Understanding conditions for star formation
Researchers have demonstrated how a gas escapes ice at an extremely cold temperature, providing insight into star formation in interstellar clouds. The mechanism by which hydrogen sulphide is released as gas in interstellar molecular clouds is described by scientists in Japan and Germany, in the journal Nature Astronomy. The process, known as chemical desorption, is more efficient than previously believed, and this has implications for the understanding of star formation in molecular clouds.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2018-02-conditions-star-formation.html
Do companies need corporate universities?
Researchers at the Higher School of Economics, International Laboratory of Intangible-driven Economy (IDlab), have examined the role of corporate universities in developing human capital and improving performance. Their findings were published in the Journal of Intellectual Capital.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2018-02-companies-corporate-universities.html
Scientists explain the impacts of aerosol radiative forcing
Aerosols are colloids of tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere. Their diameters typically range between 0.001 and 100 μm. Aerosols are recognized as a major factor influencing global and regional climate change owing to their ability to scatter and absorb solar radiation. Indirectly, they modulate Earth's energy balance by altering cloud properties—in particular, cloud droplet size—by serving as cloud condensation nuclei, which further influence the cloud fraction, height and lifetime. All these aspects result in modification of the planetary albedo and hydrological cycle. Some important environmental issues, such as haze, acid rain and tropospheric ozone pollution, are also closely correlated with aerosol pollution.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2018-02-scientists-impacts-aerosol-radiative.html
AI in pest control increases its efficiency and environmental impact
The losses suffered by Brazilian agriculture owing to crop pests and diseases amount to R$55 billion per year, according to data from the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA). Agrosmart, a digital agriculture company based in Campinas, São Paulo State, plans to change this situation using Internet of Things (IoT) technology. Agrosmart is developing a connected application that will help farmers apply the right amount of agrochemical at the right time in order to combat pests more cost-effectively and with less environmental impact.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2018-02-ai-pest-efficiency-environmental-impact.html
Treatment of nitrogen-polluted sediment using marine anammox bacteria
Working on a way to alleviate eutrophication in coastal waters, a research collaboration between Kumamoto University in Japan and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) in the U.S. reports a combination of bacteria with the potential to lighten the impact of excess nitrogen found in many coastal water systems.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2018-02-treatment-nitrogen-polluted-sediment-marine-anammox.html
Ribosomes found to induce somatic cell pluripotency
In 2012, a Japanese research group discovered that human skin cells acquire pluripotency when introduced to lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus acidophilus). Now, the same group of researchers has found that the cause of somatic cell conversion into pluripotent stem cells is the ribosome, a protein synthesizing cellular organelle.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2018-02-ribosomes-somatic-cell-pluripotency.html
The discovery of a third form of flagella-mediated motility in symbiotic bacteria
Professor Takayuki Nishizaka and Dr. Yoshiaki Kinosita from Gakushuin University, together with Dr. Yoshitomo Kikuchi from AIST, have discovered an unforeseen form of flagella-mediated motility shown by pest bean bug symbionts, which entails swimming by wrapping their flagellar filaments around their cell bodies. Bacteria with this form of flagella-mediated motility were able to traverse glass surfaces, so this form of movement is most likely effective on extracellular matrix surfaces.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2018-02-discovery-flagella-mediated-motility-symbiotic-bacteria.html
Great white shark named George stalks Everglade waters
A great white shark named George has been spotted lingering off the Florida coast near the Everglades and Gulf of Mexico.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2018-02-great-white-shark-george-stalks.html
German prosecutors raid Audi again in 'dieselgate' probe
German prosecutors said they had raided offices belonging to high-end carmaker Audi Tuesday, the second sweep in a week related to diesel emissions cheating at the Volkswagen subsidiary.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2018-02-german-prosecutors-raid-audi-dieselgate.html
Microplastics: No small problem for filter-feeding ocean giants
Plastic pollution has recently gained increasing attention for its effects on marine mammals, fish and birds. However, it is still not fully understood to what extent small pieces of plastic, known as microplastics, impact marine life and ecosystems.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2018-02-microplastics-small-problem-filter-feeding-ocean.html
Source: https://phys.org/