Researchers discover how Ebola virus interacts with human lipids and how disrupting this interaction can inhibit infection in cell culture. Two FDA-approved drugs show promise in blocking virus replication and spread.
Researchers discovered that dormancy is a natural response to over-predation, allowing zooplankton to survive during food scarcity. Laying dormant eggs can aid population recovery, while regular eggs may not.
Dr. Catherine Nakalembe from NASA Harvest is helping countries in Eastern Africa build systems to monitor crops using free satellite data, enabling life-saving decisions on food security. Combining satellite and ground data with weather forecasts allows for early warnings of crop failure due to drought, floods, disease, or pests.
Researchers developed a new high-throughput technique to study gene splicing, tracking thousands of genes in real-time. The results show that splicing occurs far more often than previously thought, with significant variability in gene expression timing.
Denmark-based researchers have made glasslike Plexiglas stronger, lighter and more flexible by adding specially designed cuts. This technique can improve microchips' durability without increasing material usage.
Research by Arizona State University's Tess Neal found that psychological tests used in courts are not always scientifically valid and are rarely challenged. The study examined 364 commonly used psychological assessment tools and found that only about 40% have generally favorable reviews of their psychometric properties.
Fruit fly sleep is driven by oxidative stress, an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants. This discovery may explain why chronic lack of sleep shortens life expectancy. By sleeping, cells may mitigate damage from accumulated oxidative stress.
Scientists have resolved the structure of an essential protein for insect smell, suggesting that millions of odor receptors evolved to suit different lifestyles and habitats. The protein Orco forms a common channel with many odor receptors, allowing for diverse adaptations.
Researchers create molecular 'fishing' technology using customized receptors to detect specific proteins in blood, offering a precise diagnostic tool for diseases and drug discovery applications.
A recent study highlights journalism's role in preventing the spread of misinformation, particularly in science and health. According to Dan Gillmor, co-founder of the News Co/Lab, journalists have a special duty to avoid being fooled and help consumers learn to sort out truth from falsehood.
Researchers are exploring enzymes' essential features to convert abundant raw materials into usable fuel. PNNL scientists designed an artificial enzyme that converts carbon dioxide to formate, a potential kind of fuel.
Researchers developed a hydrogel that changes color with radiation exposure, allowing for painless dose monitoring on the skin. The gel is relatively inexpensive and can be used directly on the skin without complex handling.
A new microscopy technique allows researchers to follow individual proteins over long periods of time as they move along and inside live cells. The technique, called interferometric scattering (iSCAT) microscopy, can track proteins with microsecond speeds for extended periods.
To create more corridors for wildlife movement, researchers apply a new mapping system to areas next to streams in Okanogan County. The system uses weighted scales to rate naturalness and legal authority, helping organizations prioritize conservation projects and reveal potential areas of coordination.
Emergency medicine physicians at MCG are equipping rural hospitals with mobile carts for remote consultation and basic diagnostic tests, guided by MCG physicians. This partnership aims to enable rural hospitals to provide higher-level emergency care, reducing transfers to larger hospitals.
A recent study published in the journal AIDS found that vitamin E improves liver function and reduces fat in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and HIV. The treatment was well-tolerated and showed more significant improvements than reported in the general population.
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified two critical microRNAs driving ventricular enlargement in models of schizophrenia. Reduced expression of these microRNAs leads to increased motile cilia movement and brain ventricle enlargement, highlighting a potential target for future treatments.
A Japanese research team has uncovered more about how proteins move using high-speed imaging to track dynein's movement along a microtubule. They found dynein moves erratically with frequent backward steps and side steps, challenging the conventional understanding of molecular motor tasks.
A study by DZNE researchers found that a good blood supply to the hippocampus is crucial for healthy memory performance. Participants with doubly supplied hippocampi showed improved cognitive scores compared to those with single-supplied hippocampi or microbleeding, suggesting better oxygen delivery may be key.
Research team led by Professor Hagit Affek analyzed chemical bonds in calcium carbonate minerals from fossilized eggs to calculate body temperatures of dinosaurs. Their study found that dinosaur body temperatures ranged from 35-40 degrees Celsius, suggesting endothermic characteristics.
Scientists using ALMA detected chemical signatures of acetonitrile and its rare isotopomer in Titan's stratosphere, indicating the presence of galactic cosmic rays. The findings suggest a universal process that could influence atmospheres on other solar system bodies.
Researchers at Tomsk Polytechnic University found a way to extend nuclear fuel lifetime by 75% using a thorium-based cycle, significantly increasing safety and reducing costs in remote areas. This breakthrough could provide a stable energy supply solution for hard-to-reach regions.
Researchers developed an automated AI technique to analyse CMR scan images, precisely quantifying blood flow to the heart muscle. The results showed a strong correlation between reduced blood flow and adverse health outcomes, including death, heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
A new study has refined our understanding of the amount of hydrogen, helium, and other elements present in violent outbursts from the Sun. The research found that helium and neon are enriched in coronal mass ejections, providing clues to the underlying physics in the Sun.
In a study published in PLOS Genetics, researchers found that the NCBP2 gene acts as a key modifier, influencing the impact of other genes in a large genetic deletion. This suggests that neurodevelopmental disorders, such as schizophrenia and autism, result from complex interactions among multiple genes rather than individual genes.
Researchers Juliette Shedd and Sheherazade R. Jafari are developing a graduate-level conflict resolution training course for Burma Leadership Activity scholars. The five-year project aims to improve technical competencies and leadership among participants, promoting respect for ethnic and religious diversity.
Researchers at Princeton University discovered a common flaw in standard comfort measurements used for building heating and cooling systems. The globe thermometer's calculations do not account for free convection, leading to temperature errors of over two degrees Celsius.
Researchers found that hormone implants increased weight gain and feed intake by 10% in Holstein steers, making them comparable to beef breeds. This technology can be a game-changer for dairy farmers struggling financially.
Computer simulations visualize the molecular processes involved in converting adult cells into stem cells. The study reveals that a pioneer transcription factor called Oct4 plays a crucial role in opening chromatin to allow gene expression.
Researchers found that green tea extract and exercise reduced fatty liver deposits by 75% in mice fed a high-fat diet, suggesting a potential health strategy for people. The study also showed increased gene expression related to energy metabolism in mice treated with both green tea extract and exercise.
Chenfeng Ke, an assistant professor at Dartmouth College, has been awarded the 2020 Cram Lehn Pedersen Prize for his groundbreaking work on supramolecular chemistry. His research focuses on developing dynamic systems and macroscopic machinery materials that operate cohesively at the molecular level.
A Swansea-led team will assess the impact of integrating renewable energy sources on the UK power grid, focusing on harmonic generation and transfer. The research aims to develop accurate models for devices and power systems, combining detailed converter models with simplified representations.
Researchers at MIT have developed a low-cost, disposable smart diaper that uses RFID technology to alert caregivers when a baby is wet. The sensor detects moisture and sends a signal to a nearby receiver, which can send a notification to a smartphone or computer.
The new guidelines offer 29 evidence-based recommendations for managing adult acute and acute-on-chronic liver failure in the ICU, covering cardiovascular, hematologic, pulmonary, renal, and endocrine considerations. The guidelines also highlight areas needing further research to inform clinical practice.
A meta-analysis of five controlled trials including 471 patients found that vitamin C administration shortened ventilation time by 25% on average, with the effect dependent on the severity of illness. Vitamin C has been shown to have various biochemical effects, including influencing cardiovascular and energy metabolism.
Researchers discovered that hyper-activation of Notch and Wnt signalling is connected to dysregulation of PRH protein, which controls genes and signaling pathways. By tailoring medication according to individual PRH expression levels, clinical efficacy may be improved for patients with bile duct cancer.
A team of UCF researchers has created a nanoscale device that mimics the neural pathways of brain cells used for human vision. The innovation combines two promising materials to enable robots to process and memorize information, reducing processing time and energy consumption.
A Virginia Tech assistant professor has received an NSF CAREER award to develop a system measuring air pollution using bicycles and smartphones, aiming to educate citizens about pollution and promote cleaner habits. The project will also explore alternative urban design approaches to reduce exposure.
Researchers used mathematical models to discover that leaking metabolites can provide both selfish and selfless benefits for cells. Leaking allows cells to enhance their growth by making internal chemical reactions more efficient, but it also enables a mutually beneficial exchange of nutrients with other cell types.
A Wayne State University team, led by Miriam Greenberg, is working on potential new targets for treating Barth syndrome, a life-threatening X-linked genetic disorder affecting mainly males. The four-year grant aims to identify specific metabolites as candidates for new treatments.
Researchers at Swansea University have published two international studies on antifungal drug resistance, which highlights the growing threat of this disease. The studies investigated different aspects of resistance and examined drug resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus, a fungus that causes life-threatening infections.
Weisburd and Davis are testing whether specialized police training can reduce crime without harming the community. The randomized field experiment aims to improve procedural justice and constitutional requirements for police stops.
A study by Stanford and UC Berkeley researchers found that algorithms are significantly more accurate than humans in predicting recidivism, approaching 90% accuracy. In contrast, human prediction rates were around 60%. The findings have important implications for criminal justice reform and the use of risk-assessment tools.
Researchers at Hackensack Meridian Health's CDI laboratory have made a breakthrough in treating blood cancers, specifically leukemia. They identified a novel protein called Stem Cell Growth Factor Alpha (SCGFa), which has shown promise in preserving vascular function and promoting hematopoietic recovery following chemotherapy.
A study published in Neuron found that stimulating the central lateral thalamus with low current and specific frequency can revive monkeys from deep anesthesia. Researchers believe this could lead to new treatments for brain disorders such as coma and spatial neglect.
The University of Arizona's wind tunnels will expand experiments on vehicles traveling at the speed of sound and faster, thanks to a $1.7 million funding boost. Researchers will now be able to study unsteady and separated flows in the transonic range, critical for developing future Army and Department of Defense systems.
A new study by Chung-Ang University researchers reveals that graphene forms a hybrid layer with copper oxide, significantly slowing down corrosion. After an initial period, graphene appears to increase copper corrosion rates, but a longer-term hybrid structure becomes protective over 1 year.
A new study found that exposure to ultrafine particles in air pollution may trigger a nonfatal heart attack within hours. The research, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, analyzed data from over 5,900 patients in Germany and found stronger effects on health with particle length and surface area concentrations.
The Breakthrough Listen Initiative has released nearly 2 petabytes of data from the most comprehensive survey yet of radio emissions from the Milky Way Galaxy and its central black hole. A new analysis of nearby stars that could see Earth transiting the sun was conducted, but no technosignatures were found.
Researchers are seeking to understand the long-term impact of substance use on delinquent youth. Linda Teplin's presentation explores differences by sex and racial group, shedding light on these complex issues.
Thoracic radiation therapy increases fatigue and difficulty breathing in cancer patients, but engaging in physical activity prior to treatment may help improve these symptoms over time. High levels of physical activity are associated with concurrent improvements in fatigue and shortness of breath.
Researchers found that subtle differences in cognitive performance can predict the progression of Alzheimer's disease, even before abnormal levels of beta-amyloid plaques accumulate. Low-cost, non-invasive cognitive testing can identify at-risk individuals, making them ideal candidates for therapeutic intervention and clinical trials.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured an image of Tropical Cyclone Francisco re-developing a rounded shape with thunderstorms spiraling into its center. The storm is expected to make landfall over Madagascar and weaken as it tracks inland, dissipating on Feb. 15.
A new list of chemicals available worldwide contains 350,000 entries, three times greater than 20 years ago, highlighting a need for international collaboration to track global chemical diversity. The list reveals inadequate descriptions and confidential business information on 70,000 and 50,000 entries, respectively.
New discoveries push back dates for early farming in the region by at least a millennium, providing evidence of adaptable ancient crop plants to new ecological constraints. The study also illustrates how humans cultivated crops at northern latitudes, challenging previous views on cultivation and labor practices in ancient Eurasia.
A new metasurface design enables high-directional beam forming in a wide band, with sidelobe levels below -10dB. The proposed design breaks the current bandwidth limit in transmission-type coding metasurfaces, indicating potential applications in radar and wireless communication systems.
Astronomers led by Penn State graduate student Sofia Sheikh conducted a massive survey of radio emissions from 20 nearby stars, looking for technological signatures of extraterrestrial civilizations. Despite finding no technosignatures, the analysis sets rigorous limits on the presence of advanced civilizations in our galaxy.
Research by the University of New Mexico team reveals contraction of the ITCZ leading to drying of the Neotropics, affecting billions worldwide. This study combines new data with existing records to resolve conflicting models on ITCZ variability, highlighting implications for rainfall-dependent agriculture and food security.
A study by CCNY researchers found that flying foxes are dwindling in population due to overhunting, with potential consequences for human health and ecosystem conservation. The findings highlight the critical role of islands in species evolution and diversity.
The University of Guam has received a $856,000 grant for innovative coral restoration work on the island, with an additional $596,000 match from the university. The project aims to develop best practices and genetically diverse populations of staghorn corals.