The study of turtle genomes provides crucial information for the development of effective conservation strategies and the understanding of the evolution of sex chromosomes. Researchers have identified a novel three-dimensional chromatin conformation in both lineages, allowing for centromere-telomere interactions.
A microscopic study of milk teeth reveals that newborn Iberian infants died mainly from natural causes like birth complications or premature births. Researchers applied innovative methodology to analyze the neonatal line in baby teeth, identifying moments of birth and death with precision.
Two populations of the same wild species, Brassica fruticulosa, have evolved differently under similar environmental conditions, revealing distinct adaptation strategies to soil salinity. The study identifies two adaptive responses, one involving sodium restriction and the other through efficient osmotic adjustment mechanisms.
Researchers observed accelerated presence of genetic variations increasing heat tolerance in European forest fly populations. The pace of new inversions is too slow to make up for the increase in temperatures, putting species with lower genetic variation at risk.
The UAB researchers propose a multilayer structure of DNA that is fully compatible with the structural and functional properties of chromosomes. This organization can be explained by weak interactions between nucleosomes, which are repetitive blocks that fold the DNA double helix.
A recent study published in Nature questions the scientific validity of the long-held claim that 80% of the world's biodiversity is found in Indigenous Peoples' territories. The research highlights the need to correct this figure, as it oversimplifies the complex relationship between Indigenous Peoples and biodiversity.
Researchers challenge traditional theory that warrior groups with Steppe genetic component violently replaced local population. They propose alternative scenario where groups with Steppe ancestry mixed with demographically weakened locals.
Researchers at the UAB Institut de Neurociències found that daily cannabidiol administration extends lifespan and improves symptoms in animal models of Leigh syndrome. CBD also improves cellular function, neuropathology, and breathing abnormalities, with a promising treatment option for this severe disease.
A study has identified key environmental factors affecting methane emissions in tidal wetlands, including salinity and temperature. The analysis allows for more precise estimates of greenhouse gas emissions in these ecosystems, essential for assessing climate implications.
Research shows that wealthy countries in the Global North benefit from unequal exchange with the Global South, net-appropriating 826 billion hours of labor. This amounts to a wage value of €16.9 trillion, equivalent to half of total consumption in the Global North.
A new study suggests that ending mass human deprivation and providing good lives for the whole world's population can be achieved while reducing environmental damage. The research proposes that only 30% of current global resources and energy use are required to provide universal access to basic goods and services.
A recent study found that nearly 50% of non-Indigenous localities and 54% of Indigenous villages in the Brazilian part of the Amazon basin are prone to isolation during severe droughts. Severe droughts result in extended periods of low water levels, affecting communities' access to goods, services, healthcare, education, and livelihoods.
Early Neolithic groups applied innovative methods to taxonomically identify animal species used in bone artifact production. Deer bones were chosen for projectile tips, while sheep and goats were used for vegetable handling tools.
A new graphene-based material, EGNITE, enhances the performance of neuroprostheses by improving electrode size and selectivity. In animal models, EGNITE showed improved muscle activation and biocompatibility, paving the way for potential clinical translation.
Researchers at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona have developed a telecommunications switch capable of operating at high frequencies with lower power consumption than current devices. The switch uses non-volatile material hBN, allowing it to activate its ON or OFF state with an electrical voltage pulse instead of a constant signal.
Researchers discovered direct evidence of dairy product consumption and processing in the Pyrenees during the earliest stages of the Neolithic. Organic residues on ceramic vessels revealed a mixed economy with integrated agriculture and livestock farming.
A groundbreaking study in PLOS ONE analyzed fat residues trapped in pottery vessels to uncover the prehistoric culinary traditions of central Germany. The results show a diverse range of food sources, including dairy products, meat, and plant-based foods, with significant changes occurring between the Early Neolithic and Late Bronze Age.
The discovery of charred stable remains at Tossal de Baltarga has provided a glimpse into the economic patterns of inhabitants who lived in the Pyrenees during the Iron Age. The finds suggest a complex economy involving farming, agriculture, forest management and mining activities.
A region in alpha-synuclein protein aggregates has been identified as a potential therapeutic target to prevent conversion into toxic amyloid fibrils, which accumulate in the brains of people suffering from Parkinson's disease. The discovery opens the door to developing new therapeutic strategies for inactivating these toxic forms.
The study found that European bison prefer woody plants in autumn and winter, while red deer eat more woody plants than other species. Fallow deer have a higher consumption of legumes and herbaceous plants compared to the bison.
Researchers have developed protein-based nanoparticles that target and destroy specific cancer cells, providing a more efficient treatment option. This technology uses natural secretory granules found in the endocrine system to deliver proteins over an extended period.
The study reconstructed feeding practices of first Neolithic communities in the Cueva de El Toro cave site. Researchers found different breeding patterns and varied feeding schedules for animals, indicating adaptability to local resources and climate conditions.
A new animal model has been developed to examine the initial phases of Parkinson's disease, allowing researchers to investigate non-motor symptoms and molecular processes preceding neuronal degeneration. The study suggests that lipid metabolism plays a crucial role in the disease's progression.
A study by Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona demonstrates that vorinostat, an anti-cancer drug, mitigates brain injuries and restores brain tissue after a stroke. Researchers found that the treatment not only protects the brain but also surrounding vessels, reducing inflammation and improving neurological deficits.
A new study highlights the crucial role of Indigenous Peoples' knowledge in advancing climate change research and policy. The project LICCI, led by Victoria Reyes-García, engaged over 5,000 individuals across 48 diverse cultures and nationalities to document climate change impacts as perceived by local communities.
Researchers used AI tool AlphaFold to predict and model over 1,400 protein-protein interactions essential for bacterial survival. The study reveals previously unknown details and offers potential targets for developing new antibiotics.
The first Neolithic farmers and shepherds in Andalusia settled permanently on the island of San Fernando, Cadiz, 6,200 years ago. They collected and consumed shellfish throughout the year, with a greater exploitation during the colder months of autumn, winter, and early spring.
A recent study by ICTA-UAB found that many societies with very low monetary income have remarkably high levels of life satisfaction, comparable to those in wealthy countries. The average life satisfaction score across the studied small-scale societies was 6.8 on a scale of 0-10.
A study by Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona finds that big oil companies are relentless in expanding their extractive operations, deploying new technologies and seeking favorable locations. This leads to significant social and environmental costs, with local communities fighting against extraction activities.
Researchers have developed a mussel-inspired antimicrobial coating that can effectively protect healthcare fabrics from pathogens and reduce the risk of infection. The coating has been shown to exhibit high efficacy against a broad spectrum of microbial species, including multi-resistant microorganisms.
Researchers have developed EGNITE, a novel class of flexible, high-resolution, high-precision graphene-based implantable neurotechnology. Preclinical studies demonstrated the technology's capacity to record high-fidelity neural signals and afford precise nerve modulation.
Researchers analyzed animal remains and isotopes to understand livestock practices in high mountain regions during the Early Neolithic. The study found that flocks were small and used for meat and milk production, with pigs gaining economic importance during this period.
A new study by ICTA-UAB shows that pursuing higher economic growth may jeopardise the Paris goals and leave no viable pathways for humanity to stabilise the climate. Slower growth rates make it more feasible to achieve the Paris goals, with lower economic growth reducing CO2 emissions by 10-13% by 2030.
A study has deciphered a mechanism to sensitize cancer cells to TRAIL agonist therapy, which has been ineffective due to tumor resistance. ERK5 inhibition restores sensitivity to antitumor treatments.
A study analyzing European Parliament politicians' views on degrowth and green growth reveals a surprising lack of consensus on both sides. Despite its popularity among centre-right MEPs, green growth is seen as a more divisive concept than previously thought, with no clear majority supporting it.
A study by Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona found that all aquatic species in river mouths are contaminated with microplastics. Molluscs were the most affected, and nanoplastics posed a greater risk to aquatic organisms due to their ability to pass through cellular membranes.
A recent study found that ocean acidification in the Mediterranean is already affecting the calcification of marine plankton, with negative consequences for marine ecosystems. The research suggests that anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions are the main driver of this decline, while ocean warming may be mitigating this effect.
The A3D-MOBD is a comprehensive database for studying protein aggregation in twelve model organisms. It contains over half a million predictions of protein regions prone to forming aggregates, providing insights into the basis of this phenomenon.
Researchers at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona developed a wireless device that induces magnetism in non-magnetic cobalt nitride layers using electrical voltage. This breakthrough allows for the control of magnetic properties without wires, enabling applications in biomedicine and computing.
The study found that Iberian Copper Age communities produced goods with great variability and no signs of economic exploitation or social hierarchies. Researchers believe this 'cooperative affluent society' strategy generated material wealth without exploiting labor, challenging traditional thoughts on historical wealth production.
Researchers have developed a new microscopy technique using STED technology to visualize individual fibers in amyloid plaques, providing higher resolution than conventional light microscopy. This breakthrough allows for better understanding of the structure and morphology of Aβ aggregates and their role in Alzheimer's disease progression.
A team of scientists has discovered and analyzed the oldest direct evidence of basketry among hunter-gatherer societies and early farmers in southern Europe. The esparto grass objects from Cueva de los Murciélagos date back to the Mesolithic period, between 9,500 and 6,200 years ago.
UAB researchers have designed minimal nanozymes with the capacity to capture carbon dioxide, applicable for environmental remediation and biotechnology research. These new molecules are formed by peptides of only seven amino acids and can act as metalloenzymes, opening up possibilities in extreme temperatures and pH values.
A study reviewed the effects of hormone fluctuations on brain structure and behavior in pregnant and postpartum women. The researchers found that estrogen levels triggered plasticity processes in the brain during this time, affecting maternal behavior.
A growing body of researchers question the feasibility of green growth, preferring post-growth theories that prioritize sustainability and social justice. Climate policy experts from high-income countries are most skeptical of green growth, while those from non-OECD nations support it.
Natural and social scientists must work together to address the climate crisis by understanding the complex interaction between environmental and social changes. The research highlights the importance of studying tipping points in both fields to inform climate change policies and practice.
Women survivors of gender violence exhibit altered stress response systems, affecting ability to detect threats and mental health. The study found two distinct patterns of attention towards threatening faces, with vigilant individuals having higher cortisol responses.
A study challenges the notion that China's socialist economy reduced extreme poverty, finding it increased during capitalist reforms. China's extreme poverty rate remained high at around 68% in 1995 and has since recovered somewhat.
Researchers develop new method to visualize glass transformation into supercooled liquid, confirming unusual separation between liquid domains. The technique allows for direct comparison between computational models and physical reality, shedding light on the glass transition process.
A study examines over 20,000 newspaper articles from Brazil to understand changes in marine biodiversity over the past 180 years. The research found that high-trophic level species decreased in frequency while low-level organisms increased, reflecting broader trends of overfishing.