Researchers discovered that honeybee tongue hairs are hydrophobic, allowing the tongue to bend and reach food in crevices. This unique property enhances durability and flexibility, inspiring design of new materials.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have found a way to stabilize the cancer-suppressing protein p53 by adding a spider silk protein, creating a more potent variant. This discovery has potential as an approach for cancer therapy.
A new Moffitt Cancer Center study estimates that the actual number of COVID-19 infections in Hillsborough County was twofold higher than reported positive tests. The study, conducted between October 2020 and March 2021, found nearly 100% of persons who had confirmed or suspected infection were antibody-positive.
A new study at Tel Aviv University's Coller School of Management found that employees who use pictures and emojis are perceived as less powerful than those who use words. In various experiments, respondents attributed more power to verbal messages and rated those with visual profiles as less capable.
Researchers identified peripheral tissues as source of blood amyloid beta, which regulates blood glucose levels and suppresses insulin secretion. The study suggests a possible mechanism linking type 2 diabetes to Alzheimer's disease development.
The Texas cold snap highlighted the critical role of electricity in society and the need for improved power system planning to withstand extreme weather events. The event showed that traditional planning based on historical weather patterns is not sufficient, and new information from climate projection models is needed.
A survey study examined changes in children's health over five years, including the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings suggest a decline in overall health and well-being among children during this period.
A study in Nairobi, Kenya, found that bacteria are shared among humans and animals, with households serving as key gateways for transmission. The discovery highlights the importance of understanding the urban environment to prevent emerging diseases.
Scientists have identified a single-celled marine microbe that can photosynthesize, hunt, and eat prey, making it a secret weapon in the battle against climate change. This microbe can sequester carbon by releasing a heavy exopolymer that sinks to the ocean floor.
Researchers study how brain regions work together to train and perform new skills in laboratory rats. The rats develop unique 'dances' that are essential for performing the task, but these are lost when disrupting connections between brain areas.
Researchers at the Earlham Institute have developed a computational biology method to better understand Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) by analyzing differences in gut cell types. They identified how beneficial bacteria communicate with the immune system, which may lead to targeted clinical treatments.
Researchers developed a new method to train people to be creative by making up stories that imagine alternative worlds, shift perspective, and generate unexpected actions. The narrative approach helps individuals tap into their innate creativity, rather than relying on divergent thinking techniques that focus on problem-solving.
Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have successfully manipulated dark states in superconducting circuits using microwave radiation. The team's discovery opens up new possibilities for quantum simulations and information processing, which could have significant implications for fields such as chemistry and materials science.
Researchers at Flinders University have developed a sustainable way to remove mercury from water using a smart coating made from low-cost chemicals. The coating can also prevent metal corrosion, solvent damage, and acid and water damage of concrete surfaces.
Researchers observed turbulence-driven current in EAST experiment, driven by electron temperature gradient mode. This current helps sustain ultra-high electron temperatures and stationary long-pulse plasmas.
A new study predicts that over the next 30 years, 1.4 million US street trees will be killed by invasive insects, mainly caused by the emerald ash borer. The estimated economic cost of replacing these trees is over $900M. Researchers warn that urban tree diversity is crucial to resilience against pest infestations.
A global survey of science journalists aims to map the values that shape their work, with findings expected to inform the Statement of Guiding Principles for Science Journalism. The project, launched by the World Federation of Science Journalists and the Kavli Foundation, seeks input from over 180 science journalists in seven languages.
A randomized study of 379 women with obesity and unexplained infertility found that intensive lifestyle changes that shed pounds led to no better chances of pregnancy than simply increasing physical activity without weight loss. The study also showed significant health benefits from weight loss, including a decrease in metabolic syndrome.
A new mathematical model reveals high risk of cross-species disease spread on farms with multiple types of livestock. Targeting top 3% of most networked farms can significantly reduce transmission and protect other species.
Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology improved an algorithm to detect Alzheimer's disease from MRI images, achieving over 98% accuracy. The new model uses a modified neural network and adapts to variations in data, such as differences in hospital equipment and patient positions.
The Bushveld Complex functioned as a gigantic magma body, with a column of melt likely several km thick, contradicting the prevailing theory of non-existent large, long-lived and largely molten magma chambers. This discovery was made possible by 3D high-resolution X-ray computed tomography studies of chromitite.
A national study found a stark paucity of racialized leaders in Canada's high-level healthcare leadership, despite gender parity. Increasing racial diversity can promote culturally sensitive care, address discriminatory policies, and provide a broader perspective on health inequities.
Researchers found that a temporary increase in dopamine levels in the basolateral amygdala initiates transitions from non-rapid eye movement (NREM) to rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. This discovery may have important implications for understanding changes in sleep state and treating conditions like cataplexy and narcolepsy.
Researchers used lake sediment in the Tibetan Plateau to estimate that high-elevation alpine permafrost will melt faster than arctic permafrost, releasing greenhouse gases and contributing to global temperature rise. The study suggests that up to 60% of alpine permafrost land area may be lost under current warming conditions.
A study compared the antibody response in human milk after vaccination with four COVID-19 vaccines, revealing differences in immune system activation. The findings provide valuable insights into vaccine effectiveness and potential impact on infant health.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is conducting a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating three experimental HIV vaccines based on messenger RNA technology. The study aims to examine the safety and ability of the vaccines to induce an immune response in adults aged 18-55 years.
A new study found that knowledge about breast density and its risks is linked to women's race/ethnicity and health literacy. While most women correctly understand some facts, significant variations were observed across racial and ethnic groups and health literacy levels.
Researchers from the University of Nottingham have created a detailed molecular map of the skin's stratum corneum using 3D mass spectrometry imaging. This discovery provides fundamental understanding in skin biology and enables the development of new skin products and treatments.
A team of PSI scientists has developed an achromatic X-ray lens for the first time, allowing researchers to study nanostructures with high resolution. The innovative lens, which combines two optical principles, enables compact X-ray microscopes that can be operated on industry premises.
Researchers warn permafrost peatlands in Europe and Western Siberia are close to a climatic tipping point due to high carbon emissions. Strong action can preserve suitable climates for these ecosystems.
A recent study by Oregon State University researchers found that the vast majority of carbon stored in trees before large wildfires remains in the trees themselves after the fires. The study's findings challenge previous estimates suggesting up to 85% of living trees' biomass combusts in California's big fires.
A study published in Nature Metabolism found that body temperature has a greater impact on lifespan than metabolic rate, contrary to the traditional 'live fast, die young' phrase. The researchers used an unusual experiment where high temperatures increased lifespan by lowering metabolism and reducing body temperature.
Researchers developed a novel genetic barcode system to mark cancer cells with different gene modifications and image their characteristics. The Perturb-map platform identified specific genes controlling lung tumor growth, immune composition, and response to immunotherapy, offering new approaches for targeting anti-cancer drugs.
Researchers studied draughtsboard sharks and found they sleep with eyes open, a trait shared by humans and other animals. Sleep in sharks is linked to lying flat and reduced metabolic rate, aiding energy conservation.
A research team at the Advanced Science Research Center has identified peptidoglycan as the most powerful actuator material. The new water-responsive muscles can quickly expand and contract in response to water absorption and evaporation, enabling rapid actuation of micro and macro structures.
Researchers used geochemical data from 225 hot springs to create a detailed map of the boundary between the Indian and Asian continental plates, revealing processes occurring deep below the surface. The findings suggest that an old theory about the flat position of the Indian plate beneath Tibet is no longer tenable.
Researchers mapped the molecular changes that orchestrate embryonic mouse cell differentiation into diverse cell types. The study provides a roadmap of mouse embryogenesis, which will help researchers understand the molecular programs controlling cell emergence and tissue organ formation.
A new study from the University of Cambridge has developed an implant coating that incorporates the anti-inflammatory drug MCC950, reducing the 'foreign body reaction' to implants. This reduction allows for improved nerve regeneration and potentially transforms long-term implant treatment for serious disability or illness.
The American College of Chest Physicians journal features cutting-edge original research on various chest medicine topics, including asthma, COPD, critical care, and sleep. The March issue includes a special series on nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease, offering insights into clinical epidemiology, risk factors, and diagnosis.
Scientists have identified three major components of the Asian giant hornet queen's sex pheromone, which can be used as bait to trap and track the insects. The discovery could help locate and remove the invasive species from North America, where it threatens bee populations and crop production.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet and Helmholtz Center Munich found that macrophages show altered inflammatory and metabolic expression several months after mild COVID-19. Even though most individuals were symptom-free, their immune systems were more sensitive than those of healthy counterparts.
A Rutgers study found that individuals who die by suicide with a firearm are more likely to disclose suicidal thoughts to others but less likely to seek mental health treatment. Approximately 90% of firearm-related suicides result in death, compared to less than 5% for other methods.
A new Phase 1 clinical trial has enrolled its first 12 participants, evaluating the safety and immune responses of three experimental HIV vaccines using mRNA technology. The study aims to understand how the immune system responds to these vaccines and gain insights into developing an HIV vaccine regimen.
Researchers at Florida Atlantic University found that mice can perceive the difference between a picture of an object and the actual 3D object, employing higher-order cognitive processes. The study suggests that mice's hippocampus plays a significant role in associating memories with visual stimuli.
A recent study published in PNAS found that cities can mitigate the impact of urban expansion on species habitats. The research identified hotspot cities with high biodiversity hotspots and highlighted the need for global conservation efforts to include policies protecting species in urban lands.
Researchers at Skoltech have developed a new method to monitor soil freezing, enabling the creation of safer and more stable structures in permafrost regions. The water potential method is fast, inexpensive, and applicable to various soil types, providing accurate estimates of freezing point and unfrozen water content.
Scientists who interact with others during assigned sessions at conferences are more likely to form productive collaborations than those who do not. Virtual conferences are found to be just as effective as in-person conferences in encouraging interactions and sparking collaborations.
Researchers have discovered a new plant species, Castela senticosa, in the Martín García mountain range of the Dominican Republic. The species was found to be rare and endangered due to its limited geographic distribution.
Researchers predict that certain regions will experience perpetual drought or perennial pluvial conditions due to climate change, rendering traditional definitions obsolete. The team's findings suggest a need to adapt water management strategies to account for an ever-changing baseline.
Researchers found that impaired kidney function is preferentially associated with cardioembolic stroke in a large cohort of patients. Low filtration rates and high urine protein levels predicted increased risk of cardioembolic stroke, disability, and mortality.
Researchers at University of Michigan found that postpartum depression rose considerably during the pandemic, with 1 in 5 mothers experiencing major depressive symptoms. The study highlights the need for better resources and education on postpartum depression to reduce stigma and improve recovery time.
Researchers found that over half of autistic people were considered vulnerable adults, but only a quarter received reasonable adjustments. Autistic defendants often experienced meltdowns and stress due to lack of understanding from law enforcement and courts.
Researchers found distinct cellular signals in infant B-ALL, with a notable contribution from early lymphocyte precursors. The closer an ELP cell was to becoming a mature B cell, the better the outcome for the patient. This study provides promising drug targets and raises hopes for effective treatments for infant B-ALL.
A new study by University of Portsmouth researchers suggests that wave reserves, initially aimed at protecting popular surfing spots, can also conserve ecologically valuable coastal areas. The strategy has gained popularity worldwide, with dozens of wave reserves established globally.
Researchers have identified a key gene that confers stripe rust resistance in bread wheat, providing hope for improving crop yields and ensuring global food security. The discovery was made possible by the assembly of the highest-quality genome to date for bread wheat using advanced DNA sequencing techniques.
A new bird species, Fregetta lineata, was discovered in New Caledonia and is believed to be critically endangered. With an estimated population of 100 to 1,000 pairs, the species is already threatened.
Researchers at Duke University have demonstrated a new attack strategy that can deceive industry-standard autonomous vehicle sensors into believing nearby objects are closer or further than they appear. This vulnerability highlights the need for additional redundancy and data sharing between vehicles to protect against such attacks.
A new study by Japanese researchers at Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine found a correlation between maternal lead exposure and an increase in male births. The research suggests that even low levels of lead can affect the sex ratio of offspring, potentially contributing to Japan's declining proportion of male births.
A new study by University of Maryland scientists has developed a five-stage scale to track the progression of salt pollution in freshwater streams and rivers. The researchers found that road salts combined with other pollutants create
Researchers have developed hollow cuprous oxide@nitrogen-doped carbon nanocapsules for efficient chemodynamic therapy. The nanocapsules exhibit excellent antitumor ability without causing systemic toxicity, promising a new approach for cancer treatment.