Surface sealant uses nanotech to make concrete last longer

Although we’ve been hearing about various stronger forms of concrete, one of the keys to making concrete last longer is to keep water from seeping into it in the first place. A new surface sealant could help, as it reportedly makes existing concrete 75… Continue reading Surface sealant uses nanotech to make concrete last longer

New female contraceptive would keep sperm trapped in their own gel

Although spermicides do already exist, they’re still not 100-percent effective. Scientists are developing what could be a more reliable alternative, in the form of a vaginally applied solution that keeps sperm trapped within the semen.Continue ReadingC… Continue reading New female contraceptive would keep sperm trapped in their own gel

Fast electronic test determines if bacteria are antibiotic-resistant

If a patient is infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, it’s crucial that doctors are aware of the fact as soon as possible. There’s where a recently-developed test is intended to come in, as it can detect such microbes in under 90 minutes.Continu… Continue reading Fast electronic test determines if bacteria are antibiotic-resistant

Chemical process converts plastic into jet fuel ingredients in an hour

While millions of tons of plastic are produced in the US each year, only around 9 percent is recycled, and that is largely due to the difficulties around reducing the material to useful building blocks for other products. A new chemical treatment devel… Continue reading Chemical process converts plastic into jet fuel ingredients in an hour

New insights into how night shift work heightens cancer risk

Compelling new experimental research has found circadian rhythm disruptions caused by night shift work can alter the expression of tumor-related genes, making one more vulnerable to the DNA damage that leads to cancer. The study builds on a growing und… Continue reading New insights into how night shift work heightens cancer risk

Contents of ancient Maya drug vessels revealed by new analytic method

New research, led by anthropologists from Washington State University (WSU), has deployed a novel analytical technique to reveal undiscovered compounds in an ancient Maya drug container previously thought to only be used for tobacco. As well as demonst… Continue reading Contents of ancient Maya drug vessels revealed by new analytic method

Biomarkers in fathers’ sperm linked to autism risk in children

A novel proof-of-concept study is suggesting epigenetic biomarkers in a father’s sperm can potentially predict how susceptible their offspring will be to developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The research is still in preliminary stages so requires… Continue reading Biomarkers in fathers’ sperm linked to autism risk in children

Cannabis may reduce acute OCD symptoms, but long-term effects unclear

Research from Washington State University (WSU), and published in The Journal of Affective Disorders, is reporting some people find their symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) dramatically drop after smoking cannabis. The study suggests the i… Continue reading Cannabis may reduce acute OCD symptoms, but long-term effects unclear

24 “super-habitable” exoplanets potentially better than Earth identified

A team of scientists led by Washington State University (WSU) geobiologist Dirk Schulze-Makuch has identified two dozen exoplanets that could be more favorable to life than the Earth. Based on data from the Kepler mission, these super-habitable worlds … Continue reading 24 “super-habitable” exoplanets potentially better than Earth identified

Scientists reactivate scar-free wound healing in adult skin

When surgery is performed on infants in utero, it’s not uncommon for them to be born without any scars. This comes thanks to a special quality of their skin which scientists now believe could be replicated in adults, potentially leading to scar-free wo… Continue reading Scientists reactivate scar-free wound healing in adult skin