A new study provides direct evidence that microbes can contribute to the origin of new species by reducing the viability of hybrids. The researchers used jewel wasp species with similar microbiomes but differing genetic backgrounds to demonstrate this effect.
Researchers propose a new theory linking cancer's evolutionary roots to ancient life forms. If correct, it may transform cancer therapy by revealing a systematic response to stress or physical challenges.
Researchers have developed a new method for identifying cell of origin of proteins in multicellular environments, enabling comprehensive mapping of cell-cell communication. This technique, CTAP, exploits amino acid biosynthesis and stable isotope labeling to link proteins directly to specific cell types.
A recent study found that both cousin marriage and older mothers have a significantly increased risk of birth defects, with nearly 31% of birth defects in babies of Pakistani origin attributed to consanguineous marriages. The study also showed that maternal education can be protective against congenital anomalies.
Scientists discover fossilized skull of Sinotherium lagrelii, a transitional taxon between Elasmotherium and other elasmotheres. The discovery provides new insights into the origin of the unicorn-like horn and sheds light on the evolution of giant elasmotheres.
Six new papers in Geosphere explore the geology of North America, focusing on the Colorado River sediment budget and its link to uplift and erosion. The papers also examine the magmatism, ash-flow tuffs, and calderas of the western Nevada volcanic field, shedding light on ignimbrite chronology and caldera formation.
A new rodent study found that Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and Autism Spectrum Disorder share common molecular vulnerabilities. Low-dose thyroxin treatment appears to alleviate some effects of alcohol exposure on offspring. The study suggests a potential biochemical marker for identifying children at risk for ASD.
A new study of over 1 million Israeli adolescents found a quadrupled higher risk of skin cancer among those of European origin and those immigrating from Europe. Childhood sun exposure is identified as a clear preventable risk factor for melanoma in Israel's subtropical climate.
A novel avian-origin H7N9 influenza virus was found to show rapid evolution, with several viruses circulating in Hangzhou. The virus's pathogenesis in humans remains unknown, but substitutions have been identified as potential pathogenicity factors.
Scientists found that the Moon's water originated from the Earth, suggesting the proto-Earth was already wet at the time of the Giant Impact. The study used hydrogen isotopes to determine the origin of water in the Moon and matched it with carbonaceous chondrites on Earth.
The law impacts self-esteem, risky behavior, community safety, stress, and health among Latino youth and families. The symposium explores the effects of S.B. 1070 on their well-being.
A three-year study by Professor Michael Blaber and his team suggests that proteins, not RNA, were the first molecules to form life. The researchers found that 10 prebiotic amino acids could be folded into complex protein structures in a high-salt environment, supporting a 'protein-first' view of abiogenesis.
The North American Cordillera is composed of dozens of crustal blocks that were welded onto the continent over 200 million years. A new study clarifies their mode of origin, identifying a previously unknown oceanic plate that contributed to their assembly.
Chemical gardens, a school experiment, inspire origin-of-life research at hydrothermal vents. Scientist test electric currents flowing from flower-like structures in chemical gardens.
A novel stem cell niche for the ovarian surface epithelium has been identified, where ovarian carcinoma preferentially originates. This discovery provides a new guide for scientists to look for stem cell niches and sources of cancer in other transitional zones.
University of Georgia researchers discovered essential genes in archaea that shed light on the history of microorganisms and the origins of life. The study found unique DNA synthesis systems, essential genes necessary for methane production, and insights into cell formation.
A team of researchers led by UC Riverside Professor Alexander A. Balandin has solved the long-standing issue of low-frequency electronic 1/f noise in materials and devices. By studying multi-layered graphene samples, they found that the origin of this signal is at the surface of electrical conductors, contrary to previous research.
New experiments show that complex molecules can form in icy grains in space, potentially bringing the building blocks of life to Earth. The discovery opens the door to comets or meteorites as a source for life's origins.
Scientists at Georgia Institute of Technology explore an alternate theory for RNA origin, finding molecules that spontaneously assemble into gene-length linear stacks in water. The discovery suggests proto-RNA bases could have formed the first genetic material.
Researchers studied the origin of freshwater bodies in the New Jersey shelf and found it comes from modern rainwater, seawater, and a brine from deep sediments. They also investigated active methane formation beneath the seafloor and its potential impact on greenhouse gas emissions during ice ages.
A new study reveals the US Supreme Court is slightly more diverse today than ever in history, with high diversity in professional background and racial origin. However, the Court lacks educational diversity, with all justices attending either Harvard or Yale Law Schools.
Researchers sequenced the rock pigeon genome, revealing its evolutionary secrets and genetic diversity. The study found that major breed groups originated in the Middle East and that a specific gene controls the development of head crests.
A study published in the Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care found that Mexican-origin patients with HIV often used complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) to support their health and alleviate symptoms. Healthcare providers need to learn about CAM benefits and risks and teach patients to report CAM use to develop e...
New Geosphere articles explore Sonograms of Earth, a 1138-m-long drill core representing 20 million years of glacial history. The articles also examine alternative hypotheses for the origin of Grand Canyon and solve debates over Death Valley.
A study of 900 Spanish consumers found that country of origin is the most important factor when buying fish, with Spain being the preferred choice. The majority of respondents prefer wild fish and fresh products, highlighting a trend towards domestic consumption.
Scientists propose that early life forms utilized deep-sea hydrothermal vents to harness energy, driving the emergence of complex cellular structures. The new theory explains why all living organisms conserve energy in the form of ion gradients across membranes.
Global life expectancy has increased by 11.1 years for men and 12.1 years for women since 1970. Notable gains in life expectancy have been observed in the Maldives, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Iran, and Peru. However, some countries, such as Haiti, Lesotho, Belarus, and Ukraine, have experienced significant declines due to various factors like...
Researchers have discovered that congenital heart defects could be linked to the development of cells in the embryo as early as 12-14 hours after fertilization. The study's findings provide new insights into the causes of cardiac malformations and may lead to better treatments for affected families.
Researchers at Arizona State University propose a novel approach to the origins of life, focusing on the 'software' - information content. The study suggests that life is characterized by its unique use of information, providing a roadmap for identifying criteria for emergence. This approach moves away from chemical-based approaches, w...
A study published in Current Biology found that the European Romani population has its roots in northwestern India, dating back around 1,500 years. The research used genome-wide data to confirm this origin and shed light on the history of the Romani people.
A recent study using computer modelling shed light on the origin of sight in animals, including humans. The researchers found that the ability to detect light developed over a span of 11 million years from a 'blind' opsin ancestor.
Researchers discovered a vital clue to dyslexia's origin, finding that individuals with dyslexia exhibit difficulties in speech perception and extracting phonetic categories. The study, published in PLOS ONE, reveals the phonetic system may be the culprit behind the learning disorder.
A new report by the University of Leeds and the University of Leicester found that death rates in children's intensive care units are decreasing overall. However, there is a persistent higher risk of mortality for children of south Asian origin, highlighting disparities in staffing levels and quality of care.
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has been awarded a $8 million 5-year grant from NASA to study the origin and evolution of life on Earth. The research team will use genomics to explore deep evolutionary time, searching for signatures of early collective states of life.
The ORIGIN-GRACE study found that insulin glargine significantly reduced secondary outcomes of atherosclerosis progression, but had no effect on primary outcomes. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements also showed no significant effect on either outcome.
Researchers have discovered that ancient sea creatures like sponges and jellyfish possess the building blocks of striated muscles found in higher animals. Gene duplication is believed to be responsible for the emergence of muscle myosin, a crucial protein structure, which evolved independently in these organisms.
Researchers from 11 countries conduct the most comprehensive study on ice types and structures, revealing its impact on climate change and origin of life. The study also analyzes the un Predictability of avalanches and the presence of ice on Mars and comets.
Researchers at A*STAR's Singapore Immunology Network discovered that long-lived, skin-deep immune cells called Langerhans cells originate from two distinct embryonic sites - the early yolk sac and the foetal liver. These cells play a critical role in initiating protective responses against harmful foreign invaders.
A VTT researcher has provided an explanation for sliding friction between solid objects, attributing it to surface energy of materials. The discovery enables quantitative calculation of the friction coefficient and potential manipulation of friction by selecting specific surface materials.
A new study by Carnegie's Andrew Steele provides strong evidence that Martian organic carbon originates from the planet itself, not Earth or other meteorites. The findings reveal insights into Mars' volcanic history and suggest the presence of organic chemistry throughout its history.
Researchers have discovered that children's brain tumors preserve characteristics of the normal cells from which they originate, offering new hope for effective treatments. The study found that tumour malignancy is linked to cellular origin and time of tumour development, improving prospects for targeted therapies.
A global team of scientists led by Virginia Tech and the University of Tuscia has successfully traced the origin of the devastating kiwifruit pathogen Psa back to its likely source in China. The research used DNA sequencing technology to compare bacteria samples from around the world, revealing that they were nearly identical except fo...
A new essay examines what constitutes 'life' and the probability of discovering new life forms. Professor Gerald Joyce argues that a truly new life form would arise through chemistry, not biology, and that humans long for intelligent life in the universe.
The European Union experienced some convergence in health expectancies between 2008-2010, with Lithuania showing the largest gain and Sweden having the longest life expectancy. Men generally live shorter lives than women, but experience a slightly higher proportion of healthy life years.
The IceCube Neutrino Observatory has found no neutrinos emitted from gamma ray bursts, contradicting 15 years of predictions and challenging one of the two leading theories for high-energy cosmic rays. The result opens a new window on cosmic ray production and the interior processes of GRBs.
Researchers have found evidence that smaller hyperthermal events, which occurred more than 50 million years ago, had a similar origin to the larger Pelaeocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM). The study confirms that these events were atmospheric and global, rather than just oceanic processes.
A symposium on TMJ stem cell biology and engineering presents novel clinical therapy approaches for TMJ disorders. Researchers discuss the origin, homeostasis, differentiation, hormonal regulation, and bioengineering of temporomandibular joint tissues.
Researchers have mapped the molecular-level details of how protein machinery binds and wraps DNA to start replication, a crucial process for cell division. The study sheds light on how this complex choreography is orchestrated by intricate cellular proteins, potentially leading to new ways to fight cancer.
A new study published in GSA BULLETIN suggests that linear dunes may have formed through erosion rather than deposition. The research found evidence of erosional origin similar to yardangs in China's Qaidam Basin, which could provide insights into the formation of linear dunes on other planets, such as Saturn's moon Titan.
A team led by Rutgers University professor Debashish Bhattacharya has sequenced the genome of Cyanophora paradoxa, a one-celled alga that shed light on the evolution of photosynthesis. The study reveals that all plastids trace their origin to a single primary endosymbiosis, approximately 1.6 billion years ago.
A Michigan State University professor is exploring the origin of life at its fundamental building blocks, finding connections between bacteria and humans through molecular complementarity. This shared set of modules may hold the key to understanding evolution and explaining diseases like diabetes.
A team from the University of the Basque Country has successfully isolated ribose, a fundamental sugar, in the gas phase. This achievement provides crucial information about the structure and stability of sugars, which are essential for understanding the origins of life on Earth and potentially elsewhere in the universe.
Linguist Michael Cysouw disputes Quentin Atkinson's claim that the cradle of language is in southwest Africa, citing inconsistent results from comparative linguistics analysis. The study's findings suggest the site of language origin may be located in eastern Africa or the Caucasus, rather than supporting an 'Out-of-Africa' model.
Researchers investigate giant submarine landslides using subsurface data to understand their form and origin. The study also sheds light on the tectonic history of the Eastern Cordillera and provides new insights into the formation of mountains along the Atlantic margin of northeastern Brazil.
Researchers at the University of York have successfully recreated a process that could be responsible for the origin of carbohydrates in life. By using simple left-handed amino acids as catalysts, they produced predominantly right-handed sugars, shedding light on how these building blocks came to dominate nature.
Researchers have identified the 'speed gene' in modern Thoroughbred racehorses as originating from a single British mare around 300 years ago. This finding was made by analyzing DNA from hundreds of horses and is significant for understanding the evolution of racing strategies.
A team led by LSU Professor Bradley Schaefer and graduate student Ashley Pagnotta discovered the origin of thermonuclear supernovae as a pair of white dwarf stars. The study resolves the decades-long 'progenitor problem' in astrophysics, with no remaining possible explanations for the explosions.
Chinese fossils have provided insights into the evolutionary origin of animals from single-cell ancestors. The fossils preserve stages in the life cycle of an amoeba-like organism, revealing a pattern similar to early animal embryology, contrary to previous assumptions.
A study by the University of Edinburgh found that Scots of Pakistani origin are 50% more likely to be admitted to hospital with chest pain and angina. Chinese people in Scotland have lower rates of hospital admissions for these conditions, suggesting lifestyle factors may play a role.
A new study found that women with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations inherited from their fathers tend to be diagnosed with breast cancer a decade earlier than those who inherit the genes from their mothers. The research analyzed 130 patients and discovered significant differences in age of diagnosis based on parent-of-origin effects.