A linguistics expert predicts that nearly all human languages could be extinct in two centuries if not conserved. The loss of languages would also compromise humanity's adaptability and diversity, making it harder to survive.
Researchers can now observe oscillating atoms in an excited bismuth crystal using high-energy X-ray free-electron lasers, revealing new insights into atomic activity. The development of linear accelerator-based X-ray sources holds promise for studying sub-picosecond science and its potential applications in chemistry and biology.
Expert suggests searching for past life on Mars by exploring old rocks and sediments, using instruments to analyze biosignatures and organic materials. Robotic drilling technology currently limits to a few yards depth, making exopaleontology the best approach.
Smithsonian researchers discovered that chili peppers were cultivated and traded as early as 6,000 years ago across the Americas, contributing significantly to our understanding of ancient agricultural practices. The findings provide a new window into the past, allowing researchers to trace the history of chili peppers in the Americas.
Researchers, led by Kristy Tiampo, are working on a new approach to earthquake forecasting that can provide 10-year forecasts for several countries. They aim to pinpoint locations with high earthquake risk and inform government spending and preparations.
Research conducted by the US Climate Change Science Program has helped resolve uncertainties about global climate change causes and projected future changes in temperature and sea-level rise. The program's contributions significantly increased confidence attributing human activities to temperature increases since the mid-20th century.
Researchers found slow-release morphine sulfate significantly reduced daily cough scores by 40% in patients with long-term, treatment-resistant chronic cough. The optimal dose for suppression lies between 5 and 10 mg twice daily, with common side effects including constipation and drowsiness.
Researchers have identified a complex of proteins that plays a key role in alleviating tau accumulation in mice and cultured human cells. The study's findings suggest a pivotal role for Hsp90 in aberrant tau degradation, making an Hsp90 inhibitor like EC102 a promising therapeutic candidate for Alzheimer's disease.
Astronomers have discovered a sun-like star in the earliest stage of development, dubbed E42, which is believed to be a virtual twin of Earth's sun. The object has a mass similar to the sun and appears in a violent environment similar to that believed to have produced our own star.
Researchers studying sedimentary records of dinoflagellates in the San Francisco area and along the western coast of North America predict an increase in toxic blooms. This change is linked to rising water temperatures, which will impact marine life and fisheries.
Scientists conducted precision comparisons among NIST's cesium fountain and mercury ion clocks, narrowing the range for a possible change in the fine-structure constant. These experiments aim to develop a more complete understanding of the history of the universe and test recent theories.
The Pourquié Lab has clarified the mode of formation of spinal precursors in vertebrates. The study reveals that both a cellular and a tissue-based mode of paraxial mesoderm formation occur across different vertebrate groups, providing fundamental insights into spine precursor development.
A new study using NASA's ICESat mission reveals a complex plumbing system of subglacial lakes and rivers under the West Antarctic ice sheet. The research suggests that this system may play a major role in controlling the rate at which ice moves off the continent, with potentially significant implications for sea levels.
Stem cells in fruit fly gut use Notch signaling to replenish specific cell types, with Delta protein controlling cell fate and division. This finding transforms basic understanding of stem cells and could prove valuable in cancer research.
Developing countries face a critical shortage of pandemic influenza vaccines, with only 500 million doses available globally. The WHO is urging international agreement to ensure affordable vaccine access for these nations, demonstrating global solidarity in the face of the next pandemic threat.
Data collected from voluntary HIV counselling and testing clinics in Africa are biased and unreliable, making them unsuitable for HIV surveillance. A better approach would be to use community-based surveys like Demographic and Health Surveys that inquire about testing history and sexual behavior.
A study published in The Lancet found that maternal seafood consumption during pregnancy is associated with better neurological development in children. High intake of omega-3 fatty acids from seafood was linked to higher verbal IQ and improved prosocial behavior, fine motor, communication, and social development scores.
Researchers have developed a new screening method to detect MCAD deficiency in newborns, reducing the number of undiagnosed cases. Early detection improves treatment options and reduces mortality rates, with one-quarter of patients dying before diagnosis is known.
Researchers found that people tend to prioritize emotional responses over empirical evidence when making decisions, particularly on sensitive topics. This phenomenon was observed in studies examining crime, deer population, and other risks where emotional reactions outweigh rational thinking.
A new computer tool evaluates 16 predictive features to identify genetic mutations linked to a higher risk of cancer. The tool demonstrated an accuracy rate exceeding 94% in identifying protein functions associated with increased cancer risk.
A study found that Americans have a lower understanding of science and evolution compared to Europeans, with only 40% accepting the concept of evolution. This is largely attributed to religion and politics playing a significant role in shaping Americans' views on the subject.
Glaciologist Lonnie Thompson warns that the Qori Kalis glacier in Peru may disappear within five years, with other ice tongues retreating globally. The Quelccaya Ice Cap, the largest body of ice in the tropics, is experiencing a slow but accelerating retreat, exceeding any other in at least 50 centuries.
Researchers have developed a tiny, cold, and efficient cryogenic refrigerator operating at 120 cycles per second that achieves rapid cooling and low temperatures without moving parts. The device uses oscillating helium gas to transport heat, enabling faster cool-down and smaller size.
The Merck/AAAS Undergraduate Science Research Program has awarded $60,000 to 15 US colleges for research programs emphasizing chemistry and biology. The program aims to enhance undergraduate education through research experiences and encourage students to pursue graduate education in chemistry and life sciences.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have successfully generated electricity from heat by trapping organic molecules between metal nanoparticles. The discovery could lead to more efficient ways to directly convert heat into electricity, potentially reducing waste and emissions.
Scientists have mapped a vast water system beneath two of West Antarctica's fastest-moving ice streams using NASA's ICESat satellite data. The study reveals that these subglacial lakes are actively filling and emptying, with water moving at rates of several meters per day.
Researchers found telltale signs of a link between quantum effects and thermodynamic properties in YbRh2Si2, shedding light on collective organization of microscopic particles.
A study by Ellen Peters found that numeracy significantly impacts how people process information, influencing decisions on medical options, stock investments, and risk assessment. The research highlights the importance of presentation in helping individuals better understand numbers and make informed choices.
The European Union's changed policy will negatively affect dairy farmers' income, especially small farms, leading to a decrease in the number of farms. This will result in the disappearance of many small farms, allowing remaining farms to expand and increase production.
Researchers at Brown University have identified a critical pain pathway that explains why opioids are effective in blocking pain signals. By understanding how these channels work, drug companies can develop more effective painkillers.
Researchers at NIST found a 40% reduction in critical current due to compressive strain, which can be accommodated in design but requires knowledge ahead of time for large-scale devices. The discovery provides new insights into the fundamental mechanism behind high-temperature superconductivity.
Researchers at USC have developed an advanced retinal implant, the Argus II, designed to help patients with retinitis pigmentosa regain some vision. The device, approved by the FDA, uses an external camera and video processing system to provide rudimentary sight to implanted subjects.
A UCSB study found evidence of a nonconscious mechanism in the human brain that identifies genetic siblings based on cues guided by hunter-gatherer ancestors. This mechanism regulates feelings of altruism and aversion to incestuous relations, suggesting natural selection played a role in its evolution.
A study found that montelukast treatment in children with intermittent asthma reduced symptoms by 14%, hospital visits by 29%, and parent time off work by 33%. The medication also resulted in a savings of $96 per treated episode.
The Marine Conservation Alliance Foundation (MCAF) presents its cooperative research programs at the AAAS conference, focusing on improving fishery sustainability. The initiatives include reducing seabird mortality by over 80% and developing excluder devices to minimize bycatch.
The Xie Lab has demonstrated that the microRNA pathway is essential for controlling self-renewal of germline and somatic stem cells in Drosophila ovaries. Understanding this mechanism could lead to developing new methods for expanding stem cell populations for tissue repair.
Neural prostheses aim to restore function through electrical stimulation to damaged motor neural circuits, exploiting brain plasticity to enhance treatment outcomes. By engaging the brain in a remediation process, devices can be designed to promote plastic adaptation and optimize performance.
A recent study by Ohio State University scientists reveals that Antarctic warming is reducing animals at the base of the ecosystem, causing some penguin populations to shift southward. The loss of sea ice and decrease in krill abundance will have significant impacts on marine ecosystems.
The Model Coupling Toolkit enabled researchers to couple individual climate models into a single system, improving the accuracy of climate projections. The toolkit played a crucial role in preparing the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's new report on climate change.
Studies on Mexican cavefish reveal distinct evolutionary pathways for eyes and pigmentation. Evolution by natural selection drives eye regression due to metabolic costs, while genetic drift influences pigment cell density variations.
Physicist Cheng Chin creates a vacuum chamber in his laboratory that can reach billionths of a degree above absolute zero, simulating the conditions after the big bang. The experiment aims to explore the formation of galaxies and understand the origin of complex structures in the universe.
Dutch researcher Rajesh S. Pillai developed a new method to visualize the microstructure of food and lipid droplets in cells using short infrared laser pulses. This technique has high promise for research into fat storage and diseases related to disrupted lipid metabolism.
Researchers found fossil evidence of domesticated chili peppers in seven archaeological sites across the Americas, dating back 6,000 years. The discovery provides insights into ancient diets and suggests possible contact between distant cultures.
A team of researchers has designed a biochip platform using a novel 'daisy' molecule that enables efficient gene expression and protein production without living cells. The system allows for the patterning of genes on silicon surfaces, enabling selective trapping of specific proteins with high spatial resolution.
Researchers have observed the quantum Hall effect in a new form of carbon called graphene at room temperature, pushing the phenomenon's boundaries. The discovery opens up possibilities for measuring resistance standards at elevated temperatures and magnetic fields.
New study finds that electrons retain their spin alignment for up to three nanoseconds when confined around defects in semiconductors. This discovery presents a design challenge for spintronic devices, as optimal memory retention conditions are not conducive to efficient transport properties.
Researchers have traced the earliest known evidence for chili pepper domestication to sites in Ecuador dating back 6,100 years. The analysis of starch microfossils reveals that common varieties of chili peppers were widely used in a region extending from the Bahamas to southern Peru.
Researchers found that telomere length shortens with every successive generation in families with Li-Fraumeni syndrome, resulting in more severe cancers at an earlier age. This discovery could represent the first biological marker for clinical monitoring in these families.
A study by Netherlands researcher Taede Tillema found that households and companies adjust car journeys to avoid pay-as-you-drive tolls, reducing non-daily shopping trips by 19% and work journeys during rush hour by 15%. The most effective measure is a kilometres-driven toll during rush hour or tolls on specific sections of road.
Researchers discovered that carbon nanotubes can repair themselves by moving blemishes across the surface of the material, sewing up larger holes as they go. This self-repair mechanism allows the nanotube to retain its strength despite severe damage, but comes with a price: releasing energy and mass in the form of gaseous carbon atoms.
Scientists detected subtle rise and fall of Antarctic ice streams' surface as lakes and channels filled and emptied. The discovery provides new insight into how much and how frequently these 'leaks' occur and impact the ice sheet.
A University of Oregon psychologist argues that genocide prevention efforts fail due to a lack of emotional response to increasing numbers of victims. Research suggests that people's capacity for empathy decreases with larger groups, making it difficult to reach critical mass for decision-making.
New images from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter show linear fractures and 'halos' of light-toned bedrock, suggesting past fluid flow through underlying bedrock. The findings provide a promising site to search for evidence of habitable niches in the Martian past.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has created searchable databases of relevant product emission studies to estimate indoor pollutant sources and devise reduction strategies. The new electronic databases are linked with software tool ContamLink, accelerating the understanding of indoor air pollution.
A randomized controlled trial shows that low-dose hydrocortisone continuous infusion minimizes hyperglycaemic episodes and serious adverse events in critically ill patients with sepsis. Continuous infusion also reduces nurses' workload by requiring fewer insulin dose adjustments.
Researchers identify serine proteases and PAR2 as therapeutic targets for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) pain. The study found increased levels of these enzymes in colonic biopsies and washes from individuals with IBS, leading to increased pain responsiveness in mice.
Researchers identified primary targets of HIV-1 in the human vagina, finding that Langerhans cells and CD4+ T cells are key sites of entry. The study suggests that blocking transmission through the vaginal epithelium could prevent local spread and ultimately alleviate the pandemic.
Researchers have found a way to deliver a messenger into cancer cells that forces them to respond to death signals using an HIV protein. This approach has shown promise in killing cancer cells and could provide new treatment options for patients with deadly cancers.
Researchers have discovered that RNA interference (RNAi) regulates local protein synthesis in axonal nerve fibers, enabling the repair of damaged nerves. This breakthrough provides new hope for treating degenerative disorders and injuries affecting the nervous system.
The Dutch government excels in knowledge development and diffusion, but struggles to create a reliable market for sustainable energy. This leads to high-risk entrepreneurship and fewer technological successes.