Science

Scientists at Monash University have identified the music best suited to first aid for heart attacks. As it turned out, the songs of Taylor Swift are optimally suited for this purpose. The fact is that the singer found almost 50 tracks in which the rhythm is 120 beats per minute. The researchers hope that the younger generation will learn to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to these songs.

In order for the manipulation to be successful, the number of chest presses must be kept in the range of 100-120 times per minute. Swift’s work includes many songs that fall into this range – these findings were presented at the Swiftposium 2024 scientific conference. Taylor’s songs, being iconic for the younger generation, are best suited for teaching resuscitation skills and can replace their counterparts that have begun to lose relevance.

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It is commonly believed that the smaller the mesh size of a protective net, the greater its effectiveness in controlling pests. However, a recent study by scientists at the University of Tokyo, led by Professor Masami Shimoda, has shown the effect of the colour of the net itself on pest activity.
Typically, the colour range of agricultural protective nets is limited to black, white, blue and green. This was prompted by the results of a study in which rice seedlings were irradiated with red light, which had a repellent effect on the onion thrips pest (Thrips tabaci).
To confirm the hunch, the researchers made safety nets in three colour combinations – red-white, red-black and red with mesh sizes of 2.1 and 0.8 mm – and placed them alongside white and black-and-white nets with identical mesh sizes. All of them were hung over the leek crops.

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Researchers at Cornell University have developed a new kind of antibacterial bandage that doesn’t use antibiotics. There’s also no drug in there – the germs are destroyed by the bandage material itself. This is Lawson or henotanninic acid, which is derived from henna leaves and is prized for its anti-inflammatory properties. It also has antioxidant properties.

It is not easy to work with this substance, as due to its strong hydrophobic properties it cannot be mixed with water and get a convenient solution for wound treatment. Therefore, the scientists used carbohydrates cyclodextrins, ‘hiding’ looson inside their hollow structure. The outer surface of cyclodextrins is well wetted with water, so a kind of solution was obtained.

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While studying endemic frogs living at the foot of the Kudremukh range in India’s Western Ghats, scientists accidentally discovered an extremely unusual individual. From the body of this frog grew a mushroom of a characteristic shape. At the same time, the amphibian looked quite healthy, it was not bothered by the unusual ‘decoration’, although it is difficult to say for sure – the scientists took pictures of the phenomenon, but they could not catch the frog itself.

The fungus resembles members of the genus Mycenae, which actively grow on dead organic matter, including dead wood. The frog of the species Hylarana intermedia did not look like a dying frog, and there were no wounds on its body through which fungal spores could penetrate the skin and somehow get a foothold there. Frog skin is usually covered with a protective mucus that kills microorganisms and parasites, so it is hard to imagine how the fungus could survive on it and grow to such a size.

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In the letter, they warn that ‘We face threats that affect all of humanity,’ yet ‘our leaders are extremely slow and lack the necessary wisdom.’ Among other global threats, they cite pandemics and climate change.

In recent years, however, another factor has emerged that is no less dangerous because it has not been sufficiently studied – the risks associated with the rapid development of artificial intelligence. Taken together, all of the above have brought ‘us to the edge of the abyss,’ the memorandum says.

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