A new Cornell University study reveals that monarch butterflies' population decline is driven by a lack of autumnal nectar sources, weather, and habitat fragmentation. Despite initial population bounce-backs, the scientists found consistent declines at Mexico's overwintering sites, which are six times larger than two years ago.
A study on live-bearing sea anemones found that offspring transition from using egg yolks to pre-natal and post-natal parental feeding during development. The researchers also discovered a possible link between size variation within the clutch and parent-offspring conflicts or sibling rivalry.
A recent study by Professor Jill Johnes suggests that mergers of Higher Education institutions are unlikely to result in significant cost savings. The research, presented at a US conference, found that the UK's higher education sector may be more efficient than previously thought.
Physicists have long struggled to reconcile classical physics and quantum mechanics. New research by Stefano Liberati and colleagues proposes a scenario that preserves special relativity while introducing non-local effects. The model suggests space-time becomes granular at tiny scales, allowing for experimental testing of its predictions.
A new smartphone application allows users to control a magnified screen projected onto Google Glass using head movements, improving navigation and orientation. The technology has shown a 28% reduction in trial time compared to conventional manual scrolling.
Researchers observed defects forming during CIGSe solar cell fabrication and found that excess copper helps reduce defects. The study suggests that the copper-rich phase plays a crucial role in eliminating defects, regardless of temperature.
Dairy fats found on ancient pottery sherds suggest high alpine dairying began at least 3000 years ago. The findings provide early evidence of nutritious resources being produced and exchanged for socioeconomic development.
A case-controlled study of 23 young people with type I diabetes found that those who cared for pets had well-controlled blood sugar levels, 2.5 times more likely than non-pet owners. The researchers suggest that factors like household routines and responsibility may also support self-management of the condition.
Melbourne researchers have identified the genes Hobit and Blimp1, which control a universal molecular program for placing immune cells at the front lines of the body to fight infection and cancer. This discovery has major implications for developing strategies to induce immune cells in tissues that protect against infectious diseases.
A research team at Stockholm University used NASA's Fermi satellite to study light from the Perseus galaxy cluster, finding no traces of axion-like particles. The observations excluded certain types of ALPs that could explain a small amount of dark matter, advancing sensitivity for future experiments.
Researchers have developed an oxygen-independent photo-switchable molecule that attacks tumor tissue without oxygen, reducing side effects of conventional photodynamic therapy. The molecule, GS-DProSw, has been tested successfully on animal models and shows promise as a potential anti-tumor agent.
Researchers at UMass Medical School identified a molecular pathway critical for maintaining smooth muscle tone, which may lead to new treatments for digestive disorders. The study found that genetic deletion of a specific enzyme led to loss of basal tone and fecal incontinence in mice.
A recent study by UMass Amherst researchers found that zinc deficiency is associated with chronic inflammation in HIV-positive individuals. Higher serum zinc concentrations were linked to lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker of inflammation.
A study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics reveals that PIGG gene mutations are the cause of intellectual disability with seizures and hypotonia. The discovery offers new insights into the development of cerebral nervous systems and provides a potential diagnostic tool for families affected by these disorders.
Current measurement methods may underestimate the amount of plastic in oceans due to turbulent mixing. Researchers found that surface heating and ocean currents mix plastics deeper into the water column.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have devised a new molecule-building method that allows chemists to construct complex molecules starting from carboxylic acids. The method enables the easy synthesis of biologically active compounds, including drugs like Lipitor and Lyrica.
The American Geosciences Institute has awarded diversity grants to seven geoscientists from diverse backgrounds, including the University of Tennessee Knoxville and Stanford University, to support their research on deep carbon. These grants aim to increase participation of underrepresented groups in DCO-affiliated research.
A study published in Tourism Management found that personal photos of Airbnb hosts are critical to their business success, affecting consumers' decisions and prices. The research suggests that the level of trust inferred from a host's photo has a stronger impact on consumer choice than reputation.
Researchers have found a decline in productivity in the Gulf of Maine due to increased amounts of dissolved organic carbon from rivers and the Scotia Shelf Current. This organic matter absorbs light necessary for photosynthetic organisms, influencing the ecology of the Gulf.
The Channel Island fox population has been found to have a surprising absence of genetic variation, with one population on San Nicolas Island showing an order of magnitude lower variation than any other known species. This near-absence of genetic variation poses a puzzle as to how the foxes have managed to thrive despite it.
A new RAND report finds that the US is insufficiently countering the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. The report recommends more comprehensive training and advising of indigenous forces and forging political agreements to resolve key drivers of conflict.
A new decentralized planning algorithm for teams of robots factors in moving obstacles, reduces communication bandwidth, and preserves strong mathematical guarantees. The algorithm allows robots to operate in a world with static and dynamic obstacles while retaining their local and global objectives.
The Bubble Nebula, observed by Hubble, is a vast bubble being blown into space by a super-hot, massive star. The nebula is 7 light-years across and resides 7,100 light-years from Earth. A seething star forms this nebula, with gas escaping at over 4 million miles per hour.
The study uses a rare type of cosmic ray that acts like a tiny timer to determine the age and distance of galactic cosmic rays. The results suggest that these cosmic rays were created recently and are coming from nearby clusters of massive stars within 3,000 light years of Earth.
Researchers found that US candidates' faces were more associated with competence, while those from Taiwan were linked to social competence. In the study, Taiwanese participants voted for candidates judged high in social competence and trustworthiness, whereas US participants preferred faces deemed competent.
A new study found that electronic health records (EHRs) frequently fail to capture comprehensive mental health data, resulting in potential medication errors and patient harm. The research highlights the importance of supplementing EHR-derived data with external sources to improve patient care.
Researchers found that GSK3β inhibition improves cardiac function and reduces fibrosis and inflammation in murine models of arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. The study suggests GSK3β inhibition has potential as a therapeutic strategy for treating ACM.
A recent study led by UC Riverside professor Ann Cheney found that low-income African American communities in the Arkansas Mississippi Delta have successfully reduced cocaine use through lifestyle changes and leveraging 'recovery capital.' Social networks and culturally appropriate interventions play a critical role in reducing substan...
Researchers from Lomonosov Moscow State University develop method to suppress fungal resistance to antifungal drugs by targeting ABC-transporters. The discovery has potential to improve effectiveness of antifungal medications and combat growing multidrug-resistant fungal strains.
A new Yale-led study finds that older adults are more susceptible to flu due to a reduced antiviral response, leading to increased inflammation and damage. Researchers propose targeting inflammation to combat flu in vulnerable patients.
New research reveals that US areas with high drug-overdose death rates are not always associated with high drug trafficking, contrary to expectations. Despite this, Western Pennsylvania and other regions like southern Michigan and eastern Ohio experienced rapid growth in overdose deaths nationwide.
A specific gene, HMGA2, has been identified as the key to the evolution of smaller beaks in medium ground finches in response to a drought-induced food shortage. The researchers found that the gene comes in two forms, with one dominant in birds with small beaks and the other in those with large beaks.
A biologically younger woman demonstrates the world's first successful gene therapy against human aging. Elizabeth Parrish's white blood cells showed a 20-year increase in telomere length, implying a reversal of age-related diseases.
A new study found rituximab more effective in preventing relapses among patients with highly active multiple sclerosis switching from natalizumab. Patients infected with JC virus showed a significant reduction in clinical relapse risk after treatment switch to rituximab.
A new imaging method reveals that IPF foci are complex structures with diverse shapes and sizes, forming at discrete sites of lung injury. This breakthrough may help researchers comprehend the relationship between fibroblastic foci and disease progression in IPF patients.
A rare type of iron nucleus, with a half-life of 2.6 million years, serves as a 'clock' to measure the distance between Earth and the source of galactic cosmic rays. The data suggest that nearby supernovae in massive star clusters are responsible for creating these nuclei.
Mun Dae Kim wins inaugural award for his work on superconducting flux qubits, increasing effective coupling strength for quantum computation; honors Dr. Howard E. Brandt, journal's late editor-in-chief.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital found a fatty chemical called oxPAPC that induces an immune response in mice, causing T-cells to become highly active and effective. This discovery could lead to the development of more effective vaccines against various infections.
Researchers developed a technique to reduce infectious malaria parasites in whole blood, significantly reducing the risk of transmission through blood transfusion. The Mirasol pathogen reduction technology system has shown promising results in treating whole blood using ultraviolet light energy and riboflavin.
A recent study discovered that macrophages in abdominal cavities surrounding organs like the liver and heart can initiate immediate and rapid repair after damage. The study found that these immune cells patrol within the cavity and adhere to damaged areas for quick healing, suggesting a new approach to tissue repair.
A new study identifies a small molecule that simultaneously inhibits signaling pathways activated by mutated RAS oncogenes, representing a new paradigm for targeting this elusive cancer gene. The discovery has significant implications for the treatment of RAS-driven cancers.
Researchers at Duke University discovered a genetic circuit in bacteria that creates spatial patterns with proportional scaling, similar to those seen in animals. This finding suggests that timing cues may play a key role in pattern formation and development in other organisms.
Analysis of a new fossil suggests that giant dinosaurs like Rapetosaurus krausei were born with adult-like body proportions, allowing for early independence. This finding implies that parental care was less crucial for these species compared to others.
Researchers create efficient way to form carbon-carbon bonds with high chiral selectivity for nitrogen-containing heterocyclic molecules. The breakthrough uses century-old techniques and a copper catalyst, offering a more efficient process for drug discovery and development.
Breast cancer survivors undergoing anthracycline-based chemotherapy did not experience greater risk of lasting cognitive decline, according to a recent study. Neuropsychological tests revealed comparable cognitive function between groups up to seven years after treatment.
A new study in Cell Reports found that macaques have a third set of neurons in their sensory cortex that respond optimally to curved motion. This discovery provides insights into how animals navigate through three-dimensional spaces and could have implications for human balance and movement.
Microscopic hair analysis is flawed due to subjective characteristics and lack of population-based databases. Re-examination by different examiners can result in inconsistent descriptions.
Researchers at Griffith University used paperbark tree leaves to reconstruct past rainfall activity in tropical and subtropical regions. The study, published in Global Change Biology, offers a new proxy for inferring changes in climate.
NASA's GOES-West satellite captures organized circulation of Tropical Cyclone Amos, indicating imminent rapid intensification. The storm is expected to become a hurricane by April 22, with potential threat for flash flooding in American Samoa.
Tropical Cyclone Fantala continues to move north of Madagascar with significant changes in its intensity and track. The storm showed heavy rainfall and a clouded eye due to vertical wind shear, causing it to reverse course and move southeastward over its earlier track.
A new study predicts that unhealthy ozone days could rise by 3-9 days per year in the US by 2050, primarily affecting California, Southwest, and Northeast. This increase may exacerbate respiratory illnesses, particularly among vulnerable populations like children, seniors, and those with asthma.
A study found that teenage mothers in Colorado were aware of safe sleep guidelines but chose to disregard them due to misconceptions about infant comfort and safety. The researchers suggest innovative public service announcements and improved healthcare provider communication could improve safe sleep behaviors among this high-risk group.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have successfully applied advanced 3D imaging technology to study Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) lung tissue samples. The study found that active scarring in IPF progresses in multiple individual sites rather than a large 'wave', offering new hope for targeted treatments.
Researchers from Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University have found that machine learning algorithms can detect cancer cases from free-text pathology reports with similar accuracy to human reviewers. The computerized approach is faster and less resource-intensive, facilitating timely health department action.
A new study published in Science reveals that only 5% of global biodiversity datasets meet the 'gold standard' required for effective conservation. The lack of reliable and accessible data threatens our ability to understand and address key threats to biodiversity, such as invasive species, logging, and illegal wildlife trade.
Researchers have uncovered a novel function of the gene PLK1 that promotes prostate cancer cell migration and metastasis through epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This discovery challenges previous understanding and highlights new potential targets for cancer therapies.
A new study suggests that tighter border enforcement along the US-Mexico border has led to an increase in undocumented population growth, despite spending $35 billion on security measures. The research found that greater enforcement raised costs and risks for migrants, causing them to stay longer in the US.
Researchers found that the early-to-bed, early-to-rise approach is associated with better cardiovascular health behaviors, including reduced smoking, sedentary lifestyles, and poor dietary choices. Adequate sleep at optimal times is key to promoting heart-healthy habits.
Experts argue that good governance, long-term technology investment, and strong product management skills are essential to combat infectious outbreaks. The proposed global strategy aims to pool funds and coordinate efforts to develop effective countermeasures for these diseases.
A study of international data reveals that girls are more anxious about mathematics and STEM subjects compared to boys, with factors other than performance driving the difference. The research also found that parental views on the value of mathematics for daughters and sons do not explain the gap in anxiety levels.