A warmer climate could lead to higher growth and productivity on US national forests and grasslands, but at the cost of reduced freshwater yields. The study projects a 4-7% decrease in water yield by 2100, with the most severe declines in the Northwest, West North Central, and Southwest regions.
Research at the University of Bristol reveals that plant viruses can alter leaf surface properties to attract insects like greenfly. Infected leaves reflect less polarized light, making them more visible to bugs.
Dr. Hao Zhu has been awarded a $750,000 Stand Up To Cancer grant to investigate the relationship between injury, regeneration, and cancer. His research aims to understand the mechanisms shared by cancer and organ regeneration, with potential therapeutic targets in tissue repair and cancer prevention.
SPARK aims to advance our understanding of autism's causes by collecting DNA from 50,000 individuals with autism and their families. Researchers will study genetic mechanisms and environmental factors to develop new supports and treatments.
The improved buckling restrained braces (IBRBs) feature contact rings between inner and outer tubes for lateral constraint, resulting in better behavior. Numerical simulations agree with test results, demonstrating the program's feasibility in analyzing overall stability strength capacity.
A new study by Janet Currie and colleagues reveals a decline in mortality inequality among poor children up to age 20, with improvements most pronounced in poorer counties. This finding suggests that the life expectancy gap is likely to continue decreasing as younger generations form the future US population.
Researchers discovered that the cell cycle clock inhibits the formation of centrioles, ensuring each daughter inherits a single copy. This mechanism is critical for maintaining homeostasis and preventing infertility and cancer.
Researchers discovered that B cells rely on RNA binding proteins ZFP36L1 and ZFP36L2 to induce quiescence, allowing them to 'rest up' between developmental events. This mechanism is crucial for proper B cell development, as seen in mice where a 98% reduction of mature B cells was observed when these proteins were absent.
A new DNA analysis suggests that North American mammoths interbred more frequently than previously thought, blurring the lines between species. The study found that woolly and Columbian mammoths could produce fertile offspring, contradicting historical notions of separate species.
A new type of transposable element was discovered in certain bird genomes, which also occurred in nematode worms that are human parasites. The finding reveals that these modern human parasite species were birds from 25-17 million years ago.
Researchers created a mouse model that closely replicates the symptoms and gene expression patterns of ALS and frontotemporal dementia. The model allows scientists to understand how the C9orf72 gene mutation causes paralysis and dementia, and potentially develop treatments.
Scientists find 21-million-year-old fossil evidence of mammals traveling from South America to North America. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of Western Hemisphere monkeys, revealing they stopped migrating north due to a barrier of North American vegetation.
A pilot study examining southwest tribal elders found moderate vascular risk despite hypertension treatment, highlighting the need for culturally fair instruments and biomarkers. Cognitive and depressive symptoms were also significant factors in the research results.
A new study reveals that volcanic activity associated with continental plate movement may have driven climatic shifts from hot to cold over tens and hundreds of millions of years. The research found that periods of high volcanic activity coincided with warmer conditions, while low volcanic activity was linked to colder, icehouse periods.
Researchers found that young birds exhibit mature flight stroke early in development by leveraging leg and wing power, challenging existing ideas about flight origin. This discovery could provide insights into the evolution of flight in ancient theropod dinosaurs.
A new study found that anaphylaxis rates among Canadian children have doubled over four years, highlighting the need for increased awareness and proper use of epinephrine auto-injectors. The majority of cases were triggered by food, particularly peanut and tree nut allergies.
The Maine Algal Research and Innovation Accelerator (MARIA) will be a center for developing universal algal standards, exploring new and varied ways that algae could be incorporated into products. MARIA aims to accelerate innovation in natural products created using micro and macro algae.
Scientists at NREL developed a new, light-driven chemical process to produce ammonia, the main ingredient of fertilizer. The research uses nanocrystals to harness light energy, which then energizes electrons to trigger nitrogen transformation.
A new study from Harvard predicts that regions of the US could experience up to nine additional days of unhealthy ozone levels per year by 2050. Global climate change is expected to exacerbate heat waves and increase ozone episodes.
Researchers discovered that when people sleep in an unfamiliar place, one hemisphere of the brain stays more awake to keep watch. This phenomenon is related to the difficulty a person experiences in falling asleep and can be reduced by bringing familiar comforts.
Researchers have identified nine new genetic risk factors contributing to myopia, with education levels playing a crucial role. The study suggests that environmental and hereditary factors interact to produce the condition, offering insights into its development and potential treatments.
A new UM study found that higher levels of neighborhood greenness are linked to a significant reduction in chronic illnesses, particularly in low-to-middle income neighborhoods. The study showed a 14% risk reduction for diabetes and hypertension, and 10% reduction for lipid disorders.
A powerful genetic regulator, miR-9, has been identified as a risk factor for schizophrenia, controlling the activity of hundreds of genes involved in fetal brain development. The study, led by Kristen Brennand and Gang Fang, found that miR-9 was under-expressed in brains of schizophrenic patients, leading to miswiring of neurons.
Researchers elucidated the first ever computer simulation of a notoriously elusive serotonin receptor involved in fast signal transmission and various disorders. The discovery reveals how serotonin binds to the receptor, opening its ion channel's gate and transmitting electrical signals.
A new electronic facial measurement scale called eFace was created to compare with the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (FGS) for patients with facial paralysis. The study found that both scales showed similar reliability in measuring facial function.
Scientists have developed new adsorbents that can extract uranium from seawater, reducing the cost by three to four times. The technology has shown promising results, with an ORNL adsorbent material capable of holding 5.2 grams of uranium per kilogram in natural seawater exposure.
Researchers found significant differences in climate change impacts for 1.5°C and 2°C global warming by 2100, including higher sea levels, longer heat waves, and coral reef degradation. Tropical regions are projected to bear the brunt of these impacts.
Sir Richard Peto, Bob Langer, and Alimuddin Zumla receive Honorary Doctor of Medicine degrees for groundbreaking work in epidemiology, biotechnology, and infectious diseases. Their achievements have transformed the pharmaceutical industry and improved human health worldwide.
The new ion soft-landing technique resulted in electrodes that could store a third more energy and had twice the lifespan compared to conventional methods. The team also found that the POM hybrid electrodes used the active material extremely efficiently, with the lowest amount of POM required to reach their highest capacity.
Recent studies show a decrease in mortality rates among children and young adults in the poorest US counties, with improved healthcare, food, and nutrition programs likely contributing to these reductions. Life expectancy at birth differs by poverty level, with richer counties showing stronger increases.
A University of Queensland project aims to develop a compact detector for explosives using dendrimer technology, which can detect vapours with high sensitivity and selectivity. The Queensland Government has awarded funding under the Advance Queensland Research Fellowships Scheme.
A study using Swedish registry information found that individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) experience excess mortality, with both predisposition and AUD itself contributing to the risk. The study suggests that interventions targeting AUD could lead to reduced mortality rates among those affected.
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake in January's Iniskin event shook the Cook Inlet region of Alaska, prompting seismologists to revise their estimates of intermediate-depth earthquakes in the area. The quake's unusual depth of 123 km below the surface resulted in minimal damage, but could affect future hazard risk estimates in southern Alaska.
Researchers have identified two key traits that contribute to chemicals reaching toxic levels in aquatic food webs: easy breakdown and solubility in water. This study provides a screening technique to determine which chemicals pose the greatest risk to ecosystems.
Analysis of muskoxen hair shows limited forage availability and reliance on body stores during extreme winters. The method provides a unique way to monitor remote tundra animals and understand the impact of climate change.
Researchers at Kazan Federal University and the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine have identified correlations between superoxide, nitric oxide levels and matrix metalloproteinase activity in gastric cancer patients. This discovery could lead to more accurate diagnostics and personalized treatment plans for stomach cancer.
University of Louisville researchers have identified CD2AP as a crucial player in neural growth, which could lead to therapies for various neurological conditions. The protein orchestrates the branching of nerve axons, creating new connections, but excessive growth can be harmful.
In a developing society with high gender equality, men still smoke more than women due to cultural associations between smoking and risk-taking. Tobacco sharing plays an important role in strengthening social relationships among the Aka tribe.
Researchers found that mice flown aboard the space shuttle developed early signs of liver disease, including increased fat storage and changes to genes responsible for breaking down fats. This study has implications for future missions to Mars, highlighting the need for further research on the impact of spaceflight on human physiology.
A study published in Neurology found that athletes with pre-concussion medical complaints, such as psychosomatic symptoms, took longer to recover after a concussion. The severity of these symptoms was the greatest predictor of recovery time.
Research from the University of Oxford found that schools with higher proportions of female students and university-educated parents have more eating disorders among their students. Eating disorders affect 5.7% of adolescent girls in Sweden, with serious consequences including early death.
A new study reveals an unconventional antibody that targets the patient's vascular response to sepsis, converting a harmful protein into a protective one. This approach stabilizes blood vessels, strengthens barrier function, and quells systemic inflammation, prolonging survival in mice with sepsis.
Researchers developed a new method to map and track brain circuits affected by autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in boys using brain imaging. This approach provides a physical measure of progress with behavioral and/or drug treatments, a tool previously elusive in ASD treatment.
A study published in JAMA Surgery found that certain weight control practices and eating behaviors after bariatric surgery are associated with significant weight loss differences. Developing positive changes in behavior, such as ceasing negative habits or increasing positive ones, can lead to greater weight loss.
The cooperative extension program has been instrumental in keeping farmers on the farm, with the federal program helping to retain over 137,000 agricultural businesses. By leveraging research from land grant universities, the program provides education and learning opportunities to farmers and citizens alike.
Researchers develop a new method to convert waste cooking oil into biodiesel, reducing production costs and increasing efficiency. The process involves heating the oil with catalyst-coated beads in a microwave oven, resulting in a nearly 100% conversion rate.
Biologists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz discovered that the Hippo signaling pathway controls quiescence in Drosophila neural stem cells, regulating growth and cell division. The pathway's activation is necessary to maintain resting phases and prevent premature cell formation.
A novel gene therapy developed at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has shown promising results in rebuilding the immune system of young adults with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID-X1). The treatment, which combines lentivirus gene therapy with busulfan conditioning, resulted in improved health and reduced c...
Scientists at McGill University used optogenetics to reduce the sensitivity of mice to touch and heat by shining yellow light on specific neurons. The research offers new hope for treating chronic pain without the side effects of traditional medication.
Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center are developing engineered T cells to recognize and attack cancer cells. Preliminary data from a clinical trial shows promising results in treating acute myeloid leukemia, with patients experiencing stable disease and significant tumor regression. Next-generation strategies aim to improve ant...
Tropical Cyclone Fantala is a Category 2 hurricane with a wide, clear eye and powerful thunderstorms. The storm's maximum sustained winds were near 105 knots (120.8 mph/194.5 kph) on April 20.
A traveling spike generator has been found to initiate brain waves in the hippocampus, a part of the brain associated with memory. The generator appears to move across the region while generating brain waves, but produces no electrical signal. This discovery may provide new insights into epilepsy treatment and memory consolidation.
Scientists at NRL devised a novel combination to achieve uniform nanometer-thick shell on core particles, regardless of core size. This breakthrough technology creates new designer core/shell particles for multifunctional nanocomposites.
Research reveals that social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum relies on its symbiotic bacteria to protect itself from environmental toxins, despite having fewer detoxifying sentinel cells. The bacteria help shield the amoebae from toxins, enabling them to thrive even in toxic environments.
A biomarker associated with basal cell carcinoma, EZH2, has been identified in a study published in JAMA Oncology. Higher levels of EZH2 and Ki67 were found in more aggressive tumors, suggesting that the protein may serve as a marker for increased cancer recurrence or tumor aggressiveness.
Researchers at UW-Madison have pioneered a unique method to fabricate high-performance transistors on flexible plastic, enabling wireless capabilities and ultra-fast processor speeds. The transistor operates at 38 gigahertz, with simulations suggesting it could reach 110 gigahertz.
Researchers use compression software to reveal quantum correlations in experimental data, detecting evidence of entanglement between particles. The technique shows a value exceeding zero, proving the system has crossed the classical-quantum boundary.
Researchers at University of California, Irvine have invented a nanowire-based battery material that can be recharged hundreds of thousands of times without cracking. The breakthrough work uses a gold nanowire coated in a manganese dioxide shell and encased in an electrolyte made of a gel-like substance.
Researchers at IBS Center for Vascular Health have created a new targeted agent to mitigate sepsis progression by strengthening and protecting blood vessels. This approach, utilizing the Tie2 receptor and anti-angiopoietin-2 antibody ABTAA, has shown enhanced survival rates in severe sepsis models up to 70%.
Researchers use new tools to detect patterns of seismic activity before volcanic eruptions, comparing them to past eruptions to determine when a particular volcano might erupt. The study also examines swarms of small earthquakes that appear to precede many eruptions, aiming to learn more about magma movement.