Researchers develop a strategy to improve the photovoltaic performance of quasi-bilayer organic solar cells by dispersing donor components into the acceptor-dominant phase, achieving a champion PCE of 15.4%. The incorporation of donors improves charge transport balance and suppresses bimolecular recombination.
A new fossil discovery has provided critical evidence for the evolution of the mammalian middle ear, revealing the first unequivocal evidence of the five auditory bones from an extinct group. The findings have narrowed the morphological gap between ancient and modern mammals.
Researchers have reconstructed the ancestral relationships of the hillstream loach family tree, detailing unusual pelvic adaptations that enable some members to crawl or walk on land. The study found three dominant variations of pelvic anatomy that explain different degrees of land-walking behavior among the fishes.
A recent study by Vaishali Bhaumik and Dr Krushnamegh Kunte reveals contrasting effects of migration and dispersal on flight morphology in butterflies. Female butterfly populations that disperse over short distances have a higher egg load, but this declines rapidly as their thorax size increases, enabling stronger flight muscles.
Researchers have developed a promising COVID-19 vaccine candidate using virus-like particles (VLPs) that mimic the native SARS-CoV-2 virus. The VLP platform has shown success in stimulating immune responses against other viruses like HPV and HepB.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of existing studies found associations between adiposity and low semen quality parameters. Overweight and obesity were linked to reduced semen volume, sperm count, vitality, and morphology, while underweight was associated with lower normal morphology.
Two studies published in Genome Research provide new insights into the core regulatory networks governing cell types across different vertebrate species. The research highlights the importance of understanding RNA expression in establishing cell function, morphology, and behavior. Long non-coding RNAs were found to affect cell growth a...
Researchers studied Telica Volcano, using photos collected from 1994-2017 and photogrammetric techniques to quantify changes in crater morphology. They found that crater wall collapse is a primary mechanism for changing volcano shape.
Researchers discovered that lysosomes are active during mitosis and selectively degrade specific proteins, leading to a toroidal nucleus morphology that may indicate chromosomal instability. This finding provides a new perspective on the connection between autophagy and cell division in cancer and other diseases.
A team of researchers at Harvard University has used MicroCT technology to study the head morphology of Leanchoilia illecebrosa, an ancient arthropod species. The study reveals that the species had a labrum, a flap-like structure overlying the mouth opening in most modern arthropods.
A University of Kansas undergraduate majoring in ecology & evolutionary biology, Rachel Smith, has published a description of 18 new species of aquatic water beetles from the genus Chasmogenus. The research involved fieldwork and lab work to identify key differences in DNA evidence and internal anatomy.
A new study led by UNSW reveals that blenny fish's transition from water to land is driven by dietary flexibility, which allows them to survive and thrive on land. The researchers found that once on land, these remarkable creatures face restrictions on food availability, triggering major evolutionary changes in their morphology.
A new study from the University of Pittsburgh and Politecnico di Milano advances computational catalysis by simulating realistic catalysts under reaction conditions. The researchers developed a method to model catalyst morphology and catalytic activity under reaction conditions, enabling the prediction of unpredictable reactions.
Scientists from Japan and Italy use synchrotron X-ray total scattering and vibrational spectroscopies to determine the structural disorder and dimensions of a building unit in the heterogeneous Ziegler-Natta catalyst. The research sheds new light on the full elucidation of nanostructure in practical heterogeneous catalysts.
A recent study by Uppsala University and Princeton University found that gene flow between closely related species of Darwin's finches has affected their beak morphology. The researchers observed a convergence in beak shape among hybrids, which they attributed to gene flow from the medium ground finch to the common cactus finch.
Giorgio Ascoli is working to enhance the NeuroMorpho.org repository by doubling its reconstructions and adding search functionality. He aims to link morphological, physiological, and molecular properties to create a spiking neural network model.
A team of HKUST researchers has analyzed the genome sequence of the scaly-foot snail, a deep-sea creature with armor-like scales. The study reveals that the snail's unique morphology is largely determined by genes already present in other mollusks, such as squid and pearl oysters.
Conditional knockout of the mouse def gene in hepatocytes leads to cell morphology abnormality, constant inflammatory cells infiltration, and multiple tissue damage foci. Partial hepatectomy causes sudden acute death in def conditional knockout mice, which is rescued by dexamethasone treatment.
Researchers found that salamanders' ballistic tongue projection is less temperature-dependent than muscle-powered systems, relying on elastic-spring mechanics to achieve extreme performance. The study identified key morphological features, including rearranged collagen structures, as central to the function of this system.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed a novel method to mix immiscible metals at the nanoscale, creating a range of bimetallic materials. This breakthrough enables the rapid synthesis of copper-based alloys with uniform structure and morphology.
Scientists have developed a 'virtual embryo' model of the sea squirt Phallusia mammillata, providing unprecedented insights into early embryonic development. The study describes the gene expression and morphology of every single cell in the embryo, revealing coordinated regulation and reproducible patterns.
Researchers study pterosaur fossils to understand their wing anatomy and flight capabilities, revealing novel tactics for bioinspired flight technology. By analyzing the morphology and predicted flight mechanics of these ancient creatures, scientists may be able to overcome hurdles still hindering man-made flight.
A new case study using 5 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines shows improved drug screening through morphology and dead cell readouts. The research aims to enhance the value of cancer drug discovery and development success rates.
The NCAM2 protein is essential for the formation of structures for cognitive learning and brain development. A deficit in NCAM2 causes incorrect neuron migration, altered morphology, and cytoskeleton changes, leading to neuronal polarization issues.
Researchers at FAU found that belemnites, ancient squid-like creatures, shrank significantly as water temperatures rose during the Toarcian period. The study suggests climate change played a significant role in shaping the morphology of aquatic organisms and may have contributed to their extinction.
Researchers used 3D imaging to analyze the shape of apes' inner ears, revealing features that support the evolution of hominoids. The study suggests that these structures hold clues to our species' evolutionary relationships with extinct ape species.
Researchers developed a composite membrane for long-life zinc-based flow batteries, improving cycle life and energy efficiency by regulating zinc deposition morphology. The new membrane can stabilize alkaline zinc-iron flow batteries for 500 charge-discharge cycles with over 80% energy efficiency.
A 30-year-old prehistoric human skeleton discovered on the Yucatán Peninsula offers valuable insights into the early settlement history of the American continent. The uranium-thorium dating technique reveals an age of at least 10,000 years, contradicting common beliefs about Paleoindian settlement.
Nano-Pulse Stimulation (NPS) delivers nanosecond pulsed electric fields to cells and tissues, inducing cell death in epidermal or dermal lesions without causing scarring. Researchers used NPS to treat skin lesions, including seborrheic keratosis and warts caused by human papilloma virus.
Researchers have improved the efficiency of organic solar technologies by tweaking the underlying chemistry, boosting power output from 1% to 18%. The new approach uses non-fullerene acceptors, which can be shaped, colored, and semi-transparent, offering advantages over traditional silicon-based solar cells.
Researchers discovered a pattern of mechanisms improving retinal oxygen supply that evolved with enhanced vision in all bony vertebrates. The findings add to our understanding of the evolution of the eye, highlighting its dynamic morphology and relationship with retinal oxygen supply.
A new species of multituberculate mammal, Jeholbaatar kielanae, has been discovered with a distinct middle ear that suggests specialization for feeding. The fossil provides solid evidence of the morphology and articulation of middle-ear bones in multituberculates.
Researchers develop biomimetic fog-gathering technologies inspired by Namib desert beetles, which can increase collector efficiency and provide additional freshwater harvesting opportunities. The technology aims to collect fog in coastal areas with little precipitation, making it a reliable water source.
Harvard researchers have uncovered fundamental physical properties of artificial muscle fibers, shedding light on their shape transformations and design principles. The study explains the theoretical principles underlying complex morphology and provides guidelines for designing optimal soft actuators.
The new special research collection, 'Current Techniques in Morphology,' highlights the impact of advances in technology on the study of insects. The collection features six articles illustrating innovative methods for analyzing insect anatomy and phylogenetics.
A new software tool called Fungal Feature Tracker can analyze images of filamentous fungi to quantify their spores, branch networks and growth patterns, enabling faster data collection than traditional manual techniques. This advancement could improve our understanding of fungal biology and morphology.
Researchers will conduct baseline studies on stream morphology and aquatic habitats before bridge construction and develop predictive models for Texas Department of Transportation. They aim to determine the downstream ecological impacts of bridge construction on freshwater mussels and assess floodwater's force on typical bridges.
Researchers use deflating beach balls to model microscopic hollow spheres, revealing properties that could aid in targeted drug delivery. This understanding may help control directed motion and improve cancer treatment.
Researchers found moderate levels of covariation between human and chimpanzee brain and braincase features, but distinct positions of brain sulci relative to cranial sutures in humans. The study suggests that changes in braincase morphology may be related to increased encephalization and bipedalism.
A recent study on palorchestid marsupials reveals they were giant herbivores that likely filled a niche no longer occupied in modern Australian ecosystems. The animals' forelimbs were extremely muscular and had fixed elbow joints, adapting them as permanently flexed food-gathering tools.
Researchers used numerical simulations to study sediment motion and flow conditions, identifying three stages of dune formation and clarifying the mechanism. The findings can help predict riverbed morphology evolution and prevent hazards like riverbank failure.
Scientists have identified a missing Denisovan finger bone fragment revealing its morphology is closer to modern human digits than previously thought. The finding suggests that finger bone characteristics unique to Neanderthals evolved after the evolutionary split from Denisovans.
Researchers at New Jersey Institute of Technology created a biologically inspired remora disc that replicates the fish's ability to lock onto surfaces, with a 'sweet spot' in suction power between nine and 12 lamellae. The study provides insight into the evolution of the remora's unique disc morphology.
Scleral pigmentation plays a role in eye morphology across great apes, with varying levels of contrast between irises and sclerae among species. The study suggests that some nonhuman great apes may use gaze as a social cue, similar to humans.
Angela Salcedo, Saif Khan, and Hui Chen have been recognized as the 2019 recipients of the IADR STAR Network Academy Fellowship. The fellowship supports research experience in renowned labs before or after attending the IADR General Session.
Graham Ogden, Chair in Oral Surgery at the University of Dundee, Scotland, is recognized for his sustained peer-reviewed research on oral cancer. The award acknowledges his contributions to understanding the mechanisms governing oral health and disease.
The study used CT scans and 3D imaging to analyze cranium fossils of two extinct species, identifying adaptations and relationships with extant platyrrhine species. The results showed that C. bambuiorum is closely related to Ateles, Brachyteles, and Lagothrix, contradicting its initial classification.
The scattering spectrum of individual nanoparticles on daguerreotype surfaces exhibits a narrow blue/UV peak and broader red peak, resulting in a blue tone when viewed from above. The tone shifts to brown/red as the viewing angle increases due to changes in nanoparticle morphology and size.
A new study from Binghamton University found that comic book characters have exaggerated physical features, with males averaging obesity and females near underweight. The researchers argue that these traits are a reflection of supernormal stimuli, beyond human capabilities.
Researchers used X-ray Reconstruction of Moving Morphology (XROMM) to track catfish catching and swallowing prey, revealing coordinated movements of bones and muscles. The findings suggest that different tasks require varying levels of coordination.
Researchers have achieved a remarkable power conversion efficiency of over 16 percent for single-junction organic solar cells. The breakthrough is attributed to the use of a newly designed wide-bandgap polymer P2F-EHp with an appropriate HOMO energy level, which enables optimal morphology and complementary absorption profile.
Scientists have devised an elegant tool to quantify the movement and changing morphology of cells through time using machine learning. The software, Usiigaci, analyzes microscopic snapshots of migrating cells and detects their changing outlines, enabling single-cell tracking at unprecedented resolution.
Researchers at Osaka University found that the angle of male flies' genitalia is crucial for successful reproduction, with males having ideal dorsoventral direction having greater copulation success. The study suggests a cooperative evolution between morphology and behavior in dipterans, with implications for pest control.
A team led by Illinois professor Aimy Wissa studied the unique clicking mechanism of click beetles to inspire more agile robots. They discovered how the insect's hinge-like structure enables a quick release mechanism, which is being incorporated into robot prototypes.
A new oviraptorosaur species, Gobiraptor minutus, was discovered in the Nemegt Formation of Mongolia. The specimen features unusual thickened jaws and histological analyses indicate that it likely belonged to a young individual.
A recent study by Florida Atlantic University reveals that younger sharks have stiffer and tougher cartilage skeletons, contrary to the assumption that adults would be stronger. The research found that cartilage from younger sharks has fewer interruptions in its mineral matrix, allowing it to absorb more energy and resist compression.
Researchers developed a simple method to create silver nanowire-coated fibers with high conductivity, flexibility, and mechanical strength. The fibers have promising applications in wearable devices, addressing the need for comfortable and functional smart textiles.
The new solar cells, developed using a chlorinated polymer donor, achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 9.03% and enhanced build-in potential and morphology. This approach is an effective way to boost the PCE of all-polymer solar cells.
A study explores how biomechanical factors shape plant organs, revealing a power-law distribution for growth strain within leaves. Researchers replicated leaf geometries in a hydrogel, offering insights into bioinspired structures in soft materials.
Ancient DNA analysis reveals extinct Jamaican monkey Xenothrix, which diverged from Cheracebus monkeys around 11 million years ago. The study suggests that adaptation can shape species morphology in novel environments, supporting primate colonization of the Caribbean islands.