Research suggests that mouth bacteria can contribute to conditions like IBD, UC, and Crohn's disease by triggering severe inflammation in susceptible individuals. The study found that saliva samples from patients with these diseases contain Klebsiella bacteria, which can colonize the intestine and exacerbate symptoms.
Researchers identified two genes, geisha and mother-of-geisha, controlling water strider fan development in new environments. The discovery highlights the role of taxon-restricted genes in adaptation to fast-flowing stream environments.
Researchers observed coordination between high-frequency oscillations and parts of the association cortex, which helped explicit memories transition from hippocampus to association cortex for long-term storage. The coupling was strengthened during sleep after learning.
The Science/Science Careers' 2017 Top Employers Survey ranked Regeneron the top biopharmaceutical employer, followed by Biogen and Pfizer. The survey received over 6,950 responses from employees in biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, and pharmaceutical companies worldwide.
A new study reveals that extreme marine conditions can significantly alter food chain dynamics in the California Current ecosystem. Dolphin diets suggest shorter food chains due to changes in prey availability and nitrogen cycling, potentially threatening ecosystem resilience.
Researchers developed an engineered protein therapy based on the GDF15 molecule to treat obesity. The treatment successfully lowered body weights, insulin levels, and cholesterol in obese mice, rats, and primates.
The first-ever detection of light from a gravitational wave source has been made, shedding new light on the behavior of matter under extreme conditions. The event, caused by two neutron stars colliding and merging together, was observed using numerous telescopes around the world.
Researchers have created a 2-D material that can morph into a 3D structure and change color to blend in with its environment. The material mimics the skin of an octopus, featuring erector muscles that rapidly form shapes to achieve camouflage.
A team of astronomers successfully traced a spiral arm on the far side of our Galaxy using radio interferometry and parallax measurements. They located the Scutum-Centaurus spiral arm as it passes around the far side and verified a new method to infer distances in this region.
The OCO-2 mission gathers data on natural land and ocean sinks, revealing changes in the carbon cycle across seasons and regions. The studies highlight the effects of El Niño on carbon emissions, including increased releases from biomass burning in tropical Asia and lower precipitation in South America.
Scientists sequenced genomes of 2,092 Africans to uncover genetic basis of skin pigmentation, finding a light pigmentation variant introduced by gene flow from non-Africans. The study also identified the MFSD12 region as crucial for melanogenesis, a process in which skin produces pigment.
A new, portable brain scanner has been developed to image infant brain activity in a clinical setting. The device weighs just 40 grams and can distinguish between quiet and active sleep states, as well as detect seizures with high resolution.
A new study reveals that C-section births in mice result in less developed gut microbiota and significant weight gain. Vaginal-born mice demonstrated a leaner body type and normal microbiome maturity, while C-section born mice showed no major changes in microbiome structure but gained 33% more weight after weaning.
A global sampling of honey found 75% contaminated with neonicotinoid pesticides, a key factor in the global decline of pollinators, particularly bees. The study's findings suggest that chronic exposure to these pesticides may have detrimental effects on bee populations.
Scientists used fMRI to study the neurological causes of the nocebo effect, finding that brain regions can influence primal pain sensing. People who believed they were receiving an expensive cream reported greater sensitivity on a heat-tolerance test and experienced more pronounced nocebo effects over time.
Two new studies on ancient genomes provide valuable insights into the lives of our ancestors and their cousins, the Neandertals. The new genome of a female Neandertal reveals new genetic contributions to modern-day humans, including variants related to plasma levels of LDL cholesterol and vitamin D. Additionally, early modern human gen...
The Obama and Trump administrations have produced vastly different environmental assessment results related to the Clean Water Act. A systematic protocol for government cost-benefit analyses of proposed regulations is urgently needed to ensure better decision-making on human health and environmental issues.
Long-term mental exercises lead to specific restructuring of the social brain, including changes in gray matter volume and cortical thickness. This is associated with reduced indicators of stress and improved attention, compassion, and cognitive perspective-taking.
Scientists have developed a method to detect antibiotic susceptibility for urinary tract infections in under 30 minutes. This breakthrough could enable patients to receive effective treatments during a single clinical visit.
A new study has documented 289 living invertebrate and fish species arriving from Japan on more than 600 pieces of tsunami debris that crossed the Pacific Ocean. The majority of the debris was manmade material contributing to the transoceanic survival and dispersal of coastal species.
A new study reveals that tropical forests act as a net source of carbon dioxide, with most releases caused by deforestation and degradation. The majority of land areas in the tropics showed no significant change in carbon over the 12-year period, but those that did experienced losses mainly due to deforestation.
Researchers identified a single genetic change, S139N, that enabled the Zika virus to cause microcephaly in mouse models of fetal infection. This mutation made the virus more lethal to human neuron precursor cells and substantially more severe in cases of microcephaly.
Ancient African genomes show human populations diverged around 350,000-260,000 years ago. The study analyzed 7 ancient genomes, including a Stone Age hunter-gatherer and Iron Age farmers, finding correlations with fossil records.
A newly-developed dipstick test sensitively identified Zika virus and all four dengue virus subtypes with no cross-reactivity. The test detected viral proteins at lower concentrations, making it a potential tool for diagnosing emerging pathogens.
A new animal movement model reveals seabirds orient themselves over an ocean and compensate for wind drift without landmarks, hinting at a 'map sense'. This breakthrough paves the way for analyzing animal decision-making using GPS tracking data.
Infants who observe adults pushing through failure are more likely to try again, a study found. Babies as young as 15 months old absorb abstract concepts about behavior by watching tenacious grown-ups.
A new study reveals that ultra-high-energy cosmic rays come from galaxies far beyond our own Milky Way galaxy. The Pierre Auger Observatory's data analysis shows that these particles favor a specific direction, suggesting an extragalactic origin.
Researchers discovered a single amino acid replacement underlying the paradox of poisonous frog resistance to their own toxins. This adaptation comes at the expense of reduced acetylcholine receptor function, but is eventually rescued by additional amino acid replacements.
A new analysis of a Neandertal child's skeleton suggests that Neandertals may have experienced an extended period of brain growth compared to modern humans. The study found that the 7-year-old Neandertal had a brain size similar to that of an adult, challenging previous theories on brain development.
Researchers found that a combination of two broadly-neutralizing HIV-1 antibodies protected primates against infection with a mixed population of HIV viruses. The findings suggest that combination therapies might be essential to prevent HIV in people, highlighting the need for regimens that protect against several targets.
A new study reveals a majority of sea turtle populations are increasing, thanks to conservation efforts since the 1950s. Despite six species still listed as endangered, population trends show significant upward growth in most regions.
Researchers have found a subgroup of neurons in mice that drive the critical instinct of thirst, which decreases with increased water consumption. These neurons are connected to other brain regions and play a direct role in regulating thirst drive through goal-directed actions.
A genetic analysis of Papua New Guinea reveals a sharp genetic divide between highlanders and lowlanders, dating back 10,000 to 20,000 years. The study, led by Anders Bergström, genotyped 381 individuals from 85 language groups across PNG, finding strong genetic differentiation within both highland and lowland populations.
Researchers have developed a method to infuse cotton fibers with fluorescent and magnetic properties, eliminating the need for chemical treatments. This breakthrough could enable the creation of sustainable fabrics with desirable properties.
Researchers have created miniature DNA robots that can pick up particles and deliver them to different areas using origami tracks. The robots, which move randomly along the track, have an 80% chance of successful delivery and can perform tasks such as assembling chemical compounds or rearranging nanoparticles on circuits.
Researchers validated a new earthquake forecasting model based on the Amatrice-Norcia sequence, showing improved accuracy compared to existing models. The 'brick-by-brick' approach of the operational earthquake forecasting system may revolutionize seismologists' ability to forecast earthquakes.
Scientists identified a compound, FR, that provides long-lasting airway relaxation and prevents hyperreactivity in mouse models of asthma. The locally administered compound also blocks aspects of airway remodeling without causing cardiovascular side effects.
Researchers discovered a new learning mechanism that spans seconds, allowing for the storage of entire sequences of events, including places traversed. This finding challenges the widely accepted Hebbian learning rule, suggesting no causal relationship between interconnected neurons is required to form long-lasting associations.
The global demand for sand is linked to environmental degradation and social conflicts, threatening water and food security. An interdisciplinary scientific approach is needed to identify sustainable extraction methods.
Human immune cells in the lungs can trigger programmed cell death in inhaled fungal pathogens, preventing germination and host invasion. Pharmacologic inhibition of a key fungal protein has shown promise as a potential therapeutic approach against invasive aspergillosis.
Researchers found that bats produce fewer calls, spend less time near vertical glass surfaces, and approach at a more acute angle, highlighting the 'blind spot' in their echolocation ability. The study's findings underscore the negative impact of human development on wildlife, particularly injured or dead bats often found near buildings.
Scientists developed a handheld probe, MasSpec Pen, for non-destructive cancer diagnosis within minutes. The device analyzes tissue samples using tiny volumes of water, identifying tumors with high sensitivity and specificity.
Researchers analyzed 18th century British nautical charts to track the loss of coral reef habitat in the Florida Keys. The study found a 52% loss of coral area, with nearshore areas declining by 87.5% and 68.8%. This research highlights the need for longer-term conservation efforts based on historical data.
A new study found that protecting unauthorized immigrant mothers from deportation significantly improved the mental health of their U.S. citizen children, with over 50% fewer diagnosis of adjustment disorders and anxiety. The researchers suggest that a broader analysis of the DACA program is needed to account for intergenerational effe...
Gut microbes produce proteins that regulate NFIL3's circadian cycling, controlling fat absorption and export. This interaction may shed light on why disrupted clocks increase risk for obesity and diabetes.
Researchers identified beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonists as compounds that can suppress alpha-synuclein gene expression, reducing the genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease. The findings suggest that widely used beta-2AR agonists should be rigorously tested in PD patients.
A comprehensive analysis reveals that changes in daytime versus nighttime leaf-to-air temperatures are crucial determinants of geographic gradients in leaf size. The study's findings have significant implications for predictive modeling and understanding ecosystem functioning, particularly in response to changing climate conditions.
Researchers propose a novel antibacterial combination to combat drug-resistant tuberculosis, with potent sterilizing activity against highly resistant strains. The study suggests that pairing ceftazidime and avibactam could be an effective treatment option for patients with extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis.
Researchers identified distinct gene expression patterns and immune signatures associated with asymptomatic dengue infections, revealing a supporting role for T cell protection. These findings could optimize vaccine development efforts by understanding what types of immune responses are important in defending the body against the disease.
A study by Claire Tang and colleagues reveals that a subset of neurons can detect relative pitch changes, enabling humans to extract meaning from words. The research found distinct neural responses for males and females, with areas tuned to high relative pitch and low pitch respectively.