Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have discovered a new mechanism of self-assembly using DNA 'linker' strands, forming ladder-like ribbons with unique properties. This approach could lead to the fabrication of nanoscale materials with desired properties, such as plasmonic or fluorescent responses.
Invasive crazy ants are displacing fire ants across the southeastern US, eliminating native species and reducing biodiversity. Crazy ants outcompete fire ants for food sources and damage electrical equipment, making them a significant pest.
Researchers at University of Nevada, Reno propose a new method to detect gravitational waves from the far reaches of the universe. The device, which uses optically levitated sensors, has the potential to exceed existing detectors' sensitivity by an order of magnitude.
UCSF researchers have created the first functioning human thymus tissue from embryonic stem cells, fostering healthy immune responses and preventing autoimmune reactions in mice. The achievement marks a significant step toward potential new treatments for type-1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases.
Researchers at Rice University found that adding boron to graphene improves its ability to store lithium ions, resulting in a capacity two times larger than graphite. The discovery also enables the material to hold a proper voltage, making it suitable for commercial use.
Astronomers have observed a neutron star system known as Circinus X-1, where one of the companion stars is a compact neutron star. The system flared twice during observation, with KAT-7 capturing detailed radio images of the event.
Researchers found that patients with heart failure and heart attack face a high risk of death and re-hospitalization within the first year after discharge. The risk of re-hospitalization for heart failure takes more than 43 days to decline significantly, highlighting the importance of post-discharge care.
The Princeton University Art of Science 2013 exhibit features top three awards in a juried competition and People's Choice images. The gallery includes structural diagrams resembling flowers, close-up photographs, and worm images, sparking debate among artists about the nature of art.
In a study on reed warblers, scientists found that males aggressively defend against potential infidelity but turn out to be caring fathers. The results suggest that females' perceived male weakness may reduce their investment in joint offspring.
A team of scientists and citizen-scientists analyzed 12,000 peer-reviewed papers on climate change, finding that over 97% of authors support human-caused climate change. The study aims to raise public awareness of the scientific consensus on climate change.
Patients with blood clot-related strokes received better care at Get With The Guidelines-Stroke participating hospitals, which saw reduced 30-day and one-year mortality rates and re-hospitalizations compared to non-participating facilities.
A 505 million-year-old fossil, Kooteninchela deppi, discovered in British Columbia, is a distant ancestor of lobsters and scorpions. Its 'scissor hand-like' claws were named after Johnny Depp's starring role in Edward Scissorhands.
A new analysis by University College London highlights the significant burden of disease on men worldwide. Men die at a younger age than women in every region and are disproportionately affected by risk factors such as tobacco smoking, high blood pressure, and physical inactivity.
The European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) is introducing late-breaking clinical trials for the first time at its annual meeting, EHRA EUROPACE 2013. These trials focus on innovative treatments for atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias.
Researchers found that living closer to a fast food restaurant was associated with a higher body mass index (BMI) among low-income African-American adults. The study controlled for factors such as household income, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors to determine the relationship between fast food density and BMI.
A study from the University of California, Berkeley suggests that humans share a common emotional palette when it comes to music and color. Participants consistently paired bright colors with upbeat music and dark colors with subdued music across different cultures.
A new study using NASA satellite data found that glaciers outside of Greenland and Antarctica lost an average of 571 trillion pounds of mass every year, contributing to a 0.03-inch-per-year rise in sea levels. This is equal to about 30% of the total observed global sea level rise during the same period.
Researchers have developed a method to identify embryos with chromosomal abnormalities using time-lapse imaging and morphokinetic analysis, avoiding invasive biopsies. This approach has shown significant improvements in implantation and live birth rates when low-risk embryos are transferred.
A new study by Dr. Tomislav Svoboda found that homeless men who are heavy drinkers have a staggering 400 times more head injuries than the general population. The study also revealed that these men experience severe and frequent brain bleeding, dizziness, memory loss, and mental health issues.
A comprehensive assessment of Pakistan's health systems reveals significant shortcomings in financing, accountability, and training. Key findings include below-average performance in life expectancy, child mortality rates, and improved sanitation, with opportunities for reform under the provincial devolution of health mandate.
Researchers propose keystone molecules as a key factor in structuring ecosystems. These molecules have powerful effects on bacteria, seabirds, fishes, and other species. Keystone molecules also influence predator-prey relationships and can be crucial for conservation efforts.
Researchers developed an injectable nanogel that can monitor blood-sugar levels and secrete insulin in response, offering a potential solution to Type 1 diabetes. The system consists of nanoparticles with enzyme-loaded dextran spheres that release insulin when glucose levels are high.
A study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that LDL cholesterol is not a reliable indicator of heart disease risk in patients with kidney disease. Patients with very low kidney function were more likely to have a heart attack, regardless of their LDL levels.
The European Society of Human Genetics urges caution on using new genetic sequencing techniques due to potential risks and benefits. The society recommends targeted analysis to limit unsolicited findings, ensuring patients' rights are protected while also providing them with necessary health information.
Researchers have directly observed Hofstadter's Butterfly, a complex pattern of energy states resembling a butterfly, in graphene. The phenomenon confirms decades-long theoretical predictions and may lead to the discovery of new electrical properties.
Scientists have developed an artificial forest of semiconductor light absorbers, interfacial layers, and co-catalysts to mimic natural photosynthesis. The system achieved a 0.12-percent solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency, but further improvements are needed for commercial use.
A new study from Harvard School of Public Health recommends overhauling US bicycle engineering guidelines to reflect current cyclists' preferences and safety data. The study suggests endorsing cycle tracks, physically separated paths adjacent to sidewalks, to encourage more people of all ages to ride bicycles.
A group of experts developed a framework for reporting incidental findings in clinical exome and genome sequencing, following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics recommendations. The framework justifies reporting clinically beneficial incidental findings as ethically compatible with respect for patient autonomy.
University of Toronto researchers have developed a new tool to measure the thermal and vibrational properties of solids, which could lead to more efficient electronic devices. The tool allows for a clearer picture of how an electronic device's ability to dissipate heat shrinks with its size.
Researchers have identified Dkk1 as a key player in the development of atherosclerosis, a condition that causes arteries to become stiff and narrow, leading to impaired blood flow. Targeting Dkk1 signaling may help limit arteriosclerotic disease, according to a new study.
Tropical Storm Alvin was the first to be named in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, as observed by NASA's Aqua satellite. The storm showed bands of thunderstorms wrapping into its low-level center, strengthening further over May 16.
The article highlights the importance of geophysics in disaster planning, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to address natural hazards. Brian McAdoo's presentation compares death counts and economic fallout from similar magnitude earthquakes in areas with different levels of economic development, showing that dea...
A team of scientists has determined that the atmospheric layer on Uranus and Neptune extends only about 1000 km in depth, a significant finding that challenges current understanding of these planets' weather systems. This discovery was made possible by analyzing gravitational field data using novel methods.
A study published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery reveals a strong correlation between brain dominance and the ear used for cell phone conversations, with left-brain dominant individuals more likely to use their right ear. The study's findings have implications for language center mapping and may suggest a lower risk of tumo...
At Harvard University, scientists have developed a method to assemble intricate nanostructures into delicate flower-like structures. By manipulating chemical gradients, researchers can control the growth behavior of these crystals to create precisely tailored structures, mimicking nature's own self-assembly processes.
Researchers from LMU Munich uncovered well-preserved fish fossils, shedding light on the gobioid order's evolution and classification. The discovery of perfectly preserved otoliths allowed for a genetic code-like analysis, placing a new species in the Butidae family.
Researchers found that five days of cognitive training combined with transcranial random noise stimulation led to long-lasting improvements in math ability and brain function. The study, published in Current Biology, suggests that TRNS enables the brain to work more efficiently by synchronizing neuron activity.
Scientists identify Gene Ataxin-2 as a key component of the circadian clock, which regulates sleep-wake cycles. The study found that Ataxin-2 helps activate translation of PER protein, keeping the clock on a 24-hour rhythm.
A Johns Hopkins fellow argues that the US public health agency's message on influenza vaccines may be overstated, with limited evidence supporting the claim that vaccines save lives. He also questions the effectiveness of vaccines in reducing elderly deaths and highlights potential side effects.
Researchers developed nanostructures that suppress 'thin-film interference', a phenomenon causing light loss in multiple-layered thin films. These nanostructures reduce reflection by up to 100 times, potentially increasing the efficiency of thin-film solar cells.
Researchers used X-ray diffraction to image soft tissues in living frog embryos, resolving individual cells and analyzing single-cell migration. The technique provides new insights into embryonic development and its underlying molecular biology.
A study found that Massachusetts' healthcare reform in 2006 led to a 3.6% increase in average quarterly hospital admissions, similar to neighboring states without reform. The total days of inpatient care increased by 0.94%, and hospital charges per quarter rose by 1.1% more than in comparison states.
Researchers found that job stress is associated with an altered lipid profile, leading to higher rates of 'bad' cholesterol and lower levels of 'good' cholesterol. This can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. The study analyzed data from over 90,000 workers and found a significant link between job stress and dyslipidemia.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have created the world's smallest liquid droplets in a lab experiment. The tiny droplets, about one-100,000th the size of a virus, exhibit flow-like behavior similar to quark-gluon plasma, a state of matter thought to have existed in the universe during its early stages.
Researchers found a link between natural killer cells and hematopoiesis in CMV-infected mice, revealing an antiviral reaction that could lead to new treatments for viral infections. This process involves the elimination of infected cells and mobilization of immune cells to combat the pathogen.
A team of researchers has observed a rare quantum physics effect that produces a repeating butterfly-shaped energy spectrum in a magnetic field, confirming the prediction of the quantum fractal energy structure called Hofstadter's butterfly. The discovery paves the way for engineering new types of nanoscale materials.
A recent study published in Nature found that the Arctic tundra's carbon storage has remained relatively stable despite two decades of slow and steady warming. The researchers attributed this unexpected resilience to increased plant growth and changing soil conditions, which facilitated stabilizing feedbacks to offset soil carbon loss.
A NASA-funded team will develop a miniature instrument to measure the amount of solar energy reflected by Earth and emitted as infrared radiation. The team aims to understand the Earth's energy balance, which is critical to climate science.
Japanese researchers from RIKEN Brain Science Institute have visualized the process of remembering learned behavior in zebrafish. The study uses calcium imaging to trace neural activity and finds that short-term and long-term memories are formed in different parts of the brain.
Scientists used a new X-ray method to study African clawed frog embryos, providing detailed insights into embryonic development and cell movement. The results revealed new morphological structures and clarified the process of fluid redistribution in the embryo.
A new study offers promising hope for treating progeria by targeting the enzyme ICMT, which causes premature aging. Researchers have successfully tested an ICMT inhibitor on mice, reducing or blocking the development of progeria symptoms and increasing cell growth.
A genome-wide lethality screen using RNA interference technology identified 239 gene candidates essential for cell survival. The researchers developed a high-stringency analysis method to determine which genes result in cell death when knocked down.
Researchers at Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry have discovered how the loss of a tumour suppressing protein leads to abnormal cell division in the brain and nervous system. The study's findings may lead to new drug-based therapies to reduce or negate the need for multiple surgeries or radiotherapies.
Clemson University has been awarded a $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to launch an institute focused on mentoring underrepresented groups in computing sciences. The initiative aims to increase African-American doctoral graduates with research focus and develop future leaders in the field.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a method to engineer graphene with a band gap, necessary for transistors and semiconductor devices. The new technique involves stacking graphene with hexagonal boron nitride, producing a hybrid material with varying electronic characteristics.
The Asian lady beetle uses microsporidia to outcompete native species, producing a strong immune system with antibacterial peptides and harmonine. This allows it to successfully invade new habitats and ecosystems, displacing native beetles and other insect species.
A Dartmouth College study suggests that many species of tropical lizards may not be on the brink of extinction due to climate change. The research found that high-resolution temperature measurements revealed varying effects on different lizard populations, contradicting previous predictions of widespread extinction.
University Research Co., LLC (URC) received the first ever Excellence in Mentorship Award from USAID for its development assistance to WI-HER, a woman-owned small business. The award recognized URC's significant impact on WI-HER's gender strategies and innovation.
Researchers developed a new way to characterize relationships among communities defined by language, religion, and ethnicity. They used cell phone data to map connections among 1216 towers for five months, revealing strong associations between geographic divisions.
A new study published in Medical Care suggests that women with chronic physical disabilities are no less likely to be pregnant as nondisabled women. After adjusting for demographic and social factors, the pregnancy rate among physically disabled women was only 17% lower than that in nondisabled women.