A special issue of PNAS explores the latest science on marine reserves, revealing that well-designed reserves can benefit both fish and fishermen. Studies show that reserves can play a major role in reducing cumulative impacts on marine ecosystems in areas like the South China Sea and Coral Triangle.
The European Commission Joint Research Centre is developing a new Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) system to facilitate the response to food crises. Satellite observation and early warning tools will enable real-time monitoring of more countries, while identifying times and places where aid is required.
A European study finds inadequate access to opioid-based pain relief for cancer patients, with some countries restricting essential medicines. The authors conclude that restrictive regulations hinder medical care and recommend revising laws to improve accessibility.
Researchers from the University of Idaho are exploring biotechnology and synthetic biology to address the world's growing population needs. The goal is to provide healthy, nutritious, and adequate food supplies using technological interventions in agriculture.
The study reveals rapid increases in fish populations inside no-take reserves, improving ecosystem health and resilience. Additionally, the reserve network helps threatened species like dugongs and marine turtles.
A recent study found that successful marine reserves had a positive impact on fish stocks, with human population pressure being a critical factor. Local involvement in research and management, as well as social, political, and economic factors, were also key to making reserves successful.
Researchers link daily activities to violent injury risk using portable mapping technology. The study aims to inform communities about place-based risk factors and identify opportunities to make them safer.
Researchers found that a midday nap significantly improves learning capacity by clearing the brain's short-term memory storage and making room for new information. This finding supports previous data on the negative effects of prolonged wakefulness and all-nighters on cognitive function.
A review of airline passengers and crew exposed to TB found no evidence of transmission during air travel. Only 10 out of 4328 passengers tested positive, with no reported cases of active TB resulting from air travel.
Michigan State University professor Bruce Dale says that while EROI (energy return on energy invested) is a useful method of measurement, it alone is not enough. He argues that we need to consider differences in energy quality and critical materials required for various energy alternatives, such as lithium for electric vehicles.
Research reveals human Chlamydia pneumoniae originated from an animal source, specifically amphibians like frogs, and has adapted to infect humans. The study's findings emphasize the need for improved diagnostic tests, precautions, and vaccine development to combat this respiratory disease.
A new study by Indiana University School of Medicine researchers found that deaf children's word-learning skills are strongly affected by their early auditory experience, whether through normal means or with a cochlear implant. Children who received the implant at a young age performed similarly to their normal-hearing counterparts.
Research reveals that a DNA interval in chromosome 9p21 increases the risk for coronary artery disease by regulating cell division genes, which can lead to vascular cell proliferation and narrowed coronary arteries. The study's findings suggest potential therapies targeting these genes could combat the disease.
Carlos Castillo-Chavez analyzes Mexico's response to the 2009 H1N1 outbreak, highlighting the impact of social distancing measures and diagnostic infrastructure on disease spread. His research aims to inform optimal public health policies for non-wealthy nations and address the limited access to antiviral drugs and vaccines.
A city can mitigate urban heat island by employing shade, smart material choices, and digital simulations. Canopies, lighter colors, and thermal properties are key tools in alleviating the UHI.
Duke University professor Amy Laura Hall argues that cultural views on evolution can have significant ethical implications. She critiques popularized ideas about evolution that reinforce racial biases, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of human development.
Children conceived through assisted reproductive technology are at greater risk of birth defects and low birth weight, associated with obesity and diabetes. Geneticist Carmen Sapienza found altered DNA methylation and gene expression in 5-10% of these children.
The National Weather Service has adopted a new method for predicting snowfall density, allowing for more accurate forecasts and differentiation between powdery and wet snow. The method uses only two variables: temperature and wind speeds at mountain crest level.
Research reveals that sleep triggers cellular changes that promote memory formation, involving the NMDAR molecule. The brain undergoes significant reorganization during sleep to strengthen neural connections.
Stanford biologist Steve Palumbi has discovered a species of coral that can survive in high water temperatures, offering hope for marine species struggling with climate change. The most effective marine protected areas balance preservation of species with human needs, presenting a challenge to designers.
Researchers found that daytime naps significantly aid infants' ability to generalize knowledge and recognize patterns in new information. The UA study revealed that napping within four hours after exposure to artificial language enhances abstract learning and sentence structure recognition in young children.
A new gene, KCNN3, has been identified as a significant contributor to the risk of atrial fibrillation. This gene regulates potassium channels in the heart, which can be targeted for therapeutic intervention.
Pioneering research reveals policymakers are underestimating the scale of CO2 emission reductions required to mitigate climate change. A computer software developed at the University of Manchester helps authorities in different countries troubleshoot their approaches to emissions.
Damage to Gulf of California habitats can be reversed through conservation efforts, as protected areas have shown increased biomass and flourishing fish populations. Key protection strategies include reducing or eliminating fishing activity in critical spawning aggregation areas and sensitive nursery habitats.
A new study by Indiana University researchers found that more alcohol sales sites in a neighborhood lead to increased violence, particularly among carry-out sites selling for off-premise consumption. The study analyzed crime statistics and alcohol outlet licensing data from Cincinnati, Ohio, revealing that off-premise outlets were resp...
Scientists at Duke University have discovered that a genetic alteration linked to a benign enzyme condition protects some hepatitis C patients from developing hemolytic anemia. This finding opens the door to treatment for previously untreatable patients and may also hold the key to preventing anemia in the first place.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in developing practical phonon lasers, which could enable new medical imaging devices and precision measurement tools. Two separate teams, one in the US and the UK, have reported advancements in phonon laser development, using different approaches to overcome technical challenges.
University of Colorado at Boulder physicists Margaret Murnane and Henry Kapteyn have made breakthroughs in building a tabletop X-ray laser that can provide super-high resolution imaging. This technology has the potential to improve medical diagnoses, such as detecting small cancers, by thousands of times.
A marine microorganism has been found to have a remarkably reduced set of genes, allowing it to fix nitrogen from the atmosphere into a form available to other organisms. This process fertilizes the oceans, controlling biological productivity and affecting carbon dioxide absorption.
A common gene variant has been associated with an increased risk of lone atrial fibrillation, a type of irregular heartbeat that affects younger individuals without known heart disease. The genetic variation affects a protein involved in controlling the heart's electrical activity and may provide new drug targets for treatment.
Researchers are creating computer models to study how cells process information and make decisions, with potential implications for understanding cancer. By analyzing molecular mechanisms and interactions, scientists aim to develop more effective cancer treatments.
Coral reefs face a dire outlook due to rising ocean temperatures, with mass bleaching events predicted under different climate scenarios. Despite this, some habitats like shaded areas may support reef survival, and researchers are studying unique ecosystems in the central equatorial Pacific to better understand reef resilience.