A new study reveals that inhibitory neurons play a crucial role in song learning in birds, rather than the bird's age. The research found that firing patterns of inhibitory neurons correspond with song accuracy, and similar patterns are seen in both juvenile and adult birds.
A frozen mammoth carcass with signs of weapon-inflicted injuries suggests human occupation of the Eurasian Arctic at 45,000 years ago. This finding challenges previous estimates and highlights advancements in mammoth hunting that enabled human survival and spread across northernmost Arctic Siberia.
Researchers discovered the most luminous supernova yet observed in an unusual host galaxy, providing insights into super-luminous supernovae. The record-breaking ASASSN-15lh was found to mimic hydrogen-poor SLSNe's behavior but with greater extremes, sparking speculation about its extraordinary emission.
Researchers developed a family of reagents to add ring-shaped structures to drug candidates, reducing multiple steps in synthesis. This innovation may help speed up the development process for numerous pharmaceuticals.
A new microscopy technique allows for 3-D imaging of single molecules, live cells, and developing embryos with reduced photo toxicity. The breakthrough enables the investigation of broader biological events, expanding the range of microscopes that can be used.
A new study highlights the true costs of hydroelectric dams in tropical regions, including significant impacts on biodiversity and fisheries. Researchers warn that dam site selection is crucial for conserving biodiversity, but many countries lack protocols to ensure careful planning.
Researchers added cesium to perovskite solar cells, increasing thermal and photostability while maintaining high efficiency. The modified cells showed a boost in efficiency when layered on top of silicon photovoltaics, potentially achieving over 25% efficiency.
Scientists say human activity has left a pervasive signature on Earth that warrants recognition as a new geological time unit. This 'Anthropocene' epoch will be marked by uniquely human products and global markers such as carbon particulates, nitrogen, phosphorus, and nuclear fallout.
The study of the Iceman's gut microbes reveals a surprising connection to Asian strains and modern European strains, suggesting that recent human migrations influenced European genetic makeup. The findings also indicate that the Iceman may have been ill before his murder, with high levels of virulence factors in his gut microbiome.
Dr. Christine Grant, NC State University, received the 2015 AAAS Mentor Award for supporting diverse students in chemical engineering. She has mentored hundreds of students, including underrepresented minorities and women, resulting in an increase in their pursuit of Ph.D.'s.
Researchers developed a method to create ceramic materials using 3D printing with minimal cracking, enabling complex shapes and high temperatures. The resulting silicon carbide material can withstand 1,400°C temperatures without cracking, making it suitable for hypersonic vehicles and jet engines.
Research reveals that a father's diet can impact the RNA of his sperm, which in turn can affect gene regulation in offspring. Studies found that high-fat diets and low-protein diets can lead to changes in specific small RNAs, including tRNA-Gly-GCC, which suppresses genes related to metabolic disorders.
Scientists used compounds to alter epigenetic marks in ant colonies, demonstrating lasting effects on behavior. Epigenetic modifications, such as histone acetylation, influenced caste-based systems and worker responsibilities.
Researchers have developed a CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a debilitating genetic disease. By deleting exon 23 and restoring dystrophin protein levels, the therapy improved muscle function in mice with DMD, including cardiac and pulmonary health.
Recent studies identified five distinct lineages of MERS-CoV in camels, with low barrier for interspecies transmission. A vaccine was found to be effective in preventing clinical symptoms and reducing virus levels in vaccinated camels.
The CRISPR genome editing technique has been hailed as a breakthrough due to its ability to deliver genes precisely, low cost, and ease of use. It has enabled the creation of gene drives, human embryo editing, and the deletion of retrovirus DNA in pig genomes.
The article highlights four ways in which current hunting policies for large carnivores do not align with ecological theory and data. The authors emphasize the need to account for different methods of sampling effort and detection, as well as evaluate policies state by state.
A new study reveals that exposure to algal toxin domoic acid impairs the memory of California sea lions, affecting their ability to navigate and find food. The researchers found structural abnormalities in the animals' hippocampal regions, which corresponded to poorer performance on spatial memory tasks.
A new study shows that male prairie voles with poorer spatial memory, which tend to wander farther for mates, exhibit higher levels of promiscuity. This is associated with gene expression changes that are heritable and linked to increased risk of encountering aggressive males.
Researchers developed a computer model called Bayesian program learning framework (BPL) that captures humans' unique ability to learn new concepts from a single example. The BPL model achieved human-level performance on challenging concept learning tasks, outperforming recent deep learning approaches.
Nearly 40% of Ph.D. graduates enter industry, with those in RÔD firms earning higher salaries than academia counterparts. Mathematics and/or computer sciences hold the highest average earnings at over $65,000 per year.
A new study suggests that a thicker Earth mantle may be responsible for some of the planet's inner processes. The research found a significant increase in the Earth's mantle viscosity at depths of 1,000 kilometers, challenging previous estimates.
A new study suggests that local human activity is altering the global water cycle, increasing evapotranspiration and decreasing water runoff. This shift has a significant impact, raising humanity's global freshwater footprint by 18% and potentially leading to unsustainable levels of consumption.
A new study reveals that just 9% of migratory birds have adequate protection across their migration cycle. Many species face declining numbers over the past 30 years, emphasizing the need for improved conservation efforts.
A new study has identified numerous genetic mutations associated with both congenital heart disease and neurodevelopmental disorders. The analysis revealed a high burden of damaging de novo mutations in genes highly expressed during heart development, suggesting a link between heart and brain development.
Research by Allison Cleary reveals that breast cancer cells work together to promote tumor growth, contradicting the long-held assumption of competitive interactions within tumors. Her findings have implications for developing novel treatments that target cooperative interactions in human breast cancers.
A new study found that even free online educational courses tend to favor students from higher socioeconomic backgrounds. Additionally, adolescents from lower-income neighborhoods were less likely to earn certificates in MOOCs compared to their peers from more affluent areas.
A new study suggests that mobile phone metrics can be used to infer a person's socioeconomic status, particularly in resource-constrained regions like Rwanda. The researchers developed a model that maps poverty and wealth at high resolution, accurately predicting wealth throughout the country.
The use of different methods to measure energy sources is a significant issue, affecting global efforts to combat climate change. The disparity in measuring energy statistics can lead to inaccurate targets and progress tracking.
Research suggests certain types of carbon-intensive algae are flourishing as carbon pumps, removing CO2 from the atmosphere. A shift in phytoplankton dominance occurred over the past millennium, with a more recent transition happening in less than 200 years.
The Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) represent a 'bottom up' approach to climate management, with countries setting their own emissions reduction targets. Fawcett and colleagues found that INDCs can help reduce the probability of worst levels of temperature change until 2100 and limit global warming to 2?C.
Chitons have eyes with mineral-based lenses in their shells, allowing them to visualize predators and respond quickly. The size and complexity of individual chiton eyes impact the local mechanical performance of their armor, highlighting trade-offs between protection and sight.
Researchers found that certain fish species exhibit lower polarization contrast with their backgrounds, making them harder to spot. The platelets in these fish align on vertical axes to reflect downward-directed light and diffuse horizontal-axis light, providing enhanced camouflage abilities.
A new study suggests parasitic worms can impact human reproduction rates, with roundworms increasing childbearing by up to two more children than uninfected women, while hookworms decrease it by up to three fewer children.
Scientists can now observe neurons' electrical activity in real-time using a highly sensitive molecule fused with a fluorescent protein. This breakthrough allows researchers to study brain processing in living animals, offering unprecedented insights into cell-to-cell communication.
A new study supports the Lilliput effect, where mass extinctions lead to temporary size reductions in species. Smaller vertebrates with higher reproductive rates and shorter lifespans were more resilient to extinction events, while large vertebrates struggled to adapt.
Analysis of Baffin Island lava flows provides new insights into Earth's water origins, suggesting water-soaked dust grains present early in the solar system may be the source. The study found lower deuterium levels than previous studies, providing a potential baseline for Earth's original water signature.
Zachariæ Isstrøm's acceleration increased by a factor of three in 2012 due to rising air and ocean temperatures. The glacier's floating shelf shrank by 95% between 2002 and 2014, posing significant sea level rise concerns.
The study suggests that primitive North American mammoths emerged around 2-1.5 million years ago (MYA), originating from Asia via the Bering Strait. This new understanding challenges previous assumptions about the evolutionary timeline of North American Columbian mammoths.
The 2015 winners of the AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards were recognized for their outstanding work in science reporting, including stories on urban violence, climate change, and animal vocal learning. Andrea McDaniels won the Gold Award for her series on the impact of traumatic stress on children's health.
Two studies found that a specific gut bacteria, Bifidobacterium, is positively associated with anti-tumor T cell responses and upregulates genes critical for anti-tumor responses. Fecal transplants also slowed tumor growth in mice treated with immunotherapy agents.
The MAVEN mission has revealed enhanced escape rates of ions during solar bursts, hinting at substantial atmospheric loss in early Martian history. The study also found a large vertical temperature gradient and mixing of gases near the thermosphere and ionosphere.
Researchers discovered a compound that stabilizes αB-crystallin proteins, reducing aggregation and improving cataract transparency. The molecule partially reversed existing aggregation and restored lens clarity in mice and human samples.
A new study published in Science magazine reveals that vitamin C can selectively kill colorectal cancer cells with certain mutations, such as KRAS and BRAF. The research found that these mutated cells take up oxidized vitamin C through a specific receptor, leading to oxidative stress that inactivates an enzyme required for growth.
The AAAS will provide training and professional development for up to 18 fellows, focusing on community engagement managers who facilitate collaborative projects. The fellowship aims to create a well-defined career path and resources for individuals in this field.
A new study by AAAS finds that warming waters in the Gulf of Maine have contributed to the decline of New England cod stocks, despite strict quotas. The researchers used sea surface temperature data to show how ocean warming reduced cod production and led to overfishing.
A new report by Daniel Herbst and Alexandre Mas found that lab-based estimates of the spillover effect, how one worker's productivity impacts another's, are similar to field results. The study analyzed more than 30 lab and field studies across various occupations and continents, suggesting that insights from lab experiments can be gene...
Researchers have developed a new lithium-air battery that utilizes unique materials to overcome common issues with efficiency and water tolerance. The battery's design features a lithium metal negative electrode, non-aqueous electrolyte, and positive electrode that work together to improve overall performance.
A recent discovery of a small-bodied ape in Spain shares features of both catarrhines and great apes, suggesting that the last common ancestor of all apes may have been less great ape-like than previously assumed. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of hominoid evolution.
A new protein has been identified that selectively clears damaged chloroplasts from plant cells, reducing oxidative stress and maintaining photosynthesis efficiency. The discovery reveals a complex quality control mechanism in plants.