A new theory proposes that early Earth's lithosphere heated up and expanded, causing cracks that eventually divided the planet into plates. The model, developed by Dr. Alexander Webb and his team, suggests that volcanic heat loss led to thermal contraction, which in turn caused the outer shell to warm up and expand.
A new relationship between humanity and the ocean is required to secure the continuity of the diverse life support roles provided by the sea. The paper proposes three key transition pathways to make complex ocean systems more resilient and ensure a more sustainable future.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have created microcapsule technology that fortifies bivalve shellfish with Vitamin A and D, providing a cheap and effective way to address global nutrient deficiencies. This breakthrough could help improve the health of millions while reducing environmental impact.
A global methodology has been developed to help decide when to treat prostate cancer, providing a single standard for estimating tumour aggressiveness. The GAP3 consortium's analysis of 14,380 patients reveals that certain factors can predict cancer development, enabling more informed treatment decisions.
Researchers found that men are now more likely to visit clinics for Peyronie's disease and low sexual desire, while erectile dysfunction cases have declined. The study suggests a growing awareness of these conditions, possibly driven by increased openness and access to treatments.
The project aims to store green surplus energy in giant underground water balloons hidden beneath 'moving hills', demonstrating a new technology that can optimize energy storage for a future with more renewable energy. The test facility will be built with a focus on abrasion testing and lifetime tests for the membrane.
USTC successfully completed a large-scale solid system simulation with tens of thousands of atoms using the Sunway TaihuLight supercomputer. The achievement demonstrates the power of domestic high-performance parallel computing software and hardware.
The University of Miami Rosenstiel School has been selected by NOAA to host the Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS), which will conduct collaborative research on Earth's oceans and atmosphere. CIMAS will focus on coastal resilience, ocean conservation, and tropical weather prediction.
Researchers have created a new type of chemical thermometer using spin-crossover molecules to create a nanometric-scale thermal map. The innovation enables the measurement of local thermal processes and improves device design.
Research by Welsh academics finds that patients with PTSD exhibit exaggerated pupil reactions to both threatening and positive images, suggesting a hyper-response to any arousing stimulus. This discovery may lead to the development of new therapy approaches using positive images.
Researchers developed a key technology to produce aviation-grade fuels from wood waste. The method uses hydrocracking to reduce lignin oil's high viscosity, making it suitable for industrial use. This breakthrough allows Korea to proactively meet jet fuel greenhouse emissions regulations.
Researchers found that uncoordinated lifting of lockdown measures can lead to earlier secondary epidemics, while coordination can reduce the risk of transmission. Synchronizing intermittent lockdowns across countries can significantly improve the likelihood of ending community transmission.
St Petersburg University scientists analyzed microgastropods in the eastern sector of the Arctic, discovering at least 66 species. The study helps understand biological diversity, ecosystem responses to climate change and environmental pollution.
Researchers at LMU Munich used smartphone data to analyze users' personalities, finding strong correlations between behavior patterns and self-assessed traits. The study focused on the Big Five personality dimensions, revealing that certain types of digital behavior are more informative for specific self-assessments.
Researchers tracked baleen whale movements using passive acoustic recordings, finding four species have changed their distribution patterns in the past decade. The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than other regions, resulting in changes in distribution for five out of six baleen whale species.
A recent study published in npj Climate and Atmospheric Science reveals remarkable skill in reproducing multi-annual variations of North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and atmospheric blocking frequency. This breakthrough suggests that impactful climate anomalies may be predictable with improved dynamical models, filling the gap between lo...
A new protein-based technique analyzes amelogenin in tooth enamel to estimate human biological sex with superior accuracy than DNA analysis. This method allows for sex determination of children and is reliable even with weak DNA signals.
A study in Côte d'Ivoire found that preferences for bushmeat vary widely among hunters, traders, and consumers, driven by factors such as nutritional needs, cultural practices, and economic incentives. The researchers urge policymakers to prioritize targeted conservation strategies that account for individual motivations and user groups.
Researchers from the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries investigated water distribution in the Demnitzer Mühlenfliess sub-catchment area. They found that vegetation plays a significant role in storing and releasing water, with forests having a drier soil than grasslands due to their root depth and leaf canopy.
Researchers discovered how SARS-CoV-2 inhibits protein synthesis in infected cells, effectively disarming the body's immune response. The Nonstructural Protein 1 (Nsp1) is a central weapon used by the virus to replicate and propagate, targeting the 40S subunit of ribosomes.
Fox Chase Cancer Center and Ben-Gurion University have received a $320,000 grant to test an immune-stimulating antibody developed by BGU researcher Angel Porgador for treating multiple myeloma. The antibody helps the immune system kill multiple myeloma tumor cells and may work on many different types of tumors.
Emanuela Marasco and her team aim to diagnose COVID-19 through sweat metabolites, leveraging machine learning algorithms and advanced image processing techniques. Their proposed detector will be compared to traditional tampon-based testing methods, potentially revolutionizing non-invasive diagnosis.
A Kansas State University study is the first to confirm that SARS-CoV-2 cannot be transmitted to people by mosquitoes, debunking a long-standing theory. The virus was found unable to replicate in three common mosquito species, ruling out human transmission via these vectors.
The Greenland Ice Sheet holds enough water to raise sea levels nearly 24 feet. A new project, GreenDrill, aims to drill through the ice to the underlying bedrock, revealing the ice sheet's past in unprecedented detail and enabling more accurate predictions of how it may add to rising seas.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered a previously unidentified nanostructure on insect surfaces that can be used to engineer stronger, more resilient water repellent coatings. These high-solid fraction textures may imbue additional water repelling benefits and could be applied to personal protective equipment (PPE) to better resis...
The Center for International Education at George Mason University is delivering an online English language teacher professional development program. The program aims to provide educators around the world with online training to teach English to young learners.
A new study by Dolores Albarracin and colleagues found that people tend to conflate intentions and behaviors in routine actions, creating false memories. This phenomenon has significant implications for healthcare settings and self-reporting of following through on actions.
Cristiana Stan and collaborators develop new diagnostic tools to forecast ENSO patterns. The tools aim to better understand the relationship between ENSO and the Madden-Julian Oscillation.
A new clinical trial suggests that vaporized cannabis is safe and potentially effective in mitigating chronic pain caused by sickle cell disease. The study found that patients experienced reduced pain levels and improved mood over time, paving the way for further research on medical cannabis as a treatment option.
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have identified a quicker and less expensive way to count sperm in lobsters using DNA technology. This new method could help scientists better understand mating and population sustainability in various species.
Researchers at Graz University of Technology developed a new machine learning algorithm called e-prop, which significantly expands the possible applications of AI. This novel approach uses spikes to enable more efficient information processing and reduces energy consumption.
A study found that type 1 interferon deficiency is a biomarker for patients at risk of severe COVID-19. Low levels of type 1 interferon in plasma precede clinical worsening and are characteristic of each stage of the disease, suggesting it could identify a high-risk population.
Texas A&M University researchers are producing COVID-19 spike proteins to detect antibodies that can block the virus from binding to cells. The goal is to find effective treatments and vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.
Despite low representation in academia, female surgeon-scientists are securing a greater percentage of National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants. Women researchers are more likely to be first-time grant recipients and have higher success rates when awarded NIH funding.
The project aims to address system impediments to pervasive 360-degree video sharing by improving efficiency at each stage. Researchers will explore approaches for generating high-quality frames, adapting content to available bandwidth, and optimizing projection efficiency.
Tong and collaborators are developing a model-ready emission dataset for CAM-CMAQ's wildfire forecasting system, aiming to improve accuracy and mitigate adverse fire effects. The dataset will also incorporate aerosol attenuation of photolysis in smoke plumes.
A recent survey by Aarhus University found that the general psychological well-being of Danes improved by the end of April, with a 6% increase in those scoring above 80. The study suggests a plausible correlation between pandemic intensity and psychological well-being.
Researchers developed the APIStrip tool to sample contaminants in honeybee colonies without disrupting their normal routine. The method uses a polystyrene strip with Tenax to detect up to 442 kinds of pesticides, including residues from beekeepers' treatments and plant protection products.
Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that copper catalysts are superior to purely metallic-origin catalysts in producing ethylene after oxygen is depleted. The team developed a method to 'reactivate' the catalyst by re-adding and re-removing oxygen, improving efficiency.
Researchers uncover how the huntingtin protein transports vital materials within neurons, revealing a potential avenue for therapeutics aimed at improving endosomal transport in Huntington's disease patients. The study also highlights the importance of understanding the protein's normal function to develop effective treatments.
Research at UC Berkeley reveals pesticides can boost schistosome parasite transmission by affecting snail survival, aquatic predators and algae composition. This increases disease burden in areas with high agricultural agrochemical use, posing a significant threat to public health.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a substantial impact on private radiology practices, with examination volumes decreasing by 40%-90%. To mitigate losses, practices are adjusting service availability, staffing, compensation, and seeking additional revenues.
A small clinical trial found that higher doses of omega-3 supplements may be needed to make a difference in preventing cognitive decline. Participants with the APOE4 gene mutation showed lower increases in brain levels of omega-3s compared to those without it.
Researchers from Jiangsu University of Technology developed novel Cu2O-Mn3O4-NiO ternary nanocomposites using electrospinning technology, showing improved performance in supercapacitor electrode materials. The nanocomposites exhibit high specific capacitance and capacitance retention due to strong interaction between functional groups ...
Researchers found SARS-CoV-2 RNA in a volunteer blood donor 40 days after resolution of COVID-19-like symptoms. This detection raises concerns about the risk to blood supply safety, as current guidelines do not recommend screening for SARS-CoV-2 in allogeneic donors.
A UCLA-led study found that dermatopathologists are motivated by both patient safety concerns and malpractice fears when ordering additional tests. The study surveyed 160 dermatopathologists in the US, who reported a strong emphasis on patient safety as a driving factor for their actions.
A doctoral student at Virginia Tech has been awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to research how migratory birds transmit diseases and carry pathogens. She aims to screen birds for various diseases in Trinidad and Virginia, determining which vectors and viruses are introduced during the winter months.
A European modeling study shows that coordinated lockdown strategies can prevent resurgent COVID-19 outbreaks. The study found that synchronized cycles of interventions led to local elimination of COVID-19 cases in 90% of simulations, while unsynchronized cycles only achieved this 5% of the time.
Researchers developed N-doped carbon encapsulated transition metal catalysts to optimize zinc-air batteries, showing remarkable ORR/OER bifunctional catalytic activity and improved performance. The catalyst was prepared by pyrolyzing solvent-free formed fechitosan chelates and small molecule nitrogen source.
A study published in the Journal of General Virology found that curcumin can prevent TGEV infection and kill virus particles. This antiviral property could be beneficial in preventing diseases caused by TGEV in piglets.
Researchers found that pigs initially initiate interactions with humans as dogs do, but in a problem-solving situation, pigs persist on their own, while dogs rely on humans for help. This study compares the communication behaviors of dogs and pigs in a problem-solving context.
Researchers at UT Health San Antonio have identified a new class of proteins that protect synapses from destruction. These proteins, called complement inhibitors, may offer a novel therapy for managing Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.
Researchers at Kazan Federal University discovered that water molecules, not manganese derivatives, form covalent C-O bonds in graphene oxide. The study also found that the C-O bonds can be easily cleaved and remigrated along the graphene plane.
A new study by the University of Bradford reveals that people with early-stage glaucoma see contrast in a similar way to those without it, despite measurable vision loss. This underlines the importance of regular eye checks to detect glaucoma before damage is established.
Physicists at Massachusetts General Hospital have identified superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles as a potential contrast agent for low-field MRI scanners. The nanoparticles could enable the use of low-cost MRI technology in emergency rooms and doctors' offices for routine screenings, revolutionizing disease diagnosis and screening.
A team of researchers found that applying pressure to a 2D halide perovskite suppressed carrier trapping and led to enhanced emission. The findings show a new phase with higher crystallographic symmetry and fewer trap states was formed after pressure treatment.
Researchers from the University of Oregon have identified chemical changes caused by hot magma flows that dramatically altered the Columbia River region's landscape. The study, published in Scientific Reports, used oxygen and hydrogen isotopes to analyze 27 samples from dikes in the flood-basalt province.
Researchers discovered a hybrid fungus, Aspergillus latus, in a hospital environment, which is up to three times more drug-resistant than its parental species and highly dangerous. The study aims to investigate the role of fungi in COVID-19 and improve treatment strategies.
A US study reveals that only 21 of 159 endangered species are adequately protected by existing areas, highlighting the need to increase conservation efforts. Private landowners can play a vital role in achieving conservation goals through conservation easements.
Scientists combined environmental DNA and hydrological models to assess riverine ecosystems' biodiversity with unprecedented accuracy, identifying unseen hotspots for conservation strategies. The new method enables rapid application of research findings in Switzerland, finalizing guidelines for the Federal Office for Environment.