A group of 654 environmental policy makers and academics have created a list of 100 key questions to help bridge the gap between science and policy. The list aims to inform policy decisions with sound scientific research, addressing pressing ecological issues.
Researchers found that female domesticated canaries varied the size of their eggs in response to the attractiveness of the male's song. The study highlights the importance of behavioral stimuli for reproductive physiology. In this experiment, attractive songs led to larger eggs, but no difference was observed in brood sex ratio.
A new study suggests that prepaying benefits for diabetes prevention could save healthcare costs by preventing millions of individuals from developing the disease. By sharing costs with employers and individuals, private health insurers and Medicare can cover lifestyle interventions, reducing the economic impact of obesity and diabetes.
A team of researchers led by Ravi Allada from Northwestern University discovered that mushroom bodies play a crucial role in regulating sleep in fruitflies. The study suggests that the area may function to consolidate memories formed during the day, similar to vertebrates.
A comprehensive literature-derived database of yeast interactions has been created, containing over 22,000 protein interactions and 11,000 genetic interactions. The database is publicly available and enables researchers to gain further insight into individual gene functions and biological network features in yeast.
The BROOM software system streamlines sampling and cleanup activities, minimizing downtime and providing a transparent basis for facility reoccupation. This technology has the potential to save multi-millions of dollars in costs and improve public safety.
A new study found that infants born to mothers who took ACE inhibitors during the first trimester had a significantly higher risk of major birth defects. The study examined over 29,500 infant records and showed a clear increase in birth defects following first-trimester-only exposures.
PLOS ONE introduces a new approach to open-access publishing, eliminating barriers between authors and their audience. The platform employs powerful search tools, annotations, and discussion threads to facilitate exploration and understanding of diverse content.
Researchers at Cornell University are developing tiny, implantable sensors that can measure blood flow, temperature and pressure in real-time. The technology has the potential to enhance patient monitoring tools and create microscopic implants or sensor systems integrated with present equipment.
The Vera Bradley Foundation has donated $6.8M to the IU Breast Cancer Research Program, supporting groundbreaking research and improving treatment outcomes for patients. The gift is the foundation's 13th major donation to IU School of Medicine and marks a continued commitment to finding a cure for breast cancer.
Researchers found that the amplitude of shaking directly affects the chance of an aftershock, following an inverse power law relation. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that aftershocks are triggered by static stress resulting from crust movement.
Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center have made a groundbreaking discovery about the relationship between stress response and insulin regulation in flies. By boosting a molecular signal called JNK, they found that flies can live up to 85 days longer, opening up new avenues for understanding human diabetes and aging.
Researchers have developed tiny carriers, called gadolinium oxide nanoparticles, that can target tumors for improved imaging. These nanoparticles could enhance the diagnosis and treatment of brain tumors and other cancers by reducing toxic effects of chemotherapy.
The National Science Foundation and Department of Defense partner to provide funding for Florida Tech's Summer Astronomy Research Program (SARA). Undergraduate students from across the country participate in a nine-week research program, working with faculty mentors and presenting their findings.
A whole-genome scan for OCD has identified six potentially significant regions in the genome linked to the condition. These regions are found on five different chromosomes and may hold the key to understanding the genetic basis of OCD.
A new calculator tool, ETHRISK, has been developed to better assess the risk of heart disease in British black and minority ethnic groups. The tool is based on a re-calibration of the Framingham risk equations and provides more realistic assessments of heart disease risks within a 10-year period.
The University of Auckland is launching a new Pinot noir research program to better understand the grape variety and its qualities. The program aims to enhance New Zealand's wine making reputation by analyzing grape varieties, wine making processes, and reactions.
Severe sepsis is a significant health problem causing death and ill-health in UK hospitals. Reliable data tracking is needed to plan resources and campaigns to improve outcomes.
The University of New Hampshire has delivered two identical Plasma and SupraThermal Ion Composition (PLASTIC) instruments for NASA's STEREO mission, which aims to study coronal mass ejections and their impact on space weather. The instruments will make measurements of the solar wind as they pass by the twin spacecraft.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered a protein called GCN5 that plays a crucial role in controlling blood sugar levels. By altering the activity of another protein, PGC-1alpha, GCN5 can turn off pathways leading to glucose release from liver cells.
A team of scientists has discovered a new species of dwarf sauropod dinosaurs in the Harz Mountains, estimated to weigh only one tonne. The unique microstructure of their bones suggests that these animals were fully grown when they died, reaching lengths of up to 6 metres and 90 centimetre tall.
Researchers have discovered a surprising amount of carbon in the gas surrounding a young star, Beta Pictoris. The findings may indicate that asteroids and comets in this system could contain large amounts of organic material, which could have delivered building blocks of life to early Earth.
Researchers at Origen successfully culture primordial germ cells from chicken embryos, introducing genetic elements into the chicken genome. This breakthrough enables efficient and cost-effective production of human protein therapeutics in eggs, with potential applications for treating cancer and other diseases.
Astronomers propose that super-Earths can form around red dwarf stars via ultraviolet stripping, a process previously thought to only create gas giant planets. The new theory suggests that the mass of the central star determines whether a planet forms as a gas giant or a super-Earth.
Researchers discovered that the partnership between COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes plays a critical role in blood vessel development in newborn mice. This finding suggests exploring new roles for COX enzymes in biology and potentially developing new drugs.
A new method of user-testing in interactive games is being developed using 'immersidata,' which captures machine-readable records of commands sent by players. The tool, ISIS, analyzes these records to identify problems in game design and development, including navigation errors and emotional responses.
Researchers present a new non-invasive cardiac imaging technology that enables accurate evaluation of cardiac blood vessel narrowing and blood supply to the heart muscles in a single imaging session. The technology combines SPECT perfusion imaging with CT coronary angiography, providing more accurate information than stand-alone tests.
A study using bird assemblages data from 1968 to 2003 found evidence that human activities have shaped large-scale ecological patterns. Many bird species experienced geographic range expansion and an increased abundance of common species over time.
Researchers found transcription factor Elk-1 localized in dendrites of neurons, affecting cell viability. Overexpressing Elk-1 decreased cell viability, while knocking down expression increased neuron survival.