Researchers from Princeton University presented various topics at the 2013 AAAS annual meeting, including virtual water trade to cope with climate change, biodiversity indicators, and the physics of cancer. They also explored the evolutionary significance of third molar impaction in human populations.
The Global Institute for Water Security at the University of Saskatchewan is generating science to address water security challenges in North America. Howard Wheater's research focuses on large-scale water monitoring and modelling to support better forecasting and prediction models for land and water systems.
The symposium aims to find solutions to the increasing gap between food production and water availability. Experts will discuss ways to optimize water use in crop production, protect freshwater resources, and reuse gray water to ensure both adequate food and abundant water supplies for future generations.
Using ocean WiFi hotspots, Stanford professor Barbara Block is tracking animal movements in real-time, enabling new insights into marine ecosystems and fisheries management. Her 'Wired Ocean' project aims to establish a global network of instruments to study the biosphere under unprecedented human impact.
Researchers are exploring X-ray imaging on the attosecond timescale to better understand chemical reactions and interactions. Key findings include the importance of multidimensional nonlinear x-ray spectroscopy and the need for precise beam characteristics.
Researchers identify common characteristics of molecules that form good contacts with metals, enabling improvements to organic electronic devices. They found that oxygen atoms on the molecule's backbone play a crucial role in forming soft metallic contacts.
A leading Canadian researcher found that brain damage from concussions can persist for decades in athletes, causing attention and memory problems. Dr. Maryse Lassonde's study shows that brain waves remain abnormal for two years after a concussion and atrophy occurs in the motor pathways of the brain.
Researchers used X-rays to recreate a microscopic crime scene and caught the arrhythmia culprit in action. Gene mutations destabilize the calcium pathway, causing premature release and potentially deadly conditions.
A new report from ArcticNet proposes practical solutions to enhance the well-being of Northern communities, including improved management of caribou herds, monitoring of water quality, and protection of traditional resources such as berry production areas. The recommendations aim to address the effects of climate change on these regions.
Researchers used spectroscopic imaging scanning tunneling microscopy to visualize the electronic properties around individual dopant atoms in an iron-based superconductor. The study found that dopants introduce elongated impurity states that scatter electrons in an asymmetric way, explaining most of the material's unusual properties.
A study by Vanderbilt University researchers found that cells can alter their biological clocks by using different synonymous codons in the genetic code. This adaptation allows cells to survive in changing environments, such as varying temperatures, and potentially has applications in biotechnology like biofuel production.
Researchers found that certain viruses and fungi work together with plants to improve drought and temperature tolerance. This collaboration is a key to sustainable agriculture and may lead to more natural methods of creating crops that are more heat, drought, and stress tolerant.
A new paradigm for therapeutics discovery is proposed by Garret FitzGerald, MD, FRS, to address the unsustainable model of current drug development in the US. The approach aims to integrate knowledge of preclinical science with an understanding of drug action in humans, leading to improved prediction of efficacy and safety.
Experts emphasize the need for climate-resilient infrastructure due to rising sea levels and more frequent extreme weather events. University of New Hampshire professor Paul Kirshen will discuss water infrastructure management under a changing climate at the AAAS Annual Meeting.
Research on ancient human skeletons reveals negative changes in oral bacteria due to dietary shifts, including the introduction of farming and processed sugar. The study provides a new record of dietary impacts and health changes over time.
Professor Barbara Sahakian emphasizes the importance of prioritizing mental health, citing one in four adults suffering from a mental disorder. She advocates for regular monitoring and early detection through innovation and technology to promote prevention and effective treatment.
Researchers develop fast and efficient iron-based molecule that splits hydrogen gas into electricity, rivaling commercial catalysts. The breakthrough could make fuel cells more economical, addressing the high cost of platinum used in current systems.
A 50-year legacy of environmental science and its impact on journalism is being reevaluated. Professor G. Pascal Zachary believes that Rachel Carson's experience as a government employee could be the model for reforming science journalism today.
ASU professor Daniel Sarewitz argues that US science policy should prioritize outcomes over efficiencies to better address societal needs. He believes this shift in approach can lead to more effective decision-making and improved scientific research.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute discovered a mechanism by which long non-coding RNA-activators promote gene expression in early embryonic development. These RNA molecules help create a loop of DNA, opening up genes for transcription.
Researchers at Northwestern University have created a new set of building blocks for materials science using nanoparticles and DNA, enabling programmable control over material properties. The new approach allows for the creation of novel crystal structures with tailored physical properties.
Researchers at EPFL have successfully developed a neuroprosthetic system that enables completely paralyzed rats to walk and run again after just weeks of treatment. The technology uses stretchable spinal electrode arrays controlled by smart stimulation algorithms, combined with novel robotic rehabilitation. With the goal of restoring v...
Researchers found a positive correlation between out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and exposure to both fine particulate matter and ozone in Houston. Daily average increases in particulate matter raised OHCA risk by 4.6 percent, while short-term increases in ozone level increased risk by 4.4 percent.
Scientists at EPFL have made significant progress in developing prosthetic limbs that can be controlled by the nervous system, paving the way for more realistic sensory feedback and improved function. The new technology has already shown promising results in clinical trials, with potential to restore dexterity and sensation to amputees.
The University of New Hampshire professor Paul Kirshen will discuss the need for cities to adapt to changing climates. He'll present a case study of East Boston's coastal vulnerability and stress the importance of taking steps today to prepare for future events.
Researchers have designed a special material interface that enhances the functionality of non-silicon-based electronic devices, such as RAM and nanoelectronic components. The new method combines ferroelectric tunneling with magnetic tunnel junctions, resulting in a quaternary-state device with improved switching and storage power.
Researchers analyze air pollution levels and health effects, identifying communities at higher risk for respiratory diseases. The study aims to improve understanding of cause-and-effect relationships between pollution and health outcomes.
The Diamond Light Source facility has been upgraded to analyze pathogens requiring Containment Level 3, including serious viruses responsible for AIDS, Hepatitis, and flu. This capability enables scientists to study virus structures in detail, opening up new paths for therapeutic treatments and vaccines.
A food science expert argues that genetically modified foods pose no special risks to consumers or the environment. The overregulation of GM crops wastes resources and diverts attention from real food safety issues.
Research suggests that groundwater acts as a natural water filtration and purification system, removing excess nutrients and impurities from the earth's surface. The study highlights the need for better management of this critical resource to ensure clean drinking water and sustainable ecosystems.
Removing top predators from freshwater ecosystems leads to a significant increase in carbon dioxide emissions, highlighting the crucial role of apex animals in regulating climate change. This study suggests that predator decline is having global implications for greenhouse gases and climate.
Researchers have discovered significant amounts of water in Apollo samples, indicating the early Moon was wet and the water wasn't substantially lost during formation. The detection of hydroxyl groups suggests a prolonged solidification of the lunar magma ocean.
New materials mimic mussel adhesive proteins to deliver self-setting antibacterial hydrogels, seal fetal membrane defects, and target cancer cells with precision. Researchers collaborate on in-vivo testing of these innovative biomedical applications.
Researchers face challenges in engaging the public in their work due to institutional barriers and limited training. Leah Gerber recommends developing new incentives, communications training, and boundaries for scientists to prioritize public engagement.
Researchers studying ice sheet movement in Greenland and Antarctica have found that warming temperatures cause sea levels to rise. The speed of ice shelf movement has nearly doubled in recent years, leading to increased sea level rises and uncertainty about future projections.
Researchers found that warmer ocean temperatures weaken mussels' fibrous threads, making them more prone to detachment. This can have cascading effects on the marine food web and commercial mussel farming.
The symposium explores the leading edge of interdisciplinary collaboration in microscopy, featuring experts who are developing new techniques to visualize life processes at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. The goal is to advance the visualization of life from the scale of a single molecule to the whole organism., Research...
Efforts to reduce lead pollution have been largely successful, but the problem persists due to new industrial inputs and consumer product contamination. Blood lead levels remain high, with no known threshold for toxicity, posing ongoing health risks to people and animals worldwide.
Mentoring models can significantly improve diversity in STEM, according to Arizona State University's executive director, who will share concrete strategies at the AAAS annual meeting. The institute has developed successful programs that have contributed to over 89 PhDs and 59 underrepresented minorities since 2005.
Researchers propose bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) and biochar as solutions to achieve net-negative emissions. BECCS captures CO2 emissions from power plants, while biochar uses pyrolysis to produce a fertilizer that absorbs atmospheric CO2.
Climate change is projected to increase the risk of heat waves, heavy rains, and droughts. Preparing resilient communities with disaster preparations, early warning systems, and well-built infrastructure can help mitigate these impacts.
Early humans lost hair to efficiently sweat away heat, later using decorative methods like tattooing and makeup to increase attractiveness. Researchers found evidence of early skin decoration through fossil records and molecular genetics.
Researchers at Northwestern University have made significant breakthroughs in understanding the effects of brain damage on language processing and recovery. Studies have shown that with targeted training, patients can regain speech abilities years after a stroke.
Dr. Bruce J. Peterson has made seminal contributions in oceanography, limnology, biogeochemistry, ecology, and hydrology through his use of new methods and scientific publications. His research on the freshwater cycle of the Arctic has made fundamental advances in understanding land-ocean interactions.
A research project in Malawi has led to significant increases in crop yields, with corn production rising by 200% through crop rotation. Meanwhile, children's weight and height have improved, meeting international norms for healthy children. The program's success is attributed to the adoption of bushy legumes and diverse crop rotations.
Aerobic exercise increases critical brain structures and improves cognition in children and older adults. Physical activity also reduces susceptibility to diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
Aphasia affects 80,000 people annually in the US, causing difficulty speaking and understanding language. Researchers at Brown University have developed a therapy to strengthen speech networks using guided speech and repetition exercises. Early testing with four patients showed improved precision and reduced errors.
Researchers worldwide are embarking on DEMO projects to demonstrate fusion energy production, following the construction of ITER in France. The challenges ahead include finding solutions to well-known scientific and technical issues.
A study by Northwestern University's Noshir Contractor aims to enhance cross-cultural mentoring among women in sustainable development. The researcher has created a social media recommender system that connects mentors and mentees across different regions and cultures.
As people move more often and become more urbanized, their skin color may lose its evolutionary advantage. With limited exposure to sunlight in cities, many people are at risk of a vitamin D catastrophe. Using vitamin D supplements is the safest way to address this issue.
Nicole Calakos studies synaptic defects in the basal ganglia that underlie compulsive behavior, including Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases. Mice with overactive metabotropic glutamate receptors exhibit impaired synaptic plasticity, leading to obsessive-like behaviors.
A computational model developed by Northwestern University's Dirk Brockmann can pinpoint the source of an outbreak and predict disease spread using transportation data. The model generates accurate findings on origin and predicted arrival times, providing a lifesaving advantage in responding to diseases.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a brain prosthetic that allows rats to sense infrared light as a tactile sensation, enabling them to navigate virtual environments and recognize textures. This breakthrough could lead to the development of neural prosthetics for quadriplegics to regain sensory perception.
Research by Brown University professor Rose McDermott suggests a significant genetic component in shaping political preferences, particularly along the conservative-liberal spectrum. This finding could have implications for policy decisions and targeted interventions.
A Michigan State University research team begins a groundbreaking clinical drug trial to control seizures caused by cerebral malaria, which affects brain function in three million children. The trial aims to improve seizure control and potentially prevent epilepsy.
Researchers are developing artificial blood platelets laced with regulatory chemicals that can be injected into the bloodstream to control bleeding and promote healing. The synthetic platelets have shown promise in animal models, reducing clotting time by approximately 30 percent.
The American Chemical Society's report emphasizes the need for updated graduate education to prepare scientists for a rapidly changing world. Key findings include inadequate preparation for post-graduation careers and lack of diversity in the scientific community.
Chemists at the University of Liverpool created organic molecular crystals that can separate aromatic molecules by shape. This new technique uses less energy and could revolutionize petrochemical and chemical industries.
Researchers discover that neuronal activity induces tau release from healthy neurons, suggesting a physiological process that can be regulated by neural activity. The study suggests that altered tau release may occur in response to changes in neuronal excitability in the Alzheimer's brain.
Researchers at Northwestern University develop spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) for biomedical applications, offering improved delivery and targeting of therapeutics. SNAs show promise in treating genetic diseases and neurological disorders, including glioblastoma and Alzheimer's disease.