Researchers at UC Berkeley have made a significant breakthrough in producing a chemical precursor of artemisinin, the best drug available today to cure malaria. The team's goal is to develop a low-cost alternative that can be widely distributed in developing countries, where the current cost is a major barrier.
A new initiative aims to slow deforestation in tropical forests by allowing wealthy industrial nations to pay developing countries to conserve their forests. This mechanism would earn 'carbon credits' that count toward emissions targets, potentially reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A study of over 4,000 dual-earner households with children aged 2-11 found that non-standard work schedules can negatively impact family functioning and child well-being. The effects were particularly strong for preschool-aged children, highlighting a challenge to the assumption that non-standard work is 'family friendly'.
Researchers have recorded non-volcanic tremors in a deep borehole near Parkfield, California, providing insight into the San Andreas Fault's behavior. The findings help geologists understand whether the fault's deeply buried rocks behave similarly to those in the Cascadia Subduction Zone.
Scientists create new OLED technology that enables 100% efficiency and prolongs lifetime by using a fluorescent dye, paving the way for mass-manufacturable, low-cost lighting solutions. The invention has the potential to revolutionize interior lighting and transform ceilings into giant light panels.
Researchers found that small body size and parasitic lifestyles hinder fossilization, while burrowing clams have a higher chance of becoming fossils. The study provides strategies for improving the reliability of the fossil record, enabling scientists to better understand biological dynamics.
Researchers have found that organic nitrogen can be directly taken up by plants, allowing them to share nitrogen and maintain biodiversity. This discovery has significant implications for unfertilised grasslands where organic nitrogen often dominates.
Scientists have successfully reversed cell division, a process essential to life, and may use this discovery to control cancer development and metastasis. The research holds promise for preventing and treating birth defects and other conditions.
Researchers found that humans and chimps harbor different kinds of mutations that influence PTC taste sensitivity. Humans carry two functional forms of the gene, while chimps have a broken form that likely emerged due to changes in their diet and environment.
Researchers discovered a novel biological process that allows poxviruses to enter cells by disrupting their outer membrane. Polyionic compounds can be used to treat poxvirus infections, even days after infection has started, making antiviral antibodies more effective.
A comprehensive study published in Cell reveals that inhibitory responses are widespread among odor receptors, and most receptors are inhibited by at least one odor. The research also shows that individual receptors range along a continuum from narrowly tuned to broadly tuned to odorants.
The COSMIC satellite network measures atmospheric data daily in real time over thousands of points on Earth using GPS signals. Temperature and water vapor profiles will help meteorologists forecast storms and study long-term climate change trends.
Following 9/11, American consumers reduced air travel by 12-20% and increased highway travel, leading to a substantial increase in miles-driven and traffic deaths. This behavioral change is attributed to strong emotional forces like fear and anxiety, highlighting the potential for indirect damage from terrorism.
A study of zoo lions across the US found that cold temperatures contribute significantly to mane length and density, with up to half of the variation attributed to temperature. The research suggests that lion manes may not be as genetically determined as previously thought.
The discovery of Au. anamensis fossils in Ethiopia bridges the 1-million-year gap between Ardipithecus and Australopithecus, two species previously thought to be distinct. The new findings provide insight into the evolutionary history of human ancestors, revealing a more complex and nuanced timeline.
Researchers have discovered that the brain uses a code more efficient than previously thought, with analog signals influencing synaptic transmission onto other neurons. This finding has significant implications for our basic understanding of brain operation and neuronal dysfunction.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a one-dimensional gas system that exhibits remarkable stability despite collisions among atoms. The system, dubbed the 'Quantum Newton's Cradle,' has been observed to maintain its momentum profile unchanged even after thousands of collisions.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a motorized nanocar that can be powered by light, paving the way for bottom-up construction. The nanocar, measuring just 3-by-4 nanometers, features a rotating motor that pushes it along like a paddlewheel.
The MANIAC Challenge is a two-year competition that will test algorithmic prowess and study actual, uncontrolled ad hoc networks, offering valuable data on network behavior. Researchers aim to address questions of cooperation in wireless networking and provide insights into the performance of mobile ad hoc networks.
Researchers found that high-dose CRF injections triggered intense bursts of sugar craving in response to a cue, but low doses or no injection had minimal effect. The study suggests a potential link between stress and binge behavior.
The US has launched a constellation of six low-orbiting satellites called COSMIC to provide real-time atmospheric data over thousands of points on Earth. The system will measure the bending of radio signals from GPS to track hurricanes, typhoons and climate change.
Researchers confirm that both humans and chimpanzees possess gene variants related to bitter taste, but the reasons behind these variations differ. The new findings challenge a 65-year-old genetic discovery made by Sir Ronald Aylmer Fisher, instead attributing the phenomenon to convergent evolution.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNM) has released a landmark procedure guideline for tumor imaging with 18F-FDG PET/CT. The document provides recommendations for patient preparation, image acquisition, interpretation criteria, and quality control to ensure high-quality imaging results.
Researchers suggest that the subduction of the northern portion of the Juan de Fuca plate beneath the North American plate may be slowing and eventually cease, potentially altering the seismic hazard profile of the region. The discovery was made using advanced technology and data from formerly classified U.S. Navy hydrophones.
A study by Professor Simon Parker and Olufunmilola Ajaji-obe found that self-employed people in the UK work long hours but report higher job satisfaction compared to employees. The researchers also discovered that younger entrepreneurs are more sensitive to new information than older ones, which can impact their retirement decisions.
A new three-year project is investigating the earliest development of sea fisheries in Northern Europe, with a focus on the critical period between 950AD and 1050AD. Researchers are analyzing fish bones from archaeological sites across the region to understand the impact of intensive sea fishing on medieval trading patterns.
A six-year study found that higher carbon dioxide levels and limited nitrogen in soils hinder plant growth, potentially leading to reduced ecosystem carbon storage. The research suggests that as atmospheric carbon dioxide increases, soils will struggle to support plant life, exacerbating the issue.
Telithromycin shows promise in treating acute asthma attacks, reducing symptoms and recovery time. The antibiotic's anti-inflammatory properties may also help alleviate severity of asthma attacks.
A new cell surface profiling technique developed by Carolyn Bertozzi and her team could lead to the creation of a simple blood test for cancer diagnosis. The method involves tagging glycoproteins with a metabolic label and monitoring changes in O-linked protein glycosylation.
A recent study published in Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta suggests a massive meteorite shower occurred on the Moon 3.8-4 billion years ago, potentially impacting Earth as well. The lunar rocks analyzed produced ages close to 3.9 billion years and exhibited different chemical fingerprints, indicating repeated bombardment by meteorites.
Researchers discovered that p110 alpha controls insulin signals, frequently mutated in cancer, but mice with a single mutation showed no signs of developing diabetes. The findings have immediate implications for testing p110 alpha-specific inhibitors for human therapies.
A six-year study found that terrestrial plants' ability to increase growth in response to elevated CO2 is limited by soil nitrogen supply. The research contradicts previous predictions, suggesting atmospheric CO2 levels may rise faster than anticipated.
The Academy of Natural Sciences is digitizing historic plant type specimens, featuring over 30,000 samples from the 18th century. This project provides a valuable resource for researchers worldwide, particularly those in developing countries with limited access to research libraries and herbaria.