Researchers at the University of Edinburgh found that our brain uses multiple senses to understand spatial awareness, challenging the long-held assumption that sight is the primary trigger. The study's findings suggest that technologies can be developed to help the visually impaired through tactile means.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have discovered that parts of the moon's interior contain as much water as the Earth's upper mantle. The presence of this water challenges the current theory of the moon's formation and strengthens the idea that the moon and Earth share a common origin.
A team of scientists from Brown University has detected an Earth-equivalent amount of water within the moon, rivaling the amount found in the Earth's upper mantle. The discovery was made through measurements of lunar melt inclusions and suggests that the Moon's formation theory may need to be reevaluated.
The study, published by Professor Bernard Schutz, demonstrates that an additional detector would more than double the detection rate of gravitational waves. The new network could detect around 370 events per year, increasing to 500 events after a few years of operation.
Research suggests that the Antarctic Circumpolar Current played a key role in the onset of ancient global cooling, with evidence pointing to its impact around 30 million years ago. This finding is significant as it places the development of the current's shallow circulation in the same interval when the climate began its long-term shif...
Scientists have discovered magma trapped within lunar crystals contain 100 times more water than earlier measurements, changing the prevailing theory about the Moon's origin. The findings could also shed light on the origin of water ice detected in craters at the lunar poles.
A new international study found that countries like Japan, Korea, and Singapore have strong social norms and low tolerance for deviation, while nations like Ukraine, Israel, and the US have weak social norms and high tolerance. Understanding these cultural differences can foster greater cross-cultural tolerance and understanding.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine successfully converted human skin cells into functional neurons in a period of four to five weeks. Adding a fourth transcription factor called NeuroD proved crucial for the transformation, generating electrical activity and integrating with mouse neurons.
A new study by Hagen Scherb and Kristina Voigt found a significant gender gap in human populations exposed to nuclear radiation, with increases in male births relative to female births. The study reveals a long-term, dose-dependent impact of radiation exposure on human sex odds.
Research suggests that aging lung cells are more susceptible to infection by pneumonia-causing bacteria, increasing the risk of community-acquired pneumonia. Controlling inflammation may hold the key to preventing this deadly disease in the elderly.
Researchers found that cancer cells induce oxidative stress in normal connective tissue to extract vital nutrients, accelerating aging and inflammation. This process can identify breast cancer patients at risk of metastasis and offers a potential therapeutic target via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory drugs.
A CU-Boulder team will participate in the OSIRIS-REx mission, which aims to map and collect samples from a primitive asteroid. The mission is expected to provide insights into the formation of the solar system and potentially shed light on the origins of life.
Research published in Science finds that early ACC development impacted global climate, causing significant temperature differences between the equator and Antarctica. The study suggests that the ACC's formation led to the modern ocean structure and heat distribution system.
A pan-European study found gout prevalence highest in the UK and lowest in France, with lower quality of life scores and more comorbidities. New treatments like pegloticase demonstrated long-term efficacy and safety, with up to 90% complete resolution of tophi and improved patient-reported outcomes.
A research team at Arizona State University has developed a process that reprograms photosynthetic microbes to secrete high-energy fats, eliminating the need for costly additional processing steps. This breakthrough could make renewable biofuels more commercially viable.
Researchers have discovered the genetic basis for a key parasite function in malaria, revealing that parasites create feeding ion channels in blood cells using two distinct genes. This finding opens up new research directions, including the development of antimalarial drugs targeting these channels.
Research found that caffeine inhibits specialized pacemaker cells in the Fallopian tubes, which coordinate muscle contractions and egg movement. This discovery provides a possible explanation for why women with high caffeine consumption take longer to conceive.
A study of 1,030 patients with celiac disease found they were 4.5 times more likely to develop osteoporosis compared to healthy individuals. The bone mineral density loss was significantly pronounced in the lumbar spine but not the femoral neck.
The University of Nottingham's YouTube sensation, The Periodic Table of Videos (PTOV), has gained a global audience of over 15 million. PTOV's creators reveal their secret to internet success by embracing spontaneity and humanizing scientists.
The National Institutes of Health stopped a clinical trial studying the combination of high-dose niacin and statin treatment after 18 months, finding it did not reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. The trial involved 3,414 participants with heart disease and low HDL cholesterol, who were assigned to receive either high-dose niacin...
A study from Romania highlights the importance of traditional agriculture in protecting amphibians, finding that roads have a direct and indirect negative impact on their populations. Preserving traditional agricultural practices could be key to protecting these species in Central and Eastern Europe.
A study found that patients with Sjögren's syndrome are more likely to experience difficulty identifying and describing emotions (alexithymia), which is associated with poorer mental wellbeing. The inability to cry may also contribute to this issue, as patients rely on words and facial expressions instead of tears.
Researchers discovered that cancerous cells quickly divide after receiving a growth factor signal because their p53 gene is defective. Healthy cells, on the other hand, wait eight continuous hours before dividing to ensure they receive necessary signals.
A new sustainable aviation fuels industry in Australia and New Zealand could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17% and generate over 12,000 jobs. The CSIRO report predicts a reduction in Australia's reliance on imported fossil fuel by $2 billion per annum.
A new study from the University of Michigan found that MLB teams that spend more on superstar players tend to win fewer games. The research suggests that if a team wants to maximize profits, it should prioritize paying a few high-caliber players, while prioritizing wins requires a more balanced player distribution.
Researchers found that freshwater from melting ice sheets can weaken climate-controlling ocean currents, leading to dramatic climate change. The study's results suggest a future ice sheet collapse would have significant climatic consequences.
The study reveals South Georgia's unparalleled biodiversity, with over 1445 species recorded from 17,000 specimens. The region's near-surface waters are experiencing rapid warming, making conservation efforts crucial to monitor future changes and protect this unique ecosystem.
A team at the University of Pittsburgh has created living models of brain cells that can transmit electrical impulses and remain active for extended periods, providing a new view on memory formation. This work reveals the intricate connections between neurons and offers insights into the cellular mechanisms underlying memory creation.
A €6m European Commission grant will fund clinical trials of NILVADIPINE, a medication already used to treat high blood pressure, in treating Alzheimer's disease. The trials aim to improve memory and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Rice University is hosting 25-30 Japanese students for a summer research program amid the country's recovery from the March 11 earthquake and tsunamis. The Reverse NanoJapan program offers labs in Japan the opportunity to send students to Rice for three months.
Researchers at the Smithsonian Institution have found that whale sharks can be gregarious and gather in large numbers to feed on dense patches of fish eggs. The team's DNA barcoding analysis revealed a previously unknown spawning ground for little tunny, a member of the mackerel family.
A recent study by McGill biologist Jonathan Davies and colleagues suggests that the criteria for assessing risk of extinction in plants should be revised. The researchers found that species with small population sizes, even if not limited to a specific geographical range, can also be at high risk of extinction due to their youth.
Researchers discovered that caspase-8, an enzyme previously thought to only prevent inflammation through apoptosis, can also control inflammation by destroying a protein called RIP1. This new mechanism could lead to the development of effective therapies for inflammatory disorders like rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Increasing ocean acidity poses significant threats to northern abalone populations, with exposure to higher CO2 levels killing 40% of larvae and reducing their size. This could limit population growth and have cascading effects on coastal ecosystems.
Kai Germaschewski, a UNH assistant professor, received a $750,000 grant to develop more refined models of fusion plasmas. His work aims to enhance understanding of the state of plasma and its effects in high-temperature experiments.
Researchers at USC are creating a high-tech navigation system to help the visually impaired, including a guide vest that provides tactile messages to alert users about objects in their path. The system uses cameras and SLAM software to build maps of the environment, enabling users to avoid falls and injuries.
Scientists have discovered a giant fossilized anomalocaridid, a marine predator that existed for 30 million years longer than previously thought. The new findings shed light on the biodiversity and ecology of marine communities during the Ordovician period.
A new UCLA study has identified a common cause for the multifaceted disease, pointing to a specific molecular signature that can help researchers identify its diverse causes. The discovery provides insight into how genes and proteins go awry in autism, altering the mind.
A new nerve-stimulation treatment called Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (TNS) has shown promise in controlling seizures in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. In a Phase 2 clinical trial, 40% of patients experienced a significant reduction in seizure frequency, with some also experiencing improved mood.
The company aims to develop third-generation organic solar cells using sustainable materials and flexible sheets. The new technology has the potential to provide low-cost, lightweight, and efficient solar-powered solutions for various applications.
A Yale University study found that monkeys can imagine different outcomes, a process linked to the brain's prefrontal cortex. This discovery may help researchers develop treatments for diseases such as depression and schizophrenia, which often involve obsessive thoughts about past choices.
The National Institutes of Health has signed a research and development agreement with two non-profit organizations to develop potential clinical therapies for rare blood cancers. The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between basic research and human testing, with the goal of accelerating the delivery of improved therapies to patients.
The OSIRIS-REx mission will explore the asteroid 1999 RQ36 for over a year, collecting pristine organic material that may have seeded life on Earth. The returned samples will provide geologic context essential to expanding our understanding of the solar system and likely organic molecules.
Blind individuals who have learned to echolocate use the 'visual' part of their brain to process clicks and echoes, allowing them to sense their surroundings and perform tasks like mountain biking and basketball. This study provides insight into the neural basis of natural human echolocation in blind experts.
A new software tool from NIST assesses the climate suitability of natural ventilation in office buildings, considering adaptive thermal comfort standards and humidity levels. The Climate Suitability Tool provides estimates of ventilation rates and effective cooling hours, aiding architects in designing more efficient ventilation systems.
A new article discusses the current status of neural stem cell research and its translation into clinical therapeutics. The authors highlight the need for a comprehensive and collaborative team effort to overcome hurdles in the process, including funding levels and regulatory approval.
A year-long study of 439 overweight-to-obese postmenopausal women found that losing more than 15% of their body weight significantly increases circulating vitamin D levels. This effect is independent of dietary intake and is not linear, with more substantial increases found in those who lose greater amounts of weight.
Researchers successfully incorporated Waelz slag into commercial-size bricks using existing equipment, reducing toxic metal leaching. The resulting bricks meet EU quality standards for construction ceramic materials.
A study by University of Nottingham researchers found that female drink-driving offenders are more likely to be older, better-educated, and separated or divorced. Rehabilitation programmes for women can intensify feelings of guilt and shame, leading to reoffending.
A new study has assessed the extinction risk of individual seagrass species worldwide, revealing that 10 out of 72 species are at elevated risk of extinction. The research highlights the critical role seagrasses play in maintaining marine ecosystems and human livelihoods.
A long-term study reveals that increased transport of live pigs has driven an increase in the diversity of swine influenza viruses found in Hong Kong over the past three decades. The study suggests that this rising diversity may lead to a higher likelihood of swine-to-human transmission, although the risk remains unquantified.
A University of Illinois law and labor expert states that ordinary workers can't effectively bargain for better wages and working conditions by decertifying. Collective bargaining is 'so stacked against them,' according to the expert.
Researchers identify MKK4 enzyme as a potential therapeutic target for treating cardiac arrhythmias caused by cardiac hypertrophy, leading to sudden cardiac death in young athletes. The study reveals how the enzyme prevents arrhythmias by modifying connexin protein, ensuring synchronized heart contractions.
A Canadian study found that flexibility in mating rituals is crucial for reproductive success when males outnumber females. Researchers analyzed hundreds of investigations on mating trends across various species, finding significant flexibility in mating behavior and customs.
A new study by researchers at the University of North Carolina found that nearly 19% of young adults between 24 and 32 years old have elevated blood pressure. The study analyzed data from over 14,000 participants and found significant disparities in hypertension rates among different demographics.
Researchers at the Weizmann Institute developed a quantum version of a locked-in amplifier using a single atomic-ion detector, achieving spatial resolution of just a few nanometers. This technique improves the sensitivity of quantum sensors by around 100 times.
A Caltech-led team has debunked a long-held theory about the end of the Marinoan ice age, also known as the "Snowball Earth" ice age. The team found that rocks used as key geologic evidence were formed deep within Earth millions of years after the ice age ended
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen found a positive correlation between serum vitamin D levels and sperm motility in healthy men. Laboratory stimulation with activated vitamin D also increased forward movement of human spermatooza, sparking new hypotheses about the role of vitamin D in male reproduction.
Researchers found blind echolocators' brains process clicks and echoes in the 'visual' part of their brain, enabling independence. Sighted controls did not show similar echo-related activity.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet discover that the size of one's own body affects perceived space around us. They create illusions of tiny and giant bodies to demonstrate this effect.