#Study sheds light on bushfires’ microclimate impact

“#Study sheds light on bushfires’ microclimate impact” Credit: CC0 Public Domain A study examining the urban microclimatic impact of the 2019-20 Australian bushfires has uncovered how they affect local meteorological and air quality. Its findings could help understand the potential consequences of an increased rate and extension of bushfires, and especially regarding improving risk preparedness…

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#A new role for a tiny linker in transmembrane ion channels

“#A new role for a tiny linker in transmembrane ion channels” Credit: CC0 Public Domain In the molecular-level world of ion channels—passageways through membranes that carry signals in a cell’s environment and allow it to respond—researchers have debated about the role of a small piece of the channel called a linker, says computational biophysicist Jianhan…

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#Study finds food safety practices benefit small farmers

“#Study finds food safety practices benefit small farmers” Elizabeth Bihn, director of the Produce Safety Alliance, conducts a food safety training. Credit: Rob Way The costs of implementing food safety practices to prevent foodborne illnesses have been viewed as a threat to the financial well-being of small farms, which must pay a higher percentage of…

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#Science education community should withdraw from international tests, study says

“#Science education community should withdraw from international tests, study says” Credit: CC0 Public Domain The science community should withdraw from involvement in international tests such as PISA because they have forced schools to adopt “narrow” curricula and pedagogies, a study says. Researchers examining the future of science lessons post-COVID have also urged teachers and educators…

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#Bats offer clues to treating COVID-19

“#Bats offer clues to treating COVID-19” Credit: CC0 Public Domain Bats are often considered patient zero for many deadly viruses affecting humans, including Ebola, rabies, and, most recently, the SARS-CoV-2 strain of virus that causes coronavirus. Although humans experience adverse symptoms when afflicted with these pathogens, bats are remarkably able to tolerate viruses, and, additionally,…

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#Native bees also facing novel pandemic

“#Native bees also facing novel pandemic” A major threat for native bees is pathogen spillover. Infected bees can leave the fungus on flowers where other bees then feed and contract it. Credit: Unsplash Move over, murder hornets. There’s a new bee killer in town. CU Boulder researchers have found there is growing evidence that another “pandemic,”…

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