Deep-sea drilling reveals extensive rock deformation and concentrated slip zones in shallow regions, contradicting long-held assumptions. The discovery sheds light on the complex mechanics of faulting and tsunamis, highlighting the megasplay fault as a key contributor to largest tsunami-generating plate slips.
Researchers used computer artificial intelligence to create new types of pictures and test people's brain performance in visual search experiments. They found that the human brain uses a single mechanism to find targets in pictures, with difficulty levels varying from easy to hard.
Stanford researchers developed a computer simulation to predict the movement of fish farm waste in the ocean. The model, called SUNTANS, reveals that wastes can travel greater distances and in higher concentrations than previously assumed.
A new genetic 'hotspot' for breast cancer susceptibility has been found on chromosome 6 in Asian women. This genetic locus may help guide efforts to identify specific genes linked with sporadic forms of the disease.
Research suggests that human activity may not have a detectable impact on Atlantic hurricanes, but warming may lead to more intense storms. Century-long records show rising tropical storm counts from the mid-1800s, while hurricane counts remain stable.
Research shows that deaf children in Nicaragua create their own gesture systems, combining with homemade signs to form a new language-like system. This homesigning enables them to develop Nicaraguan Sign Language, a complex communication system that surpasses conventional spoken languages.
Scientists analyze Lake Kråkenes sediments to detect short-term climate fluctuations. They attribute these changes to glacial melt runoff driven by the Gulf Stream's variability. The findings reveal a period of high-frequency climate oscillations during the Younger Dryas cold period.
Researchers harness supercomputing to recreate how galaxies form, develop, and collapse. The most detailed recreation of the universe's evolution to date is created using computer simulations that incorporate black hole physics.
Deaf individuals can invent simple gestures called 'homesigns' in a family setting, which may eventually develop into conventional sign languages. Researchers will discuss the emergence and evolution of these language systems at the AAAS Annual Meeting.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have proven that graphene's edge structure significantly influences its electronic properties. The discovery has major implications for transistor fabrication and requires controlled engineering of the graphene edge structure.
Researchers used bimonthly CO2 measurements from 16 aircraft sites to create a monthly 3D picture of CO2 over North America. They found moderate CO2 sink areas, especially in the Midwest and Southeast, which agree with estimates of crop uptake and forest regrowth.
A study by Western Michigan University researchers suggests that neither teaching approach has a significant advantage over the other, with good teachers, positive attitudes towards science, and well-designed curricula being more important factors in learning outcomes. The findings challenge current debates surrounding instructional ap...
Researchers developed a two-armed nanorobotic device that can capture and maneuver molecules within DNA structures, enabling the creation of new materials and potential applications in synthetic fibers, encryption, and computer assembly.
Biochemist David Deamer explores the molecular self-assembly processes that led to the first protocells nearly 4 billion years ago. He proposes a combinatorial chemistry approach to understanding how life began, suggesting complex systems of molecules assembled on early Earth.
A new study by Rush University Medical Center researchers has discovered a behavioral link between insomnia and tension-type headaches. Eighty-one percent of women with tension-type headaches reported going to sleep as a way to manage their headaches, which was also the most effective self-management strategy for pain.
Researchers develop a new general chemistry curriculum, CLUE, using the emergence and evolution of life as context for introducing chemistry concepts. The curriculum aims to improve students' problem-solving abilities and deepen their understanding of fundamental principles.
Researchers used fMRI scans to study the connection between loneliness and brain activity. The study found that lonely individuals showed reduced activity in the ventral striatum, a region associated with rewards, when viewing pleasant settings. In contrast, non-lonely individuals showed increased activity in this region.
A study of 1900 Chinese participants found that individuals with metabolic syndrome are more sensitive to salt intake, leading to increased blood pressure responses. This finding suggests that reducing sodium intake could be a crucial component in managing blood pressure for patients with multiple risk factors for metabolic syndrome.
A CU-Boulder professor argues that K-12 teachers need better training on evolution education to counter creationist and pseudoscientific claims. The disconnect between students' and public's understanding of evolutionary processes is partly due to difficulty grasping biochemical events and mechanisms behind adaptation.
The study found that PPAR-gamma activation inhibits pancreatic carcinoma growth by suppressing tumor angiogenesis. In a xenograft model, Rosiglitazone reduced microvascular density and VEGF expression, leading to significant tumor growth inhibition.
Researchers discuss the potential of nanotechnology in improving food nutrition and safety. Dutch scientist Frans Kampers presents his work on creating nanostructures in food to deliver nutrients efficiently. However, concerns about nanoparticles' migration into human cells and potential health risks are also raised.
Renowned biologist Ursula Goodenough explores the connection between science, ethics, and a culture of sustainability. Her work proposes an 'ecomorality,' prioritizing stewardship of the environment, in response to humanity's impact on the planet.
Scientists should think locally to better understand science and communicate with the public. A metropolitan science council model is needed to create dialogue within the scientific community about science policy.
Scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have developed radioimmunotherapy to target and destroy HIV-infected cells. The treatment, which uses antibodies attached to radioactive payloads, shows promise in laboratory and animal studies, and is currently being tested in pre-clinical trials.
Research found capecitabine and irinotecan with bevacizumab to have comparable tumor response rates of 29% and 35%, similar overall survival at 15 months and 24 months. Toxicity was generally well-tolerated in a small patient population.
Researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, have found evidence that mobile repetitive elements, or 'jumping genes,' significantly impact the evolution of gene regulatory networks. At least five percent of the human genome has been under negative selection during most of mammalian evolution, indicating functional importance.
A study analyzed histologic features of liver biopsies from 86 infants with intrahepatic neonatal cholestasis (IHNC) and found no significant differences among different etiologies. However, a significant difference was observed in IHNC of infectious etiology, presenting with more severe erythropoiesis.
A panel of scientists at Michigan State University discussed using the World Wide Web as a tool for research, with topics including survey research, measuring social networks, and creating virtual worlds. Researchers are leveraging the Internet to inform social science applications in the real world.
Researchers analyzed nearly 60 terabytes of data from EverQuest II, a fantasy massive multiplayer online role-playing game, to study social network configurations. They found that players tend to stick close to home, forming groups with people they already know, and women are often the most dedicated and satisfied players.
The IPCC Fifth Assessment will incorporate new studies predicting more severe changes than previous assessments. Tropical forests could become carbon sources due to wildfires and warming temperatures.
A study using African Americans with West African and European ancestry found a strong statistical correlation between genetic admixture and facial traits. The researchers measured distances between specific face landmarks to compare genetically determined admixture with facial feature differences.
Climate change is altering malaria patterns due to daily temperature fluctuations, which can affect the incubation period of malaria parasites in mosquitoes. This can lead to changes in transmission rates, with warmer temperatures potentially increasing the risk of infection.
Researchers are exploring petascale computing to model complex systems like severe storms, enabling better prediction and potentially saving lives. The technology will also facilitate the analysis of large datasets in fields such as high-energy physics.
A six-year vitamin E supplementation study found that high dietary vitamin C intake significantly influenced the effect of vitamin E on mortality in male smokers. Vitamin E decreased mortality by 41% in elderly smokers with high vitamin C intake, while increasing mortality by 19% in middle-aged smokers with similar intake levels.
Scientists develop novel materials for stem cell therapy by combining peptide amphiphiles with hyaluronic acid, resulting in self-assembling sacs that can encapsulate human stem cells and deliver growth factors. The structures also exhibit unique physical properties and can be tailored to release cells at specific injury sites.
Recent studies suggest that global warming could accelerate at a faster pace, leading to more environmental damage and releasing billions of tons of greenhouse gas. IPCC scientist Chris Field warns of the potential for catastrophic consequences, including devastating wildfires in tropical forests and permafrost thawing.
A new study by Holly Gibbs at Stanford's Woods Institute for the Environment suggests that biofuel crops may contribute to climate change by burning tropical forests. The research found that agricultural subsidies and policies favoring biofuel crop production can lead to deforestation, releasing stored carbon into the atmosphere.
The US has a century-long history of dependence on oil, which remade human life's ecology. A shift to alternative energy sources may require reevaluating petroleum use and government involvement in the transition.
Scientists will discuss new techniques to understand planetary formation, habitability, and potential for life. Experts will share insights on the probability of finding Earth-like planets within a few dozen light years of the sun.
The Iowa students' innovative device can sanitize water for a mere $5, making it an accessible solution for developing countries. The project has already received a US EPA first-place award and plans to expand its reach globally.
Paul Davies, a renowned cosmologist, questions the conventional notion that there's only one form of life on Earth. He suggests that life might exist in unexpected places, such as extreme environments, and could be undetected due to our limited detection methods.
Researchers found that nanoparticle size doesn't affect biological responses for most genes, as measured by total surface area. The study suggests a better understanding of nanoscale effects on cells and tissues.
Scientists develop a simple model for complex cell structure by creating artificial cells with molecular crowding and heterogeneity. The system mimics the behavior of proteins and nucleic acids in living cells, allowing researchers to study the effects of macromolecular crowding on chemical reactions.
Researchers have found hundreds of new planets beyond our solar system, with evidence for all three classes of planets detected in extra-solar systems. Carnegie Institution scientists predict that many planets will be habitable, potentially inhabited by life.
Marvin Meistrich's research focuses on the molecular details of normal sperm development and the connection between cancer therapies and sterility. He aims to find ways to restore fertility in thousands of young men and boys who receive treatment that might leave them sterile.
Research reveals swimmers using public ocean beaches increase their risk for staph organism exposure and potential infections. Taking precautions like showering before entry can reduce the risk of infection.
Researchers explore social behavior in various animal species, including birds and gerbils, to understand how they use social cues for mating, diet, and survival. These findings demonstrate that animals have evolved complex social behaviors, challenging the idea of human exceptionalism.
Researchers at Diamond Light Source have developed a new technique using X-ray eyes to map metal distribution in brain tissue, which could lead to early diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease. By studying the distribution of metal ions in affected regions, scientists hope to improve MRI detection and diagnosis.
A survey in a Yorkshire village found that people are less aware of past changes in local bird populations, indicating 'generational amnesia.' The study's results suggest that wildlife knowledge is not being passed on from older to younger people.
Rafe Sagarin, a Duke University ecologist, advocates for a Darwinian approach to homeland defense, emphasizing adaptability and responsiveness over rigid security measures. By learning to live with threats rather than eliminating them entirely, organisms can better handle unforeseen risks in an escalating arms race.
Researchers at the University of Chicago found that ground squirrels can reconnect with their siblings' smells after prolonged hibernation. This ability is crucial for survival and social bonding in these animals.
Incorporating native, perennial plants into biofuels production can significantly reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and improve water quality. The research aims to make biofuels economically and environmentally sustainable, with potential applications in other regions.
Researchers highlight successes in managing fish stocks and protecting Pacific coral reefs from climate change impacts. These efforts may offer a temporary reprieve, but prioritizing biodiversity protection is crucial.
Four NASA Goddard scientists, John Connerney, Thomas Moore, Richard Ray, and Compton Tucker, have been named AGU Fellows for their outstanding work in the field. They were recognized for their research contributions to planetary science, geophysics, and space plasmas.
A new study suggests that consuming large amounts of acrylamide from potato chips daily may increase the risk of heart disease. Limiting potato chip intake and choosing a balanced diet can help reduce exposure to acrylamide.
Researchers have designed intelligent molecules that can recognize diseased cells, such as cancer cells, and trigger cell death only in their presence. This approach aims to reduce nonspecific side effects and improve therapeutic accuracy.
According to UCLA behavioral ecologist Daniel T. Blumstein, biology and evolution offer valuable lessons on managing security threats. By studying species' risk management strategies, we can learn how to allocate energy to defense versus other things, and how not to overreact.
Studies of virtual world Second Life reveal that teenagers form online friendships with people in their immediate geographic area, and tend to be friends with the friends of their friends rather than strangers. This challenges common assumptions about social networks and highlights how technology can reinforce existing relationships.
A new study reveals that molecular motors in cells operate in a highly coordinated manner to move internal cargo and transport organelles. The findings provide insight into the mechanisms that instruct motor movement, potentially leading to therapies for neurodegenerative disorders such as ALS and Usher syndrome.
Taxonomist Barbara Taylor highlights the need to consider uncertainty in taxonomy for threatened and endangered species. She proposes incorporating uncertainty into decision-making processes using risk assessment models, which can aid precautionary conservation measures.