Researchers created a diet that can help restore digestive tracts damaged by acute childhood malnutrition, supporting growth and functioning. Protein-rich plant foods like chickpeas, bananas, and peanut flours were found to support microbial transition and increase protein biomarkers related to child development.
Researchers developed new fiber-based designs for artificial muscles that can be activated by heat, electricity, and chemistry, offering potential uses in miniaturized medical devices and smart textiles. The resulting materials show impressive contractile powers, including 40 times that of human muscle.
A new study found that surveys commonly used to measure Big Five personality traits are less valid in developing countries due to biases and language barriers. The research suggests that stronger bias towards agreeable responses and cultural differences may be key influences on survey results.
A study of 86 patients reveals how anesthesia drugs can induce life-threatening allergic reactions through alternative immune pathways. Hyperactive immune cells, including neutrophils and macrophages, play a key role in this process, which could lead to the development of new diagnostics for anaphylaxis during anesthesia.
Researchers estimated Earth's potential for additional tree cover, which could cut atmospheric CO2 levels by 25%. The study suggests an extra 0.9 billion hectares of tree cover, storing over 200Gt of carbon, equivalent to two-thirds of human-made emissions.
A biochemical oxygen sensor conserved across biological kingdoms allows both plant and animal cells to sense changes in oxygen levels. The newly identified enzymatic oxygen sensor is functionally identical in plants and animals, with potential implications for addressing cellular hypoxia in human diseases like cancer.
The Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt experienced a major bloom every year from 2011 to 2018, except for 2013. The study found connections between annual bloom events and nutrient inputs, including human-derived fertilizer use and natural oceanic conditions.
Researchers analyzed samples from over 1,000 type 1 diabetes patients for 50 years or longer and found a protective protein called RBP3. Injecting RBP3 into rodents blocked diabetic retinopathy without severe side effects.
Researchers identified a core microbiome in common dairy cows, which dictates productivity and methane emissions. By manipulating this microbiome, scientists may develop more eco-friendly agriculture practices.
Since President Trump took office, FDA warning letters have fallen by a third, with significantly fewer issued during his second year. The decline in enforcement actions raises concerns among agency watchers and experts, who find the trend alarming despite the FDA's claim of ongoing regulatory efforts.
A new study in mice reveals that diet-induced obesity re-wires the brain's natural brakes on food intake, leading to pathological eating behaviors. The research identifies a specific class of cells that normally suppress feeding to prevent overeating, but are altered in obese mice, promoting excessive food consumption.
Researchers have localized a non-repeating fast radio burst (FRB) to a medium-sized galaxy over 4 billion light years away. The findings show that the burst source and host galaxy are distinct from those of the only other localized FRB, offering insights into the properties of these enigmatic events.
Researchers have engineered a new glass material that is ductile yet tough, with improved impact resistance. The 'mother-of-pearl' bioinspired glass more than doubles the impact tolerance of widely used tempered and laminated glass, making it suitable for high-stress applications.
Researchers have discovered a new property of light, self-torque, which can be naturally generated through high-harmonic generation. This property enables beams with changing angular momentum to modulate properties similar to frequency modulation in communications.
Researchers analyzed DNA from two 120,000-year-old European Neandertals, finding they shared a stable ancestry with late Neanderthals. The study suggests these early Neandertals may have migrated east and replaced some Siberian populations, providing new insights into their history.
Researchers sequenced biopsies from pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and found that they harbored T cells specific to many neoepitopes. The patients' T cells responded to a significant proportion of these neoepitopes, forming hierarchies in their responses.
A global study found that people return lost wallets more often when they contain greater amounts of money, challenging classic economic logic. In 38 countries, the rate of return increased to 72% when wallets held larger sums, driven by concerns for self-image and altruism.
A new study reveals that global fisheries are highly connected, with fish larvae drifting across ocean currents and impacting fisheries worldwide. The findings suggest that poorly managed fisheries or environmental disturbances in one area could have significant economic consequences on fisheries globally.
A widely recognized biomarker, CA19-9, is found to promote the development of pancreatic diseases and cancer in genetically engineered mice models. This discovery suggests new treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer and other cancer biomarkers.
The Ruminant Genome Project has provided unprecedented insights into the genomics, evolution and adaptation of ruminants, a group with significant importance in agriculture, conservation and biomedical fields. The study revealed large declines in ruminant populations nearly 100,000 years ago, coinciding with human migration out of Africa.
Pumping groundwater for irrigation has decreased streamflow and plant water availability in the US. Groundwater declines have led to a more than 50% decline in some streams, with evapotranspiration also declining in response.
A new multi-organ-on-a-chip system accurately captures chemotherapies' toxic effects on liver and other organs. The technology enables flexible testing of different organ systems, potentially leading to more accurate drug development and personalized therapies.
Researchers have developed a method to fabricate graphene membranes that overcome limitations in scaling up nanoporous graphene membranes. The new membranes show high water permeance and salt separation performance at previously unattainable scales due to the addition of carbon nanotube networks.
A new study presents the completed almond reference genome, revealing the genetic differences between toxic and sweet kernel genotypes. A cluster of transcription factors associated with sweet kernel genotypes was discovered, including bHLH2, which regulates the biosynthetic pathway for amygdalin production
Prophetic patents often describe hypothetical experiments with excessive detail, potentially misleading scientists and non-experts. Labels are suggested to distinguish between prophetic and non-prophetic examples in patent applications.
A new species of bacteria has been found to produce a range of toxins that protect both the marine alga Bryopsis and the sea slug Elysia rufescens from predation. The discovery provides insight into the complex microbial interactions that contribute to biodiversity in coral reefs.
Chemical analysis of ancient wooden braziers from Chinese tombs reveals evidence of early cannabis smoking rituals, dating back to approximately 2500 years ago. The study suggests that people were aware of specific populations of the plant and interacted with them for psychoactive properties.
The Cytophone system uses laser pulses and focused ultrasound to detect pigmented CTCs in patients with melanoma, identifying 96% of cases within 10 seconds. The technology also destroys detected CTCs and uncovers circulating blood clots, a leading cause of cancer death.
Recent advances in organoid technology are revolutionizing cancer research, allowing for personalized drug testing on individual patient cells. Meanwhile, integrating organoids with organ-on-a-chip technology may overcome control challenges and enhance physiological realism, paving the way for more advanced biomedical applications.
A team of researchers has discovered a massive radio-emitting plasma ridge in the gap between two merging galaxy clusters. This finding challenges existing theories on particle acceleration in intergalactic space and suggests an unknown mechanism at play.
Scientists report that specific patterns of neural activity guide the formation of nerve clusters in the olfactory bulb, enabling variation in response to sensory cues. By changing neural activity patterns using optogenetics, researchers found altered expression of molecules in nerve endings targeting specific nerve clusters.
A comprehensive RNA sequence analysis reveals that normal cell populations contain lineages of mutational mosaics, with sun-exposed skin and throat tissues developing more mutations. The study's findings suggest a link between age, cell proliferation rate, and environmental exposure to cancer risk.
Researchers found that human endurance activities share the same metabolic limits, with energy expenditure unable to exceed 2.5 times resting metabolism. This universal limit applies across various events and muscle groups, suggesting a common adaptive mechanism.
A study of 50 APECED patients found that 40% developed pneumonitis, a condition often misdiagnosed or missed. Targeting T and B cells resolved symptoms and improved lung function in five treated patients.
A new study reveals nearly 2 million square kilometers of global protected areas have been downgraded since 1892, with 90% of recent US events linked to industrial-scale development. The report warns that these changes could embolden other countries and threaten conservation efforts worldwide.
An analysis of 41 ancient African genomes suggests that the spread of herding and farming into eastern Africa occurred in phases, with multiple movements of - and gene flow among - ancestrally distinct groups. The study reveals varying cultural responses and blurred archaeological boundaries as groups adopted each other's practices.
AAAS warns against outdated stereotypes in animal research, emphasizing the importance of using both sexes equally. The study finds that female animals do not inherently produce more variable data than males, and highlights the need for scientists to adopt a more inclusive approach.
A reinforcement learning-trained AI agent achieves human-level performance in a popular 3D multiplayer game, developing high-level strategies independently. The agents outperform human opponents and form cooperative teams, even with slowed reaction times.
Inbred Isle Royale wolves have fewer harmful genes than expected, with a higher proportion of paired recessive alleles. This discovery has broader implications for conservation efforts, suggesting individuals from smaller populations may be more beneficial due to fewer potentially harmful alleles.
Researchers discovered that reprogrammed fat cells release enzymes that suppress bone formation and promote bone breakdown in multiple myeloma. Targeting a molecular complex may help heal bone lesions by restoring PPARγ activity.
Tiny cryptobenthic reef fishes play a vital role in maintaining coral reef diversity and productivity by producing a steady stream of larvae to replace adults devoured by predators. These small fish contribute nearly 40% of reef-fish biodiversity and nearly two-thirds of near-reef larval fish pools.
Researchers discovered that previously drug-sensitive bacteria can survive exposure to antibiotics long enough to express resistance genes, rendering them immune. The mechanisms underlying this process involve a drug-jettisoning pump and horizontal gene transfer mechanisms like bacterial conjugation.
Researchers introduce an electrically-driven steam methane reforming (SMR) process that maximizes methane conversion while limiting carbon byproducts. The approach could eliminate nearly 1% of global CO2 emissions if implemented globally.
A newly engineered wood-based material successfully reflects heat and cools buildings by deflecting incoming solar radiation. The material, which is more than eight times stronger than natural wood, can reduce energy costs by between 20% and 50% in 16 U.S. cities.
Researchers have identified DZIP1 gene mutation as a potential cause of MVP, which leads to congenital defects and abnormal heart rhythm. The study's findings may facilitate drug-based interventions for the condition.
Researchers used genetically modified fruit flies to test candidate treatments for a patient with KRAS-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer. The approach identified trametinib plus zoledronate as a promising combination that prolonged survival and reduced targeted tumors.
A new study using single-cell analysis of brain cells from autism patients found that specific genetic changes in neural cells and brain circuits correlate with the clinical severity of autism. The research identified autism-specific genes that could represent high-priority targets for new therapeutic treatments.
Researchers have created a sensor that can measure and image magnetic structures at the atomic scale, enabling new directions in atomic-scale research. The sensor uses a single molecule magnet as a scanning magnetometer to detect spin-spin interactions between molecules.
The FDA faces significant politicization, threatening its ability to make scientifically-informed decisions on public health. Experts argue that increased independence is needed to protect the nation's health, citing precedents from other agencies such as the FCC and SSA.
The New Horizons spacecraft has revealed a distant Kuiper Belt Object (MU69) as an ancient, untouched relic from the early solar system. The object's flattened bi-lobate shape and discrete geological units indicate a history of gentle collisions.