Researchers have developed a method for quantitatively assessing atherosclerotic plaque buildup in mice. They transplanted X-ray-irradiated low-density-lipoprotein-knockout mice with bone marrow cells expressing near-infrared fluorescent protein, which subsequently developed into fluorescent macrophages. These macrophages congregated specifically in atherosclerotic plaques that arose after feeding on a high-cholesterol diet. In vivo imaging detected the amount of aortic plaque formed and its change over time, which could help in assessing the efficacy of anti-atherosclerotic drugs.
Observing the development of a deep-sea greenhouse gas filter
In a long-term study, marine scientists for the first time observed the colonization of a deep-sea mud volcano after its eruption. Only slowly, rich life develops around the crater. The first settlers are tiny organisms that eat methane escaping from the volcano. Thereby, they keep this greenhouse gas from reaching the atmosphere. The present study describes how the colonization of the mud volcano proceeds and when the tiny methane-munchers get going.
Neglected baby beetles evolve greater self-reliance
Zoologists exposed hundreds of burying beetles to two levels of parental care, for 13 generations. The researchers found that when parents fed meat to their babies’ mouth-to-mouth, the larvae evolved relatively smaller mandibles. By contrast, when the parents were removed from their young and larvae were forced to self-feed, the larvae evolved significantly larger jaws to compensate for the lack of help.
How some algae may survive climate change
Green algae that evolved to tolerate hostile and fluctuating conditions in salt marshes and inland salt flats are expected to survive climate change, thanks to hardy genes they stole from bacteria.
New invasive bryozoan arrives in Alaskan waters
Alaska has a near-pristine marine ecosystem–it has fewer invasive species in its waters than almost any other state in the U.S. But that could be changing. With help from local volunteers, biologists at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) and Temple University have reported a new invasive species in the Ketchikan region, the invertebrate filter-feeder Bugula neritina, and documented the continuing spread of three other non-native species.
Coinbase launches a bundle in a bid to take cryptocurrencies mainstream
Coinbase thrived when cryptocurrencies crashed. Can it take the blockchain back to the mainstream?
The Facebook Effect Hits Oculus: In VR, Other People Are Everything
At Oculus’ annual developer conference, everything from the demos to the keynote language reinforced how important VR is to Facebook’s long-term efforts.
Latest Pixel 3 leak shows camera automatically scanning a business card for details
A leaked promotional video from the Pixel 3 has shown off the phone’s ability to quickly scan an email address from a business card without even having to take a photograph. The video, posted by MySmartPrice, also appears to confirm the return of Active Edge functionality and gesture controls.
This business card scanning functionality is already available as part of Google Lens, where itqs able to create a new contact based on the information on a photograph of a business card. The difference here is that the Pixel 3 appears to be able to scan details using the native camera app without needing to take a photo first and then open your email app directly.
At this point, the sheer quantity of Pixel 3 leaks means that it’s almost harder…
Fortnite moves so fast that I’ve already forgotten about the cube
I really thought I was going to miss the cube.
With the impending launch of season six of Fortnite, I found myself getting a little bit anxious that one of my favorite parts of the game was going away. Tracking the progress of the mysterious purple cube had become a near-obsession for me, one that really highlighted the best parts of Fortnite’s ever-changing world, and how weird and unexpected it can be. But as the sixth season was set to start, the cube sat quietly at the bottom of Loot Lake.
On one hand, I was right to be worried, since the cube is now a motionless part of the scenery. But it turns out I don’t really miss it at all: there’s so much new in the game I don’t have time.
Fortnite is, at its core, a game where 100 players…
Tiny space rover shoots majestic movie on asteroid’s surface – CNET
J.J. Abrams will love the lens flare captured by JAXA’s Hayabusa 2 mission.