Researchers developed a new 'zippered tube' configuration that makes paper structures stiff enough to hold weight yet can fold flat. This technique could be applied to other thin materials to transform structures from furniture to buildings to microscopic robots.
A study by Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine researchers reveals that evolution can be highly predictable in terms of developing toxin resistance. Convergent evolution of two amino acid changes in a specific gene leads to the development of toxin resistance in various animals, including insects, reptiles, and mammals.
Scientists developed an interactive analysis program called Gingko to study genetic anomalies and provide a simple way to visualize patterns in copy number mutations. This could help clinicians better target medications based on individual cell mutation profiles.
A team of researchers has discovered that early Iberian farmers are the closest ancestors to modern-day Basques, contradicting previous hypotheses. The study also reveals that farming was brought to Iberia by groups migrating to northern and central Europe, leading to admixture with local hunter-gatherer populations.
Researchers at PolyU have created high-efficiency, low-cost semitransparent perovskite solar cells with graphene electrodes for BIPV applications. The PCEs reach up to 12% and show potential cost savings of over 50% compared to existing silicon-based solar panels.
Researchers discovered that Candida albicans, a deadly fungus, uses copper to fuel an enzyme designed to neutralize free radical attacks, but can switch to manganese when copper levels drop. This clever adaptation allows the fungus to survive in tissues like the kidney.
The new vegetationmap4africa version provides a smartphone application and website to help users identify tree species and their uses. It aids in agroforestry and landscape restoration by providing information on suitable tree species for specific goods and services, as well as tools for regenerating degraded land.
A recent study suggests that grandmothering played a crucial role in the development of human pair bonds, which distinguish us from other primates. With increasing human longevity, grandmothers helped feed their weaned children, allowing their daughters to have more kids and passing on genes.
A study published in Nature has identified nearly 1,000 common protein complexes shared by most kinds of animals, revealing deep evolutionary relationships. These findings have significant implications for understanding the genetic basis of diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and cancer across different species.
Research from Harvard University suggests that flooding for hydroelectric development can increase methylmercury levels in Arctic ecosystems by up to 200 percent. The study found that freshwater from melting ice mixing with salt water creates a feeding zone for plankton that accumulates mercury and magnifies its effects on the food chain.
Engineers at the University of Sheffield are working with the ITF to create a handheld device that measures friction on tennis courts. This will enable professional players to understand and adjust their sliding movements, giving them an edge over their opponents.
A multinational team of scientists created the world's largest protein map, revealing tens of thousands of new protein interactions that account for about a quarter of all estimated protein contacts in a cell. The map is helping researchers spot individual proteins that could be at the root of complex human disorders.
UBC physicists successfully induce superconductivity in single-layer graphene by coating it with lithium atoms, opening up new possibilities for graphene electronics and nanoscale quantum devices. The breakthrough has significant cross-disciplinary impacts, with potential applications in computing, medicine, and sustainable energy.
Researchers at the University of Bonn successfully eliminated multi-resistant bacteria from a pig stable using radical hygiene measures, including frequent hand washing and quarantine. While MRSA was not eradicated, overall health improvement led to reduced antibiotic use, highlighting potential applications for hospitals
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast are developing new 'inhaled antibiotics' to manage chronic lung infection in cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis. The €50 million project will improve patients' quality of life by reducing lung infections and flare-ups, and overcoming antibacterial resistance.
The New England Wild Flower Society and partners have launched a $2.3M project to collect native seeds for coastal habitat restoration from Maine to Virginia. This initiative will supply seeds sustainably collected from the local area, targeting 50 species common throughout the project range, plus regional and site-specific species.
Researchers at Harvard and MIT have developed a new approach that allows for both genome editing and gene regulation to be achieved using the same Cas9 protein, opening up possibilities for understanding diseases and designing synthetic gene circuits. The method uses engineered guide RNAs to control gene expression.
The International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) has issued a new statement on tobacco control and smoking cessation, calling for increased taxes on tobacco products to reduce cigarette smoking. The organization also emphasizes comprehensive advertising and promotion bans and product regulation, including pack warnings.
Researchers have successfully levitated individual nanodiamonds in a vacuum, enabling the creation of extremely sensitive instruments and potentially even larger-scale quantum systems. The system combines optical, spin, and mechanical degrees of freedom, allowing for precise control over the nanodiamond's motion and spin state.
Researchers have identified a link between negative symptoms of schizophrenia and adverse clinical outcomes, including increased hospital admission rates and longer hospital stays. Patients with two or more negative symptoms were 24% more likely to be admitted to hospital, with an average extra 21-day stay duration.
A recent study has found that microRNAs, previously thought to be digested and absorbed by the body, are actually broken down in the small intestine, rendering them ineffective for modifying physiological functions.
Physicists at the University of Basel have demonstrated that electron exchange limits the stability of quantum information in qubits. By controlling this exchange process, they can extend coherence times and improve quantum computing performance.
A recent study published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society found that trained volunteers can identify jets shooting from massive black holes and match them to their host galaxies with high accuracy. The project, Radio Galaxy Zoo, uses online tutorials to teach volunteers how to spot black holes and other objects emit...
A gene signature associated with 'healthy ageing' has been identified, allowing for early prediction of age-related diseases like Alzheimer's. The discovery provides a reliable molecular profile for distinguishing people at risk and could transform medical decision-making.
A new study published in Cell Death Discovery journal found that local anaesthetics can affect tooth cell growth and potentially impact on tooth development. The research team used pig teeth and human young permanent tooth pulp cells to identify the harmful effects of common dental anaesthetics.
A recent study of over 150,000 smokers found that varenicline does not increase the risk of heart attack or depression. The research suggests that doctors can prescribe varenicline more widely to help people quit smoking, supporting its effectiveness and safety.
A study published in The BMJ found that patients admitted to NHS hospitals on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays have a higher risk of death compared to those admitted during the week. This "weekend effect" is attributed to reduced support services and increased severity of illness.
The University of Texas at Arlington's Planetarium will debut the first active stereo 3-D show about NASA's SOFIA mission, exploring the study of Mars atmospheres and comets. The 3.5-minute film aims to inspire young scientists and engineers.
A study by Professor Elizabeth Kay found that supervised tooth brushing and fluoride varnish schemes are cost-effective options for preventing tooth decay in high-risk children. The schemes can save the NHS hundreds of pounds per child compared to surgical treatments, making them an economically viable solution.
Climate change is causing significant habitat loss for Pacific Northwest amphibians, including the Cascades frog, which may become extinct by 2080. The study forecasts that more than half of intermediate wetlands will convert to fast-drying ephemeral wetlands, threatening these unique species.
Researchers create a one-step process to make seamless carbon-based nanomaterials that possess superior thermal, electrical and mechanical properties in three dimensions. The material enables high efficiency batteries, supercapacitors, and solar cells, and has potential for applications such as energy storage, sensors, and wearable ele...
Researchers discovered how Sulfolobus, a superbug that thrives in 80°C environments, transfers its genetic material to new cells during cell division. This finding sheds light on the origins of life and may lead to breakthroughs in understanding life beyond Earth.
Researchers will investigate greenhouse gas exchanges, permafrost thawing, and wildlife habitat changes in the Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE). The study aims to better understand the ecological impacts of climate change on forests, wildlife, and communities in Alaska and northern Canada.
The discovery of the VRN-D4 gene and its three counterpart genes is crucial for understanding vernalization and developing wheat varieties adapted to different regions or changing environments. The study also shows how ancient wheat from Pakistan and India influenced the spring growth habit in some wheat varieties.
A new multi-scale process adapts simulation to the structure of light transport in granular media on various scales. This enables efficient computation of photorealistic representation in images and animations, accelerating computation by a factor of ten compared to conventional path tracing.
A team of researchers has identified a protein family that helps plants grow on salt, revealing a mechanism for improving plant growth under salt stress conditions. The study found that these proteins support the cellulose synthase machinery during cellulose synthesis, helping plants maintain biomass production under salt.
A retrospective case series found specific epidural steroid injections to be effective in treating short-term pain from lumbar spinal stenosis. The study contradicts a previous NEJM study and suggests future trials using interlaminar injection with long-acting steroids.
A team of scientists, including a GVSU professor and alumni, discovered a 1-million-year-old monkey fossil in the Dominican Republic. The species, Antillothrix bernensis, was found to be morphologically consistent with previously collected material but dated to 1.3 million years ago.
A team of international scientists has dated a species of extinct monkey found in the Dominican Republic to over 1 million years old. The discovery sheds light on primate evolution in the region and provides evidence for the long-term survival of endemic native monkey species.
A study by American Society for Microbiology found that decontamination protocols effectively eliminated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and antibiotic-resistant Enterobacteriaceae bacteria from a pig farm. The protocol involved high-pressure cleaning, disinfection, and treatment with complex solutions.
The Society for Neuroscience has announced the winners of its fifth annual Brain Awareness Video Contest, featuring nine winning videos that explain complex neuroscience concepts in an engaging way. The contest winners, including Matthew Sugrim and Guillaume Riesen, have received awards and recognition for their innovative videos.
Researchers demonstrate how community ecology can provide new analytical tools for understanding diseases and their impacts on multiple hosts and vectors. The approach highlights the need for a broad contextual understanding of diseases and identifies strategies such as managing symbiotic microbial communities and preserving biodiversity.
Researchers from UC Davis developed a novel sensor coating material using nanoporous gold to detect nucleic acids in complex biological samples. The method enables sensitive detection of DNA without requiring purification, enabling faster and more efficient process for field applications.
Scientists at SISSA and Northwestern University propose a new model for creating multiferroic materials that combine magnetism and ferroelectricity in the same substance. Theoretical study shows promise for controlling ferroelectricity with magnetism, paving the way for new technologies.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a new seasickness treatment using a mild electrical current applied to the scalp. The treatment reduces responses in an area of the brain responsible for processing motion signals, helping prevent symptoms of motion sickness. Short-term use is expected to be safe and effective.
Typhoon Kilo's maximum sustained winds reached near 86.3 mph on September 4, 2015, with the storm centered near 23.4 North latitude and 175.7 East longitude. NASA's MODIS instrument aboard Aqua satellite provided a close-up of Typhoon Kilo's eye on September 3, revealing high clouds covering most of it.
Researchers from the University of Washington will observe and measure dusty plasmas in Earth's outer atmosphere using a rocket launch. The CAREII mission aims to improve models and understand how dusty plasmas disrupt radio-based communications and tracking systems.
Researchers found that coronary spasm at sites of atherosclerotic coronary artery narrowing significantly increases the risk of future heart attacks. Patients with these spasms are more likely to experience acute coronary syndrome, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and preventative therapy.
A Phase 3 clinical trial has been launched to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel RNAi investigational agent for treating patients with transthyretin-mediated familial amyloidotic cardiomyopathy (FAC). The first US patient, Leon Silas, 76, was enrolled in the study after being diagnosed with congestive heart failure in 2011.
The Genetics Society of America (GSA) is supporting workshops organized by students and postdocs to broaden interest in genetics. These trainee-organized symposia aim to advance knowledge, encourage exchange, and further the GSA mission.
A KIT study with over 450 test persons found that social competition and time pressure drive up prices in online auctions. Physiological measurements show human contenders influence behavior on electronic markets.
Researchers found that the antidepressant sertraline increased the volume of one brain region in depressed subjects, while decreasing two brain areas in non-depressed subjects. The study used middle-aged female monkeys to replicate human depression and tested the effects of sertraline on brain volumes.
New calculations indicate that polar bears can survive on land-based food sources, such as caribou and snow goose eggs, to avoid starvation due to ice melt. The research found that these alternative food sources provide enough calories for bears to sustain themselves during extended stays on land.
A team of Caltech researchers detects a galaxy called EGS8p7, which is more than 13.2 billion years old, making it the farthest galaxy ever found. The detection challenges our understanding of the universe's evolution, particularly reionization.
The University of Rochester team aims to reduce the cost of electricity from solar power by replacing expensive panels with plastic solar concentrators. Their planar light guide using micro-optics can concentrate direct sunlight onto a single photovoltaic cell, reducing the need for expensive PV cells.
Tropical Storm Ignacio is weakening as it moves over colder Pacific waters, with the Global Precipitation Measurement mission analyzing its precipitation patterns. The storm has decreased in intensity from a category four hurricane to a strong tropical storm, with maximum sustained winds near 75 mph.
A study at St. Michael's Hospital found that using an inexpensive drug, tranexamic acid, can reduce the number of red blood cell transfusions during hip and knee replacement surgeries by over 40%. The use of this drug did not increase adverse events or hospital stays.
Researchers found that the vestibular organ can adapt its sensitivity to movement signals, allowing for smooth balance and posture control. This is achieved through a process where the spinal cord sends efferent signals to the hair cells in the inner ear, reducing their sensitivity.
A new study exploring the relationship between facial hair and health will survey sources from 1700 to 1918, including medical texts and personal diaries. The project aims to understand how beard grooming evolved over time and its connection to masculinity and hygiene.
The Georgetown-Howard Universities Center for Clinical and Translational Science has received a $27 million grant to facilitate clinical trials in the Washington D.C. area, benefiting over four million residents. The award supports clinical researchers, training programs, and community engagement initiatives.