(no subject)
Feb. 10th, 2026 02:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
octavethecatWelp. I know it's been a while since I last posted, but apparently discord is going down the gutter. I use discord for most of my communication, but I'm probably gonna have to move away from it and start using other platforms. I've been meaning to be more active on dreamwidth anyway, I just wish it didn't have to be for a reason like this.
I don't have much more to say in this post, but I suppose you can look forwards to more posts here soon!
I don't have much more to say in this post, but I suppose you can look forwards to more posts here soon!
Passing got faster and more accurate in top soccer leagues, study finds
Feb. 10th, 2026 01:40 pm![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
phys_breaking_feedThe amount and accuracy of passing in the game of soccer—called football across much of the world—has climbed in recent years, according to new research. The average passing volume, pass accuracy, and the percentage of passes made rose in gameplay over the last five years, with the biggest changes occurring in women's competitions, according to an article posted to the arXiv preprint server from the Network Science Sports Institute, or NetSi Sport, a new research group out of Northeastern University's Network Science Institute. Gameplay has become faster and more intense, suggesting there is greater defensive pressure.
phys_breaking_feedHunter-gatherers like the Hadza of Tanzania are famous for their egalitarianism. A resource redistribution experiment conducted with the Hadza suggests many tolerate inequality—as long as it benefits themselves. Published in PNAS Nexus, Duncan N.E. Stibbard-Hawkes, Kris M. Smith, and colleagues asked 117 Hadza adults to redistribute food resources between themselves and an unspecified campmate after receiving either advantageous or disadvantageous initial allocations.
In-situ sensor enables real-time monitoring of soil nitrate nitrogen
Feb. 10th, 2026 01:13 pmphys_breaking_feedAccurate measurement of soil NO₃⁻-N is essential for precision fertilization and stable crop yields. Real-time monitoring of NO₃⁻-N has long been a challenge in agriculture. Conventional soil nutrient testing relies on time-consuming laboratory-based chemical analysis. Existing nitrogen monitoring technologies also have limitations regarding in situ deployment, temporal resolution, and continuous tracking. Furthermore, they are susceptible to interference from soil moisture, salinity, and complex field conditions. This makes them inadequate for the high-frequency, large-scale monitoring required by modern precision agriculture.
Upcycling genes: 'SUPER' platform improves underperforming genetic parts
Feb. 10th, 2026 01:11 pmphys_breaking_feedA research team has developed the "SUPER (Synthetic Upcycling Platform for Engineering Regulators)" platform, which dramatically enhances the performance and stability of gene regulatory devices. This research was recently published in Advanced Science. The team included Professor Jongmin Kim of the Department of Life Sciences at POSTECH, along with graduate students Taeyang Heo, Dongwon Park, and Woosub Shin.
phys_breaking_feedResearchers at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo have developed a new inhalable form of tuberculosis (TB) treatment that could significantly reduce the burden of current therapy. Jessica L. Reynolds, Ph.D., associate professor of medicine in the Jacobs School, is senior author on the paper, titled "Repeated Pulmonary Dosing of β-Glucan-Chitosan-PLGA Nanoparticles Controls Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Mice," published in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.
The wild physics that keeps your body's electrical system flowing smoothly
Feb. 10th, 2026 01:01 pmphys_breaking_feedBuilding on their pioneering 2018 research into how some of the body's cells, such as neurons and cardiac tissue, communicate via ions that flow through cellular channels, chemists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst demonstrated a "leakiness" to a particularly mysterious type of channel, known as a "big potassium," or BK channel. This leakiness is key to further studies of the body's electrical infrastructure, which, when it goes haywire, can result in maladies like epilepsy and hypertension.
Versatile enzyme that quickly, accurately synthesizes RNA can also perform reverse transcription
Feb. 10th, 2026 01:00 pmphys_breaking_feedFrom vaccines and diagnostics to emerging gene-based therapies, RNA molecules are now central to modern medicine. But as their use continues to grow, so does a fundamental challenge: producing RNA quickly, accurately and with the flexibility needed for next-generation biomedical applications.
(no subject)
Feb. 10th, 2026 10:12 amsanguinity![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
unsent_letters_exchange is running again this year, hurrah! Nominations open next week, Feb 18. Anyone up for playing with me?I'll post more about this later when my listing is live, but I took the plunge and signed up to offer fic for the 2026 Fandom Trumps Hate charity auction. Because shit is rough out there right now.
My current fandoms are small enough that it was a little bit of a conundrum about what to offer, but I went with:
Broster novels, Hornblower, and Vorkosigan Saga.
Fingers crossed!
For a couple of years now, I've been reading The Flight of the Heron to
phoenixfalls over chat. We started at a sentence a day, mostly because she had gotten an idea in her head that there's a tragedy at the end and she wanted to ease into that slowly, idk. Sadly, one sentence a day was a miserable way to go through all the lyrical scenic exposition at the beginning; it was like wandering lost in a nightmare dreamscape with no way out. Also, it was really hard to build any kind of narrative continuity. I did what I could by posting multi-day recaps before each new sentence, but progress was still glacial.Consequently, it wasn't too long before we decided on two to three sentences a day, with an option for four if I asked nicely first. (Always granted, for she is a gracious person.) That has gone much better.
It's been a lot of fun. It's a lovely excuse to say hello to Phoenix every day, and the novel bears up well to close reading. It's also encouraged me to look up all the things I gloss over at speed, which has had some interesting surprises. (When BCP suggests that letting Ewen accompany them to Lady Easterhall's will bring the party to four and make them a partie carrée, he is making a dirty joke! That they will be a perfect foursome, two men and two women! I imagine them all side-eyeing each other, trying to figure out who the women are supposed to be. “As your Highness pleases, of course,” said O’Sullivan stiffly.) There's also been a lot of time to spin pet theories and get attached to minor characters. (Saunders, Lady Easterhall's servant with the cough, is a favorite.) I've also been able to introduce her to relevant fic as we went, which has also been an opportunity for me to revisit them, too.
Since we've been very consistent, only taking a break when I was in Japan, we have been making good progress. As of this weekend, I can report a milestone: we have just now completed Part II! Hurrah us!
With the move to Part III, Phoenix is anticipating a tonal shift and thus has authorised a whole paragraph a day. (With two or even three paragraphs authorized in dialogue sections!) So we will be cruising along, and finish in... well, it will still be years. But not as many years!
On to Part III! Hurt/comfort, here we come!
Breeding a better cucumber: New genetic map reveals 171,892 structural variants
Feb. 10th, 2026 12:40 pmphys_breaking_feedCucumber is an economically important crop worldwide, ranking as the third most-produced vegetable after tomatoes and onions. Yet breeding improved varieties—plants that are more resilient, produce better-shaped fruit, or are less prone to hollowness—remains an enormous challenge.
Exploring how the immune system detects drugs coated with 'stealth' polymers
Feb. 10th, 2026 12:36 pmphys_breaking_feedA recent study by researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo unveils the molecular mechanisms explaining why some "stealth" drug coatings fail to evade the immune system. Using single-molecule atomic force microscopy, the team measured how individual antibodies bind to poly (ethylene) glycol, showing that hydration and terminal chemistry strongly influence immune recognition. Their findings pave the way for novel drug coatings that stay effective longer by avoiding unwanted immune responses.
AI model uses molecular energy to predict the most stable atom arrangements
Feb. 10th, 2026 12:34 pmphys_breaking_feedWhether a smartphone battery lasts longer or a new drug can be developed to treat incurable diseases depends on how stably the atoms constituting the material are bonded. The core of molecular design lies in finding how to arrange these countless atoms to form the most stable molecule. Until now, this process has been as difficult as finding the lowest valley in a massive mountain range, requiring immense time and costs. Researchers at KAIST have developed a new technology that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to solve this process quickly and accurately.
Just one thing: 10 February 2026
Feb. 10th, 2026 11:45 amjazzyjj posting in awesomeersIt's challenge time!
Comment with Just One Thing you've accomplished in the last 24 hours or so. It doesn't have to be a hard thing, or even a thing that you think is particularly awesome. Just a thing that you did.
Feel free to share more than one thing if you're feeling particularly accomplished!
Extra credit: find someone in the comments and give them props for what they achieved!
Nothing is too big, too small, too strange or too cryptic. And in case you'd rather do this in private, anonymous comments are screened. I will only unscreen if you ask me to.
Go!
Comment with Just One Thing you've accomplished in the last 24 hours or so. It doesn't have to be a hard thing, or even a thing that you think is particularly awesome. Just a thing that you did.
Feel free to share more than one thing if you're feeling particularly accomplished!
Extra credit: find someone in the comments and give them props for what they achieved!
Nothing is too big, too small, too strange or too cryptic. And in case you'd rather do this in private, anonymous comments are screened. I will only unscreen if you ask me to.
Go!
i enjoy being a girl
Feb. 10th, 2026 05:29 pmpensnestI have acquired a rather splendid scarlet T-shirt which bears the following legend:
THINGS WE DID:
Built this city; shot the Sheriff
THINGS WE DIDN'T DO:
Start the fire; shoot the Deputy
THINGS WE WANT TO DO:
Break free; know what love is
THINGS WE WILL DO:
Rock you, Anything for love
THINGS WE WON'T DO:
That.
I should like to make a feminine version. Can you help? I want phrases sung by women, in whatever context. Any suggestions for any of the categories will be considered gratefully, and I will amend this post accordingly, though bear in mind that I am old-fashioned and may not recognise them all!
THINGS WE DID:
THINGS WE DIDN'T DO:
THINGS WE WANT TO DO:
Zig a zig Ah
be loved by you
danced with somebody
have fun
build a snowman
THINGS WE WILL DO:
survive!
come out of the kitchen
always love you
THINGS WE WON'T DO:
be seen and not heard
THINGS WE CAN'T DO:
say no
THINGS WE NEED:
a hero
Interesting how different these are from the bloke version! Thanks for contributions so far, and I would be delighted to have some more.
THINGS WE DID:
Built this city; shot the Sheriff
THINGS WE DIDN'T DO:
Start the fire; shoot the Deputy
THINGS WE WANT TO DO:
Break free; know what love is
THINGS WE WILL DO:
Rock you, Anything for love
THINGS WE WON'T DO:
That.
I should like to make a feminine version. Can you help? I want phrases sung by women, in whatever context. Any suggestions for any of the categories will be considered gratefully, and I will amend this post accordingly, though bear in mind that I am old-fashioned and may not recognise them all!
THINGS WE DID:
THINGS WE DIDN'T DO:
THINGS WE WANT TO DO:
Zig a zig Ah
be loved by you
danced with somebody
have fun
build a snowman
THINGS WE WILL DO:
survive!
come out of the kitchen
always love you
THINGS WE WON'T DO:
be seen and not heard
THINGS WE CAN'T DO:
say no
THINGS WE NEED:
a hero
Interesting how different these are from the bloke version! Thanks for contributions so far, and I would be delighted to have some more.
Ooopsieeeee
Feb. 10th, 2026 12:20 pmsewagelag00nI think someone unsubscribed from me for talking about sh in a graphic way. This was genuinely my bad because I think I misunderstood how age restrictions work and I intended to give a content warning by putting an age restriction with a reason on it but I realize that if someone has a blanket "ignore age restriction" setting they're not going to see the confirm screen. I'm going to edit that post to put it under a cut and I'll do that in the future, sorry!
Fossil discovery suggests giant pythons once roamed Taiwan
Feb. 10th, 2026 12:20 pmphys_breaking_feedPythons are a common sight across much of Asia, especially in the tropical jungles and wetlands of countries like Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. But one curious exception has been the main island of Taiwan, where there are none of these reptilian constrictors. So did they ever reach the island when sea levels were lower, or did they arrive and then vanish later?
Rules of unknown board game from the Roman period revealed
Feb. 10th, 2026 12:00 pmphys_breaking_feedResearchers have used AI to reconstruct the rules of a board game carved into a stone found in the Dutch city of Heerlen. The team concludes that this type of game was played several centuries earlier than previously assumed.
Dental double date
Feb. 10th, 2026 04:55 pmoursinI was going to say 'double whammy' but in fact the general checkup and hygienist session both went off without any undue issues.
Going down the road to get to the Tube there was some kind of filming going on round about the parade of shops opposite the playing field - I did not linger as it was entirely chokka with mysterious vehicles and equipment.
Dentist, as stated, could not find anything wrong but has recommended some Extra Speshul Toothpaste, which normally you have to have a prescription for but they were able to sell me a couple of tubes.... not literally under the counter.
New hygienist, and as is the wont of hygienists, they have their own way of doing things - I was not expecting the whooshy water thing so early in the game - and also they find something that no other hygienist has noted that one should be doing, in this case involving a rare and unusual kind of toothbrush (which I have managed to source via eBay).
I was intending combining this jaunt with a couple of errands in Camden Town.
May I say I was deeply unimpressed with what Rymans has to offer in the way of seasonal cards, I thought they would have a far large selection. Managed to find something, but, grump.
Buying something from the pharmacy counter in Boots was stuck behind somebody apparently stocking up possibly for an expedition into the wilderness.
The threatened rain did indeed come on as I emerged from Boots, I had hoped that my weather app was looking on the gloomy side.