A new study finds that globalization has not increased food diversity as much as anticipated, with diets still largely determined by local biodiversity. The lack of specialization in agriculture has implications for the global food supply, including inefficiencies and potential trade-offs for food security.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture has received a grant to expand the farm financial management database FINBIN to include Tennessee farms. This expansion will provide benchmark financial information for producers, lenders, and other agricultural professionals, enabling them to make more informed financial decisions.
In emergency situations, people tend to behave either egotistically or prosocially, with some individuals being more cooperative than others. A study published in Nature Scientific Reports found that most participants helped others less in emergency situations due to time pressure, while prosocial individuals were more willing to help.
Researchers have discovered a biological link between anxiety and metabolic disorders, revealing microRNAs as key regulators of inflammation and metabolism. This finding offers novel opportunities for innovative diagnoses and treatments, including manipulation of microRNA activity through DNA-based drugs.
A study of 2.4 million Swedish children found perinatal factors such as maternal smoking, breech birth, and preterm birth associated with a higher risk of developing OCD. The findings suggest an important role for environmental factors in the development of the disorder.
Researchers at Rosalind Franklin University and Oregon Health & Science University developed a breakthrough study on treating congenital diseases in utero using antisense oligonucleotides injected into the amniotic cavity. The procedure resulted in targeted alteration of gene expression for up to a month after birth.
A team of researchers led by Dr. Marie Kmita discovered that the transition from fin to limb was not accomplished overnight and identified a key difference in gene regulation between fish and mice. By reproducing the fish-type regulation, mice developed up to seven digits per paw, revealing the significance of this difference.
The Computational Science Initiative at Brookhaven Lab will develop modeling and simulation applications for nuclear and high-energy physics, focusing on lattice quantum chromodynamics calculations and computational chemistry code NWChem. The projects aim to optimize societal impact in fields like climate science and materials science.
Current methods for determining compound chirality rely on X-ray diffraction and computer analysis. Recent advancements have improved the accuracy of absolute structure assignment, enabling reliable results for compounds containing heavy atoms.
A 1,000-kilometre-long geological boundary in Amazonia constrains plant species occurrences more effectively than large rivers. Laboratory analyses confirm soil differences on both sides of the boundary.
Professional baseball players have seen a significant increase in weight and obesity over the last quarter century. The majority of athletes were within the normal BMI range for over 100 years, but around 1991, their average BMI began to rise, with nearly 80% now falling into the overweight or obese category.
A new study by Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine researchers has found that bovine heparin has equivalent anti-clotting properties to porcine heparin. This breakthrough could help address possible shortages of the essential medication, which is primarily derived from pigs.
Researchers mapped patterns of prostate cancer recurrence using C-11 choline PET imaging and multiparametric MRI, identifying sites of recurrence that can be targeted for radiation therapy. Nearly two-thirds of men had recurrence limited to the pelvis, a potentially treatable area.
A new toolkit has been developed to simulate, analyze and visualize particle accelerator studies using advanced visualization tools and supercomputers. This enables faster and more efficient simulations, reducing memory usage and saving computer time.
PharmaMar presents updated clinical trial data for its antitumoral compounds Yondelis and lurbinectedin, demonstrating efficacy in treating solid tumors such as breast, soft tissue sarcomas, and colorectal cancer. These findings support the potential of these molecules as treatments for various types of solid tumors.
A study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that infants as young as 5 months old give more attention to objects presented by their native speaker. This preference for native language is thought to aid infants' quick acquisition of societal knowledge and cultural adaptation.
Tropical Storm Nicole in the western Atlantic Ocean is resisting erosion from wind shear, a phenomenon that can disrupt tropical cyclones. Despite being battered by strong winds, Nicole has maintained its strength and is expected to remain in strong wind shear conditions for several days.
A study published in Redox Biology found that a decreased cysteine/cystine ratio in plasma may predict the progression of epilepsy. The study used a rat model and found significant changes in the biomarker after seizures were induced, suggesting its potential as a redox biomarker for epilepsy.
The TW Hydrae system shows a prominent gap that is unlikely to be caused by an actively accreting protoplanet. Instead, researchers attribute the feature to photoevaporation, which heats gas and allows it to fly away from the disk. This process may disperse the disk before planets can form.
A new blood sugar test method developed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has been shown to cut diagnostic errors by more than 50% compared to current tests. The technique, which takes into account the age of red blood cells, offers personalized diabetes monitoring for over 400 million diabetics worldwide.
A new study analyzed industry payments to 8,333 dermatologists in 2014, finding that the top 10% collected at least $3,940 and the top 1% received over $93,622. The majority of payments were for speaker fees, consulting, or research activities.
The study found that ICSI men had almost half the sperm concentration and a two-fold lower total sperm count compared to naturally conceived men. They were also nearly three times more likely to have sperm concentrations below 15 million per millilitre of semen.
Scientists have created a potential nerve agent antidote that can be taken before an attack, offering hope for soldiers and others exposed to these molecular weapons. The enzyme-based antidote was encapsulated in a porous metal-organic framework, enhancing its staying power and effectiveness.
Research finds yellow-bellied kingsnake has three subspecies with distinct habitats on each side of the Mississippi, challenging long-held biodiversity theory. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding ecological environments in shaping species diversity.
David Wendell's technology targets harmful pathogens like E. coli, Listeria, and protozoa while preserving healthy bacteria in public drinking water. It uses light-generated hydrogen peroxide to eliminate outbreaks, without adding contaminants to the environment.
Researchers discovered that three citrus plants - Citrus reticulata, Swingle citrumelo, and Murcott mandarin - produce essential oils that repel Diaphorina citri, the insect that transmits huanglongbing. These compounds may act as repellents, making the plants less attractive to D. citri for ovipositing purposes.
The National Institutes of Health has expanded a five-year funding award to The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) from $120 million to $207 million. TSRI will lead the effort to engage one million or more U.S. participants in a historic medical research effort aimed at improving disease prevention and treatment based on individual diff...
A new imaging device uses long-wavelength infrared imaging to detect small thermal radiation emitted from dental caries, allowing for earlier diagnosis and potential reversal. The tool has the benefits of being noncontact, noninvasive, and low-cost, with great potential as a commercially viable diagnostic imaging device.
Dr. Calum MacRae wins $75M One Brave Idea research award from AHA, Verily and AstraZeneca to uncover causes of coronary heart disease. The research project will focus on identifying novel markers in people genetically prone to heart disease.
A new study using data from Rhode Island's lead-abatement program and repeated blood lead level tests found that low reading scores among preschoolers can predict lower scores in subsequent years. The study suggests that lead exposure may contribute to the persistence of gaps in test scores between children from different socioeconomic...
Researchers successfully confine individual H?O molecules within nanosized cavities in beryl crystals, exhibiting ferroelectric properties. This discovery could have implications for various fields, including biology, chemistry, and geology.
The UW RAPID facility will provide next-generation tools for collecting post-disaster data, including laser scanning equipment and mobile devices for social surveys. The center aims to reduce physical damage and socio-economic losses from future events by analyzing complex data sets and improving mathematical models.
A new study found that US federal food assistance programs face a critical issue with their age limits, which can lead to increased food insecurity for families. The current program restricts eligibility for children at the age of five, despite many not attending school immediately after.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have reviewed the use of NIR spectroscopy to detect food fraud in Current Opinion in Food Science. The method can reveal far more food fraud than current methods, including intentional misrepresentation and undeclared introduction of cheaper substances. By examining large quantities of raw ...
A team of scientists from the University of Vermont and Dartmouth College have discovered a new way that some molecules can make a luminescent glow, breaking Kasha's Rule. The newly discovered pathway to creating light may prove useful in industrial materials, LEDs, and biomedical imaging.
Researchers at the University of Manchester developed a universally applicable method to assess senescence across biomedicine. The new biomarker provides unprecedented advantages over existing products, being sensitive, specific, and easy-to-use.
Researchers aim to develop a diagnostic test for glymphatic system impairment after traumatic brain injury, which can lead to cognitive difficulties. The study seeks to identify treatments that could help repair the system, with potential applications in military personnel and servicemen.
A new study found that volunteering regularly over time may have benefits for older adults' memory and physical health. Volunteering reduces the risk of cognitive problems by 27%, even among those with other risk factors.
The bacterium causing citrus greening disease triggers a gut-wrenching immune response in the insect vector, Asian citrus psyllid. Researchers suggest targeting cell death in the midgut to prevent bacterial spread.
Tropical Storm Chaba has become an extra-tropical storm, with strong winds and wind shear causing it to resemble a frontal system. NASA's Aqua satellite captured visible images of the storm as it moved northeast through the Sea of Japan, affecting Japan and South Korea.
Researchers from the University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment have proposed a framework that accounts for the damages caused by reactive nitrogen, estimating the dollars-and-cents cost of nitrogen pollution. The tool will help integrate nitrogen costs into decisions made by agencies and groups.
A clinical trial found that ruxolitinib, a JAK inhibitor, significantly restored hair growth in 75% of patients with moderate to severe alopecia areata. The treatment was well-tolerated and showed promise for treating other forms of hair loss.
Researchers have developed a novel toolkit based on modified yeast cells to tease out how plant genes and proteins respond to auxin, the most ubiquitous plant hormone. The system revealed the basic 'code' of auxin signaling, including how specific combinations of repressing or activating proteins can bind to auxin, DNA, and one another.
A new study found that transgender women on hormone therapy have a higher rate of smoking cessation compared to the general population, with 64% of current smokers quitting after starting treatment. Researchers believe this may be due to the life-changing event of hormone therapy and the associated health risks.
Researchers computed precise amount of continental crust before and after collision, concluding that half the mass is missing due to sinking into mantle. The finding explains puzzling geochemistry and throws out long-held idea that continental crust can't descend into mantle.
Researchers have developed innovative methods to counteract glare and reduce unwanted light in various imaging applications, including microscopy, biomedicine, and astronomy. These new approaches use modified light to minimize glare, offering a promising solution for improving image quality.
Scientists at Oxford University have developed a non-toxic solvent system that can be used to manufacture perovskite solar cells, overcoming a major barrier to their commercialization. The clean solvent quickly crystallizes perovskite films at room temperature, making it suitable for coating large solar panels.
A study analyzing 160,000 cases found that African American and disabled children are at least 50% more likely to be corporally punished than their peers. The report highlights widespread disparities in the administration of corporal punishment by race, gender, and disability status.
Interventions promoting nurturing care may cost as little as 50 cents per child per year, with potential benefits including improved developmental outcomes and adult health. Scaling-up support is critical to reaching millions of children under 5 in low- and middle-income countries.
Scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum München discovered a mechanism by which EBV virus suppresses alarm signals sent out by infected cells. MicroRNAs made by the virus block production of proteins that would ring the alarm, rendering killer T cells and helper T cells inactive.
Researchers used ECIS to track stem cell transformation into bone tissue cells, revealing age-related differences in conversion rates and calcium secretion. The study provides new insights into the potential of adipose-derived stem cells for osteoporosis treatment.
International researchers have identified six main overarching themes in community initiatives that can potentially play a role in creating a future that is both more just and more sustainable. These include agroecology, green urbanism, future knowledge, urban transformation, fair futures, and sustainable futures.
Researchers found that urban warming negatively affects tree growth and photosynthesis, regardless of pest presence. Trees at warmer sites had less trunk growth, accounting for more tree biomass.
A Baylor University study found that good parent-child bonds are necessary to enforce healthy routines and social skills in children. Childhood socioeconomic status can provide physical health benefits, but only if accompanied by warm relationships with parents.
Hurricane Matthew is forecast to make landfall in Haiti and then move toward the Bahamas, with maximum sustained winds near 120 mph. The storm's minimum central pressure is 962 millibars, and it is expected to remain at category 3 or stronger while moving through the Bahamas and approaching Florida.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new microencapsulation technique that produces uniform, multilayered particles with high consistency. The technique uses 3D printing to create emitters that encapsulate materials, enabling efficient production of particles for pharmaceuticals and other applications.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have discovered that structural instabilities in the myelin sheaths of neurons may enable the immune system to launch an uncontrolled attack on them, leading to multiple sclerosis. The study suggests a potential trigger for the disease's outbreak and offers new avenues for therapies and diagnostics.
Researchers discovered that intestinal cells' immune response acts like detectives to identify damaged machinery within neurons and discard defective parts, protecting vital neurons. This innate mechanism, originating in the intestine, may hold the key to preventing Parkinson's disease.
Scientists are exploring the relationship between genome architecture and antigen variation in pathogens like Trypanosoma brucei. By analyzing the parasite's genomic structure, researchers aim to better understand how these pathogens evade the immune system and develop more effective vaccines.
Researchers at Penn Dental Medicine developed a plant-made antimicrobial peptide that rapidly kills tooth-decay-causing bacteria and thwarts biofilm formation. The peptide, combined with an enzyme, breaks down the oral biofilm matrix, promoting wound healing and bone regeneration.