Buckyballs on DNA for harvesting light

Organic molecules that capture photons and convert these into electricity have important applications for producing green energy. Light-harvesting complexes need two semiconductors, an electron donor and an acceptor. How well they work is measured by their quantum efficiency, the rate by which photons are converted into electron-hole pairs.

Red light put moths in the mood

Do you dim the lighting and turn on the red light for a romantic night in with your partner? It turns out moths aren't so different in that regard. A new study published in Frontiers in Genetics shows that dim red light boosts sexual activity in a model species, the yellow peach moth Conogethes punctiferalis (family Crambidae), by selectively activating a genetic pathway related to olfaction in the antennae. This pathway ultimately makes males more sensitive to the odor of the female sex pheromone and thus more motivated to mate.

The First High-Precision Mass Flow Meter for Hydrogen Filling Stations Certified to International Standard OIM - Heinrichs Messtechnik GmbH - Kobold Instruments Sdn. Bhd.

An open road ahead for the fuel cell: The first high-precision mass flow meter for hydrogen filling stations certified to international standard OIML R 139 2018 On the road to climate-friendlier mobility, hydrogen is gaining importance as an energy source for fuel cells. However, fueling of hydrogen is more complex than fueling of gasoline and diesel. Unlike other gases, hydrogen heats up as it expands, causing pressure [PR.com]

Certain occupations may be associated with higher rates of heavy drinking

Working in certain occupations may be associated with a higher likelihood of heavy drinking in people aged 40-69 years, according to research published in the open access journal BMC Public Health. The findings could be used to help target public health or work-based interventions aiming to reduce heavy drinking, according to the authors.

How did dogs get to the Americas? An ancient bone fragment holds clues

The history of dogs has been intertwined, since ancient times, with that of the humans who domesticated them.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-02-dogs-americas-ancient-bone-fragment.html

Game theory may be useful in explaining and combating viruses

A team of researchers concludes that a game-theory approach may offer new insights into both the spread and disruption of viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2. Its work, described in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface, applies a "signaling game" to an analysis of cellular processes in illuminating molecular behavior.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-02-game-theory-combating-viruses.html

How did dogs get to the Americas? An ancient bone fragment holds clues

The history of dogs has been intertwined, since ancient times, with that of the humans who domesticated them.

Overall deaths did NOT increase for most of China during initial COVID-19 outbreak

A new study involving researchers from the University of Oxford and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) has examined the change in overall and cause-specific death rates during the three months of the COVID-19 outbreak in early 2020. The results are published today in The BMJ.

Game theory may be useful in explaining and combating viruses

A team of researchers concludes that a game-theory approach may offer new insights into both the spread and disruption of viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2. Its work, described in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface, applies a "signaling game" to an analysis of cellular processes in illuminating molecular behavior.

Researchers identify 'violent' processes that cause wheezing in the lungs

A team of engineers has identified the 'violent' physical processes at work inside the lungs which cause wheezing, a condition which affects up to a quarter of the world's population.

Plant based diet may ease painful skin ulceration of baffling blood vessel disorder

A whole foods, plant based diet may ease the painful skin blistering and scarring of a baffling blood vessel disorder for which there is as yet no commonly accepted cure, and no known cause, suggest doctors in the journal BMJ Case Reports.

Global travellers vulnerable to drug-resistant bacteria: study

International travelers are particularly vulnerable to virulent strains of drug-resistant bacteria—often picking up several different types during a trip through spending time in the company of other tourists, a new study reveals.

'Night owls' may be twice as likely as morning 'larks' to underperform at work

Night 'owls' may be twice as likely as morning 'larks' to underperform at work and to run a heightened risk of early retirement due to disability, finds research published online in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine.

Incarceration is strongly linked with premature death in US

An analysis of U.S. county-level data found a strong association between jail incarceration and death rates from infectious diseases, chronic lower respiratory disease, drug use, and suicide, in a new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. The researchers found this was the case to a lesser extent for heart disease and cancer. The study is the first to examine the link between the expansion of the jail population and multiple specific causes of death at the county level, and adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that decarceration strategies would improve public health. Findings are published online in the journal Lancet Public Health.

Epic Games pays virtual money in loot box settlement

Fortnite-maker Epic Games on Monday put out word it is paying the equivalent of about $8 worth of its virtual money to some players to settle a lawsuit over so-called random-item "loot boxes."

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-02-epic-games-virtual-money-loot.html

Stranded whales refloated in New Zealand but concerns remain

Rescuers successfully refloated 28 pilot whales stranded on a notorious stretch of New Zealand's coast Tuesday, but the mammals remained close to shore and could beach themselves again, wildlife officials said.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-02-stranded-whales-refloated-zealand.html

Facebook to restore Australia news pages after deal on media law

Facebook said Tuesday it will lift a contentious ban on Australian news pages, after the government agreed to amend a world-first law requiring tech giants to pay media companies.

New Zealand volunteers refloat 28 whales in rescue effort

Volunteers in New Zealand were optimistic they could save the 28 whales that remain from a mass-stranding after refloating them Tuesday for the second time in two days.

How to repurpose a factory in a crisis

Medical suppliers must change how they manage their supply chains, and factories need to be able to rapidly pivot to manufacturing different products, in order to respond quickly to the next major crisis and avoid shortages of vital medical goods, experts say.

Facebook to restore Australia news pages after deal on media law

Facebook said Tuesday it will lift a contentious ban on Australian news pages, after the government agreed to amend a world-first law requiring tech giants to pay media companies.

source https://techxplore.com/news/2021-02-facebook-australia-news-pages-media.html

New Zealand volunteers refloat 28 whales in rescue effort

Volunteers in New Zealand were optimistic they could save the 28 whales that remain from a mass-stranding after refloating them Tuesday for the second time in two days.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-02-zealand-volunteers-refloat-whales-effort.html

How to repurpose a factory in a crisis

Medical suppliers must change how they manage their supply chains, and factories need to be able to rapidly pivot to manufacturing different products, in order to respond quickly to the next major crisis and avoid shortages of vital medical goods, experts say.

source https://phys.org/news/2021-02-repurpose-factory-crisis.html

Watershed Security, LLC Selects Don General as CIO and Hezekiah Natta as COO

Watershed Security, LLC, an ISO 9001:2015-certified provider of Cyber Security and Information Technology solutions for defense and civilian markets, has selected Don General to be their new Chief Information Officer and Hezekiah Natta as their Chief Operating Officer. Don, who previously served as Watershed’s COO, has over 25 years of Federal Government Service experience, providing stellar support to the [PR.com]

Ellen Gwynne Productions Launch New Search for People to Write Short Stories Giving Their Lost Loved-One a Perfect Day

What if you could give your lost loved-one a perfect day? A day filled with all that they could have, should have, would have done – if only there had been more time. "A Day for You," due for publication in late summer 2021, is a compilation of poignant short stories written and submitted by those who have lost a loved-one, and who wish to celebrate them by giving them a perfect day, if only on the page. [PR.com]

Principled Technologies Finds That an Intel Core i7-10610U Processor-Powered Laptop with Intel vPro Technology Was More Responsive Than a Thin Client Running VDI

A new report shows that remote users could have a better experience with the Intel Core i7 processor-powered PC, due to better responsiveness and the device’s ability to process more frames per second (FPS) during video conferencing. [PR.com]

Biodiversity: the Next Investor Demand for Companies, New Study by Leaders Arena

Leaders Arena’s latest study on biodiversity reporting finds that corporate disclosures fall short of investor expectations. The study finds that just 32% of large listed companies are disclosing on biodiversity initiatives within their business operations despite institutional investors managing $7tn in equity assets already considering this topic in their investment process. [PR.com]

COVID-19 infection in pregnancy not linked with still birth or baby death

COVID-19 infection in pregnancy is not associated with stillbirth or early neonatal death, according to a new study.

Empathy helps explain how parental support can prevent teen delinquency

A new study of nearly 4,000 school children has found that youngsters who feel they have empathic support from their parents and caregivers are verging away from a wide range of delinquent behavior, such as committing crimes.