A new grant aims to evaluate the role of soilless substrates on pests and pathogen risks in hydroponic systems. The research will address both human and plant pathogens, providing strategies for safer hydroponic production.
Researchers found that blind cavefish develop more taste buds on their head and chin, particularly after 18 months of age. This adaptation is thought to be an adaptive trait, allowing the fish to better detect food sources like bat guano.
Researchers developed a new two-photon fluorescence microscope that captures high-speed images of neural activity at cellular resolution, providing insights into brain function and neurological diseases. The microscope uses an adaptive sampling scheme to image neurons in real time, reducing damage to brain tissue.
A team of scientists identified 30 new Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in the Southern Ocean that are crucial for conserving native wildlife populations. These areas were found to be vital for foraging, breeding, and migration, and are under threat from human activities such as fishing and tourism.
A team of researchers has discovered novel and unexpected phenomena when studying fractional quantum Hall effects in flatland systems. By applying a supplementary current to high mobility semiconductor devices, they were able to explore new non-equilibrium states of these quantum systems and reveal entirely new states of matter.
Scientists have developed a high-resolution global color-image map of Mars with spatial resolutions between 57 and 197 m, covering the entire Martian surface. The new data has significantly improved the color authenticity and positioning accuracy of commonly used global Mars images.
Researchers achieved precise control over photoreactions at the atomic level using localized surface plasmons, enabling reversible switching of single organic molecules on a silicon surface. The team also demonstrated tunable optoelectric functions through atomic-level molecular modification.
Researchers developed a new brain-computer interface that translates brain signals into speech with up to 97% accuracy, enabling a man with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to communicate with friends and family. The system was tested in real-time conversations with continuous updates, achieving high word accuracy rates.
A team analyzed 45 zooarchaeological remains and compared findings with contemporary data to assess the effect of sustained subsistence harvests on beluga genetic diversity, population structuring, and foraging ecology. The study found no significant changes in genetic diversity or population structuring over time.
Researchers have discovered a cobalt complex that triggers ferroptosis in tumor cells, slowing down microtumor growth. The substance has shown promise as an alternative to conventional chemotherapeutic agents but requires further development and targeting of healthy cells.
Researchers have sequenced the lungfish genome, which is 90 billion bases long and breaks all records for size. The study reveals that autonomous transposons are responsible for the genomic expansion, but surprisingly, the genome remains stable despite its enormous size.
A new study published in Menopause suggests that severe menopause symptoms such as hot flashes can negatively affect cognitive function in postmenopausal women. The study found a link between hot flashes and cognitive impairment in memory, attention, and executive function.
A recent study by the University of Surrey highlights the need for stricter regulations in India's fracking industry due to its unique water risks. The study identifies four key fracking-specific water issues that require urgent attention to prevent environmental disasters.
The American Ornithological Society has announced its 2024 award winners in recognition of outstanding contributions to the scientific study and conservation of birds. Juan Carlos Reboreda and René Duckworth were awarded for their significant work on behavioral ecology, conservation, and evolutionary changes in bird behavior.
A Berlin-led research team has discovered that a small population of immune cells called innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) trigger severe kidney inflammation in patients with lupus. ILCs, which are present in the kidneys, amplify organ damage when activated by NKp46 receptors.
Researchers used supercomputer simulations to study the evolution of social norms in subdivided communities. They found that these communities facilitate the emergence and stability of cooperative norms, which are essential for sustained cooperation.
A Rice-led team studied massif-type anorthosites to understand their formation, revealing they likely originated from melting of subducted oceanic crust beneath convergent continental margins. The research provides new insights into Earth's thermal and tectonic evolution and chronicles the physical evolution of our planet.
A recent study by Harvard University researchers compares the effectiveness of one-photon (1P) versus two-photon (2P) voltage imaging in neural circuits. The study found that 2P excitation requires approximately 10,000 times more illumination power per cell compared to 1P excitation, posing significant challenges for 2P voltage imaging.
A study found that older age, female sex, and irregular heart rhythms can predict Alzheimer's cognitive decline over two years. The results also showed strong correlations between caregiver load and various patient-related measures.
A UK-based study reveals that an offshore mussel farm is reviving shellfish reefs off the English south coast, a process previously unseen in 150 years. The research found mussels deposited on the seabed create habitats for commercially important species like European lobsters and brown crabs.
The study found that babies recognize pretence at four months old, with around half of children pretending themselves by 12 months. Pretence develops through various stages, involving body gestures, object play, and abstract thought, with three-year-olds becoming highly creative.
A new study found that job strain and effort-reward imbalance at work increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation, an abnormal heart rhythm. The research suggests that recognizing and addressing psychosocial stressors at work can foster healthy environments.
Researchers studied the association of 12 immune cell types with epigenetic age acceleration in healthy and diseased populations. Their work sheds light on the complex interplay between immune cell composition and epigenetic aging.
A study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers found discrepancies between crash reports and hospital data, suggesting incomplete or inaccurate pictures of child passenger safety. The findings emphasize the importance of enhancing injury data quality to assess transportation safety strategies.
A new perspective article highlights the impact of wildfires on individuals with COPD and asthma. The five-part Population Health Approach, developed by the University of California, Davis Health, identifies high-risk patients and provides interventions to mitigate poor air quality's negative effects.
A study by the Open Wild Wheat Consortium explains how Aegilops tauschii, a wild grass, contributed to the genetic diversity of bread wheat, enabling its rapid spread across different climates. This hybridization event allowed humans to settle down and form societies.
Scientists have successfully characterized the structures of multiple xenon compounds using 3D electron diffraction. The technique allows researchers to discover the structures of challenging noble gas compounds that were previously difficult to handle and characterize.
A new study found that Lake Erie walleye growth is influenced more by the size and experiences of their parents than by recent environmental conditions. The study analyzed data from 1982 to 2015 and found that cold winters and larger mothers were associated with faster growth in offspring.
Researchers at UMass Amherst discovered a vulnerability in digital wallet security that can be exploited by malicious actors even if the rightful cardholder doesn't use a digital wallet. The study found that banks prioritize convenience over security, leaving users' credit cards susceptible to unauthorized transactions.
Researchers at JAX propose using genetically diverse mice and cell-based assays to better predict human responses to drugs and diseases. This approach has shown remarkable improvements in mimicking human diseases, offering a significant improvement over standardized but limited mouse and cellular models.
Texas A&M researchers are investigating the use of extracellular vesicles to deliver immune-suppressing proteins, potentially reducing the immune system's attack on insulin-producing beta-cells. The goal is to develop a novel treatment for type 1 diabetes, which currently has only lifelong insulin therapy as an approved option.
Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute have improved the resolution of a process known as photolithography, enabling the creation of even denser circuit patterns. This breakthrough could lead to more powerful and compact computers, with potential applications in autonomous driving, artificial intelligence, and 5G standard.
Researchers have developed an implantable device that can independently detect opioid overdose and automatically administer naloxone, with promising results in animal trials. The device, called iSOS, uses multiple sensors to continuously monitor vital signs and rapidly release naloxone when needed.
The study proposes regulating the electrode-electrolyte interface using Lewis-base ligand molecules to enhance CO2 electrolysis. The addition of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid molecules and similar ligands reconstructs the cation solvation shell and reshapes the interface hydrogen-bond network, boosting performance.
A malaria vaccine candidate has demonstrated sustained protection against parasite infection and clinical malaria over two years without a booster dose. The vaccine significantly protected women from malaria in pregnancy, offering new strategies to prevent the disease in vulnerable populations.
A new Cleveland Clinic study reveals that diet-derived molecules called metabolites are the main drivers of young-onset colorectal cancer risk, particularly those associated with red and processed meat. The research suggests that addressing diet with doctors can help prevent colon cancer in younger adults.
A new study by the University of Oxford recommends expanding climate reporting standards to capture companies' wider impact on global net zero. This includes their product power, purchasing power, and political influence. The goal is to incentivize systemic change through products, purchases, and policy lobbying.
Researchers discovered large fossil beans in Indonesian Borneo, indicating the ancestors of black bean trees migrated from Asia to Australia during tectonic plate collision. The findings provide first macrofossil evidence of a plant lineage moving from Asia into Australia.
Researchers found that low-dose cannabis administration can reverse brain aging and boost cognitive abilities by regulating the protein switch mTOR. The study suggests a dual effect of THC on mTOR activity and the metabolome, leading to an anti-aging and cognition-enhancing drug.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that one-fourth of patients in a coma or vegetative state showed clear signs of cognitive function on brain scans despite being unable to move or speak. This significant frequency of undetected responsiveness suggests that many seemingly unconscious patients may be a...
Recent advances highlight PIK3CA mutation significance in determining targeted therapy efficacy, particularly in advanced breast cancer. Molecular signatures and genetic profiles drive personalized treatment strategies, with emerging therapies offering new hope for patients.
Researchers have developed novel genetic tools, Myh11-Cre and Myh11-CreER mice, to trace smooth muscle cells in both male and female mice. These innovations overcome sex-linked inheritance limitations, providing a robust platform for studying SMC fate transition dynamics.
A new study published in Neurology found that COVID-19 vaccination does not increase the risk of relapse in people with multiple sclerosis. However, participants with high MS activity and those who received booster doses did show a small increased risk, especially if they were not taking disease-modifying treatments.
A new study by Donna Ginther suggests that larger team sizes in academic research negatively impact career prospects. The research found that as the number of authors on papers increases, it becomes harder to discern individual contributions and give credit, affecting job opportunities and research funding.
A new study from the University of Maryland suggests that boosting urban soil health with compost and treated manure can reduce the amount of harmful bacteria. The research found that amended soils had lower levels of antibiotic-resistant strains and more beneficial bacteria.
Ecologists from HKU have mapped global biogeographic regions for ants, revealing similarities between ant and plant distributions. The study uses advanced techniques to predict and analyze ant distribution, shedding light on the importance of including insects in biodiversity mapping.
A study published in the Journal of Business and Psychology found that evaluators who feel social pressure to avoid exhibiting prejudice deliver more positive feedback to women, even if it means holding them back from growth opportunities. This 'protective paternalism' can ultimately hinder career advancement.
The baroreceptor-inspired microneedle skin patch delivers precise and controlled drug release in response to finger touching, significantly enhancing the precision and effectiveness of treatment. Experiments using Cy3 dye and insulin as model drugs demonstrated improved delivery efficacy compared to passive methods.
A study published in PLOS Water found associations between weather, geographic location, and urban/rural settings with waterborne infectious disease hospitalizations. Hospitalization rates were higher for enteric and biofilm-forming bacterial pathogens in areas using groundwater, while precipitation increased parasitic infections.
A new vaccine has shown to protect mothers from malaria during pregnancy and for up to two transmission seasons without booster doses. The vaccine was well-tolerated and safe for both the mothers and their offspring, with no differences in adverse events compared to placebo.
Researchers found a Leishmania amazonensis strain resistant to amphotericin B, a widely used treatment for cutaneous leishmaniasis. The study highlights the urgent need for alternative drugs to combat the disease, which affects over 15,000 people in Brazil annually.
Researchers identify neural basis for abstraction and inference processes in the human brain, showing coordinated brain cell activity represents learned knowledge. The study used artificial intelligence to extract relevant responses from thousands of brain cells.
The University of Stuttgart's UniversalTimberSlab project has developed a resource-saving building system for wood floor slabs with full design freedom. The ArchiBioFoam joint project aims to reduce CO2 emissions by replacing concrete, steel, and glass with sustainable biofoams.
A new study found that pharmacies in racially and economically segregated communities are more likely to restrict buprenorphine dispensing, hindering access to treatment for opioid use disorder. This can lead to a threefold increase in overdose fatality rates among Black and Hispanic/Latinx communities.
Researchers found that plant type effects dominate seasonal variations in n-alkanoic acid biomarkers on the Chinese Loess Plateau. This suggests that plant type should be considered more important than seasonal variation when using hydrogen isotopes for paleoclimatic reconstruction.
The samples, obtained from river deposits in a dried-up lake on Mars, are crucial for understanding the Red Planet's water history. The fine-grained sediments in the rocks are believed to retain signs of past biological activity, including organic molecules, making them significant for searching for life on Mars.
Researchers have discovered that changes in the ocean's mixed layer are the primary force behind Atlantic Multidecadal Variability (AMV) in the tropics. This phenomenon influences weather patterns across North America, Europe, and Africa, affecting hurricane activity and rainfall in regions like the Sahel.
A new screening tool, DuMAND Checklist, has shown promise for assessing neurobehavioral difficulties in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and improving quality of life. The checklist covers a range of issues including behavior, psychiatric disorders, and cognitive deficits.
A recent study found that C-section antibiotics have a subtle impact on the infant gut microbiome, whereas diet has a significant impact. The study analyzed data from 172 infant samples and found that feeding mode explained 12% of variation in overall infant gut microbiome composition.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins and Portland State University develop a new computational method to enhance Large Eddy Simulations, improving accuracy for designing and optimizing floating offshore windfarms. The project combines modeling advancements with scaled experimental results to better predict wind-wave-turbine interactions.