Fossil seed-bearing structures from China's Early Cretaceous period show a recurved cupule with two seeds, suggesting a link to extinct non-angiosperm plants. The discovery supports an earlier idea about the origin of flowering plants' distinctive outer seed covering.
Research at the Laohu and Hasi Mountains in northeastern Tibet Plateau reveals that base level and lithology significantly affect fluvial landform development. Changes in drainage patterns and canyon formation are driven by variations in local base levels and bedrock lithology, leading to positive feedback loops that shape the landscape.
Researchers discovered that head and neck cancer cells subvert adjacent normal tissue to promote aggressive invasion and metastasis. The study found that two proteins secreted by cancer cells suppress a key gene, DMBT1, in nearby healthy tissue.
A team of scientists has developed an efficient method to suppress meta-holographic artifacts while maintaining image quality. By fine-tuning the coherence of illumination using a degenerate cavity laser, they can reduce coherent artifacts and improve the spatial resolution of holographic images.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have discovered a novel brain circuit that regulates satiation response in mice, suggesting potential for weight control. The circuit connects dopamine-producing neurons with downstream neurons, suppressing food intake and triggering meal termination.
Marianna Maiaru, a mechanical engineering assistant professor at UMass Lowell, has received a $450,000 grant from the Air Force to advance the development and processing of high-strength, high-temperature structural materials. Her project focuses on ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials used in aerospace applications.
A new study compares axial elongation among children with untreated myopia progression, treated myopes, and emmetropes, revealing that normal eye growth continues as the child ages. The analysis suggests that myopic axial elongation may be superimposed on underlying physiological axial elongation.
Professor Doug Hayes has been recognized for his contributions to biocatalysis and biodegradable agricultural plastics. He is a renowned expert in molecular understanding of chemical and biochemical processes at interfaces, particularly involving bioplastics and surfactant-water-oil systems.
Researchers found that horned passalus beetles, known as bessbugs, have frass teeming with antibiotic and antifungal compounds produced by actinomycetes beneficial bacteria. This discovery could help speed the search for new antibiotics and improve strategies to prevent antibiotic-resistant infections.
A research team at ETH Zurich has created a comprehensive bovine genome reference by integrating data from six breeds, revealing numerous new genes and functionalities. These newly discovered sequences show connections to immune functions and may provide insights into genetic variants lost during domestication.
University of Virginia researchers have developed a new computational method to map the folding patterns of chromosomes in three dimensions. This will help scientists understand the genetic cause of cancer and advance other areas of medical research.
Researchers found significant amounts of mercury in meltwater rivers from Greenland's glaciers, with concentrations comparable to industrial China. The discovery highlights the need for rethinking conservation measures and management strategies to address mercury pollution.
Researchers found that even in hydrated subducting slabs, dry olivine can exist, resolving a long-standing paradox. This discovery suggests hydrous minerals play crucial roles in the Earth's interior water cycle and contribute to deep-focus earthquakes and large plate deformations.
The NUCLEUS-2021 conference will cover various topics in nuclear physics, including atomic nuclei, nuclear reactions, modern methods and technologies, relativistic nuclear physics, and more. The results of the conference will be published in two Springer journals.
Researchers found that stormwater can carry high concentrations of microplastic particles, including microscopic fibers and black rubbery fragments, into water bodies. A proof-of-concept experiment showed that a rain garden can capture up to 98% of these microparticles, suggesting a potential solution to reduce microplastic pollution i...
Scientists discover that inhalable nanobodies targeting the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 can prevent and treat severe COVID-19 in hamsters. The treatment showed impressive results, reducing infectious virus particles by a million-fold and preventing weight loss associated with severe infection.
Researchers have discovered that embryos across various animal groups rely on acoustic signals to inform their development and adapt to environmental conditions. This phenomenon, known as acoustic developmental programming, suggests that sound plays a crucial role in shaping the lives of animals from the moment of birth.
Astronomer Alicia Rutledge has been awarded a $200,000 NASA Planetary Science Early Career Award to support the development of a field-portable laboratory for her research on cold-climate alteration processes. The award will enable her to conduct analog fieldwork and train next-generation scientists in planetary analog science.
Researchers detected Argentine ant eDNA in surface soil samples from Kyoto and Kobe, indicating habitat distribution and hotspots for invasive species. This method could contribute to targeted measures and successful elimination results by combining with pest control plans.
Researchers at UCSF have developed a method to detect complex fetal heart defects in utero, improving detection rates from 30-50% to 95%. The technique combines routine ultrasound imaging with machine learning computer tools to mimic clinicians' tasks.
Wild African elephants highly attend to scent trails of dung and urine left by other elephants. Artificial elephant trails could divert them away from farms and villages, reducing conflicts with humans. The study's findings suggest an important role of smell in long-distance navigation for these animals.
A study found that fish living in CO2 vents with reduced pH have higher gene expression in gonads related to pH homeostasis and metabolism. This suggests an adaptive mechanism for survival in a lower pH environment.
New experiments show that water selectively leaches magnesium from typical rock minerals under extreme pressure and temperature conditions. This process could produce chemical gradients in the early history of water-rich sub-Neptune exo-planets, potentially preserving tracks of initial interactions between water and rocky material.
According to a review article in Science Robotics, researchers are making progress in learned robot manipulation, which enables robots to adapt to changing stimuli. The authors propose nine promising areas for future exploration, including representation learning, modular design, and task/skill customization.
A University of Otago study found the kea is not an alpine specialist but rather adapted to open habitats due to human disturbance. The research also reconstructed demographic histories of kākā and kea species, suggesting the kea may struggle in a warming climate.
Researchers at Medical College of Wisconsin discovered a non-opioid based target to alleviate chronic touch pain and spontaneous pain in mice. The target, TRPC5, is expressed in both mouse and human neurons that send pain signals to the spinal cord.
A global health problem has been identified as microvascular angina, a disease affecting the smallest heart blood vessels. The study found that patients with MVA experience chest pains similar to those of a heart attack, yet are often misdiagnosed due to the lack of definitive diagnostic criteria.
The research team found that tenascin-C plays a crucial role in damaging vision cells following ischaemia. In mice without tenascin-C, retinal function improved after ischaemic damage, and fewer photoreceptors died.
The OFIDIA2 project has developed an innovative wildfire monitoring and prevention platform for the regions of Puglia and Epirus. The system provides real-time fire danger forecasting, weather forecasts, and a dedicated control room for firefighting decisions.
A massive Saharan African dust plume traveled across the Atlantic in June 2020, affecting Caribbean and Gulf Coast states. Researchers used satellite data to understand the mechanism behind the phenomenon, which could occur more frequently due to climate change, posing health risks and disrupting transportation systems.
Researchers at the University of Göttingen are developing a method to assess IT security measures and their costs for businesses. The ProBITS project aims to evaluate the business process effects of IT security measures, taking into account operational impacts on employee productivity and flexibility.
Researchers compared reporting practices for race, sex, and socioeconomic status in randomized clinical trials published in 2015 and 2019. The study found improvements in reporting these factors over time.
A research team identified the structure of hetero-oligomers causing Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases to overlap. The study reveals that these aggregates have more degrees of freedom, allowing peptides to be loosely packed on their surface.
A study published in Neurology found that nearly half of people with a history of concussion with loss of consciousness are living with disability. The areas with the greatest amount of disability were mobility and general physical activities, affecting 38% and 36% of participants respectively
Researchers found that oligo DNA promotes muscle differentiation and reduces inflammation in myoblasts, exacerbating diabetes. This discovery holds potential for developing a therapeutic agent to treat muscle wasting associated with various diseases.
The new test combines electrochemical biosensors with engineered protein constructs to detect coronaviruses with high precision. It can be used on unprocessed blood or saliva samples, making it a game-changer for containing the COVID-19 pandemic.
University of Kentucky researchers found that brain glycogen contains 25% glucosamine, a crucial sugar for protein decoration. This discovery has implications for understanding neurological diseases, including Lafora disease and glycogen storage disorders.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen reveals that Danish one-year-olds carry several hundred antibiotic resistant genes in their bacterial gut flora. The presence of these genes is partly attributable to antibiotic use among mothers during pregnancy, and well-developed gut flora may reduce the incidence of resistant bacteria.
Researchers at McGill University have gained new insight into the workings of perovskites, a semiconductor material that shows great promise for making high-efficiency, low-cost solar cells. They discovered a phenomenon known as quantum confinement occurs within bulk perovskite crystals, leading to the formation of 'quantum drops', whi...
A Concordia University study reveals that only a few Quebec public bodies have implemented substantial employee-driven innovation in line with the Sustainable Development Act. Institutional factors, such as bureaucratic processes and political agendas, often hinder meaningful staff action.
Tiny charged electrons and protons have been studied by University of Otago scientists in a Geophysical Research Letters publication. By analyzing data from GPS satellites, the researchers found that EMIC waves can cause changes in the number of particles in Earth's radiation belts, affecting satellite orbits and atmospheric chemistry.
Researchers found that the side of a chocolate bar facing the mold has a more orderly crystalline structure than the air-side face. This difference in crystal form could lead to improved taste and texture, as well as better appearance.
Scientists used proteomics to study how exercise affects mitochondria in skeletal muscle, revealing that different proteins respond differently to exercise. The research provides unprecedented detail on mitochondrial supercomplexes and their formation in response to exercise training.
A multi-national team of scientists discovers unprecedented mercury deposits in the deepest Pacific Ocean trenches, exceeding previous records and even higher than areas contaminated by industrial releases. The findings indicate a collective increase in anthropogenic emissions of mercury into oceans.
A recent study confirms a plant-fungus partnership as the origin of terrestrial vegetation, with scientists using CRISPR to demonstrate lipid exchange between plants and fungi. This discovery sheds light on the first steps of life on land, validating a 40-year-old hypothesis.
Advanced small modular reactors offer flexible electricity generation and can meet Washington's fluctuating electricity demand. The technology has matured and is economically competitive in a carbon-free electricity sector.
Research from Cornell University reveals that even slight grocery tax-rate increases can exacerbate food insecurity among low-income households. The study found a correlation between increased tax rates and higher likelihoods of hunger in households.
Roman will study thousands of type Ia supernovae across vast distances to pin down dark energy and understand the universe's expansion history. The mission aims to clarify discrepancies in measurements of the Hubble constant, which describes the current expansion rate.
Researchers from the University of Groningen and Nagoya University developed a compound that can elongate the 24-hour cycle and be activated or deactivated using light. The study shows that it is possible to change the 24-hour cycle in cells or tissues to a 28-hour cycle, providing a new approach to analyzing the circadian clock system.
A large Swedish study found that first-born children have a lower risk of cardiovascular events, while people with lots of siblings are more likely to experience these events. The study also suggests that family size may play a role in cardiovascular health.
Scientists from the University of Bath explore racemases, critical enzymes linked to cancers and other life-threatening diseases, and propose strategies for finding drugs that neutralize them. Lab experiments show promising outcomes in targeting these enzymes, with potential applications in treating various diseases.
A new project aims to develop a sustainable alternative to disposable plastics in take-away food packaging using upcycled grass fibres. Replacing plastic with bio-based packaging can reduce carbon emissions from production by approximately 210,000 tonnes CO2 annually.
Researchers developed an AI system to guide oncologists in treating head and neck cancer patients, considering treatment efficacy and potential future decisions. The system analyzes real patient data to provide personalized recommendations and maximize survival outcomes while minimizing chemotherapy and radiation side effects.
Construction firm Nationwide Engineering has made history by pouring the world's first sustainable graphene concrete slab in a commercial setting. The innovative material is strengthened by 30% compared to standard concrete, significantly reducing material use and carbon footprint.
Researchers will discuss fundamental questions and applied technologies in physics, including dark matter, quantum information science, and ultrafast physics. New findings on creating unusual non-local interactions and detecting COVID-19 biomarkers with ultrasensitivity will also be presented.
Researchers found that army ant mass raids originated from group raiding behavior in smaller colonies, with a massive increase in colony size correlating to the evolution of mass raids. The study uses custom computer vision software to track individual ants and analyze their behavior.
Researchers found silver nanoparticles' shape transformed from triangles to circles after interacting with E. coli cells, affecting their optical properties. The study suggests silver is 'consumed' by the bacteria without impacting its antibacterial properties.
The LHAASO observatory detected 12 Ultra-high Energy gamma-ray sources, prompting the presence of active or recent PeVatrons. The team identified possible candidates, including pulsar wind nebulae and supernova remnants.
The C-Path Virtual Workshop will focus on implementing endpoints and outcome measures for clinical trials in new-onset type 1 diabetes. Over 300 attendees, including researchers, pharmaceutical representatives, and regulatory experts, are expected to participate in the two-day virtual event.
Researchers recreated Quark-Gluon Plasma using Large Hadron Collider and analyzed its collective expansion. The study found that the plasma evolved from a fluent liquid form to a more solid state, changing its shape over time, which is surprising and different from other matters.