The University of Maryland has contributed to the publication of two collaborative papers in Science that detail the full genome sequence of wheat. The research uses this genome sequence to examine gene expression related to heat, drought, and disease stressors, paving the way for more resilient and sustainable wheat varieties.
A novel saliva-based panel is being developed to aid clinicians in the early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder based on changes in oral microbial communities. The study found altered microbial gene expression patterns associated with energy processing and lysine degradation, indicating potential biomarkers for ASD.
A qualitative review found that patients with HAIs experience emotional responses, including feeling shameful and dirty, and fear transmitting their infection to others. Effective interaction from HCP can provide reassurance and improve outcomes.
The university's School of Medicine has received a $936,000 grant to develop strategies for more equitable food systems in Cleveland. The project aims to sequence and integrate efforts like supermarket expansion, social marketing campaigns, and emergency food assistance programs to achieve maximum community benefit.
Researchers have discovered the earliest definitive fossil evidence of insect-pollination in ancient cycads, dated to 99 million years ago. The discovery of an amber-trapped boganiid beetle shows special adaptations for transporting pollen, indicating a probable ancient origin of beetle pollination.
A new study by Carnegie Institution researchers found that defects in the Fmr1 gene can lead to difficulties in creating large protein structures, potentially contributing to autism-related disorders like fragile X syndrome. The study used fruit fly eggs to demonstrate how Fmr1 helps produce essential large proteins.
Most YouTube videos on facial plastic surgery are misleading marketing campaigns posted by non-qualified medical professionals, according to a Rutgers University study. The researchers found that 94 videos had no medical professional at all, while only 72 featured board-certified physicians with high-quality content.
The Advanced Science Research Center at GC/CUNY Photonics Initiative has received a $3.2 million DARPA grant to support basic nanophotonics research. The team will develop concepts for modeling, analyzing, designing, and realizing leapfrog enhancements to electromagnetic-wave manipulation through the use of metamaterials.
A new interactive design tool, CoreCavity, allows users to create durable injection molds for hollow, free-form objects. The software analyzes an object's 3D-scan and proposes a decomposition into pieces, which can be adjusted by the user, producing mold templates that can be 3D-printed.
A new low-cost whole blood test for toxoplasmosis has been developed with high sensitivity and specificity, making it suitable for diagnosing the infection during pregnancy. The test was found to be effective even in individuals with lower levels of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies.
The International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium has published the reference genome of bread wheat, enabling breeders to identify genes and regulatory elements underlying complex traits. This achievement will boost wheat improvement, similar to maize and rice after their reference sequences were produced.
Researchers found that predictable situations enhance language learning in toddlers by reducing the need for them to track unexpected events. This design separated the content of what children were learning from the predictability of the situation, showing a cascade effect on learning something new.
Researchers found Tibetan sheep carry infectious Y. pestis bacteria, transmitted through fleas and rodent contact, posing health risks to humans. The study highlights the need for caution when handling under-cooked sheep meat and underscores the unique characteristics of this region's plague transmission route.
A Yale-led research team has developed a new approach to stabilize high-power lasers by introducing chaotic cavities, reducing laser instabilities and promoting stable beam profiles. The innovative method is scalable to increasing power levels and can be applied to various types of high-power lasers.
Researchers discovered that nematodes undergo complete degeneration of muscles and neurons, only to rebuild them in adulthood. This process may hold clues for understanding human neurodegenerative diseases and developing new pest control strategies for soybeans.
Researchers at the University of Delaware developed flexible carbon nanotube composite coatings on various fibers, enabling the measurement of a wide range of pressure. The technology has potential applications in smart garments, sports medicine, post-surgical recovery, and assessing movement disorders in pediatric populations.
Tropical Storm Lane is strengthening, with cloud top temperatures indicating strong thunderstorms capable of heavy rain. The storm's maximum sustained winds have increased to near 60 mph, and it is forecast to become a hurricane by tomorrow and potentially a major hurricane over the weekend.
Scientists developed a unique organic fluorophore that changes its emission color in response to external stimuli. The dye exhibits two-color behavior, emitting green and orange light depending on its solid-state morphologies.
Researchers found a specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associated with COPD and linked to the HLA-C gene, which presents proteins to immune cells. This discovery suggests a genetic link between autoimmune disease and COPD.
Long-term exposure to secondhand smoke in childhood increases the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) death and other conditions in adulthood. Secondhand smoke exposure as an adult also raises mortality risks, particularly from COPD and ischemic heart disease.
Researchers have developed a new method for making valuable compounds by combining enzymatic and photocatalysts. The study, published in Nature, found that this combination can create important active pharmaceutical intermediates for producing pharmaceutical drugs.
Researchers found that evaluators consider lower tracks more suitable for low-SES pupils and higher tracks for high-SES pupils, even when achievement is identical. This suggests that tracking systems can perpetuate academic differences among students as a function of their socio-economic status.
Scientists have developed a new method to shuttle lithium ions into the crystal structure of samarium nickelate, a quantum material with exotic electronic properties. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient energy storage and novel applications in computing.
Linda Gesenhues and Markus Höhnerbach receive fellowships for their work on finite element simulation of turbidity currents and portable optimizations of complex molecular dynamics codes. Their research has potential applications in geological phenomena, such as underwater volcanoes and earthquakes.
A growing global population contributes to rising greenhouse gas emissions, while nearly 85 million unintended pregnancies annually exacerbate the issue. Including population information in future IPCC assessments could facilitate more effective climate policies.
A new mathematical model reveals how social interactions influence the emergence of infectious diseases, allowing for better anticipation and prevention of outbreaks. The study suggests that understanding human behavior can aid in preventing the evolution of more virulent pathogen strains.
Johan Torkel Håstad of KTH Royal Institute of Technology is awarded the 2018 Donald E. Knuth Prize for his significant contributions to computer science, including optimization and cryptography. The prize recognizes his transformative techniques that have influenced subsequent work in these areas.
A new study has found that the thinning of the retina is linked to the loss of brain cells that produce dopamine, a substance that helps control movement. This discovery may lead to a simple eye scan being used to detect Parkinson's disease in its earliest stages.
Scientists discover faintest satellite galaxies orbiting Milky Way are among the first galaxies to form, dating back over 13 billion years. The findings support the current model for the evolution of the universe, providing insight into the early stages of galaxy formation.
Researchers at NTU Singapore have discovered a natural plant-based food preservative using flavonoids, showing strong anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties. The organic preservative effectively kept meat and fruit juice samples fresh for two days without refrigeration.
Researchers found that low-resolution climate models fail to capture the complexity of regional rainfall systems, leading to underestimated projections. High-resolution models, on the other hand, project large increases in summer rainfall under certain scenarios.
Researchers studied hydrogen's transition from a gas to a liquid metal under high pressure, shedding light on the interiors of giant planets. They found that deuterium became opaque and metallic at nearly 2 million times normal atmospheric pressure.
A team of scientists at GE and PPPL has developed an advanced plasma switch that can convert high-voltage DC current to AC current efficiently, reducing the cost of long-distance power transmission. The switch uses helium gas inside a tube filled with plasma, which is more efficient than existing semiconductor switches.
Researchers found that a blood test conducted as early as the 10th week of pregnancy may help identify women at risk for gestational diabetes. The study suggests that measuring HbA1c levels in early pregnancy could determine a woman's later risk for the condition, allowing for lifestyle changes to reduce the risk.
The research demonstrates a novel device structure that allows for unprecedented control over the angular orientation in twisted-layer devices. The team used graphene/boron-nitride heterostructures to show that the energy gap observed in graphene is tunable and can be turned on or off by changing the orientation between the layers.
A Pew Research Center survey finds that majority of Americans accept genetic engineering of animals to prevent disease transmission and grow organs for transplants. However, others oppose the use of technology to improve meat quality or revive extinct species, citing concerns about ecosystem risks.
A blood test using a protein called KIM-1 can detect kidney cancer up to five years prior to clinical diagnosis. Elevated KIM-1 concentrations in the blood are associated with poorer survival rates in patients diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma.
A computerized brain response study of 36 healthy adult volunteers found that practicing a movement makes future similar movements faster due to an unknown mechanism preparing their brains, not anticipation. The findings could help scientists understand how brain-controlled motor responses go awry after neurologic disease or injuries.
A team of over 200 scientists from 73 institutions worldwide has completed the entire sequence of bread wheat's genome, which could lead to higher yields, enhanced nutritional quality, and improved sustainability. The reference genome sequence will enable breeders to develop improved varieties and address food security challenges.
A study of 30,000 pregnant women across nine European cities found associations between socio-economic status and exposure to environmental hazards such as air pollution, noise, and lack of green spaces. The findings highlight the need for urban planners to address environmental inequalities to reduce health disparities in pregnancy.
Researchers designed a computer simulation that added correlated noise to the path of energy transfer, significantly accelerating it. This finding challenges traditional views of noise as a hindrance in energy transport, opening up new possibilities for optimizing energy efficiency.
Sub-Tropical Storm Ernesto's rainfall and cloud heights were analyzed using NASA satellites, revealing a patchy pattern. The storm is expected to strengthen before weakening due to environmental factors, ultimately merging with a frontal zone near Ireland and the UK.
Tropical Storm Rumbia was tracked by NASA's Aqua satellite on August 16, showing large storm areas in the northern and southern quadrants. The storm had maximum sustained winds near 40 knots and was forecast to make landfall near Shanghai, prompting a yellow warning from China's National Meteorological Center.
K-FLEX, a flexible endoscopic surgical robot, demonstrates precise control of 3.7 mm diameter robotic arms for minimally invasive procedures. The device successfully manipulated tissue during an in-vivo test on a porcine gallbladder, showcasing its potential for surgery on incipient cancer cells.
The team found that telomeres are regulated by proteins, including Taz1, which tether internal regions to the telomeres. This process ensures faithful duplication of genetic material. Better understanding of this mechanism may inform research into maintaining genetic information and preventing diseases.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a model to identify cities that can benefit from re-circulating human-waste-derived nutrients into farm fields. This approach could promote agricultural sustainability and economic independence in developing countries.
Researchers have developed a new CRISPR technique that allows them to skip over specific parts of genes that can cause disease. This approach could potentially treat genetic diseases such as Duchenne's muscular dystrophy and Huntington's disease by eliminating mutated gene sequences and influencing their expression.
A team of scientists has discovered a unique planetary nebula with an inverted ionization structure surrounding a central star undergoing a 'born-again' process, which is expected to occur in the Sun's future evolution. This finding provides valuable insights into the late-stage evolution of stars like our Sun.
A study of 300,000 type 2 diabetes patients found that those with controlled risk factors had a significantly low risk of premature death, heart attack, and stroke. Optimizing medication, not smoking, and managing other risk factors can greatly reduce the risk.
Researchers report cross-disciplinary work as key factor in HGP's success, leading to more successful careers and impactful publications. The consortium model, which incorporated collaboration between biologists, computer scientists, and other disciplines, changed science's cultural norms.
Research reveals a 73% decrease in bird abundance and 45% drop in species diversity at nine sites surveyed on the Pajarito Plateau. The decline may signal early effects of drought, hotter temperatures, and bark beetle outbreaks on piñon pine trees.
A new study found that water use for hydraulic fracturing in the US has been increasing at individual facilities, with some regions seeing a 770% rise. This trend may impact future global oil and gas development due to increased water requirements.
A study published in Age and Ageing found that women whose mothers lived to at least age 90 were 25% more likely to also live to 90 without serious diseases or disabilities. Additionally, if both parents lived to 90, the likelihood of their daughter's longevity increased by 38%.
Tropical Depression Rumbia formed on Aug 15, with NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite capturing a visible image of the storm over Japan's southern islands. The depression is moving north-northwest and expected to become a tropical storm before weakening and making landfall near Shanghai, China
Scientists have discovered previously unknown sulfur compounds causing the bitter taste that develops after chopping onions. The compounds, dubbed allithiolanes, form spontaneously when the onion is damaged, affecting the flavor of resulting dishes.
A new study finds that sea-level rise can significantly increase the tsunami hazard, with smaller tsunamis posing greater risks due to increased flooding frequency. The study simulates tsunami inundation maps for Macau and warns of increased dangers from tsunamis in the South China Sea region.
Researchers at UMN Medical School found that senolytic drugs can reverse physical dysfunction caused by aging cells, extending lifespan in animal models. A high-fat diet or being old enhances this dysfunction.
The EMBRACA trial shows that talazoparib provides a significant clinical benefit to patients with metastatic breast cancer and BRCA mutations. The study found that talazoparib improved progression-free survival, quality-of-life measures, and overall response rates compared to chemotherapy.
A team of researchers discovered a solidified whitish mass in an Egyptian tomb, which was later identified as the world's oldest cheese, made from cow milk and sheep or goat milk. The cheese contained peptides that suggest it was contaminated with Brucella melitensis, a deadly disease.
Researchers found that treatments restoring blood flow to the lower limbs of people with critical limb ischemia can lead to longer survival and reduced healthcare costs compared to amputation. The study analyzed Medicare records of over 72,000 patients diagnosed with primary critical limb ischemia between 2010 and 2015.