Ecosystem transformation is a highly dynamic and complex process that can occur gradually over various timescales. Adaptive learning, creative approaches, and close partnerships between scientists, decisionmakers, and stakeholders are needed to address the challenges of climate change.
Using data from the Very Large Array Sky Survey, researchers have identified a luminous radio source consistent with an expanding supernova remnant. The discovery is associated with an unidentified x-ray transient and suggests the explosion produced a relativistic jet, supporting predictions for merger-triggered supernovae.
Recent studies on COVID-19 have revealed that many respiratory pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, can spread through virus-laden microscopic respiratory aerosols. Improved ventilation, air filtration, and personal face mask design are among the strategies highlighted to mitigate aerosol transmission
A new machine learning method called ARES significantly improves the computational prediction of RNA structures, outperforming other approaches in a community-wide challenge. ARES learned to make predictions based solely on atomic structure and accurately predicted complex RNAs larger than those it was trained on.
A new study in mice reveals that mild maternal infections during pregnancy can promote enhanced immunity in offspring, but also increase susceptibility to inflammatory disorders. The research found that the mother's immune response to infection affected epigenetic changes in the fetal intestinal epithelium stem cells.
A new study reveals a positive relationship between ocean temperature and increased species richness and functional redundancy in marine ecosystems. Over 40 million years, warmer waters harbored more species with similar functional roles, suggesting that climate change may bolster ecosystem resilience.
A recent study found small but detectable increases in salt concentrations in surrounding surface waters near unconventional oil and gas development sites. The research, which analyzed data from over 46,000 wells and 60,000 surface water samples, suggests that the contamination occurs several months after well installation.
Researchers develop SEND system, which uses PEG10 to package and deliver specific RNAs into target cells. This approach expands applications for nucleic acid therapy, targeting specific cell types with minimal immunogenicity.
A new study reveals that baby bat babbling is strikingly similar to human infant babbling, characterized by eight shared features. Researchers hope their findings will lead to further investigation into the cognitive mechanisms underlying this complex behavior.
A new study found that rare single-nucleotide variants in the MX1 gene increase human susceptibility to zoonotic H7N9 avian influenza infection. These genetic vulnerabilities may act as incubators for transmission of virulent new IAV subtypes, posing a risk for pandemic viruses.
Researchers found a correlation between the damping time scale of accretion disk variability and supermassive black hole masses. This discovery may help constrain poorly understood processes within accretion disks.
Advances in plant-based technology have revived interest in pharmaceuticals produced in plants, including edible drugs. Plant-derived therapeutic proteins have shown promising results in clinical trials, with strong immune responses generated by virus-like particles in vaccines.
A new study documents distinct changes in daily energy expenditure throughout the human lifespan, from birth to old age. The research, based on a large cohort of humans, reveals that energy expenditure varies significantly across life stages, with rapid increases during infancy and childhood, followed by a plateau through adulthood.
Scientists reconstructed the life history of a woolly mammoth using isotopes from its tusk, revealing it traveled vast distances and covered an extensive range in Alaska. The analysis provides insight into the animal's preferred habitats and behavior, shedding light on one of the most iconic ice-age creatures.
Researchers developed a 'sensing leg' with sensors that detect pressure and movement, enabling users to navigate obstacles more efficiently. The system also includes a neuro-pacemaker mode that stimulates remnant nerves, reducing phantom limb pain and improving overall well-being.
The FDA approval of aducanumab may provide a proof of concept for rapidly improving Alzheimer's disease treatments. The monoclonal antibody has shown promise in reducing amyloid plaques and has sparked discussion about combination treatments.
Wild squirrels learn to leap and land without falling by weighing branch bendiness against distance between branches. They use trial-and-error learning to adjust their movements in split-second timing, enabling agile navigation through tree canopies.
Advances in therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease have highlighted the need for simple, affordable blood tests to ensure accurate diagnosis and track therapeutic progress. The development of blood-based biomarker tests could enable quick screening and monitoring of AD progression in patients.
Despite major advances in diabetes treatments, nearly 50 million people lack access to insulin due to limited availability and poor affordability. Researchers discuss the need for coordinated efforts from multiple stakeholders to improve insulin availability and explore alternative therapies that can prevent or cure the disease.
Researchers discovered that mRNA-1273 vaccine-induced antibodies are a correlate of protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection in non-human primates. The study found that these antibodies, particularly in the lower airways, offer protection against severe disease by reducing viral replication.
A virus that infects lepidopteran insects confers protection against parasitic wasps by inhibiting larval development. The discovery of the Parasitoid Killing Factor gene family highlights a novel mechanism of defense against parasites in these insects.
Repurposed drugs for COVID-19 have yielded no effective treatments despite billions spent. Direct-acting antivirals are recommended to avoid false positives and patient risks. The scientific community emphasizes thoroughness in drug screenings, highlighting the importance of structure-activity relationships.
Long Covid's chronic symptoms, including extreme fatigue and brain fog, result in considerable socioeconomic disability. The lack of formal recognition and diagnostic criteria for Long Covid hinders our understanding of the syndrome, its potential drivers, and its impact on mental health.
Researchers documented the emergence and geographic spread of innovative bin-opening behaviors in sulphur-crested cockatoos, revealing a complex social learning culture. The behavior, which emerged as a response to land-use change and urbanization, demonstrates how animal cultures can adapt to urban environments.
Before birth, neonatal mice's retinas generate spontaneous patterns of activity that simulate optic flow, training the brain to process directional information. This intrinsic mechanism prepares the visual system for motion detection at eye opening, despite the mouse not being able to see yet.
The authors argue that intranasal COVID-19 vaccines could provide additional layers of protection by eliciting immunoglobulin A and resident memory cells in the nasal passages. An ideal vaccination strategy may consist of an intramuscular vaccine combined with an intranasal booster, offering a dual approach to combat respiratory viruses.
The InSight mission provides clues to Mars' composition, mapping its crust, mantle, and core for the first time. Researchers find a multi-layered crust with an average thickness of 24-72 kilometers and a thick lithosphere beneath.
New analysis of 71 years of data reveals that Santa Ana wind fires are largely driven by powerline ignitions and wind speeds. Ignitions account for all fires during these events, with powerline failures being a major contributor to land area burned.
Researchers introduce RoseTTAFold, a neural network approach that accurately predicts protein structures, outperforming traditional methods and rivalling DeepMind's AlphaFold2. The tool's code and public server are now accessible to the scientific community, enabling rapid solution of challenging structure determination problems.
Researchers recreated ovarian follicle structures using mouse embryonic stem cells and successfully matured primordial germ cells into fully functional oocytes. The study provides a model system for studying later events of oogenesis and has implications for assisted reproductive technologies.
Researchers found mammalian-like hippocampal activity in food-caching songbirds like the tufted titmouse, which processes spatial memory using mechanisms similar to those in mammals. This challenges long-held assumptions about the neural basis of spatial memory in non-mammals.
A new protein-based vaccine candidate combined with a potent adjuvant has shown effective protection against SARS-CoV-2 in animal studies. The combination improved antibody and T cell responses, reducing viral load and inflammation.
A new study reveals that inherited social networks passed from mothers to offspring are essential to spotted hyena life and survival. The strength of the maternal relationship affects social inheritance and is positively correlated with long-term survival for both mother and offspring.
A recent study by AAAS found that Democrats used a slightly negative tone compared to Republicans, who employed more positive language on COVID-19 messaging. The analysis also shows that tone plays a crucial role in engaging the public during a crisis.
The study reveals that harnessing the microbiome and its associated metabolic pathways could provide a useful approach to treating Alzheimer's disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Probiotic treatment improved ALS symptoms in mice and humans, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits.
Researchers discover new insights into gut-brain axis, finding microbiome manipulation may treat devastating neurological disorders. Probiotic treatment improves ALS symptoms by restoring gene expression patterns and function.
A new study reveals that songbirds' ability to detect sugars emerged from a single shift in umami receptor perception early in their evolutionary history. This change likely played a critical role in the diversification of this lineage, which now comprises over half of all bird species.
Researchers developed a scalable multilayer metafabric with exceptional passive radiative cooling functionality and excellent mechanical properties. The fabric can be easily produced through industrial manufacturing routes and demonstrates promising potential for widespread application.
Sea otters have a higher basal metabolic rate than predicted for their size, with skeletal muscle being the primary source of this hypermetabolism. This process, known as thermogenic mitochondrial leak, allows them to maintain a normal body temperature in cold water environments.
A new study found that lung metastases from triple-negative breast cancer contain a more diverse array of cancer cells compared to liver metastases. The researchers identified specific genes responsible for this difference, which may inform targeted therapies for breast cancer treatment.
Scientists successfully engineered a 'vaccine' using harmless commensal bacteria to prepare immune cells for a life-threatening disease. The approach showed promise in inducing immunity without adverse effects, paving the way for novel treatments and applications.
Recent evidence suggests diminished immune response to COVID-19 vaccines among immunosuppressed individuals. Researchers argue that developing targeted vaccination strategies is crucial to protect vulnerable populations and control new variant spread.
Researchers developed a new technology to detect a wider range of T cells recognizing coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 patients with mild disease have more killer T cells capable of recognizing conserved epitopes across all coronaviruses.
A special issue of Science explores the environmental threat posed by plastics, including a reanalysis that found microplastic residence times to be several years, not days. The authors also highlight the need for a binding global treaty to address plastic pollution throughout its lifecycle.
Researchers developed 'sci-Space,' a new approach to spatial transcriptomics, retaining single-cell resolution while resolving spatial context at larger scales. The technique was applied to developing mouse embryos, capturing spatial coordinates and whole transcriptomes of nearly 120,000 cells.
Scientists investigated full-shell semiconductor-superconductor nanowire structures for evidence of Majorana bound states, but found no confirmation. Instead, zero-bias peaks were attributed to Andreev bound states, which can mimic Majorana modes.
A massive exome-wide association study identifies rare gene coding variants strongly associated with BMI, including GPR75, which confers protection from obesity in mouse models. This finding provides potential therapeutic targets for treating obesity and demonstrates the power of massive-scale exome sequencing.
A longitudinal study of 358 diabetics found that proteins ANGPT1, TNFSF12, and FGF20 are associated with slower kidney decline. These proteins may help identify individuals at higher risk of diabetic kidney disease, enabling earlier interventions and treatment.
A new study reveals 200 previously approved drugs that could be repurposed to treat COVID-19, with 40 already undergoing clinical trials. The research identified key proteins targeted by these drugs and found potential antiviral compounds, including proguanil and sulfasalazine.
Researchers argue that a broader application of neutralizing antibodies could be key to developing an effective HIV vaccine and treatment strategy. The study's findings suggest that higher serum titers of infused therapeutic antibody may provide broad protection against various HIV strains.