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Research on the stipe cracking of wine-cap mushroom (Stropharia rugosoannulata) in different humidity conditions
Abstract Stropharia rugosoannulata is a well-renowned edible mushroom due to its nutritional and nutraceutical properties. This article focuses on the study of stipe cracking in S. rugosoannulata, a common issue in outdoor cultivation of this mushroom in South China. The findings reveal that the stipe cracks of S. rugosoannulata are primarily horizontal (transverse). Typically, cracks…
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This penguin survives on 4-second microsleeps — thousands of times a day
A chinstrap penguin sleeps on a beach in Antarctica.Credit: Mathias Rhode/Alamy Dozing off while reading a book or working at a computer is a familiar experience to many of us. Birds are also known to engage in these ‘microsleeps’ — but one species seems to have mastered the art of the brief slumber. Chinstrap penguins…
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Daily briefing: Super hot plasma made easy with stabilising fibres
Hello Nature readers, would you like to get this Briefing in your inbox free every day? Sign up here. A soft robotic tentacle inspired by octopuses can grasp small objects in air or water.Credit: Li Wen How does it feel to have an octopus arm? Researchers have developed a soft robotic tentacle that can mimic…
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ChatGPT one year on: who is using it, how and why?
On 30 November 2022, the technology company OpenAI released ChatGPT — a chatbot built to respond to prompts in a human-like manner. It has taken the scientific community and the public by storm, attracting one million users in the first 5 days alone; that number now totals more than 180 million. Seven researchers told Nature…
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S-index periodicity detection based on multiple random spectral observations
Abstract The solar magnetic activity cycle has a profound impact on our lives, yet its underlying causes remain elusive. While similar cycles have been observed in other stars, these results are scarce due to the significant challenge posed by the length of time required for observation. Continuous observation over an extended period is a luxury,…
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Therapeutic effects of faricimab on aflibercept-refractory age-related macular degeneration
Abstract Though vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) and other proangiogenic factors, such as angiopoietins (Ang), may be involved in the development of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nvAMD), only drugs that inhibit the VEGF family are available for the treatment. The newly approved anti-VEGF drug faricimab, which also inhibits Ang-2, is expected to be effective in…
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Microbiologists at COP28 push for a seat at the climate-policy table
The archaeon Methanosarcina barkeri produces methane in the guts of cattle.Credit: Dennis Kunkel Microscopy/Science Photo Library Gaunt polar bears. Bleached coral reefs. Shrinking ice floes. Climate scientists and others often use emotionally impactful images such as these to illustrate the effects of global warming. Microbiologists have more difficulty getting people to care about climate effects…
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Tiny robots made from human cells heal damaged tissue
Each anthrobot is made up of a few hundred cells.Credit: Gizem Gumuskaya, Tufts University Scientists have developed tiny robots made of human cells that are able to repair damaged neural tissue1. The ‘anthrobots’ were made using human tracheal cells and might, in future, be used in personalized medicine. Developmental biologist Michael Levin at Tufts University…
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True prevalence of long-COVID in a nationwide, population cohort study
Abstract Long-COVID prevalence estimates vary widely and should take account of symptoms that would have occurred anyway. Here we determine the prevalence of symptoms attributable to SARS-CoV-2 infection, taking account of background rates and confounding, in a nationwide population cohort study of 198,096 Scottish adults. 98,666 (49.8%) had symptomatic laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections and 99,430 (50.2%)…
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Effect of temperature on fast transmission of COVID-19 in low per capita GDP Asian countries
Abstract An abrupt outbreak of COVID-19 caused enormous global concerns. Although all countries around the world are severely affected, developing Asian countries faced more difficulties due to their low per capita GDP. The temperature was considered a leading variable in spreading viral diseases, including COVID-19. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between temperature…