The BMC Ecology Image Competition 2017 has produced a diverse array of winning and highly commended images showcasing pressing issues in ecology. The competition highlights the intersection of art and science, with images capturing intricate species interactions, conservation efforts, and natural processes.
Hurricane Gert is being affected by strong wind shear, causing it to become elongated. The storm's convective structure has rapidly deteriorated due to cold sea surface temperatures and increasing vertical wind shear.
Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a new photostable fluorescent dye, PhoxBright 430 (PB430), to visualize cellular ultrastructure. PB430 enables continuous STED imaging and can be used for multicolor imaging of biological structures.
A UBC Okanagan researcher has developed a new artificial bone design that can be customized and printed with a 3D printer. The designs strike a balance between porosity and strength, offering potential for more effective bone replacements.
Researchers developed a noninvasive eye scan to detect Alzheimer's disease years before symptoms appear, revealing amyloid-beta deposits and toxic proteins in the retina. The findings offer new hope for early detection and disease monitoring, with the potential to intervene and change the course of the disorder.
Researchers found that peroxisomes are essential for cells to detect and destroy bacterial infections, releasing signals to other organs. This discovery highlights the organelle's role in innate immunity and could inform strategies to combat bacterial infections.
A new gene catalog of ocean microbes has revealed nutrient limitation as a central driver in the evolution of their genomes. The study found that microbial genomes change drastically with depth, adapting to varying levels of nitrogen availability.
Researchers have discovered that female fruit flies' pheromone signals can reveal the level of energy invested in egg production versus survival. This finding may have implications for understanding human mating and reproduction patterns.
Researchers used Next Generation Sequencing to investigate bacterial communities in long-term no-till and conventional tillage plots. The study found dynamic microbial communities influenced by sample location, with different bacteria dominating the rhizosphere and bulk soils.
Scientists are searching for Edwards' pheasant, a critically endangered bird species endemic to central Vietnam. Researchers have identified two potential locations where the bird may still exist, using data compiled from known sightings and recordings dating back to the late 1800s.
Computer simulations show moxifloxacin kills bacteria more quickly and performs better when doses are missed, making it a superior option for tuberculosis treatment. The research also found that levofloxacin killed bacteria more quickly than gatifloxacin.
A research project has developed fiber cement panels and biomass particleboard using agroindustrial waste, offering alternatives to toxic raw materials. The use of plant-based materials reduces the environmental impact of construction products.
Neurons can dynamically modify their dopamine content by adjusting vesicle acidity, contradicting the existing textbook model. This finding has important implications for understanding dopamine-related diseases like schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease.
A study found that individuals with poor kidney function had a higher risk of developing lower respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and sepsis. The relative proportion of these infections increased as kidney function decreased.
The Human Pathology Atlas analyzes human genes in all major cancers, revealing patterns that influence patient survival. The atlas provides a powerful tool for personalized medicine, with potential applications in lung and colorectal cancer.
A new study found that consuming high energy-density foods increases obesity-related cancer risk among normal-weight women, independent of body mass index. The study suggests that metabolic dysregulation caused by high-energy-density diets may be a contributing factor to obesity-related cancers.
A study found that vitamin C activated the enzyme TET2 in mice with genetic mutations that reduce its function, leading to the death of leukemia stem cells. High-dose vitamin C treatment was also shown to suppress the growth of cancer stem cells from human patients implanted in mice.
Researchers have successfully used an artificial womb to incubate healthy baby lambs for a week, paving the way for potential treatment of extremely premature infants. The technology, known as ex-vivo uterine environment (EVE) therapy, aims to improve lung development and reduce ventilation-derived injury.
Researchers have developed a new terahertz imaging approach that combines high-resolution images with fast acquisition speed, enabling early-stage skin cancer detection without tissue biopsies. The technique uses compressed sensing and adaptive imaging algorithms to achieve subwavelength resolution images.
The study describes a method for measuring potential energy surfaces of atoms near optical nanofibers, facilitating quantum memories and components. It enables controlled interactions between lasers and atoms or materials, crucial for unconditionally secure communications and quantum computing.
Scientists from UC Santa Cruz and the Nature Conservancy released a report identifying lands in Florida that are potential targets for projects with multiple benefits, such as reduced flood exposure, conservation, and remediation of social vulnerability. The study proposes prioritizing property buyouts based on these factors to support...
A study found that preschoolers shared more after listening to books with human characters, while those who read about human-like animal characters shared less. Children's altruistic giving was assessed before and after the reading, showing a significant difference in sharing behavior.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute have developed a gene-based delivery system that instructs the body to generate therapeutic antibodies against cancer cells. This technology has shown promising results in treating prostate cancer by binding to cancer cells and recruiting immune cells, resulting in tumor shrinkage and improved survival.
A study from Hiroshima University found that the brain's estrogen levels are directly linked to DHA intake, which can prevent seizures. The research suggests that dietary sources of DHA may contribute to brain health and could lead to the development of new epilepsy treatments.
New research reveals a two-step process for cell immortalization and cancer development, with telomerase playing a complex role. Telomerase levels are insufficient to lengthen all telomeres, leading to genomic instability and tumor formation.
Researchers have discovered that mature Reed Warblers can detect the declination from magnetic north and use it to locate themselves longitudinally, orienting towards their migratory route. This system is believed to be learned by experience, as juvenile birds were unable to adapt to a new magnetic signal.
A new study from Indiana University validates the stability of the East Antarctic ice sheet's central core, even if the West Antarctic ice sheet melts. The research team found evidence confirming the stability at an altitude of 6,200 feet, suggesting that climate change may not have a significant impact on the interior ice sheet.
A new study by UC San Francisco researchers found that tobacco companies knew NRT hardly ever works without counseling, but now sell it over-the-counter to complement smoking. The 'Tobacco Papers' reveal how industry documents show a shift in perception toward nicotine.
Researchers have identified a distinct 'detour' circuit in the hippocampus that is necessary for memory recall, but not for memory formation. This circuit branches off from the original memory circuit and connects to the entorhinal cortex, enabling easier editing or updating of memories.
Researchers Fei Zhao and colleagues discovered a hormone-sensing nuclear receptor that contributes to Wolffian duct degeneration in females. The finding challenges the long-held assumption that androgens are essential for Wolffian duct retention, suggesting alternative mechanisms may be at play.
Children with low gut microbiome diversity are more susceptible to severe Entamoeba histolytica infection. The study found that antibiotic disruption of the gut microbiome in mice led to decreased white blood cell activity and increased severity of colon inflammation.
A large long-term study found that women who live in areas with high levels of outdoor light at night may be at higher risk for breast cancer. The link was stronger among women who worked night shifts and were premenopausal or current/past smokers.
A team of Russian and Chinese scientists has developed a model explaining the nature of high-energy cosmic rays in our Galaxy, focusing on Fermi bubbles. They propose that giant shock fronts can re-accelerate protons to energies exceeding 1015 eV, producing the observed CR spectrum above the 'knee'.
A new study by the University of Warwick found that only two-thirds of trainee doctors plan to work in NHS general practice due to concerns about workload pressure and low morale. Many prefer locum or salaried positions over partnerships. The study highlights the need for improved GP training programs and workforce planning.
Researchers at Lancaster University discovered that wheat crops experience a delay in photosynthesis when transitioning from shade to sunlight, resulting in a loss of up to 21% productivity. The study suggests that breeding varieties with faster adjustment times could lead to increased yields without requiring more water or nutrients.
A survey of Russian high school students reveals that those without university plans consume alcohol more often. Reading habits also show a positive correlation with sobriety among university-bound teens.
Researchers at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering developed a non-toxic, lubricant-infused coating that disrupts mussel attachment mechanisms, preventing their adhesion. The coating outperforms existing alternatives in preventing mussel biofouling.
Drexel University researchers found associations between acute gastrointestinal illness and water turbidity, even at low levels. Cloudy drinking water provides a place for germs like norovirus, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium to hide, increasing the risk of illness.
Researchers used Stampede2 supercomputer to forecast solar eclipse corona, shedding light on sun's structure and space weather. The simulations, completed with NASA's Pleiades and other computers, provided highly detailed models of the sun's surface and predicted the solar corona's appearance during the Aug. 21 eclipse.
A vast ancient trading network operating in Vietnam from 4,500 to 3,000 years ago has been uncovered by archaeologists. The network included specialist tool-makers and technological knowledge, with items manufactured and circulated over hundreds of kilometres.
Researchers from the University of Basel have identified messenger substances that trigger excessive inflammatory responses in infected mice, leading to circulatory failure. Blocking these substances with existing medications may help prevent fatal outcomes in viral hemorrhagic fevers.
A recent study found that current smoking in older people increases the risk of developing frailty. Frailty is a condition associated with decreased physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to adverse health outcomes.
Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, have identified specialized odorant receptors in social insects that detect cuticular hydrocarbon cues and candidate pheromones. The discovery provides new insight into the chemical communications systems used by eusocial insects, enabling workers to recognize queen and male ants.
A new study shows that community health workers can improve health outcomes, reduce hospitalization rates, and lower costs for Medicaid patients. The IMPaCT program pairs trained local residents with chronically-ill patients from low-income neighborhoods.
The Blink Reflexometer device detects changes in blinking patterns to identify concussions and neurological disorders like Parkinson's, Huntington's, and schizophrenia. The technology aims to provide a portable, rugged, and fast aid for trainers to make objective calls about player safety.
A new simulation study shows that dementia can more than double the healthcare expenditure of aging individuals, with the majority of the financial burden falling on family members. The total average cost to care for a person with dementia was $321,000 over five years, compared to $137,280 without dementia.
A study published in The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery found that early surgery to repair supraspinatus tears leads to substantial improvement in clinical and radiographic outcomes at 10 years. The results suggest that preventing later rotator cuff muscle degeneration is key to long-term success.
A variation in the Cell Size Regulator gene enabled the domestication of large, plump tomatoes thousands of years ago. Farmers selectively cultivated plants with this genetic trait, which boosts fruit weight and increases profit margins.
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a new reaction mechanism for zeolite catalysts that can convert nitrogen oxides more efficiently, reducing emissions of smog-causing pollutants. This breakthrough could lead to the development of better catalyst designs for pollution control systems in diesel engines.
Researchers created a new model that better describes the behavior of ceramic materials under impact stress, improving prediction of resistance to deep penetration. The improved model reduces the need for expensive experiments, guiding material design and multi-materials systems approaches.
A lubricant-infused polymer coating has been developed to prevent mussel fouling, a significant problem in marine environments. The coating tricks mussels into not producing their adhesive threads, reducing the problem of fouling on ship hulls and marine pipes.
Researchers used ancient DNA and proteins to confirm chicken introductions in Zanzibar (7th-8th century AD) via maritime trade. Black rats also appear in islands around the same time, suggesting they arrived as stowaways on trade vessels.
A discovery by a UQ-Columbia University-University of Washington research group has explained the regulation of pyruvate carboxylase enzyme in Lactococcus bacterium, crucial for efficient milk acidification and cheese production. The findings have significant implications for Australia's billion-dollar cheese industry.
Potential Tropical Cyclone 9 is organizing east of the Lesser Antilles, with heavy rainfall expected to cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. The system is expected to move through the Windward Islands and into the eastern Caribbean Sea on August 18.
A new proposal defines subspecies based on a potentially incipient new species, heritable trait, and geographic isolation. The concept of subspecies has been contentious, but the newly proposed definition aims to simplify its recognition.
A study found that male fruit flies are attracted to females with low insulin signaling in their energy storage organ and high insulin signaling in follicle cells supporting egg production. This attraction is linked to increased fertility and offspring production.
A study adapts a noninvasive retinal imaging approach to detect and quantify amyloid-β plaques in AD patients and healthy controls, revealing increased deposits in AD patients. This technology has the potential to enable significant advances in early detection and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have found that Helicobacter pylori infection increases stem cell turnover in the stomach, leading to increased cell division and cancer risk. The bacteria sends a signal to stem cells, putting them into overdrive, which may explain why chronic infections with H. pylori are linked to stomach cancer.
Researchers have successfully formed and imaged tiny quasicrystals using silica nanoparticles, revealing a non-periodic yet ordered structure. The team used transmission electron microscopy to capture the growth process, which was influenced by varying concentrations of chemical compounds and mechanical stirring.
A new weather forecasting model, Subseasonal Experiment (SubX), combines multiple global models to produce more accurate forecasts for the US. The multi-model approach improves temperature and precipitation outlooks for weeks 3-4, providing critical insights for decision makers.