The BigBrain project presents a landmark three-dimensional digital reconstruction of the human brain with a spatial resolution of 20 microns. This allows for unprecedented exploration of brain microstructure and cellular level details, facilitating new insights into neurobiology, cognition, and aging.
The disappearance of large fruit-eating birds from Brazilian forests has led to smaller, less successful seeds in nearby palm trees. The study found that the absence of these birds triggered a rapid evolution of forest palms, resulting in smaller seeds.
A recent study published in Science provides insight into radiation hazards for deep space missions, including those to Mars. The research measures radiation exposure on the Curiosity rover's journey to and from Mars, revealing a significant risk to astronauts, with doses potentially exceeding career limits.
A new study reveals that the ancient Maya civilization developed its unique culture and architecture through broad cultural exchanges across southern Mesoamerica. The researchers found that the plazas and pyramids at Ceibal, Guatemala, were built around 1,000 BCE, predating other comparable examples by roughly 200 years.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea has seen a significant rise in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis cases, with up to 15% of patients failing to respond to commonly used drugs. The National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, established in 2010, provides a rare example of international collaboration in the fight against TB.
The study of HR 8799c's atmosphere suggests a core accretion process led to its formation, similar to our Solar System's formation. The exoplanet's composition reveals an elevated carbon-to-oxygen ratio, indicating water ice grains condensed and formed the planet's solid core.
A Mars research project led by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has won the Science Prize for Inquiry-Based Instruction. Middle-school students from a small rural town in northern California used a camera orbiting Mars to conduct their own experiment and discover a new cave on the flanks of a Martian volcano.
A new study offers conclusive evidence that cosmic ray protons within our galaxy are accelerated in the shock waves produced by supernovae. Researchers detected the spectral cutoff in the gamma ray spectrum due to the decay of neutral pions, connecting gamma rays to accelerated protons.
A study by Umeå University researchers found that even small amounts of anxiety-moderating drugs like Oxazepam can change the behavior and feeding rates of wild European perch. The fish became bolder, less social, and ate faster after exposure to the drug.
A new web-based teaching tool, Genomics Explorers, has been awarded the Science Prize for Inquiry-Based Instruction. The tool helps students formulate and explore their own research questions using genomic data sets, promoting real research experience and ownership of the process.
Researchers discovered that bacteria can survive antibiotic exposure through random pulses of the enzyme KatG, which activates the drug isoniazid. This finding may aid in designing new antibacterial treatments, particularly for drug-resistant tuberculosis.
The Higgs boson's detection completes the standard model of particle physics, where particles interact with a Higgs field to obtain mass. Researchers used a $5.5-billion-dollar atom-smasher and two massive particle detectors to spot the elusive boson.
The five recipients of the 2013 AAAS-EurekAlert Fellowships are Sofia Moutinho, Victoria Renata Sanchez Hernandez, Marcos Chumpitaz Sanchez, Lucas Viano, and Alejandra Vargas Morera. They will attend the AAAS Annual Meeting in Boston to cover the latest research and network with peers from around the world.
Dr. Kurokawa led an independent commission investigating the Fukushima nuclear disaster, exposing regulatory capture and cultural factors that contributed to the accident. The Commission's report was presented to Parliament and has since led to a safety-first standard for the global nuclear sector.
Researchers used ribosome-mapping technique to investigate HCMV's proteome, discovering hundreds of previously unidentified proteins and exceptionally short protein sequences. These findings provide new understanding of how the virus manipulates human cells during infection.
The 2012 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards honored outstanding science journalists, including Carl Zimmer for his work on evolution and the human microbiome. The awards recognized the importance of science journalism in covering big stories that both excite and enlighten. Sarah Holt won three times for her NOVA documentary exploring...
A new series of radiocarbon measurements from Japan's Lake Suigetsu provides a more precise and accurate dating method, especially for older objects. The record stretches back 52,800 years, offering improved resolution and confidence in radiocarbon dating.
Peter Liddicoat, a research fellow at the University of Sydney, won the contest with his six-month preparation burlesque circus show on manipulating aluminum alloy crystal structures. His win marks the first time a Ph.D. dance based on pure mathematics has taken top prize.
Cohen's research reveals that when the mind wanders, so too do our perceptual abilities, with a significant decrease in ability to detect subtle changes. Her method allows for measuring the effect of internal states on behavior, offering new insights into attention and perception.
Researchers have identified three genes responsible for hybrid sterility in rice, controlling fertility in indica-japonica hybrids by targeting female gametes and stabilizing cell membranes. The study may lead to the development of non-lethal hybrid combinations, improving crop genetics.
The Denisovan genome was completely sequenced, revealing its genetic connections to modern humans and Neandertals. The study found that the Denisovans shared more genes with populations from southeastern Asia than with those in other parts of Asia.
A new study reveals that human airways rely on a 'brush-like' layer to clear mucus, which protects cells from sticky mucus and captures foreign particles. The findings may lead to the development of novel therapies for lung diseases.
Researchers discovered that elephants produce infrasounds using the same flow-driven mechanism as human speech and other mammals. This finding suggests a wide range of applications for understanding animal communication and voice production.
A recent study analyzing 5,000-year-old DNA from Stone Age remains in Sweden found that farming moved north across the continent with migrating populations. The analysis suggests that European farmers mixed their genes with resident hunter-gatherers, shaping modern European genomes.
Two studies found that neonicotinoid insecticides harm bumblebees by reducing food intake and queen production, while impairing honeybees' homing abilities, leading to increased mortality. The pesticides can also interfere with bees' behavior, posing a threat to pollination.
Scientists have designed a battery cathode made of lignin byproducts, which may lead to cheaper and safer electrodes. The new cathode is comparable to those that require precious metals or rare raw materials.
A new study estimates that landscape fire smoke contributed to an average of 339,000 deaths per year between 1997 and 2006. Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia were disproportionately affected, with estimated annual averages of 157,000 and 110,000 deaths, respectively.
A new study shows that an implantable microchip can deliver medication on command, improving bone formation and reducing the risk of bone fracture in women with osteoporosis. The device, which is roughly the size of a pacemaker, releases medication via a wireless signal and has shown to be effective and safer than traditional injections.
Physicists from Harvard University and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität used the Quantum Gas Microscope to observe individual rubidium atoms transitioning between quantum states. They found that this transition occurs surprisingly fast, providing a new understanding of solid-state systems.
A groundbreaking clinical trial has demonstrated that antiretroviral drugs can provide both treatment and prevention for HIV, reducing transmission rates by up to 96%. The study found that treated individuals are significantly less likely to infect their partners.
Erez Lieberman Aiden has developed a method for three-dimensional genome sequencing, creating the first genome-wide spatial map of the human genome. The study reveals that active and inactive genomic regions are separated inside the nucleus, suggesting an 'epigenetic mark' that regulates gene expression.
Researchers have successfully transplanted immature neurons from healthy mouse embryos into adult mice with a genetic deficiency, restoring leptin signaling and partially normalizing their metabolism. The study demonstrates the potential of neuronal replacement therapy for treating metabolic disorders.
The 2011 AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards honored journalists Mark Johnson and Kathleen Gallagher for their compelling series on the use of genetic analysis to find the cause of an unknown disease. The awards also recognized Christine Peterson, Kerry Huller, and Wes Watson of the Casper Star-Tribune for their series on the shrinkin...
Researchers analyzed genealogies of early pioneers and found they had significantly more children than those who settled within the core of an existing colony. Women on the edge of colonization also showed a 15% higher fertility rate due to earlier marriage, suggesting that fertility can rapidly evolve during range expansion.
Tiago Branco's research focuses on how single neurons process information from the outside world to generate behaviors. He discovered that dendrites actively filter and transform this information, enabling single neurons to solve complex computational tasks.
A new study reveals that plant miRNAs acquired through food intake can regulate human physiology by targeting specific genes. This discovery expands the functions of microRNAs and has significant implications for human health, metabolism, and disease treatment.
Researchers have found evidence of the carbon cycle extending to the lower mantle, where it is believed to originate from ocean crust. The discovery was made in 'superdeep' diamonds from Brazil that contain inclusions with chemical compositions indicative of deep-sea environments.
Australopithecus sediba fossils display both primitive and human-like traits, challenging long-standing theories about human evolution. The discovery of well-preserved hand and foot bones provides insights into the species' tool-making abilities.
Researchers analyze asteroid dust brought back by Hayabusa spacecraft, confirming stony asteroids are birthplace of most meteorites. The discovery sheds light on the history of early solar system events and provides a new understanding of the origin of ordinary chondrites.
Researchers found that airplanes can create holes in supercooled clouds, leading to increased snowfall and precipitation around major airports. The phenomenon is similar to cloud seeding but occurs naturally due to aircraft flight patterns and engine emissions.
The AAAS Pacific Division will convene a joint session with the World Congress on Mummy Studies in San Diego, exploring DNA analysis and facial images from mummies. The meeting will feature 16 sessions on topics including fragile X syndrome, music and science, and ancient mummification methods.
The study suggests that an enhanced sense of smell was a key driver of brain evolution in mammals. Early Jurassic Period fossils reveal three stages of brain development, from improved olfaction to increased tactile sensitivity and neuromuscular coordination. These findings provide new insights into the evolution of mammalian brains.
A new study found that cattle infected with foot-and-mouth disease are only contagious for 1.7 days, sparking hope for reduced culling and improved testing methods. Researchers recommend developing pre-clinical diagnostic tools to detect infected animals before symptoms appear, allowing for more targeted interventions.
The AAAS website provides detailed insights into US students' science knowledge, including incorrect ideas they hold. The site features test questions and analysis of correct and incorrect responses, helping educators identify gaps in understanding and improve instruction.
Researchers have discovered thousands of human artifacts in Texas that predates Clovis culture by 2,500 years, expanding evidence for earlier cultures in North America. The pre-Clovis toolkit includes biface and blade technology, which may have later been adapted by the Clovis culture.
Scientists discovered an 11,500-year-old Paleoindian house in central Alaska with a cremated child skeleton. The findings provide a unique glimpse into the domestic life of the region's early people, including women and children. The child was around three years old and died before being cremated in a pit within the house.
Researchers discovered that Alaskan black bears only reduce their body temperatures slightly during hibernation, yet experience a dramatic decline in metabolic activity, slowing to 25% of normal rates. The bears' metabolism remained suppressed for several weeks after emerging from hibernation.
The 2010 International Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge recognized winners for their visually striking and informative entries, including a video tracking trash disposal and a poster on fungi's complex uses. The challenge honors scientists who use visual media to promote understanding of scientific research.
Dr. Joel D. Oppenheim of New York University School of Medicine has been honored with the 2010 AAAS Lifetime Mentor Award for his efforts to increase diversity in the Ph.D. biomedical workforce. He has successfully recruited and supported students from underrepresented backgrounds, transforming institutional demographics.
The AAAS has awarded four researchers with the Joshua E. Neimark Memorial Travel Assistance Award to study stem cell transplantation, sustainable growth, women in academia, and conservation science. The winners will attend the 2011 Annual Meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.