A global metagenomic study of urban microbiomes found distinct microbial signatures in cities across six continents, with over 4,200 known species identified. The research also discovered a core set of 31 species present in 97% of samples and highlights the potential for new discoveries related to microbial diversity.
Researchers have discovered that embryos across various animal groups rely on acoustic signals to inform their development and adapt to environmental conditions. This phenomenon, known as acoustic developmental programming, suggests that sound plays a crucial role in shaping the lives of animals from the moment of birth.
A new cognitive construct called 'decision acuity' was identified as a stable factor underlying diverse decision-making abilities in adolescents and young adults. Decision acuity was linked to factors such as fast learning, reward sensitivity, and low propensity for retaliation, and predicted performance in decision-making tasks.
Researchers have successfully grown sesame-seed-sized heart models using human pluripotent stem cells, which spontaneously self-organize into a hollow chamber without experimental scaffolds. The cardioids' wall-like tissue contracts rhythmically to squeeze liquid around the inside cavity, mimicking natural development.
Researchers tracked swifts using miniature technology and found they can migrate 570 kilometers a day, with some journeys reaching over 830 kilometers. The birds use a 'fly-and-forage' strategy, fueling and foraging along the way to reduce fuel costs and maximize speed.
Academic institutions must improve support for disabled faculty members, including those with visible and invisible disabilities. The commentary highlights the challenges created by high demands for grant money and frequent research publications, which can lead to reduced funding and staff retention.
A new theory of dreaming proposes that our brains create strange dreamscapes to counteract overfitting by familiarizing themselves with everyday experiences. This 'overfitted brain hypothesis,' inspired by AI regularization techniques, suggests dreams serve a purpose in generalization and world understanding.
Researchers have found that rodents and pigs can survive with the help of oxygen administered through their rectum. A liquid-based alternative has also been developed, which reversed symptoms in both models without producing side effects.
A new study of the California condor genome found a surprising amount of genetic diversity, indicating that the species was once more abundant. The researchers believe this diversity will aid in future conservation efforts and potentially mitigate the effects of previous inbreeding.
Scientists have developed a novel artificial color-changing material that can detect seafood freshness by changing color in response to amine vapors released by microbes as fish spoils. The material has the potential to be used in various applications, including stretchable electronics and dynamic camouflaging robots.
Researchers found that sharks rely on magnetic fields to guide them during long-distance migrations. Bonnethead sharks were used in experiments, which showed that they orient themselves based on the magnetic field, even when exposed to fields outside their natural range.
Scientists have developed a small, flexible thermoelectric generator that converts heat from human skin into electrical power. The device can power an LED light in real-time when worn on a wristband, suggesting potential for powering wearable devices like fitness trackers.
Researchers present a framework for effective altruism, suggesting donors split contributions between emotionally appealing and impactful charities. They advocate for expert evaluations and tangible details about charity intervention strategies.
The study found that stress impairs immune cells' ability to move and fight diseases by inhibiting their movements. This effect is caused by the neurotransmitter noradrenaline, which activates the sympathetic nervous system, leading to reduced blood flow, oxygen deprivation, and calcium signaling in leukocytes.
A new compound AAZ-A-154 has been identified with potential to act on beneficial pathways in the brain without hallucinogenic effects. The discovery was made possible by a genetically encoded fluorescent sensor called psychLight that screens for hallucinogenic potential.
Researchers observed dense networks of sponge spicules indicating mobility in Arctic sponges. The trails suggest the sponges may be searching for food or reproducing, with further studies needed to confirm the reasons behind this surprising behavior.
Scientists have successfully encoded a passage from Jane Austen's Mansfield Park in a series of oligomers, allowing for efficient information storage. The technique uses urethane-like plastics and enables dense data storage without DNA-based approaches.
Researchers equipped a Pepper robot with self-directed dialogue to facilitate better human-robot communication. The AI model improved the robot's ability to solve dilemmas and outperformed international standards for collaborative robots. By
Researchers found that certain gut microbes, specifically Asaia bogorensis, increase the risk of malaria parasite infection in mosquitoes by raising gut pH levels. Feeding mosquitoes a sugar diet promotes the proliferation of this bacterial species, which enhances parasite infection.
Scientists have successfully generated human-monkey chimeric embryos, allowing them to study human development and disease under in vivo conditions. The research has the potential to provide new insights into evolutionary barriers to chimera generation and improve model systems for studying human biology.
Researchers discovered spoked vertebrae in azhdarchid pterosaurs that supported their long necks, enabling them to fly with heavy prey. The internal structure was found to be helically arranged like bicycle wheel spokes.
After Hurricane Maria, rhesus macaques in Puerto Rico expanded their social networks and became more tolerant of other individuals. The animals formed new connections, resulting in a more tolerant society as a whole.
A recent study found that African elephants' actual range has shrunk to just 17% of its potential due to human pressures, including ivory killing. Despite this, the researchers suggest that elephants can still recover into areas with light human footprint for peaceful coexistence.
Children's gut microbiota largely reaches adult composition by five years, but important differences remain. Key bacterial taxa are acquired late in childhood and may affect health later in life.
Researchers found that octopuses alternate between an 'active sleep' stage and a 'quiet sleep' stage, characterized by dynamic color changes and muscular twitches. The findings suggest that octopuses may experience something akin to dreams during the 'active sleep' state.
A Chinese research team discovered that whiteflies use a plant gene to degrade common plant toxins, allowing them to feed on plants safely. The team developed a strategy to undo this superpower by creating a small RNA molecule that interferes with the whitefly's gene.
A recent study found that North American deserts are home to a high array of butterfly species due to the desert's changing conditions and mobile nature. This diversity is attributed to the butterflies' generalist behavior and lack of host plant specificity, making them less likely to cluster together.
Researchers surveyed 9,911 people in Germany and the US, finding that emphasizing urgency alone doesn't increase support for high-cost climate plans. However, giving context and communicating effective near-term solutions can boost support, particularly when politicians are transparent, engaging, and authentic.
Marine animals including green sea turtles, sharks, and penguins exhibit similar circling movements at constant speeds, defying efficiency. This behavior may aid navigation or detection of magnetic fields.
Researchers found that white blood cells quickly change their stiffness and viscosity in response to a threat, increasing up to ten times within minutes. This dramatic change occurs even before shape changes, suggesting an underlying physical mechanism with unique utility for each cell type.
Researchers have created stem-cell-derived organoids that can produce mature tear products, shedding light on the biology of crying and dry-eye disease. The organoids can be transplanted into mouse tear glands and form functional duct-like structures, revealing new insights into potential treatments for Sjögren's syndrome.
A new study suggests that environmental DNA can help better understand which grasses are the worst offenders for outdoor allergens. The research found substantial variability in airborne pollen from different grass species and identified a disproportionate influence of certain grasses on relevant health outcomes.
The Reforestation Hub is an interactive map that color-codes individual counties by reforestation opportunity, revealing a great deal of potential for restoration across the US. The tool identifies trends and quantifies land suitability for forest cover, providing valuable insights for foresters and policymakers.
Researchers at Jilin University developed a see-through glass display that transitions smoothly between a spectrum of colors when electrically charged. The technology harnesses interactions between metal ions and ligands, offering high white light contrast ratio and numerous applications.
The surging Bitcoin price is driving increasing energy consumption, with estimates suggesting the entire network could consume up to 184 TWh per year. This 'lock-in' effect means that even if the price crashes, energy consumption remains high, threatening international safety and exacerbating climate change.
Scientists have discovered two species of sea slugs that can regenerate their entire body, including the heart, after shedding their head. The slugs' unique ability to photosynthesize using chloroplasts from algae may help them survive long enough for regeneration.
Researchers found that frog lungs reduce sensitivity to environmental noise, making it easier for females to zero in on male calls. The unique sound pathway allows sounds from air-filled lungs to transmit to middle ears through a specific mechanism.
Researchers found that astrocytes from patients with bipolar disorder secrete more IL-6, which worsens symptoms and negatively impacts neuronal activity. The study highlights the potential role of astrocyte-mediated inflammatory signaling in psychiatric diseases.
Researchers analyzed ancient human DNA to understand the impact of tuberculosis on European populations. The study found that a specific variant of the TYK2 gene was associated with an increased risk of becoming ill after infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Researchers found that male superb lyrebirds create an acoustic illusion of a mobbing flock during courtship and copulation to trick females into staying with them. This complex behavior challenges traditional explanations of mimicry in biology, suggesting that elaborate bird songs can be driven by sexual conflict and deception.
A study analyzing 50 years of coral reef biodiversity research reveals widespread 'parachute science,' where international scientists conduct field studies without local engagement. The practice disproportionately affects lower-income countries, excluding host-nation scientists from authorship and limiting knowledge exchange.
A global study estimates that nature processes over 2 million cubic meters of human waste annually, equivalent to 41.7 million tons, in 48 cities containing about 82 million people. This natural process contributes significantly to sanitation services, worth approximately $4.4 billion per year.
The winners of the Cell Press and CST Rising Black Scientists Awards share their essays on creating a more inclusive scientific community. Olufolakemi Olusanya and Chrystal Starbird discuss their personal journeys, challenges, and hopes for contributing to a more equitable science.
Researchers found that individuals in REM sleep can interact with an experimenter and engage in real-time communication, comprehending questions, working-memory operations, and producing answers. This breakthrough sheds light on dreams, memory, and cognitive processes.
A study found that people with a loss-of-function variant of the ACTN3 gene, which lacks skeletal muscle protein α-actinin-3, have improved cold tolerance. This is due to increased muscle tone and a shift towards slow-twitch muscle fibers.
Domestic cats hunt less when owners feed them high-meat-content food and engage in play mimicking hunting. This reduces predation by 25%, with a 36% decrease seen in prey animals brought home to cat owners.
Researchers discovered that amphipods can close their claws in under 0.01% of a second, generating high-energy water jets and audible pops. The tiny creatures' fast movements defy physics laws, with potential applications for engineers and designers.
Researchers found that European free-tailed bats rely on orographic uplift and wind conditions to fly high and fast during nighttime forays. The bats' flight patterns show a predictable relationship with the landscape, using the same types of areas where winds sweep up a slope to carry them to high altitudes.
Harvard scientists engineered zebrafish with limb-like appendages through a single genetic mutation, revealing the beginning formation of limb structures and their potential to evolve from fins. The discovery sheds light on vertebrate evolution, fin-to-limb transition, and the complex structures that enable land movement.
The N439K mutation in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein confers resistance to serum antibodies and monoclonal antibodies, including those used in treatments. Researchers found that viruses with this mutation bind more strongly to the human ACE2 receptor, evading immunity while retaining infectivity.