Natural in science: algae for oyster health and plastic ice
Russian scientists conducted a series of experiments that showed that a feed additive made from spirulina algae significantly increases the immunity of oysters. In our country, they are bred on the Black Sea coast. The data obtained will help to provide farms with young shellfish, which are difficult to obtain in natural conditions. For the first time, American researchers conducted a video recording of the ice formation process and found out that, despite its crystalline structure, it is capable of plastically etching under the influence of the smallest internal air bubbles. This allows it not to crack like metals or ceramics. Read more about these and other scientific news in the weekly Izvestia collection.
Night vision device with AR will help in special missions
A Russian manufacturer of special equipment is developing a new generation night vision device with augmented reality function. The developer already has the main optical and electronic components of the device. In addition to high-quality images in low light, the complex is capable of exchanging data with reconnaissance drones and transmitting information about the position of fighters and the tactical situation in real time to the commander's tablet or artificial intelligence-based systems. The development also makes it possible to fire remotely without leaving the shelter.
— Today we are on the verge of major changes in the field of night vision and combat systems. The experience of foreign countries has shown that development is moving not towards one universal technology, but towards integrated hybrid solutions. Therefore, our main task is to create a system that combines the best technical developments and allows us to effectively combine data from different sensors and information sources. We are currently developing a complex that focuses on elite groups operating in close coordination under the direction of commanders. It is extremely important for a fighter to minimize the risk: remote shooting, when a weapon fires without revealing the fighter's position, is a significant step in this direction," Alexander Demin, the owner of Ekran FEP, told Izvestia.
The complex is based on film-free electron-optical converters created by the developers of the system. This component provides high light sensitivity and contrast, as well as clarity in mixed lighting. At the same time, the technology protects the device from overloads when exposed to bright light, removes distortion and the areola effect. Such devices operate in a wide range of lighting conditions, have high impact resistance and long service life. The only serial equivalent is available only in the USA.
Scientists are closer to creating 56 new antibiotics
ITMO scientists have created an algorithm based on artificial intelligence that automatically selects candidate molecules for the creation of new antibiotics. The system is looking for compounds to which bacteria will not be able to quickly develop resistance.
The development has already been tested in action and 56 new compounds have been discovered with its help, which can form the basis of more effective drugs against E. coli. This bacterium often causes severe gastrointestinal infections.
— Research in the laboratory will help experimentally verify the actual activity of the compounds obtained. Usually, of the many candidate molecules discovered by computational methods, one or two turn out to be suitable in practice. If the results show the high efficiency of our compounds, then we can consider a patent. We are currently looking for just such a laboratory," Anastasia Orlova, an engineer at the ITMO Advanced School of Engineering and a graduate student, told Izvestia.
Antibiotics block or modify the action of proteins of harmful microorganisms and inhibit their growth and reproduction. But over time, the drugs lose their effectiveness, as the bacteria evolve and change their proteins so that the drugs do not act on them. This process is called antibiotic resistance. To overcome it, experts all over the world are looking for substances to which microbes have not yet had time to adapt. However, sooner or later, pathogens will learn to bypass the effects of new drugs, so the race between pharmacists and infections continues continuously.
Video photography helped to discover the ability of ice to plasticity
American scientists have videotaped the process of freezing water on a nanoscale. Despite the fact that people are constantly dealing with ice, the mechanism of its formation from liquid remains poorly understood.
— To receive signals at the atomic level, it is necessary to put a lot of energy into the sample. It was very difficult to stabilize the ice under the conditions necessary for visualization," said Jingshan Du from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland.
For the survey, the scientists cooled the ice to -180 °C and took pictures using an electron microscope. This allowed them to see what happens to the air nanobubbles in the water during freezing. They continuously appeared, moved, compressed and dissolved inside the solid structure of the ice. Unlike other hard materials such as ceramics or metals, it did not crack, but adapted to internal changes, preserving the integrity of the crystal.
Algae will help increase the efficiency of oyster farms
Experts from the Institute of Biology of the South Seas (FITZ InBUM) of the Russian Academy of Sciences have experimentally established that a feed additive containing microalgae spirulina increases the immunity and health of oysters grown in aquaculture farms. The effect of the substance appears in a day.
— In our study, we are conducting an experimental assessment of the effect of an aqueous extract of phycobiliproteins from spirulina, which is obtained by the staff of our institute, on the health of adult oysters. The experiment showed that phycobiliprotein extract has a positive effect on the cellular immunity of adult oysters two to three days after its inclusion in the diet of shellfish. We have also proven that, in addition to its effectiveness as a stimulant of innate immunity, spirulina extract has extremely low toxicity to oysters. High concentrations of this additive have a positive effect after a day," said Alexandra Andreeva, head of the Laboratory of Ecological Immunology of Aquatic Organisms at FITZ InBUM.
The proposed remedy can help in the breeding of young mollusks. Obtaining it remains the main problem of aquaculture farms on the Black Sea coast of Russia.
Strong emotions help to remember forgotten moments.
American scientists have found that strong emotions help people remember even minor details that they would otherwise forget. According to the researchers, the brain can connect different facts together, that is, combining a strong memory with a weak one can enhance them. When a stronger memory occurs shortly after an everyday event, it triggers a local protein storm in the hippocampus and its associated neural circuits. Labeled neurons can capture these proteins, thereby "gluing" one to the other.
—Significant events open time windows during which ordinary memories that occurred before and after key events are activated," the authors of the scientific work noted.
This was established during an experiment in which participants were asked to memorize images of animals and tools. They remembered the animals better because they evoked more emotions. In some cases, the organizers reinforced the actions of the participants with a reward, then the memory lasted longer. Moreover, the longer the prize was. The data obtained by scientists will help in improving the methods of psychotherapy.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
