Tag Archives: realize

Unveiling the Hidden Life of Giant Viruses: Are They More Alive Than We Realize?

Posted on by
Reply
Mimivirus Illustration

Illustration of Mimivirus: A Giant Virus Infecting Amoebae

Credit: Science Photo Library / Alamy

Viruses exploit host cell machinery to produce proteins, with certain large viruses encoding essential components within their genomes to instruct host cells to generate viral proteins. This phenomenon emphasizes how giant viruses challenge the distinction between living and nonliving entities.

Since the discovery of the mimivirus in Bradford, England in 2003, which infects amoebas, biologists have increasingly focused on these giant viruses. Some exhibit sizes larger than typical bacteria, complex shapes, and possess numerous genes.

Among these genes are those that code for components involved in translation—the biological process that turns genetic information into proteins. In cellular biology, translation occurs through ribosomes, initiated by molecular assemblies known as initiation complexes.

To investigate whether giant viruses possess a similar system, Max Fells and his team from Harvard Medical School explored the dynamics within infected amoebas and the manipulations by mimivirus post-infection.

The researchers isolated ribosomes from infected cells and identified the viral proteins linked to them. “This was our initial clue that these might be the elements we were seeking,” said Fells.

Subsequently, they knocked out the gene responsible for the viral complex by substituting it with a modified DNA sequence, resulting in a virus that could not synthesize the corresponding protein. This intervention decreased virus production by up to 100,000-fold and severely inhibited the formation of new infectious particles.

These findings collectively indicate that during an infection, viral complexes potentially redirect the protein synthesis machinery of the host to significantly boost the production of viral structural proteins, even under extreme conditions like nutrient scarcity and oxidative stress, which typically hinder protein synthesis in host cells.

This discovery introduces a profound evolutionary inquiry: how did these viruses acquire such capabilities? Some researchers propose that giant viruses may descend from ancient cellular life forms, while others suggest they evolved from typical viruses through gene acquisition from their hosts.

“Giant viruses have acquired a diverse array of cellular machinery from their eukaryotic hosts over evolutionary time,” stated Frank Aylward from Virginia Tech, who was not part of the study. Genetic exchange can occur during viral infection, allowing natural selection to favor advantageous genes over extended evolutionary periods.

Many of the largest viruses dominate the internal environment of single-celled organisms, which presents more variability than the relatively stable environments of multicellular hosts. Consequently, this flexible control over protein synthesis may confer a significant evolutionary advantage, Aylward noted.

This research also raises critical questions. The mimivirus genome comprises approximately 1,000 proteins, the majority of which remain functionally enigmatic. It remains unclear how these viruses intricately control protein production throughout a single infection cycle.

“Viruses have traditionally been regarded as passive participants in the evolution of living systems,” stated Hiroyuki Ogata from Kyoto University, Japan. “This study demonstrates that giant viruses can reconfigure molecular systems that are fundamental across the spectrum of life.”

Topics:

This rewritten content is optimized for SEO with relevant keywords while maintaining the original HTML tags and structure.

Source: www.newscientist.com

Why Canceling Plans Could Be More Socially Acceptable Than You Realize

Posted on by
Reply

People Are Surprisingly Forgiving When Plans Are Canceled

While many individuals feel guilty about canceling social engagements, research indicates that the recipients of these cancellations may be more understanding than expected.

“This suggests that individuals shouldn’t stress too much about cancellations,” says Esra Aslan, a researcher at the Norwegian School of Economics in Oslo.

Previous studies have examined how people respond when social plans are canceled, but few have explored the accuracy of those assumed reactions. This became evident to Aslan when he decided to cancel a planned gathering.

“I was set to meet a friend after work but chose to cancel. My colleague immediately responded that canceling was wise due to my work commitment,” Aslan recalls.

“Afterward, I shared my thoughts with Raj, another coworker, who was enthusiastic and suggested we should investigate this further,” she adds.


In a study involving around 400 adults in the United States, with an average age of 42, participants were asked to assess a scenario in which two close friends had dinner plans, but one had to cancel last minute due to urgent work obligations, leaving the other to dine alone.

Participants evaluated the cancellation from either perspective—making the cancellation or receiving it—rating the acceptability from 1 (not at all acceptable) to 7 (mostly acceptable).

Those imagining making the cancellation believed their friend would likely be displeased, estimating an average acceptance score of only 4.96. In contrast, participants who envisioned being on the receiving end granted an average acceptance score of 6.22.

This disparity in perception persisted across various scenarios involving different relationships and social contexts.

“I found minimal difference in the acceptance of cancellations for dinner plans among neighbors, close friends, or work colleagues,” states Rajarshi Majumder from GEM Alpine Business School in France. Even in more public settings, like concerts or when vague excuses such as ‘catching up on work’ were given for cancellations, this perception gap remained consistent.

Researchers hope these insights alleviate anxiety around canceling plans, suggesting that reducing this stress could lead to increased sociability. “Excessive worry about cancellations may deter people from planning social activities in the first place,” Aslan suggests.

However, Majumdar cautions that cultural differences may influence these findings, particularly in regions like parts of Asia, where cancellations could be viewed more harshly.

Aslan emphasizes the importance of being considerate when canceling. “Making small gestures, like rescheduling, can greatly strengthen relationships,” she advises.

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Enceladus’ Ocean Could Support Life More Effectively Than We Realize

Posted on by
Reply

A plume of ice particles, water vapor, and organic compounds shooting from Enceladus’s southern polar area

NASA/JPL-Caltech

The hidden oceans of liquid water beneath Enceladus’ icy exterior have long positioned Saturn’s moon as a prime candidate in the search for alien life, and the prospects appear even brighter. Recent findings revealing heat from the frozen northern pole indicate that the ocean is stable over geological periods, allowing the potential for life to thrive.

“For the first time, we can assert confidently that Enceladus is in a stable condition, which has significant implications for its habitability,” states Carly Howett from Oxford University. “While we already knew about the presence of liquid water, a variety of organic molecules, and heat, stability was the crucial missing element.”

Howett and her team utilized data from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, which orbited Saturn from 2004 to 2017, to analyze the heat leaking from Enceladus. The moon’s interior is warmed by tidal forces resulting from Saturn’s gravitational pull, but up to now, this heat had only been observed escaping from the south polar region.

A delicate balance is necessary for life to develop in Enceladus’s ocean. It’s essential for the ocean to emit as much heat as it receives. Although the recorded heat from the South Pole doesn’t account for all incoming heat, Howett and her colleagues discovered that the North Pole is approximately 7 degrees warmer than previously assumed. Together with the heat from the South Pole, the overall heat balance is nearly precise. Due to a thicker ice shell near the equator, a substantial amount of heat escapes primarily in the polar regions.

This indicates that the ocean must maintain stability over extended durations. “Quantifying this is challenging, but we don’t anticipate a freeze in the near future, nor have we seen one recently,” Howett explained. “We understand that life requires time to evolve, and now we can affirm that this stability exists.” Nevertheless, discovering life, if it indeed exists, presents its own challenges. Both NASA and ESA are planning missions aimed at unearthing such life for decades ahead.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

It Could Have Up to 90% Less Carbon Storage Capacity Than You Realize

Posted on by
Reply

Icelandic geothermal power facilities engaged in the underground injection of carbon dioxide for extended storage

sigrg/carbfix

Recent studies indicate that the planet may exhaust its capacity for storing captured carbon dioxide within the next 200 years, revealing that our ability to retain CO.2 underground is significantly less than previously believed.

Government and industry advocates promote the underground storage of carbon dioxide as a viable solution to achieving net-zero emissions while still utilizing fossil fuels.

Previously estimated industry figures suggested a global geological storage capacity of about 14,000 Gigatonnes of CO.2. However, as noted by Jori Rogelj from Imperial College London, UK, this capacity was thought to be effectively limitless.

Through comprehensive analysis, Rogelj and his team discovered that the actual available storage space might be considerably lower. By assessing stable geological formations while excluding areas with significant risk factors, such as proximity to major urban centers, sensitive ecosystems, or regions prone to earthquakes, they concluded that only 1460 Gigatonnes of geological storage capacity is viable worldwide.

“From a situation where storage options appeared virtually boundless, we’ve transformed our perspective,” Rogelj explains. “The storage potential we can depend on requires careful management and represents a crucial asset,” he continues, emphasizing that the potential is now ten times more valuable than previously recognized.

Most climate projections indicate that adequate underground carbon storage is essential for the world to attain net-zero emissions. The extent of this storage relies fundamentally on reducing fossil fuel consumption. Researchers caution that if we continue to depend on geological storage to isolate significant emissions post-net zero, we could deplete carbon storage entirely by the year 2200.

Rogelj asserts that his findings suggest underground carbon storage should only be utilized as a last resort when all other options have been exhausted. He recommends relying on zero-emissions solutions whenever feasible, rather than capturing and storing emissions from fossil fuel power stations.

This strategy would preserve underground storage capacity for CO2 that could be utilized with technologies such as direct air capture (DAC), which extracts excess CO2 directly from the atmosphere. DACs, along with other “negative emissions” technologies, can potentially help the world achieve net negative emissions beyond reaching net zero, opening up pathways to effectively reverse climate change.

According to Rogelj and his colleagues, the 1460 Gigatonnes of accessible underground CO2 storage capacity could allow the world to counteract warming by as much as 0.7°C.

Nonetheless, Stuart Haszeldine from the University of Edinburgh warns that the actual usable geological storage capacity might be less than the industry’s 14,000 Gigatonnes estimate and suggests that these revised lower figures could still be overly optimistic.

He argues that the team’s approach to evaluating risk factors is “quite conservative,” pointing out that certain seismic regions, such as the North Sea, have been excluded from consideration but remain suitable for carbon isolation. “We understand enough about carbon storage and oil reserves. An oil field filled with oil, gas, or carbon dioxide can withstand quakes of magnitude 6 without any issues,” Haszeldine states.

He emphasizes that most analysts foresee carbon sequestration as an integral part of the transition away from fossil fuels. Therefore, he predicts that the volume of carbon injected underground yearly should diminish once net-zero emissions are achieved.

“[Carbon capture and storage] encompasses a wide range of climate pessimism and challenges, which have often been overlooked, explaining why we don’t really require a tremendous amount of joint CO2 storage capacity,” Haszeldine concludes.

Topics:

  • Climate change/
  • Carbon capture

Source: www.newscientist.com

Smartphone Notifications: A Bigger Distraction Than You Realize

Posted on by
Reply

They may be worth managing to reduce interruptions from notifications

Shironosov/Getty Images

Observing notifications from a social media platform indicates they can distract us for a few moments, even without opening them.

Hippolyte Fournier, from Lumiere University Lyon 2 in France, has been keen to study the impact of attention and social media. “Notifications from a social media app during work hours certainly affected my concentration,” he shares.

To delve deeper, Fournier and his team engaged 180 university students in a psychology exercise known as the Stroop task on smartphone-sized screens. This task evaluates how swiftly individuals can identify colors presented in words, such as the word “red” displayed in blue.

During the task, a social media notification appeared but could not be interacted with. Some participants were led to think these alerts were from their own devices, while others were not aware. A third group encountered blurry, illegible notifications.

The researchers suggested that the valid notifications were the most disruptive to the participants, as they proved to be the most distracting of the three conditions, notes neuroscientist Dean Burnett, who did not participate in the study.

Participants in this group took, on average, about 7 seconds longer to complete the Stroop tasks compared to when no notifications were present. This delay was particularly noted among those who frequently utilized their phones, as indicated by screen time data collected three weeks prior to the study.

Burnett comments that the findings suggest an overload of notifications “hinders your cognitive capacity.”

“We have two types of attention: one that is consciously guided and another that is instinctively responsive,” he explains. “Normally, they are in harmony, but when something grabs our attention, the instinctual response can redirect resources and diminish the mental space needed for our current focus, thus serving as a distraction.”

Researchers plan to investigate further to understand why notifications are so distracting and whether the effects vary with different types of alerts. For the time being, Fournier advises people to manage their notifications by disabling them and checking social media at designated times. “Some studies indicate that turning off notifications can enhance a person’s control over their attention in daily life,” he notes.

This research is available in psyarxiv, although a DOI is not yet assigned.

topic:

Source: www.newscientist.com

6 “Healthy” Foods You Might Not Realize Are Highly Processed

Posted on by
Reply

Pre-packaged foods like pasta and rice are staples in a balanced diet, but items like potato chips and sugary snacks are clearly less healthy. For many processed packaged foods, label claims can muddle the lines between what is genuinely nutritious and what isn’t.

Recent studies indicate that ultra-processed foods can elevate the risk of over 30 health issues, including cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, as well as mental health concerns. Therefore, the degree of processing and its effects on our bodies should be increasingly scrutinized.

While every food contributes to a healthy, balanced diet, not all foods hold the same nutritional value. It’s vital to approach your nutritional plan without solely relying on the claims made on food labels; consider how these foods fit into the broader context of your life and your goals, taking into account your unique health needs, financial situation, work commitments, and other life pressures.

Additionally, there’s no need to panic over headlines that warn of a “50% increased risk” of a disease from certain foods. While this sounds alarming, such statistics represent relative risks for the general population, not the individual.

This implies that these figures are not absolute; they depend on variables like the quantity of food consumed, frequency of intake, dietary diversity, and overall health risks.

Nutrition doesn’t exist in isolation, but understanding evidence, avoiding exaggerations, and considering context can help us make healthier choices. Below are some commonly misunderstood supermarket products.

“Premium” Ready Meals

Prepared meals such as lasagna, shepherd’s pie, and curry often labeled as “Finest” or “Best” are marketed as convenient shortcuts to balanced nutrition. Although the ingredient lists may seem appealing, including pasta, meat, cheese, and spices, cooking these dishes at home from scratch remains a more nutritious choice.

Ready meals frequently contain preservatives and stabilizers, often being overly salty for preservation, safety, and enhanced flavor.

Manufacturers that use fewer ingredients typically do so to cut costs, resulting in dishes that are often unbalanced and lacking in vegetables.

Cooking at home offers the added advantage of incorporating more vegetables and whole grains into your meals. Consider adding veggies to your ready-made meals for better nutrition without sacrificing convenience.

read more:

Plant-Based “Milk”

Plant-based milk alternatives are marketed as “healthier” substitutes for traditional dairy products. However, they are not direct nutritional equivalents.

Dairy products undergo minimal processing, while plant-based alternatives are often highly processed, involving heating, juicing, and extracting, with nutrients like calcium added later but prone to settling at the bottom. If the carton isn’t shaken well, these nutrients often go undetected.

The health benefits of plant-based milk alternatives are still up for debate, as while they are great for those who cannot or choose not to consume traditional dairy, long-term consumption effects haven’t been thoroughly investigated.

Meat Alternatives

Much like plant-based milk, meat substitutes derive their health halo from being “plant-based.” However, it’s worth noting that chips, candy, and beverages can also be made from plants. The true benefit lies in consuming whole foods rather than heavily processed plant-based ingredients.

Reducing meat consumption, particularly processed varieties, is associated with improved overall health, but replacing one unhealthy component with another doesn’t necessarily yield health benefits.

Meal Replacement Drinks

These beverages often claim to deliver complete nutrition within calorie-controlled portions while requiring minimal preparation effort. While they might be useful in specific situations, such as illness or injury, they come with caveats.

While these drinks contain essential nutrients, they often lack natural food’s vital “biological activity,” compounds that promote health. Also, relying heavily on these formulations reduces dietary diversity, key for spreading risk and enjoyment in one’s diet, making it crucial to seek professional guidance for balanced nutrition.

Breakfast Cereals

Breakfast cereals can vary widely in nutrient content. Some are minimally processed and low in sugar, such as oats, while others are sugary and closely resemble dessert items.

Research has linked the consumption of breakfast cereals to improved overall nutrition. Context is vital when evaluating their role in your diet.

Granola/Protein Bars

This category features a wide range of products. Some bars are heavily processed, high in salt, sugar, and additives, yet context plays a significant role. Replacing whole foods with these bars may not promote health, but if you’re swapping out less healthy snacks, they can present some benefits. For many, the convenience, shelf-stability, and predictability of these bars can be advantageous, though they’re likely not a nutritious daily staple for most people.

read more:

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Is the impact of climate change on the food crisis more severe than we realize?

Posted on by
Reply

РоманЗаворотный/Adobe Stock

You've probably already noticed that the prices of many foods in your shopping cart have increased significantly. In the UK, the price of white potatoes is 20% increase in the past yearwith carrots 38% increase Olive oil rose 40%. And while that means the cost of assembling a roast dinner has soared, specialty items have also seen an even bigger price increase, with you now paying nearly twice as much for a portion of a chocolate bar. It will be.

The drivers of price increases are complex, but one of the biggest drivers is climate change. In the short term, extreme weather caused by global warming is having a devastating impact on producers. For example, in Northern Europe, heavy rains in the spring of 2024 left fields too waterlogged to harvest vegetables or plant new crops. Meanwhile, Morocco, which normally exports many vegetables to Europe, experienced a drought and ran out of water for irrigation. As a result, the prices of potatoes and carrots have soared.

As average global temperatures rise by 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels in the coming years, heat waves, droughts and extreme storms will become more common and intense, causing major disruptions to food production. It will be. But current efforts to compensate for the effects of crop failures, such as clearing forests to grow more crops, are exacerbating many other problems, from biodiversity loss to rising carbon dioxide levels. I am. Are we underestimating the magnitude of the impact, when it's already happening to so many foods? If so, what can we do about it?

Source: www.newscientist.com