Researchers at Rice University have discovered a method to control the edge properties of graphene nanoribbons by manipulating the conditions under which they are pulled apart. This allows for the creation of semiconducting graphene with desirable electronic properties, opening up new possibilities for applications in modern electronics.
An international team of scientists identified sestrin-3 as a key regulator of gene networks in human epilepsy. Inhibiting sestrin-3 reduced seizures in animal models. The discovery offers promising starting points for new treatments, potentially avoiding drug resistance.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have observed a remote Arctic ice cap thinning by over 50 meters and accelerating to speeds of several kilometers per year. The findings suggest that warmer ocean temperatures may be triggering this rapid ice loss, which has significant implications for sea level rise.
A team of physicists at UC Riverside created magnetic graphene by bringing it close to a magnetic insulator, preserving its electronic properties. This breakthrough has the potential to increase graphene's use in computers with more robust and multi-functional electronic devices.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that silver nanowires can partially recover from permanent deformation under cyclic loading, indicating potential for long-term durability in flexible electronics. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of cost-effective alternatives to indium tin oxide.
New research reveals that unexpected brain connectivity can lead to fast brain specialization, allowing humans to adapt to rapid technological and cultural innovations. Blind individuals using sensory substitution devices activate specialized brain areas for tasks such as reading and recognizing numerical symbols.
Researchers develop a new technique to investigate the role of material structure on organic solar cell efficiency. They find that well-organized structures do not lead to higher free electron generation rates than disorganized ones.
A study assessed self-care barriers in acute heart failure patients returning to the ER. Common barriers include co-morbidities, physical disability, and knowledge about disease. Addressing these social determinants can improve patient outcomes and reduce readmissions.
A study by Hamerman and Morewedge found that people rely on superstitious behavior to achieve performance goals, such as winning a game or getting good grades. However, this behavior does not affect learning goals, like mastering a musical piece.
Researchers have identified a novel brain pathway that produces the hormone cholecystokinin (CCK), which acts as a crucial sensor of blood glucose levels. The discovery may lead to new treatments for hypoglycemia and its side effects, particularly in patients who suffer from unawareness due to repeated bouts of low blood sugar.
A new review suggests thyroid disorders significantly affect reproductive health in women, leading to reduced conception rates and increased miscarriage risk. Routine screening and prompt management can reduce these risks, emphasizes the authors.
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis found that close friends can accurately predict an individual's lifespan based on their personality traits. Men rated as conscientious and women rated as emotionally stable by their friends had longer lifespans.
A recent study by LSU sociology professor Samuel Stroope examines the relationship between religion and educational attainment in the US. The findings reveal that individual biblical literalism is negatively associated with college completion, while congregational biblical literalism has a sharp negative impact on non-literalists.
New research published in Psychological Science suggests that mothers may speak less clearly to their infants than they do to adults. The study found that mothers tend to use cutesy words and a sing-song voice when talking to babies, but still pronounce sounds slightly less distinctly than when addressing adults.
A recent study analyzing over 326 interactions between corvids and their prey found that they have a much smaller impact on other bird species than previously believed. In 81% of cases, corvids did not affect their potential prey, while in 6% of cases, some beneficial relationships were observed.
Researchers found black holes exist in gravitational theories with broken Lorentz invariance due to universal horizons, which prevent infinite speeds. Universal horizons act like cosmic boundaries that particles can move around but cannot escape, resolving a long-standing paradox.
Researchers found that the brain encodes part of the information at very fast time scales, with pulses transmitted over tens of milliseconds, and another part at slower timescales. The study demonstrated a new 'spike timing code' on a millisecond scale, complementing the existing 'spike rate code'.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new detector that can capture high-resolution mid-wavelength infrared images at room temperature, paving the way for applications in surveillance and disease detection. The technology has potential for vascular imaging and disease detection, particularly with images of the human body.
Researchers have discovered that highly efficient DNA methyl transferase 1 (DNMT1) enzymes found in cancer cells are responsible for the abnormal turning on and off of genes. The findings suggest that a drug targeting this enzyme may be beneficial for cancer treatment, potentially reducing cancer relapse.
Researchers found that green turtles tend not to bask when local winter sea surface temperatures stay above 23 degrees Celsius. The scientists project that global warming trends could lead to the end of beach basking globally by 2102, with Hawaii's green turtles possibly stopping by 2039.
Researchers found that tonal languages are more prevalent in humid climates, while simpler tone pitches dominate dry regions. The study suggests that humidity affects vocal fold elasticity and ion balance, making it easier to produce a wide range of tones.
A recent study by MSU-led researchers found that oxygen-depleted dead zones between dams in the upper Missouri River are directly linked to the failure of endangered pallid sturgeon hatched embryos to survive to adulthood. This is a major breakthrough in understanding the decline of this species, which can live up to 100 years.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have identified a new material, perovskite, that can efficiently generate photovoltaic energy in various atmospheric conditions. This breakthrough has the potential to significantly reduce the costs of solar energy production.
Researchers found that Australopithecus africanus, a 3-2 million-year-old species from South Africa, had a human-like trabecular bone pattern in the hand bones consistent with forceful opposition of the thumb and fingers. This suggests that early humans used their hands to exert precision and power, similar to modern humans.
A new framework by UW-Madison engineers helps plot the future of solar fuels by accounting for general variables and big-picture milestones. The tool is designed to remain relevant as researchers experiment with new technologies and ideas, and can be adapted for other energy-related processes.
The study reveals that dam-induced changes in riverine sediment transport lead to reduced oxygen levels, causing hatched pallid sturgeon embryos to die. The research provides vital information for pallid sturgeon conservation and is a significant breakthrough in understanding the species' decline.
The UTSA Cloud and Big Data Laboratory is partnering with Indiana University on a $6.6 million NSF grant to create a research cloud for thousands of researchers, providing easy access to advanced computing tools. The project, called Jetstream, will utilize OpenStack-based cloud environment.
The High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) has detected three powerful gamma-ray sources in the Large Magellanic Cloud, including a pulsar wind nebula and a supernova remnant. These discoveries provide new insights into the formation of cosmic structures and the evolution of galaxies.
A Canadian study found that early invasive strategy using coronary angiography and interventions reduced costs and hospital stays for high-risk and low-risk patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes. The study analyzed data from 479 patients, showing savings of $2,938 per patient compared to delayed strategies.
A SLU scientist has discovered an evolutionary mechanism used by bacteria to evade antibiotics like azithromycin. The discovery reveals a universal stalling mechanism, suggesting a way to improve existing drugs' effectiveness against antibiotic-resistant strains.
Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital identified a gene that may contribute to keloid scar development. The study found altered AHNAK gene expression in keloid tissue, suggesting a potential target for novel treatments.
Researchers studied the dispersal behavior of female and male cichlids in Lake Tanganyika. Females dispersed significantly longer distances than males, likely to avoid inbreeding and resource competition. Kin-shoaling also emerged as a key phenomenon, with small females tending to shoal with female siblings.
Recent developments in science suggest universes naturally produce complexity, leading to rational life and moral culture. Kelly Smith's work proposes a universal basis for morality, potentially establishing common ground with extraterrestrial life forms.
Researchers discovered that mild malaria infections in birds accelerated telomere shortening, leading to premature death. Infected individuals produced fewer offspring despite no visible symptoms.
A new preservation system that uses machine perfusion keeps livers healthier for up to nine hours before transplantation, leading to better liver function and increased survival rates. The system has shown promising results in animal studies, with 100% of pigs surviving after receiving perfused livers.
The Rosetta mission provided the closest-ever look at comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, revealing its structure, surface features, and composition. The study helps scientists understand how comets form and evolve over time.
The study found that up to 1% of UK children have coeliac disease blood markers, with diagnoses rising by 39% in boys and doubling in girls between 1993 and 2012. Children from less well-off backgrounds are half as likely to be diagnosed with the condition.
A University of Michigan study found that fans and consumers separate an athlete's immoral behavior from their athletic performance more easily. This led to a less severe backlash for Tiger Woods' extramarital affairs compared to Lance Armstrong's doping scandal.
The study analyzed approximately 20,000 protein coding genes in humans, revealing almost half are expressed ubiquitously across tissues. It also showed that 70% of approved pharmaceutical drugs target either secreted or membrane-bound proteins.
A study at Brown University found that reducing Myc gene activity increased the healthy lifespan of laboratory mice by 15%. The mice exhibited better health and organ function, with reduced signs of aging. The study's findings offer encouragement for developing cancer drugs targeting Myc and potential benefits for human health.
A new checklist from Australian doctors aims to prompt frank discussions about end-of-life care and minimize futile treatments. The CriSTAL tool assesses 29 predictors of death in elderly patients, helping healthcare professionals recognize the inevitability of death and provide more appropriate services.
Researchers found that mosquitoes respond weakly to human skin odor alone and require a fluctuating concentration of carbon dioxide to land on human skin. This suggests that upwind flight towards human odor may be used to locate dwellings rather than feeding sites.
New research from Duke University finds that low-income boys exhibit more antisocial behavior when living among affluent neighbors, while girls do not show a similar effect. The study suggests that neighborhood surroundings play a significant role in shaping the behavior of low-income children.
A new study found that climate variability historically accounts for one-third of yield variability for maize, rice, wheat, and soybeans worldwide. The equivalent of 36 million metric tons of food is lost each year due to climate-related crop yield fluctuations.
Forensic entomologists have discovered that scorpionflies and noctuid caterpillars interact with human cadavers, offering new insights into decomposition ecology. These findings may assist in determining postmortem intervals and interpreting postmortem artefacts.
Phishers use information-rich emails with graphics, logos, and brand markers to create a sense of social presence, reducing distrust and provoking heuristic processing. This study found that such messages triggered a victimization rate of 68% among participants.
Research reveals that a balanced gut bacterial community is crucial for digestive health, and the immune system plays a key role in shaping this balance. Fecal transplants may also offer new hope for treating IBD by restoring a healthy gut microbiome.
Researchers discovered a protein in E. coli that inhibits the accumulation of toxic amyloids, a key feature of Parkinson's disease. The finding could lead to a new therapeutic approach for treating Parkinson's.
A Stanford study found that nearly 20% of very-low-birth-weight babies in California were not referred to the state's high-risk infant follow-up program. Larger neonatal intensive care units and referrals were more common among premature or medically fragile infants.
Researchers found that stars beyond our solar system produce gold and uranium less frequently than expected, challenging current theories. The study analyzed deep-sea core samples, revealing a significant discrepancy in the abundance of plutonium isotope Pu-244.
The Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science at UT Dallas sponsors Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) projects on software safety and surface engineering, providing students with $500/week stipends and state-of-the-art research experience. Participants often pursue advanced degrees and careers in STEM fields.
Researchers examined 50 years of sleep research to investigate whether improving sleep early in life can delay or reverse age-related changes in memory and thinking. The findings suggest that sleeping well in middle age predicted better mental functioning 28 years later.
Researchers predict that up to one in three Bornean mammal species will lose 30% or more of their habitat by 2080 due to deforestation and climate change. A targeted conservation approach, focusing on higher-elevation reserves, can mitigate this threat and safeguard biodiversity hotspots.
Scientists report early measurements of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko's subsurface temperature and gas production from the European Space Agency's Rosetta Mission. The team used NASA's Microwave Instrument on the Rosetta Orbiter to study heat transport, outgassing, and coma development.
Researchers tracked jellyfish movements with GPS loggers and observed their swimming direction to show they can actively swim counter-current in response to drift. The findings could help predict and avoid troublesome jellyfish blooms, improving management of these ocean ecosystems.
Two deadly viruses, hepatitis C and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, were found to target common host proteins that are critical for human biology. By studying protein interactions between viruses and cells, scientists have identified potential new targets for anti-viral treatments.
A study found that transoral fundoplication was more effective in eliminating troublesome regurgitation than omeprazole in patients with persistent GERD symptoms. The procedure showed a lower failure rate and better safety profile compared to traditional surgery, making it a promising treatment option.
A study of over 1,000 Spanish teenagers reveals that 83% have fallen victim to at least one form of violence during their lives, with cyber-bullying affecting 12.6%. The research highlights the need for prevention and support for children who experience multiple forms of violence.
The Cleveland Clinic has received a $1 million grant to advance the treatment of lethal prostate cancer by identifying genetic biomarkers. The research aims to detect treatment-resistant prostate cancer at an early stage, improving treatment outcomes for patients.
A new study reveals that a small variation in sea level can stall coral reef growth and sediment production, contradicting the long-held notion of continuous reef formation. The research found that most lagoon infilling occurred over just four thousand years before being 'turned off' by a relatively small sea level fall.