A team led by Owen Sexton successfully repopulated ponds with wood frog and spotted salamander egg masses, resulting in healthy and thriving populations. The reintroduction showcases the importance of habitat preservation and genetic similarity in facilitating amphibian dispersion and adaptation.
Campylobacter is a leading cause of food poisoning, but lacked a reliable test until now. Researchers have developed a quick DNA test that can identify the bacterium in eight hours, and a scanner to detect faecal contamination on meat.
A new sign language called thumbcode allows users to type 30 words per minute, compared to 60 words per minute for touch typists. The device-independent language uses hand positions to represent characters and can be used with gloves or video cameras.
A US team, led by MIT, has completed a 40-ton magnet that will be used to test the world's most powerful pulsed superconducting magnet. The combined magnet weighs over 150 tons and is part of an international collaboration to demonstrate nuclear fusion as an energy source.
Researchers created a computational model to capture the process of one protein interfering with another's folding. This reveals the mechanisms behind 'protein adultery', where amino acids from different proteins link, causing diseases like Alzheimer's and mad cow syndrome.
An asteroid approximately 30-50 metres across has been discovered in an orbit close to Earth's, likely originating from the Moon. The object's unusual nearly circular orbit is unlike most comets and asteroids that cross the Earth's orbit.
The editorial reviews the effects of moderate alcohol consumption on stimulating appetite and food intake. It highlights the need for long-term studies to understand its impact on body weight.
A study of 52 healthy volunteers found that a single pre-luncheon drink of wine or beer delayed mealtime satiety and increased 24-hour calorie intake compared to non-alcoholic drinks of equal calories. This suggests that alcohol consumption before lunch may play a role in weight gain among moderate drinkers.
A study by researchers at UCSF Medical Center found that the electrocardiogram is highly inaccurate for patients with left bundle-branch block (LBBB), leading to under-treatment. This affects approximately 100,000 Americans with LBBB who experience myocardial infarction every year.
The US National Park Service faces challenges in managing wildlife populations due to conflicting goals and limited information. Adaptive management is proposed as a solution to resolve these issues. The study of ecological systems reveals new insights into what may be ecologically appropriate decisions regarding park management.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found a strong link between genes and the accumulation of extra belly fat and insulin resistance. The study suggests that people with certain genetic traits are more likely to develop type II diabetes and abdominal visceral fat, even if they follow healthy lifestyles.
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is now accepting applications for its 1999 National Grants program, offering over $11 million in funding for groundbreaking research and education. The program aims to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening, and treatment.
Researchers isolated a gene that enables plants to absorb iron from the soil. The finding has significant implications for addressing global malnutrition and food security. By understanding how plants process iron, scientists can develop more efficient ways to fortify crops with this essential nutrient.
Researchers analyzing humpback whale calls with information theory claim the animals may have a hierarchical grammar. The study measured entropy in the songs, finding predictable sequences of sounds that hint at complex communication.