The Arecibo Observatory is tracking a near-Earth asteroid called 1998 OR2, which has unique topographic features that resemble a face mask. The asteroid's size and rotation period have been confirmed through observations, and monitoring its trajectory will help improve impact-risk mitigation technologies.
Researchers found that a common soil fungus can promote plant growth and boost defense responses in corn plants, suppressing pest growth. This discovery could be an valuable ally for organic corn growers facing challenges with insect control.
Researchers have identified goblet and ciliated cells in the nose as likely initial infection points for COVID-19 coronavirus. The study found that these cells express key entry proteins used by the virus to infect cells, making them highly accessible to the virus.
The Academic Emergency Medicine journal is making its latest COVID-19 research freely available in an easy-to-navigate online collection. New research will be added to the collection as soon as it is accepted and available.
A new study investigates the biogeophysical impacts of forestation on European climate, revealing that a continent covered in trees would generate up to one degree of extra seasonal heating in winter. The research used a multi-model ensemble approach and compared two ideal scenarios: a forested Europe and a grassland-covered Europe.
A new software platform is being developed to produce searchable digital atlases of whole organs at the cellular level, offering a Google Maps-style tool for high-resolution 3D images. This platform will allow researchers to easily search normal and diseased organs to track change over time.
Researchers are developing innovative solutions to increase crop production under climate change conditions, including improving photosynthesis and making crops more resistant to drought. The goal is to double cereal production by 2050 to ensure global food security.
A study found that age-related hearing loss damages the brain's hippocampus, a key memory organ. The findings suggest that progressive hearing impairment impairs memory formation by altering neurotransmitter receptors.
A new targeted drug, adavosertib, has demonstrated strong activity against uterine serous carcinoma (USC), a hard-to-treat form of the disease. In nearly one-third of patients, tumors shrank in response to the treatment.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a novel source imaging technology using high-density EEG to map underlying brain networks. This breakthrough can accurately estimate the size and scope of active areas within the brain, as well as interactions between functionally related regions.
A meta-analysis of 166 long-term surveys across 1,676 sites worldwide reveals highly spatially variable global insect population trends, showing an average 9% per decade decline in terrestrial insects. In contrast, freshwater insect abundance increases by 11% per decade, possibly due to successful clean water efforts.
Researchers at Kazan Federal University have created a novel amperometric sensor to detect sterically hindered phenols, including synthetic phenolic antioxidants. The sensor uses electropolymerized carminic acid as the sensitive layer and has been successfully tested on linseed oils, confirming high accuracy of antioxidant detection.
Scientists developed a novel RT-LAMP assay to detect SARS-CoV-2 genomic RNA, achieving sensitivity comparable to RT-qPCR. The method can be run in decentralized facilities, providing faster test services for more people and overcoming limitations of centralized testing.
Researchers analyzed the genomes of over 27,000 Icelanders to create a new image of Neanderthals, finding that they had children with Denisovans before meeting Homo Sapiens. The study reveals significant fragments of Denisovan genes in Icelandic DNA, challenging previous assumptions about hybridization and genetic transfer.
A global review highlights broad patterns of environmental pollution's impact on Indigenous groups, primarily through consumption of polluted water and food. Innovative strategies by Indigenous communities aim to limit and abate pollution.
Researchers discovered the walls and artifacts of Fort San Antón de Carlos, a Spanish fort built in 1566 on present-day Mound Key. The fort is an early example of tabby architecture and confirms the location of the Calusa capital.
Bayreuth geneticists have discovered a natural protective mechanism that leads to the programmed death of potentially diseased cells. The separase enzyme plays a central role in this process and can be re-purposed to induce apoptosis in cancer cells.
A decision analytical model describes key features of imported COVID-19 cases in Wenzhou, China, highlighting the city's high number of infections and severe outbreak. The study provides valuable insights into the epidemiology of COVID-19 in a region with unique characteristics.
Researchers at MIT developed a new automated AI system that reduces the energy required for training and running neural networks. The system, called a 'once-for-all' network, trains one large neural network comprising many pretrained subnetworks, reducing carbon emissions by low triple digits.
A study examined the association between renin-angiotensin system inhibitors and COVID-19 severity, finding no significant link to increased risk of death or severe illness. However, some studies suggest that these medications may exacerbate respiratory symptoms in patients with underlying hypertension.
Researchers found that birds and non-avian dinosaurs had similar brain sizes before the mass extinction, but after, some bird families evolved large-brained birds by shrinking body size. Parrots and corvids, including crows, showed exceptional cognitive capacity and rapid brain evolution.
The study presents a comprehensive view of tectonic stresses acting on North America, offering regional clues about subsurface behavior. The findings have implications for understanding and mitigating induced seismicity, particularly in areas targeted for energy exploration.
Researchers developed a CRISPR/Cas9 protocol that allows genetic modification of whiteflies, which can lead to novel control strategies. The technique enables the deletion of genes in whiteflies, allowing scientists to investigate genetic control strategies for this devastating pest.
Microalgae in coral cells may compensate with other metals when iron is limited, potentially affecting vital biological functions. Research found that different species of microalgae acquire other trace metals in unique quantities, which could have cascading effects on coral health.
Scientists at Forschungsverbund Berlin found that anti-oxidative enzymes, particularly SOD2, contribute to the unusual longevity of the corpus luteum in lynxes. This discovery provides important insights into lynx reproduction and may support conservation breeding programs.
Research reveals North Atlantic right whales are in poorer body condition than Southern right whales, affecting reproduction and growth rates. The study suggests lethal vessel strikes, entanglement, and food scarcity contribute to their decline.
Researchers have developed a genome-editing technique that can eliminate up to 70% of contaminating proteins in recombinant-protein drugs, making them cheaper and purer. The technology uses CRISPR-Cas mediated gene editing to reduce purification demands and improve drug quality.
Researchers at Temple University Health System discover a protein called B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) produced in sepsis, which lowers blood pressure. Inhibition of JNK and BNP activity reverses cardiovascular damage and improves survival rates in mice with sepsis.
Current regulatory standards for coastal waters have not kept pace with scientific understanding of hypoxia and acidification, putting important fisheries worldwide at risk. Aging policies fail to account for the combined effects of low dissolved oxygen and pH levels on marine life.
Researchers from IKBFU and the University of Oviedo tested a new Preisach model for analyzing magnetic interactions in ferromagnetic microwires. The study found that real-life conditions can affect the applicability of the method, highlighting its limitations.
Researchers have devised a faster and less memory-intensive method for constructing pan-genome subgraphs, allowing scientists to create visualizations on different scales rapidly. The new method enables the analysis of specific genome parts in a more efficient manner.
New research on the structure of HIV has revealed a promising novel drug target that can prevent further infection by targeting the genetic code. This discovery offers hope for more effective treatments and potentially fewer side effects for HIV patients.
Researchers discovered that marine bacteria process a key chemical called dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) in
Researchers analyzed satellite imagery and found river delta deposits in Jezero crater that formed over time scales promoting habitability and preservation of evidence. The study suggests ancient life could have existed near the Martian surface, with potential implications for understanding life evolution on Earth.
Breeding methodologies can increase fructan levels in winter wheat cultivars without reducing genetic diversity. Researchers successfully developed wheat cultivars with increased fructan levels using recurrent genomic selection, providing a proof-of-concept for improving nutritionally enhanced crops.
A zero-emissions Boston could avoid nearly 200 deaths each year, with significant reductions in cardiovascular and respiratory illness across the region. The city's climate policies would also save $1.7 billion in Suffolk County and $2.4 billion for the entire 75-square-mile zone.
A recent study found pediatric cancer trial enrollment decreased from 40-70% in the 1990s to 19.9% in the current study. This decline is partly attributed to improved treatments for common childhood cancers, shifting focus to rarer and higher-risk cancers.
Researchers at Edith Cowan University have developed a way to detect and quantify wheat proteins that trigger intestinal inflammation and chronic ailments. This breakthrough has resulted in a reference map of wheat proteins across diverse varieties and an innovative technique to measure specific proteins.
Rice University researchers have won a National Science Foundation RAPID grant to upgrade their wastewater-treatment technology. They aim to develop a system that can selectively adsorb viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, and disable them using photocatalytic disinfection.
A new, $50 smartphone-based testing device can detect viral and bacterial pathogens in under 30 minutes, providing a rapid solution for pandemic testing. The device uses a small cartridge containing reagents that break open the pathogen's outer shell to gain access to its RNA.
The authors present five criteria of quality for evaluating research during the pandemic. Researchers and stakeholders must evaluate studies based on importance, rigor, analytical integrity, transparency, and feasibility to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively.
A new AI model has been developed to classify colorectal polyps on histology slides with high accuracy, performing as well as practicing pathologists. The model was trained on a dataset from 24 different institutions and evaluated on an external dataset, demonstrating its generalizability.
A new study finds that COVID-19 pandemic could lead to $654 billion in direct medical costs and strain on healthcare resources. Reducing infections through herd immunity strategies or social distancing measures can significantly cut these costs.
Researchers successfully rebuilt bridge between experimental neuroscience and artificial intelligence learning algorithms by demonstrating a new accelerated brain-inspired learning mechanism. This mechanism outperformed commonly-used machine learning algorithms in handwritten digit recognition tasks with small datasets.
Researchers have developed a way to incorporate electronic sensors into stretchy fabrics, allowing for the creation of shirts or other garments that can monitor vital signs. The sensor-embedded garments are machine washable, customizable, and can be worn by people who need to track their physical data.
A new study by UC Davis finds that California cannabis safety testing costs growers around 10% of the average wholesale price, mainly due to rejected product disposal. Higher testing costs translate into higher prices for the licensed market, posing a risk to unlicensed alternatives.
A combination of immunotherapy agents encourages immune cells to consume tumors and alert others to attack, boosting survival for glioblastoma patients. The therapy, tested in a mouse model, successfully shrank tumors and extended life, with 55% of animals surviving over the course of the study.
Scientists have developed a multi-functional graphene-based nanomedicine that targets cancer cells with enhanced anticancer activity. The material, which combines three types of molecules for improved tumor targeting and drug delivery, shows promise for future biomedical applications.
A new investigation at Flinders University seeks to understand why bacterial infections predispose individuals to severe COVID-19. The research aims to connect respiratory tract bacterial colonization with COVID-19 outcomes in the community.
Researchers tracked Venus' atmospheric clouds and winds using Akatsuki data to estimate forces sustaining super-rotation. Thermal tides from solar heating near the equator are found to provide required angular momentum
The European garden spider's population density in Switzerland has dropped alarmingly, with a decline of 140 times compared to the previous average value. This suggests an insect meltdown is affecting ecosystems, leading to impoverished conditions and potential collapse.
A 'do it yourself' breathing circuit using readily available intensive care accessories can ventilate two critically ill patients at once, but its use is fraught with ethical issues and unclear pros outweigh cons. Clinicians should only consider this approach as a last resort due to the need for close patient matching and potential harm.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a method to monitor the novel coronavirus in wastewater, offering a new approach to tracking disease outbreaks and identifying hotspots. This technique uses reverse-transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT qPCR) to detect viral RNA genomes in wastewater samples.
Researchers have identified cathepsin S as a key player in Non-Hodgkin lymphoma's ability to evade the immune system. Inhibiting this protein reduces tumor growth by increasing the activity of immune cells that kill cancer cells.
Researchers at UAB will screen the Scripps Calibr repurposed library of compounds to determine if any licensed drugs have activity against Sars-Cov-2. The goal is to identify potential medicines through collaborations with leading virology labs and testing in cellular and animal models.
Researchers at Drexel University's C. & J. Nyheim Plasma Institute are modifying an air sterilization system to combat COVID-19. The technology uses cold plasma to neutralize or remove viral particles from the air, with a successful prototype already proven effective against anthrax spores.
A new study reveals a dramatic decrease in cold-water plankton during the 20th century, replaced by warmer subtropical species. The change is linked to shifting ocean circulation patterns, driven by freshwater input from melting ice and climate change.
A recent study published in Nutrients suggests that daily multivitamins with high doses of vitamin C and vitamin D can help fight off infections. The researchers recommend taking 200mg or more of vitamin C and 2,000 international units of vitamin D to support immune function.
The University of Montana has received a $2.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to identify and advance a COVID-19 vaccine candidate. Researchers have implemented alternative work schedules, social distancing measures, and telecommuting to ensure safety while working on the project.
Regular dietary counselling from infancy leads to improved cardiovascular health and reduced risk factors, such as lower serum cholesterol levels and better insulin sensitivity. The intervention group continued to have a heart-healthy diet even after the counselling ended.