Aalto researchers discover that electrons in a 'flat band' can carry electrical current, leading to potential breakthroughs in high temperature superconductivity. The key to this phenomenon lies in the quantum metric and Chern number, which measure the spread of electron waves in a crystal.
Researchers have found that deleting certain sugar-adding enzymes from plants results in similar defects across distantly related species, highlighting the importance of these modifications. The addition of sugar molecules to proteins controls tip growth, a process critical for cell wall formation and seed production.
Researchers from Wayne State University and Michigan State University will receive funding to develop a mindfulness-based intervention for parents and teachers of toddlers. The project aims to strengthen skills in responding to children's cues, promoting social-emotional development and school readiness.
A new common format, Neurodata Without Borders (NWB): Neurophysiology, enables free and open exchange of complex brain information. The format allows researchers to capture and share data generated by optical and electrical neurophysiology methods.
The University of Kentucky has received $6 million in funding to further develop a potential treatment for cocaine abuse. The project, led by Professor Chang-Guo Zhan, aims to create a novel enzyme that can neutralize cocaine in the bloodstream using molecular modeling technology.
Researchers found evidence of oxygen whiffs from blue-green algae in ancient black shales, supporting a hypothesis that photosynthesis led to an oxygenated atmosphere. The findings provide conclusive answers about the Great Oxidation Event and its impact on Earth's history.
Compliance with ID checks and minimum price laws significantly declined after NYC's Tobacco 21 law took effect, especially among independent retailers. Researchers attribute the drop to lack of awareness and inadequate enforcement measures.
Researchers at the Alfred Wegener Institute found that a 15-year observation series reveals how sensitive arctic marine ecosystems are to change. The study indicates that even a short-term influx of warm water can fundamentally impact local symbiotic communities, leading to changes in deep-sea life.
Researchers at Linköping University successfully integrated electronic components into living roses, enabling the creation of digital logic gates, displays, and even electrochemical transistors. This breakthrough paves the way for innovative applications in energy, environmental sustainability, and plant science.
A new University of Michigan study found that kids and teens taking ADHD medications are twice as likely to be bullied by peers than those without ADHD. Middle school students who sold or shared their medications were four-and-a-half times more likely to be victimized.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington are using formal, methods-based testing to automatically discover bugs in development environments for cyber-physical systems. The technique, known as randomized differential testing, generates random programs and models, then translates and compiles them to identify defects.
A new study shows that cuckoos use a highly complex individual decision-making process to navigate during migration. The birds can assess advantages and disadvantages of different routes, adjusting their behavior based on health, age, experience, or personality traits.
Scientists have discovered a surprising role of Wnt signaling in controlling male fertility. The research found that Wnt protects proteins from degradation, allowing sperm to mature and move forward. This discovery has potential implications for the treatment of infertility and contraception.
A new study estimates that up to 8,690 Amazonian tree species may face extinction, with more than half of the world's tropical tree species at risk. Protected areas and indigenous territories have made strides in preserving biodiversity, but further management is crucial to prevent extinctions.
A study by the University of the Basque Country found that global cities have a greater economic significance than countries. Cities with strong economic and political leadership, as well as innovative activity, are more competitive. The top-ranking cities include London, Paris, Tokyo, Madrid, Barcelona, and Milan.
The acorn worm's genome has revealed the origin of the human pharynx, showing how gill slits evolved into the jaw and throat. The study found that humans and other terrestrial vertebrates retain vestigial gills in embryos, a trait shared with marine animals.
Research by UCSB anthropologists found that parasitic intestinal worms can impact the timing of pregnancies among Tsimane women, with hookworm infection increasing intervals between births and roundworm infection shortening them. This study suggests helminth infections may affect demographic patterns in developing populations.
Researchers found that prenatal exposure to valproic acid inhibited new neuron birth and impaired learning, but running prevented these effects. The findings suggest that voluntary exercise could improve cognitive functioning in children of epileptic mothers.
A study found that combining bacterial protein Skp with small molecules can convert pluripotent cells into functional neurons. The research used Sox2 and Skp to initiate differentiation, followed by the use of neurodazine to direct lineage-specific commitment.
Fish scales have evolved to scramble light polarization, creating an 'omnidirectional' solution for camouflage. This discovery could lead to the development of new materials to help hide objects in the water.
Researchers have discovered ancient fossil forests in Svalbard, Norway, dating back 380 million years, which may hold the secrets to a 15-fold reduction in atmospheric CO2 levels. The dense, equatorial forests were likely formed by lycopod trees and could provide valuable information on the evolution of tree-sized vegetation.
A recent study published in American Journal of Epidemiology found that moderate amounts of caffeine during pregnancy do not harm the child's intelligence or behavior. Researchers analyzed data from 2,197 expectant mothers and found no associations between maternal caffeine intake and childhood obesity or behavioral problems.
A study reveals that yeast cells falsely perceive a specific pattern of stress as an ever-increasing ramp, leading to their self-destruction. The findings suggest that many cell types, including human cells, may be predisposed to misperceptions and could be fooled by carefully engineered illusions.
STEREO-A has resumed its normal science operations, transmitting lower-resolution real-time data and high-definition images of the sun's surface and atmosphere with a two- to three-day delay. This allows scientists to better track solar events and make accurate models of interplanetary space weather.
A new study published in Cell Press found that the glycemic index of foods varies significantly between individuals, contradicting traditional dietary recommendations. The research, led by Eran Segal and Eran Elinav, used a large cohort of participants to demonstrate the power of personalized nutrition in managing blood sugar levels an...
Researchers developed a new system to image individual neurons in the marmoset brain, overcoming limitations with two-photon microscopy. This allows for long-term study of neural activity related to cognitive and social behaviors.
Researchers from Tohoku University created a modified DNA sequence that increases sucrose levels in tomatoes without limiting growth. The technology also affects amino acid metabolism, resulting in higher levels of several key compounds.
Researchers have identified a new protein, NELL2, that acts as a 'Do Not Enter' sign to guide axons across the midline of the spinal cord. This finding contributes to solving the mystery of axon guidance and may advance therapeutic approaches for neuronal repair.
Chitons have eyes with mineral-based lenses in their shells, allowing them to visualize predators and respond quickly. The size and complexity of individual chiton eyes impact the local mechanical performance of their armor, highlighting trade-offs between protection and sight.
Researchers are studying how online dating technologies affect romantic connections, self-concepts, and decision-making processes. The project explores the social implications of updated online dating systems and their design features.
A study published in the American Heart Association journal Stroke found that bilingual patients were twice as likely as those who spoke one language to have normal cognitive functions after a stroke. The research also showed that bilinguals performed better on post-stroke tests measuring attention and information retrieval.
Researchers at Rockefeller University discovered a new signaling molecule, NELL2, that guides axons during critical brain development. The molecule directs commissural axons to the midline using Robo3 receptors, shedding light on axon guidance and potential treatments for horizontal gaze palsy with progressive scoliosis.
A blood test can predict how quickly patients recover from surgery by identifying their unique immune state before the procedure, according to a new study. This simple test may help personalize recovery approaches and have a significant impact on perioperative medicine.
UF Health researchers have discovered four novel proteins that contribute to Huntington's disease by accumulating in the brain and killing neurons. The proteins, known as RAN proteins, are made without a signal in the genetic code and build up as aggregated clusters that lead to cell death.
Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a genetic condition that can lead to premature cardiovascular disease due to thickening or thinning of blood vessel walls. Researchers are studying the similarities between NF1-related arterial stenosis and aneurysms to improve diagnosis and treatment.
Researchers successfully transplanted human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived kidney tissues into mouse kidneys, where the animal's blood vessels connected to the human tissue. The advance allows for the creation of urine-producing kidneys through regenerative medicine.
Researchers used urine-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to model hypercholesterolemia and predict patient responses to cholesterol-lowering drugs. The study shows that these models can be used to test the efficacy of PCSK9 inhibitors, potentially paving the way for personalized treatment.
A new study found that nonhuman primates in Bangladesh and Cambodia harbor diverse astroviruses, including human astroviruses, challenging the paradigm that AstV infection is species-specific. The researchers also detected recombinant viruses that may be more efficiently transmitted.
Researchers from Kumamoto University and The University of Tokyo have elucidated the control of cellular movement during blood vessel formation, showing that tip cells and trailing cells move at different speeds and directions. This study provides new insights into the complex cellular motion involved in blood vessel proliferation.
Pedestrian wheelchair users in the US are more than a third likely to die in road traffic collisions. Men's risk is 5 times higher than women's, particularly among 50- to 64-year-olds. Inadequate pedestrian facilities and driver failure contribute to these risks.
Research found that more than half of children in the US misperceive or reject their parents' political party affiliations. Social support from parents increases the likelihood of children adopting their party identifications but not necessarily knowing them accurately.
A large prospective community-based study of older Americans found that modest physical activity is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Walking at a pace faster than three miles per hour and engaging in leisure activities such as lawn-mowing, raking, or hiking also showed significant CVD benefits.
Researchers found that certain fish species exhibit lower polarization contrast with their backgrounds, making them harder to spot. The platelets in these fish align on vertical axes to reflect downward-directed light and diffuse horizontal-axis light, providing enhanced camouflage abilities.
Researchers at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre have developed a new injectable biogel that can deliver anti-cancer agents directly into cancerous tumours. The biogel is effective in killing cancer cells and has shown promising results in laboratory tests, including the destruction of melanoma and kidney cancer cells.
A new personalized method for testing drug effectiveness in multiple myeloma predicts the best treatments for individual patients. The test suggests commonly prescribed drugs or combination therapies, as well as optimal dosages.
The PLOS Genetics Research Prize 2015 was awarded to Barroso-Batista et al. for their study on the adaptation of E. coli to the gut, which found that clonal interference dominates early stages of adaptation. The research used mice as hosts and demonstrated high reproducibility in populations evolving in different mice.
A team of scientists has successfully developed a working prototype of a 'shoebox-sized accelerator on a chip,' which could revolutionize fields like biology, chemistry, and materials science. The $13.5 million grant-funded project aims to make particle accelerators smaller, cheaper, and more accessible.
A new study suggests parasitic worms can impact human reproduction rates, with roundworms increasing childbearing by up to two more children than uninfected women, while hookworms decrease it by up to three fewer children.
A recent study published in Neuron shows that brain layers facilitate the rapid development of neuronal circuits, but are not essential for establishing cell-type specific connections. The researchers used zebrafish as a model system to demonstrate this and found that layer formation is necessary for speeding up circuit assembly.
Researchers explore new pre-exposure prophylaxis strategies, broadly neutralizing antibodies, and innate antibacterial activity in relation to HIV acquisition. Advances in vaccine development and emerging clinical trial results offer promising near-term strategies for reducing HIV transmission.
A recent study by Georgetown University researchers reveals that wheelchair users are approximately 36% more likely to die in road traffic collisions. The majority of fatal crashes occurred at intersections with poor pedestrian infrastructure, indicating the need for improved accessibility and safety measures.
Taxonomists can accelerate their workflows by using DNA barcoding and diagnostic characters to describe new species. Dr. Gunnar Brehm's study revises the Neotropical looper moth genus Hagnagora efficiently, including the description of three new species.
A new USGS study reveals that piping plovers are likely losing their breeding habitat in the Great Plains due to wetland drainage and climate change. The research found that consolidation drainage results in fewer and fuller wetlands with less shoreline nesting space for the species.
Gammaherpesvirus co-opts host SINE RNA transcripts to activate immune response and boost viral transcription. This finding reveals a new role for SINE RNAs in the host-pathogen interaction.
Researchers found that human brains have a subset of cells that fire in response to inputs from both eyes, similar to those in rodents. This discovery suggests that humans have the best possible visual system, with primitive pathways allowing for quick spotting of danger and complex behaviors.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a pathogen-sensing molecule called Absent in Melanoma 2 (AIM2) that plays a vital role in maintaining gastrointestinal health. AIM2 detects DNA of harmful microorganisms and regulates inflammation in the gut, which could lead to targeted therapies for inflammatory bowel dise...
A UMD study found that improving fitness through moderate exercise can counteract brain atrophy in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. The study showed increased cortical thickness in both healthy and MCI participants, with greater improvements seen in those with MCI.
The Show-Me Healthy Marriages and Relationships program aims to improve parenting skills, economic stability, and personal well-being in low-resource Missouri residents. Through a five-year project, 2,000 participants will receive wrap-around services, including relationship education classes and text messaging support.
Researchers found that supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) pretreatment increased sugar yields from empty fruit bunches by up to 37%, with the addition of alkali further increasing glucose production. The study provides visual evidence of surface changes in pretreated biomass.
Researchers develop nanoparticles that can carry therapeutics across the brain blood barrier, offering new hope for treating glioblastoma multiforme. The 3HM nanocarriers show promising attributes for treating brain cancers.