Same-sex marriage recognition means highly skilled workers avoided US

The recognition of same-sex marriage across the European Union has had a negative impact on the US economy, causing the number of highly skilled foreign workers seeking visas to drop by about 21%, according to a new study.Continue ReadingCategory: Life… Continue reading Same-sex marriage recognition means highly skilled workers avoided US

Permeable pavement roads may save salmon from tire particle toxins

While stormwater runoff pollutants in general aren’t great for aquatic animals, chemicals from tire particles are particularly harmful to salmon. A recent study now shows that permeable pavements could keep most of those toxins from ever reaching the f… Continue reading Permeable pavement roads may save salmon from tire particle toxins

Facial recognition app helps scientists identify rabies-vaccinated dogs

In regions where dogs often run loose, don’t wear tags and aren’t microchipped, it can be difficult for authorities to keep track of which ones have already been vaccinated against rabies. A new app could help, by identifying individual dogs via facial… Continue reading Facial recognition app helps scientists identify rabies-vaccinated dogs

Robotic insect moves across the water via world-record tech

Water striders are fascinating to watch, as they scoot across the water while supported by surface tension. Scientists have now built a tiny robotic version of the insect, which utilizes a record-breaking actuator to get a move on.Continue ReadingCateg… Continue reading Robotic insect moves across the water via world-record tech

Brain mechanism behind ‘the munchies’ discovered in new study

By giving mice vaporized cannabis, researchers have uncovered a brain mechanism that causes the drug’s appetite-stimulating effects, known as ‘the munchies’. The findings could pave the way for therapeutics to treat appetite disorders like anorexia and… Continue reading Brain mechanism behind ‘the munchies’ discovered in new study

Smart textile fiber places conductivity and flexibility side-by-side

Electrically conductive “smart fabrics” have many potential applications, but their specialized fibers typically aren’t as soft and flexible as those made of regular materials. An experimental new two-faced fiber, however, is both flexible and conducti… Continue reading Smart textile fiber places conductivity and flexibility side-by-side

Special titanium alloy lets implants fight off bacterial infections

While titanium implants such as artificial hips can greatly improve patients’ lives, they’re also subject to serious bacterial infections. An experimental new antibacterial titanium alloy, however, could make such problems a thing of the past.Continue … Continue reading Special titanium alloy lets implants fight off bacterial infections

Circadian rhythm superpowers of bears may hold key to human health

Confirming what observational studies have long thought, a genetic study has shown that a grizzly bear’s body clock ticks away routinely, even when the animal is deep in hibernation. What’s more, proof of their circadian rhythms mirrors our own, except… Continue reading Circadian rhythm superpowers of bears may hold key to human health

Cannabis users ditching conventional sleep aids for weed, study suggests

A new study has found that a majority of medical cannabis users suffering from insomnia and poor-quality sleep are ditching conventional over-the-counter and prescription sleep aids in favor of using the drug to treat sleep-related problems.Continue Re… Continue reading Cannabis users ditching conventional sleep aids for weed, study suggests

Mice sleep 6 hours less via brain cell tweak, feel alert next day

Normally, staying awake for extended time periods leads to the need for extra sleep. But researchers have just found that activating astrocyte cells in mice caused the rodents to stay awake for six hours longer than usual, with no noticeable sleep debt… Continue reading Mice sleep 6 hours less via brain cell tweak, feel alert next day