Recent La Niña years have brought less-than-normal rainfall to Hawai'i, contrary to past trends. The shift in weather patterns has important implications for agriculture and water resource management.
Scientists have detected a monstrous new cloud of frozen compounds in the moon's low- to mid-stratosphere, peaking at an altitude of about 124 miles. This discovery provides insight into the nature and severity of Titan's winter, which is expected to be harsher than its northern counterpart.
A recent study published in Stem Cell Reports suggests that genetic identical twins may exhibit uneven growth as early as the first few days after conception. This phenomenon occurs when two inner cell masses within a single embryo are at different stages of development, leading to unequal growth throughout pregnancy.
Researchers demonstrate entanglement's role in quantum mechanics, ruling out local realism with highly correlated particle measurements. The NIST experiment achieves definitive results, surpassing previous studies' limitations.
A Dartmouth-led study finds that black-throated blue warblers can adjust their breeding time to avoid phenological mismatches caused by climate warming. The birds' flexibility allows them to optimize reproductive success, but this resilience may have limits as warming continues.
Higher levels of urinary potassium excretion were linked with slower declines in kidney function and lower cardiovascular complications among patients with type 2 diabetes. A diet rich in potassium may help protect heart and kidney health, according to the study.
Biologists from KU Leuven discovered that nematode eggs can hatch without egg yolk, defying the rule that no yolk means no offspring. The finding opens new avenues for deworming products without side effects on humans.
Analysis of Baffin Island lava flows provides new insights into Earth's water origins, suggesting water-soaked dust grains present early in the solar system may be the source. The study found lower deuterium levels than previous studies, providing a potential baseline for Earth's original water signature.
Zachariæ Isstrøm's acceleration increased by a factor of three in 2012 due to rising air and ocean temperatures. The glacier's floating shelf shrank by 95% between 2002 and 2014, posing significant sea level rise concerns.
A team of appraisers found that home buyers pay a premium for solar homes in six US states, with the average premium being $15,000. The study confirmed earlier research by Berkeley Lab and recommends considering individual market characteristics when valuing solar systems.
Researchers found that a bitter taste receptor and genetic variations can predict surgical outcomes in certain CRS patients. Patients with the sensitive PAV variant tend to have better post-surgical improvement and may benefit from more aggressive approaches.
Extra-Tropical Storm Kate rapidly intensified off the US East Coast, producing hurricane-force winds before transitioning to an extratropical cyclone. As it moves northeast, Kate's winds are expected to weaken over the next few days, eventually being absorbed by another low-pressure system.
A new study explores how anxiety can aggravate asthma, revealing that individuals with anxiety sensitivity experience greater asthma symptoms and decreased lung function. The researchers recommend interventions such as exposure therapy to reduce anxiety sensitivity and alleviate asthma symptoms.
A new study funded by The Ben & Catherine Ivy Foundation has identified propentofylline as a potential drug that could help treat glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a deadly brain tumor. The research found that PPF can limit the spread of GBM and increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a crucial enzyme in maintaining telomere length. The discovery was made using a novel method called ADDIT, which found that ATM kinase plays a vital role in lengthening telomeres.
A team of researchers discovered a molecular mechanism responsible for familial amyloidosis and other life-threatening diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. They found that specific mutations can alter the protein's structure, leading to abnormal clumping and organ damage.
Barry Simon is receiving the 2016 AMS Steele Prize for Lifetime Achievement in recognition of his groundbreaking contributions to pure mathematics and mathematical physics. His influential books, mentoring, and research have had a lasting impact on generations of mathematical scientists.
The Genome Analysis Centre has achieved a major milestone in wheat research by assembling the genome into larger and more complete chunks. This breakthrough, made possible by improved sequencing technology, will enable researchers to develop new insights into wheat genes and breeding programmes.
A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that only 3 in 10 children get at least 60 minutes of outdoor recess time, despite guidelines recommending it. Preschoolers in child care centers with ample outdoor time were more active over 24 hours.
Researchers analyze Cryptosporidium parvum protein involved in energy metabolism, identifying it as a potential target for developing therapeutics. The study found that lactate dehydrogenase inhibitors can inhibit parasite growth and ATP production.
A study published in Current Biology confirms the phenomenon of horizontal extinction cascades, where the loss of one carnivore species can trigger the demise of fellow predators. The researchers' findings suggest that adopting a whole system approach is crucial for effective conservation.
Researchers have developed a new class of materials for organic electronics, featuring polymeric carbon nitrides with high charge mobility and long lifetimes. These materials show promise for building durable and efficient components for organic electronics applications.
Researchers using NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope discovered a new gamma-ray pulsar in the Large Magellanic Cloud, breaking records for luminosity and age. The discovery was made after reanalyzing data from the telescope's Pass 8 process.
A study by University of Kansas researchers reveals a major Greenland glacier is losing ice rapidly, contributing to increased global sea levels. The Zachariæ Isstrøm glacier holds enough water to trigger a half-meter rise in ocean levels.
Researchers at Michigan Technological University found that thyroid cancer detection assays may not accurately measure two major biomarkers. The proteins tend to clump together, making it difficult to detect the true levels of thyroglobulin and galectin-3. By adding a step to break up these clumps, the tests could be made more accurate.
Researchers developed a relationship education program to address disparities faced by female same-sex couples, including discrimination, stigma, and lack of social support. The 10-hour program improved positive communication skills and satisfaction with relationships among participating couples.
Georgia Tech researchers trained IBM Watson AI to 'chat' with students, sparking creativity and providing answers to complex questions on biologically inspired design. The teams used Watson to learn from biology articles and ask questions on topics like desalination and solar cells, receiving rapid responses with relevant answers.
A 359 million-year-old mass extinction event triggered a drastic transformation in Earth's vertebrate community, with smaller fish dominating the oceans for at least 40 million years. The findings suggest that small, fast-reproducing fish possessed an evolutionary advantage over larger animals in the disturbed environment.
The US Forest Service found that forest carbon sequestration may decline overall over the next 25 years, with some regions experiencing a gradual decline and others a rapid decline due to disturbances like fire and insect epidemics.
Researchers at Oxford University found that apathetic individuals showed more activity in the pre-motor cortex when making decisions, despite being less likely to accept effortful choices. This suggests that biology, not attitude, may be the root cause of apathy in some people.
A new study has revealed reasons why lab-grown stem cells fail to mature in the laboratory and provided a possible solution to overcome these 'developmental arrest'. The researchers analyzed over 200 heart cell samples from mice embryos and animals, identifying biochemical pathways that are out of sync with adult cells.
Two new studies from University of California, Berkeley provide detailed insights into CRISPR-Cas9's molecular basis for accurate DNA targeting. The Cas9 protein appears to have at least three ways to check for correct target DNA before making a cut, ensuring precise genome editing.
In a study by Oxford University researchers, wild birds chose to stay close to their partners over accessing food, even when it meant spending less time foraging. This demonstrates the importance of social relationships for wild birds and shows how individual behavior can be shaped around maintaining key relationships.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that COX-2 drugs may cause cardiovascular problems due to prostaglandin production by macrophages. The researchers hope to develop new, targeted painkillers without the vascular effects of existing medications.
Scientists have discovered that ultrathin layers of molybden disulfide (MoS2) remain superconducting under high magnetic fields, contrary to conventional physics. This phenomenon has significant implications for future quantum computing applications and could lead to breakthroughs in information storage.
A Michigan State University study reveals that developing strong internal relationships leads to a significant increase in sales volume. Successful salespeople leverage political skill to build connections with well-connected co-workers and extraversion helps facilitate cross-fertilization of ideas.
This study models and verifies the behavior of Chinese Train Control System Level 3 (CTCS-3) using the Architecture Analysis & Design Language (AADL). The authors use the Behavior Language for Embedded Systems with Software (BLESS) and Hybrid Annex (HA) sublanguages to capture discrete and continuous behaviors, respectively. They verif...
Researchers found that a fractal hydrocarbon haze on early Earth could have resulted in a moderate, possibly habitable average global temperature. The haze also would have absorbed ultraviolet light, shielding the planet from deadly radiation.
Researchers have identified the Jagged1 gene as a potential target for therapies to combat Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration. Increasing expression of JAG1 was shown to prevent the development of degenerative disease in zebrafish models.
A study found that kidney failure patients on dialysis were at high risk of kidney and thyroid cancers, while those post-transplant were at higher risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and melanoma. The findings highlight the importance of cancer screening and prevention in these patients.
A new study by Harvard Medical School researchers found that Medicaid insurance is associated with better awareness and treatment of chronic diseases among low-income Americans. People with Medicaid are five times more likely to see a doctor than those with no health insurance.
A national survey of US surface waters found pharmaceuticals in high levels near urban areas, posing risks to aquatic organisms. Research on complex mixtures of pharmaceuticals reveals inconsistent responses across different life stages, highlighting the need for diverse biological endpoints.
Research found that exposure to dust mite and cockroach allergens triggers distinct asthma responses, with eosinophilic and neutrophilic asthma requiring separate treatment options. The study suggests that current 'blanket approach' to asthma treatment may not be ideal.
Research finds that regular entrepreneurial activity fosters passionate entrepreneurship, with success and freedom of choice playing key roles. The study challenges the idea that passion for entrepreneurship is innate, instead suggesting it can develop over time with experience and accomplishment.
Andrew J. Majda has made groundbreaking contributions to partial differential equations, merging asymptotic methods, numerical methods, and rigorous analysis. His work has had a significant impact in science and engineering, particularly in the study of multidimensional shock fronts and their stability.
A new paper in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management provides a comprehensive overview of greenbug control methods for wheat and sorghum. Growers can use the Glance n' Go system to monitor fields and determine when pesticides are necessary, reducing unnecessary treatments and costs.
A study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found that listeners' pupils dilate in response to emotional music, reflecting both the music's content and the listener's personal connection. The research used eye trackers to measure pupil size while participants listened to short music excerpts from the Romantic era.
Researchers discovered that ancient bees used both generalist and specialist pollen-collecting strategies, finding pollen from diverse flowers on their bodies except for the hind legs. This finding challenges previous theories about the early history of bee pollination.
A team of physicists at the University of Alberta has created a method to measure magnetic resonance using mechanical twisting motion detected with light, enabling the miniaturization of magnetic sensors. This technology opens up possibilities for various scientific applications in healthcare, technology, and energy.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London found male bumblebees equal to female worker bees in learning floral colors. The study showed that male bees can learn new flower colors as indicators for nectar even when the original color changes.
A new study using mathematical models estimates that gene replacement can spread quickly through populations, potentially eradicating diseases like malaria. However, the speed and efficiency of this biological control strategy also bring significant risks of unintended consequences.
A University of Adelaide study finds that warmer oceans and increased CO2 levels will dramatically impact sharks' hunting ability, leading to reduced growth rates and changes in food webs. This loss of top-down control could accelerate shark extinction rates.
Researchers find per capita public health spending declining from $281 in 2008 to $256 in 2014, reflecting a $40.2 billion loss to disease prevention and related programs. This decline reflects the nation's 'dangerously out of balance' healthcare system, where more is spent treating disease than preventing it.
A new study identifies 97 basins serving 2 billion people at risk of declining snowmelt due to warming, posing a critical threat to human water supplies. The most vulnerable regions include California, the Caucasus, and parts of Europe and Asia.
A new study by Brown University found that HIV incidence rises significantly in the five years leading up to bloodshed in sub-Saharan Africa. The rate of new infections increases by 2.1 infections per 1000 people a year during this period, compared to times of peace.
A new study analyzed 527 patients who underwent spinal fusion surgery using recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP) and found high rates of successful fusion and low rates of complications. The study found no significantly increased risk of cancer, contradicting previous concerns.
A glacier in northeast Greenland is losing mass at a rate of 5 billion tons per year and breaking up into the North Atlantic Ocean. The glacier's rapid retreat is attributed to ocean warming and decades of increasing air temperatures, which are substantially raising global sea levels.
A University of Washington researcher argues that people should pay more attention to how climate change affects ocean and coastal environments globally. The review paper looks at scientific understanding of ocean changes and responses from people around the world, highlighting potential for local action and interdisciplinary research.
A new study found that older adults with dementia visit emergency departments at higher rates, are admitted to hospitals more often, and have a higher death rate after ED visits compared to those without dementia. The study also highlights the need for better care in fast-paced emergency departments.
Michigan State University has been awarded $18.5 million in USAID grants to support food security initiatives in Nigeria and Senegal. The grants will help strengthen the countries' policies and procedures necessary for achieving their own food security goals.