Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new technique to increase CRISPR-Cas9 efficiency, achieving up to five times higher rates of inserting genes into human cells. This breakthrough has significant implications for clinical gene-therapy applications and basic biological research.
The Oreopithecus bambolii skeleton reveals that this late Miocene hominoid was not optimized for efficient 2-leg walking or climbing like living great apes. The species lacked key adaptations, such as pelvic stabilization and trunk stability during bipedal gait.
A new study shows that chimpanzees using complex tools to gather termites are more likely to share tools with novices and teach them skills. This behavior has implications for the evolution of human cultural abilities, suggesting a greater role for social learning in transferring complex tool traditions.
Researchers at NIMS and AIST created a bendable, stretchable vibration-powered device using a liquid electret material. The device can convert subtle vibrations into electrical signals, making it suitable for self-powered heartbeat and pulse sensors.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a system to capture CO2 directly in trucks' exhaust systems, liquefy it, and convert it into conventional fuel using renewable energy. The process recovers most of the energy available onboard, with only 10% of emissions left unrecycled, which can be offset by biomass.
A fast and inexpensive device to capture and identify various strains of virus has been developed by researchers at Penn State and New York University. The VIRRION device uses arrays of nanotubes engineered to be comparable in size to a wide range of viruses, enabling rapid detection through Raman spectroscopy.
Researchers have discovered how Zika virus protein NS1 reshapes host cell ER to facilitate viral replication. Blocking this process could lead to novel treatments for patients infected with Zika or similar viruses.
A new analytical method has been developed to address the limitations of estimating evolutionary history of various sex-determination systems. The method, based on male mutation bias, reveals that some species share an XY system for several million years before it is lost, as recently as 20-60 million years ago in some lineages.
Researchers used a new microscopic 'fishing' technique to snag thousands of proteins key to the cell skeleton. The team identified hundreds of individual proteins with yet-to-be-defined roles, including a protein called SLK that forges the link between RhoA and ERM.
A study on megafauna species distributions across eastern China over the last 2,000 years revealed strong declines for all five taxa. The expansion and intensification of agriculture, along with other cultural changes, were found to be key drivers of these declines.
A team of scientists has developed a way to quantify disease-causing mutations found only in the sperm of fathers, providing a more accurate assessment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk in future children. The method uses deep whole genome sequencing and reveals that up to 15% of fathers' sperm cells contain such mutations.
Restoring p53 using synthetic mRNA nanoparticles delays the growth of lung and liver cancer cells and makes them susceptible to available cancer drugs. The approach may also make tumors more vulnerable to cancer drugs known as mTOR inhibitors.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Florida have identified a promising strategy to make glioblastoma susceptible to immune checkpoint inhibitors. The approach targets chemokine receptors that allow myeloid-derived suppressor cells to infiltrate tumors, leading to immunosuppression and treatment resistance.
Researchers created on-skin electronic devices with passive-cooling capabilities using a multiscale porous elastomer substrate. The devices demonstrated comparable performance to conventional electronics while being breathable, waterproof, and recyclable.
Researchers have developed a new optical atomic clock called the 'tweezer clock' that uses laser tweezers to manipulate individual atoms. This design combines the advantages of two existing approaches, offering improved accuracy and precision, and paving the way for advances in fundamental physics research and new technologies.
A study by McMaster University researchers found that levels of NT-proBNP, a common cardiac blood test, can predict cardiac and vascular complications after non-cardiac surgery. The test may help doctors identify patients at risk and inform treatment decisions.
Researchers at the University of Konstanz have successfully controlled ultrafast motion of electrons in a metallic nanocircuit using light manipulation. The new method could speed up electronic switching in devices, enabling faster processing and higher performance.
Researchers studied tool-sharing behaviors in wild chimpanzee populations, finding that mothers and females were more successful in acquiring tools. The study suggests a significant role for social learning in the context of complex tool use, potentially sharing an evolutionary origin with humans.
Researchers quantify tiny height differences and detect different atom arrangements in silicene using low-temperature atomic force microscopy. The unevenness, known as buckling, influences the material's electronic properties, unlike graphene.
Researchers have created BaZrS3 thin films with strong light absorption and good charge transport, making them ideal for photovoltaics and LEDs. The new materials could lead to more efficient solar panels and lower energy costs.
A study of 368 mothers and their children found that maternal obesity during pregnancy was strongly associated with lower motor skills in boys and scores 5 or more points lower on full-scale IQ tests at age 7. A nurturing home environment lessened these negative effects.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have made significant strides in developing a novel cancer drug that targets KRAS gene mutations, as well as chelating heavy metals with artificial proteins. Additionally, scientists have discovered a natural mechanism in human tooth enamel that prevents cracks from forming, allowing teeth to last a lifetime.
The scTRIP method allows for the study of genetic variations within a single cell and measures genetic changes directly as they form in new cells. Researchers found four times more variants in patient-derived leukaemia cells using scTRIP compared to standard clinical diagnostics.
A recent study found that obesity is a significant risk factor for cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy, particularly those receiving anthracyclines and trastuzumab. The study suggests that overweight and obese individuals may benefit from careful cardiac screening and follow-up during treatment.
Researchers used rats to demonstrate that EEG doesn't always track with being awake, raising questions about interpreting EEG data in medical decisions. The study suggests certain EEG features may not accurately capture consciousness levels, but still have value in detecting unconsciousness.
The book Rethinking Biology highlights how biology is often oversimplified, leading to a false public understanding of biological processes. The authors study children and adults' perceptions, journalists' writing, legal contexts, and religious world views to shed light on this issue.
A study by Tohoku University researchers reveals that ancestral VMAT1 proteins exhibited increased neurotransmitter uptake, potentially linked to higher levels of anxiety or depression. The findings suggest that our ancestors may have been able to withstand higher levels of anxiety.
A statistical analysis of Roman emperors' deaths reveals a distinct pattern, with high risk in the first year and a bathtub-like curve indicating stabilization by the eighth year. The study suggests underlying processes governing the length of each rule until death, similar to reliability engineering.
A study by Flinders University found that mobile apps support breastfeeding decisions but can also overwhelm mothers with information. The apps provide a modern way of tracking baby care aspects, but some may not be tailored to individual needs.
KAUST researchers have devised a way to turn rigid silicon into solar cells that can be stretched by up to 95 percent while retaining a high solar energy capture efficiency of 19 percent. This breakthrough overcomes the rigidity limitation of silicon, allowing for flexible wearable electronics and robots.
Researchers found that physical forces, including friction and stress, play a crucial role in shaping the chevron patterns in fish muscle. The team identified specific mechanisms, such as cell elongation and orientated cell rearrangements, that contribute to the formation of these patterns.
A study found that recreational cannabis stores in Colorado and Washington showed high compliance with ID rules, refusing buyers in 73.6% of visits at the entrance. The results suggest room for improvement in some states, particularly in how store personnel check IDs at entry.
A diet low in fat and high in egg whites has been shown to positively affect serum testosterone levels, contrary to previous assumptions about the impact of healthy fats. The study's findings suggest that consuming albumen - the protein in egg whites - can increase testosterone levels by four-fold relative to fasting.
The study introduces a universal detection method utilizing thermal radiation's intrinsic super-linearity for high-resolution imaging of objects at all scales. This technique enables arbitrarily cranked-up super-resolution factor and applications in various fields such as thermal imaging, self-driving cars, and stealth object detection.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding foam film stability by studying the behavior of liquids containing multiple additives. This breakthrough has potential applications in improving the creamy topping on flat whites, making beer heads last longer, and developing more effective fire-fighting foams.
A new species of wasp-mimicking fly from South Korea has been discovered, with members twice the size of common house flies. The ancient insect, named after PSY's 'Gangnam Style', had distinct yellowjacket-like patterns on its abdomen.
Researchers found that hydrodynamic interactions do not explain the large discrepancy between experimental and simulated nucleation rates in hard-sphere colloids. Their simulations using a reliable model showed that neglecting these interactions led to similar nucleation rates as with hydrodynamic interactions.
The National Cancer Institute's Plated Compound Sets provide a convenient and cost-effective way to screen compounds manually. However, some collections contain pan assay interfering and nonspecific compounds that can generate false hits.
A study in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry reveals that coal-burning activities in the Asia-Pacific region have contaminated sediment layers in the US Pacific Northwest, with mercury deposition increasing by 400-fold. Global cooperation is essential to mitigate these environmental consequences.
Researchers identified families with high carbon footprints as consuming more sweets, alcohol, and restaurant food. These food choices contribute significantly to their higher carbon footprint, with meat consumption explaining less than 10% of the difference.
A recent study found that genetic data can accurately predict stroke risk, identifying individuals with a three-fold higher risk of ischemic stroke. This method is more precise than existing estimates based on clinical risk factors and can help pinpoint modifiable risk factors to mitigate the risk.
Researchers discovered that the human body uses a receptor to detect bacterial quorum sensing molecules, enabling it to react to differing stages of an infection. This allows the body to save energy by not reacting prematurely and prevents collateral damage caused by the immune system's response.
The Affordable Laser-Free Retrofittable Stroboscopic Solution for Ultrafast Electron Microscopy has been recognized as one of the top innovations of 2019 by R&D World magazine. This device can be retrofit into conventional transmission electron microscopes to image dynamic behaviors of materials over very short timescales.
A new study suggests that gender-tailored methods can ease the opioid crisis by integrating child care and supportive environments to address stigma and shame. Women with opioid use disorder are more likely to have mood and anxiety disorders, and internalize trauma's effects.
A new study published by sphingotec demonstrates that biomarker bio-ADM identifies high-risk patients for septic shock and those requiring immediate life-saving therapeutic intervention. Elevated bio-ADM levels are associated with prolonged ICU stays, fatal outcomes, and distortions in endothelial function.
Researchers explore chemodiversity in plants to understand its impact on ecosystems, including foodwebs and biodiversity. The new Research Unit will analyze chemodiversity within individual plants, between populations, and across species.
A new study has identified key mutations that affect Factor H binding protein (FHbp) on the surface of the meningococcus bacterium, which could lead to improved vaccines. The findings have major implications for current meningococcal group B vaccines, Trumenba and Bexsero.
Researchers identified deficits in prospective memory as factors affecting performance of everyday life activities in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Time-based tasks showed poorer performance compared to event-based tasks, and were associated with executive function deficits and lower motor scores.
The Stanford report outlines a roadmap for 143 countries to transition to 100% clean, renewable energy by 2050, reducing worldwide energy needs by 57%, creating 28.6 million jobs, and saving 91% on energy, health, and climate costs. The plan requires an initial investment of $73 trillion but pays for itself over time through energy sales.
Researchers used high-speed cameras and computer algorithms to analyze the movements of larval zebrafish, identifying three distinct components of their prey capture behavior: orientation, approach, and capture. The study provides new insights into how the brain generates complex behaviors.
The NIST study suggests a new definition for the optical watt based on radiation force and speed, offering a more precise, less expensive and more portable method for measuring light power. The proposed approach also simplifies calculations of mass and force, making it simpler as a primary standard.
The study validated the reproducibility of CRISPR-Cas9 functional genetic screens, creating the largest genetic screen resource for cancer research. This combined dataset will help narrow down the list of targets for the next generation of cancer treatments, speeding up the discovery and development of new drugs.
Researchers used AI to analyze gene activity in blood cells from over 12,000 samples, achieving a hit rate of above 99% for AML diagnosis. This approach could support conventional diagnostics and potentially accelerate therapy initiation, while also reducing costs.
A new study published in Communications Biology has identified the exact sites where Aurora kinase phosphorylates dynamin, a protein involved in mitochondrial division. The research suggests that the process of mitochondrial replication is similar in different eukaryotic organisms, including humans.
Researchers found that Japanese households with higher carbon footprints tend to consume more confectionary and alcohol, while also eating more vegetables and fish. The study suggests that targeting these food groups could be a more effective way to reduce carbon footprints than focusing on meat consumption.
The study found that specific components of soil health, such as the abundance and activity of soil animals, affect crop productivity. Measurements of soil invertebrates can inform assessments of soil health. The researchers also discovered that optimizing biotic processes in soil can optimize crop production.
A new study suggests freestanding emergency departments can lead to increased health-care costs and out-of-pocket spending for patients. Researchers analyzed insurance claims data from four states and found that entry of a freestanding emergency department was associated with a 3.6% increase in estimated out-of-pocket payments for emer...
A new study by University of Chicago biologists found that Mediterranean mussels with existing genetic variation can adapt to declining pH levels in seawater caused by carbon emissions. The surviving population in the low pH environment differed genetically from others, suggesting a faster adaptation process if no new mutation arises.
SHAPEIT4 is a powerful computer tool that allows researchers to quickly identify haplotypes in hundreds of thousands of unrelated individuals. This enables the analysis of complex traits and disease risk with unprecedented accuracy.
Researchers at Universidad Complutense de Madrid have identified brain biomarkers for detecting Alzheimer's disease. A study found that patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment who develop dementia show increased and then decreased synchronization in brain regions, indicating cortical network dysfunction.