Researchers sequenced the rock pigeon genome, revealing its evolutionary secrets and genetic diversity. The study found that major breed groups originated in the Middle East and that a specific gene controls the development of head crests.
A mutation in a single amino acid on the thrombopoietin receptor alters its structure, causing permanent activation and leading to certain blood cancers. The tilted coils prevent spontaneous activation of the receptor.
Researchers found a single mutation in the EphB2 gene responsible for creating head crests in pigeons. The study reveals insights into bird evolution and provides new tools to understand animal diversity.
A study by HITS researchers found that most proteins evolved to fold faster, with a 'big bang' of complex structures emerging 1.5 billion years ago. The study suggests that faster folding speeds may make proteins less susceptible to aggregation.
Researchers at Rice University have made progress toward creating 2-D boron through theoretical work that suggests the most practical ways to make the material. The team's results indicate that 2-D boron may conduct electricity better than graphene, a key finding in the field of two-dimensional materials.
A new strain of MRSA has emerged that can spread beyond hospital walls, putting everyone at risk. Researchers have identified a gene that causes this strain to linger on the skin longer than other strains, making it more susceptible to polyamines, which can be toxic to other forms of the bacteria.
Researchers have developed a superoleophobic surface using nanoscale coating that repels virtually all liquids, including chemicals and fuels. The technology has potential applications in uniform clothing, thermal management, fuel purification, and leak control.
Research reveals diabetes disrupts bone marrow's ability to produce and repair stem cells, exacerbating cardiovascular disease. MicroRNAs play a crucial role in this process, and targeting them may offer new treatments for diabetic patients.
Researchers created ultra-thin cardiac patches using nanotechnology to boost material conductivity and induce heart tissue formation. The novel patches showed excellent mechanical integrity and advanced electrophysiological functions.
Scientists observed a flux rope forming ahead of time in a coronal mass ejection (CME), providing a case study on its formation. The high-temperature plasma glow helped highlight the flux rope, which was then severed from the sun's surface, releasing billions of tons of solar material.
A network of steroid molecules found in the brain is disrupted during HIV infection, leading to brain damage. Treatment with DHEA-S has been shown to prevent neuronal damage and reduce neurovirulence.
Researchers at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute identify how pregnancy hormones alter DNA tags, controlling gene expression in breast cells. This discovery reveals a potential link between hormonal regulation and breast cancer risk, highlighting the importance of epigenome modifications.
Researchers found that cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET), when combined with specialist medical care, can lead to significant improvements in symptoms and disability for patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. After one year, 22% of participants met the criteria for recovery, compared to 8% who receive...
A new study from the University of Michigan found that public awareness and matching research needs with participant characteristics are key barriers to participation. The study suggests that effective community engagement can help attract more participants to medical research.
A new technique developed by Oxford University scientists can spot carbon monoxide within gas circling a supermassive black hole, 'weighing' its mass. This breakthrough enables the study of thousands of distant galaxies and spiral galaxies, previously hard to target.
Researchers at University of Bristol identify MC4R as critical regulator of brain's response to obesity, also linked to increased blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. The study reveals a mechanism by which MC4R balances sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system activity.
A UK study found that improved prevention measures failed to reduce HIV levels among men who have sex with men in England and Wales, despite increased testing and treatment rates. The researchers suggest that targeting the most-at-risk groups and initiating treatment earlier may be necessary to bring about a drop in HIV incidence.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center found that tumor endothelial cells can trigger changes in cancer cells, making them more resistant to chemotherapy and more likely to spread. This signaling process involves the activation of the Notch molecular pathway and may be targeted by existing drugs under development.
Researchers share code for Amazon Cloud that significantly reduces time necessary to process super-resolution images, enabling biologists to study molecular machines like proteins and enzymes in greater detail. The method saves over a week's worth of time, making it possible to analyze data within hours instead of days.
A new study reveals a high rate of sleep disorders and short sleep duration among active duty military personnel, posing significant risks to accidents and long-term health. The majority of participants (85.1 percent) had a clinically relevant sleep disorder, with OSA being the most frequent diagnosis.
The study reveals that the Notch protein activates GATA2 gene to produce hematopoietic stem cells and regulates its expression through HES-1 repressor. This basic circuit is essential for generating limited production of GATA2, necessary for hematopoietic stem cell production.
A new study suggests that early diagnosis and treatment of Hepatitis C in intravenous drug users can prevent many transmissions by identifying 'super-spreaders' who are highly infectious. By understanding how the virus spreads in these individuals, researchers hope to develop targeted interventions to stop its spread.
Researchers at NYU's Center for Soft Matter Research have developed a method to move and assemble microscopic particles using blue light. This innovation has the potential to create new materials and enhance the design of industrial products like electronics.
A coronal mass ejection erupted from the sun on January 31, 2013, leaving the sun at speeds of around 575 miles per second, which is a fairly typical speed for CMEs. This event had historically mild effects but could cause geomagnetic storms if it connects with the outside of the Earth's magnetic envelope.
A study of 80,000 interactions among college students found that high achievers formed strong connections with peers and exchanged information in complex ways. Low-performing students were often shut out of these groups, leading to lower grades and higher dropout rates.
The VISIONS mission aims to study the auroral wind by launching a sounding rocket into the Northern Lights. The rocket will observe oxygen atoms flowing out of the atmosphere and provide insights into how they gain energy to escape Earth's gravity.
A team of scientists has described 24 new species of dipterans belonging to the Quichuana genus, doubling the number of documented species in this genus. The discovery is especially important for establishing conservation methods due to the insect's relationship with its plant development environment.
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have discovered a sirtuin protein that can reverse age-related degeneration in mice by rejuvenating aged blood stem cells. The study provides new hope for targeted treatments for age-related diseases and opens up possibilities for a 'molecular fountain of youth'.
Researchers identified stable haploid strains of Candida albicans, enabling the targeting of individual genes for screening and speeding up the discovery of treatment targets. This breakthrough fills a 100-year gap in understanding this important pathogen's life cycle and may accelerate efforts to cure Candida infections.
A high-resolution map of gene regulatory elements in the brain has been created, identifying thousands of enhancer sequences that amplify gene expression. The atlas provides critical information for studying neurological disorders and brain development.
A new analysis of vegetation change over 12 million years reveals that grasslands dominated the landscape, challenging the idea of bipedalism as a response to forest encroachment. The study provides insights into the environment and plant life in Africa's Rift Valley during human evolution.
Researchers have developed a potential antidote for cyanide poisoning that can be administered by intra-muscular injection, reducing the need for trained personnel and increasing efficiency in mass casualty events. The discovery of sulfanegen TEA offers a promising alternative to existing intravenous infusion-based treatments.
Candida albicans, a common human fungus, has been found to possess the ability of sexual reproduction through haploid isolates. This breakthrough could provide insights into how it evolves and transform from harmless to deadly. The discovery also paves the way for genetic studies and potentially modified diploid strains.
The lipid molecules of membranes, also known as phospholipids, form a bilayer with heads pointing outwards and fatty acid chains hanging inwards. Scientists have discovered enzymes that transport phospholipids across membranes, allowing for the alignment of biomembranes during cell division.
A study by MIT and LSE found that migrants from certain countries may be up to 40% less likely to gain citizenship due to biases in the voting process. Despite this, interactions with immigrant groups can help reduce prejudice over time.
Cyclone Felleng intensified on Jan. 30, with sustained winds near 115 knots (132.3 mph), threatening both Madagascar and La Reunion. The storm is creating dangerous seas with wave heights up to 38 feet.
Researchers discovered that homing pigeons rely on 'loft-specific infrasonic map cues' to navigate, which are disrupted when release sites are shielded from these low-frequency signals. This finding resolves a long-standing puzzle and sheds new light on the birds' impressive navigation abilities.
Scientists at Forsyth Institute have made a groundbreaking discovery about latent tuberculosis, finding that the bacteria can lay dormant in bone marrow stem cells. This understanding has significant clinical implications, explaining why patients with TB remain sensitive to tests and treatment is so challenging.
A new study published in the American Sociological Review found that sex frequency is linked to the types of household chores each spouse completes, rather than just the division of labor. Married couples who follow traditional gender roles around the house reported greater sexual frequency.
A new study by the American Sociological Association found that married men who spend more time on traditionally female household tasks report having less sex. The research also suggests that couples with more egalitarian divisions of labor have higher sexual frequency, highlighting the importance of socialized gender roles in marriage.
A study published in Journal of Youth and Adolescence reveals that peer competition, rather than exposure to thin media ideals or social media use, is a significant predictor of body dissatisfaction and eating disorder symptoms among adolescent girls. Peer competition was found to predict lower life satisfaction as well.
NREL has received four fuel cell hybrid vehicles on loan from Toyota to enhance its research on hydrogen fueling infrastructure, renewable hydrogen production, and vehicle performance. The vehicles will be used to observe extended durability and reliability, critical for commercial success.
Scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have developed a revolutionary laser cooling system that can cool semiconductors to extremely low temperatures, potentially replacing harmful refrigerants in air-conditioning and refrigerators. This technology has far-reaching implications for various industries, including healthca...
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new microscopy method to study wear at the atomic scale. They successfully demonstrated the transfer of material from one surface to another, revealing the mechanisms behind this process. The findings provide crucial insights into improving nanoscale devices and machines.
Scientists review 'metabolite damage-control' to understand how cells repair damaged metabolites and prevent fatal diseases. The field is in its infancy, with many unidentified reactions waiting discovery.
A team of researchers at UC Irvine has discovered a rare and promising binding site on the mutant p53 protein that can be targeted by cancer-fighting drugs. This finding may lead to the development of a universal treatment approach for multiple types of cancers, including those of the lung and breast.
Dual-identity immigrants who perceive their cultural identities as incompatible are more likely to sympathize with radical political action, according to new research published in Psychological Science. This finding holds true for both Turkish and Russian immigrant groups.
A team of researchers from the University of York analyzed snail shells from Mediterranean caves to study past humidity levels. The findings show that the western Mediterranean was warmer and stickier when first farmers arrived in Italy and Spain thousands of years ago.
A study of young twins in Malawi reveals that dysfunctional gut microbes contribute to severe acute childhood malnutrition. The researchers found that feeding malnourished children a high-calorie, nutrient-rich food temporarily improved their gut microbiomes, but the benefits were short-lived. The findings suggest that repairing gut mi...
A Concordia librarian advocates for open source technology to make academic journals freely available, reducing subscription fees. The initiative aims to ensure institutional support for long-term sustainability and promotes the mission of libraries to support scholarly research.
Researchers have made significant progress in producing hydrogen fuel from water using enzymes inspired by bacteria. Their artificial catalyst is stable and efficient, making it a cost-effective way to produce hydrogen.
A new DNA study from the University of Texas at Austin provides genetic evidence for the impact of Aztec imperialism on Mesoamerican populations. Researchers found that the pre-conquest maternal aDNA did not match those of the post-conquest era in Xaltocan, suggesting significant genetic changes
Researchers found juvenile bonobos (ages 3-7) displayed more consolation behavior than adults, suggesting sensitivity to emotions emerges early without advanced thought processes. Bonobos raised by their biological mothers showed higher comfort levels towards others.
Lakewood High School Team 1 won the Colorado High School Science Bowl, defeating Cheyenne Mountain High School Team 1 with a score of 38-16. The team will compete against over 400 students from 70 high schools in Washington D.C. for the national title.
Researchers found that people naturally switch between walking and running when given optimal travel times, resulting in energy savings. The 'transition region' between 4.5-6.7 miles per hour showed consistent use of a mix of both gait patterns.
A powerful cold front is sweeping across the eastern United States, replacing spring-like temperatures with winter-time weather and producing powerful storms. The NOAA GOES-13 satellite captured a stunning image of the storm system on January 30, showing a line of clouds stretching from Canada to the US Gulf Coast.
A collaborative study by researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy has shown that an ionic liquid proven to be effective for pre-treating individual biofuel feedstocks is also effective at pre-treating multiple different feedstocks that have been mixed and densified into a blend. The study found that blending and densifying a wide...
A large-scale study reveals that parasites and inadequate prenatal care contribute significantly to epilepsy prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa. The research found that adults with parasitic infections were 1.5-3 times more likely to have epilepsy than those without exposure.
A study found that TV viewing and lack of exercise at age 16 increases the risk of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and cardiovascular disease by adulthood. Excessive leisure-time physical activity, like watching TV, is linked to disease risk independent of exercise habits.
A new study from the University of Oxford found that vegetarians have a 32% lower risk of hospitalisation or death from heart disease compared to meat-eaters. The study analyzed data from almost 45,000 volunteers and found that vegetarian diets were associated with lower blood pressures and cholesterol levels.