Scientists at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute have found a way to influence long-term memory formation in the immune system. The researchers discovered that proteins responding to the cells' environment can push effector cells towards memory, leading to the creation of specialized cells to combat specific invading pathogens.
Eating lettuce is over three times worse in greenhouse gas emissions than eating bacon, according to a Carnegie Mellon University study. A vegetarian diet with recommended 'healthier' foods increases energy use, water use, and GHG emissions by 38%, 10% and 6% respectively.
Researchers found that water ions escape from Saturn's magnetosphere at a reconnection point, where magnetic fields disconnect and reconnect. This discovery helps scientists understand the physics of rapid rotators like Jupiter and how they expel materials.
Researchers found that cancer cells need help from the surrounding tissue to establish and form a new tumor. The faster the surroundings change, the faster the cancer cells will grow. THSB2 protein helps cancer cells adapt their environment, activating fibroblasts to support cancer growth.
Researchers found that moving from forest to urban habitats affects epigenetic patterns of the immune response, while historical lifestyles impact development and physical characteristics. These findings suggest a significant influence of environment on epigenetics and potential risks for autoimmune diseases.
A new study by Siyuan Zhang and colleagues reveals that the microenvironment of tumor cells has a significant impact on cancer metastasis. The study suggests that the 'seed and soil' model, where tumors adapt to new tissues, can be used to prevent metastasis.
Tufts University chemist Mary Jane Shultz has discovered a way to select specific surfaces of single-crystal ice for study. This breakthrough promises insights into climate and the environment, enabling researchers to better understand interactions between vapor and ice crystals in clouds.
Scientists at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute have discovered that a small shift in environmental factors can change how a cell in the immune system matures. They examined how interleukin-15 influences gene expression patterns in T helper cells, finding that it promotes a different kind of immune response similar to decreased...
A study found that more restrictive gun laws were associated with lower rates of youth gun carrying in the US. The analysis of state-level gun law scores and adult gun ownership levels revealed a 10-point increase in gun law score was linked to 9% lower odds of youth gun carrying.
Research finds that spending time in nature enhances the functioning of the body's immune system, providing protections against a range of diseases including depression and cardiovascular disease. The immune system plays a crucial role in every one of these diseases, highlighting the importance of exposure to nature for overall health.
New research suggests offering financial incentives for farming industries to mitigate environmental impact has a positive effect on greenhouse gas reduction and increased biodiversity. However, the study finds that current agriculture funding models are 'perverse subsidies,' promoting negative actions in both the long and short term.
Researchers found that ancient Maya activity contributed to environmental decline and continues to influence today's conditions. They identified six stratigraphic markers indicating large-scale change in climate, vegetation, hydrology, and lithosphere.
A study published in Nature found that guppies evolved 135 genes in response to a new environment, with most changes affecting biological processes like metabolism and immune function. However, the initial response was often opposite to the eventual evolutionary change, suggesting that genes can adapt quickly in the short term.
Researchers found a unique insight into megathrust earthquakes through GPS data and radar measurements. The study revealed a pulse-like rupture that occurred over six seconds, with an extremely fast rupture velocity of approximately 3.2km/s.
A Baylor University study found that counties in the US with more beautiful weather and scenery have lower rates of membership and affiliation with religious organizations. The research suggests that natural amenities can serve as conduits to the sacred, competing with traditional religious congregations.
Engineers at MIT have developed a model that predicts the force needed for robotic grippers to adjust their grasp on an object by interacting with the environment. This approach, called extrinsic dexterity, enables robots to perform more complex maneuvers without needing expensive and complex hand designs.
A team of researchers has advanced new modeling technology to quantify human dependence on nature and its impact on human well-being. The study found that people who depended on multiple types of ecosystem services fared better than those with limited resources.
Researchers created a simulation of Pluto's space environment to estimate solar wind densities and understand how they affect the dwarf planet's atmosphere. The models, which take into account coronal mass ejections and other factors, suggest that Pluto may experience low solar wind densities for about a month before being compressed.
Researchers found that implanting a biomaterial scaffold after spinal cord injury creates a favorable environment for nerve regeneration. Seeding Schwann cells had no significant effect on the lesion environment.
Scientists have discovered Kelvin-Helmholtz waves at the boundaries of near-Earth space, which are now found to be much more prevalent than previously thought. These waves are triggered by plumes of charged gas from Earth's plasmasphere and interact with the solar wind and magnetosphere.
A mother's environment around the time of conception can affect her child's lifelong risk of disease by altering the function of a specific gene. The study found that maternal nutrition, particularly in rural Gambia, impacts the methylation marks on the VTRNA2-1 gene, which influences immunity and cancer risk.
Current mobile contracts are causing significant environmental damage through frequent upgrades and waste. Researchers propose a cloud-based product service system to reduce precious resources needed for mobile devices.
Research finds that growth-promoting hormones like TBA used in beef production can persist in the environment at higher concentrations and for longer durations than previously thought. This persistence has significant impacts on aquatic ecosystems, including disrupting reproductive cycles and altering entire food webs.
Research identifies a sensitive period when children's stress response systems are influenced by their caregiving environment. Children who spent early years in institutional care had blunted responses, but those removed and placed in foster care showed similar responses to community-raised children.
A study by biologists and public health experts finds that nature exposure is linked to improved human health, but the optimal dose of nature is unclear. The researchers propose a new approach to studying nature exposure through dose-response modeling, which could help develop recommendations for enhancing human health in urban areas.
Scientists report preliminary studies suggesting chlorine treatment in wastewater plants may create new, stronger antibiotics. This could contribute to growing antibiotic resistance problem and harm aquatic life.
A recent spill of 3 million gallons of fracking wastewater in North Dakota has raised concerns about the potential harm it could cause to human health and the environment. Scientists are using advanced analytical techniques to study the composition of fracking fluids and wastewater, which may break down differently in the environment.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have discovered a key RNA mechanism that helps plants adapt to their environment, which could lead to improved crop yields and gene therapies for diseases like cancer. The findings also suggest similar mechanisms exist in humans, providing new avenues for medical research.
A McGill University team has identified a mechanism by which environmental factors influence the expression of genes controlling complex traits. By manipulating DNA methylation levels, researchers were able to create variation in worker ant sizes, shedding light on the interplay between genetics and environment in shaping these traits.
A study published in Springer's Environmental Management journal found that removing grazing cattle from a wildlife refuge in Oregon has led to significant rehabilitation of the natural environment. The removal of cattle has resulted in an increase in woody riparian vegetation, reduction in erosion, and improved water quality.
A study on the Thames river found that greater numbers of resistant bacteria exist close to waste water treatment works, which are likely responsible for increasing antibiotic resistance. The researchers suggest that improvements in treatment processes could hold the key to reducing the prevalence of resistant bacteria in the environment.
A new international project, led by the University of Exeter, aims to study how ancient societies used and transformed the Amazonian land. The research will focus on the scale and nature of human societies' transformation of the environment during the late pre-Columbian period.
Research at University College London reveals that grid cells in the brain modify their patterns based on the environment's geometry. The study found that grid patterns align with the local environment and distort in trapezoid-shaped spaces, challenging previous theories about the brain's navigation system.
A Dartmouth study reveals that grid cells in the entorhinal cortex play a crucial role in generating the signal for spatial navigation. The findings contribute to our understanding of how we update our spatial perception as we move through our environment, which is essential for navigating and survival.
A Stanford University School of Medicine investigation found that the environment, rather than genetics, influences the state of the human immune system. The study compared monozygotic and dizygotic twins to determine the relative contributions of nature and nurture to immune variation.
A team of scientists has identified the nature of fish's 'sixth sense', which allows them to detect flows of water. The research found that a unique layout of flow sensors on the surface of fish is nearly universal across species, enabling them to retrieve signals about water flow and use this information in different behaviors.
Researchers developed a novel sensor that changes color depending on the confinement of space in cells, demonstrating the effects of lack of space on protein behavior. The study reveals attractive forces inside cells that override compression effects, leading to changes in protein functions under osmotic stress.
A recent study published in the Royal Society journal Interface suggests that humans have evolved to rely too heavily on social information, leading to a decrease in responsiveness to changes in their environment. This phenomenon, known as herd mentality, can result in groups becoming less effective at making decisions.
A new paper reveals that global dietary trends are diminishing human health and harming the environment. Alternative diets offer substantial health benefits and could reduce greenhouse gas emissions, land clearing, and species extinctions.
A new study by researchers at the University of Montreal found that school environment plays a determining role in teacher expectations of students. The study showed that school academic composition is the most influential factor, followed by socioeconomic and ethnic composition of students.
A new study suggests that assigning a price to nature's services can lead to trade-offs between conservation and economic benefits. While some ecosystems benefit from pricing, others suffer as traditional conservation strategies may not effectively protect the economic value of biodiversity.
Scientists developed new geochemical tracers to detect hydraulic fracturing flowback fluids in the environment. The tracers can track the presence of frac fluids and distinguish them from wastewater coming from other sources.
Scientists have developed geochemical tracers that can identify hydraulic fracturing flowback fluids in the environment. The tracers were tested at a spill site in West Virginia and a brine wastewater treatment plant in Pennsylvania, allowing for the detection of frac fluid contamination and potential risks to water supplies.
A recent study by the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry identified key knowledge gaps in understanding pharmaceutical and personal care product (PPCP) impacts on ecosystems and human health. The priority areas include research on human health exposure, as well as regional testing methods for measuring PPCPs in the envir...
Research found that environment plays a significant role in the development of eosinophilic esophagitis, a severe and often painful food allergy. The study also identified several environmental risk factors, including food allergies and high twin birth-weight difference.
Researchers are studying nature's secrets to develop efficient light-based technologies. From seashells to spider wings, scientists are discovering inspiration in the natural world to create innovative solutions for energy, healthcare, and communications.
The gibbon genome study provides new insights into the biology and evolutionary history of this family of apes. Factors contributing to gibbon diversity and adaptability are reported, highlighting the dynamic evolution of mobile elements in primate genomes.
A new study by Yale University authors found that consumers are more likely to purchase a product if it is perceived as environmentally friendly due to unintentional design changes rather than intentional eco-friendly efforts.
More than 500 delegates from 62 countries have issued a call to action to address the impacts of climate change on human health and the global environment. The ecohealth community has developed a vision and commitment to action that will bring together existing efforts to respond to climate change.
Positive psychology research suggests that less materialism leads to increased happiness and well-being, resulting in a healthier environment. Thrift and conserving resources also contribute to overall happiness.
Researchers estimate mercury levels in global ocean, separating natural and human sources for the first time. The study found that ocean waters shallower than 100m have tripled in mercury concentration since the Industrial Revolution.
A new study by New York University found that a well-designed physical work environment can improve nurses' efficiency, teamwork, and communication, leading to higher job satisfaction. The study also revealed that this indirect impact on job satisfaction is associated with better patient outcomes.
A new study has found that the dispersant compound DOSS, used in the Deepwater Horizon spill, persists in the environment for up to four years, remaining associated with oil and affecting marine ecosystems. The persistence of DOSS in deep-sea sediments, corals, and sand patties on Gulf beaches indicates a need for further research into...
Researchers at Kansas State University have found that bacteria can acquire iron from the environment using tiny protein loops on their surface. These protein loops are similar to fingers and can open or close to grab iron molecules, allowing the bacteria to establish an infection.
A study published in Nature Communications found that around half of the genes influencing reading ability also impact mathematics skills. The research suggests a substantial overlap in genetic variants affecting both traits, with complex interactions between genetics and learning environment playing a crucial role.
A new study found that cancer cells' thick sugar coating enhances their survival by altering cell signaling pathways. The coating causes the cell membrane to change shape, leading to unchecked growth and increased lethality for cancer patients.
African Americans have higher preterm delivery rates than non-Hispanic whites, partly due to disparities in residential environments. Researchers are investigating the links between subjective and objective measures of neighborhood exposures and preterm delivery among African American women.
Researchers analyzed honeybee waggle dances to evaluate EU agri-environment schemes, finding they benefit bees. The study used a novel source of data to monitor large land areas and provide information on landscape quality.
Jiang and DeAngelis' theoretical paper explores how species modify their environment to gain benefits, affecting community diversity. Their work is likely to foster further research and generate hypotheses for experimental studies.
The atlas provides maps of 14 diseases and conditions, alongside environmental agents such as air pollution and pesticides. It highlights areas with consistent patterns of lower relative health risks, including central London and North Norfolk.