Researchers developed a bioengineering approach to boost photosynthesis in rice plants, increasing grain yield by up to 27%. The genetically engineered plants showed increased photosynthetic efficiency and productivity under bright light conditions.
Researchers created Cas9-CPs and ProCas9s, which simplify genome editing and epigenetic modifications. These variants enable molecular sensing, tissue-specific genome editing, and potential application as a pathogen-sensing system.
A new model predicts that lithium-ion batteries will become the most cost-effective energy storage technology for various applications by 2030. The researchers found that as time progresses, lithium-ion battery costs decrease while those of pumped-storage hydroelectricity do not.
Researchers found that female Magellanic penguins are more likely to be stranded along the South American coast due to their northward migration. The study suggests that females are at greater risk of encountering threats such as water pollution and marine transport hazards, leading to increased stranding.
Gene-editing techniques may enable mass-producing capsaicinoids in tomatoes, which have nutritional and antibiotic properties. Researchers aim to develop commercial applications for these compounds.
A new study by the BabySeq project explores the effects of genetic testing on newborns, revealing unexpected risks for childhood diseases. The research also found potential links to adult-onset cancers, highlighting the importance of long-term follow-up to assess the test's efficacy.
A 12-week exercise intervention reduced visceral abdominal fat in obese adults, but tocilizumab treatment abolished this effect and increased cholesterol levels. Exercise promotes better health and reduces the risk of cardio-metabolic diseases by reducing abdominal fat mass.
A study using PET technology found that dopamine release in the brain happens twice during a meal: first when eating and second when food reaches the stomach. This release is linked to brain regions involved in reward, sensory perception, and higher cognitive functions.
Researchers sequenced the first complete Himalayan marmot genome, uncovering genetic mechanisms underlying high-altitude adaptation and hibernation. The findings also shed light on the immune system's role in protecting against diseases like hepatitis virus.
Scientists at Stanford University have developed an electrocatalytic mechanism that mimics the mammalian lung's gas exchange process, enabling more efficient conversion of water into hydrogen fuel. The design uses a thin membrane to separate oxygen and hydrogen gases, reducing energy costs and increasing current density rates.
A new tool, DeepSolar, scans high-resolution images of the US for solar panels, registering their locations and sizes. Researchers found 1.47 million individual installations nationwide, correlating them with factors like income, education, and incoming solar radiation.
Researchers developed a versatile vaccine effective in mice against Powassan virus and other tick-transmitted flaviviruses. The mRNA-based vaccine platform shows promise for rapid production of vaccines against emerging flaviviruses.
Researchers found that gently stroking newborns at a speed of approximately 3 centimeters per second can reduce pain-related brain activity. The study suggests that this technique could provide effective pain relief before clinically necessary medical procedures, and may also promote parent-infant bonding.
Researchers identified two genes, UBR4 and PHLPP1, that correlate with reduced cranial roundness in modern humans carrying Neandertal DNA fragments. These genes are involved in brain development and may have played a role in the evolution of human brain shape.
Researchers discover that exercise-induced hormone irisin activates cells responsible for bone remodeling in mice. The study reveals irisin's impact on sclerostin, a major cellular regulator of bone structure, and holds promise for future osteoporosis treatments.
Researchers have revealed the brain mechanism behind the uncontrollable itch-scratching cycle. A small subset of neurons in the periaqueductal gray region tracks itch-evoked scratching behavior. The study provides a starting point to decipher how itch is processed and modulated in the brain.
Researchers discovered that wild African fruit flies prefer marula fruits over citrus and are seasonal specialists in their ancestral forests of Zimbabwe. This finding provides clues into how the flies first came to live among humans, attracted by the scent of marula.
Researchers identify a new strain of Yersinia pestis in ancient DNA, suggesting it may have contributed to the decline of Neolithic European settlements. The strain is believed to have evolved before mass migrations from the Eurasian steppe, spreading through trade routes and infecting mega-settlements with poor sanitation.
Researchers discovered geckos' unique locomotion method, combining leg slapping, skin surface tension, and tail propulsion. The findings could inspire rapid swimming robots for search and rescue operations.
A parrot genome analysis found high rates of conserved mutations in genes supporting an abnormally long lifespan and cognitive abilities. The study identified several dozen parrot-specific genes important for traits like sound imitation and complex social behaviors.
A 33-million-year-old fossil whale named Maiabalaena from Oregon had neither teeth nor baleen, challenging previous assumptions about the evolutionary origin of these structures. The discovery provides new insights into the feeding habits of early whales and sheds light on the complex evolution of whale species.
Researchers have identified a key brain region, the lateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), as an effective target for electrical stimulation to improve mood in people with depression. Stimulation of this area has been shown to produce acute improvement in mood and normalize activity in mood-related neural circuitry.
A review from the Center for the Study of Itch identifies key factors contributing to the itch-scratch cycle, including immune responses and behavior. The study suggests that targeting specific molecules, such as cytokines, may be effective in treating chronic itching conditions.
Researchers found that imagining a sound can effectively remove negative associations, with brain activity parallels seen in both real and imagined extinction conditions. This study sheds light on the power of imagination as a therapy tool for anxiety disorders.
Researchers have found that electroencephalography (EEG) can identify patients who are cognitively aware but unable to respond due to severe brain injury. The study suggests that EEG may be used as a cost-effective screening tool to help stratify patients and identify those with high levels of cognitive function.
Scientists have discovered that a Mexican cavefish can regenerate its heart tissue, unlike its blind and translucent cousin. Researchers found three DNA segments responsible for the ability to regenerate heart tissue, shedding light on the genetic mechanisms behind this process.
Researchers found vast network of interconnected termite mounds in northeastern Brazil, covering area similar to Great Britain, with soil excavated over 10 cubic kilometers. The mounds are up to 4,000 years old and were formed by a single termite species that accessed dead leaves safely.
Researchers found that perceiving food activates the liver to prepare for nutrient uptake, including rapid signaling cascades that prime the endoplasmic reticulum for protein synthesis. This study may hold implications for understanding obesity and diabetes connections through protein folding and insulin release.
Researchers found that sustained periods of low Twitter activity were correlated with sleep patterns, while the nightly lull shifted to later times on weekends. The magnitude of 'Twitter social jet lag' varied seasonally and geographically, with the West Coast experiencing less lag.
Researchers discovered that secretin stimulates appetite suppression and increased brown fat heat production in mice. Human volunteers showed similar results, suggesting a link between secretin and satiation. This finding may lead to new approaches for treating obesity.
Two new studies reveal that previous Dengue infection in pregnant mothers may lead to increased severity of Zika in babies. Conversely, previous Zika infection in mouse mothers may increase severity of Dengue in their pups. The research suggests a unique mechanism by which flaviviruses can cross the placental barrier.
A study published in Immunity found that Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG supplementation increased bone formation in female mice by stimulating the growth of butyrate-producing gut bacteria. This activation led to the expansion of regulatory T cells, which secrete a protein called Wnt10b, critical for bone development.
A 30-year study found that warming waters caused rapid shifts in connected marine ecosystems, with smaller fish moving northward and entire communities inverting. The research suggests that future warming events could have major impacts on marine ecosystems and fisheries.
Researchers at Stanford University have created a device that can collect heat from the sun and coldness from outer space at the same time. The technology combines radiative cooling with solar absorption, allowing for simultaneous heating and cooling, which could improve solar cell efficiency.
Researchers discovered that people burn 10% more calories at rest in the late afternoon and early evening compared to the early morning hours. This finding highlights the importance of the circadian clock in regulating metabolism.
Researchers identified a unique frequency of brainwaves associated with communication between the amygdala and hippocampus, which correlates with worsening mood related to depression and anxiety. The study used intracranial EEG to measure brainwave activity in epilepsy patients and found fluctuations in electrical activity at a specifi...
A study of ancient DNA from 49 individuals in Belize, Brazil, and the Central Andes reveals that most Central and South American ancestry originated from at least three different streams of people entering from North America. The research also detected two previously undocumented genetic exchanges between North and South America.
Scientists have created a model of the upper chambers of the heart using 3D-engineered human heart tissue, which can serve as a tool for evaluating disease mechanisms and testing new drugs. The tissue is derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells and responds to atrial-selective drugs.
A team of scientists designed a bioreactor device that induces partial hindlimb regeneration in adult frogs by stimulating tissue repair at the amputation site. The device triggers complex downstream outcomes, resulting in bigger, more structured appendages.
A recent study published in Current Biology found that orangutans are critically endangered and their numbers have not increased as reported by the Indonesian government. The research highlights the need for a new conservation approach given the ongoing decline of orangutan populations.
Researchers found that the Yangtze dams have reduced the distance of Chinese sturgeon migration by 1,175 kilometers, leading to delayed maturity and a decline in breeding activity. The environmental capacity of the spawning ground has also been reduced, contributing to the ongoing decline of the species.
Researchers found that immigrants quickly lose native microbes and acquire alien microbes more common in European-American people, resulting in a loss of gut microbiota diversity. This Westernization is associated with greater obesity and is compounded across generations.
A new study suggests that reducing US coal emissions through biomass and carbon capture can create 22,000 new jobs in the forestry and transportation sectors. This approach would retain 40,000 existing coal industry jobs while mitigating global warming below 2°C.
Researchers confirm six genetically distinct tiger subspecies through genome-wide analysis of 32 tiger specimens, revealing unique features and evolutionary histories for each group. The findings provide robust evidence for subspecies delineation in tigers.
Researchers found that exposing skin to ultraviolet light every 2 days resulted in darker pigmentation with less radiation damage than daily exposure. A 48-hour cycle of melanin production was observed in both mice and human cells, suggesting a natural timing mechanism for skin protection.
Researchers at Stanford University have created electrochemical cells that convert carbon monoxide (CO) from CO2 into commercially viable compounds, including ethylene and acetate. The new design improves efficiency and concentration of products, making it a promising solution for capturing CO2 and mitigating climate change.
Researchers have discovered that human neurons employ highly compartmentalized signaling, unlike those in model organisms. This discovery highlights the potential benefits of human neuron structure for brain computational power.
Researchers discovered a unique bioceramic saddle structure in the mantis shrimp's limbs that stores elastic energy without breaking. The structure consists of two layers with different materials, allowing it to withstand large forces and enable rapid raptorial strikes.
A study published in Cell Metabolism found that individuals who achieved greater weight loss showed increased activity in the lateral prefrontal cortex associated with self-control. Additionally, the hormone leptin returned to baseline levels after successful weight loss, indicating a new set point was achieved.
A remarkable new species of bony fish has been described from 150-million-year-old limestone deposits in South Germany, featuring piranha-like teeth. The fossilized specimen's jaws revealed long, pointed teeth and triangular serrated cutting edges, suggesting a mouth equipped to slice flesh or fins.