The Golden Goose Award recognizes federally funded research that unexpectedly benefits society, such as the development of cisplatin for testicular cancer treatment. The award also honors scientists who have made significant contributions to disease diagnostics.
A team of scientists at Heidelberg University has discovered a protein complex in chloroplasts that triggers the closure of microscopic pores on leaves to prevent water loss. This hormone, abscisic acid, is formed via biosynthesis and ensures plant survival during extreme drought conditions.
PhD candidate Jonah Branding's work provides a framework for evaluating animal consciousness, distinguishing between symmetry and asymmetry approaches. The study highlights the importance of considering hermit crabs as a case example to navigate complex questions about animal welfare and conservation policy.
Leading German business schools ESMT Berlin, Mannheim Business School, and WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management have launched a joint initiative to bring greater international attention to Germany's advantages in science and education. The initiative aims to emphasize the country's affordable study programs, reliable structures for...
A.J. Jacobs will discuss strategies for communicating nuanced scientific information and building trust with the public. The event aims to foster excitement around research and evidence-based practice.
Researchers found that a high-fat, low-carb ketogenic diet can improve brain health and stop or slow cognitive decline in individuals with the APOE4 gene. This study suggests that precision nutrition tailored to an individual's genotype, gut microbiome, gender, and age may be more effective than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Plant functional diversity varies greatly depending on seasonal cycles and wet-dry periods, according to a new study that analyzed 4,000 satellite images. The researchers used AI algorithms to derive plant traits from the images and calculated quantitative measures of functional diversity.
This study found that TNF-α is highly expressed in asthma patients' airways and induces bronchial fibroblasts to produce inflammatory cytokines. The upregulated genes are closely related to eosinophil or neutrophil inflammation, indicating a role for bronchial fibroblasts in airway inflammation.
Researchers found that subtle changes in four amino acids of the naked mole-rat's cGAS enzyme enhance its ability to repair aging-related genetic damage. This allows for stronger interactions with repair factors, boosting HR repair and contributing to the species' extraordinary longevity.
Climate-driven oxygen loss can trigger expansion of microorganisms producing methylmercury, a potent neurotoxin. Ancient DNA analysis shows similar processes occurred in the past; modern warming oceans risk similar conditions.
A significant association was found between increased lung cancer incidence and higher reported exposure levels among World Trade Center (WTC) responders. Future studies will investigate specific exposures and histologic changes to clarify the role of WTC exposure on prognosis.
Using extreme ultraviolet high-harmonic interferometry, researchers tracked changes in the electronic bandgap of silica glass and magnesium oxide under strong laser excitation. The study found a shrinking bandgap in silica and a widening bandgap in magnesium oxide.
A new study found that implicit biases impact how much effort individuals, both autistic and non-autistic, put into charitable behaviors. While explicit biases were not a factor, participants showed self-bias in decisions, prioritizing their own efforts over others.
Researchers found that cancer cells in a tumor environment with acidosis can switch to more efficient energy production, using networks of mitochondria instead of fragmented structures. This adaptation helps cancer cells survive under adverse conditions, and could lead to new treatments targeting the energy metabolism of tumors.
This study found that aged rats living in socially enriched environments retained better memory and cognitive flexibility than those housed alone. Socially housed rats showed increased activity in the hippocampus and reduced overactivity in the anterior cingulate cortex, suggesting a more balanced and efficient neural response.
A new system developed by researchers at Nagoya University can detect genetic mutations in brain tumors with high accuracy and speed. The system successfully identified key markers for diagnosis of diffuse glioma, a common type of brain tumor.
Researchers have found that GLP-1 therapies may help reduce alcohol and other substance use by modulating neurobiological pathways underlying addictive behaviors. The therapies, which are commonly used to treat diabetes and obesity, have shown encouraging results in early clinical trials.
Researchers found that songbird juveniles rely heavily on their siblings and other adults for learning life skills when parental care is limited. In contrast, only about 25% of young birds learned to solve feeding puzzles from their parents.
Researchers have developed a novel imaging technique to visualize Toxoplasma's endocytosis process. The parasite actively recycles its membrane by absorbing parts through micropores and reusing them for daughter cells.
Astronomers have captured the first-ever radio image of two black holes orbiting each other at the centre of a quasar called OJ287. The observation confirms the existence of black hole pairs and provides insight into their orbital motion.
The MetaGraph digital tool enables fast and accurate searching of vast DNA sequence datasets, streamlining genetic research. By indexing raw data with metadata, researchers can identify specific mutations and rare hereditary diseases in patients, accelerating discoveries in fields like antibiotic resistance.
Researchers at MIT have found a hidden atomic order in metals that changes their properties, including mechanical strength and heat capacity. The discovery reveals a new physical phenomenon explaining the persistent patterns and provides a simple model to predict chemical patterns in metals.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a new framework to protect industrial processing facilities from cyber threats. The framework identifies vulnerabilities, detects abnormal activity in real-time, and provides safeguards and mitigation strategies to maintain safe operations.
A new global standard has been established to harmonize outcomes measurement in dengue treatment trials, addressing a longstanding discrepancy that limits the comparison of evidence. The initiative aims to accelerate the development of treatments for dengue fever and improve clinical guidelines, with input from experts worldwide.
A team of researchers has shed light on how Europe's largest bat hunts and consumes small birds. The bats use loud and low-frequency ultrasound echolocation calls to detect prey at great distances, then pursue it in steep dives towards the ground, catching and eating birds in mid-air.
The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) has released a comprehensive guide to accelerate the translation of human pluripotent stem cell-derived therapies into clinical trials and commercial use. The guidance outlines key principles and decision points for developing safe, effective, and regulatory-compliant products.
Researchers found compound drought-heatwave events rippling and persisting through the night, exacerbating heat-related health risks. Soil dryness plays a key role in triggering these extreme events, which can affect crops, wildfires, and daily life.
Researchers developed a portable sensor to detect synthetic cannabinoids in e-cigarette liquids and biological fluids, allowing for early intervention and harm reduction. The device shows high selectivity and sensitivity, detecting concentrations as low as 0.2 µM and identifying specific peaks that quantify substances present.
Researchers designed proteins with autonomous decision-making capabilities, controlling their localization based on environmental cues. This breakthrough enables more finely targeted drug delivery, reducing off-target effects and improving therapy efficacy.
A new study reveals that fossil fuel companies are failing to invest in renewables, with only 20% owning an operational project and renewable energy representing just 0.1% of their primary energy extraction.
Researchers at Washington State University found that early planting to avoid heat damage may actually hinder spring wheat productivity due to other growth issues. The study used computer modeling to show that moving crop plantings earlier in the season can expose crops to elevated heat or cold stress in later growth stages.
Researchers discovered that adults can better access their early memories after embodying a childlike version of their own face. Participants who viewed their childlike faces recalled significantly more episodic childhood memories than those who saw their adult faces.
A study published in Aging Cell suggests that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help reverse changes in the immune system caused by menopause, leading to a healthier immune profile. Women taking HRT showed fewer inflammatory monocytes and stronger infection-fighting ability compared to age-matched controls.
A study published in Nature Geoscience found that North American ice sheets caused over 30 feet of global sea-level rise between 8,000 and 9,000 years ago. This discovery challenges decades of research and has significant implications for understanding climate change.
A nationwide survey in Japan revealed that patients have a strong desire for involvement in allergy research, but researchers often fail to engage. The study identifies key priorities for improving patient-centered care, including training programs and digital tools.
A key molecular player, RfaH, has been identified as a protective shield for bacterial genes, enabling them to survive the hostile environment inside the body. The protein ensures transcription runs to completion, making it an anti-terminator that prevents premature termination of gene expression.
A pioneering case of pig-to-human liver xenotransplantation has been successfully demonstrated, with the genetically engineered porcine liver functioning for an extended period in a human recipient. The patient survived for 171 days despite complications such as xenotransplantation-associated thrombotic microangiopathy.
The UT Health San Antonio Center for Brain Health will unveil a 7-Tesla Terra.X MRI system, providing ultra-high-resolution brain images for diagnosing and studying conditions like dementia and Parkinson's. The technology expands what is possible in research and discovery.
Scientists at RIKEN Center for Brain Science found that fruit flies use separate circuits to compute pleasant and unpleasant odors, challenging the idea that 'good' is the opposite of 'bad'. The discovery may contribute to a better understanding of human brain's flavor appreciation mechanisms.
The white paper highlights findings on persistent employee burnout, limited AI training, and better experiences among employees who use AI. It offers practical recommendations for employers and policymakers to adopt human-centered approaches to AI adoption.
Researchers found vole teeth evolved from simple changes in tooth growth over six million years, making them excellent grass-eaters during ice ages. This discovery sheds light on how development steers species adaptation and informs conservation efforts.
Researchers at ShanghaiTech University have developed a highly selective method for exchanging functional groups on boron atoms in organic compounds. This strategy has been successfully applied to sugar-derived diboron compounds, enabling the efficient synthesis of complex molecules and exhibiting potential applications in drug discovery.
Research suggests that the US can mine sufficient graphite to produce batteries for electric vehicles and stationary storage, but economic factors make it challenging. The country's supply of natural graphite exceeds demand projections, while synthetic graphite demand is expected to outpace supply.
Researchers found that certain soil minerals can trap dissolved organic matter released from biochar, keeping more carbon in the soil. Low-intensity rainfall helps retain this dissolved carbon within mineral-rich soils, limiting its downward movement and loss.
Researchers developed a novel real-time biosensing platform for detecting liver function impairment via WGM laser technology, enabling highly sensitive detection of ALT. The system uses functionalized liquid crystal microcavities to generate an optical response to pH variations induced by the ALT-catalyzed enzymatic reaction.
A recent study found no association between mould damage in schools and the development of asthma among students. Despite extensive mould damage in some schools, the health of over 30,000 students was tracked over a 16-year period, showing no increase in asthma cases.
Researchers developed a new model to predict risk of subsequent cardiovascular events in patients with ASCVD, outperforming current guidelines. The novel scoring tools use readily available clinical factors and blood assays, enabling easier, faster clinical translation.
A new journal, Energy & Environment Nexus, calls for a science-based approach to balancing economic growth, social well-being, and environmental protection. The journal introduces the concept of the 'Energy and Environment Nexus', emphasizing the interdependence of energy, society, and the environment.
Researchers discovered TaMYB10-3A as a molecular switch controlling condensed tannin presence in wheat grains. The study identified genetic markers for precise modulation of condensed tannin content.
A new nurse-led model in Australia is utilizing primary care nurses trained in dermoscopy and AI to detect suspicious skin lesions, resulting in over 1200 screenings and 96 suspected melanoma cases. The initiative aims to bridge healthcare gaps and save thousands of lives by empowering nurses to lead skin cancer detection.
A new systematic review from Edith Cowan University highlights the lack of evidence-based guidelines for non-sterile glove use in healthcare, potentially harming patients and the environment. The study's findings suggest that reducing unnecessary glove use can save healthcare costs and reduce medical waste.
Griffith University researchers have developed a method to tune cancer cell behavior using re-entrant microstructures, which can guide cell attachment, spreading, and multiplication. The study uses simple design rules to achieve mechanosensitive behaviors that emerged when curvature and confinement were introduced.
Recent estimates suggest tens of thousands of children in Gaza are suffering from acute malnutrition, with over 12,800 severely so. The study tracks wasting among children during the war and highlights unprecedented increases in child malnutrition following periods of blockades and severe aid restrictions.
A UK study of 10 million men found that prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing may not effectively target those most likely to benefit from the test. Many patients are being retested more frequently than recommended, even without symptoms or previous low PSA values.
Researchers have identified four distinct profiles of Nonverbal Learning Disability, each with different strengths and challenges. The study suggests that current diagnostic criteria may be too broad, highlighting the importance of individualized approaches to care for children with NVLD.
Scientists at Scripps Research discovered a new kind of cell that helps protect insulin production, paving the way to understanding how researchers could prevent or reverse type 1 diabetes. Vascular-associated fibroblastic cells (VAFs) act as molecular peacekeepers in the pancreas, actively protecting insulin-producing cells from the i...
Researchers at UBC Okanagan have discovered the first plant enzyme that can twist a molecule into the spiro shape, opening up new ways to produce the rare natural compound mitraphylline. This breakthrough could lead to sustainable synthesis of anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour agents with enormous pharmaceutical value.
Dr. Ashley Cornish has been awarded the 2025 Peter B. Wagner Memorial Award for her research on the impacts of plant physiological responses to rising CO2 on humidity-based extreme heat. Her study found that decreases in water vapor from plants lead to warmer temperatures, corresponding with increases in extreme heat events.
A global analysis reveals that up to one in three women report living with a heavy-drinking partner, while children exposed to men's harmful drinking face increased risk of violence and poor health. The review emphasizes the need for gender-responsive policies and interventions to address these harms.
Researchers measured gas emissions from 96 US wastewater plants, finding they produce 1.9-2.4 times more nitrous oxide and methane than previously thought. This means taking steps to improve a small number of plants can have a significant impact on overall pollution.