A new study suggests that when tyrannosaurs rose to dominance, their juvenile counterparts filled the ecological niche of medium-sized carnivores. The research analyzed 60 dinosaur communities and found no decline in prey species diversity, indicating that juvenile tyrannosaurs took over the role of missing middle-sized predators.
A study by researchers at the University of Basel found that excess nitrogen deposited into soils via air pollution endangers butterfly diversity in Switzerland. The team analyzed data on plant and butterfly diversity across 383 plots and discovered a clear link between nitrogen intake and reduced vegetation diversity.
A team of researchers from the University of Freiburg has developed a new technology that enables controlled introduction of target genes into individual selected cells. They achieved this by introducing genetic information with an optical remote control, allowing only cells illuminated with red light to take up desired genes.
CSIC scientists propose a new approach to regulate the signaling cascade of tyrosine kinases, which could lead to the development of more selective tools for research, diagnosis, or treatment of diseases. The new tool is designed to block the molecules on which kinases act, rather than inhibiting the enzymes themselves.
Researchers found that users are motivated by health consciousness, socializing, and customizing their gaming experience. The study also revealed that privacy concerns deter users from frequent engagement.
Researchers have demonstrated cooling a large-scale object to nearly the motional quantum ground state, increasing sensitivity in detecting gravitational waves. The method achieved an average phonon occupation of 10.8, suppressing quantum back-action noise by 11 orders of magnitude.
A reduced dose of gadobutrol was found to be non-inferior to the standard dose of gadoterate for contrast-enhanced brain MRI in patients undergoing multiple examinations. The study demonstrated equivalent efficacy for lesion detection and delineation.
A long-term study on wild chimpanzees found that young orphaned chimps experience high levels of stress when their mothers die, but this stress subsides over time. Adult orphaned chimps are supported by other chimps, which may contribute to their recovery from maternal loss.
A new classification of metastatic testicular cancer enables more targeted treatment, improving survival rates. The study reveals significant improvements in prognosis for patients with testicular cancer, with increased 5-year survival rates across all groups.
A team of researchers has designed an intravaginal ring (IVR) that delivers two medications known to decrease HIV transmission. The IVR, which contains a segmented section that releases hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), targets the first line of defence in reducing immune cell activation and buys time for a gene therapy treatment.
Researchers develop nanodecoys made from human lung spheroid cells that bind to and neutralize SARS-CoV-2, accelerating viral clearance and reducing lung injury. The therapy could be effective against emerging variants of the virus.
A study of over 440,000 U.S. biomedical patents found that all-female inventor teams were 35% more likely to focus on women's health than all-male teams. Female researchers are also more likely to discover female-focused solutions leading to women's health patents.
Researchers discover that twisting liquid bridges breaks them more effectively than stretching, reducing contamination and speeding up the dispensing process. The 'edge fracture' mechanism is identified as the underlying cause of this phenomenon.
The Leopoldina and RNE outline options for societal, political, and business transformations to meet the climate change challenge. They emphasize the importance of a global carbon price, infrastructure expansion, and new climate-friendly technologies.
The fast-food industry's annual ad spending increased by over $400 million since 2012, with children viewing an average of two fast food TV ads per day. The advertisements disproportionately targeted Black and Hispanic youth, groups who already face greater risk for obesity.
A new USC study has found that science denial and partisan views on Twitter can indicate where the next COVID-19 outbreak could occur. The researchers used machine-learning algorithms to analyze over 27 million tweets and found that anti-science attitudes were high in states later hit with deadly COVID-19 surges.
Researchers identified a new class of POLQ inhibitors that specifically kill cancer cells with mutations in the BRCA genes while leaving healthy cells unharmed. The drugs show promise in treating cancers such as breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancer with BRCA mutations.
Scientists confirm NGC 1052-DF2 has only a few percent of expected dark matter content. The discovery using Hubble Space Telescope observations suggests that the galaxy formed in an environment with unusual properties, leading to its isolation.
Researchers created a neighborhood-level COVID-19 inequity index to analyze disparities in New York City neighborhoods. The index showed that areas with higher inequity indices had higher subway ridership, implying lower social distancing capacity.
Jin Hu, a physicist at the University of Arkansas, received a prestigious Early Career Research Program award from the US Department of Energy to advance research into novel topological quantum materials. His five-year award will support studies on crystal growth, characterization and various measurements in high field, low temperature...
Researchers have discovered how yeast cells seamlessly incorporate unnatural base pairs into their genetic code, a breakthrough that may lead to more effective next-generation therapeutics.
Researchers found novobiocin selectively killed tumor cells with abnormal BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. The drug is effective even in tumors resistant to PARP inhibitors, which are a prime therapy for cancers with DNA-repair glitches.
A new algorithm called MolDiscovery uses mass spectrometry data to predict the identity of unknown substances, helping scientists avoid rediscovering known compounds and save time and millions of dollars. The algorithm could accelerate the discovery of novel natural products that could lead to the development of new drugs.
Researchers found significant alterations in serum amino acid profiles in children with ADHD, including lower levels of histidine, glutamine, and proline, as well as higher levels of aspartic acid and hydroxyproline. These findings may help develop new treatment strategies for the disorder.
A research team from Los Alamos National Laboratory and Purdue University developed bio-inks for biosensors that can localize critical regions in tissues and organs during surgery. The new biosensors allow for simultaneous recording and imaging, which could be useful during heart surgery to guide surgical interventions.
A new rapid assessment framework offers a simple tool to facilitate climate-informed conservation and nature-based solutions. The '5Ws' framework helps practitioners consider the what, when, where, why, and who of climate-informed action, enabling them to adapt investments in reforestation, fire management, and habitat protection.
Researchers at Jiangnan University developed a sensing platform to detect microRNA-205, a potential biomarker for radiation-resistant nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The method shows high sensitivity and excellent selectivity, enabling detection of miR-205 with a limit of detection of 4.78 nM.
Researchers at Stanford University have invented a manufacturing technique that yields flexible, atomically thin transistors less than 100 nanometers in length. The technique, detailed in a paper published in Nature Electronics, promises bendable, shapeable, yet energy-efficient computer circuits.
Researchers estimated survival and outcomes of very preterm infants in China discharged from neonatal intensive care units compared to those receiving full treatment. Discharge against medical advice was associated with higher mortality rates among these vulnerable infants.
Researchers investigated the association between convalescent plasma treatment and mortality in hospitalized adults with hematologic cancers and COVID-19. The study found that convalescent plasma therapy was associated with improved survival rates among these patient groups.
Case Western Reserve University researchers have identified structural elements on human prions that drive their replication in the brain. This breakthrough could lead to a new strategy to stop Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, as scientists explore ways to bind to these sites to block progression.
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) has awarded nearly $28 million in grants to support the development of next-generation electron microscopy techniques for visualizing proteins in cells. The awards will enable researchers to obtain unprecedented views of protein structure, quantity, distribution, and interactions at near-atomic reso...
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School have made significant breakthroughs in understanding the transport of omega-3 fatty acids across the blood-brain barrier. The study revealed the structure and function of a protein called MFSD2A, which plays a crucial role in delivering essential fatty acids to the brain.
A study tested over 150 sorghum germplasm lines for resistance to a fungus likely to hamper production. Researchers found sources of resistance to anthracnose leaf blight, including improved lines from various regions. The findings will help develop better recommendations for sorghum growers in Pennsylvania.
A long-term study by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology found that natural regeneration through seed dispersal by birds, mammals, and wind can produce biodiverse and resilient woodlands. The research suggests that incorporating passive rewilding into national planting targets could result in significant cost savings.
Researchers at Lero found that commercial video games could be used as an effective and stigma-free alternative for treating depression and anxiety. The study suggests that these games can be accessed at a low cost or for free, making them a viable option for people with limited access to mental health care.
A UofSC researcher is conducting a four-year study to improve access to alcohol use disorder treatment for vulnerable populations under Medicaid. The study aims to investigate the effectiveness of these programs and provide guidance on structuring coverage and utilization management parameters.
Researchers found that reactions with hydrogen sulfide stabilize carbon compounds, leading to increased organic carbon storage in oxygen-depleted waters. This sulfur-based mechanism could influence ocean chemistry and contribute to long-term removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Research reveals distinctive micropillars within the carapace of a flower beetle enhance its strength and toughness while optimizing its brightly colored appearance. The study's findings have potential applications in developing new, effective bio-inspired materials.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the economy, leading to a 75 million-person increase in poverty in 2020. The study predicts that economic impacts will persist due to past epidemics' effects, with energy demand and emissions dropping significantly but mostly due to reduced economic activity.
Researchers have developed an improved organic-based, solid-state lithium EV battery by altering the electrode microstructure using ethanol. The new design increases energy density to 300 Wh/kg, a significant improvement over previous batteries with a utilization rate of nearly 98%. This breakthrough aims to reduce reliance on scarce t...
Ajo-Franklin's lab is developing advanced fiber-optic sensors to monitor CO2 storage sites, allowing for the detection of small faults that could lead to leakage. The project aims to enhance safety and security at storage sites using distributed acoustic sensing technology.
Researchers have discovered a link between ADORA2B protein in red blood cells and age-related cognitive decline. The study found that mice lacking ADORA2B exhibited accelerated aging, including poor memory and hearing deficits.
A new study suggests that asymptomatic individuals play a significant role in the transmission of pertussis, with up to 70% of infected mothers displaying no symptoms. The findings challenge traditional approaches to diagnosing and treating patients, highlighting the need for a more nuanced interpretation of qPCR test results.
A team of researchers led by Zili Shen and Pieter van Dokkum used Hubble Space Telescope to measure the distance of ultra-diffuse galaxy NGC1052-DF2, confirming it lacks dark matter. The results are based on 40 orbits of the telescope and provide crucial implications for estimating the physical properties of the galaxy.
Climate warming has diminished the high-elevation flammability barrier, allowing fires to advance uphill in Western mountains. The area burning above 8,200 feet tripled in just over a decade, with rising temperatures extending fire territory to an additional 81,500 square kilometers.
The Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) has announced its transition to a Gold Open Access publishing model with Elsevier. This change aims to increase public access to innovative life sciences research and drive citations for both SLAS Discovery and SLAS Technology journals.
Researchers found that vaccination with an mRNA vaccine induces antibody responses that would protect humans from infection with the gamma/P.1 variant, while hamsters previously infected with earlier strains were also protected nine months later. Previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccines based on earlier strains still provide protecti...
The Quaise approach uses millimeter wave technology to melt rock, creating a strong glass liner that prevents the hole from collapsing. The technology also automatically removes vaporized rock using existing compressor technology, making it economically feasible and practical for widespread adoption.
A study found that exposure to natural spaces, both public and private, had a beneficial effect on the mental health of individuals during the first COVID-19 lockdown. Those who maintained or increased contact with these spaces presented lower levels of stress, psychological distress, and psychosomatic symptoms.
The phase III trial found that adding an immune checkpoint inhibitor to anti-HER2 treatment in breast cancer does not improve pathological complete response rates. The study enrolled 454 patients with high-risk HER2-positive early breast cancer and evaluated the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant atezolizumab versus placebo.
Researchers designed a new type of molecular motor that can rotate in picoseconds using the power of a single photon. The motor's speed is significantly faster than existing designs, with potential applications in drug delivery, nanotechnology, and controlling biological processes.
A new global fish nutrition database is being made freely available to help combat malnutrition. The database provides vital nutritional data on over 5,000 fresh and marine fish species, which can be used to identify the most nutritious fish and support the protection of local food environments and ecosystems.
A new study found that yellow fever mosquitoes have distinct genetic changes behind permethrin resistance, including mutations in VGSC and cuticle protein genes. These mutations enable the mosquitoes to survive exposure to the pesticide, posing a significant threat to disease control.
The CSEM innovation enables devices to run independently for over a year, reducing installation and maintenance costs. The system's two-tiered data processing approach drastically reduces power requirement, with most applications using only the first accelerator.
A Rutgers-led study found that C-section babies can be restored to healthy bacteria through exposure to maternal vaginal fluids. The study's results suggest a normalization of microbiome development in the first year of life and may offer disease protection against obesity, asthma, and metabolic diseases.
A team of physicists has discovered that a thin layer of Niobium diselenide exhibits two-fold rotational symmetry, a phenomenon not seen before in real materials. This finding could lead to the development of unconventional superconducting states for use in quantum computing.
Researchers found that 14-3-3sigma acts as a tumor suppressor in the gastrointestinal tract, inhibiting cell division and DNA damage repair. Its expression is downregulated in metastatic tumors and low levels correlate with worse prognosis.
A study in Uganda reveals that school-aged children with asymptomatic malaria are a significant source of mosquito infections, driving the spread of the disease. Targeting these children for control interventions could help sustain malaria gains and prevent resurgences.
Research found reduced microbial stability and increased soil organic carbon loss in degraded alpine permafrost on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This degradation can lead to a positive carbon-climate feedback, exacerbating global warming.