Researchers found that artificial lighting near waterways attracts more flying insects and changes the predator community living beneath the lights. The study highlights the importance of considering ecological impacts when designing new lighting concepts.
Rice University researchers have identified a specific binding site on the amyloid beta peptide, which could facilitate the development of better drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease. The probe uses light activation to catalyze oxidation of the protein, preventing it from aggregating in the brains of patients.
A new method to control the momentum of broadband light has been demonstrated in a widely-used optical component known as a whispering gallery microcavity. This breakthrough enables coupling of all color lights with a single optical coupler, paving the way for applications in optical quantum processing and photonics.
A QUT study found drivers approach level crossings significantly faster and with less caution than at road intersections, posing a significant risk of fatalities. Drivers often fail to assess the situation properly, failing to recognize approaching trains or adapting their behavior for reduced visibility during night-time driving.
NASA's Aqua satellite found strongest storms in Tropical Depression 23W near northern Vietnam and northeastern Laos. Cloud top temperatures reached as cold as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit, indicating strong storms with heavy rain capability.
Tropical Depression 22W formed in the South China Sea on Sept 23 and moved across Hainan into northern Vietnam before making landfall. The depression was short-lived, existing for only two days before dissipating over the next day or two.
Fires have broken out in areas previously burned by previous fires, highlighting the ongoing risk of wildfires in Australia. Heavy rainfall and overgrowth have created fire conditions that can spread quickly, putting new areas at risk.
A new study finds that weak states of the high-altitude wind circling the Arctic have become more persistent, causing extreme winter chills in parts of the Northern hemisphere. The weakening of the polar vortex is linked to cold winters in regions like Russia and Europe.
Lancaster University engineers create smart road surfaces that harness and convert vehicle vibration into electrical energy, generating up to two Megawatts per kilometre. This technology could save taxpayers around £1,800 to £3,600 per day in street lighting costs.
A new study models the impact of changing precipitation patterns in northern European and North American cities, finding that urban runoff is strongly controlled by built-up versus vegetated surfaces. The research also highlights the importance of wintertime climate for northern cities' flood risks.
NASA satellite images reveal Hurricane Irma's structure and strengthening as it approaches southern Florida. The storm re-strengthened from a Category 3 to a Category 4 hurricane after passing over warm waters in the Caribbean. The National Hurricane Center reports maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, with higher gusts.
The California Academy of Sciences has assembled the first-ever animal genome of the northern spotted owl, a threatened species. The completed genome will help researchers track interbreeding between hybrid owls and inform conservation priorities in the West.
The UK will build a cutting-edge space weather radar in the Arctic, providing unprecedented detail to understand space weather's effects on technology and society. The EISCAT_3D radar will measure the upper atmosphere and near-Earth space, helping scientists better comprehend the connections between Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere.
Researchers at OIST have improved the stability of perovskite solar cells by inserting a thin polymer layer, extending their lifespan four-fold. They have also developed a new method to manufacture perovskite LEDs using chemical vapor deposition, which could lead to lower-cost and more efficient lighting solutions.
A newly discovered fossil from Turkey suggests that a 40-million-year-old metatherian carnivore, Anatoliadelphys maasae, may have dominated the region without competition from placental mammals. The animal's agile body and strong jaws indicate it was well-adapted for a carnivorous lifestyle.
A study using ancient DNA from domesticated turkeys found that many Ancestral Pueblo people migrated to the Northern Rio Grande region after Mesa Verde's collapse. The genetic composition of northern Rio Grande turkeys changed substantially before and after the migration, suggesting the people took their turkeys with them.
Researchers genotyped Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in California and found two distinct introductions and populations. The northern population is genetically diverse and likely arose from a separate introduction.
A new study suggests a European stockfish trade existed for 1,000 years, with cod bones from Haithabu providing evidence of fish caught in northern Norway being consumed on mainland Europe. The findings support the idea that traded fish played a significant role in knitting the European continent together economically.
Researchers studied zebrafish to understand how early life affects brain development and behavior in adults, finding that visual environment influences spontaneous brain activity. Dark rearing also reduced the larvae's ability to catch prey, suggesting environmental input impacts brain wiring and behavior.
UC Riverside researchers predict California will see a 12% increase in precipitation by 2100, with northern and central regions experiencing the largest increases. The study attributes this change to a southeastward shift of the jet stream, encouraged by warming sea surface temperatures.
A new study found that willow warblers' genetic make-up determines their migration patterns depending on where they breed in the summer. The researchers discovered significant differences in over 200 genes between birds breeding in southern and northern Sweden, Finland, and the Baltic States.
A new bush tomato species has been discovered in Limmen National Park, and named after Senior Botanist Peter Jobson. The discovery highlights the importance of protecting natural areas and supporting conservation efforts.
A specific protein called prokineticin 2 plays a critical role in setting the correct balance between sleep and wakefulness in response to light and darkness. The study found that Prok2 suppresses the awakening effect of light and the sedating effect of darkness, suggesting a new mechanism for regulating sleep behavior.
Targeting a subset of immune cells called regulatory T cells could be an effective approach to treating cancers. By blocking or deleting a surface protein called neuropilin-1, researchers found that tumor growth was dramatically reduced in mice, suggesting this could lead to more effective immunotherapy treatments.
Researchers have identified a micro-gene called miR-211 that protects the brain from developing epilepsy. Elevated levels of this gene may act as a protective mechanism to reduce the risk of epileptic seizures.
The GelSight sensor uses physical contact to provide a detailed 3-D map of an object's surface, enabling robots to judge the hardness of surfaces they touch. Researchers also use it to enable robots to manipulate smaller objects than previously possible.
A recent study by the University of Huddersfield found that a smartphone-based traffic light app can reduce drivers' stress levels, but its reliability is a major concern. The app's countdown feature frequently failed, leading to higher stress and slower response times to green lights.
A new study published in The BMJ found that medication abortion self-sourced and self-managed outside the formal healthcare setting was successful in 95% of cases. Women were able to recognize symptoms of complications and seek medical attention when needed, with only three percent requiring antibiotics.
New night lights maps offer daily, high-definition views of Earth at night, allowing for real-time monitoring of human activities, power outages, and environmental changes. The data can aid short-term weather forecasting, disaster response, and research on urbanization and economic changes.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge and beyond develop a new type of material that uses rotatable molecules to emit light faster than ever before. This breakthrough could lead to more power-efficient, brighter, and longer-lasting TVs, smartphones, and room lights.
Researchers developed an online tool analyzing 21 years of night-time lights data to correlate with socio-economic factors, finding strong relationships between GDP and electricity consumption. The study also found inverse correlations between light brightness and poverty, providing insights into human activities at a global scale.
Research from the University of Surrey and Harvard Medical School found that delaying school start times in the UK won't reduce sleep deprivation in teenagers. Instead, they recommend exposing teens to bright light during the day and turning off lights at night as an effective solution.
A recent study analyzing 147 northern lakes reveals that many rely on nutrients from tree leaves, pine needles, and other land-grown plants to feed aquatic life. This underscores the importance of understanding how landscape changes impact lake food webs for effective freshwater management.
Climate scientist Michael Rawlins will study the impacts of climate change on coastal lagoons and rivers in northern Alaska. The five-year project aims to understand changes in carbon and nutrient content and their effects on ecosystem dynamics.
The James Webb Space Telescope is inspected for contamination using ultraviolet flashlights in a darkened clean room. The long exposure captures the technicians as 'ghostly wraiths', while a special light technique illuminates the primary mirror.
Scientists studied the circadian clocks of two fruit fly species from Finland and Tanzania. Finnish flies adapted their activity pattern to longer days, while Tanzanian flies were influenced by the equator's long daylight hours. The study reveals tiny differences in the flies' brains that affect their behavior.
Researchers found infants in prams are exposed to higher levels of fine and ultrafine particulate matter during the morning drop-in hours compared to the afternoon drop-off hours. Bus stops and traffic lights pose significant risks to young children's health due to high concentrations of pollutants.
NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission has estimated significant rainfall from the Pineapple Express in southwestern Oregon and northern California. The storms brought heavy rains, with parts of Arizona receiving moderate to heavy precipitation as well.
NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, showing half the storm over land and half in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The cyclone developed from a tropical low pressure area and made landfall near the Queensland-Northern Territory border, weakening to a remnant low pressure area.
Researchers developed a method called quasistatic cavity resonance (QSCR) that enables wireless power transmission throughout a room. This technology can charge multiple devices simultaneously, including smartphones, fans, and lights, using near-field standing magnetic waves.
Researchers found that the lake was six times larger and water levels were 60 meters higher than present during the early and middle Holocene period. The shifting monsoon likely altered the course of early human cultures in China, leading to changes in ecosystems and population dynamics.
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 developed a method to compute optimal traffic light settings for urban intersections by applying traffic flow conservation laws on networks. The approach uses partial outer convexification, splitting the problem into two stages: nonlinear dynamic optimization and linear mixed-integer programming.
The San Diego Zoo's Frozen Zoo cell cultures contain genetic variation missing in surviving individuals of the critically endangered northern white rhinoceros. Genome-wide levels of genetic diversity and inbreeding in both southern and northern white rhinos were examined to aid future efforts toward genetic rescue and assisted reproduc...
Université Laval researchers have discovered two unique molecules and several antibacterial compounds in a species of lichen growing in northern Quebec. The lichen, Stereocaulon paschale, has been found to contain compounds with potential applications in medicine and industry.
A new study from the University of Leeds has made reliable estimates of volcanic ash events in Northern Europe, finding that ash clouds occur approximately every 44 years. The research team analyzed records of volcanic ash fallout over the past 1,000 years and found evidence of 84 ash clouds, most linked to Icelandic eruptions.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) identify distinct neural ensembles controlling reward-seeking and suppression behaviors. The study sheds light on the brain's storage of opposing memories, a long-debated topic in neuroscience.
A study published in Nature Climate Change finds that a lack of research led by Southern scientists hinders global agreements and nationally-appropriate actions on climate change. Practical steps are recommended to bridge the divide and promote inclusive scientific development.
The workshop emphasized social acceptability, aboriginal community involvement, and improving energy demand forecasts for northern regions. Researchers from Iceland and Quebec explored geothermal energy potential, data limitations, and demonstration projects to validate assumptions regarding low-temperature heat pumps.
A recent study suggests that carbon stored in deep northern peatlands is less susceptible to warming, which could be beneficial for the environment. The researchers found that surface peat did emit more methane gas when warmed, but deep peat remained stable and did not release additional greenhouse gases.
Researchers at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) have made a groundbreaking discovery in cancer treatment. They developed novel Iridium(III) complexes that utilize red light to attack and kill cancer cells, providing a promising new approach for photodynamic therapy (PDT).
Michigan State University researchers have developed a low-cost nanogenerator that can harness energy from human motion, powering devices such as smartphones and headsets without batteries. The device, called FENG, is flexible, biocompatible, and scalable, with advantages including being lightweight and robust.
Researchers at MIT have developed a noninvasive technique using LED lights to reduce beta amyloid plaques in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. The treatment induces gamma oscillations, which suppress beta amyloid production and invigorate cells responsible for destroying the plaques.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that northern sockeye salmon can thermostate to find water temperatures that meet their physiological needs, reducing energy expenditure during heat waves. By moving to tributary plumes or deeper water, the fish conserve energy and avoid extreme temperatures.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have found that new LED lighting in milk display cases can enhance the taste of milk, improving its sweet and rich flavors. The study also highlights the importance of protecting nutrients like riboflavin from light exposure to maintain milk's nutritional value.
A study published in Avian Research has confirmed the Hen Harrier and Northern Harrier as two distinct species using genomics and molecular phylogenetics. The classification will aid national conservation efforts, particularly for the European Hen Harrier under threat from grouse hunts.
Researchers have uncovered widespread evidence of prehistoric milk production in southern Europe, dating back to the onset of agriculture around 9,000 years ago. The study found varying intensities of dairying and non-dairying activities across the northern Mediterranean region, with the slaughter profiles of domesticated animals mirro...
A recent study by researchers at the University of Bristol found that LED lights are less attractive to nuisance insects compared to traditional filament lamps. The study, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council and Integral LED, used customised traps at 18 field test sites across south-west England.
Researchers found that ground beef color fades quickly due to light exposure, but LED lights can slow down this process. The study showed that LED lighting retained a better red color on day 5 compared to fluorescent lighting.
Typhoons Sarika and Haima brought extraordinary rainfall to the northern Philippines, with over 500mm of rain recorded by NASA's IMERG data. The storms also generated heavy winds and flooding, causing power outages and mudslides.