All posts tagged: Density

Autism genetics linked to reduced brain cell fiber density

Autism genetics linked to reduced brain cell fiber density

Published by José Betancourt

Individuals who carry common genetic variants associated with autism tend to have lower density in the brain’s microscopic wiring, regardless of whether they actually have an autism diagnosis. The research reveals a shared genetic architecture between the likelihood of autism and the microscopic development of the brain. The study was published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry. Autism is a condition influenced by a vast pool of genetic variations spread across human DNA. Each minor genetic difference has only a tiny effect on its own, but combined, they shape a person’s underlying likelihood of developing the condition. This type of genetic architecture is called polygenic inheritance. Researchers have documented structural brain differences in autistic individuals for many years. However, much less is known about how the multitude of genes linked to autism might affect the physical structure of the brain in the broader public. Genetic traits often influence physical characteristics across an entire population on a sliding scale. To answer these questions, scientists look for subtle patterns in large databases of health records. Yuanjun Gu and …

Early PFAS exposure linked to adolescent bone density changes

Early PFAS exposure linked to adolescent bone density changes

Published by skeptic

Emerging evidence indicates that PFAS exposure in early life could influence bone development during adolescence, raising concerns about the long-term health implications of these persistent environmental chemicals. A new study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society reports associations between early exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and lower bone density in teenagers. Researchers found that the timing of exposure may play a critical role, with certain developmental stages appearing more sensitive than others. The study was funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Tracking PFAS exposure across childhood PFAS are a large class of synthetic compounds widely used in industrial processes and consumer products, including food packaging, non-stick cookware and water-resistant materials. Often referred to as forever chemicals, they are resistant to degradation and can accumulate in both the environment and human tissue. ©Shutterstock/VectorMine To examine potential health effects, researchers analysed data from 218 participants enrolled in a long-term birth cohort study. Blood samples were collected at multiple points: at birth and at ages three, eight and twelve. Bone density …

MIT Concrete Supercapacitor Explained : Energy Density, Limits & Likely Uses

MIT Concrete Supercapacitor Explained : Energy Density, Limits & Likely Uses

Published by skeptic

MIT researchers have developed a new type of concrete that doubles as an energy storage device, as explained by Ziroth. This material, known as supercapacitor concrete, combines traditional concrete with carbon nanostructures and liquid electrolytes, allowing it to store and discharge energy while maintaining its structural integrity. Unlike batteries, which rely on chemical reactions, this concrete stores energy electrostatically, offering a unique way to integrate energy storage directly into buildings and infrastructure. While it achieves energy densities ten times higher than standard capacitors, challenges like scalability and durability remain key hurdles to its broader adoption. In this guide, you’ll learn how the material’s carbon nanostructures enhance conductivity, the role of organic electrolytes in boosting energy density, and the practical applications it could support, such as stabilizing wind turbine output. You’ll also explore the trade-offs, including its current limitations compared to lithium-ion batteries, and the steps needed to make it viable for large-scale use. By understanding these details, you can better appreciate how this technology could reshape energy management in construction and renewable energy sectors. Concrete …

The silent reason your bone density drops in your 30s – and how to stop it

The silent reason your bone density drops in your 30s – and how to stop it

Published by Daniella Wilson

If you’re in midlife, it’s important to know that strong bones are the cornerstone of our overall well-being. They do far more than just keep us upright and moving; they act as a protective shield for our vital organs and serve as a “bank” for essential minerals like calcium and phosphorus. As we get older, our bone density naturally begins to dip, which can lead to problems ranging from fractures to osteoporosis. Reaching for supplements might be your first impulse for bone health, but they aren’t something to be taken on a whim.  Even though many of these health-boosting solutions are available over-the-counter, don’t be fooled into thinking they are completely harmless just because they’re “natural.”   But how can we stay ahead of the curve? It’s always best to seek expert advice to find out if you actually need them. We spoke to pharmacist Mar Santamaria to discover the best habits for bone strength and how the right supplements can help you keep your frame in tip-top shape. The science of bone remodelling: Why density peaks …

Super-low density worlds reveal how common planetary systems form

Super-low density worlds reveal how common planetary systems form

Published by skeptic

One of the low-density planets compared with Earth NASA Four planets orbiting a newly born star in our galaxy are so light that they have the density of polystyrene, and could provide a key missing link in helping us understand how the most common planetary systems form. This solar system is unusual when compared with most other planetary systems in the Milky Way, which typically contain planets larger than Earth but smaller than Neptune. Astronomers have found hundreds of planetary systems like these, but almost all of them are formed around stars that are billions of years old, making it difficult to explain how they take shape. Now, a team led by John Livingston at the Astrobiology Center in Tokyo, Japan and Erik Petigura at the University of California, Los Angeles has identified four tightly clustered planets that appear to have formed recently, given that they orbit a young, 20-million-year-old star called V1298 Tau. “We are seeing a young version of a type of planetary system we see all over the galaxy,” says Petigura. V1298 Tau …

Chinese Fusion Reactor Achieves Plasma Density Previously Thought to Be Impossible

Chinese Fusion Reactor Achieves Plasma Density Previously Thought to Be Impossible

Published by José Betancourt

Huang Bohan / Xinhua via Getty Images Scientists at China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) program rang in the new year with a stunning accomplishment: empirical evidence that they used the device to achieve nuclear plasma densities once thought to be beyond human capabilities. On January 1, researchers at the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science at the Chinese Academy of Sciences published a wild new study in the journal Science Advances. In it, the team details the way they used EAST — which has memorably been dubbed China’s “artificial sun” — to achieve a plasma density far higher than previous limits. Nuclear fusion is the process by which two atomic nuclei combine to form a single, heavier nucleus, resulting in a huge release of energy. Because of its potential to produce limitless clean energy, scientists the world over have sought ways to use nuclear fusion as a viable power source. One difficulty, however, is that all atomic nuclei have a positive charge, meaning they’re naturally repulsed by each other — think two magnets with opposite …