A recent study published in Genome Biology reveals a high level of site-specificity in bacteria found in the human mouth, with distinct genetic forms associated with specific sites. The researchers used metapangenomics to identify novel bacterial strains and potential habitat-specific genes.
Ferroelectric materials display unique patterns due to non-equilibrium dynamics and topological defects, driving subsequent evolution. A new study finds phase separation kinetics as a common framework for understanding these patterns.
A team of scientists employed various spectroscopic instruments to extract details about the manuscript's original materials and manufacturing techniques. The results revealed two distinct types of ink and a dark stain that may indicate past restoration efforts.
Researchers have identified ultra-fast gas flows through atomic-scale apertures in 2D membranes, confirming a century-old equation of fluid dynamics. The study's findings hold promise for applications in water and gas purification, air quality monitoring, and energy harvesting.
The Advanced Photon Source (APS) has been instrumental in the development of COVID-19 vaccines, allowing for rapid progress through genetic mutations that increase effectiveness. Scientists used APS ultrabright X-ray beams to illuminate virus structures and design vaccine techniques, drugs, and treatments.
The CRISPR Journal has published a special issue on expanding the CRISPR toolbox, featuring new research tools and discoveries. The collection includes articles on novel Type V-A Cas12 enzymes, in silico tools for CRISPR-Cas system identification, and advances in guide design and selection.
Developing a new era of optical signal processing, researchers created an optical convolutional neural network accelerator capable of processing large amounts of information per second. This innovation harnesses the massive parallelism of light to outperform top-of-the-line graphics processing units by over one order of magnitude.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland found that social holidays increase overall life satisfaction, employment satisfaction, and feelings of equality among families with children. These holidays also have a positive impact on financial situations and leisure time experience.
Research suggests cannabis use by people in opioid addiction care can lower fentanyl-positive urine tests and reduce overdose risk. A study of 819 participants found that those with THC positive urine were 10% less likely to have fentanyl, highlighting potential benefits for treatment outcomes.
A recent study in Nature Communications found evidence of recombination and genetic exchange in bdelloid rotifers, which were previously thought to be asexual. The discovery suggests that these organisms may not be as evolutionarily dead-end as once believed.
A study published in Science found that the perirhinal cortex accumulates information from multiple senses and sends it back to the rest of the cortex, enabling coordinated learning. Without this connection, animals struggle to retain information, resembling patients with anterograde amnesia like H.M.
Pittsburgh engineers build a two-dimensional sheet that spontaneously transforms into a three-dimensional gear, performing sustained work without external power. The innovation enables the development of self-powered machines for resource-poor environments.
Researchers developed a new teaching concept for secondary physics that focuses on intuitive understanding of voltage and its application to electric circuits. The curriculum, which uses analogies such as air pressure differences, significantly improved students' understanding compared to traditional tuition.
A study published in Neurology found that COVID-19 patients with neurological problems, including stroke and confusion, had a significantly higher mortality rate compared to those without these conditions. Individuals with stroke were twice as likely to die, while those with confusion had a 40% mortality rate.
A new study finds that when people consider being a protector for others, they approach risk differently. They are less likely to let their personal beliefs and politics discourage them from practicing COVID protection. Emphasizing the act of protecting others may help people feel independent and strong, rather than compliant or obedient.
Researchers found a fossil fragment of one of the giant stellar clumps that formed the central region of the Milky Way approximately 12 billion years ago. Liller 1 is composed of two stellar populations with dramatically different ages, one as old as the Milky Way and the other much younger.
A UCLA-led study uses 3D-printed models to identify possible link between COVID-19 and stroke. The researchers found that the coronavirus increases the production of a molecule called angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which affects blood vessel cells in the brain.
Researchers in Japan have used machine intelligence to fine-tune algorithms for brain mapping by MRI, improving the accuracy and reliability of connectome estimation. The new technique generates more convincing results, particularly in detecting long-range nerve fibers, crucial for understanding brain function.
A recent national study found that factors such as perceived importance of others, confidence to wear a face covering, and personal importance of use positively associated with intention to wear a face covering. The study suggests that messaging strategies targeting individual intentions and social norms may be more effective than focu...
A new study published in the European Journal of Human Genetics found that prenatal testing has halved the number of babies born with Down syndrome in Europe. The growth of noninvasive prenatal screening has led to a significant reduction in DS births, with some countries experiencing reductions of up to 71%.
A new study from University of California, Davis and John Hopkins University aims to help decision-makers avoid unintended environmental consequences of renewable energy development. The study identifies key research priorities, including site selection and wildlife interactions, to promote sustainable solar and wind developments.
A recent study found that macrophages play a crucial role in suppressing the effectiveness of PARP inhibitor therapy in breast cancer patients. The researchers identified CSF-1R-positive macrophages as the key suppressive cells, which can be targeted to enhance anti-tumor responses.
A new machine learning model uses computer algorithms to measure poverty in different countries, providing a more holistic and multi-dimensional approach. The model can predict future poverty levels and plan interventions to alleviate the problem.
Scientists at EPFL demonstrate a state of vibration that exists simultaneously at two different times, showing entanglement between light and vibration. This finding creates a bridge between daily experience and the realm of quantum mechanics, paving the way for ultrafast quantum technologies.
A team from the University of Michigan has created nine COVID-19 guidebooks based on the wisdom and experience of people who have lived through the disease or served as caregivers. The guides offer practical advice and places to record important information for hospital and post-hospital care.
A study at Stony Brook University found that telemedicine helped reduce patient volume by 75% and surgical visits by 55% while increasing follow-up visits for non-surgical practitioners. This shift suggests a template for post-pandemic adoption of multidisciplinary telehealth clinics.
A new study has documented a significant increase in sightings of critically endangered smalltooth sawfish in coastal waters off Miami. The research highlights the need to better understand the effects of coastal urbanization on these endangered species and inform conservation efforts.
Drs. Kelil and Jaimes will investigate personalized breast cancer risk assessment and fetal diffusion tensor imaging to improve conventional risk prediction models and characterize normal brain development in fetuses with congenital heart disease. Their studies aim to harness cutting-edge MRI processing tools to correct for fetal motion.
A study by Cornell University researchers suggests that New York can reach a carbon-free economy by 2050 with five years to spare. The key to achieving this goal lies in the widespread adoption of offshore wind energy, geothermal heating, and electric air heat pumps.
A study published by the University of Helsinki found that living environments significantly impact the microbiota and health of both dogs and their owners. In rural areas, dogs and owners share skin microbes, while gut microbes differ between species.
A newly developed behavioral monitoring system, CAPTURE, combines motion capture and deep learning to continuously track the three-dimensional movements of freely behaving animals. The system allows for precise measurement of behavior in naturalistic settings, providing valuable insights into brain function and behavior.
A team of researchers has developed a low-cost system to monitor bee species in the UK using retroreflective vests. The system uses real-time tracking technology to record the foraging behaviour and 3D flight path of various bees, providing valuable insights into their ecology.
A new study reveals that only 10% of remaining tropical forest cover remains fire-resistant, while the rest has been fragmented or degraded. Tropical forests play a crucial role in preventing catastrophic fires, emphasizing the need for preservation and regeneration.
Researchers at Princeton University discovered Weyl nodes in bulk CoS2, enabling predictions about its surface properties. The material hosts Fermi-arc surface states, which may enable exotic phenomena and places it among materials candidates for use in spintronic devices.
A new predictive mapping tool, POCSCRPT, aids forest managers in determining which areas of western US forests will naturally regrow following wildfires. The tool's accuracy is enhanced by incorporating climate and seed production data.
Researchers discovered a nearly complete skeleton of Adalatherium, a giant mammal that defies explanation due to its unusual trunk vertebrae and limbs. The creature's front legs were adapted for sprinting, while its hind legs resembled those of crocodiles.
Researchers have developed nanoparticles that can breach cell barriers and kill tumor cells, reducing tumor sizes by 40-70% in mice. The highly selective toxicity of the particles offers new hope for treating aggressive cancers.
Researchers at UCL developed a pioneering new eye test called DARC that can predict wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD) three years before symptoms appear. The test uses a fluorescent dye to detect stressed retinal cells, which then predicts future AMD activity.
Simulations reveal that longitudinal fluctuations preferentially mix with ions, leaving electrons cooler, while transverse fluctuations can mix with both. This finding has significant implications for understanding astronomical observations of supermassive black holes.
A recent study assessed the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccine mandates in the US public, revealing mixed attitudes towards mandates. The study found that while some individuals strongly supported vaccine mandates, others were more hesitant or opposed.
Researchers have developed a cell atlas of Schistosoma mansoni, a parasitic worm that poses a risk to hundreds of millions of people each year. The study identified 13 distinct cell types within the worm at the start of its development, including new cell types in the nervous and muscular systems.
Researchers from HSE University analyzed human behavior strategies during COVID-19 restrictions, showing that unequal access to medical care contributes to irresponsible behavior. Targeted information campaigns for healthy populations can encourage compliance with restrictions if expected losses are significant.
Scientists from the University of Groningen have shown that nonlinear effects can be achieved using 2D boron nitride, enabling spin signals to multiply and be measured without ferromagnets. This technology has potential applications in neuromorphic computing and spin-based electronics.
The five-layer sunshield of the James Webb Space Telescope has completed a final series of large-scale deployment and tensioning tests, putting the observatory one step closer to its launch. The sunshield protects the telescope from heat and light, maintaining an extremely cold temperature for groundbreaking science in infrared light.
Barts Life Sciences is leveraging £6.7m in funding from Barts Charity to analyze patient data and develop personalized medicine approaches. The initiative focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, with the goal of improving health outcomes for patients in east London and beyond.
Researchers developed a gene biomarker identification technique to predict liver toxicity in just 24 hours, reducing lengthy animal studies. The method uses machine learning approaches to identify key genes in messenger RNA, enabling accelerated testing for agrochemical and pharmaceutical companies.
A study found that Zika infection during pregnancy can impact fetal retinal development and cause congenital ocular anomalies. However, the virus does not appear to affect eye growth postnatally.
Researchers at Kanazawa University developed a simple and cost-effective way to extract palladium and silver from industrial waste. The new method uses ultrasmall particles of cellulose to selectively adsorb metal ions, resulting in high metal ion adsorption capacities and efficient recovery of pure and elemental metals.
A new assessment suggests sea level rise could be higher than current estimates by 2100 due to uncertainties in ice sheet dynamics and warming oceans. Scientists identify key areas of research needed to improve models and predictions, including better mapping of glacier ground and improved coupling of atmosphere-ocean-ice sheet models.
Researchers at Indiana University will study the effects of repetitive subconcussive head impacts on adolescent brain health using computerized mouthguards and neurological imaging. The goal is to establish safety guidelines for young athletes exposed to head impacts.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that both capuchin monkeys and rhesus macaques exhibit the sunk cost phenomenon, persisting longer than optimal when uncertain about outcomes. This behavior is driven by evolutionary mechanisms and uncertainty, suggesting it may be deeply embedded across species.
The Society for Risk Analysis awarded six scholarly and service awards, naming seven new Fellows for outstanding contributions to risk analysis. The recipients include Roger Flage, Ann Bostrom, Amber Jessup, Richard Forshee, Tom Burke, Anthony Fauci, and six others.
Researchers have made detailed images of coronavirus spike proteins in their natural state using cryo-EM and computation. The study provides crucial insights into how the virus initiates infections and sheds light on sugar molecule attachments that play a critical role in its life cycle.
Researchers at Université de Genève have developed a technique that can predict epileptic seizure periods between one and several days in advance. By recording neuronal activity over six months, they can detect individual cycles of epileptic activity and provide information about the probability of a future seizure.
Researchers at Osaka City University discovered that metolazone, a drug used to treat hypertension, activates a mitochondrial stress response that prolongs lifespan in the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans. The study suggests that repurposing existing drugs for aging control may be possible.
Scientists developed a new land surface model incorporating multiple processes and human activities to improve water-energy simulations and environmental protection. The CAS-LSM model can evaluate ecohydrological effects of stream water transfer and provide advice for urban planning.
A new class of nickel-iron-aluminum-based cathodes shows promise as a substitute for cobalt-based cathodes in lithium-ion batteries. The NFA class delivers high specific capacities and can be integrated into existing manufacturing processes, making them potentially cost-effective and sustainable.
Researchers estimated that US women of reproductive age attempted to end unwanted pregnancies on their own, with nearly half attempting the procedure by 15-19 years old. The study used nationally representative survey data to track this trend and its potential implications for public health.
Researchers recommend integrating modelling tools and empirical data to gain a comprehensive understanding of systemic risks. Effective governance requires interdisciplinary cooperation, close monitoring systems, and public stakeholder participation to ensure adaptable and inclusive management of these complex risks.
Researchers at the Niels Bohr Institute designed a porous polymer capable of capturing small molecules, including toxic ammonia. The polymer's strong binding properties have significant implications for reducing environmental harm and improving human health.