A new study by UC Santa Barbara researchers predicts that climate change will cause significant reshuffling of marine biodiversity, with warming oceans leading to the relocation of nearly 13,000 species. This redistribution is expected to increase biodiversity in many areas but also lead to extinctions and homogenization of communities.
Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center found that certain gut bacteria strains are associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in mice models. The team identified three common mouse strains with different microbiota populations, which were affected by diet and genetic background.
A new study reveals that the ratio of predator-to-prey biomass decreases as prey biomass increases in diverse ecosystems, including grasslands, forests, lakes, and oceans. The study analyzed tens of thousands of populations across 2,260 ecosystems globally, finding a consistent pattern of biomass scaling.
Scientists from Karolinska Institutet have identified 32 genes that are switched on within two days of fertilization, marking a significant breakthrough in understanding early embryonic development. The study's findings also reveal the importance of 'junk DNA' in regulating gene expression.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have received a nearly $4.5 million grant with the possibility of up to $10 million to complete preclinical studies on a new anti-migraine drug candidate. The compound has shown promising results in treating stress-induced migraine and may be developed into a once-a-day pill.
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that children with broken bones or joint dislocations in northern Israel received equal pain relief, regardless of their ethnicity. The study, which lasted four years, including an 11-week period of armed conflict, showed that opioid therapy was administered to nearly all children...
Scientists at Karolinska Institutet have discovered that mutations in the KCC2 gene cause severe early infant epilepsy by disrupting chloride ion regulation. This imbalance leads to uncontrolled brain signals, resulting in epilepsy symptoms.
Hurricane Jimena's eyewall is eroding due to decreased rainfall rates observed by NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) core satellite. The storm weakened from a Category 4 to an estimated 110 mph maximum sustained winds, with hazardous surf expected along east-facing shores of the main Hawaiian Islands.
Exposure to bacteria particles and farm dust blunts inflammatory immune responses in children, protecting them from allergies. The protective effect is linked to the anti-inflammatory enzyme A20, which squashes pro-inflammatory molecule generation in lung epithelial cells.
A University of Miami research team proposes a four-component model of cognitive flexibility, which helps understand autism spectrum disorder and other behavioral/neurological disorders. The study may inform the development of new interventions to improve cognitive flexibility skills in individuals with autism.
High levels of saturated fat in the blood can lead to monocytes migrating into tissues, exacerbating inflammation and tissue damage. This research suggests that maintaining high concentrations of saturated fats may worsen cardiovascular disease outcomes.
A new study published in PLOS Computational Biology suggests that our brains don't follow a predetermined priority order when categorizing scenery. Instead, they make the easiest judgments first, which can be overridden by manipulating the difficulty level of the task.
Tropical Storm Kevin strengthened due to rapidly increasing surface winds observed by NASA's RapidScat, now at maximum sustained speeds of near 40 mph. Forecasters expect minimal change in strength over the next day or so.
Despite decades of economic isolation, Iranian scientists have made remarkable achievements through ingenuity and collaboration. New projects, such as the Iranian National Observatory, aim to reclaim the country's past astronomical glory and tackle pressing environmental issues like Lake Urmia's rapid decline.
The five-year grant aims to create prototype nanomaterials with designed functional properties through the assembly of atomic planes from various bulk crystals. Researchers led by Sir Andre Geim will explore flexible optoelectronics, energy harvesting, gas separation and water desalination applications.
Tropical Storm Fred is being affected by strong upper-level westerly winds, which are pushing the highest thunderstorms southeast of the storm's center. The cyclone consists of a vigorous swirl of low clouds and has maximum sustained winds near 40 mph.
A University of Iowa study reveals that disabling a critical biological checkpoint, Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier (MPC), reduces blood sugar levels in mouse models of type 2 diabetes. The research suggests that inhibiting MPC activity could be a new target for drugs to treat diabetes.
Researchers found a consistent pattern that in crowded settings, prey reproduce less, leading to fewer predators. This discovery suggests a new law of nature governing ecosystems globally.
A new study found that acupuncture significantly reduced hot flash frequency and severity in breast cancer survivors, while also inducing a stronger placebo effect than oral medications. The treatment showed sustained benefits even after the eight-week treatment period ended.
Researchers discovered a network of transporters involved in controlling hormone ABA transport to seed embryos, ensuring optimal germination timing. This knowledge can be integrated into breeding programs to prevent premature germination and reduce economic losses.
The study identifies the exact composition of sea snake venom, making the development of synthetic antivenoms more realistic. This could lead to a future production of synthetic antivenoms for as little as $10-100, potentially saving millions of lives.
A team of scientists at the Weizmann Institute discovered that sea sapphires' colorful appearance is caused by photonic crystals, which enable them to control their visibility. The researchers found that the spacing between the crystal plates determines the color and can be adjusted to make the creature appear invisible or visible
The National Science Foundation (NSF) and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have announced $10 million in funding for 45 new research projects across eight countries, tackling pressing issues like ocean acidification, malarial transmission, and climate adaptation.
The world's first known mass extinction, which occurred around 540 million years ago, is now believed to have been caused by the emergence of complex animals capable of altering their environments. These 'ecosystem engineers' changed the planet in ways that made it difficult for earlier multicellular organisms like Ediacarans to survive.
Researchers found that blind areas in central vision can delay drivers' ability to detect pedestrians, even when using peripheral vision. The study suggests that any binocular central field loss might impact a driver's reaction time.
Researchers at Columbia University developed a new method for targeted drug delivery to the lung, which may provide more effective treatments for many lung diseases. By delivering small volumes of drugs directly to the pathologic site, they aim to reduce adverse effects on other organs.
Researchers at UNIST developed a simple process to treat waste coffee grounds for methane storage using sodium hydroxide and heating. The process produces a stable carbon capture material with environmental benefits of recycling a waste product.
A Rutgers study found that people tend to allocate scarce transplant organs across groups instead of prioritizing individuals with the best chance of a successful transplant. When presented with individual-level information, participants were more likely to make efficient decisions, but when grouped, they allocated resources based on p...
A new study by University of Georgia researchers found that middle-schoolers who feel pressured into exercising are less likely to engage in physical activity. The study suggests that children are more likely to identify with exercise when they feel in control of their choices.
A recent study uses color fingerprinting to identify the origin of sediments in the South Tobacco Creek watershed. The technique reveals that nature is more often responsible for sedimentation than previously thought, while human activities have a significant impact on hydrology and erosion.
Researchers have created a method to observe motor neuron activity in real-time, revealing how spinal cord cells connect with motor neurons. The findings suggest that the genetic identity of each subtype of cells is also important in forging connections.
Researchers at Durham University have identified the remains of 17th century Scottish soldiers found in mass graves, using a combination of scientific data and historical information. The skeletons were buried in two pits on the University's site, dating back to between 1625 and 1660, with isotope analysis showing likely Scottish origin.
Scientists at Queen's University Belfast have developed a novel anti-inflammatory nanoparticle that shows promise in treating sepsis and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), two leading causes of death in hospitalised patients. The treatment, known as SAN101, has the potential to reduce inflammation and prevent organ failure.
Tropical Depression 14E appears as an asymmetric mass of clouds and thunderstorms due to southwesterly vertical wind shear. Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph, with a potential for the depression to strengthen into a tropical storm.
Antarctic fur seal pups identify their mothers by detecting the mother's vocal pitch at longer distances and using other components of the vocal signature at closer range. The study found that frequency modulations propagate reliably up to 64 meters, while amplitude modulations are degraded for distances over 8 meters.
Researchers found that 2D boron properties vary based on interactions with metal substrates. Copper is identified as a suitable substrate to guide the formation of flat boron sheets. The discovery opens up new avenues for creating highly conductive 2D boron and exploring its potential applications in fuel cells and other fields.
A Johns Hopkins University sociologist has found that disadvantaged neighborhoods actually expand children's range of educational experiences as they disperse to multiple schools. Affluent neighborhoods, on the other hand, limit options by keeping students close to home.
The use of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) among US men with breast cancer has increased significantly, rising from 3% to 5.6% between 2004 and 2011. The procedure was more common in younger, white, and privately insured patients.
A new AI system crowdsources plot points for interactive stories, allowing for more creative narratives and an easier method for interactive narrative generation. The system achieved near-human-level authoring in a test, with improvements over random generators.
A clinical trial of a personalized cell therapy, CTL019, achieved an overall response rate of 57% and complete remissions in eight out of 14 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The therapy, developed by Penn researchers, involves reprogramming patients' own T cells to hunt and kill cancer cells.
A study published by a University of Missouri sociologist explores how the perception of authenticity in Mexican restaurants varies among owners, staff, and patrons. The research suggests that consumers' expectations and experiences play a significant role in determining what constitutes authentic Mexican food.
The UMass Amherst program aims to explore new models for graduate education, including T-shaped skills and collaborative work. Students will receive a graduate certificate in Soft Materials for Life Sciences and be prepared for the 21st century global economy.
A new study reveals high levels of radioactivity in coal ash from all three major US coal-producing basins, up to five times higher than normal soil. The presence of radioactive elements like radium isotopes and lead-210 poses significant environmental and health risks if not properly regulated.
Imetelstat, a novel telomerase targeting drug, demonstrates potential value in treating patients with myelofibrosis by inducing morphologic and molecular remissions in some patients. The study shows selective anti-clonal activity, inhibiting the growth of cancer cells.
Research suggests that feeling sadness can change how we perceive color, with participants who were induced to feel sad being less accurate in identifying colors on the blue-yellow axis than those who were led to feel amused or emotionally neutral.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have discovered a new way to kill cancers driven by the MYC gene, which is responsible for aggressive behavior in many types of malignancies. By inhibiting the spliceosome, a complex machine within cancer cells, scientists can target and destroy tumor cells without harming normal tissues.
Research suggests that above-water microbes contribute to the development of hydrogen-sulfide-rich caves through aerobic respiration, producing sulfuric acid. In contrast, underwater microbes only partially burn hydrogen sulfide, creating pure sulfur as a byproduct that is not corrosive to limestone.
Scientists at the Weizmann Institute create a method for getting nanoparticles to self-assemble, focusing on the medium in which they're suspended. This approach enables reversibly writing information and has potential applications in rewritable paper, water decontamination, and controlled drug delivery.
A new study found that brain microstructure and tissue volumes in prematurely born children can predict their math skills and working memory at school age. Researchers used neonatal MRI to identify infants at risk of low academic achievement, suggesting early intervention could reduce long-term problems.
A UT Arlington biologist is conducting a comprehensive study of zooplankton in over 20 lakes in Alaska and Wisconsin to better understand the relationship between ecological changes and evolutionary responses. The research aims to predict how organisms adapt to natural and human-induced environmental shifts.
Researchers have found that a 12,000-year-old climate shift in northern latitudes occurred rapidly, while equatorial regions took hundreds of years to respond. This discovery can help scientists understand the relationship between temperature and precipitation in the face of climate change.
Researchers at Harvard University discovered that termite mounds breathe once a day as temperature oscillations drive ventilation. The mounds' structure, with central chimneys and thin exterior walls, allows gases to exchange and maintain efficient airflow.
The study estimates that there are over 3 trillion trees on Earth, with the total number of trees having plummeted by roughly 46% since the start of human civilization. The research provides new insights into tree populations worldwide and offers improvements to modeling large-scale systems, including carbon cycling and climate change.
A new NSF grant will study maker success stories in China, Taiwan, and the U.S. Midwest to identify pathways guiding making from hobby to industry. The researchers aim to replicate Asian practices that support makers in the US, focusing on Michigan and Indiana.
Researchers at UMass Amherst found that as geckos become larger, their bodies act like springs, becoming stiffer and enabling them to climb effectively. The team measured the adhesive ability of five species, finding a strong correlation between body size and stiffness.
Foreign chemical and pharmaceutical companies face challenges in China due to economic downturn, overcapacity, and tightening regulations. Despite uncertainty, company heads remain confident in their long-term success in the country, which represents 50% of the Asian chemical market.
Researchers found that too-pure recycled water can pick up arsenic as it seeps underground, causing temporary spikes in levels. The water's lack of calcium and magnesium ions allows arsenic to be repelled from clay particles, entering the water instead.
A new study led by King's College London found that preserving the natural structure of dietary fibre during food production can help slow blood sugar levels after a meal. This could lead to the development of 'diabetic-friendly' foods with slower energy release and prolonged fullness.
ESC Congress 2015 saw a record-breaking attendance of 32,773 registrations, featuring 28 clinical Hot Line presentations, 18 Clinical Trial Updates, and 20 Registry studies. Key findings included the use of spironolactone for resistant hypertension and its positive implications for clinical practice.
Phagraphene, a two-dimensional carbon material, has been predicted to exist through computer simulation. It consists of penta-, hexa- and heptagonal carbon rings and exhibits distorted Dirac cones, allowing electrons to behave like particles without mass. This discovery opens up new possibilities for flexible electronic devices.