Researchers developed a direct cloning method, CAPTURE, to accelerate large-scale discovery of novel natural products. The method allows for efficient cloning of large genomic fragments, including those with high-GC content or sequence repeats.
Research found that warmer temperatures lead to decreased COVID-19 case rates, while cooler temperatures increase the rate of new cases. The study analyzed daily low temperatures and infection rates from Jan 22 to April 6, 2020, in 50 countries and showed a significant correlation between temperature and transmission.
A new study has sequenced the carbohydrate structures of glycoproteins from two different sheep prion strains, revealing no major differences that could explain the diversity in prion strains. The findings suggest glycans may not be responsible for the biochemical and neuropathological differences between strains.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports estimated that COVID-19 has caused a total of 20,507,518 years of life lost globally. The research found that this number is significantly higher than the average years of life lost due to seasonal flu or heart disease.
Researchers have successfully controlled quantum jumps in atomic nuclei using X-ray light, enabling ultra-precise atomic clocks and potentially powerful nuclear batteries. The technique requires precise control of high-energy X-ray pulses to manipulate quantum dynamics.
A study by Oregon State University found that converting electrical transmission tower bases into habitats can increase population density and diversity among wildlife, including arthropods and small mammals. The project, conducted in Spain's Andalusia region, showed significant increases in species diversity and bird populations after...
Researchers have found that 42,000-year-old New Zealand kauri trees can accurately analyze the last complete reversal of the Earth's magnetic field. The study's findings suggest that the weak magnetic field had a significant impact on the atmosphere, leading to increased cosmic radiation and changes in ozone levels.
Scientists have detailed a mechanism in the Covid-19 corona that could help find new treatments by identifying promising drug targets. The researchers used computational modeling techniques to simulate movements of nearly 300 protein structures, focusing on the spike protein, which forms the extended corona of the virus.
Scientists have found evidence of protein folding at the site of intracellular droplets, which are formed when fluids separate into microscopic droplets. This phenomenon is linked to increased potential for protein aggregation and misfolding, a hallmark of neurological diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS.
University of Illinois Chicago faculty members advocate for research ethics reforms to engage Black populations in COVID-19 and BLM-related studies. The authors recommend understanding ongoing trauma, acknowledging historical context, and ensuring diverse research teams to foster trust.
Researchers demonstrate that basic features of simple polymers and prebiotic environment can give rise to selection processes that reduce disorder. They identify specific base sequences that enable oligomers to fold into particular shapes, leading to the emergence of catalytically active complexes like ribozymes.
Paramecium uses a complex system to determine mating types, allowing for genetic variation and reproduction. The mechanism involves programmed genome rearrangements and small RNAs that eliminate unnecessary DNA sequences.
The Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology has received a €2 million Arcadia grant to document Mongolian archaeological heritage over five years. The project, MAPSS, will compile an open-access online database of heritage sites in English, Mongolian, and Russian.
A study investigated the correlation between surgical site infection rates and hospital audit scores in Swiss hospitals. The results showed a clear connection between low SSI rates and high audit scores, suggesting that better surveillance systems can reduce infection rates.
A new study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found that the incidence of prolonged hiring difficulties for STEM workers in the IT help desk sector is modest, with only 11%-15% of vacancies showing signs of persistent hiring frictions. The researchers identified organizational characteristics, management strategy, and...
Researchers designed and tested 32 inhibitors targeting the SARS-CoV-2 main protease, a key viral protein required for replication. The study found six compounds with high potency to protect cells from infection, offering promise for the development of orally available anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs.
Researchers at Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen University have proposed a circuit for quantum computers that inherently protects against common errors through passive error correction. This design enables the creation of a large number of qubits, crucial for building a universal quantum computer.
A new study analyzes out-of-pocket costs for influenza-related hospitalizations to estimate potential COVID-19 hospital bills. Americans over 65 hospitalized for COVID-19 in 2021 may owe an average of nearly $1,000 after discharge due to co-pays, deductibles, and co-insurance.
A team of researchers at KAUST has developed a highly porous metal organic framework (MOF) with a unique design that allows for the adjustment of its pore structure. The MOF, inspired by zeolites, features a sodalite topology with pores measuring up to 43 angstroms in diameter.
The study found that serious mental illness was present in only 11% of all mass murderers and 8% of mass shooters. Non-firearm means resulted in significantly more casualties per event. The researchers also found that U.S.-based mass shooters were more likely to have legal histories or use recreational drugs.
CellChat enables the decoding of signaling molecules that transmit information between cells, providing insights into cellular communication patterns. The tool can be used to compare communication networks in different states of an organ and uncover molecular drivers in various diseases.
A research team at POSTECH created a novel type of multiscale-porous anion exchange membrane to concentrate only cationic samples. This breakthrough allows for the easy fabrication of a cation-selective electrokinetic concentrator, streamlining manufacturing processes.
Researchers have developed a novel spectroscopy technique to measure the wave properties of molecular vibrations, achieving resolution capacity 10,000 times higher than previous methods. The experiment confirms quantum theory's prediction regarding atomic nuclei behavior with high accuracy.
A new test has been developed to detect the magnetic properties of malaria-infected blood, which could help eliminate the disease. The test, called rotating-crystal magneto-optical detection (RMOD), was field-tested on nearly 1000 suspected malaria patients in Papua New Guinea and showed promising results.
Alkanes participate extensively in autoxidation reactions with oxygen molecules, overturning current chemical knowledge and implications for air quality prediction and efficient fuel combustion. The discovery also sheds light on atmospheric conversion of volatile organic molecules into particulate matter.
A Rutgers study found that law enforcement and military personnel are the most preferred messengers for safe gun storage and suicide prevention education. The study ranked 14 groups as trusted sources, with law enforcement and military personnel ranking highest among firearm owners.
Researchers find that individuals without a sense of touch can use visual cues to navigate and orient themselves, while those who lose the sense as adults may develop compensatory skills using conscious thought. The study suggests that the brain can adapt to sensory information loss and find alternative ways to process visual data.
Climate change is projected to worsen heat stress conditions in East Africa, impacting dairy cattle, beef cattle, sheep, goat, pigs, and poultry. Implementing well-targeted climate adaptation strategies, such as breeding heat-tolerant animals and providing adequate water access, is crucial to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures.
Scientists have successfully imaged HIV during transport into the nucleus of an infected cell using 3D imaging techniques. The images show that the viral capsid passes through the nuclear pore intact before breaking apart inside the nucleus.
The ATLAS experiment at the LHC has observed the creation of particle pairs from interacting photons, a unique and rare process. The detection was made possible by the AFP spectrometers, which track protons slightly deflected from the main beam, providing insight into the physics of high-energy collisions.
A study analyzing 11,392 U.S. adults aged 50+ found that many take aspirin despite lack of benefit, while others miss out on statins after cardiovascular events. The authors emphasize the need for healthcare providers to educate patients and promote safer prescribing practices
A new study found that preschoolers with higher cardiorespiratory fitness perform better on cognitive tests and other measures of brain function, including academic ability tasks and attention skills. The research suggests that the relationship between physical activity and brain health is evident even in early childhood.
Scientists have made a breakthrough in tracing electron transfer processes at metal-molecule interfaces, allowing for the observation of electron excitation pathways in real-time. This achievement has fundamental implications for optimizing interfaces and nanostructures, potentially leading to new technologies.
A study of 30 pre-modern societies found that societies with broad, equitable tax systems and functioning bureaucracies were more likely to have open political institutions and prioritize public well-being. This challenges the notion that democracy is a modern Western phenomenon.
Research at University of California San Diego School of Medicine identified a new cellular target for GIST therapy that could lead to improved disease control and cure rates. The study found that specific cell-to-cell communication influences GIST biology and is strongly associated with cancer progression and metastasis.
The conference on April 24, 2021, will examine the development of communities in virtual environments. The event brings together researchers and practitioners from various disciplines to discuss connections between academia, culture, and people.
A new study found that urban areas in the US Southwest are experiencing extreme heat disparities, with lower socio-economic groups facing significantly higher temperatures. The study revealed that California's urban regions had the largest temperature differences between wealthier and poorer neighborhoods.
Researchers identified over 140,000 viral species in the human gut, with more than half never seen before. The discovery opens up new research avenues to understand how viruses living in the gut affect human health and disease.
A new study uses electron cryo-microscopy to reveal the molecular mechanism of bioenergetic protein synthesis in human mitochondria, revealing a more flexible and active mitoribosome than previously thought. The discovery sheds light on how medical disorders such as deafness and cancer development are linked to mitochondrial function.
A recent study suggests that genetics play a role in determining immunity to COVID-19. The study found that the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes, which code for cell surface proteins essential for the adaptive immune system, may limit individual immune responses to SARS-CoV-2.
Researchers have developed a method to reconstruct the early Universe's state, removing gravitational effects from large-scale structure. The ATERUI II supercomputer was used to create simulated universes, revealing that the method can correct primordial density fluctuations and improve inflation constraints.
Researchers found that the black and white tegu lizard's baroreflex mechanism is more efficient at lower temperatures, relying on vascular adjustments rather than heart rate alterations. This discovery provides new insights into the physiology of ectothermic animals and paves the way for further research on novel applications.
A growing body of research helps understand spotted lanternfly biology and management, featuring 25 articles on its impact on native plants and crops. The collection showcases progress made so far in containing the spread of this invasive pest.
A study by MIT researchers has identified a class of metabolic mutations in bacteria that helps them develop resistance to antibiotics. The findings suggest that forcing bacteria to burn more energy could make them more susceptible to antibiotics, and may lead to the development of new drugs to enhance existing antibiotic effectiveness.
A new study published in Scientific Reports suggests that inhalation of depleted uranium from exploding munitions did not lead to Gulf War illness. Researchers used high-precision mass spectrometry to analyze veterans' urine samples and found no differences in uranium isotopic ratios between those with GWI and control veterans.
A recent study suggests that targeting a specific protein called eIF4E can reduce weight gain in mice fed a high-fat diet. The researchers found that these mice stored less fat and had improved liver health compared to their counterparts. Additionally, the modified mice showed enhanced lipid metabolism, allowing them to burn more fat.
A study found that eastern newt populations in the northeastern US, Appalachian Mountains, and southeastern Canada are most vulnerable to Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans infection due to temperature fluctuations. Climate change may exacerbate this risk.
The UK's first national lockdown from March 2020 caused a massive shift in consumer habits, with shops and restaurants experiencing huge fluctuations in sales. Online sales peaked during lockdown, but remained above pre-lockdown levels in August 2020, suggesting a potential long-term impact on shopping habits.
A new X-ray study has resolved how lithium-rich cathode materials store charge at high voltages, revealing that oxygen ions facilitate the process rather than metal redox. This breakthrough enables the design of better strategies to improve cycling and performance for these materials, paving the way for more efficient electric vehicles.
Research from the Complexity Science Hub found that urban planning can directly influence social network formation and socio-economic equality. Towns with evenly distributed social networks tend to have lower economic inequality, while those with fragmented networks exhibit higher disparities.
During COVID-19, internet trends revealed a surge in community-oriented values, with words like 'help' and 'sacrifice' increasing on Twitter. The pandemic also inspired people to adopt basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter, as seen in Google searches for terms like 'grow vegetables' and 'sewing machine'.
Researchers at University of Chicago and Brookhaven National Laboratory develop a new method to improve photoelectrodes for producing solar fuels. By modifying the surface composition of bismuth vanadate electrodes, they found that surfaces with more bismuth atoms favor water splitting reactions.
Researchers identified three genetic regions associated with skin pigmentation and severe vitamin D deficiency in African Americans. The study's findings have implications for personalized vitamin D supplementation and potential cancer prevention.
A study published in Scientific Reports estimates that COVID-19 may have caused 20.507 million years of life loss worldwide, with a significant impact on younger and older populations. The authors found that 44.9% of the total years lost occurred among individuals between 55 and 75 years old.
A researcher is working on a project funded by NASA to understand how the skeleton senses and responds to forces, with the goal of keeping astronauts' bones strong during long periods in space. The study aims to develop strategies to restore healthy bone dynamics, which can be disrupted by disuse and lack of gravity.
Researchers developed a deep learning model that accurately predicts lung cancer patients' survival expectancy, significantly better than traditional machine learning models. The model can analyze large amounts of data to understand how various factors affect lung cancer survival periods.
A recent study found that wolves in Mongolia primarily feed on wild ungulates like Siberian roe deer, contrary to previous research suggesting a diet of mainly grazing livestock. The researchers believe this shift may be due to the availability of easier and less dangerous prey in near-natural regions.
A recent study published by Mariana Muñoz-Romo found that odor-producing glands are present in male bats, attracting reproductive females. The research also highlights the importance of timing and chemistry in bat mating systems.
Researchers have developed an ultraviolet 'television' display to test animal vision, allowing them to study colour perception, motion detection, and social behaviour. The technology enables scientists to uncover new insights into the visual abilities of various species, including fish, birds, insects, and even clownfish.
Researchers identified two distinct pathways leading to septic shock, involving bioactive Adrenomedullin (bio-ADM) and Dipeptidyl peptidase 3 (DPP3). Early diagnosis with biomarker-guided approaches shows promising results in personalized medicine for sepsis treatment. New diagnostics are available for rapid detection of these biomarkers.