Lithium-ion capacitors combine large storage capacity and rapid charging capabilities. Researchers have proposed a new approach using two additives to facilitate incorporation of lithium into capacitors, enabling cost-effective development of these components. This method has the potential to increase energy storage efficiency.
A CNRS and University of La Rochelle research team studied the impact of a fishing operation on orca populations. The study found that orcas who lost family members due to the fishing operation adopted erratic social behavior, leading to reduced access to food and ultimately higher mortality rates.
SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 23, 2019
Researchers studied embryonic development to understand how neurons regulate digestive movement. They discovered that intestinal nervous system coordinates muscular contractions and reflexes.
Researchers have found traces of Roman-era pollution in the ice of Mont Blanc, revealing significant atmospheric pollution from heavy metals. The study provides a record of atmospheric conditions in ancient Rome and sheds light on the impact of ancient emissions on the present-day environment in Europe.
Researchers developed a video game to study spatial orientation and navigational abilities, finding that virtual navigation performance is comparable to the real world. The game was played by 4 million people and showed changes in navigational habits before clinical Alzheimer's symptoms appear.
SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 24, 2019
A study found that individuals residing near protected areas in France exhibit higher levels of pro-environmental behavior, including increased support for environmental associations and participation in citizen science programs. The research attributes this trend to the inspirational impact of wilder landscapes on nature awareness.
Researchers reproduced geomagnetic jerks using a computer simulation that mimicked the Earth's core conditions. The study revealed hydromagnetic waves as the primary cause of these events.
Researchers found that slime molds can store knowledge of salty environments through absorption, allowing for up to a month of retention. The study suggests that the substance itself supports the slime mold's memory, rather than just the environment.
SourceCNRS·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateApr 22, 2019
An international team uses seismic data from glacial earthquakes to study calving and its impact on ice sheet mass loss. This breakthrough in environmental seismology reveals that calving resulted in the shedding of 370 gigatonnes of ice into the Arctic Ocean between 1993 and 2013.
Research shows that branched actin transmits information to cells about their environment and regulates growth, a mechanism that can be targeted to fight certain types of cancer. Inhibiting branched actin formation prevents the growth of melanoma cells, offering new therapeutic options.
The first real image of a black hole, obtained by EHT telescopes, confirms the predictions made in Jean-Pierre Luminet's 1979 simulation. The image shows an extraordinary accuracy, with characteristics such as the Einstein effect and Doppler shift clearly visible.
Research shows forests in temperate, boreal, and tropical regions lower air temperatures by an average of 4°C compared to surrounding areas. The study suggests that management strategies can improve forest microclimates and mitigate the effects of global warming on biodiversity.
A team of researchers found that the creation of effective technologies depends on cultural processes, such as copying and iteration, rather than individual understanding. This challenges the traditional view that humans' intelligence is the primary driver of technological innovation.
Researchers discovered that HIV-1 forms nanotubes between macrophages in tuberculosis patients, increasing viral transfer and production. This finding provides potential targets for reducing viral load and improving treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that in 9% of cases, embryos produce males when sperm genetic material is used after fertilization. This unique case suggests that males play a crucial role in helping females produce descendants without contributing their own genes.
Researchers use fMRI to compare brain activity in humans and robots during conversation. Human dialogue activates key brain structures involved in social bonding, unlike robot interactions.
SourceCNRS·JournalPhilosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (B )·DateMar 12, 2019
Researchers found an early atrophy of amygdala and hippocampus in Alzheimer's patients at age 40, differing from normal aging process. Studying biomarkers revealed certain structures shrink before dementia appears.
Scientists from two French teams have identified 79 new 'sugar cleavers' enzymes using bioinformatics methods, expanding the known families to over 200. These enzymes can serve as tools in domains like bioenergy, cosmetics, and nutrition.
SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 4, 2019
A new computer model reveals accelerating biological changes in the global ocean, which can redistribute ocean communities and species worldwide. The model predicts these changes one year in advance, enabling identification of regions overlooked by current field observation programs.
Researchers found French participants successfully detected English sentence accent with a 90% success rate, rivaling native speakers. They used both local and distributed cues, unlike Finnish and Dutch speakers who relied on their mother tongue cues.
A recent study found that grasses can acquire genes from at least nine donor species, including those involved in photosynthesis and disease resistance. This mechanism allows certain plants to adapt quickly to environmental changes.
SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 18, 2019
Researchers have identified a toxin in Mycobacterium tuberculosis that kills the bacteria if not neutralized by an antidote protein. This 'suicide' mechanism can be harnessed for therapeutic purposes to combat tuberculosis, which is a major cause of death worldwide.
Magnetic nanoparticles break down within stem cells, releasing iron that's stored in non-magnetic form or used to create new magnetic particles. This phenomenon may help explain the presence of natural magnetism in human cells.
SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 14, 2019
AntBot, a new robot developed by CNRS and Aix-Marseille University, replicates the navigation capabilities of desert ants using polarized light and optical sensors. The robot can explore its environment and return to its base with precision, covering distances of up to 14 meters.
An international team has uncovered fossilized traces of motility in a 2.1 billion-year-old fossil deposit in Gabon, shedding light on the evolution of life on Earth. The discovery provides evidence of sophisticated multicellular organisms that could move through their mud in search of nutrients.
SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 11, 2019
Researchers discovered manganese's role in disrupting protein transport, leading to parkinsonian symptoms. Manganese accumulates in cellular vesicles, disturbing nerve cell function and affecting Parkinson's disease-like symptoms.
Researchers used noncontact imaging to differentiate malignant cells and monitor treatment effectiveness, revealing mechanical properties of tumors that influence disease progression. This technique may lead to personalized therapies and more effective treatments.
Researchers developed a physical model describing crowd movement and behavior, predicting speed information spreads through the group like waves. The generic description can accurately predict crowd flows in various settings, with little variation between groups.
A new mechanism has been discovered for the onset of migraines, involving a mutation in a protein that inhibits neuronal electrical activity. This finding opens a new path for the development of anti-migraine medicines by targeting K2P2.1 channels to reduce neuronal excitability.
A study published in Nature Communications identifies extracellular DNA degradation as a key mechanism of lung inflammation induced by silica exposure. Treatment with DNase I may prevent silica-induced lung inflammation, suggesting a new therapeutic target for silicosis.
Researchers have created a global map of atmospheric ammonia distribution using satellite data from 2008 to 2016. The study identified over 200 new sources, including sites of intensive livestock production and industrial activity, which were previously underestimated.
Researchers demonstrate that fruit flies meet five criteria for culturally transmitted behavior: learned socially, copied from older individuals, memorized over time, involves individual characteristics, and conformist. Computer simulations also show the emergence of long-lasting cultural traditions through transmission chains.
Researchers have developed a prosthetic arm that can detect and replicate phantom limb movements, revolutionizing amputee rehabilitation. The device uses muscle activity generated by mobilization of the phantom limb to achieve precise control, allowing patients to interact with their prostheses without extensive training or surgery.
SourceCNRS·JournalFrontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology·DateNov 29, 2018
A team of researchers has discovered a single protein that induces spiral motion in another molecule, causing cells to twist and trigger lateralized behavior. This protein, Myosin 1D, is capable of inducing asymmetry at all scales, from molecular to behavioral levels.
Scientists from CNRS and partners have found a promising strategy for protecting neurons after a stroke, involving the extracellular matrix. The new approach, using an agent mimicking structural components of this matrix, has shown effectiveness in rats and may complement existing clot-elimination techniques.
Researchers studied activity sequences in rats' place cells to understand memory consolidation. They found that nested theta sequences during movement are indispensable for sequence reactivations and memory formation during sleep.
A study by CNRS and researchers gathered 40 million moral dilemma responses from web users worldwide. The data revealed global moral preferences guiding decision makers, prioritizing human lives over animals, saving the largest number of lives, and protecting the youngest over older people.
Extracellular vesicles, or 'cellular dust', have shown therapeutic properties similar to stem cells without their disadvantages. These gel-like vesicles can be produced by a single donor for several patients and have demonstrated potential in repairing heart, liver, and kidney lesions.
A study in South Africa found that certain strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are resistant to the two primary antibiotics prescribed for TB. The resistance is not detected by standard DNA tests, leading to unsuccessful treatments and increased mortality.
Researchers confirm lizards enter two distinct sleep states similar to slow-wave and REM sleep in humans and other animals. However, the study reveals differences in brain activity between species, including slower eye movements and unique cerebral patterns in lizard brains.
Scientists develop visual pattern that triggers long-term avoidance of high-risk areas by raptors, improving collision detection and reducing plane and wind turbine collisions. The 'looming' effect created by concentric black circles on a white background is effective in repelling birds from specific areas.
A recent study from CNRS has cast doubt on the connection between magnetite particles and Alzheimer's disease, as previous research suggested that magnetite could cause oxidative stress and lead to neuron degeneration. The new findings suggest that magnetite is unlikely to be involved in this process.
The Ocean Solutions Initiative presents a comprehensive review of thirteen ocean-based measures to counter climate change. The measures can be grouped into four categories: reduction of climate change causes, preservation of ecosystems, protection of the ocean from solar radiation, and direct manipulation of species adaptability.
A French research project aims to repurpose Sargassum seaweed for composting in the French West Indies, addressing environmental concerns. Scientists will analyze pollutants and degradation processes to ensure safe applications.
Scientists have discovered a connection between an antiviral protein and the maintenance of gut microbiota equilibrium. The study found that altering the gut microbiota led to increased intestinal permeability and severity of allergic skin reactions.
SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 25, 2018
A study of nearly 60 million tweets during the French 2017 presidential election found that two political communities, Fillon and Le Pen, accounted for 50.75% and 22.21% of fake news respectively, while a small minority were spread by Twitter users outside these communities.
Archaeologists have discovered the oldest known abstract drawing made with a piece of ocher used as a pencil, dated to 73,000 years ago. The drawing, found on a silcrete fragment in Blombos Cave in South Africa, confirms that early humans intentionally created and used symbols.
Researchers found that clown fish stripes are essential for individual recognition and critical to their social organization among sea anemones. They also discovered the evolutionary history of striped patterns, which originated from a common ancestor with three stripes.
Researchers found that social isolation accelerates tumor growth in sick flies, while healthy flies avoid sick individuals with advanced tumors. This study suggests that social interactions play a substantial role in cancer development and progression.
A new method predicts mean air temperature will be abnormally high in 2018-2022, higher than figures inferred from anthropogenic global warming alone. This is due to a low probability of intense cold events and a high probability of heat events, leading to increased tropical storm activity.