NASA plans to demonstrate a new optical communications system that can transmit high-definition video and data at speeds of tens of gigabits per second. The Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD) aims to revolutionize the Agency's communication capabilities, making it possible to stream video from distances beyond the Moon.
A new study from Carnegie Mellon University and Duke University found that advisers give more biased advice when dealing with multiple anonymous recipients, especially if they don't know the recipient's name. The study also showed that single, identified recipients receive more empathetic and unbiased advice.
Researchers at RIKEN Advanced Science Institute synthesized new heterometallic hydride clusters using rare-earth and d-transition metals, enabling analysis via X-ray diffraction. These clusters exhibit unique reactivity properties pointing to new hydrogen storage techniques, promising environmentally-friendly solutions for clean energy.
Researchers found that ritualistic behavior is not only human but also animal behavior, developed to induce calm and manage stress. In both humans and animals, repetitive behavior serves as a way to feel in control of unpredictable situations.
Kidney damage allows detrimental enzymes to wreak havoc on fluid balance, causing protein in the urine, high cholesterol, and swelling. New insights reveal that plasminogen plays a role in activating the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), leading to excessive sodium absorption and water retention.
Increasing investment in early childhood development programmes can generate substantial returns, with potential benefits including long-term growth and reduced inequalities. Effective interventions include home-based and community-based parenting and family support, as well as high-quality preschool education.
A new model has successfully predicted Arctic sea ice conditions up to five years into the future. The research shows that measuring ice thickness in September can provide a reliable gauge for the summer's low ebb. This prediction is important for shipping, oil exploration, and conservation efforts.
Researchers found that sex-segregated schools do not necessarily lead to better education outcomes, and may even reinforce gender stereotypes. The study suggests that coeducational settings can help students develop essential skills for interacting with others.
A University of Kentucky research team, led by Dr. Susanne Arnold, has been awarded a $1.43 million grant to investigate potential environmental factors contributing to the high lung cancer rates in Eastern Kentucky. The study will examine exposure to trace elements and their role in promoting carcinogenesis.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a method to control silicon evaporation, allowing for the growth of high-quality layers of epitaxial graphene on silicon carbide wafers. This technique enables the production of uniform and high-quality graphene layers, which is essential for electronic device applications.
Researchers have discovered a new class of compounds that stick to the sugary coating of the AIDS virus and inhibit its entry into cells. The synthetic lectins, developed from a compound called benzoboroxole, show promise as a potential microbicide to prevent HIV infection.
Researchers found that bortezomib inhibits transforming growth factor beta, a protein essential for scar tissue growth, preventing its development in human cells and mouse models. The drug also prevented expression of proteins necessary for scarring in fibroblast cells from scleroderma patients
Astronomers at Yale University have discovered the first two potential exoplanets found by Planet Hunters users analyzing real scientific data from NASA's Kepler mission. The candidate planets orbit their host stars with periods ranging from 10 to 50 days and radii that range in size from two-and-a-half to eight times Earth's radius.
A study found that elderly breast cancer patients are more likely to die from age-related conditions rather than the disease itself, highlighting shortcomings in patient care. Researchers argue that these patients are being under-treated due to a false perception of their prognosis.
Children with severe therapy-resistant asthma (STRA) have poorer lung function and worse symptoms due to lower levels of vitamin D. The study found that vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased airway smooth muscle mass, making breathing more difficult.
Researchers gather data in the Indian Ocean to understand tropical weather patterns and their effects on global climate. The six-month field campaign aims to improve long-range weather forecasts and seasonal outlooks.
Scientists have created an 'antimagnet', which can protect pacemakers and other medical devices from strong MRI signals. The device uses superconducting materials and metamaterials to control magnetic fields, making it undetectable.
Researchers at Arizona State University have made new discoveries about the packaging of DNA in nucleosomes, revealing how genes are turned on and off. The study found that DNA unwrapping occurs rapidly around certain regions, allowing proteins to bind with specific target sites.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic identified mutations linked to immune response to the measles vaccine, which could enable physicians to prescribe appropriate doses and timing based on routine genetic screening blood tests. The study's findings also have implications for the development of more effective vaccines and personalized vaccination.
A recent study published in Science found that tropical forests' variability is attributed to historical and geological processes rather than current ecology. The research team collected data at sites worldwide, revealing similarities in biodiversity patterns between tropical rainforests and temperate regions.
UC Berkeley researchers successfully decoded and reconstructed people's dynamic visual experiences by watching Hollywood movie trailers. The breakthrough technology can eventually be used to understand what goes on in the minds of stroke victims or coma patients, as well as enable brain-machine interfaces for people with cerebral palsy.
Researchers have found that brain wiring continues to develop well into our 20s, with structural changes in the white matter being detected in healthy adults using magnetic resonance imaging. This challenges the long-held belief that brain development stops at adolescence.
Researchers from Arizona State University examine the lack of evidence supporting single-sex schooling's benefits, citing increased gender stereotyping and institutional sexism instead. They argue that separating boys and girls can reinforce stereotypes and hinder positive interactions.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have developed a method to manipulate individual electrons, enabling the transportation of an electron from one quantum dot to another using a sound wave. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of more powerful computers.
A new study by Brown University toxicologists found that male mice exposed to high doses of BPA during pregnancy showed no signs of harm to their testes as adults. The researchers suggest that the mother's metabolism may detoxify much of the BPA, reducing exposure to the fetus.
A new study found that transplant patients can safely minimize calcineurin inhibitors, reducing toxicity while preventing organ rejection in the short-to-medium period after transplantation. The strategy improves kidney function without causing rejection, offering a safer alternative for some patients.
The article argues that the US needs an educational system that supports talented children better. Academically talented young people need mental skills training like athletes and artistic performers to handle pressure and success. The current system rarely provides such opportunities.
Researchers studied individual phase slips in aluminum nanowires, observing the nature and temperature at which they occur. The findings provide information to build ultra-thin superconducting wires without phase slips, which could play a role in ultra-miniaturized electronics.
Researchers have discovered a method to visualize gene number and protein expression in individual cells, potentially leading to clearer understandings of cancer and complex diseases. The fluorescent in situ gene protein assay combines FISH and in situ proximity ligation to resolve individual protein molecules.
Solar activity impacts UARS satellite re-entry due to changes in thermosphere density caused by sunspots and solar flares. The satellite's predicted re-entry time is uncertain due to the dynamic environment, with ongoing solar events potentially affecting its trajectory.
Researchers developed a new chip using SPIDER technology to measure ultrafast optical pulse intensity and phase without expensive equipment. The breakthrough paves the way for applications in metrology and optical telecommunications.
A study from UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine has illuminated a critical step in demethylation, giving stem cell researchers information to reprogram adult cells. The disappearance of chemical tags is a passive process, not catalyzed by an enzyme.
The UN summit declaration on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is deemed underwhelming due to its lack of tangible targets and voluntary approach, reflecting national and industry interests. The Editorial calls for bold action from individual countries to tackle the biggest health challenge facing future generations.
Charlie Duke, a Hall of Fame astronaut, presented the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's largest monetary award to OU student Bradley Pirtle. The $10,000 scholarship recognizes Pirtle's exceptional performance in computer engineering and his commitment to pursuing a Ph.D. in computer science.
A meta-analysis of 50 years of research finds no difference in cooperation between men and women in social dilemmas, but men are more cooperative than women in same-sex studies. Women's lower cooperation may be linked to evolutionary pressures, such as sexual competition among co-wives.
Research found that wolves and elk avoided high-quality habitat near trails with human activity above two persons per hour, suggesting a refuge zone for elk from predators. Thresholds of human activity on trails lead to wildlife disturbance and ecological change, according to the study.
A new study published in Science journal challenges the long-held hypothesis that a relationship exists between plant biomass production and the number of coexisting plant species. The research, led by Iowa State University scientists, found no evidence to support this correlation, contrary to decades of previous studies.
Researchers used a 16-foot-high steel bridge and four hydraulic shake tables to test the seismic behavior of a curved bridge with vehicles in place. The results will be used to frame changes to current codes and lead to safer bridges during strong earthquakes.
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers found a significant rise in serious prostate biopsy complications requiring hospitalization among Medicare beneficiaries. Hospital admission rates were two-fold higher among those who underwent a biopsy compared to controls, with infection-related complications on the rise since 2000.
A Group Health Research Institute study found that long-acting opioids and new opioid use are associated with a higher risk of pneumonia in older adults. Benzodiazepines do not seem to increase the risk, but it is crucial to look more closely at opioid prescriptions and infections.
Researchers at LSU and partners aim to sequence the genome of Atlantic killifish to discover genes supporting its high tolerance to pollutants. The study could advance understanding of genetic determinants of health and disease for both wild species and humans.
Bioengineers at UC Berkeley have successfully reprogrammed mature muscle tissue, a major breakthrough in combating muscle degeneration. The researchers used small molecule inhibitors to de-differentiate mature muscle cells, allowing them to revert back to an earlier stem cell stage.
Ceramics researchers at Lehigh University have obtained unprecedented atomic-scale images of grain boundaries in metals, revealing a bilayer phase transition that weakens the material. This discovery paves the way for scientists to prevent liquid metal embrittlement by strengthening chemical bonds.
Scientists have identified a novel type of antibody that works against pneumococcal bacteria by causing them to clump together, leading to the expression of genes that could kill some of their siblings. This finding could improve vaccines against pneumonia and reduce hospitalizations and deaths from pneumococcal disease.
Researchers identified the cellular origin of a rare form of breast cancer, metaplastic carcinomas, which originate from basal epithelial cell types. The study used mouse models and cancer-causing genes introduced into healthy breast cells to understand the cellular beginnings of cancer.
A new study reveals that wild animals like zebras can sometimes enhance cattle growth and production, especially during times of plenty. Grazing by zebras reduced weight gain for cattle in the dry season but increased it in the wet season due to improved grass quality.
Researchers have assembled a comprehensive data set to reconstruct the phylogeny of mollusks, revealing a close relationship between snails and mussels. The study confirms an old hypothesis that molluscs are divided into two subphyla, but with unexpected results, including the sister taxa status of snails and mussels.
Exposure to Bisphenol A in in vitro oocyte cultures reveals altered development and increased risk of chromosome abnormalities like Down Syndrome. This multigenerational effect suggests BPA's potential impact on fertility and offspring health.
A study published in Nature found that sirtuin genes do not affect animal longevity, contrary to previous claims. Instead, dietary restriction was shown to increase lifespan independently of sirtuins.
A new study from Case Western Reserve University found that aquarium fishes are more aggressive in reduced environments, with 182.9 million ornamental fishes at risk. Increasing tank size and complexity can reduce harmful aggressive behaviors, leading to healthier fish.
A new MSU study aims to develop a model of community engagement to guide ethical questions surrounding the use of newborn blood spots in research, addressing issues like informed consent and resource prioritization. The project seeks to inform public policy decisions and improve the state's bio-bank, Michigan BioTrust.
A researcher at Indiana University is investigating the most effective ways to present information about the HPV vaccine to young women, in an effort to boost vaccination rates. Her study will assess how women process and understand the information, as well as their attitudes and intentions toward vaccination.
The NHS has wasted £625 million on synthetic insulin over the past decade, as recommended human alternatives would have been just as effective, reveals research published in BMJ Open. The study analyzed publicly available data and found that the annual cost of synthetic insulin rose from 12% to 85% of total costs.
A new study published in Academic Pediatrics reports that adolescents are at heightened risk of alcohol use onset due to their position in the social network. The study found that closer proximity to more popular individuals and larger social networks increase the likelihood of drinking initiation.
A new study by Rice University suggests that only a minority of scientists at major research universities view religion and science as being in perpetual conflict. In reality, most scientists see both religion and science as valid avenues of knowledge that can bring broader understanding to important questions.
Researchers found that a key signaling pathway, Wnt, plays an important role in the disease and may offer a potential treatment target. The study suggests increasing a specific receptor, FZD2, could promote brain-cell survival and alleviate symptoms.
Researchers have discovered that Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is characterized by a 'disinhibited' brain, with increased excitability in both the affected and unaffected hands. The study found altered sensory perception in CRPS patients, indicating a complex role of changes in the central nervous system.
The California Energy Commission awards Calit2 at UCI a $1 million grant to research plug-load devices, which consume 20% of building electrical power. The project aims to create more energy-efficient appliances and provide data for future standards by 2030.
The African Orphan Crops consortium will work with African scientists to identify and breed nutrient-rich food crops, addressing malnutrition and food shortages. The $40 million initiative will also establish the African Plant Breeding Academy in Ghana, training local plant breeders to adopt advanced breeding approaches.
Typhoon Roke intensified from a Category 1 to 3 storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale due to rapid updrafts and heavy rainfall accumulation over Kyushu Island. The TRMM satellite captured 3-D radar data showing significant precipitation reaching altitudes above the freezing level, fueling the storm's intensification.