Laura Seeholzer's groundbreaking research reveals that neuroendocrine cells in the larynx and trachea play a crucial role in protecting our lungs from foreign agents. By detecting water and acid, these cells trigger protective responses, including cough-like reflexes and swallowing motions.
A recent Supreme Court ruling could strip federal protections from nearly all US nontidal wetlands, including 17.3-90 million acres, due to narrow interpretations of WOTUS. The ruling's impact on the environment and economy is uncertain, with potential hotspots in the Southeast and Great Plains.
Researchers present a novel method to remove and store atmospheric carbon using 'wood vaults', potentially reducing fossil fuel emissions. The approach could sequester up to 10 gigatons of CO2 annually, with an estimated initial cost of $100 to $200 per ton.
A new study found that large-scale removal of discarded fishing gear and plastic debris in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands significantly reduced entanglement rates of endangered Hawaiian monk seals. The findings suggest that marine debris cleanup programs are successful and that reducing plastic inputs can maximize conservation outco...
European atmospheric blocking has slowed glacial melt at Greenland's Nioghalvfjerdsfjorden Glacier by cooling subsurface waters from 2018 to 2021. The findings highlight the importance of regional atmospheric dynamics in glacier stability, which is crucial for predicting future glacier behavior.
A new reconstruction of Earth's temperature history over the past 485 million years reveals a wider range of climate variability than previously understood. The study suggests that atmospheric carbon dioxide has been the primary driver of climate changes during this period, with temperatures varying more dynamically than thought.
A study found that state-level food waste bans have largely failed to reduce landfilled waste across the US, with Massachusetts being the lone success. Massachusetts implemented a well-designed and enforced policy, resulting in a significant reduction of 13.2% in waste disposal.
A new study finds that personalized conversations with a trained AI chatbot can significantly decrease conspiracy theory beliefs, even among deeply entrenched individuals. The researchers used Large Language Models to provide tailored counterarguments, reducing misinformed beliefs by an average of 20% and lasting for at least two months.
A massive rockslide in East Greenland triggered a towering tsunami and a rare global seismic signal that resonated for nine days. The study reveals how climate change-induced events like glacial thinning can lead to significant geophysical phenomena with widespread impacts.
New open access (OA) mandates are changing the way scientists share their work, with transformative agreements (TAs) influencing publishing industry structures. Research funders and publishers should gather more data to inform policy updates, as OA is likely to coexist with traditional reader-pay journals in the future.
Researchers found that watching others experience harm increases serotonin release in the brain's lateral habenula, promoting resilience against depressive-like states. This breakthrough may inform new treatments for depression, PTSD, and addiction.
Researchers successfully transform non-volar skin to have volar features, promoting resilience under high-pressure conditions. This breakthrough could lead to a new therapy for treating pressure-caused skin damage in amputees, addressing the painful issue of skin breakdown.
New analysis of a lunar sample reveals volcanic eruptions on the Moon occurred as recently as 120 million years ago. Researchers found three tiny glass beads with high abundances of KREEP elements, suggesting localized heating and small-scale magma eruption.
Researchers used a common food dye to turn a live mouse's tissues transparent, allowing them to study internal organs and muscle contractions. The dye absorbs light in the near ultraviolet and blue regions, modifying tissue refractive index and enabling deeper transmission of red light.
A recent meta-analysis found that the Messinian Salinity Crisis significantly altered Mediterranean biodiversity, with 66.8% dissimilarity between species before and after the crisis. The study also showed that only a few endemic species survived the event, while new species were introduced following the reconnection to the Atlantic.
Researchers found that white-browed sparrow weavers in the Kalahari Desert build nests reflecting group-specific cultural traditions. The birds' social learning and preferences drive these architectural styles, which remain consistent even when they move between groups.
Two studies reveal key proteins involved in micronuclear collapse, including p62 and CHMP7, which can serve as prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for high-CIN tumors. Oxidative damage from ROS triggers the process, causing chromosomal instability and DNA damage that fuels cancer progression.
Researchers developed a wearable smart mask that captures and analyzes exhaled breath condensate for continuous monitoring of respiratory health conditions. The device offers high accuracy and real-time data transmission via Bluetooth, providing a promising solution for future clinical studies.
Only 63 climate policies out of 1,500 tested reduced total emissions between 0.6-1.8 billion tons of CO2. Effective policies involve a mix of subsidies and regulations addressing different market failures.
Researchers have developed a family of stabilized fatty-acid-derived polymers that exhibit high performance, environmental sustainability, and recyclability. The new adhesives show promise in various applications, including industrial, medical, and consumer products.
Advances in biological AI models hold great promise but also pose serious risks, including the creation of novel pathogens. The authors propose policies focused on reducing biosecurity risks while preserving scientific freedom.
A study of 230 fisheries worldwide found significant biases in stock biomass estimates, particularly for overfished stocks, leading to underestimated declines and insufficient management. The findings suggest that 85% more stocks than currently recognized have likely collapsed below 10% of their historical biomass.
The new equity weighting approach recommended by the OMB leads to a dramatic increase in SCC estimates, emphasizing the importance of considering vulnerable populations. This shift towards ethical implications of climate policies has significant implications for cost-benefit analyses and requires careful scientific and policy dialogue.
Researchers discovered a new type of brain activity called BARRs, which helps maintain balance in hippocampal neural networks during sleep. Disrupting these barrages can lead to impaired memory performance.
A new geospatial analysis reveals that only one-third of the world's population in low- and middle-income countries has access to safe drinking water, with fecal contamination affecting almost half. The study emphasizes the need for improved water quality monitoring and infrastructure investments to address this critical human right.
Scientists have identified the Chicxulub impactor as a rare carbonaceous asteroid, shedding light on the mass extinction event that occurred 66 million years ago. The findings suggest that the asteroid's unique composition and extraterrestrial origin are consistent with an outer Solar System origin.
Early prenatal exposure to famine has a significant impact on future health, increasing the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus in adulthood. Individuals born during peak famine periods in early gestation have a higher likelihood of developing T2DM later in life.
A nearly continuous 1268-meter-long drill core of serpentinized abyssal mantle peridotite has provided new insights into Earth's deep geology and the potential biogeochemical conditions involved in the origins of life. The findings reveal significant mineralogical variations, including low pyroxene content and oblique melt migration.
Researchers have discovered massive enzymes in marine algae that produce fish-killing toxins. The discovery expands expectations of genetic and enzymatic size limits in biology, revealing how microalgae biosynthesize giant polyketide polyether molecules.
Researchers discovered that infected bacteria produce a new gene, dubbed 'Neo', which rapidly arrests cell growth and induces programmed dormancy. This mechanism protects the larger bacterial population from phage infection, highlighting the potential for other 'hidden' genes to be unearthed in different biological contexts.
A newly discovered fossil, Shishania aculeata, provides crucial insights into the origin of molluscan skeletons. The finding suggests that this stem mollusk is representative of an intermediate between early members of the superphylum lophotrochozoans and more derived mollusks.
Researchers developed CLEAR, a novel 3D printing technique using light and dark chemical reactions to create densely entangled polymer chains. This improves mechanical properties and enables applications in biomedical manufacturing, such as adhering to wet tissues.
Researchers have identified a shared genetic mechanism driving the emergence of similar traits in distantly related plants with prickles. The study reveals that mutations in a specific gene can lead to prickle loss in various species, including crops like eggplants and rice.
A new study reveals Andean tropical glaciers are the smallest in over 11,700 years due to increasing temperatures and human-induced climate change. This region is a hot spot for understanding the cryosphere's changing state, with implications for higher-latitude glaciers.
This Special Issue explores the intersections of science, health, and policy related to air pollution monitoring, health impacts, and built environment changes. Advances in satellite technology and modeling can help bridge data gaps, but economic disparities persist.
Neurons in the brain's zona incerta (ZI) are activated by maternal presence, reducing infant distress and stress hormone levels. The study suggests that these neurons integrate sensory signals to facilitate social interactions, providing a potential entry point for studying infant development.
A new study finds that human-induced climate warming has driven increasing precipitation variability over much of the globe, with hotspots in Europe, Australia, and eastern North America. The amplified variability poses significant threats to climate resilience, infrastructure development, agriculture, and ecosystems.
The emergence of artemisinin-resistance in Plasmodium falciparum parasites in eastern Africa threatens the efficacy of treatment and control strategies. To combat this, experts recommend using triple ACTs, enhanced community health worker networks, rapid diagnostic testing, and antimalarial treatments.
Research highlights additional health benefits of GLP-1 drugs beyond glucose and weight control, including reduced heart and kidney diseases. The potential mechanisms underlying these benefits include reducing systemic inflammation and its effects on various cellular pathways.
Researchers found that fruit-eating birds eat more closely matched fruits near their geographic range edges, resulting in a narrower foraging niche. This specialization may help explain geographic variation in species' fitness and responses to environmental change.
A new study using data from the VA Million Veteran Program reveals substantial similarities in the genetic architecture of complex traits across four population groups. The analysis identified 26,049 variant-trait associations and showed that non-European populations contribute significantly to genetic diversity.
The EurekAlert! Travel Awards have been expanded to include countries of Eastern Europe, recognizing the growing role of science journalism in the region. The two winners, Pavla Hubálková and Iris Duțescu, will attend the 2025 AAAS Annual Meeting with travel support.
New atmospheric particles form when stratospheric air intrudes into the troposphere below, contributing to cloud formation and influencing Earth's climate. This process occurs frequently over large geographic regions, particularly in remote marine areas.
A century-old experiment with barley reveals rapid adaptation to climate change, driven by natural selection. The study shows that local adaptation dominates evolution, but the most competitive genotypes may not be the highest yielding.
The study analyzed anonymized data from the NHS COVID-19 app to capture significant changes in contact rates and transmissibility. It revealed a shift from household infections to fleeting contacts, particularly on weekends and during holidays.
The fungal pathogen that causes white-nose syndrome in bats uses different cell entry strategies depending on the host's hibernation status, highlighting potential therapeutic interventions against WNS using epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors. Bats play a crucial role in mitigating agricultural pests and insect-borne diseases.
Researchers develop photoluminescent biomass aerogel with high solar reflectance, achieving up to 104% visible light reflectance and 16°Celsius cooling under high solar irradiance. The biodegradable material boasts impressive reparability, recyclability, and environmental friendliness.
A mouse study identifies a novel non-synaptic signaling mechanism between the brain and peripheral sensory system in migraine. The study suggests that CSF influx activates neurons, triggering aural migraine headaches and providing potential pharmacological targets for treating the disorder.
The US federal grid reforms aim to improve the integration of renewable energy sources like wind and solar into the national electric grid. However, despite these efforts, fundamental issues remain unaddressed, including the need for centralized planning and better integration of interconnection and transmission policies.
The discovery of 'blockbuster T cells' in the gut offers a powerful approach to treating multiple diseases. By understanding how these T cells interact with bacteria, researchers can develop innovative therapeutic interventions.