An international team of researchers has successfully read and assembled the whole genome of faba bean, a globally important protein source. The new genome reveals key genes for seed size and provides insights into improving drought and disease resistances, processing quality, and nutritional value.
A new study reveals that northern and southern resident orcas differ in their hunting behaviors, with males catching more salmon per hour than females. Southern resident males outperform females by 152%, highlighting a distinct pattern of foraging that may contribute to the population decline.
Researchers have improved Brillouin microscopy to acquire mechanical images of cells and tissues at speeds 50-100 times faster than existing methods. This innovation enables the investigation of cell behaviors in real-time, with potential applications in cancer diagnosis and embryonic tissue development.
Researchers suggest a four-part framework to identify animal viruses that may infect humans, focusing on viruses from repeat offender families and those with known human compatibility. By studying these viruses early, scientists can develop diagnostic tools and treatments, and be better prepared to combat future pandemics.
Researchers developed temporal compressive super-resolution microscopy (TCSRM) to overcome optical diffraction's spatial resolution restriction. TCSRM achieves high-speed imaging at 1200 frames per second with a spatial resolution of 100 nanometers, enabling observation of fast dynamics in fine structures.
A meta-analysis of 34 studies found a significant association between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and increased risks of developing diabetes, dyslipidemia, and heart disease. Children with ASD were more likely to develop these metabolic complications, prompting clinicians to monitor them closely.
Researchers found that migratory birds can restore several parameters of their immune function during stopovers, not just to refuel. This discovery suggests that these short breaks are essential for the birds' overall health and immune system.
A survey of over 1000 patients found that two thirds prefer a urologist of their own gender, but in certain situations, both men and women choose a female doctor. Patients with painful conditions are more likely to opt for a female urologist.
A study of one family with monogenic diabetes reveals that insulin deficiency is the principal factor leading to a smaller pancreas. The Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers discovered this through precise measurements of the pancreas taken from four family members.
A new international study reveals that global squid fisheries are operating largely in unregulated areas, with 86% of fishing efforts recorded between 2017-2020. This expansion poses significant challenges to fisheries sustainability and resource equity.
A study found that prenatal exposure to the anti-nausea drug Bendectin, containing dicyclomine, increased the risk of colorectal cancer in adult offspring. Incidence rates were three times higher among exposed children compared to those not exposed.
A recent study from Aarhus University reveals that B cells can be activated by antigens that only bind one receptor at a time, challenging the long-held model of immune recognition. This discovery holds promise for designing more effective vaccines and treating autoimmune diseases.
Researchers from Swansea University and Université Grenoble Alpes demonstrate the effectiveness of selenium nanoparticles in killing ovarian cancer cell models. The study reveals a novel biological mechanism underlying the anti-cancer effect, involving histone methylatransferases and epigenetic processes.
A new platform allows researchers to study cell-cell interactions in inflammatory neurological diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS). By identifying genes that control biologic processes, the team hopes to develop therapeutics to change disease-promoting cell behavior.
Children with Down syndrome are highly vulnerable to developing aggressive leukaemia due to a defect in the RUNX1 gene, which regulates blood cell formation. Researchers have identified a specific variant of the gene that promotes leukaemia development and discovered potential therapeutic approaches to correct this malfunction.
An analysis of European marine fish found temperature to be a key driver of large-scale spatial variation in fish assemblages. By 2050 and 2100, the study predicts the greatest community-level changes will occur at locations with greater warming, particularly further north.
The new technique allows for the production of a dozen different soft polymer material morphologies, including ribbons, nanoscale sheets, rods, and branched particles. By precisely controlling three sets of parameters during manufacturing, researchers can fine-tune the morphology of polymeric materials at the micro- and nano-scale.
Earth Map provides users with intuitive remote sensing data and enables a broader range of actors to take an active role in monitoring lands impacted by human activities. The tool aims to inform decision-makers about the current state of climate and resource management, driving meaningful policy changes and sustainable livelihoods.
Glaucoma researchers identify mitochondria as a key source of energy for optic nerve cells, and restoring balance can protect these cells from damage. The study suggests enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis may be a promising treatment strategy.
The February 2023 nTIDE report shows people with disabilities increasing their labor force participation rate to an all-time high of 40.2%, outperforming non-disabled peers in the labor market. The employment-to-population ratio also narrowed, reflecting gains made by people with disabilities since the pandemic.
Cambridge researchers observe Unio crassus mussels squirting water jets up to a meter away from the riverbed to increase the chances of their larvae attaching to specific host fishes. This behavior has never been seen in any other mussel species and may be crucial for the endangered species' survival.
A USC-led team of scientists identified the key gene Nr5a2, essential for opening up genome regions that enable neural crest cells to form tendons and salivary glands. Zebrafish and mice lacking this gene exhibited skeletal and tendon defects, as well as failed salivary gland development.
The International Research Network for Nuclear Astrophysics (IReNA) has partnered with the Ibero-American Network of Nuclear Astrophysics (IANNA) to enhance knowledge in nuclear astrophysics. The new collaboration will enable researchers from both networks to access cutting-edge technology and combine their expertise, resources, and ac...
A recent study highlights the perils of bacteria's secret antimicrobial resistance, which can be difficult to detect using traditional methods. Researchers are exploring new approaches, such as genetic analysis, to identify and prevent the spread of these resistant strains.
A study of 4.3 million patients found shorter primary care visits were associated with a higher likelihood of antibiotic overprescribing and co-prescribing opioids and benzodiazepines. Younger, publicly insured, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic Black patients had shorter visits, highlighting opportunities for operational improvements in visi...
Expanding Medicaid-benefit eligibility reduced Black-white disparities in preventable hospitalizations and emergency department visits by 10% or more. The study controlled for age, sex, and state variables to understand the effects of expansion on access to care.
Researchers discovered that jewel beetles have duplicated genes allowing them to see new colors, including ultraviolet and blue light. This evolution likely occurred after the loss of blue vision in beetle ancestors around 300 million years ago.
A new urine gene test can detect genetic mutations in urine that predict bladder cancer up to 12 years in advance of clinical symptoms. The test was trialled on over 50,000 participants and showed promising results, suggesting its potential for early detection and reduced unnecessary invasive procedures.
The Meta-Semi algorithm achieves competitive performance on challenging semi-supervised learning tasks, such as CIFAR-100 and STL-10, with only one additional hyper-parameter to tune. This approach naturally yields a meta-learning formulation where the correctly pseudo-labeled data has a similar distribution to labeled data.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati developed an innovative breathing device called PEP Buddy, which improves symptoms of breathlessness, quality of life, and oxygen levels in people with COPD. The study found significant reductions in shortness of breath and improvements in quality of life among participants.
An international team of researchers has received $3 million to study how early gut development shapes children's health. They will collect tissue samples from diverse groups to understand the impact of environment, genetics, and other factors on gut development.
Researchers at University of Bonn discover a backup mechanism in immune cells that ensures efficient antiviral responses despite TBK1 enzyme mutations or complete loss. This mechanism relies on the stability of IKKepsilon protein, which compensates for TBK1 deficiency.
The study reveals that enzyme ATE1 enhances activity upon binding iron-sulfur clusters and is sensitive to oxygen, moderating the cell's response to oxidative stress. This discovery could lead to new therapeutic targets for diseases tied to chronic cellular stress.
Researchers argue that Artificial Social Intelligence (ASI) is the next big frontier for AI. ASI requires social perception, Theory of Mind and social interaction to understand others' mental states and cooperate in shared tasks. The field needs a holistic approach mimicking human interaction.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have developed a new ultrasound method to measure tissue tension, which can indicate abnormal tissue, scarring, and cancer. This breakthrough technique uses sound waves to detect forces within soft tissue, enabling earlier disease diagnosis and potentially improving healthcare outcomes.
Researchers at Rutgers University identified a peptide called Nickelback, which could become a biosignature to detect planets on the verge of producing life. The peptide, composed of 13 amino acids and two nickel ions, was found to be a simple yet potent catalyst for metabolic processes.
The SF State team has created a broadband nanoscale photodetector using bismuth-MoS2 materials, showing improved sensitivity in the UV range and responsiveness over a wide wavelength range. The device is also fast, working at around 10 kilohertz and potentially scalable to megahertz or gigahertz speeds.
Recent studies have identified key psychological processes, such as repetitive negative thinking and self-reflection, that may impact cognitive aging and dementia prevention. Researchers propose incorporating psychological elements to reduce dementia risk through cognitive-behavioral interventions.
Researchers found that astrocyte cells directly impact motor learning by maintaining an optimal molecular balance. Astrocytes' ability to regulate neurotransmitter glutamate affects the smoothness of movement and refinement of technique.
A research team led by Dr Lisa Levin assessed the potential risks of OBCIs on deep-sea ecosystems, raising substantial concern about their impacts on biodiversity and biogeochemistry. The study highlights the need for an integrated research framework to carefully consider the cost and benefits of each intervention.
A Tohoku University study found that soft gingiva is more likely to cause inflammation, hindering the development of collagen fibers. This discovery has implications for the development of advanced biomaterials and microdevices to control local inflammation.
Researchers have found a way to increase the efficiency of fluorescence in phosphole-based compounds by modifying them with sulfonyl isocyanates. This modification method has been shown to significantly enhance the optical properties of these substances, making them suitable for use as efficient dyes or markers.
A new LiDAR system pinpoints pedestrian behavior to improve safety and efficiency at intersections. The system tracks pedestrians' true intent to cross, reducing conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles.
Researchers have developed a super-resolution microscopy method that combines pMINFLUX, graphene energy transfer, and DNA-PAINT to achieve the highest resolution in three-dimensional space. This enables the rapid imaging of dense molecular structures with unprecedented precision.
Elevated atmospheric CO2 reduces soil phosphorus availability in rice crops by more than 20%, compromising plant growth and food security. International research team finds 55% of large rice fields in China and India at risk of yield reduction due to phosphorus deficiency.
Researchers at the Universities of Jena and Central Florida have created a photon gas that exhibits behavior similar to a conventional gas, with particles moving at different speeds but maintaining a mean velocity defined by temperature. This phenomenon, known as negative temperature, can be cooled or heated, allowing for the creation ...
A new fossil discovery dating back 247 million years provides the earliest evidence of dipterans, including mosquitoes and flies. The immature insect's preserved breathing system offers insights into its adaptations to a post-apocalyptic environment.
Scientists studied F1-ATPase function in bacteria to clarify the angle of rotation during ATP hydrolysis. The study revealed three sets of short and long dwells associated with different intervals per revolution, resolving a long-term debate over the ATP-cleavage shaft angle.
The IUCN Species Survival Commission has recognized two iconic Chicago institutions as Centers for Species Survival, elevating the region's role in biodiversity conservation. Shedd Aquarium and The Morton Arboretum will collaborate on projects highlighting aquatic and terrestrial linkages in Central American biodiversity hotspots.
Researchers found that young honey bees who followed dances of older bees improved their performance, reducing disordered dances and increasing orderly ones. Social signal learning refines behaviors for local conditions, suggesting it's advantageous for novice dancers to learn from experienced ones.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have successfully applied the shape-memory effect to nano-sized objects, overcomes the limitation of objects needing to be larger than 50 nanometers. The material ferroic oxides showed a free-standing nanoscale structure made of ferroic oxides that are highly elastic and resilient.
A new AI model developed by St Andrews researchers can accurately classify endometrial biopsy whole slide images as malignant or benign, allowing pathologists to prioritize their workload and reduce diagnosis time. The final model achieved 97% accuracy in detecting malignant slides and 90% accuracy overall.
Researchers from USTC developed a novel method combining micro/nano resolution with deep sub-wavelength localization to achieve quantum-enhanced position measurement accuracy of 10^-4 wavelengths. This breakthrough technology enables high-precision microwave positioning, surpassing traditional radar systems.
Research reveals island-dwelling mammal species face higher extinction risks, with those experiencing extreme size changes being particularly endangered. Human arrival on islands multiplies the probability of extinction by 16, contributing to a 'protracted extinction event' spanning over 100,000 years.
Researchers at the University of California - San Diego found that honey bees use a 'waggle dance' to communicate the location of food sources, and that this behavior is improved by learning and culturally transmitted. The study demonstrates the importance of early social signal learning in non-human spatial referential communication.
Researchers have built the first ever map showing every single neuron and how they're wired together in the fruit fly larva's brain. This huge step forwards in science will help us understand basic principles of signal travel through the brain, leading to behavior and learning.
Researchers have developed a new approach to correlative atomic force microscopy, allowing for the simultaneous measurement of electrocatalyst properties. This study focuses on nanostructured copper-gold electrocatalysts and provides insights into catalyst-electrolyte interfaces, enabling targeted optimization.
A UK study found that Black Caribbean-British women are 58% more likely than white women to receive general anaesthesia during elective caesarean births, while Bangladeshi-British and Pakistani-British women are less likely to have epidurals. The study also reveals differences in assisted deliveries and emergency caesarean births betwe...
Researchers have completed the most advanced brain map to date, tracing every neural connection in the brain of a larval fruit fly. The team's achievement is expected to underpin future brain research and inspire new machine learning architectures.
The study reveals the formation of boron clusters with magic numbers on monolayer borophene, leading to spontaneous transformation into bilayer borophene. Density functional theory calculations identify B5 clusters as the result of in-plane charge distribution and electron delocalization.