New research suggests that LED street lighting can have a major impact on wildlife, but that adjusting the lighting schedule and dimming it by 50% can reduce its effects. The study found that changing the way we light at night could have profound consequences for species such as predatory spiders and beetles.
Researchers at the University of Illinois used a novel imaging technique to visualize microscopic shifts in metabolism and vesicle production in tumor cells. The study found that these changes can precede larger-scale events in the tumor environment, potentially preparing the way for cancerous cells to spread and metastasize.
The increasing use of synthetic chemicals is outpacing global environmental changes, with pesticides and pharmaceuticals posing significant threats to human and environmental health. Research on these chemicals has been neglected, despite their impact on ecosystems and the environment.
A Drexel-led team will study hundreds of cities in Latin America and the Caribbean to understand how governance, design, and environment affect population health. The project aims to identify synergies between improving health and environmental sustainability.
A comparative genomic analysis of Antarctic diatom Fragillariopsis cylindrus reveals its ability to adapt to extreme cold by selectively expressing variant genes. The study provides insights into the organism's genome structure and evolution, highlighting its unique genetic features that enable survival in harsh environments.
Astronomers use Hubble observations to characterize the interstellar medium along Voyager 1 and 2's trajectories. The study reveals a rich, complex ecology with multiple clouds of hydrogen and other elements.
A Mayo Clinic study finds that vaginal microbes are distinct in women with endometrial cancer compared to those without the disease. Researchers hope to use vaginal swabs as an early screening tool and investigate the role of the microbiome in preventing endometrial cancer.
Research found elevated levels of uranium-234, thorium-230, lead-210 and polonium-210 in drill cuttings from Marcellus Shale wells. The study suggests that at low pH, uranium isotopes can leach into the environment from landfills.
The study identifies a new nickel transporter crucial for the pathogen's ability to colonize the stomach and survive its acidic environment. The discovery sheds light on the genetic modifications that enabled H. pylori to adapt to this hostile environment, highlighting the importance of metals in bacterial pathogenesis.
Researchers have developed environmentally friendly organic solar cells using nanomaterials, increasing efficiency and reducing toxic substances. Additionally, hybrid capacitors with enhanced storage capacity and faster charging capabilities have been created using nano-diamond composites, paving the way for more efficient energy stores.
Researchers propose a unifying framework for managing environmental microbiomes, highlighting the importance of preserving biodiversity in maintaining human health. The study suggests that altering microbial diversity can have significant impacts on human health, emphasizing the need for effective management strategies.
Researchers found a gene from the common fruit fly that can be expressed in plants to improve TNT removal from contaminated soil. The breakthrough has the potential to clean up millions of hectares of land contaminated by munitions.
The FDA's triclosan ban is a starting point for addressing antibiotic resistance and environmental concerns. Researchers emphasize the need for new chemicals that demonstrate both efficacy and safety in replacing banned substances.
Scientists at UCSB developed a powerful new technique to measure the mechanical properties of cells in living tissues, shedding light on how cells respond to biochemical and mechanical cues. The method reveals that cells perceive their natural habitat as a fluid-like environment, with varying stiffness and viscosity along the body axis.
Researchers have discovered that yellow phyllobilins in autumn leaves function as four-step molecular switches that react to light, with the molecular environment determining the switching mechanism. These findings suggest potential physiological roles for these compounds in plant photoregulation.
Scientists found that captive Komodo dragons share microbes with their environment, similar to humans and pets, and this constant exchange affects their immune systems. This study aims to improve animal husbandry practices by understanding the relationship between captivity and microbial diversity.
A new study reveals a sustained reduction in inpatient suicides at VA mental health units from 2000 to 2015, thanks to the Mental Health Environment of Care Checklist. The checklist guides staff in eliminating physical hazards that raise the risk of patient suicide or self-harm.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have engineered human cells with a genetic circuit that produces a molecule inhibiting HIF-1, allowing cancer cells to survive in nutrient-limited environments. The study demonstrates the potential for using sentinel circuits to target diseases like cancer.
Researchers found that exposure to simple perceptual features in dilapidated buildings, overgrown lots, and littered streets can make rule-breaking more likely. The study shows that visually disordered stimuli increase cheating by 35% and average magnitude of cheating by 87%.
A study published in PLOS Biology investigated the role of noradrenaline, acetylcholine, and dopamine in handling uncertainty. The findings suggest that these brain chemicals enable our brains to learn changing relationships in our environment, predicting future events and executing fast responses.
Research finds that the Zika virus can survive on hard, non-porous surfaces for up to eight hours, especially when associated with blood. However, commonly used disinfectants such as isopropyl alcohol and quaternary ammonium/alcohol are effective in killing the virus in a short period.
Researchers analyzed sediments from a Tanzanian peat bog to reconstruct the region's ecosystem over 1,200 years. The study found that forest biodiversity remains relatively stable despite human activity, but climate change poses a threat to its future.
Researchers found that bacteria that become dependent on their environment for essential nutrients outperform those that can produce them independently. The study's results suggest that this loss of autonomy may be an evolutionary advantage driving adaptation in bacterial populations.
Scientists at the University of Texas at Austin have discovered that separate populations of the same species can diverge in their gene regulation when adapting to their environment. This allows some corals to adapt better to changing conditions, while others struggle with diminished flexibility, leading to stress-induced bleaching.
Engineers successfully completed the first Center of Curvature test for the James Webb Space Telescope's primary mirror, measuring its shape and alignment with incredible precision. The test will be repeated after launch environment testing to confirm the optics' performance in space.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found that a low-oxygen environment can regenerate heart muscle in mice. This discovery builds on previous research that showed the ability of newborn mammals to regenerate their hearts, and demonstrates the potential for this approach to reverse heart disease.
The team aims to find and design more benign nanomaterials using advanced computational methods. They will use the XSEDE network to study nanoparticles, including their interactions with human health and the environment.
A recent virtual reality study has found that our perception of space and our bodies plays a crucial role in regulating emotional experience and exploratory behavior. By manipulating sensory input on gait and spatial context, researchers have shown that this interplay can intensify or reduce fear and enhance exploration.
Rice University scientists are building a tool to detect and quantify genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the environment. The technology uses light transmission spectrometry to identify DNA or proteins from engineered crops and animals, which can have unintended consequences on ecosystems.
The BfR has updated its joint research strategy to focus on application-safe and environmentally friendly nanomaterials development and use. The new approach aims to ensure sustainable material use across the entire life cycle, from production to disposal.
Researchers from the University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment have proposed a framework that accounts for the damages caused by reactive nitrogen, estimating the dollars-and-cents cost of nitrogen pollution. The tool will help integrate nitrogen costs into decisions made by agencies and groups.
A study by University of Plymouth found that washing clothes can release hundreds of thousands of tiny synthetic particles into the environment. The research suggests that laundry could be a significant source of microplastics in wastewater, with potential harmful effects on aquatic life.
A study by Queen Mary University of London found that mice with toys and stimulating environments have healthier immune systems. The research discovered changes in T cells, which are essential for immunity and involved in chronic diseases like HIV and rheumatoid arthritis.
Multiple myeloma cells communicate with healthy bone marrow cells, altering protein translation initiation to create a favorable environment for cancer growth. This crosstalk allows tumor cells to modify the surrounding microenvironment, promoting progression and disease.
A University of Liverpool study found that ant colour and size are strongly influenced by their environment, with larger bodied ectotherms with dark colouration thriving in cold places. The study also revealed that ants adapt to changing temperatures by shifting from darker to lighter colours and smaller body sizes.
The IUCN-led independent panel of scientists has been advising Sakhalin Energy to mitigate its impact on whales and the environment. The western gray whale population has grown 3-4% annually, from an estimated 115 animals in 2004 to 174 in 2015.
A new predictive tool has been developed to help governments make informed decisions on land use and management in developing countries. By combining human perception of the environment with land-use planning and socioeconomic data, the tool aims to provide a more realistic picture of future environmental changes.
Researchers found that shell middens and fire used by coastal First Nations people improved forest health through increased nutrients and soil drainage. This finding challenges the common perception of human impact on the environment.
Researchers developed a new biomaterial to examine how stem cells perceive their environment's mechanical properties. The study found that manipulating this perception could control stem cell differentiation and promote regenerative therapies for musculoskeletal disorders.
Researchers discovered how lung's immune environment enables cancer to spread to the organ. Blocking oxygen-sensing proteins may enhance T-cell responses against cancer and limit metastasis.
A large-scale migrant cohort study found that being born in Israel significantly increases the risk of nodular sclerosis HL, with elevated risks also observed among women, those born more recently, and taller stature. The study suggests exposure to unidentified elements of the Israeli environment may contribute to the disease's etiology.
A new Northwestern Medicine study finds that ovarian environment changes with age, leading to decreased egg quality and fertility issues. Fibrotic and inflamed ovaries are identified as key factors contributing to this decline.
Researchers suggest combining genetics and cognitive bias studies to better understand mental health, finding that shared genes can make individuals prone to both positivity and negativity.
A study by Rice University researchers found that religious identification dampens the negative effect of political conservatism on environmental consumption. The data showed a smaller gap between liberal and conservative pro-environment consumers among the very religious, challenging stereotypes about religion and environmental care.
Research suggests that cigarette butts can leach metal contaminants into the marine environment and potentially harm local species. The study found varying levels of metals in cigarette butts at nine locations along the Persian Gulf, with significant changes not detected between assessments.
Researchers from the University of Exeter and Bath investigated noise in Falmouth Bay for 14 months, finding varied noise levels affected by natural conditions. This study highlights the need for long-term monitoring to understand human impact on marine environments.
Danish researchers have discovered a possible connection between environmental factors and the onset of puberty. They found that epigenetic changes in the human genome are involved in defining pubertal timing, with specific DNA methylation patterns indicating whether a child has entered puberty.
A national study of US physicians reveals that the use of electronic health records and computerized physician order entry leads to lower satisfaction and higher rates of professional burnout. The findings highlight the need to find ways to incorporate these tools without increasing clerical burden or reducing efficiency for physicians.
Researchers found that impulsive children raised in non-coercive environments tend to drink less alcohol than their peers, as they thrive under proper care and attention. High impulsivity at age 6 was associated with lower alcohol use at age 15 when maternal coercive practices were infrequent.
A new study by Florida State University researcher Joseph Grzywacz found that both a dirty working environment and a lack of stimulation in the workplace can have a long-term cognitive effect on employees. The study showed that men and women who had jobs that exposed them to a dirty working environment saw a cognitive decline.
A University of Adelaide study reveals a global increase in cephalopod abundance since the 1950s, with rapid growth and adaptation traits allowing them to thrive in changing ocean environments.
The Unicorn platform aggregates open information from multiple databases to create tools for efficient policy studies, improving data collection, analysis, and modeling. It aims to support societal decision-making by providing quick, reliable, and efficient decision support.
A study found that a better nurse work environment can increase VAP risk, while a closed physician staffing model is not significantly associated with lower VAP risk. The interaction between the two factors reveals a complex relationship where better work environments may minimize VAP in open ICUs but increase it in closed ICUs.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed a method that incorporates the robot's arm as a sensor to improve the accuracy of environmental mapping. This approach enables robots to precisely locate their hands, which is crucial for tasks like inspection and manipulation.
A recent study found that individuals with neurotic personalities thrive in urban environments, while those who are less neurotic benefit from natural settings. The research suggests a correlation between environment and self-control, which could have implications for health outcomes and consumer behavior.
A recent study reveals that our environment shapes our self-hood by influencing spatial cognition, which in turn affects how we identify ourselves. This integration of space and self highlights the importance of well-designed environments for promoting well-being.
Researchers found less soot than expected, but discovered two types: a younger pool that absorbs into the environment every 100 years and an ancient reserve stable for millennia. Black carbon is a strong agent of climate change, absorbing sunlight and trapping heat on Earth.
Current measurement methods may underestimate the amount of plastic in oceans due to turbulent mixing. Researchers found that surface heating and ocean currents mix plastics deeper into the water column.
A study found that cities have distinct microbial communities, with offices in the same city showing minimal variation. Human skin was a significant source of microbes in office environments, accounting for 25-30% of the microbiome.
A new technique to probe and control environmental noise in quantum computing has been developed by a Dartmouth-led team. The method, called quantum noise spectroscopy, uses a quantum system as a probe of its own environment to extract information about the noise.