Neat News - Neat things do happen

A new gel has been developed for wound healing. It has large pores so that neighbouring cells can move into the wound and support its healing. It can also slowly release drugs to aid wound healing. It should be particularly useful for patients who have a condition that hampers the natural healing process.

Killer whales can be playful, show affection. In general they can show personality in a similar way as it is known in humans and chimpanzees.

Scientists have come up with a new definition of the kilogram that is independent of the platinum-iridium reference object kept in a vault in Paris. It is now defined via a force of an electric current on an object and can be reproduced very precisely everywhere. Now all six SI (International System of Units) base units are defined using universal physical constants.

Physical activity is good for the heart. In a study it has been found that static activities such as strength training are better than dynamic activities such as cycling. Even better is a combination of both.

Cancer of the pancreas is very difficult to treat. There is new hope from some alkaloids found in a Congolese liana. The alkaloid has a starving effect on the cancer cells.

In order to detect cancer early from blood samples, scientists have used a machine learning approach to differentiate between different characteristics for different types of cancer.

Conservation efforts show success so that the number of mountain gorillas has risen from 600 to 1000. As a consequence they are reclassified from critically endangered to endangered. Also the number fin whales has risen and they are reclassified from endangered to vulnerable.

There is a new explanation model postulating four new particles that may explain why our Universe is made up of matter and there is not much antimatter to be found, although they are very similar and there should be equal amounts.

Researchers managed to reduce chronic back pain in patients by electrically stimulating certain parts of the brain.

Carbon monoxide can be produced from carbon dioxide and - albeit poisonous - be used in different ways, for instance as a fuel by burning it again. This has been known for long, however, a new method may make this scale and make it cost effective. The method works by attracting carbon dioxide molecules electrostatically.

A two-layer structure of graphene has properties that may allow to refine it so that it shows superconductivity.

Overpopulation is a contributing factor to many environmental problems. However, in most regions of the world the human reproduction rate is falling and the number of humans can be expected to fall. Globally for instance, in 1950 women had on average 4.7 children in their lifetime, in 2017 that were only 2.4 children per woman.

The calories that humans burn while at rest varies during the day. They spend 10 percent more calories in the morning than in the late afternoon or early evening.

A painting found on Borneo has been dated to be at least 40,000 years old. It is assumed to be the oldest animal paining in human history.

Fish and a vegetarian diet are good against hypertension and related heart problems. A study with rats showed that higher levels of so-called TMAOs, which are linked to such a diet, help rats to prevent heart problems.

In experiments it has been shown that with the transplantation of fetal retina cells it is possible to restore the sight of blind rats.

The Tsimane, an indigenous people in the Bolivian Amazon, have on average a very good heart condition, no problems with hypertension, obesity, or cholesterol levels. In a study it has been investigated whether their diet is particularly healthy. The diet is high in carbohydrate and protein and low in fat.

Scientists have developed from llama blood a new antibody against influenza. The antibody has proved effective against a wide range of flu virusses in tests with mice. It may offer an effective weapon against a range of flu types.

Diabetes is responsible for around 15 percent of all deaths. A vegan diet or a diet with a low intake of animal products reduces the risks of diabetes type 2 and can contribute to the reduction of blood glucose levels.

Scientist found a way to use dirt to make a new antibiotic to for treating strains of tuberculosis which are resistant against standard antibiotics.