A new EU Pilot Project will monitor butterfly population trends across Europe to assess the health of the environment and inform EU biodiversity and agricultural policies. The project, ABLE, aims to build on existing data from thousands of volunteers in 11 EU countries and expand monitoring to cover at least eight additional countries.
Researchers discovered that spittlebug nymphs use their foam bubbles to breathe, but only protrude their abdomens when startled. The insects can also consume oxygen within the larger bubble chamber during their final life stage.
A new discovery by Professor Graham Lord and his team at the University of Manchester reveals a crucial molecular pathway regulated by microRNA-142, which controls Regulatory T cells. This finding has significant implications for treating autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and cancer.
A recent study by NUS researchers found that microplastics can harbor toxic bacteria capable of causing coral bleaching and triggering wound infections in humans. The study identified over 400 types of bacteria on the plastics, including species that can degrade pollutants and others that cause harm to marine organisms.
Researchers identified six target disease genes at previously known AMD loci and three additional candidate genes, providing insights into the genetic architecture of AMD. The study used RNA sequencing data to expand on the genetic contributions to AMD.
A study funded by NIH found that a daily nutritional supplement can improve fetal growth and reduce stunted infants. The inexpensive supplement increased infant birth size by 31% and reduced small-for-gestational-age births by 22%.
A Queensland-based Research Support Network, launched in 2015, significantly increased the number of active research projects among emergency departments from 36 to 144. The program also led to a fourfold increase in collaborative projects and a tripling of research ideas aimed at patient care.
Researchers identified a new genetic cause of multi-tumor syndrome, which increases lifetime risk for patients with colorectal and breast cancers. The study found that rare NTHL1 gene mutations lead to the development of both diseases.
NASA's MAVEN mission is shrinking its Mars orbit to prepare for the upcoming Mars 2020 rover launch. The spacecraft will tighten its orbit from 3,850 to 2,800 miles above the surface, allowing it to circle Mars more frequently and communicate with rovers more often.
A Rutgers study found that facial trauma lawsuits generally favor physicians, with nearly three-fourths of cases being dismissed before trial. The study also found that patients are most successful in jury trials and in the Midwest, with outcomes favoring plaintiffs in Midwestern courts.
Nearly 3,000 maternal-fetal medicine physicians will share their expertise on preventing maternal morbidity and mortality at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's Annual Meeting. The event also includes a partnership between SMFM and Rancho High School, where students will learn from physicians about prenatal care and childbirth.
A randomized-controlled clinical trial found that Montmorency tart cherry juice helped lower systolic blood pressure and LDL cholesterol in older adults by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers. The participants also showed increased DNA repair activity, suggesting potential health benefits for heart health.
Mice exposed to ultrafine particles in utero show reduced immune responses and increased inflammation, indicating a possible link between prenatal pollution and respiratory health issues.
Researchers at Kent State University's Advanced Materials Institute have received an NSF grant to develop liquid crystal-nanoparticle sensors that can detect toxic gases and vapors without power. The sensors, which can be made any shape or size, offer parts-per-million level sensitivity and may help protect firefighters and other first...
A new study has shown that adults can learn a fictional writing system called HouseFont, which assigns images of houses to English phonemes. The research found increased brain activity in the visual word form area that predicted participants' reading speed, suggesting that learning a new writing system shapes the reading brain.
New research from Western University reveals that the spinal cord plays a crucial role in processing and controlling complex functions like hand positioning, challenging previous beliefs about its limitations. The study demonstrates that the spinal cord can generate responses to bumps, enabling precise hand control.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that 45.1% of adult atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) patients experience financial hardship due to medical bills. Insured and uninsured individuals, particularly those with lower incomes, are disproportionately affected.
Four articles examine racial disparities in opioid prescribing and overdose deaths, as well as county-level prescribing patterns in the US. The studies reveal significant differences in prescription rates and overdose fatality rates among various populations, highlighting pressing public health concerns.
Research found that healthy women using birth control pills are poorer judges of subtle facial expressions than non-users. OCP users were nearly 10% worse on average at recognizing the most enigmatic emotional expressions.
An international team has uncovered fossilized traces of motility in a 2.1 billion-year-old fossil deposit in Gabon, shedding light on the evolution of life on Earth. The discovery provides evidence of sophisticated multicellular organisms that could move through their mud in search of nutrients.
A new study by North Carolina State University found that aquaculture has expanded seafood production but does not contribute to fishery conservation. The research suggests that prioritizing socially sustainable seafood production and regulating industry practices are essential for advancing conservation goals.
Research published by the American Psychological Association found that people who feel shame about a secret are more likely to think about it constantly. Shame is associated with feelings of worthlessness and powerlessness, whereas guilt focuses on remorse and regret.
A new method uses machine learning to automate the process of preparing digital photos for analysis, allowing researchers to identify individual animals by their unique markings more efficiently. The system will accelerate studies on giraffe populations and can be applied to other species with similar identifying patterns.
Researchers have discovered that removing arginase 2 enzyme reduces neuron death and degeneration of nerve fibers in the retina after optic nerve injury. The study found that deleting this enzyme decreases inflammation and promotes recovery, suggesting it as a potential treatment target.
A University of Colorado study shows that low-molecular weight PAHs, commonly found in secondhand smoke and environmental exposures, can cause cancer-promoting changes in lung cells within 30 minutes.
A world-first study maps out regional variations in courage and entrepreneurship, finding that courageous regions have higher start-up rates but lower survival rates. Courage is associated with risk-taking and higher failure rates, posing a 'blind' courage that may undermine realistic evaluations of risks.
Wind shear weakened Tropical Cyclone Gelena to a tropical storm, with maximum sustained winds near 63 mph. Forecasters predict dissipation of the storm by February 14, three days from observation.
Tropical Cyclone Neil developed on February 9 with maximum sustained winds near 35 knots and dissipated by February 10. Wind shear played a significant role in weakening the storm, as observed by NASA's Aqua satellite.
Theoretical physicists at Linköping University developed a computational method to calculate the transition from one phase to another in dynamically disordered solid materials. This enables the development of eco-friendly materials for solar cells, batteries and fuel cells.
A team of Florida State University physicists has discovered a way to stabilize the color of light emitted from halide perovskites, a promising class of materials for optoelectronic technologies. The research, published in Nature Communications, uses a unique nanostructure to turn unstable materials into stable ones.
A study published in JNeurosci found that children's brains have trouble focusing on speech in noisy environments, a phenomenon known as the 'cocktail party effect'. This ability develops from childhood to adulthood and may not fully mature until the teenage years.
A Western diet characterized by low fiber and high fat and sugar content can lead to increased chronic inflammation, higher mortality rates, and more severe sepsis severity in mice. The study identifies molecular markers that could predict patients at high risk for severe sepsis or require aggressive treatment.
The newly described Mcvaughia piauhiensis highlights the diversity of the Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests biome in northeastern Brazil. The study sheds light on the unique characteristics of this recently recognized biome and its endemic plant species, crucial for conservation efforts.
Researchers create technique to monitor single cells over generations and investigate stiffness changes during cell division cycle, with potential applications for precision medicine and analyzing patient tumor responses to drugs.
Research suggests that low physical fitness, obesity, and a combination of both are strongly associated with chronic disability later in life. The study found that being physically fit is an important indicator of health regardless of BMI, reducing the risk of disability.
Hokkaido University researchers developed a new strategy for solid-state palladium-catalysed cross-coupling reactions using mechanochemistry, enabling efficient solvent-free synthesis of organic materials. Adding olefin facilitates a more efficient reaction, increasing conversion rates from less than 30% to 99%.
A new study published in ERJ Open Research directly compares new heated tobacco devices with vaping and traditional cigarettes, showing that all three are toxic to human lung cells. The study's findings suggest that these newer electronic nicotine delivery devices may not be a safer substitute for cigarette smoking.
A recent study predicts that climate change and rising sea levels will destroy the Sundarbans region, home to around 4,000 Bengal tigers, by 2070. The researchers used computer simulations to assess the future suitability of the area for tigers and their prey species.
Research finds less than a third of world's Key Biodiversity Areas have pristine night skies, while over half are under artificially bright skies. This study highlights the significant impact of light pollution on ecosystems, causing changes in species behavior and ecosystem cycles.
A new University of Rhode Island nursing study found that delayed cord clamping in healthy infants increases iron stores and brain myelin, leading to improved early-life functional development. The study, published in the Journal of Pediatrics, challenges the practice of immediate cord clamping.
Researchers at UTHealth found significant underrepresentation of women among neurology conference presenters and abstract authors. Despite racial disparities, the studies suggest a positive trend in increasing female participation in future years. Strong faculty mentors play a crucial role in supporting women's careers in neuroscience.
The Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) has discovered over 1,100 supernovae, two black holes, and 50 near-Earth asteroids since its operations began in March 2018. The facility is also conducting a systematic study of transients in galaxy nuclei, aiming to catch stars being ripped apart by supermassive black holes.
Moritz Lang and Mikhail Shkonikov from IST Austria have discovered a new property of the Abelian sandpile model, showing that it can exhibit dynamics similar to those of real-world sand dunes. The researchers used a specific method to add sand grains to the model, which induced self-similar fractal patterns reminiscent of the Mandelbro...
A new study by LSU researchers found that nearly 25% of homicides in Baton Rouge occur within 3% of the city's area, often near blighted buildings and convenience stores. The study uses risk terrain modeling to identify areas with high crime rates and suggests ways to combat crime through community safety.
Spotted lanternflies modify their diet and coloration to become distasteful and signal this to predators. The insects accumulate specific chemicals from tree juices, making them toxic to birds, which learn to avoid them based on their bright colors.
Researchers have developed an innovative treatment using uterine stem cell conditioned medium, showing antifungal activity against resistant strains of Candida albicans. This breakthrough opens up a new window of hope for treating vaginal candidiasis and its chronic carriers.
Researchers found that exercise increases brain levels of irisin, a hormone linked to improved memory and reduced Alzheimer's risk. Studies in mice suggest that irisin can protect the brain from age-related cognitive decline and may even help prevent or treat dementia.
The European Society of Cardiology's Acute Cardiovascular Care Congress explores the best ways to save lives from heart attacks and cardiac arrests. Gender differences and stress management are also key topics discussed by leading specialists.
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a new approach to scheduling generators, addressing previous issues with cost minimization and reliability. The method uses timeslots to optimize individual periods in real-time, ensuring feasible solutions without power surplus or shortage.
Researchers at Kobe University found that vitamin D signaling fuels the growth of macrophages in bone marrow, leading to myelofibrosis and bone hardening. A low-vitamin D diet can prevent or treat the condition.
Researchers at UC Riverside and University of Washington have successfully imaged edge conduction in monolayer tungsten ditelluride, a 2D topological insulator. This discovery could lead to the development of more efficient electronic devices by exploiting this unique property.
Researchers at Hokkaido University developed a porous material that turns yellow to reddish-brown when exposed to acid vapor, returning to its original color upon removal. The material's stability is remarkable, maintaining its structure at high temperatures and resisting common organic solvents.
New data reveals a distinct Zealandia-Antarctic mantle domain, formed by deep mantle upwelling and volcanism after Gondwana breakup. The Australian-Antarctic Ridge has isotopic compositions unique to this newly defined domain.
Poppies' colorful petals contain high concentrations of pigment, which causes efficient scattering of light. The unique shape of the pigmented cells creates air-filled gaps that reflect light on the cell/air boundary, resulting in striking colors.
Scientists at Rice University have developed a new method to create porous envelopes around light-powered aluminum nanocatalysts using pseudomorphic replacement. This process enables the creation of greener catalysts that use solar energy and are made from abundant metals, reducing energy burden and environmental impact. The study demo...
A recent study on the treatment of brain bleeds found that a drug called deferoxamine improved recovery and neurological function in patients who received intermediate doses of the medication. However, the primary results showed no significant improvement at three months after the bleeding event, but some benefits were observed at six ...
By employing high-performance computing, researchers have developed new models for fine-scale turbulence data that can be used to inform large-eddy simulations, bringing accurate jet spray simulations to a commercial level. This advancement aims to improve fuel injection efficiency and spraying accuracy in various industrial processes.
Research by De Rybel (VIB-UGent) and Helariutta (SLCU) reveals that DOF-type transcription factors control plant radial growth, enabling targeted breeding for higher biomass production. This understanding can improve atmospheric carbon sequestration and increase crop yields.
Researchers analyzed gene expression profiles of P. vivax malaria patients to understand transmission and treatment response. The study revealed complex transmission dynamics and differences in how the parasite responds to chloroquine treatment.
Researchers use a novel database on the neutrophil proteome to make genetic diagnoses for two children with severe congenital neutropenia whom typical sequencing had failed. The technique combines proteomic and genomic screening, which shows huge potential for personalized medicine at low cost.