Scientists have identified how nematodes trick plants into producing food for them by manipulating auxin transport. This discovery opens doors to developing environmentally friendly methods to counteract this phenomenon and protect crops from devastating nematode attacks.
Researchers propose using crop varieties with high solar reflectivity to reduce regional warming, equivalent to offsetting 20% of CO2 emissions. This approach is seen as a low-cost alternative to geoengineering and can help mitigate agricultural and health impacts of heat waves.
Researchers create handheld device to recognize and report on environmental or medical compounds using biologically tagged nanowires and integrated circuit chips. The method allows for accurate placement of nanowires with less than a micron accuracy, enabling simultaneous detection of different pathogens or diseases.
In a national clinical trial, adolescents with moderate to severe depression who first received a placebo treatment responded just as well over the long term as those who received active treatment. The study found that 82% of children and teenagers in the placebo group responded well after receiving active treatment for the entire period.
Researchers at Michigan State University found that greenhouse gas emissions from biofuel production can be mitigated with sustainable land use practices. Effective crop management techniques, such as no-till farming and planting cover crops, can reduce the time it takes for biofuels to overcome their carbon debt.
By selecting crop varieties with higher solar reflectivity, researchers estimate a global cooling of over 0.1°C, equivalent to 20% of the total global temperature increase since the Industrial Revolution. The study proposes issuing farmers with carbon credits for growing such crops.
Wallace Broecker, a renowned geochemist, receives the Frontiers of Knowledge Award for his pioneering work on ocean-atmosphere interactions and early warnings about climate change. He will donate the $527,000 prize to support research on climate change.
A new study published in Science resolves the mystery of how massive stars can form without blowing away the gas and dust that feed their growth. The research found that instabilities develop in the collapsing gas cloud, creating channels where radiation blows out into space while gas continues to fall inward.
A recent study reveals that humans have actively selected for rare genetic mutations to change the coat color of domestic animals, such as pigs and dogs. This process has been ongoing for thousands of years, eliminating alternative explanations for coat color changes within domestic populations.
A large-scale study of 9 million Swedish individuals reveals that bipolar disorder and schizophrenia share common genetic causes, with heritability rates of 64% and 59%, respectively. This finding challenges the long-held distinction between the two conditions, suggesting a reappraisal of their diagnostic entities.
Researchers found that nematodes disrupt plant PIN proteins and activate others to create 'feeding sites' where plants produce food for the worms. This discovery could lead to ways to thwart these parasites in crops.
Researchers at Stanford University have found evidence that adaptation is a major driver of human genomic evolution. The study, published online in Public Library of Science Genetics, reveals that genetic mutations beneficial to an organism's environment are more common than previously thought. This suggests that humans have undergone ...
A recent study found that humans actively changed the coats of domestic animals through selective breeding, leading to diverse coat colors and patterns. The researchers discovered that domestic pigs with rare genetic mutations had altered proteins, while wild pigs lacked such changes due to rapid selection by predators.
A study in the American Journal of Ophthalmology reports that paintball injuries can result in rupture of the eyeball, detached retina, and even enucleation. Eye protection can prevent nearly all injuries, with over 97% of cases avoided by proper use.
The University of Texas at Austin and its collaborators have been awarded a $6.8 million grant to develop two wireless monitoring systems for highway bridges. The system will continuously monitor cracks or defects in key structural components, enabling real-time assessment of bridge safety.
A new study found that administering GM-CSF to premature babies did not reduce the risk of sepsis or improve survival rates. The trial, which studied 280 babies, showed that while white blood cell counts rose with GM-CSF treatment, there was no significant difference in infection-free survival between the two groups.
Researchers discovered that aging causes a dramatic drop in COX-2 enzyme levels, leading to reduced stem cell differentiation into cartilage and decreased bone formation. The study found that manipulating the COX-2 pathway with experimental drugs can rescue healing ability lost with age.
A Brown University-led research team has created a genetic model that charts the internal and external signals guiding plant flowering across its native climate range. The model accurately predicts how plants will respond to environmental cues and can be used to understand how plants will adapt to future climate conditions.
A new study analyzing over 30 years of research finds that increasing alcohol taxes leads to a significant decrease in drinking rates, affecting both heavy and light drinkers. The study's meta-analysis of 112 studies suggests that tax hikes are an effective deterrent against excessive drinking.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have discovered how E. coli bacteria can resist antibiotics by inducing a dormant state through the HipA protein kinase. By studying the molecular details of HipA's role in multidrug tolerance, the team has identified potential targets for new therapies.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a nano-sized medical submarine that can target specific cells and deliver effective drugs to kill cancer cells and eradicate faulty proteins. The technology uses RNAi compounds and aims to treat various pathologies, including cancer, inflammation, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers have confirmed that prairies' best soils retain organic carbon and nitrogen pools relatively constant under modern production methods. Most of the early decline occurred in top 50cm soil layers, with evidence of carbon and nitrogen movement to deeper layers.
Researchers have identified three broad classes of camouflage body patterns in animals, including uniform, mottled, and disruptive coloration. These patterns are used by cephalopods to dynamically produce a wide range of visual disguises, making them one of the most changeable animal groups on earth.
The National Lung Cancer Partnership and LUNGevity Foundation have awarded $100,000 research grants to Prasad Adusumilli and Lee Goodglick. Dr. Adusumilli's study will investigate visceral pleural invasion, while Dr. Goodglick's research focuses on estrogen's role in lung cancer.
The Scripps Research team has developed a new technique to screen large antibody libraries against targets, enabling the acceleration of searches for new treatments against cancer and other diseases. This breakthrough allows for efficient access to the vast potential of synthetic antibodies.
A new UCLA study found that light to moderate drinking among seniors reduced their odds of developing physical problems preventing common tasks. Alcohol consumption at light to moderate levels appears to have disability prevention benefits only in men and women in relatively good health.
The DIAMOND study found that treatment success is similar for patients receiving step-up or step-down treatment for new onset indigestion. However, the step-up strategy was more cost-effective at six months due to lower medication costs.
A recent study published in Science reveals that three to 15 per cent of the oceans' calcium carbonate comes from fish intestines. This discovery could help solve a mystery of rapid ocean acidification due to global CO2 emissions.
Researchers at U of T have made a groundbreaking discovery that could lead to more efficient organic solar cells, medical imaging techniques, and flexible electronics. The team found that quantum effects can control the movement of energy through molecules, enabling faster and more effective light absorption.
National Lung Cancer Partnership awards I-Ching Wang a Career Development Award to study FoxM1, a protein linked to aggressive lung cancer growth. The grant aims to support protein-directed therapies and control the leading US cancer killer. Dr. Wang's research will help combat underfunding in federal lung cancer research.
A recent study revealed that despite universal health care in the UK, older adults are less willing to undergo dementia screening due to perceived societal stigma. In contrast, Americans show greater acceptance of early detection methods.
The US Department of Homeland Security has developed a non-lethal traffic stopper called SQUID, which uses sticky tendrils to immobilize vehicles. The device, inspired by a sea creature and Spiderman's webbing, aims to provide a safer alternative to traditional methods of stopping fleeing drivers.
Mass privatisation programmes coincided with large increases in male mortality in some countries. The study found a 12.8% rise in short-term adult male mortality rates after implementation of mass privatisation, mainly attributed to unemployment and stress.
Scientists have identified a critical element in HIV pathogenesis: the translational control of HIV-1 RNA in the cytoplasm. A Sam68 mutant suppresses Nef expression by sequestering nef mRNA, offering a new strategy for developing anti-HIV therapeutics.
A study of ancient DNA from 68 skeletal remains reveals a rapid evolution in the Icelandic mtDNA pool over the past thousand years. The original female settlers appear to be genetically less closely related to present-day Icelanders than previously thought.
A team of NASA and university scientists has detected methane in the Martian atmosphere, indicating the planet may be biologically active. The discovery was made using spectrometers at the Infrared Telescope Facility and W.M. Keck telescope, revealing three spectral features that are a definitive signature of methane.
Concordia University has unveiled a world-first in solar technology, combining heat and power in its new John Molson School of Business building. The innovative system will generate electricity and provide fresh air during heating season, setting a new standard for construction.
The DREAM gene plays a key role in regulating pain perception, learning, and memory. Mice without the gene show reduced sensitivity to pain but improved memory, suggesting a link between calcium regulation and brain function.
Researchers at Uppsala University shed new light on the origin of jawed vertebrates by studying the fossilized skull and jaws of Ptomacanthus anglicus, a 410-million-year-old fish. The study reveals a complex relationship between this ancient species and modern jawed vertebrates, including humans.
Four high school students from High Technology High School won $20,000 in scholarships for their paper on ethanol's economic and environmental implications. The paper was also the first M3 Challenge entry to be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Researchers at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center identified genetic variants in seven DNA repair genes associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. The LIG3 G-39A AA variant was found to lower pancreatic cancer risk, while the ATM D1853N AA variant increased risk by over twice as much.
A Canadian study found that psychological concerns, such as self-efficacy and motivation/intention, are the most important barriers to an active lifestyle. The study's findings highlight the need for health promotion programs to enhance people's confidence and motivation.
A team of Duke University engineers has developed a new type of cloaking device using complex mathematical algorithms to guide the design and fabrication of exotic composite materials. The device successfully cloaks electromagnetic waves, bending them around an object to create an 'engineered mirage'.
A new family of antibacterial agents has been identified in the freshwater animal Hydra, which shows promise in combating drug-resistant bacteria. The protein hydramacin-1, found in Hydra, exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Researchers at Scripps Florida have found a novel use for the old compound α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) in treating high-risk neuroblastoma. The study showed that even low doses of the drug could prevent cancer in animal models.
A Cornell-led team has observed dust forming around a dying star in a nearby galaxy, providing insights into the early universe and the evolution of galaxies. The discovery sheds new light on how cosmic dust was created in the universe's early stages.
Research published in International Journal of Health Geographics links outbreaks of nephropathia epidemica, a rodent-borne disease, to global warming. Warmer weather and increased food sources for voles lead to population growth and disease transmission.
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have found a way for massive stars to grow despite radiation pressure that should prevent it. Gravitational instabilities cause companion stars to form around massive stars, allowing them to feed on gas and dust.
The new bill (H.R. 554) aims to improve federal risk research and oversight of engineered nanomaterials to protect the public and encourage safe commercial development. A National Research Council report highlighted serious shortfalls in the Bush administration's strategy, prompting Congress to take action.
A study published in Science estimates the total biomass of fish in the world's oceans at 2 billion tonnes. Fish play a significant role in mitigating climate change by maintaining the ocean's pH balance, with their calcium excretion process affecting ocean acidification.
Researchers discovered a gene, EC-SOD, that reduces mortality risk for patients with acute lung injury. The study identified specific SNPs in the gene that decrease inflammation and severity of lung injury.
Research suggests that genetic variations in DNA repair patterns can predict a threefold increased risk of pancreatic cancer, while others may decrease it by up to 77 percent. The study analyzed nine single nucleotide polymorphisms among patients with and without pancreatic cancer.
Scientists have proposed a novel explanation for a long-standing floral genetic mystery in plants, revealing a complex mechanism that provides a clear selective advantage. The study used computational modeling to investigate potential explanations for the existence of interdependent genes that regulate flower development.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have identified a potential biomarker for predicting colon cancer risk and progression. They found genetic hotspots that regulate gene expression, which could be used to identify individuals at higher risk of developing aggressive colon cancer.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute identified saglin and TRAP as essential proteins for Plasmodium's invasion of the Anopheles mosquito salivary gland, a critical step in transmitting malaria to humans. This discovery could lead to novel approaches for disrupting the parasite's lifecycle and preventing malaria spread.
Kansas State University is receiving a $1 million grant from the US Department of Agriculture to study the wheat blast fungus, a pathogen that has become a serious threat in Brazil. The researchers will sequence the fungus's genome and screen Kansas wheat varieties for resistance to the disease.