Prof. AU Man Ho Allen has been recognized with the prestigious Hong Kong Engineering Science and Technology (HKEST) Award 2024-25 for his outstanding contributions to the Web3 ecosystem and the digital economy. His research focuses on developing practical, secure, and privacy-preserving cryptographic solutions.
A new apomixis system termed Fix4 achieves stable and heritable clonal seeds with normal seed-setting rates, overcoming the limitations of previous genome editing systems. This innovation has significant implications for accelerating the application of apomixis technology in hybrid rice production.
A new study found that parents are delaying the introduction of highly allergenic foods like eggs and nuts into their children's diets. This delay increases the risk of allergies, particularly in children with a family history of allergy.
A major international study found that deceased-donor kidney transplantation offers a consistent survival advantage with standard-criteria kidneys, but the benefit plateaus in older and high-risk recipients. The study used a robust target trial emulation framework to compare long-term survival between transplant patients and those on d...
Researchers identified novel truncated RNAs from jumping genes that encode reverse transcriptases in the aging human brain, particularly in neurons. This discovery may provide new insights into Alzheimer's disease and potential therapeutic targets.
A new study uses preserved plants and animals from natural history museums to track pollution trends over two centuries. Researchers found significant changes in pollutant levels between specimens collected in the 19th and 20th centuries, highlighting the impact of industrial activity on human health.
Researchers at Colorado State University have created a programmable plant circuit that can turn genes on and off, allowing farmers to time harvests and adapt to drought. The breakthrough could lead to automated genetic circuit design through machine learning, revolutionizing agriculture.
A team of researchers discovered genetic evidence of a rare matrilineal community in Neolithic China dating back over 4,750 years. The study found that women stayed within their clan for life, while men often moved between clans, suggesting a relatively simple and egalitarian farming community organized around two matrilineal clans.
Astronomers have discovered a giant planet, TOI-6894b, orbiting the smallest known star to host such a companion. The planet's existence contradicts current planet formation models, which suggest that small stars cannot form or retain massive planets.
A new NIH grant will aid researchers at Wayne State University in studying the effects of fentanyl during pregnancy. The two-year study aims to determine the impact of gestational fentanyl exposure on morbidity and mortality, developmental milestones, and brain development in offspring.
Researchers have discovered a key marker, FXYD2, that identifies functional maturity and heterogeneity of stem cell-derived islet organoids. This breakthrough enables quality control for production of transplantable islets, advancing the field toward safer and more effective islet replacement therapies.
The SHARE guidelines offer a systematic checklist to report sham acupuncture control in clinical trials, covering elements of sham acupuncture and related contextual factors. This comprehensive reporting promotes accurate interpretation of trial results and enhances the quality of sham acupuncture-controlled clinical trials.
Researchers found that brain's dopamine neurons encode a map of possible future rewards across time and magnitude, guiding adaptive behavior in uncertain environments. This biological insight aligns with recent advances in AI, particularly distributional RL algorithms, which learn from reward distributions rather than averages.
Dr. Enrico Castillo, an assistant professor of psychiatry at UCLA, has been recognized as an emerging leader in health and medicine scholar by the National Academy of Medicine. He will collaborate with the organization's members over three years to address urgent health challenges.
Researchers studied merbecoviruses, closely related to MERS-CoV, and found one subgroup, HKU5, has concerning traits that could allow it to infect humans. The viruses use a host receptor known as ACE2, which is also used by SARS-CoV-2.
Researchers at the Niels Bohr Institute have created a novel pathway to study elusive quantum states in superconducting vortices. They designed a tiny superconducting cylinder and applied magnetic flux to mimic the essential physics, allowing them to study these states on their own terms.
A research team from HKUST has developed a catalytic enantioselective type II [5 + 2] cycloaddition method to synthesize complex chiral bridged polycyclic structures, which is a challenging task in organic chemistry. The novel approach utilizes 3-oxidopyrylium ylides and chiral phosphoric acids to create the desired complex shapes.
A new study finds that increasing atmospheric evaporative demand is making droughts 40% more severe globally over the past 40 years. As the atmosphere warms, air can hold more moisture, leading to increased water demand and pulling more water from soils, rivers, and plants.
A new study found that excessive oleic acid in olive oil drives fat cell growth, increasing the risk of obesity. High levels of oleic acid stimulate the proliferation of precursor cells that form new fat cells, leading to a larger capacity for storing excess nutrients.
Researchers found that Common Lime tree infections reduced water use and stem growth but still maintained cooling benefits. The study highlights the complexity of balancing disease control with ecosystem services.
A global team tracked an unusual object emitting pulses of radio waves and X-rays lasting two minutes in the Milky Way galaxy. The object, ASKAP J1832-0911, is a long-period transient (LPT) located 15,000 light-years from Earth.
Researchers at Tohoku University have introduced guaiazulene into a hydrophilic poly(allylamine), overcoming its poor water solubility and color degradation. The resulting polymer is more than 10,000 times more water soluble and stable under acidic conditions.
A new tool, developed at the University of Córdoba, uses satellite data and species distribution models to identify areas for conservation prioritization. The tool, tested with six Andalusian species, suggests that most protected areas and species suffered habitat decline between 2000-2020.
A new study found that multitasking involves both general abilities applicable across different situations and specific skills unique to each type of task. This explains the conflicting results in past studies on gender differences in multitasking.
Researchers have identified a critical step in SARS-CoV-2 viral infection: the protective role of ORF3a, which forms dense bodies surrounding the spike protein to prevent it from being cut into smaller components. This finding could lead to new therapeutic targets and vaccine development strategies.
A new article published in Crop Science journal provides comprehensive information on the disease's pathology, progression, and management of large patch, a fungal disease that can compromise turfgrass health. Effective management strategies include proper mowing, fertilizing, and watering practices.
Researchers and participants from a Philippines disaster-preparedness project discuss the ethics of closing projects 'well' in the context of USAID withdrawal. Key considerations include ensuring timely completion of critical tasks and minimizing negative impacts on affected communities.
Researchers found that exposure to dogs in early life reduced the risk of eczema in genetically predisposed children by suppressing skin inflammation. The study identified a genetic variant near an interleukin-7 receptor gene that responded differently to dog ownership, providing potential targets for future treatment or prevention.
Research suggests that interacting with dogs can modify a child's risk of developing atopic eczema, potentially due to the impact on immune cells. The findings provide new insights into the complex relationship between genetics and environment in the development of eczema.
Researchers developed a novel scheme to generate high-intensity, isolated attosecond soft X-ray FELs using mid-infrared laser pulses and gas-filled hollow capillary fibers. This method produces ultra-short pulses with high signal-to-noise ratio, enabling scientific applications such as probing valence electron motion.
A new study suggests that certain microbiome compositions in babies born vaginally, specifically with a higher amount of pioneer bacteria B. longum, are less likely to be hospitalised for viral lower respiratory tract infections (vLRTI) in the first two years of life.
A new study from the University of Michigan reveals that heat waves and cold spells on the Great Lakes have increased by more than 100% since 1998, coinciding with the strongest El Niño event. This trend has significant implications for the region's weather, economy, and ecosystems.
A team of researchers has received a $3.2 million grant to upgrade the Generalized Blast Exposure Value (GBEV) tool, which assigns a numerical score to service members' blast exposure history to assess potential health outcomes.
A Kobe University team has identified a new molecule, solanoeclepin C, that plants secrete to attract soil microbes. This newly found compound is converted into hatching factors that cause potato cyst nematodes to hatch prematurely, potentially offering a novel approach to parasite control.
Researchers developed self-propelled ferroptosis nanoinducers to enhance cancer therapy by inducing programmed cell death. The nanotherapeutics exhibited enhanced diffusion and deep tumor penetration while maintaining biocompatibility.
A team of researchers developed a novel method called Time-Lagged Recurrence (TLR) to estimate the predictability of complex dynamical systems. TLR uses data-driven approach to evaluate how an ensemble of similar initial states evolves over time, determining local predictability at that state.
Researchers have made the most sensitive direct measurement yet of the 12C(12C,a0)23Na reaction down to an excitation energy of 2.22 MeV using a HOPG target and intense carbon beam. The results represent the highest sensitivity achieved for this channel, with a thick-target yield on the order of 10−17 per incident carbon ion.
The Roman Space Telescope has successfully completed vibration testing, passing a key milestone that brings it one step closer to answering cosmic mysteries. The team simulated launch conditions and tested the observatory's core portion, which will now undergo additional tests before being assembled with its outer portion.
A study found that between 11.6% and 20.2% of women with a history of pregnancy or testing for pregnancy visited crisis pregnancy centers across four US states, including Arizona and New Jersey. The attendance rates were not correlated with age, race, or socioeconomic status.
Researchers have developed a new type of exotic quantum material that can maintain its quantum properties when exposed to external disturbances, paving the way for robust quantum computers. The breakthrough uses magnetism to create stability, making it an important step towards realising practical topological quantum computing.
Researchers developed a new resin that simultaneously creates solid objects and dissolvable structural supports depending on the type of light it's exposed to. This approach increases the applications for 3D-printed objects, including tissue engineering scaffolds and joints.
A new study found a significant association between hyperinsulinemia and abnormal uterine bleeding, with body mass index playing a unique role. The study suggests that addressing insulin resistance and obesity may be key to preventing abnormal uterine bleeding.
The use of plastics in agriculture and food production has grown significantly, with 20% of all plastics used in France in 2023. Plastics are used to package, transport, and preserve food products, but their composition is often complex and diverse.
A team of scientists has identified a new type of antimicrobial peptide found in human proteins that selectively eliminate multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria. The discovery could pave the way for more effective treatments against infections resistant to conventional antibiotics.
Researchers have discovered a new method to enhance brain waste clearance by precisely stimulating the lymphatics under skin on the neck and face. This non-invasive approach may offer a safer alternative to current treatments for age-related neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease.
FAMU-FSU College of Engineering researchers have discovered a fundamental universal principle governing the behavior of microscopic whirlpools in quantum fluids, which also has implications for understanding turbulent flows in classical physics. The study reveals that when these quantum vortices intersect and reconnect, they separate f...
A recent study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution finds that most species cluster in small 'hotspot' areas before spreading outward, driven by environmental filtering. This pattern suggests a universal organising mechanism governing life's distribution across biogeographical regions.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have made a breakthrough in harnessing patient's own T-cells to fight off cancer by creating artificial surfaces mimicking natural immune cells. These surfaces, engineered with nanostructures, strengthen and prolong activation of T-cells, leading to more effective immunotherapy.
A team of physicists from UAlbany has proposed scientifically rigorous methods for documenting and analyzing UAP, building upon past research. They tested their approach in the field, reporting findings as part of a special edition of Progress in Aerospace Sciences, and successfully explained all but one potential anomaly.
Researchers identified a novel region in AR that binds to PCNA, and developed a small peptide to mimic this region, blocking the AR-PCNA connection. This approach reduced cancer cell growth, particularly in patients with limited treatment options.
The Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2024 collection empowers young minds to understand and question innovations that could soon change how we live, work, and care for the planet. Reviewers aged 8-15 helped ensure content is clear and engaging for their peers.
Dr. Ghosh's expertise combines clinical, social science, and policy research to address the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations. His initiatives focus on developing interventions against heatwaves, hurricanes, and flooding.
A study published in the Milbank Quarterly found that evidence supporting state policies regulating teen social media use is limited. The authors analyzed 69 state social media legislative initiatives and concluded that while there is some association between social media use and adverse adolescent outcomes, the causal effects of harm ...
A recent study by Luiza Cesar Riani Costa and Diene Monique Carlos has provided insights into non-suicidal self-harm among adolescents. The booklet, featuring photographs and experiences of young people, offers a low-cost therapeutic and educational tool to address mental health concerns.
Research found that LGBTQ+ adolescents experiencing violence, bullying, or rejection have trouble falling asleep, whereas those with supportive environments sleep better. Gender minority youth who can use restrooms matching their identity also report less sleep struggle.
PhD students will benefit from international mobility and privileged access to world-class research infrastructure as part of a joint training program between INRS and ELI. The partnership aims to train the next generation of researchers in ultrafast laser science, fostering collaboration and innovation.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that neutrophils recruited by the tumor environment support tumor progression. They identified neutrophils and endothelial cells as key players in advanced-stage breast cancer tissues.
A New Zealand study supports the theory of punctuated equilibrium, which suggests that evolution occurs in short, intense periods followed by long stretches of stability. The research confirms rapid evolutionary change coincides with species branching, potentially leading to its wider acceptance.
The new device, nicknamed ABLE, uses a natural process to condense airborne biomarkers into water droplets, allowing for accurate detection at low concentrations. This technology has immediate applications in hospitals and neonatal units, offering a less invasive alternative to blood draws.
Researchers at Boston University are developing a groundbreaking method for securing sensitive data in the face of emerging quantum computing threats. Their approach, called Encrypted Operator Computing (EOC), merges physics, computer science, and mathematics to enable scalable methods for computing directly on encrypted data.