Researchers discovered a new layer in the human cornea that plays a vital role in fluid flow from the eye. This finding could shed light on glaucoma, a devastating disease caused by defective drainage of fluid.
A new study reveals a significant increase in Americans' moral opposition to animal testing, with over half of women and young adults opposing the practice. The study found that opposition to animal testing rose among all age groups, including older adults, and across political affiliations.
The University of Oregon's Science Literacy Program is exploring an interactive workshop centered on 'active learning,' which focuses on how students learn material and apply it in new situations. The goal is to improve STEM education by enhancing teaching methods that foster transfer of knowledge.
Researchers have observed Guam mantas gathering around fish spawn, which is a previously unknown behavior. The mantas react to the presence of surgeonfish by trying to evade them. This study highlights the importance of understanding manta behavior for conservation efforts in Micronesia.
A renowned ASU professor is discussing the importance of ethical considerations in scientific research, highlighting the need for scientists to think critically about their work. He emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary collaboration between ethicists, philosophers, and scientists to ensure responsible innovation and discovery.
A new study reconstructing the evolutionary tree of flu viruses challenges conventional wisdom, resolving mysteries surrounding historical outbreaks. The research provides the most comprehensive analysis to date, revealing how the virus evolves at different rates in various host species.
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have developed a novel way to produce malaria parasite proteins that could lead to easy and cheap vaccine manufacturing. The new approach uses a single-celled aquatic creature similar to the malaria parasite, allowing for rapid multiplication in the lab.
A new study reveals that fertilization of natural grasslands disrupts ecosystem stability, reducing diversity and plant growth. The researchers used the Nutrient Network to collect data from 41 sites across five continents, finding a significant impact of fertilizer on ecosystems.
Researchers found high levels of antibiotic-resistant genes in river water during peak pilgrimage season, linked to overcrowding and poor waste management. The study emphasizes the importance of protecting sacred sites while preventing the spread of 'superbugs', highlighting the need for improved sanitation and waste treatment.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet found that a subtle epigenetic change facilitates structural changes of the centromere prior to cell division, ensuring proper chromosome distribution. This mechanism is highly similar in human cells and yeast cells, suggesting its key role in preventing incorrect chromosome numbers.
Researchers found a strong relationship between vulnerability to food shortages before a climate shock and its impact. They used long-term archaeological data to understand changing dynamics in the North Atlantic Islands and US Southwest.
Professor Haoqi Zhang's crowd-supported systems solve complex problems like custom trip planning and academic conference organization. His research integrates community process, intelligent user interfaces and crowdsourced input to create efficient solutions.
Wendy Wintersteen stresses the importance of partnerships for pooling research and expertise to address serious threats like climate change, pests, and plant disease. She highlights Iowa State's BioCentury Research Farm as a success story of public-private collaboration.
Recent research in biological anthropology explores how global environmental variations shape human health and biology. The studies examine the effects of diet, energy dynamics, and chronic inflammation on human reproduction, nutrition, and disease prevalence.
Scientists use nanofibers to trick glioblastoma cells into moving away from inoperable brain locations and towards a 'tumor collector' gel containing a toxic drug. This technique may allow patients to live with slow-growing tumors, controlling their growth rather than eradicating the cancer.
A recent study by UC Davis and Oregon State University found that magma mobility in Mount Hood is less than 10%, indicating a higher risk of eruptions. The research suggests using seismic imaging to detect mostly liquid magma, which could lead to more accurate eruption forecasts.
A recent study found that Samoa's adult population is almost three-quarters obese, with type 2 diabetes rates over one in five. The island's unique genetic profile and environmental factors are being investigated to understand the causes of this obesity crisis. This phenomenon may serve as a harbinger for global health difficulties.
Researchers focus on nanoscale innovations to enhance solar energy systems, leading to improved energy conversion efficiency and reduced costs. Nanotechnology advances could lead to the development of more efficient photovoltaic devices.
Growing industrialization threatens deep ocean ecosystems, which provide vital functions such as carbon sequestration. Experts urge a new 'stewardship mentality' to balance human needs with ecological impact, highlighting the need for international cooperation, regulation, and research funding to protect the world's last frontier.
The European Human Brain Project, Allen Institute for Brain Science, and US BRAIN Initiative are developing new methods to study the brain in health and disease. Researchers aim to reconstruct brain structure in computer models and analyze vast amounts of brain data.
Researchers at Stanford University are studying light harvesting mechanisms in photosynthetic organisms to improve solar cell efficiency. They have discovered new states of light harvesting complexes with different degrees of quenching, which may be a molecular mechanism for photoprotection.
Research by John Cacioppo reveals loneliness significantly impacts physical and mental health in older adults, increasing mortality risk. Staying connected with loved ones through social engagement can mitigate these effects.
A new design inspired by a pomegranate overcomes obstacles to using silicon anodes in lithium-ion batteries, allowing for increased storage capacity. The pomegranate-inspired electrode operates at 97% capacity after 1,000 cycles of charging and discharging.
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have characterized two novel proteins from the tularemia bacteria Francisella tularensis that may contribute to its virulence. These proteins, REP24 and REP34, are responsible for induction of rapid encystment in amoebae, which allows the bacteria to survive unfavorable conditions.
A three-year study across five continents found that fertilizer increases grass production but reduces stability, leading to wilder swings in forage availability. This results in fewer species thriving, reducing the overall diversity of grasslands.
A panel of experts from Duke University and Scripps Institution urges policy and stewardship measures for deep sea ecosystems. The extraction of deep-sea minerals and precious metals creates economic incentives but poses unknown ecological risks.
Researchers at CU-Boulder have identified two key pathways affecting skeletal muscle renewal, which could lead to the development of therapeutic treatments for age-related muscle wasting. The study found that altering these pathways enhances muscle stem cell renewal and improves muscle regeneration in aged mice.
Researchers have found that aging muscle stem cells become less able to regenerate new fibers and self-renew. However, they discovered a process to rejuvenate old muscle stem cells using a drug and soft hydrogel substrate, enabling them to repair muscle damage in mice.
Joan Chiao's research investigates how cultural factors influence basic psychological and neural processes underlying social behavior and emotion processing. The study focuses on the physiological and cultural foundations of traits such as empathy and altruism, shedding light on their role in shaping human social interactions.
Researchers discovered a sea lion, Ronan, has impressive rhythmic entrainment skills, beating to various tempos and music. This finding contradicts the long-held theory that beat keeping requires complex vocal mimicry.
Research by Virginia Parks found that African-Americans spend more time commuting than any other group, with a 25% increase over average urban commutes. The study highlights the negative impact of racial segregation on low-wage workers, particularly black women who have the longest commutes.
Researcher Timothy Johns advocates for valuing environmental and health benefits of small-scale local farming to combat malnutrition and chronic diseases. Smallholder farmers can increase productivity and sustainability with access to improved technology.
A new roadmap for the US aims to transform its energy infrastructure from fossil fuels to 100% renewable resources by 2050. The 50-state plan provides detailed information on how many wind turbines and solar panels would be needed, land area required, cost and job creation, to power each state.
Urban neighborhoods vary significantly across cities, affecting experiences of poverty and access to resources. Studying a single city's poor neighborhoods in-depth can lead to inaccurate generalizations.
Robert Gordon's research focuses on the causes of long-term unemployment and declining labor-force participation, with implications for future economic growth. He will critically evaluate the impact of technological progress on employment and consider policy strategies to mitigate its effects.
Researchers are working to conserve the high diversity of potatoes found in South America, where over 5,000 varieties exist. A top-down approach using remote sensing and bottom-up knowledge from local farmers is being used to identify agrobiodiversity hotspots and create strategies for sustainable use.
Larry Smarr, a physicist at the University of California, San Diego, has been awarded the first 2014 Golden Goose Award for his work on black hole collisions that led to a US supercomputing revolution. His team's creation of NCSA Mosaic, a precursor to web browsers, enabled modern graphical Web browsing.
Erik Fisher's Socio-Technical Integration Research (STIR) project brings social scientists together with natural scientists to tackle the societal impacts of emerging technologies. By collaborating on projects, they aim to mitigate negative environmental impacts and improve worker safety through responsible innovation.
A study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that Missouri's 2007 handgun purchaser licensing law repeal contributed to a fourteen percent increase in the state's murder rate. The repeal was also associated with an additional 49 to 68 murders per year and a twenty-five percent increase in firearm homicides rates.
African experts will share updates on disease-resistant crops, genetic technologies, and youth empowerment in agriculture. The session aims to nurture the growth of bioscience revolution in Africa's smallholder farming sector.
Researchers developed robotic fish inspired by the weakly electric black ghost knifefish to study fragile coral reefs and investigate sunken ships. The technology improves underwater vehicles' agility, allowing them to navigate complex geometries in murky waters.
Northwestern University's International Institute for Nanotechnology is a hub for interdisciplinary research, attracting over 190 faculty researchers from diverse fields. The institute has enabled the development of transformative nanotechnologies, including nanomedicine and energy solutions.
A major pregnancy study has shown that providing healthy eating and exercise advice to overweight pregnant women can significantly reduce the number of babies born over 4kg. The LIMIT Study, which involved over 2200 women, found an 18% reduction in high birth weight babies.
Heinrich Jaeger will present a lecture on the cyclical nature of his research, which spans from basic science to technological applications and back again. The study of granular materials has led to new insights into jamming, a property that describes the transition from liquid- to solid-like behavior.
The Review finds that the number of recognized chemical causes of neurodevelopmental disorders has doubled, and the list of unregulated chemicals has expanded. Stringent controls could generate billions in savings and improve childhood health outcomes.
The study of crab diversity has led to a new dataset with DNA and mitochondrial sequences from 140 species and 58 families. Freshwater crabs have two independent origins, separated from marine relatives after Pangaea's break-up.
Research at The University of Manchester found that moderate to heavy alcohol consumption in early pregnancy can reduce cell growth in the placenta. Drinking levels equivalent to half or one standard drink did not have a harmful effect, but reduced taurine transport from mother to baby was observed.
A professor at Georgia Institute of Technology has developed software to help health officials respond to pandemics by combining biological and demographic data. The system uses social media and real-time information to inform decision-making, allocating medical resources and personnel effectively.
A new study from Harvard School of Public Health identifies toxic chemicals as a major contributor to neurodevelopmental disabilities among children. The researchers propose mandatory testing and international regulation to control the use of these substances.
Anthropologist Nina Jablonski warns of the dangers of using genomic knowledge to separate people based on genetic endowment or physical features, as it can lead to a new form of 'separate but equal.' She advocates for a more nuanced approach that considers human genetic admixture and individual variability.
The study reveals that enzymes involved in breaking down fatty acids evolved independently in both plants and animals, mirroring each other's development. This finding suggests that both groups faced similar challenges when dealing with ingested fatty acids from plants.
A new study by UC Berkeley researchers found a correlation between northern latitude and higher levels of obesity-linked bacteria in the gut. The analysis of over 1,000 people from around the world revealed that those living in colder regions had more Firmicutes and less Bacteroidetes in their gut microbiomes.
High-quality early childhood education for disadvantaged children can significantly improve cognitive and non-cognitive skills, leading to better academic performance and future success. Strong programs can help bridge the gap between skilled and unskilled individuals, ultimately reducing inequality and boosting productivity in society.
A large-scale survey of South African healthcare workers reveals major gaps in workplace protection against tuberculosis, HIV, and hepatitis. Healthcare workers are at higher risk of contracting these diseases due to lack of screening, vaccination, and proper hygiene practices.
Researchers discover that the habenula, a brain structure, acts as a switchboard for sensory information, regulating behavior in response to external stimuli. Spontaneous neural activity plays a key role in this process.
Dr. Holmes will discuss her work with improvscience, which aims to increase collaboration among scientists through improvisation and leadership skills development. The initiative has been recognized by Nature and is featured in an upcoming AAAS panel discussion.
A study by Penn Medicine found that topiramate significantly reduced heavy drinking days among patients seeking to curb their alcohol consumption. The medication showed promise as a treatment option for problem drinkers, particularly those with a specific genetic makeup linked to its efficacy.
Cancer doctors can cut costs without risk to patients by improving end-of-life care, reducing unnecessary medical imaging, and negotiating lower prices for new cancer drugs. These changes can save billions of dollars in healthcare spending while maintaining quality of life.
New research found that merely thinking about money reduces parental meaning, especially in women. Parents experience more joy when they meet their social roles and fulfill basic human needs. A new model categorizes parents into different happiness types based on factors like age, gender, and marital status.
Researchers have successfully imaged a single layer of proteins using exceptionally bright and fast X-rays, significantly broadening the number and type of proteins that can be studied. This new method, based on XFEL technology, opens up possibilities for understanding protein structures and their role in disease and toxicity.