Researchers from University College London have developed a new optical receiver that simplifies the design and reduces costs, enabling faster fiber-to-the-home broadband technology. The novel receiver can support speeds of up to 10 Gb/s, making it futureproof against growing data demands.
Scientists from the UK and US are working together to develop new synthetic vaccines and understand how viruses interact with their environment. Repeated strain of Potato virus Y in the US has caused greater crop damage and is harder to control, according to research. Avian influenza poses a threat to food security worldwide.
Research has made significant progress in understanding mood and psychotic disorders, enabling individualized treatment approaches. Key findings highlight the potential of biomarkers such as neuroanatomy, neuro-circuitry, and genetic markers to stratify patients into clinically distinct subgroups.
A national patient-powered registry, MyLymeData, has enrolled over 3,000 patients to accelerate research for chronic Lyme disease. Big data tools can help identify treatment responses and subgroup analysis, leading to a better understanding of the disease.
The LDE facility at Diamond Light Source allows scientists to study material behavior over extended periods, revealing new insights into how materials interact on the atomic scale. The facility is currently supporting experiments on nuclear waste disposal, Arctic sea ice melting, and drug compound behavior.
Experts explore how learning a second language improves thinking skills, mental agility, and delays brain ageing. The event aims to share research findings on bilingualism with the public, highlighting its benefits for society through education and policymaking.
A recent AAAS panel discussed the potential of citizen science and information technology to drive sustainability. Projects like eBird and Aviaching are collecting valuable data on bird occurrences and habitat representation, while UDiscoverIt accelerates the discovery of new sustainable energy materials.
A large majority of Americans (80%) agree that scientific research needs government funding, but many believe the country spends too little on it. Meanwhile, most respondents trust scientists, with high confidence levels in their leadership.
The Preregistration Challenge tests how addressing incentives can improve the reproducibility of published research by offering $1,000 rewards for published results. Over 60% of researchers are choosing to submit public preregistrations, and the first results are expected in late 2016.
Moshe Vardi warns that machines may surpass human capabilities in as little as 30 years, leading to significant unemployment and potentially a life of leisure. He questions whether this would be beneficial for humanity, arguing that work is essential to human well-being.
Researchers found that boys who experience a greater decline in slow-wave sleep during adolescence are at higher risk for developing insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and impaired attention. In contrast, girls showed no significant associations between SWS loss and health outcomes.
Scientists at Diamond Light Source are pioneering research to make the nuclear fuel cycle safer, more efficient, and straightforward. They're developing new cement materials that can effectively contain radioactive waste for thousands of years.
Recent improvements in experiments like Large Underground Xenon have increased the chances of detecting WIMPs, believed to be the main component of dark matter. Dark matter scientists are on the brink of a discovery that could fundamentally change our understanding of the physical universe.
Kenneth Miller, a practicing Catholic and author of Finding Darwin's God, argues that science and faith are distinct. He defends evolution against Intelligent Design's claim that certain biological features are 'irreducibly complex,' citing examples where removing even one part makes the structure non-functional.
Research from the University of Bath found that eating breakfast was associated with more physical activity and reduced food intake later in the day among obese individuals. The study, which compared a fasting group with a breakfasting group, built on previous research into the effects of breakfast on health.
Astronomers have discovered a crescent-shaped dust cloud in the outer reaches of a binary star's protoplanetary disk, providing fresh insights into planet formation. The cloud may be the key to forming planets in binary systems, with its lack of free-floating gases likely due to freezing out and forming ice on dust grains.
New Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) images provide detail on the binary star system HD 142527, revealing a broad ring of dust and ice. The system's formation is expected to yield insights into planetary systems around binary stars.
Recent studies reveal that bilingualism alters brain networks for skilled cognition and fluent language performance, facilitating new learning.
Researchers explored the effects of climate change on American Indian communities in Nevada, with a focus on water rights and land use. The projects, Water for the Seasons and Native Waters on Arid Lands, aim to protect valuable resources and promote sustainable practices.
Researchers at UConn investigate whether early exposure to sign language can forestall cognitive issues in deaf children, challenging a longstanding debate. The study finds that congenitally deaf children who learn sign language from birth develop language, cognition, and literacy on normal timetables.
Earth and environmental scientists can now conduct long-term experiments using drones at a fraction of the cost of traditional aircraft or satellites. This innovation enables individual researchers to obtain low-cost repeat imagery tailored to specific research interests.
A panel of experts estimates that child abuse costs countries billions of dollars each year, with the US facing estimated losses of $150 billion annually. The economic impact of violence against children is prevalent across all income levels and regions, with lower-income countries experiencing higher rates of abuse.
A distinctive gene signature discovered in white blood cells of patients infected with Lyme disease could lead to a new way of diagnosing the tick-borne illness. The study found that this signature persisted even after antibiotic treatment, suggesting potential long-term symptoms.
Stunting affects 160 million children under 5 globally, with South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa most affected. Addressing determinants like maternal health, education, and economic empowerment can help reduce stunting rates. The Aga Khan University is working to monitor nutrition and develop low-cost solutions to address stunting in the...
The EPSRC has awarded nine researchers with £9 million to support their innovative projects in healthcare diagnosis and treatment. The projects focus on developing new ways to examine sperm, improve imaging, diagnosis, and drug delivery for cancer treatment.
A new study identified distinct patient diagnoses and emergency department usage patterns linked to high risk of ED readmission. The researchers used electronic healthcare records data from over one million patients to build predictive models for risk of 72-hour ED readmission.
The article highlights the African housing shortage, particularly for low-income families, and explores the challenges posed by inadequate housing. Experts suggest that a combination of local materials and innovative building methods, such as interlocking bricks, could provide affordable solutions.
Dr. Eric S. Lander is awarded the 2015 Philip Hauge Abelson Prize for his contributions to genetics, molecular biology, and mathematics. He has made significant advancements in human genome sequencing and interpretation, which have transformed biological research.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute are investigating mechanisms contributing to Huntington's disease, a fatal inherited disorder affecting movement and brain function. The study aims to clarify the Rhes signaling pathway's role in mitochondrial energy production and identify potential drug targets.
Using stories to teach human values to artificial agents is a technique developed by Mark Riedl and Brent Harrison at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The method aligns an AI's goals with human values by training robots to read stories, learn acceptable sequences of events and understand successful ways to behave in human societies.
A recent study suggests that genome-wide association studies (GWAS) should also identify genetic variants that predict behaviors increasing disease risk, allowing for targeted interventions. The study's lead author believes that GWAS can help develop more effective and better-targeted treatments by identifying modifiable risk factors.
Researchers developed an imaging device using a loose bundle of optical fibers, enabling non-invasive imaging without lenses or protective housings. The system uses time-of-flight technique to determine fiber positions and can produce images with high resolution.
New research predicts more frequent extreme weather events will disrupt global food production, leading to 'food shocks' that can wreak havoc on markets and families worldwide. The study highlights the increasing interconnectedness of global food systems, making countries vulnerable to distant production shocks.
A Kansas State University study found that food stores are largely unavailable in inner-city, low-income neighborhoods of smaller urban cities. The study used U.S. Census tract data to map neighborhoods according to racial composition and income, revealing a correlation between lower incomes and fewer food stores.
A team of scientists found that 5hmC localizes at sites of DNA damage and repair, with TET enzymes playing a critical role in maintaining its reparative function. This discovery raises the possibility that 5hmC helps keep chromatin open for other DNA damage response proteins.
RIT faculty will develop new cybersecurity curriculum on strategic thinking and tactics with a $25,000 Intel gift. The project aims to train future cybersecurity professionals in applying conventional warfare tactics for defense purposes.
A recent NYU study examined injection risk behaviors among heroin injectors in Colombian cities, finding 2.7% of participants tested positive for HIV and common practices like syringe sharing and clean needle exchange were prevalent. The study emphasizes the need for harm reduction interventions to prevent an HIV epidemic in Colombia.
A clinical trial found that modulating the endogenous opioid system improves serotonin-targeting antidepressant therapy effectiveness in patients with persistent depression. The combination drug ALKS-5461 produced significant symptom improvement, with lower doses showing stronger effects.
A new drug called bexarotene has been identified as a potential 'neurostatin' that targets the first step in the toxic chain reaction leading to brain cell death. This delay can prevent Alzheimer's symptoms from appearing, suggesting a new avenue for treatments.
Scientists have inventoried and categorized all of Earth's rare mineral species, revealing clues about the planet's sub-surface conditions and past biological upheavals. The rarest minerals are found at five or fewer locations worldwide and offer insights into what an inter-planetary probe might find.
Paul West will discuss how global and regional data sets can be used to enhance productivity while considering climate change and environmental impact on subsistence farmers. The talk aims to provide insights into the opportunities and risks related to improving food security and sustainability in data-limited areas.
The European Research Council has announced €585 million ERC Consolidator Grants to support 302 top mid-career scientists conducting innovative research across various fields. The grantees, including German, British, French, and Italian scientists, will develop groundbreaking ideas with potential impact on industries and global welfare.
Researchers discovered well-preserved ancient ant species in Burmese amber, revealing evidence of social behavior dating back to the Cretaceous period. The findings suggest that ants were highly competitive and territorial, with some species exhibiting unusual characteristics such as mammoth jaws.
The Daya Bay Collaboration has captured the most precise energy measurements of reactor antineutrinos, indicating two intriguing discrepancies with theoretical models. The measured energy spectrum shows a surprising excess of antineutrinos at an energy of around 5 million electron volts.
Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln have predicted a new molecular form of frozen water, which could become the 18th known crystalline form of water. The proposed ice is about 25 percent less dense than a record-low form synthesized by a European team in 2014.
Researchers at the University of Washington successfully combined two different ultrathin semiconductors to form a new two-dimensional heterostructure. This device allows excitons to be preserved in valleys, enabling critical steps in developing nanoscale technologies that integrate light with electronics.
A six-year study of over 2,600 species revealed that temporal fluctuations across species are more important than diversity for maintaining ecosystem stability. Asynchronous species development strengthens the interplay between animals and plants.
Researchers found a massive star pretending to be a supernova, emitting X-rays consistent with a neutron star core. The system's unique pairing suggests it may be one of the rarest types of binary systems, offering insights into star formation and evolution.
Researchers developed a new technology to detect disease biomarkers in nucleic acids, which can be used as indicators of what's going on inside cells and tissue. The approach uses nanotechnology to identify specific target sequences and quantify them through electronic signatures.
Vittoria Flamini has created computer models to determine if a percutaneous pulmonary valve will fit in a child's heart before surgery. The simulation takes at least a day and involves manipulating images of the patient's heart sent by medical teams.
Researchers discovered that obesity promotes pancreatic and breast cancer progression by increasing tumor-infiltrating immune cells and promoting a pro-tumor microenvironment. Blocking the VEGFR-1 pathway may prevent tumor growth and metastasis in obese patients, offering potential therapeutic targets for improving patient outcomes.
Research success increasingly hinges on honing teamwork skills, according to experts at Arizona State University. Developing communication and leadership skills is key to team chemistry and overcoming language barriers.
VILLUM FONDEN awards $150 million grant to establish a new research centre at Technical University of Denmark, focusing on developing sustainable fuels and chemicals. The centre will be led by Professor Ib Chorkendorff and aims to contribute to the green transformation of global society.
A New Brunswick family's initial attempt to trap snowshoe hares for sport inadvertently created an ecological experiment that shaped the vegetation of tiny Hay Island and Kent. The hares' impact, including mowing down young saplings and altering tree growth patterns, has now been reversed as scientists monitor the island's recovery.
Researchers have created a new method to create flat optical lenses that can bend light to a single point, correcting a widespread misconception. The new lens is up to 10 times thinner than current camera lenses and could be used in medical devices, drones, and future smartphones with high-powered cameras.
A new IU study employs genome-wide sequencing to analyze the evolutionary mechanisms driving genetic divergence in 13 species of wild tomatoes. The research reveals three major genetic strategies behind tomato's ability to adapt to ecological change, including recruitment, introgression, and de novo evolution.
Researchers identified Gabra3 as a key driver of metastatic breast cancer progression. The gene promotes cell growth and invasion when activated by RNA editing.
Researchers found that by-product metals and minerals are indeed more price volatile than commodity materials, with a 50% increase in volatility over the past 50 years. However, monthly price data showed mixed evidence, which may be attributed to smaller transaction volumes and unchanged published prices for several months at a time.
Researchers found that brains prioritize high-reward memories, reinforcing them through repetition at rest. This process strengthens connections and helps fix memories in place.
The MyShake Android app uses smartphone accelerometers to detect earthquakes, analyzing data from millions of phones to create a dense seismic network. The goal is to provide early warning systems for areas without traditional networks.