Category Archives: Science
Science: History Of U.S. Opioid Crisis, 3-D Printed Protein Candy & Books
Harvard: ‘Nanobodies’ Evolved From Synthetic Antibody Fragments
A new approach developed by Harvard Medical School researchers uses yeast to rapidly evolve synthetic antibody fragments called nanobodies with the aim to find variants that are effective at binding to selected antigens, including SARS-CoV-2. The antibodies are intended for use in diagnostic tests and disease treatments. Read the full story: https://hms.harvard.edu/news/antibody…
Photography: Best Of Nature (July 2021)
Science: Avoiding Sudden Food Scarcity, Lattice Strength, Time Neurons
Addressing the problem of sudden food scarcity in US cities, and the up-and-coming field of computational social science.
In this episode:
00:45 Food shocks
Climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and geopolitical crises can cause food shortages. To tackle this issue, Alfonso Mejia and colleagues have modelled how to best mitigate these food shocks in US cities. Alfonso tells us about the new analyses and what steps cities could take in the future.
Research Article: Gomez et al.
News and Views: How to buffer against an urban food shortage
06:07 Research Highlights
A tiny lattice can withstand the impacts of projectiles at twice the speed of sound, and the neurons that allow humans to perceive time.
Research Highlight: Supersonic strikes leave just a dent in this super-light material
Research Highlight: The ‘time neurons’ that help the brain keep track
08:25 Computational Social Science
Big data is transforming research, and social science is no exception. This week, Nature is running a special issue on ‘computational social science’. We catch up with some of the editors involved to find out more about this up-and-coming field.
Collections: Computational Social Science
19:27 Briefing Chat
We discuss some highlights from the Nature Briefing. This time, discovering the dazzling diversity of viruses, and how China eradicated malaria.
Nature News Feature: Beyond coronavirus: the virus discoveries transforming biology
Health: Understanding Chronic Pain (Podcast)
Chronic pain affects about 40% of the UK population. While there is growing recognition that pain can be an illness in and of itself, there is still a lot we don’t know.
Anand Jagatia hears from fibromyalgia sufferer Vicky Naylor on what it’s like to live with chronic pain, and the Guardian’s science correspondent Linda Geddes about the causes for these sometimes debilitating conditions.
Science Podcast: Plastic Artifact Preservation & Extreme Pressure Gauges
Ecosystems: How To Stop Mass Extinction Of Species
The world’s animals and wildlife are becoming extinct at a greater rate than at any time in human history. Could technology help to save threatened species? Read our latest technology quarterly on protecting biodiversity: https://econ.st/3dqdkKN
Science Podcast: Hybrid Rice History, Geothermal Energy & Earthquakes
Covid-19: mRNA Vaccines Do Not Change Your DNA
With so many myths about COVID-19 vaccines regarding their impact on our health, many people don’t know what to believe. In our fact check, find out what you need to know about the mRNA vaccines — as we expose the myths and reveal the facts.
Boomers Daily 