Christian A. Davies, Ph.D., has been awarded the 2021 Edith and Peter O'Donnell Award in Technology Innovation from TAMEST for his development of alternative carbon management technologies that reduce emissions. His work focuses on combining DNA sequencing techniques with net carbon flux to analyze microbes in soil.
A new study reveals that people with a genetically weakened skin barrier are more susceptible to faster uptake of common chemicals, increasing the risk of skin diseases and cancer. Researchers screened 500 participants in Sweden, finding twice as high doses of pesticides in those with the mutation.
Researchers at the NIH identified a key protein, McpC, that enables Salmonella to swim straight towards infected cells. This discovery may lead to the development of new antibacterial therapies to combat intestinal infections.
Researchers at KAIST develop novel biosynthetic pathways for short-chain primary amines through retrobiosynthesis, expanding the strategy for bio-based production of chemicals. The team successfully produced multiple short-chain primary amines using Escherichia coli strains and renewable resources.
Researchers at Yale University used functional near-infrared spectroscopy to study brain activity during face-to-face discussions. They found that brains exhibit a calm synchronicity of activity focused on sensory areas when agreeing, but mobilize higher cognitive functions and emotional resources when disagreeing.
Researchers developed fish-inspired robots that synchronize movements in 3D space, exhibiting complex collective behaviors such as aggregation and circle formation. The system uses blue LED lights for vision-based coordination and demonstrates autonomy in underwater environments.
Researchers at UC San Diego and UCLA found that de novo mutations in tandem repeats are associated with autism spectrum disorders. The study analyzed 1,600 families and identified an average of 50 de novo mutations at tandem repeats in each child, regardless of whether they were affected by autism.
The SciFiMed project develops a multiplex detection system to examine the functional activity of seven complement factor H related proteins in patient samples. This technique helps diagnose inflammatory diseases such as macular degeneration with higher accuracy.
A new study confirms that treatment with Bimagrumab is safe and effective for treating excess adiposity and metabolic disturbances in adult patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes. The medication achieved a nearly 21% decrease in body fat and a 6.5% reduction in body weight, along with a gain of lean mass.
Researchers have shown that new ecological variants can evolve within thoroughly mixed yeast populations, diverging into distinct phenotypes and genetic classes. The emergence of these differences is attributed to newly acquired mutations in 50:50 mixtures, rather than the selection of existing variants.
Excessive use of pharmaceuticals and pesticides in industrial meat production facilities affects water quality and air pollution. Aerial transport of agrochemicals from feed yards contributes to environmental degradation, posing risks to humans and wildlife.
The Ukraine genome survey found over 13 million genetic variants, including medically relevant mutations linked to breast cancer, autism, and rare eye diseases. The study shows Ukraine accounts for a quarter of European genetic variation, providing valuable insights into human history and disease prevention.
Researchers developed flexible thermoelectric devices that can generate electricity from human skin temperature, overcoming limitations of existing rigid devices. The new technology allows for mass production of wearable devices with high power generation performance, solving the power-source issue for battery-based sensor systems.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a technique to convert pyrolyzed plastic ash into turbostratic graphene flakes, which can be added to materials like polyvinyl alcohol films and Portland cement to improve their compressive strength and resistance to water. The process has the potential to reduce energy use and cut pollutan...
Researchers have identified a mechanism that allows Trypanosoma brucei to express only one surface protein variant, avoiding detection by the immune system. This finding has implications for understanding and potentially inhibiting antigenic variation in pathogens.
Scientists have created glowing probes to visualize four-stranded DNA in living cells, revealing its interaction with molecules and shedding light on its role in cancer and other diseases. The discovery opens up new avenues for research and potential drug development.
Researchers used a non-invasive imaging technique to measure mitochondrial function in patients with MND, finding phosphocreatine levels depleted and inorganic phosphates elevated. This technique could help assess the effectiveness of treatments for MND.
China's stringent air pollution control policies have led to a significant decrease in aerosol concentrations, but winter haze events still occur. A recent study found that the controls have resulted in a much stronger increase in surface solar radiation in eastern and central China.
A team led by Dr. Julian Packheiser recorded brain activity of romantic couples while cuddling, kissing, or discussing happy memories at home. Positive emotions were mainly processed in the left half of the brain, confirming the valence model of emotional lateralisation.
Researchers at Columbia University have developed the first nanomaterial that demonstrates photon avalanching, a process with extreme nonlinear optical behavior and efficiency. The realization of this phenomenon in nanoparticle form opens up new applications in sensing, imaging, and light detection.
Researchers developed a risk score to prioritize liver cancer patients for transplantation, accounting for both cancer-related and non-cancer-related factors. The LiTES-HCC score predicts post-transplant survival for hepatocellular carcinoma patients, leading to more efficient allocation of livers.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found that more than half of US university students experienced high levels of psychological impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, which surveyed 2,534 students across seven US universities, identified risk factors such as gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and health conditions.
A global team of scientists warns that humans face a catastrophic future due to environmental degradation, population growth, and political inaction. The researchers highlight the urgent need for concrete changes to mitigate these threats, including ending fossil fuel use and empowering women.
A new study found that people with abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) have a two to four times higher risk of future cardiovascular events. The more extensive the calcium buildup, the greater the risk.
The EGR1 transcription factor inhibits expression of pro-inflammatory genes in macrophages, blunting their activation and the immune response. This discovery sheds light on the fundamental process of macrophage maturation, which is critical for inflammation.
Researchers successfully tracked and sampled a moving microbial community using a trio of self-driving robots in an open-ocean eddy. The study reveals key insights into the behavior of phytoplankton biomass in these dynamic environments.
Researchers discovered that ovarian cancer cells undergo structural changes in their mitochondria to survive and proliferate in the peritoneal cavity. This adaptation enables aggressive cancerous cells to grow and spread, making it harder to detect and treat. Understanding these cellular adaptations could lead to new targeted therapies.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a highly sensitive biohybrid olfactory sensor that can detect odor molecules in the air. The sensor uses insect olfactory receptors reconstituted into lipid bilayers and has been shown to detect concentrations as low as parts per billion.
Astronomers confirm that a recent burst of high-energy light was triggered by a magnetar located in a neighboring galaxy. The finding confirms long-held suspicions about the connection between gamma-ray bursts and magnetar activity.
A new study at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden has developed a urine test to identify and verify the type of asthma. The test uses lipid biomarkers to measure urinary metabolite levels of certain prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which are known mediators of asthmatic airway inflammation.
A new research method has successfully investigated the role of oxygen in complex metal oxide surfaces, revealing that oxygen atoms settle down particularly easily in specific places. This breakthrough understanding will aid in improving important catalysts needed for energy and environmental technology.
Researchers found that mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder had significantly different metabolite levels, including lower folate and vitamin B12 levels, compared to mothers of typically developing children. These differences may be related to how carnitine is metabolized in some mothers' bodies.
The Ocean 100, a group of 100 transnational corporations, dominated the ocean economy with $1.1 trillion in revenues in 2018. The top industries were offshore oil and gas, seafood production, and container shipping.
Scientists have discovered that ancient wetlands experienced increased methane cycling during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, an ancient global warming event. This finding suggests that rapid global warming can disrupt methane cycling in wetlands, potentially exacerbating climate change.
A recent study found that recurrent glioblastoma tumors with few mutations respond best to immunotherapy, suggesting a predictive biomarker for survival. The finding could lead to new approaches to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapies in treating this incurable disease.
Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research have discovered a signaling pathway that regulates the secretion of proteins important for maintaining eye structure, including the ciliary body. This finding holds promise for early detection and treatment of degenerative eye conditions such as glaucoma.
University of Otago researchers found that confining barking geckos in a pen for three months before releasing them to Mana Island helps establish a breeding population. The method has potential to aid conservation efforts for other species, reducing detrimental initial dispersal.
Researchers at Linköping University have developed efficient blue light-emitting diodes based on mixed halide perovskites, achieving stable emission in the deep blue to sky blue range. The new LEDs are made using the vapour-assisted crystallisation technique and exhibit an energy efficiency of up to 11%.
Researchers found a strong correlation between following the MIND and Mediterranean diets and later onset of Parkinson's disease in women up to 17.4 years and men up to 8.4 years. The study suggests nutrition could potentially delay the disease.
Scientists have discovered that cell-spanning whirlpools in egg cells are formed by the collective behavior of rodlike molecular tubes called microtubules. The gyres distribute nutrients and guide development, likely observed in humans as well.
Skoltech researchers use chemical sensors and computer vision to monitor grilled chicken doneness, promising automation in kitchen quality control. The system accurately identifies undercooked, well-cooked, and overcooked chicken.
A study from University of Illinois agricultural economists found that Illinois residents value efforts to reduce watershed pollution and are willing to pay for environmental improvements. Respondents were surveyed on their willingness to pay for various water quality improvements, with a 50% reduction in algal blooms estimated to be w...
A new study by Binghamton University researchers shows that domestic politics play a significant role in international conflicts. The 'turnover trap' occurs when a new leader takes office, and foreign rivals test their resolve, increasing the risk of war.
Research reveals that Megalodon's unique tooth shape allowed it to withstand bite forces generated by its powerful lateral head movements. This challenges traditional assumptions about the evolution of the species' dentition.
Dr. Guihua Yu, a materials scientist at the University of Texas, has developed new multifunctional polymeric nanostructures with unique physical properties that improve efficiency and function. His research focuses on organic nanomaterials and understanding structures down to their smallest scale.
Researchers describe a critically endangered bat species, Myotis nimbaensis, with bright-orange fur, found in the Nimba Mountains, a biodiversity hotspot. The discovery highlights the importance of sub-Saharan sky islands to bat diversity and conservation efforts.
A compound developed at Oregon Health & Science University appears to protect nerve fibers and the fatty sheath of myelin that covers nerve cells. The discovery suggests the compound may also prevent damage from occurring, reducing inflammation and degeneration in multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers are expanding a Phase II clinical trial of vadadustat, an investigational oral drug, to investigate its potential to prevent acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in COVID-19 patients. The trial aims to improve oxygen delivery to tissues and reduce alveolar inflammation.
A new study by ISGlobal has identified six microRNAs that may be used as biomarkers to predict disease severity in children with severe malaria. The findings provide a potential breakthrough in understanding the mechanisms underlying severe malaria and improving treatment outcomes.
A study published in Frontiers in Physiology: Striated Muscle has identified the Dunkin Hartley guinea pig as a promising animal model for understanding human musculoskeletal aging. The researchers found similarities between muscle changes in guinea pigs and humans, including decreases in muscle density and shifts toward slower-twitch ...
Researchers reviewed 49 studies linking stress, depression, and poor health behaviors to impaired immune response to vaccination. Improving these factors can enhance the body's response to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Analysis of upward flashes suggests a possible explanation for the formation of luminous structures after electrical discharges split in the atmosphere. The study found that a low-luminosity discharge with a structure resembling a paintbrush may change direction, split in two, and define the path of the lightning flash.
Astronomers have released the largest-ever map of the sky, comprising over a billion galaxies, to aid in understanding dark energy. The DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys will provide new insights into this mysterious force driving the Universe's accelerating expansion.
Researchers from TalTech have made a groundbreaking discovery linking CTG repeat expansion to Fuchs' corneal dystrophy, a common eye disease affecting millions. The study reveals changes in TCF4 expression levels in patients with the disease, paving the way for potential treatment strategies.
Dr. Benjamin Tu's research on cellular roles of small molecule metabolites has led to the discovery of a unique pathway supporting cancerous cell growth. His work challenges the long-held belief that metabolites are merely passive in their function, unveiling that they may drive key cellular processes.
A University of Houston researcher has identified the suPAR protein as a potential therapeutic target for treating focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a common form of kidney disease. High circulating levels of suPAR have been shown to induce oxidative stress in the kidneys, leading to cell damage and kidney failure.
Researchers at Nagoya University have discovered a rare mineral in the thick walls of a decommissioned nuclear power plant that increases concrete strength by more than three times. The formation of aluminous tobermorite allows for stronger and more eco-friendly concrete.
A combination of injectable naltrexone and oral bupropion was found to be effective in treating adults with moderate or severe methamphetamine use disorder. Participants responded at a significantly higher rate to the treatment, with an NNT of 9, indicating its potential as a promising addition to current approaches.
A team of scientists found that the dire wolf evolved in isolation from gray wolves and coyotes, with no evidence of interbreeding or gene flow between the two species. This discovery sheds light on the dire wolf's origins and evolution, revealing a unique genetic history.
A recent study on octopus rubescens found a significant adaptability to short-term exposure to acidic water, with metabolic rates returning to normal after 1 week. Long-term effects were less pronounced, with reduced oxygen circulation and function in low-acidity conditions.