Researchers investigated how hawkmoths integrate visual and tactile cues to track flowers, revealing a simple additive model for signal combination. The study suggests that the sense of touch plays a greater role in tracking behavior, but both senses are used to follow the flower.
A team of astronomers used the MUSE instrument to study the effects of nearby massive star radiation on the pillars of the Carina Nebula. The research found a clear correlation between the radiation and the dissipation of the pillars, suggesting that photoevaporation plays a key role in shaping these structures.
A study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings found a persistent decline in kidney function after an individual's first case of kidney stones. This decline was linked to higher levels of cystatin C and urine protein, both associated with increased risk of chronic kidney disease.
Researchers have created a new culture model of the human intestine where living tissue from a patient biopsy can be preserved and studied for days. The model enables studies of complex interactions between host cells, mucus production, and gut microbes.
A comprehensive dataset has been developed to support consumers and catering organizations in calculating the impact of their ingredients and menus on greenhouse gas emissions. The league table ranks food categories from lowest to highest carbon footprint, providing a clear hierarchy for informed decision-making.
A study by Washington University School of Medicine researchers found that blocking the production of fat inside immune cells may prevent chronic inflammation in people with diabetes. This could have a profound impact on health and potentially lead to new treatments for cancer and other conditions.
Researchers have engineered a new antimicrobial peptide that can destroy many types of bacteria, including those resistant to most antibiotics. The peptide also suppresses the overactive inflammatory response and destroys biofilms, making it a promising alternative for treating infections.
The University of New Mexico's CQuIC will receive a five-year, $2.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation to delve deeper into quantum information and computing. This award solidifies CQuIC as a leading research hub in theoretical physics, enabling researchers to make new progress toward quantum computing.
A new study published in Neurology found that people with thinking and memory problems who lack shrinkage in the hippocampus area of the brain are more likely to develop dementia with Lewy bodies. This finding could help doctors identify patients at risk for the disease and provide early treatment.
A new technology, hydrothermal liquefaction, converts sewage sludge into biocrude oil with properties similar to fossil fuels. The process produces a high-quality biocrude that can be refined to yield fuels such as gasoline and diesel.
Chinese scientists have designed a solid composite membrane that mimics biological ion channels with molecular sieve technology to effectively separate lithium ions from contaminants in brines. The approach allows for fast lithium ion flux and selectivity over other ions, making it a promising method for improved lithium extraction.
Dr. Mary Ann Stepp's research on corneal wound healing has been continuously funded for 32 years, with a new $2.8M grant continuing her studies on the role of nerves in wound healing. Her team uses the cornea to study cell migration and epithelial cell adhesion, shedding light on general wound healing and cancer metastasis.
Researchers at UT Austin have developed a new brain mapping technique to study how people update their knowledge and form new ideas. The study found that the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex work together to update conceptual knowledge, providing insight into the mechanics of learning.
A new study published in Social Science & Medicine found that states can reduce their jail populations by spending more on public inpatient mental health care while maintaining community mental health care levels. The research suggests that investing $1 in inpatient mental health care saves $0.25 in jail expenditures.
A Scripps-led study found a positive association between flu outbreaks and absolute humidity across all latitudes, with a critical temperature window of 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Researchers suggest using humidifiers in dry climates and dehumidifiers in tropical regions to control the spread of the virus.
The USDA has granted $20.2 million to 34 small businesses for innovative research and development projects in food production, food safety, and forest management. The funding will support feasibility studies and project implementation through the Small Business Innovation Research program.
A study conducted by Bettina Rockenbach and colleagues found that people tend not to enforce social norms, especially for larger violations. Despite negative emotions towards more severe offenses, individuals admitted reluctance to confront or punish them due to fear of retaliation.
Researchers identify direct link between brain inflammation and CTE, with longer football careers predicting increased inflammation and disease progression. The study suggests that treating inflammation could prevent or lessen CTE development, offering potential biomarkers for early identification.
A recent study published in Social Science Research found that women with STEM degrees who delayed marriage and family were not more likely to secure STEM employment than those who anticipated having children. The research, led by Cornell University demographer Sharon Sassler, analyzed data from the 1979 National Longitudinal Surveys o...
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that sleep-deprived individuals consumed an average of 385 kcal per day extra, with higher fat and lower protein intakes. The study suggests that long-term sleep deprivation may contribute to weight gain if it results in a large net increased energy intake.
Claudia Satizabal, a Boston University researcher, has received an Alzheimer's Association research grant to investigate the impact of midlife obesity on brain aging and dementia. Her study aims to understand the mechanisms by which obesity increases the risk of dementia and AD.
Shane Ardo will use the funding to advance his solar-powered desalination innovation, which aims to provide sustainable and inexpensive access to freshwater. The technology has the potential to reduce costs and environmental impact of conventional desalination plants.
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have created a process to mix unmodified lignin with rubber, producing high-performance renewable thermoplastics containing up to 41% lignin. The researchers also studied methane storage in tight shales using neutron scattering, finding that smaller pores hold twice the amount of methane as l...
Scientists develop portable biosensing chip to detect low levels of ochratoxin A and deoxynivalenol in beer samples. The device can detect mycotoxins as low as 0.2 nanograms/milliliter, posing a potential health risk.
The discovery of the Moku virus highlights a new threat to bees worldwide, particularly honey bees that pollinate vital crops. The novel pathogen has the potential to spread globally and cause widespread harm to honey bee colonies.
A recent study published in BMC Medicine found that the prevalence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in West Africa is significantly higher than previously thought. The study revealed that MDR-TB strains were widely circulating and drug resistance was a much bigger problem in the region than anticipated.
Researchers have found Fermi polarons, a new type of quasiparticle, in a certain type of semiconductors. This discovery challenges the previous assumption that excitons or trions are formed instead. The study provides valuable insights into the material's properties and has implications for basic research and potential applications.
A new study finds that overweight and obesity rates among young children increase significantly during summer vacations, not during the school year. The study, which analyzed data from over 18,000 children, suggests that major risk factors for child obesity lie outside of schools.
When we eat fatty foods, our body's response is coordinated between digestive organs, nervous system, and gut microbes. Intestinal cells undergo interior remodeling in response to fat influx, including changes in nuclear shape and gene activation.
Researchers have developed a bioelectric system that can deliver neurotransmitters in the body at speeds nearly as fast as the nervous system itself. This breakthrough technology has the potential to treat conditions such as chronic pain, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease.
Including canola oil in a healthy diet may reduce visceral fat in just four weeks. Monounsaturated fats in canola oil specifically target abdominal fat, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.
Researchers have created a novel method for making do-it-yourself, scrap-metal batteries that can store excess energy from residential solar panels. The new devices utilize steel and brass scraps, which are abundant and inexpensive, to achieve an energy density comparable to traditional lead-acid batteries.
Researchers identify Alx3 gene as key to African striped mouse's characteristic light-colored stripes. Analysis reveals similar stripe patterns in North American chipmunks, indicating independent evolution of trait.
A comprehensive digital database of magnetic structures, MAGNDATA, has been developed using systematic application of magnetic symmetry. The database contains over 400 commensurate and incommensurate magnetic structures, providing a standardized framework for description and storage of magnetic structures.
A collaboration of 32 researchers found a genetic mutation in the PINK1 gene that confers a risk for developing Parkinson's disease earlier than expected. The study showed that a specific mutation impairs the PINK1-PARKIN pathway, leading to damaged mitochondria accumulation and neurodegeneration.
The aging locks and dams on the Upper Mississippi River and Illinois Waterway are causing inefficiencies that increase transportation costs for grain and oilseeds. The study estimates a 40% decrease in economic activity if Lock 25 is closed, leading to a decline of over 7,000 jobs and $2.4 billion in economic activity annually.
A study analyzing brain tumor genomics on a single-cell level found evidence that cancer stem cells fuel the growth of oligodendrogliomas. Cancer stem cells were identified in human brain tumor samples and found to have distinct developmental signatures, suggesting they play a key role in tumor propagation.
Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed a new microfluidic technology to track tens of thousands of cells with single-cell precision. This allows scientists to confirm that many cells have a distinct circadian rhythm and observe individual cells syncing their rhythms over time.
A new study from Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute reveals that a key group of transcription factors are 'druggable,' including those involved in cancer, metabolism, and immunity. The research identifies seven bHLH-PAS proteins with pockets where drugs could fit and remain tightly bound.
The study reveals that wastewater treatment plants emit an overlooked source of carbon dioxide, which could increase global greenhouse gas emissions by 12-23 percent. Treating wastewater sludge with on-site carbon sequestration and renewable energy could help reduce fossil carbon emissions from these plants.
Following the USPSTF recommendation against population-based PSA screening, median biopsy volume per urologist decreased by 29% and RP volume decreased by 16%. Prostate cancer diagnostic and therapeutic practice patterns have shifted significantly.
A unique study by Midwestern University and partners identified genetic markers associated with CWD resistance in elk, enabling the development of more sensitive tests. This breakthrough allows deer and elk farmers to take ownership of CWD management through selective breeding, potentially stopping the disease in its tracks.
A new study confirms that the coral-algae symbiotic relationship dates back to the late Triassic period, around 210 million years ago. This finding highlights the importance of symbiosis for the health and development of coral reefs, which provide habitat for a quarter of all marine life.
Melinda Tasca, a Sam Houston State University assistant professor, received the prestigious W.E.B. Du Bois Fellowship to investigate racial and ethnic disparities in restrictive housing. The study aims to determine disparities in placements into restrictive housing and inform policy and practice.
University of California, Irvine researchers employed a graphene sensor to monitor changes in mitochondria, indicating the start of programmed cell death. The study found two electrochemical gradients in energy production, altering scientific understanding of cellular function.
A team of researchers has found a new explanation for how big magma chambers form in the Earth's crust. They propose that rock fragments from the roof of magma chambers are expelled, like popcorn thrown out of a hot pan, and then float to the top of magma chambers due to boiling gases.
The US Department of Agriculture has awarded $200,000 to four university teams for their innovative solutions in food and agricultural science. The winning teams will receive funding to start a business and participate in an entrepreneurial immersion course to commercialize their inventions.
A new study finds that using emotion regulation strategies like reappraisal in situations with control over outcomes may actually hinder well-being, while those with higher well-being use these strategies more in uncontrollable situations. Context plays a significant role in the effectiveness of emotion regulation strategies.
Researchers developed a new chemical compound Fluselenamyl that detects amyloid clumps better than current FDA-approved compounds. It potentially could be used in brain scans to identify early-stage Alzheimer's disease or monitor response to treatment.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new technique to create NV-doped nanodiamonds, which could serve as components in room-temperature quantum computing technologies. The new method offers unprecedented control and uniformity in the nanodiamond structures.
A study has discovered a crucial part of the genetic machinery that switches on the Neuroglobin gene, which is associated with protecting the brain and reducing severity of damage due to stroke and Alzheimer's disease. The research opens up new opportunities for treating AD using gene therapy.
Food cooked at high temperatures may contain toxic chemicals that raise the risk of heart disease. Researchers found that traditional South Asian cooking methods can lead to the formation of trans-fatty acids and other toxins, which are linked to higher heart disease rates in some communities.
Researchers at Stockholm University have identified a hormone called corazonin that helps fruit flies counteract stress and restore their internal balance. The discovery has implications for finding environmentally friendly ways to control pest insect populations.
Gene expression data from E. coli grown in space reveal reduced glucose uptake and increased extracellular acidity, suggesting altered bacterial behavior due to reduced transport of molecules.
A new study reveals that the nuclear membrane acts as an active regulatory structure, influencing gene expression and contributing to diseases like leukemia, heart disease, and aging disorders. The discovery provides insight into the critical role of nucleoporins in regulating genomic sites.
Researchers discovered that thorny devils can extract significant quantities of water from soggy sand, but not enough from dew. The lizards' skin is covered with microscopic channels that take up water by capillary action, allowing them to drink without licking water.
Astronomers have discovered a 'nearly naked' supermassive black hole after a smaller galaxy passed through a larger neighbor, stripping away nearly all its stars and gas. The remnant black hole is now speeding away at over 2,000 miles per second.
Researchers used a German-Hungarian team to extend the Standard Model and predict axion mass range for dark matter detection. The results suggest that axions could make up 85% of the universe's mass, with masses between 50-1500 micro-electronvolts.
A study published in Menopause: The Journal of the North American Menopause Society found that women's sexual function declines significantly before and after menopause, with menopause itself being a key factor. The study also discovered that hysterectomy has a lesser impact on post-surgical sexual decline compared to natural menopause.
Engineers successfully completed the first Center of Curvature test for the James Webb Space Telescope's primary mirror, measuring its shape and alignment with incredible precision. The test will be repeated after launch environment testing to confirm the optics' performance in space.