A team led by OSU professor Kerry McPhail will study stromatolites in South Africa's barrage pools, seeking insights into chemical signaling and metabolite production among ancient microbial communities. The research aims to advance our understanding of the origins of life and develop new medicines.
Researchers developed a mouse model to study PRV's pathogenesis, virulence, and treatment efficacy. The model showed that the lung was the primary target organ for replication and demonstrated protective effects of antiserum and non-lethal doses.
A team of scientists found that supercoiling powers the movement of cohesin protein complex along chromatin fibers, a key piece in understanding gene expression regulation. This discovery establishes a new chemo-mechanical process in chromosomes shaping optimal gene regulation through structural arrangements.
Researchers at the University of Huddersfield have developed a method to quickly detect signs of multiple sclerosis using blood samples. The discovery identifies two natural biomarker compounds, sphingosine and dihydrosphingosine, which are found to be at significantly lower concentrations in patients with MS.
Scientists at Salk Institute develop novel approach to discover critical contacts on proteins, uncovering new functions for well-studied proteins. The technique has significant implications for therapeutic drug development, which relies heavily on physical interaction with cellular targets.
Scientists have discovered two new functions of natural killer cells in the womb, which can help regulate embryo implantation. The cells remodel and refresh the lining of the womb, but an imbalance in this process may increase the risk of miscarriage.
Researchers created a brittle star-like robot that can quickly adapt to physical damage, similar to its biological model. This decentralized control mechanism allows the robot to coordinate and move with remaining arms.
Researchers have solved a six-decade-old mystery about the source of energetic particles in Earth's inner radiation belt using data from a CubeSat. The study found that cosmic rays born from supernova explosions create charged particles, including electrons, that become trapped by Earth's magnetic field.
Archaeologist Sue O'Connor discovered the world's oldest known fish-hooks placed in a burial ritual on Alor Island, Indonesia. The five hooks date back to the Pleistocene era and provide evidence that fishing equipment was viewed as essential for transition to the afterlife.
Researchers created a catalyst that can reduce pollutants at lower temperatures, relevant to advanced engines. The work uses smaller amounts of platinum and presents a new way to create more powerful catalysts.
Researchers have created large-scale, programmable self-folding DNA and RNA structures using user-friendly software tools. The new nanostructures can be successfully cloned and amplified inside living cells, offering a low-cost high-scale production strategy for manufacturing the nanostructures.
A new policy process aims to overcome the stalemate on ivory trade, recognizing the moral perspectives of both proponents and opponents. The researchers' structured approach seeks to help stakeholders understand each other's views, making informed decisions that balance conservation with economic interests.
Researchers at Brown University have created software that allows users to control robots remotely using virtual reality, enhancing the manipulation tasks of autonomous robots. The system uses a robot's sensors to create a point-cloud model of the environment, transmitted to a remote computer connected to a virtual reality headset.
Kids who regularly eat take-away meals may be boosting their risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. A diet rich in calories and poor in vitamins and minerals was found among regular consumers of take-aways.
A new study found that a bioluminescent worm's ferritin is nearly eight times faster at storing and releasing iron than human capabilities, with potential applications in biomedical research and medical treatments.
A study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology found that drinking hot tea at least once a day is linked to a significantly lower risk of developing glaucoma. The researchers analyzed data from over 10,000 US adults and found that hot tea-drinkers were 74% less likely to have glaucoma compared to non-tea drinkers.
A new study found that 80% of materials chemistry papers may have incorrect results, with 1 in 5 being completely wrong. Researchers encourage more replication efforts to increase confidence in data.
A new study estimates that sustainability certification significantly reduced deforestation in Indonesian plantations, saving 21 square kilometers of forests from destruction. However, the actual area conserved was surprisingly small, and more robust protection is necessary to effectively conserve tropical forests.
Researchers have discovered that extracellular vesicles isolated from amniotic fluid stem cells can slow the progression of kidney damage in mice with Alport syndrome. The findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of kidney disease and point to a potential new approach for improved treatments.
The 2017 NIH Monitoring the Future survey shows that nearly one in three 12th graders use some kind of vaping device, with significant declines in hookah and cigarette use. Meanwhile, teen opioid misuse has reached historic lows, with past year misuse of Vicodin dropping to 2% among high school seniors.
Cornell University engineers have developed a method to gather blood pressure, heart rate, and breath rate using cheap, covert systems of radio-frequency signals and microchip tags. The system integrates near-field coherent sensing, allowing for accurate measurement of internal body movement.
Researchers developed an operando electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique to detect lithium metal plating in lithium ion batteries. This technique provides real-time information on the onset of lithium plating and its extent during charging, supporting the development of improved electric vehicles.
Research led by Professor Stephen Wood at Orygen found that individuals with autism traits and psychosis are at a greater risk of depression and suicidal thoughts. The study suggests that identifying autism traits can help identify those most at risk of suicide, highlighting the need for better training and assessments.
The study reveals how toxic oligomers disrupt brain cell membranes, creating defects that lead to neuronal death. Understanding this process offers an opportunity to develop new treatments for Parkinson's Disease.
A new study by researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute describes the biology behind why muscle stem cells respond differently to aging or injury. Adult muscle stem cells are essential for repairing and regenerating muscle throughout life, but their ability to cope with different stimuli varies depending on the...
A study of medical cannabis dispensaries in Washington and Colorado reveals how communities vote affects marketing strategies, with traditional approaches dominating counties where recreational use was rejected. Dispensaries in favor of recreational sales adopted more risk-taking marketing tactics, emphasizing convenience and price.
The study found that 90% of US homes have at least one elevated allergen level, with pets and pests playing a major role. Housing characteristics and geographic locations also impact allergen exposure levels. Preventive actions can help reduce exposure to indoor allergens.
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire found that climate change effects could worsen by mid-century, leading to fewer snow days, more extreme heat, and reduced cold water fish habitats. The study used models benchmarked to field measurements to evaluate the Merrimack River watershed in New Hampshire.
A Canadian study found that children who regularly eat meals with their family experience long-term physical and mental health benefits. Family meals are associated with better fitness, lower soft-drink consumption, and improved social skills.
Researchers found significant disparities in liquid biopsy results from Guardant360 and Personal Genome Diagnostics for patients with metastatic prostate cancer. Inconsistencies were found even when analyzing DNA from the same blood sample, highlighting the need for improved certification and quality control.
A new homogeneous assay detects succinate using luminescence, enabling the investigation of a large number of structurally conserved enzymes belonging to the Fe(II)/2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase superfamily. This method has significant applications in dioxygenase research and has the potential to impact human diseases.
A new study published in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology reveals that food-induced anaphylaxis reactions occur frequently under adult supervision, with adults other than parents often present. The research highlights the importance of increasing education and awareness among all caregivers of food-allergic children.
Researchers at Arizona State University have created a high-throughput technology that can produce up to 1,000 doses of antimicrobial treatments within a week. The system uses synthetic antibodies, or synbodies, which are made from short protein fragments and can be quickly screened against a large number of pathogens.
Researchers studied Felix Baumgartner's free fall and found that his irregularly shaped equipment allowed him to break the sound barrier faster than a smooth, symmetrical body. The investigation revealed that surface irregularities can reduce aerodynamic drag at speeds close to the speed of sound.
A study at the University of Oregon discovered that women who practiced gratitude in a journal showed increased altruism, particularly when viewing transactions donating to charity. This suggests that an attitude of gratitude can lead to more generous behavior towards others.
Researchers found that people living in former industrial heartlands are more prone to negative emotions, impulsive behaviors, and struggle with planning and self-motivation. This psychological adversity is thought to be the result of selective migrations during mass industrialization and its social effects on work and living conditions.
The next-generation SuperMUC-NG will provide more compute power for scientists, enabling them to tackle complex problems and simulate earthquakes with greater accuracy. The new supercomputer will use warm-water cooling and advanced storage capabilities to reduce power consumption and address data management challenges.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science proposes a new regulatory approach for fecal transplant treatments. Stool banks would be required to report patient outcomes, while doctors and laboratories could distribute stool for CDI treatment at their discretion.
The GAMBIT Collaboration has developed software tools to analyze data from various experiments and compare them with predictions of new theories. This comprehensive analysis narrows the search areas for 'new physics' and eliminates models whose predictions have not been confirmed.
Researchers from Russia, China, and India are developing a software to analyze 3D images of infrastructure objects using laser scanner survey technologies and photography. The software will aid in detecting defects, building information modeling, and renovation at all stages of an object's lifecycle.
Scientists at NIST have developed a method to precisely control the depth of nanometer-scale structures using ion beams. This technique allows for the precise measurement of nanoparticle size and has potential applications in quality control, industrial production, and biomedical research.
A new study by Drexel University shows that while coloring can reduce stress, it is not as potent as involving an art therapist. Art therapists report significant benefits from open studio sessions, including empowerment, creativity, and improved mood.
Research at UC Berkeley found that older adults' slow brainwaves during deep sleep fail to synchronize with speedy electrical bursts, preventing them from effectively consolidating new memories. The aging brain's failure to coordinate these two brain waves is likely due to degradation or atrophy of the medial frontal cortex.
Scientists have identified 126 genetic differences among 80 genes associated with sleep duration in fruit fly populations. These findings may lead to better treatments for insomnia and narcolepsy, with little physiological consequence for extreme long or short sleepers.
The efficacy of many FDA-approved cancer drug combinations is not due to synergistic interactions between drugs, but rather to a form of bet hedging. Genetic variations in cancer lead to differences in drug response, making combination therapy more effective by boosting the likelihood that a patient will benefit from at least one drug.
Scientists have developed the first synthetic protein assemblies that encapsulate their own genetic materials and evolve new traits in complex environments. These assemblies are computationally designed and can package RNA with improved efficiency, resist degradation, and increase circulation time in living mice.
Researchers at MIT develop computer systems that approximate human cognitive abilities to navigate the world. The systems learn to perceive physics by inferring object shapes and properties from visual data, and predicting how objects will behave based on that data.
Researchers found that Ebola survivors' immune systems may provide some protection against future infection. The study, led by UCLA, located 14 survivors of the 1976 outbreak who still lived in the same remote villages.
Researchers found that mild traumatic brain injury can lead to lifelong degenerative changes, including learning and working memory impairment. Studies on mice revealed ongoing neuroinflammation and neuron projection degeneration after a single or repetitive TBI, with some animals showing motor deficits.
Nine US research universities have formed a coalition to provide clear, standardized data on life science career prospects, including admission rates, education and training opportunities, and job outcomes. The initiative aims to help students make informed choices and universities better target their programs to actual career outcomes.
New research reveals how accumulation of chemically modified lipids interferes with the function of a protein involved in antitumor immune responses and effective cancer immunotherapy. The findings point to new strategies for improving the response to immunotherapy.
A genetic mutation that occurred 700 million years ago may have facilitated the connection of gene networks involved in animal embryogenesis, leading to the formation of complex organs. This discovery highlights the importance of serendipity in evolution and the versatility of biological tools.
The research examines the actions of individual agents incurring debt, exploring social consequences and international regulation. The interdisciplinary network analyzes the phenomenon of debt in complexity, investigating changing responses to public debt over time.
A study led by UC Berkeley researchers found that a small pool of immune cells remain alive for years after vaccination, developing unique features such as methylation patterns to keep them primed and ready to respond to the same microbe. This discovery may help scientists develop better vaccines and understand differences among diseases.
Researchers developed a statistical model to understand the frequency and severity of megadroughts in the western US. They analyzed tree ring evidence from 800 to 1300 A.D. and found that megadroughts occur naturally, with some events potentially linked to solar activity or other non-climatic factors.
Scientists have created a liquid one hundred million times more dilute than water and one million times thinner than air by cooling down potassium atoms to -273.15 degrees Celsius. The liquid droplets exhibit fascinating macroscopic behavior due to quantum fluctuations, allowing researchers to study unique quantum effects.
Researchers identified 126 genetic variations in wild fruit flies that affect sleep duration, with some individuals needing more or less sleep than others. The study suggests that multiple signaling pathways contribute to sleep duration and may explain why a single purpose for sleep has been difficult to pin down.
Tropical Storm Kai-tak developed near the east central Philippines, producing strong convective storms with heavy precipitation. GPM data showed intense storms dropping rain at a rate of over 143 mm/h and reaching altitudes of over 16 km.
A new study found significant decreases in tree regeneration following 21st century wildfires, highlighting the loss of forest resilience. The research team analyzed data from over 1,500 sites across five states, measuring seedlings growing in areas burned by wildfires during the past three decades.
A new study published in JAMA Oncology analyzed data from almost 7,000 tests and found that both FDA-approved companion diagnostics and laboratory-developed tests demonstrated excellent performance on proficiency testing, exceeding 97% accuracy combined across three cancer genes. Most laboratories purchasing in vitro diagnostics for FD...