Researchers at Uppsala University have successfully broken the strong magnetic coupling between spin moments in an atom, enabling ultrafast manipulation of magnetic materials. This breakthrough opens up new opportunities for data storage and computing applications.
Researchers successfully synthesized a more immediate and potent precursor to the chemotherapy agent etoposide using genetically modified tobacco. The new compound outperforms podophyllotoxin, a slow-growing Himalayan plant-based ingredient, in treating various malignancies.
A single gene mutation in a bacterial species triggered dramatic changes across its microbial community, altering biofilm production and affecting other species. This study suggests that fine-scale genetic differences within populations can have significant impacts on ecosystems.
Research from the University of East Anglia reveals that the Southern Ocean's carbon sink has reinvigorated after a decade of stagnant absorption. The team attributes this change to shifts in wind patterns and temperature, which have led to increased upwelling of deep waters containing higher concentrations of dissolved CO2.
The John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program provides funding to organizations responding to stranded marine mammals and collecting health data. Funding supports rehabilitation and conservation efforts for marine mammal populations in the wild.
A study published in Cell suggests that melatonin levels correlate with MS symptom severity, particularly during the fall and winter months. Researchers found that melatonin has a protective effect on immune cells, dampening the immune response and reducing disease progression.
Researchers found marginalized Vancouver residents are dying at 8.29 times the national average, with psychosis and hepatitis C-related liver dysfunction being significant risk factors for mortality. The study highlights the need for improved detection and treatment of these conditions in marginalized populations.
Research suggests oxygen in atmospheres of habitable extrasolar planets might not necessarily come from biological processes, potentially expanding the search for life. Scientists have proposed alternative explanations for oxygen formation, including abiotic reactions on planetary surfaces.
Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center found that peripheral lesions in the retina correlate strongly with retinal non-perfusion, a condition caused by lost small blood vessels. This discovery may enable clinicians to estimate disease progression without invasive angiography.
The Hastings Center has received a $1.1 million NIH grant to conduct an ethical analysis of next-generation prenatal genetic tests, informing clinical guidelines and policy recommendations. The project aims to identify principles and values guiding the use of these tests, as well as policies needed to support their ethical use.
The Southern Ocean's carbon sink has revived after 'saturating' since 2005 due to changes in weather patterns. The reinvigoration is attributed to variations in wind and temperature, enabling the ocean to absorb more CO2 from the atmosphere.
A Ph.D. student at the University of Houston is studying calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions from the Allende meteorite to understand when the solar system formed. By analyzing the age of these inclusions, he can gain insight into the timing and nature of early solar system processes.
A study published in BMJ Open found that working 12+ hour shifts is associated with greater levels of burnout, job dissatisfaction, and intention to leave among hospital nurses. The findings ran counter to the perceived value of longer shifts, which are increasingly common practice in many countries.
A new model applying ideas from complex networks has found that some quantum spaces might include hubs with significantly more links than others. Calculations indicate that these spaces are described by well-known quantum statistics, suggesting they could be useful for physicists working on quantum gravity.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute are exploring the use of soft robots in various fields, including medicine and disaster response. The goal is to develop intelligent surgical assistants that can help surgeons perform more effective manipulation during surgery.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new cache-coherence mechanism that significantly reduces memory usage in multicore chips. The Tardis system uses time stamps and lease management to enforce logical-time order, eliminating the need for invalidation messages and saving space in shared caches.
New NASA research implies that oceans beneath the crusts of tidally stressed moons may be more common and last longer than expected. Fluid tides in a subterranean magma ocean on Io could produce surface heat patterns observed on the moon.
A study published in PLOS Computational Biology found that monk parakeets use a complex system of mental math to determine their place in the pecking order. By analyzing aggression patterns, researchers discovered that birds can infer rank based on chains of interactions and adjust their behavior accordingly.
A vision test that involves rapidly reading numbers can detect concussions in 86% of athletes. The King-Devick test was effective when combined with balance and cognition assessments.
A new report by Eliezer Van Allen and colleagues found that melanoma patients who benefit from ipilimumab immunotherapy have unique tumor-produced antigens. The study suggests that predicting which patients will respond to the treatment may be challenging due to differences in molecular targets.
Oberdan is tracing the efforts of a group of intellectuals from diverse fields, including Moritz Schlick's Schlick Zirkel, who developed logical empiricism as a scientific philosophy. The research aims to provide insights into how scientists think about science and its implications for philosophical inquiry.
Recent advances in genetic testing are providing new insights into pediatric epilepsy, enabling timely diagnosis of potential genetic disorders. This can lead to optimized treatment and reduced costs for families, as well as reduced anxiety associated with unknown cause cases.
Researchers at Kansas State University have identified a key genetic link that enhances heterosis in sorghum, leading to improved plant height and potential increases in crop yield. The findings offer new insights into the complex genetic phenomena of heterosis and its impact on economically important traits.
A recent study by the Pew Research Center reveals significant differences in Americans' understanding of various science topics, with educational level being a major factor. Adults with higher education tend to perform better on science-related questions, while gender also plays a role, with men generally outperforming women.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $27.5 million in research grants to study ways to predict and respond to natural disasters. Researchers will focus on topics such as hurricane risk assessment, wildfire resilience and drought policy.
Researchers found a location-dependent pattern in cilia length that affects sensitivity to odors, with cells in the front of the nose having longer, more sensitive cilia. The discovery may shed light on disorders of the senses and has implications for understanding other sensory systems.
Poor diets, high systolic blood pressure, and smoking are top risk factors for global deaths, contributing to 30.8 million deaths in 2013. High blood pressure's impact on mortality has grown significantly, especially among men, while poor diet is the greatest cumulative impact on health.
Researchers develop cell-free protein synthesis platform to manufacture human phosphoproteins, enabling study of protein function and structure. The technology has the potential to pave the way for new drugs for diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's.
Researchers found that stadium sponsors' stock returns are higher after home team wins, especially in post-season games. Unexpected game outcomes also lead to significant market reactions.
A team of scientists has uncovered over 1,500 hominin fossils in a cave complex in South Africa, representing the largest and most complete set found to date. The discovery adds a new branch to the human family tree, with the fossils suggesting that Homo naledi was deliberately depositing its dead in the cave.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that smart watch motion sensors can be exploited by hackers to guess typed keystrokes. The 'MoLe' project reveals the potential for wearable devices to compromise user privacy.
Researchers have discovered that an anti-diabetic drug can 'suffocate' pancreatic cancer stem cells by preventing them from using oxygen for energy. This finding holds promise for developing new treatments that target these cancer stem cells and prevent recurrence after conventional treatment. Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most ...
Researchers found that people worldwide, including nomadic hunter-gatherers in Tanzania, group colors into categories similar to those used by other cultures. This study suggests a combination of nature and nurture influences color naming, revealing cultural universals despite dramatic diversity within each culture.
A study by the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis found that monk parakeets develop an understanding of rank after about a week of interactions. They use social feedback to refine their behavior, avoiding fights with higher-ranked birds while targeting those closely matched in rank.
Researchers found that intoxication and distractions further impair driving abilities, even at low blood alcohol levels. The study suggests reducing the legal limit may not be enough to ensure safe driving.
Researchers have recalculated the frictional strength of subduction zone faults worldwide, revealing low stresses in these areas despite potential for large earthquakes. The study suggests that even weak faults can accumulate stress to produce significant quakes.
A new UNSW report shows that frozen embryo IVF cycles are just as successful as fresh embryo cycles, with a 23-27.5% birth rate. The report also found a significant increase in the use of frozen embryos and improvements in techniques such as vitrification and blastocyst culturing.
A 25-year analysis of global cause-of-death data reveals that dietary risks and high blood pressure have replaced child and maternal malnutrition as leading causes of death. The study highlights the importance of preventing avoidable risks like smoking, poor diet, and environmental hazards.
A Neolithic skeleton from Scotland reveals the earliest case of rickets in the UK, dating back over 3,000 years. The woman's diet and lifestyle suggest she suffered from Vitamin D deficiency due to lack of sunlight, highlighting unusual circumstances that led to her condition.
Researchers found that humans and chimpanzees express different levels of proteins controlling facial development, including PAX3 and PAX7 genes affecting snout length and skin pigmentation. They also identified species-biased enhancer regions contributing to craniofacial differences.
Homo naledi, discovered in South Africa, has a unique combination of derived cranial vault and hand morphology. Its age is unknown, but it may represent an intermediate between Australopithecus and Homo erectus.
Researchers found a distant galaxy cluster producing over 800 solar masses of new stars annually, significantly higher than our Milky Way. The discovery reveals a rare 'wet merger' event where a gas-rich spiral galaxy collides with the massive cluster's central galaxy.
A mathematical calculation platform predicts how patients respond to modified diets depending on their gut microbiome composition. The study reveals that individuals with low-diversity gut microbiomes experience improved blood chemistry when following a weight loss diet.
Researchers at Salk Institute discovered a single master gene, Sox10, that controls the formation of mobile cancer factories. High levels of Sox10 in breast cancer tissue enable these stem-like cells to rapidly produce variants that can survive and spread to other tissues.
Scientists at Goethe University Frankfurt have developed SLAP technology, a small labeling pair that achieves high sensitivity and efficiency in single-molecule localization microscopy. The approach avoids mislocalization artifacts caused by large detection markers, enabling precise analysis of protein clusters and oligomeric states.
A new Michigan State University study aims to identify early signs of Alzheimer's disease among Latinos and Hispanics, potentially delaying or preventing its onset. The $5.67 million grant will gather health data from nearly 7,000 middle-aged and older adults, with the goal of differentiating mild cognitive impairment from normal aging.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured an infrared image of Tropical Depression 8, revealing coldest cloud top temperatures near -63F/-53C. The depression is expected to strengthen and become a tropical storm later on September 9.
Researchers found a new biomarker in ceramides that may help diagnose and treat episodic migraine. Women with episodic migraine had lower levels of ceramides in their blood compared to those without headaches.
A neuroimaging study will use diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to assess recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI), enabling medical professionals to predict motor recovery and provide more accurate prognoses. The study aims to improve rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with incomplete SCI.
A new study aims to illuminate the nationwide prevalence, frequency and scope of cyberbullying and electronic dating violence among youth. Researchers will survey a nationally-representative panel of teens aged 12-17 to collect data on contributing factors and negative outcomes.
A new study published in Patient Education and Counseling found that patients of minority race/ethnicity groups receive less information from their doctors about treatment rationale and scientific research. The study emphasizes the importance of consistent physician-patient communication to ensure equal care for all patients.
A University of Colorado Cancer Center study found that 41% of open lung cancer clinical trials excluded patients with previously treated CNS disease, while 26% allowed those with untreated CNS involvement. The study suggests that current practice may be based on habit rather than scientific rationale.
A University of Houston researcher is using brain activity tracking to study the connections between art and science, with a goal of improving creativity and understanding human emotion. The project involves artist Jo Ann Fleischhauer and uses advanced headset technology to track brain activity as she creates art.
The National Association of Science Writers announced the winners of its 2015 Science in Society Journalism Awards, recognizing outstanding reporting on science and society. Winners include Judy Foreman for her book A Nation in Pain: Healing Our Biggest Health Problem, and Erik Vance for his article Why Nothing Works.
Scientists have developed a technique to capture rapidly evolving intronic regions of the genome, increasing knowledge of evolution in difficult groups. The new method resolved evolutionary relationships between closely related Heuchera species, previously impossible to infer.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that discrimination during adolescence can have a lasting impact on cortisol levels, leading to flatter diurnal rhythms and increased risk of fatigue, mental health issues, and cardiovascular disease. The study suggests that cumulative experiences of discrimination, particularly during adole...
A caterpillar's feces induces corn plants to lower their defenses against insect predators, allowing the caterpillar to eat more and grow faster. This deception has likely evolved over thousands of years and may lead to the development of organic pesticides.
A new study reveals that women in social sciences receive slightly larger grants than men, with early career women being more successful. However, women overall receive only 41% of the £127 million allocated, largely due to the scarcity of female professors in senior positions.
A new enzyme-replacement therapy, Sebelipase Alfa, has been shown to effectively treat Lysosomal Acid Lipase Deficiency by reducing disease-related liver and blood cholesterol abnormalities. The therapy, which targets hepatocytes, resulted in lower cholesterol levels and reduced liver fat content in patients with the condition.
A study of over 4,000 European men found that those earning the majority of household income are most likely to want to work fewer hours. Men in partnerships and without children also desire shorter working weeks. The researchers suggest businesses should prioritize work-life balance for male breadwinners to reduce overwork.