Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to study the optix gene's role in butterfly wing patterns. In four species, deleting optix resulted in black pigment replacing red and orange pigment, with changes in expression of genes involved in pigment production.
Branching Acropora corals, once a dominant reef-building species, now represent less than 5% of living corals on the Great Barrier Reef. The decline in resilience is linked to discrete disturbances during the early to mid-20th century.
Researchers found a correlation between predictable maternal sensory signals and improved cognitive function in children, with unpredictable signals linked to memory problems. Maternal predictability may influence cognitive development across species.
Researchers found significant differences in bacterial genera between MS patients and healthy controls, with Acinetobacter and Akkermansia being more abundant in patients. Exposure to extracts from these bacteria increased proinflammatory T cell differentiation and inhibited regulatory T cell differentiation.
Future warming scenarios predict a 73-88% reduction in areas suitable for growing coffee by 2050. Bee diversity may decline by 8-18% in future coffee-growing regions, but some species will still be present in 46-59% of these areas.
Researchers discovered N-glycolyl groups in ancient fossils, suggesting a link between glycans and the evolutionary history of Homo genus in Africa. The study also found degradation of sialic acid led to selective incorporation into chondroitin sulfate in human tissues.
A modeling study reveals a shift in plant leaf traits, leading to more efficient water use by plants. The carbon isotopic ratio of atmospheric CO2 decreases slower than predicted, indicating this adaptation.
Analysis of Chinese life expectancy data reveals a significant impact of airborne particulate matter (PM) on mortality rates. Exposure to PM smaller than 10 microns is estimated to reduce life expectancy by 0.6 years for every 10 μg/m3 of PM10.
A study of genetic and isotopic analyses reveals that most female skeletons were nonlocal, arriving as adults, and contributed to cultural communication and exchange. The findings suggest that female mobility played a key role in the spread of technological advancements during this period.
Researchers used an improved dating technique to date Neanderthal remains from Vindija Cave in Croatia. The dates obtained were significantly older than previously reported, pushing back the timeline of Neanderthal presence in Central Europe. This challenges previous theories about the coexistence of Neanderthals and modern humans.
A study discovered how poison-dart frogs avoid self-intoxication despite storing toxic batrachotoxin in their skin. The key finding involves a specific amino acid replacement that confers resistance, allowing adult frogs to store over 1 mg of toxin.
According to an 18-year analysis, 56% of individuals aged 57-61 are likely to spend time in a nursing home, with high out-of-pocket costs for some. Lifetime spending averages $7,300, but some face expenses over $47,000.
Fossil analysis reveals morphological similarities between late Pleistocene Bahamian birds and their modern counterparts, indicating extinction due to sea level rise, warming, and wetting. The findings suggest that climate change played a significant role in the disappearance of these species.
An online experiment with over 9,000 participants reveals social biases in the sharing economy, favoring high-star rated profiles and decreasing trust with increasing risk aversion. The study supports the notion that reputation offsets trust judgments based on social biases.
Subsea dispersant injection during the Deepwater Horizon disaster mitigated environmental damage by reducing volatile organic compound emissions in the atmosphere. This led to a decrease in human health risks for response workers and accelerated the response effort.
A study predicts that changes in precipitation and air temperature will lead to increased plant mortality risk in 13 temperate and tropical forests worldwide. However, higher atmospheric humidity and CO2 concentrations partially offset this rising mortality risk.
A study by Hugo Delile and colleagues used high-resolution geochemical and isotopic analyses to reconstruct Rome's urban development. The analysis of a sediment core from Ostia harbor revealed the installation of ancient Rome's lead pipe system was around 2nd century BC, with a peak during the early-high Imperial period.
Future electricity consumption in Europe is expected to decrease in Northern Europe and increase in Southern and Western Europe under rising temperatures. Daily peak usage is predicted to peak in summer instead of winter, affecting transmission infrastructure and storage requirements.
Coral skeleton formation occurs within tissue, contrary to previous understanding that particles precipitate from surrounding water. This finding may improve paleoclimate reconstructions and enhance coral resilience research.
A new study predicts shorter flood intervals for US coastal cities when considering both ocean water level rise and river flow, increasing overall flood risk. Researchers warn that as sea levels continue to rise, compound effects will further exacerbate coastal flooding.
Researchers analyzed zinc, chlorine, and lead in 'Rusty Rock' to find volatile elements condensed during the moon's early formation. The findings suggest a depleted lunar interior with reduced volatile compounds, including water.
A study models urban impacts on river and stream ecosystems, finding that hard infrastructure affects over 1,200 species nationwide and contributes to 260 local extinctions. Cities can improve environmental quality through infrastructure policies beyond their boundaries.
Restoring links between large adjoining habitat fragments can reduce species extinctions and provide a large potential return on investment in biodiversity. By targeting these areas, researchers found that habitat restoration could decrease the duration between habitat loss and extinction of tropical bird species.
A study identified a genetic risk factor for typhoid fever that targets bacterial virulence and cholesterol metabolism. The VAC14 gene variant reduces the ability of Salmonella Typhi to invade human cells, suggesting a potential preventive approach with cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Respondents showed stronger correlations between scientific beliefs and political/religious identity for topics like human evolution and stem cell research. However, this correlation weakened for non-polarized topics such as nanotechnology.
A study analyzing tree-ring fire scars reveals a strong connection between drought driven by the Southern Annular Mode and regional fire activity. The research suggests that SAM-mediated droughts may drive widespread wildfire activity in southern South America during the 21st century.
Agricultural land use has led to significant soil carbon loss over the past 12,000 years. Major cropping or grazing regions show high hotspots of soil carbon loss, indicating potential areas for restoration.
Researchers report that indole reduces age-related infirmities and alters AHR-regulated gene expression. Indole exposure is linked to increased healthspan in animals with functional AHR.
Researchers estimate that climate change increased overlap between sockeye salmon spawning and red elderberry ripening seasons on Kodiak Island, Alaska. This shift in food resources can alter food webs among Kodiak brown bears.
Large soot injections at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary could have prevented photosynthesis and reduced global temperatures by up to 16C for several years. The effects likely contributed to mass extinction through ozone layer depletion and stratospheric warming.
A genome-scale analysis of 82 mammalian species reveals continuous placental mammal diversification despite the KPg extinction. The findings support the fossil record and challenge the notion that the event hindered their diversification.
Researchers found knee OA in 16% of postindustrial individuals 50+, but only 6% and 8% in early industrial and prehistoric samples. The findings suggest an approximate doubling of knee OA prevalence since the mid-20th century.
A study found that visually stimulated cross-modal activation of auditory brain regions in deaf individuals improved speech comprehension after cochlear implantation. Auditory cortex activation developed in tandem with both auditory and visual speech following implantation, suggesting a positive effect on hearing restoration.
A study suggests that photosynthetic eukaryotes originated around 1.9 billion years ago through endosymbiosis with cyanobacteria, giving rise to archaeplastids including land plants and algae. The analysis reveals that the common ancestor of these organisms likely emerged in freshwater habitats.
Research found that oxytocin administration increased altruistic preference towards refugees among those with low xenophobia scores. Participants with high xenophobia scores showed no significant change in altruism levels after oxytocin administration, but did exhibit increased donations when combined with peer-derived norms.
A 11-year study on lake trout found that warmer years lead to reduced growth and diet changes, with a focus on smaller prey. The research suggests climate change impacts top predators' feeding behavior and energy acquisition.
Researchers analyzed climatological and sorghum yield data from Kansas, finding that temperatures above 33°C result in declining yields. Moderate and high temperature increases of 2°C and 4°C led to significant yield losses, with an average reduction of 10% per 1°C from 1-5°C.
The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) has selected six papers for the 2013 Cozzarelli Prize, honoring originality and excellence in scientific disciplines. The award recipients include studies on planetary formation, task-related 'cortical' bursting, and honey bee pathogen replication.
The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has selected six papers published in 2012 to receive the Cozzarelli Prize. The prize acknowledges papers that reflect scientific excellence and originality, particularly in physical and mathematical sciences.
The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has selected six papers for the 2009 Cozzarelli Prize, acknowledging originality and scientific excellence across physical and mathematical sciences, biological sciences, engineering, biomedical sciences, behavioral and social sciences, and applied biological sciences. The award recog...
A delayed arrival of cold, nutrient-rich water due to altered ocean currents led to reduced barnacle and mussel larvae settlement on rocky shores. The change resulted in lower phytoplankton abundance and a recovery of mussel recruitment when stronger nutrient-rich currents arrived later.
Researchers have identified the JNK, Wnt, and FGF signaling cascades as the most important actors in axon growth, showing that growth is independent of neuronal activity. This finding brings greater clarity to the axon's growth process and has implications for understanding nerve diseases such as Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have identified 17 families of mice with genetic mutations that cause hearing loss, similar to damage caused by chemotherapy and age-related hearing loss in adults. The mouse models will help scientists understand the genes responsible for this damage and potentially develop treatments.
The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal has commemorated the late editor-in-chief Nicholas R. Cozzarelli, who improved the quality and reach of the journal through dynamic initiatives. He also championed open-access publishing, making research papers freely available to researchers and the public.
Researchers analyzed voting patterns and committee memberships to find the most partisan committees, including the Select Committee on Homeland Security. They also developed a mathematical tool to identify Representatives' partisanship and cooperativity. Additionally, they created insulin-producing cells from human liver cells that can...
A mathematical model suggests adjusting biometric identification systems can increase chances of catching known criminals at ports of entry by up to 94.9%. Human modification of Earth's water cycle through deforestation and irrigation may have regional impact on weather patterns and food production.
A study found that male mouse fetuses exposed to estrogenic chemicals developed more ducts in their prostate and narrowed urethras, raising concerns for human health. The researchers used low doses of ethinylestradiol and bisphenol A, which are commonly found in oral contraceptives and plastics.
Differences in UV perception allow songbirds to signal with private communication, while chestnut trees go silent during winter due to circadian clock gene regulation. A fungus has an energy-generating mechanism similar to bacteria, enabling it to harness light for proton pumping
Happiness has been found to be related to the functioning of key body processes, including lower cortisol levels and healthier cardiovascular systems. Researchers also discovered a Chinese herbal medicine component that can inhibit cancer cell growth.
Researchers have successfully cloned meat and milk from bulls and cows, showing no significant differences in quality compared to naturally bred animals. Meanwhile, a study suggests that early humans may have driven elephant extinctions on multiple continents.