The Urbanisation of Birds

Flitting between skyscapesthe distant strains of multitudesflicker in the air.Hidden voices perchedin ebbing hues thatfade into the greys.Their covert flight in muggy skiesmirrored by slated skinthat sweeps across the surfacelike a welt.We count these vibranciesfrom below the cloudlinesketching their occurrenceagainst the steady sweep of grey.The timid call of a hundreddisparate songsswallowed wholeby the urban sprawlthat […]

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Brain tissue inflammation is key to Alzheimer’s disease progression

Neuroinflammation is the key driver of the spread of pathologically misfolded proteins in the brain and causes cognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine reveal in a paper published today in Nature Medicine. For the first time ever, the researchers showed in living patients that neuroinflammation—or activation of the […]

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First 3D printed Wagyu beef unveiled

Scientists from Osaka University used stem cells isolated from Wagyu cows to 3D-print a meat alternative containing muscle, fat, and blood vessels arranged to closely resemble conventional steaks. This work may help usher in a more sustainable future with widely available cultured meat. Wagyu can be literally translated into “Japanese cow,” and is famous around […]

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AI Algorithm Matches Cardiologists’ Expertise, While Explaining Its Decisions

Clinicians rely daily on electrocardiograms (ECG) to detect common cardiovascular conditions, but accurate diagnoses require high levels of expertise. In a new study that reviewed nearly 1 million ECGs from 365,000 adults, an artificial intelligence algorithm exceeded the performance of a widely available commercial system in nearly all examined diagnoses, while also matching the performance […]

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Ending prices with “.99” can backfire on sellers

Setting a price just below a round number ($39.99 instead of $40) may lead consumers into thinking a product is less expensive than it really is – but it can sometimes backfire on sellers, a new study shows. Researchers found that this “just-below” pricing makes consumers less likely to upgrade to a more expensive version […]

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Growth-promoting, Anti-aging Retinal at the Root of Plant Growth Too

What do frog eggs have in common with anti-aging creams? Their success depends on a group of chemical compounds called retinoids, which are capable of generating and re-generating tissues. A new study in plants shows that retinoids’ tissue-generating capacities are also responsible for the appropriate development of roots. If you’ve ever planted a radish seed, […]

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Your sense of smell may be the key to a balanced diet

Walking past a corner bakery, you may find yourself drawn in by the fresh smell of sweets wafting from the front door. You’re not alone: The knowledge that humans make decisions based on their nose has led major brands like Cinnabon and Panera Bread to pump the scents of baked goods into their restaurants, leading […]

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Authenticity in the USA: How Springsteen’s music stayed true through the years

Bruce Springsteen has made a long career singing about his blue-collar, working class roots. But despite reaching super stardom since releasing his first album in the 1970s, a recent analysis found that Springsteen’s music has stayed “authentic” over time. The study’s researchers examined the lyrics in Springsteen’s albums spanning the course of his career from […]

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Massive Study Links Nearly 600 Genomic Regions to Self-Regulating Behaviors

Researchers have identified 579 locations in the human genome associated with a predisposition to self-regulation-related behaviors, including addiction and child behavioral problems. With data from 1.5 million people of European descent, the effort is considered to be one of the largest genome-wide association studies to date. The study, publishing August 26, 2021 in Nature Neuroscience, was […]

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