A group of scientists led by Kirby Runyon argue for a definition of 'planet' that focuses on the body's intrinsic qualities, such as mass and gravitational shape. This new definition would expand the number of planets in our solar system to approximately 110, including Pluto.
Cognitive psychologists at Johns Hopkins University have made a key discovery about human memory, linking it to the ability to track an object's movement. They found that people's memories improve significantly with rich details about how an object's appearance changes as it moves through space and time.
Researchers have developed a new computational software to determine the presence of epigenetic add-ons linked to cancer and other health conditions. The software uses nanopore sequencing technology to detect cytosine methylation in DNA, which can affect gene expression and play a role in diseases such as cancer.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have identified a molecular signal that maintains adult neuron structure in the hippocampus, a region crucial for learning and memory. The study found that reintroducing this protein restored nerve cell structures to some extent, suggesting potential avenues for studying neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University successfully created DNA nanotube bridges that connected two molecular landmarks on the surface of a lab dish. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new medical devices and technologies that can communicate directly with cells, potentially revolutionizing the field of nanotechnology.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new bioinformatics tool to evaluate the accuracy of current methods for identifying cancer-promoting mutations. The study found that existing methods need improvement and shared their methodology publicly to aid others in developing more precise ways to target tumor growth.
Researchers discovered a material exhibiting macroscopic quantum effects, shedding light on the relationship between classical and quantum worlds. Topological insulators may hold the key to understanding this fundamental scientific riddle.
A new study by Johns Hopkins University researchers found that subsidized housing significantly influences young people's standardized test scores and behavior. High-achieving children who lived in subsidized housing scored 8% higher on tests than similar peers, while low-performing students saw their scores drop. The study suggests th...
A new study published in Developmental Cell demonstrates that a nerve growth protein plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels by prompting pancreatic cells to release insulin. The research, led by Johns Hopkins University biologist Rejji Kuruvilla, has potential implications for the treatment of type-2 diabetes.
A new study published in PLOS Biology found that a program teaching biology through raising zebrafish from embryos improves students' knowledge of scientific concepts and their attitudes towards science. The program, BioEYES, was shown to be particularly effective in engaging underrepresented minorities.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University suggest that fast radio bursts could provide clues to dark matter by detecting black holes of a specific mass. The team argues that the brief flashes of radio-frequency radiation can detect black holes with masses predicted for dark matter, offering a direct probe of this phenomenon.
A Johns Hopkins University cognitive scientist has discovered the brain's 'physics engine,' a set of regions involved in predicting physical outcomes, which is essential for survival. The findings suggest that the brain constantly runs physics simulations to prepare for action.
Cancer cells use oxygen gradients to navigate and spread through the body, according to a new study published in PNAS. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that cancer cells migrate from low-oxygen areas to higher oxygen concentrations, allowing them to reach blood vessels and metastasize.
Cognitive scientists at Johns Hopkins University found two distinct brain regions responding to visual boundaries and obstacles. The parahippocampal place area reacts to visual structures like curbs and walls, while the retrosplenial complex responds to taller, more imposing boundaries.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have discovered a protein that boosts the growth of damaged muscle tissue, potentially contributing to treatments for age-related muscle degeneration and diseases like muscular dystrophy. The protein, β1-integrin, promotes stem cell growth and restoration after muscle injury, with results showing...
A Johns Hopkins University study finds that areas with high income inequality have fewer good jobs for young adults, leading them to start families without getting married first. The study of 9,000 millennials found that women and men who didn't graduate from college had a higher likelihood of having children outside of marriage.
Johns Hopkins researchers track brain activity as participants make choices entirely on their own, pinpointing the parietal lobe's role in attention switching and frontal cortex involvement in deliberation. The findings shed light on the neural mechanisms underlying human volition and decision-making.
A woman with amnesia, Lonni Sue Johnson, surprisingly retains detailed knowledge of skills she once performed well in, such as art and flying, despite losing memories of facts about her life. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University find that skill-related memory can be spared even with severe losses in other kinds of knowledge.
A new study from Johns Hopkins University suggests that exercising children's intuitive number sense can improve their math skills. Researchers created a five-minute computer game that trained the number sense of 40 kindergarteners, who then showed significant improvements in math performance.
A Johns Hopkins team proposes a solution to the dark matter mystery by suggesting that black hole binaries detected by LIGO may be a signature of primordial black holes. The team's calculations match the predicted mass range for these mysterious objects, making them a plausible candidate for dark matter.
A Johns Hopkins team discovered three ways to send rogue commands to interfere with an airborne hobby drone's operation, causing it to land or crash. The finding highlights the vulnerability of drones to hackers, which is crucial for tasks like aerial deliveries and photography.
A team of researchers at Johns Hopkins University has identified a key brain region involved in binge behavior, which could lead to the development of new treatments for addiction. By suppressing neurons in this area, rats were less motivated to engage in binge-like behavior when exposed to external triggers.
A new virtual heart assessment tool developed by Johns Hopkins University predicts which patients are most likely to experience life-threatening arrhythmias. The tool, VARP, uses magnetic resonance imaging records and computer modeling techniques to gauge the risk of sudden cardiac death.
A Johns Hopkins University computer scientist has successfully programmed a robot to adjust to the subtle movement of soft tissues during surgery, promising improved safety and efficiency. The robotic system, called STAR, was compared with human surgeons and showed comparable performance in terms of suture spacing and seam leakage.
A recent study by Johns Hopkins University researchers found that white teachers are more likely to doubt the educational prospects of black boys and girls. This bias can have long-term effects on student outcomes, including lower expectations for college completion and graduation rates.
A team of astronomers has found evidence that quasars' energy feedback may have slowed down star formation in the universe about 11 billion years ago. The study used data from multiple telescopes to detect the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Effect, a phenomenon caused by high-energy electrons disturbing the Cosmic Microwave Background.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a computer model to analyze wind conditions on the Masters' notorious 12th hole, revealing that tall tree canopies significantly impact accuracy. The system can predict wind direction and speed's effect on golf shots, aiding golfers in choosing clubs and aiming strategies.
Researchers found neurons in a color-recognizing region of the brain that can infer gravity direction from visual cues. These cells provide critical information for object physics, balance, and posture., The study suggests these cells help humans orient themselves and predict object behavior.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that expertise influences how people process visual information, with novices faster to identify letter pairs but less accurate. The study used the Arabic alphabet and showed participants 2,000 pairs of letters, revealing biases in expert perception that went beyond visual features.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that giving people time to learn what's possible to ignore improves visual search performance. Participants who were told to ignore distracting colors on a computer screen found the target letters faster and more efficiently over time.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered how bats determine what's worth paying attention to, finding that their brains selectively respond to certain sounds. This discovery has implications for understanding how humans focus attention and process sensory information.
A Johns Hopkins study found record highs in domestic news coverage of HIV and Google searches for information about HIV and HIV prevention following Charlie Sheen's HIV-positive disclosure on NBC's TODAY Show. The study suggests that the public's response to Sheen's announcement led to an increase in people seeking out public health sa...
Researchers found that when people see something associated with a past reward, their brain releases dopamine even if they're not expecting it. This could explain why breaking bad habits or sticking to resolutions is hard. The study's results suggest potential benefits for addicts and dieters.
Studies of stroke victims with spelling impairments reveal distinct brain regions responsible for long-term and working memory, offering new insights into the mechanics of language and memory. Damage to these regions can lead to different symptoms, including difficulty guessing or assembling words.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University have uncovered the molecular cause of peripheral nervous system dysfunction in Down syndrome. A gene called RCAN1 appears to be overactive, hindering nerve growth and development, which may contribute to heart disease, diabetes, and immune disorders associated with the condition.
Researchers found that healthy people are willing to pay for life-saving treatments due to fear of future illness, even if they don't have a disease. This 'hidden demand' could transform medical innovation and allocation of research funds.
An international team of astrophysicists led by Johns Hopkins University scientist Sjoert van Velzen witnessed a star being destroyed by a supermassive black hole, ejecting a jet of plasma at nearly the speed of light. The team observed this event over several months using multi-wavelength telescopes and satellites.
A study led by Johns Hopkins University scientist suggests that rapid growth in tiny plankton's population is a sign of swift environmental change due to increased carbon dioxide in the ocean. The research highlights the possibility of rapid ecosystem change, potentially exceeding previously predicted models.
Researchers have discovered that diamonds can form in a simpler natural chemical reaction involving water and rock. This finding could lead to a better understanding of the Earth's deep formation processes.
A Johns Hopkins University research team has validated a theory on the brain's mechanism of learning, finding that 'eligibility traces' effectively tag neural synapses activated by stimuli, linking actions with rewards. This discovery could enhance teaching methods and lead to treatments for cognitive problems.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University studied spider crickets' aerial acrobatics, discovering that their limbs stabilize posture during jumps. This knowledge can be applied to designing tiny robots with more efficient locomotion, such as jumping robots for rugged terrain.
A Johns Hopkins University biologist has made significant progress in understanding the mysterious shape-shifting ways of stem cells. The study found that an enzyme in the niche where stem cells are found can help sustain them and promote other cells to become like stem cells, which has medical implications for diseases such as cancer.
A Johns Hopkins University study found that race was a significant factor in whether low- and moderate-income black first-time homebuyers made money when buying a home in the 2000s. The researchers analyzed data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, which revealed stark disparities by race.
A Johns Hopkins University study found that Obamacare led to a decline in support for government health-care spending among Democrats, Republicans, and independents. Before the law's passage, about two-thirds of independents and Republicans supported increased health spending, but this dropped significantly after its enactment.
Scientists have discovered a new role for basal forebrain neurons in controlling action, enabling rapid stop of planned behaviors. This discovery opens the door to novel approaches for neurological and psychiatric conditions affecting cognitive functions.
Scientists have discovered that the shift from a tree-based diet to one based on grass occurred around 3.8 million years ago, allowing early humans to be more mobile and adaptable. This finding provides new insights into the interactions between morphology and behavior among Pliocene primates.
A Johns Hopkins University sociologist has found that disadvantaged neighborhoods actually expand children's range of educational experiences as they disperse to multiple schools. Affluent neighborhoods, on the other hand, limit options by keeping students close to home.
Johns Hopkins University researchers identified the hippocampus region responsible for distinguishing between familiar and new memories. This finding validates theories about memory processing and may help explain memory impairments in diseases like Alzheimer's, potentially preserving people's memories as they age.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University developed a computer-based method to predict hospital patients at risk of septic shock with 85% accuracy. The Targeted Real-time Early Warning Score (TREWScore) combines 27 factors into a predictive score, detecting septic shock before organ dysfunction in over two-thirds of cases.
A study found that low-income noncustodial fathers spend an average of $60 a month on in-kind provisions, while those paying formal child support spend about $38 a month. The most disadvantaged dads tend to give a higher proportion of their support through gifts.