physicists make square droplets and liquid lattices
Driving systems out of equilibrium with electric fields proves useful for creating liquid shapes that are nearly impossible to find in nature.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210915161015.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210915161015.htm
Australian wildfires triggered massive algal blooms in Southern Ocean
Smoke and ash from the 2019-20 Australian wildfires triggered widespread algal blooms in the Southern Ocean thousands of miles downwind, a new study finds. The study is the first to conclusively link a large-scale response in marine life to fertilization by iron aerosols from wildfire emissions. It raises intriguing questions about the role wildfires may play in spurring the growth of marine phytoplankton and how that may affect oceanic carbon uptake and productivity.
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210915110959.htm
source https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210915110959.htm
Long-awaited crosswalk on Geary helps rebuild community connections
Long-awaited crosswalk on Geary helps rebuild community connections
By Amy Fowler
Published September 16, 2021 at 11:50PM
https://ift.tt/3CgJi64
By Amy Fowler
The Geary Rapid Project just met another major milestone with the completion of a long-awaited crosswalk connecting the Japantown Peace Plaza to the southside of Geary Boulevard. The new crossing at Geary and Buchanan Street serves as a physical reconnection to help bridge the gap between divided communities. But it’s also a symbolic one, exemplified by the decorative panels installed in the center median that were inspired and designed by the communities it now serves—the Fillmore, Japantown and St. Francis Square Cooperative.
A new crosswalk was installed at Geary and Buchanan, with decorative panels representing the surrounding communities.
The significance of the crosswalk is tied to the history of the neighborhood.
In the 1960s, the two neighborhoods were specifically targeted by urban planners, the vibrant Fillmore neighborhood --known as “the Harlem of the West” for its phenomenal jazz scene—and Japantown, still struggling after the forced relocation of Japanese-Americans into internment camps. San Francisco, like the rest of the country, had experienced a boom in private automobile ownership, leading many families to leave the urban core and move to more suburban settings. Under the name of "urban renewal," city planners proposed replacing homes in older neighborhoods with bigger, newer buildings, while promising to raise living standards.
In San Francisco, the result of this policy was to force people of color from their homes and shatter communities. In the Western Addition, Black and Japanese-American homes and businesses were torn down and the neighborhoods ripped apart with the construction of the Geary Expressway. This new eight-lane thoroughfare cut communities in half and encouraged motorists to speed past the Western Addition altogether on their way to the western half of the city.
The effects were devastating and have echoed into the present, creating highway-like conditions along Geary that have led to vehicle-pedestrian collision rates eight times higher than the average San Francisco street. While we can never undo the harm that was created by urban renewal and the Geary Expressway, improvements like the new crosswalk at Buchanan, along with other transit and safety improvements, will help to make the neighborhood more safe, walkable and connected.
In addition to the new crossing at Buchanan, four other intersections at Webster, Steiner, Cook and Commonwealth/Beaumont streets have received new signalized crosswalks, along with improved median refuges and Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS) as part of the Geary Rapid Project.
Another way we can “calm the Expressway” is through a road diet. The number of lanes on Geary was reduced from eight lanes to six, with two general-purpose and one bus lane in each direction. And traffic lanes have been restriped to be visually narrower, which encourages drivers to slow down.
These efforts weren’t created in vacuum. Many elements of the Geary Rapid Project design were developed in partnership with neighboring communities. For example, the 31 new cherry, London plane and Canary Island pine trees that were recently planted between Gough and Divisadero streets were chosen with community input for their cultural significance and suitability for a major thoroughfare. And some proposals, like removing the Webster pedestrian bridge, were abandoned after Japantown advocated to retain the bridge due to its importance both culturally and as a conduit to and from Peace Plaza.
Community input informed the dimensions of the Buchanan crosswalk, which needed to have a large enough median refuge to accommodate groups of Rosa Parks elementary school children.
The new crosswalk at Buchanan marks the completion of all Geary Rapid Project work West of Van Ness Avenue. The remaining work between Van Ness Avenue and Market Street is expected to be substantially completed within the next month.
Published September 16, 2021 at 11:50PM
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