Heatwaves disrupt soil bacteria, temporarily reducing resistance genes, but also causing significant damage to soils and ecosystems. Soils from warm, dry countries remain relatively stable, while cold, wet soils are more susceptible to heat and drought
The ICTY established facts about crimes but struggled to uncover the wider historical truth. Researchers must consider the Tribunal's limitations when studying the political causes of the wars, as competing narratives and interpretations persist.
Researchers have developed a method to print three-dimensional structures in ice using evaporative cooling, which also regulates body temperature. The technique allows for printing arbitrary profiles without additional support, with applications in biology and microfluidics.
Research shows that young Bewick's swans that lose their parents during winter migration have a significantly lower survival rate, dropping from 86% to 40%. The study highlights the importance of family ties for migration and survival in these long-lived social birds.
A machine learning-based algorithm analyzes player behavior patterns to estimate risks, providing a transparent frame of reference for regulators. The model, made publicly accessible, can calculate risk scores and compare them to existing systems, leading to more effective player protection.
A team of physicists proposes a framework to describe how active materials operate in the presence of curvature, leading to unexpected behavior and potential practical applications. The framework explains striking biological observations and may lead to geometry as a design parameter for new materials.
Researchers have developed a new method to handle and transfer ultra-thin materials, using ordinary kitchen cling film to solve the problem of cracking. This breakthrough enables the creation of large-scale fabrication of 2D material-based devices and opens up new opportunities for studying novel physics in condensed matter systems.
Researchers from the Universities of Amsterdam and New South Wales have discovered ytterbium ions can remain in previously unexplored metastable states for surprisingly long times, up to 30 seconds. The findings may improve the detection of quantum bits (qubits) and their generalized analogues in ytterbium ions.
Researchers introduce 'plantymers', plastics that break down naturally in the environment, addressing traditional plastic drawbacks. Plantymers are strong enough to compete with fossil-based plastics, making them suitable for fruit packaging and other applications.
A qualitative study reveals that watchdog science journalism is labour-intensive and time-consuming, with high thresholds of evidence and significant barriers to access. The findings highlight the need for media organisations to protect specialised investigative work and foster a more transparent public discussion about science.
A new study reveals that sponges may use photosynthesis, increasing the productivity of tropical coral reefs. Sponges were found to account for 11% of gross primary productivity, surprising researchers who previously considered them as pure consumers.
A new study reveals that the shape of poo is determined by the stiffness of the material and direction of gravity compared to extrusion. This explains why animals defecate downward, creating a pointy mound like the poo emoji, but lugworms defy gravity with uniform spirals.
Researchers developed a new measurement method to accurately map nanoplastics in water and the environment. They found that nanoplastics in seawater did not break down in a simple pattern and were present in various sizes and depths.
Research by Bjorn Beijnon explores how digital platforms turn people into 'data subjects', shaping behavior through convenient design choices. Fieldwork found personalized info environments can reinforce existing beliefs and contribute to fragmented understandings of reality.
Researchers have developed the 'Youniversalism' scale to measure people's belief in subjective and experiential truths. The scale reveals that individuals who view themselves as 'spiritual' tend to score higher on Youniversalism and lower on trust in science.
A team of University of Amsterdam researchers show that activity can fundamentally alter the transition from disorder to order in soft matter physics. For living cells, bacterial chains and clusters of worms, this process is more complex, with activity preventing the formation of a fully ordered state.
MDNA, an open-source software suite, enables accurate models of DNA structures and simulations. It facilitates visualization and analysis of DNA-protein interactions, improving understanding of DNA dynamics in complex biological systems.
Researchers found that people who are less precise in their decision-making can outperform those who are more rational in certain social situations. This is because 'sloppy' decisions can help individuals avoid the pitfalls of highly sensitive learners, who prioritize short-term gains over long-term benefits. In contrast, in other situ...
Researchers found that reaction times are crucial in predator-prey interactions, allowing prey to evade faster predators through a 'head start' in turning. This contradicts the traditional theory of maneuverability, which suggests that smaller prey can turn more sharply and escape predators.
Twelve climate researchers present a policy brief calling for the phasing out of fossil fuels, citing international law and economic feasibility. The policy package offers six integrated solutions to facilitate a controlled transition, addressing key obstacles such as production, taxation, and labor protection.
A recent study by AI researcher Oskar van der Wal found that language models like ChatGPT can absorb biases around gender and ethnicity, which are then embedded in the model. To detect and remove these biases, new measurements are needed.
Scientists have developed a new class of materials that can respond to external forces using their own internal energy, allowing for the creation of autonomous robots. The research demonstrates a new route to realizing active materials with multiple functions, including flexible and soft robots.
Researchers have developed RoboChem Flex, a versatile and modular autonomous synthesis robot that reduces costs to $5000. The system offers human-in-the-loop analytics, Bayesian optimization, and integration with various analytical instruments, making it accessible to laboratories of all sizes.
Researchers propose a new framework for understanding microbiome health, focusing on the system's ability to reorganize in response to changing conditions. This shift helps explain inconsistent results of microbiome-based treatments, highlighting the importance of functional dynamics over static composition.
Scientists at the University of Amsterdam have developed metamaterials that learn and adapt without a central brain, allowing them to change shape and perform advanced tasks. These 'smart' materials can forget old shapes and learn new ones, enabling them to evolve and perform complex tasks.
A sociologist's research focuses on personal stories behind assisted death decisions, challenging the assumption that choosing death is a rational decision. The study introduces concepts like biographical contraction and closure to understand the complex process of end-of-life choices.
Researchers from the University of Amsterdam developed a novel computational framework, Measurable Feature Prediction, to quantify the gaps in nontargeted chemical analysis. The study shows that environmental screening methods leave massive blind spots in the data, with only 0.01% of the chemical space being measurable.
New research by Henkjan Honing reveals that humans are born with biological predispositions for music structure, detectable from birth. The study, published in Current Biology, challenges the long-held assumption that music is a cultural product and instead suggests that musicality is an ancient biological capacity.
Researchers found that adolescents are particularly influenced by classmates they're socially close to and peers in high-status positions. Social closeness and trust shape learning decisions, while positive peer influence increases with age. Gradassi's findings highlight opportunities to harness peer dynamics for constructive outcomes.
A community-driven standard, Material Preparation Information File (MPIF), has been introduced to improve the reproducibility of metal–organic framework (MOF) syntheses. MPIF offers a modular format for documenting synthesis protocols and characterisation data.
The study found that living with HIV leads to a decline in labor market outcomes, including a 4% decrease in employment rates, a 5% reduction in work hours, and an 9% drop in annual earnings. The impact is most pronounced for individuals diagnosed with late-stage HIV.
Corals in extreme coastal bays have flexible nutritional strategies, symbiotic relationships with heat-tolerant algae, and microbial communities that enhance their stress resistance. They can adapt to new conditions, but this comes at a cost, and are naturally more resistant to heat.
Researchers at the UvA Institute of Physics have discovered how spherulites form in salt solutions, leading to the creation of advanced materials. The discovery reveals that subtle variations in composition and growth conditions can produce intricate internal architectures and high surface area structures.
Researchers develop actively tunable metasurface using tungsten disulfide, allowing for control of light at the nanoscale. The device uses excitons to manipulate red light, enabling applications in optics and photonics.
Researchers discovered that centimeter-long aquatic worms can spontaneously collect and organize particles in their environment through natural undulating motion. This behavior emerges from the flexibility of the worms and does not require a brain or complex interaction.
New research shows that targeted law enforcement actions can fragment networks but lead to reorganization into smaller, more specialized groups. This 'criminal opacity amplification' reduces visibility while preserving coordination.
A new study using the Harry Potter Personality Quiz found that regions with more Gryffindors and Slytherins have higher start-up activity. This suggests that rule-challenging behavior, driven by moral conviction or ambition, is closely linked to entrepreneurial action.
A team of scientists from the University of Amsterdam developed a nanoscale material that can reflect different colors of light depending on its stretching. The material's structure determines its color, allowing it to change smoothly from green to yellow and red.
Researchers at the University of Amsterdam developed a new model to track dark matter's effect on black holes' gravitational waves. The study focuses on extreme mass-ratio inspirals, where a smaller object orbits a massive black hole, emitting gravitational waves that can reveal dark matter's distribution around black holes.
A recent study by Tim Thomassen concludes that good daily habits, including proper brushing techniques and adequate brushing time, are more crucial for preventing oral diseases than expensive dental gadgets.
A new study reveals that the Amazon rainforest still bears deep ecological imprints from both pre-Columbian Indigenous communities and European colonists, which have shaped tree species distribution and biodiversity. The research highlights the importance of recognizing these legacies to improve conservation and climate models.
Researchers found that people can sense breathing changes through physical contact, which affects their own body's response to fear. The study used a furry robot with a hidden motorized ribcage to mimic human breathing, tracking participants' heart rates to measure physiological arousal.
Researchers found that European starlings were better at mimicking R2-D2's electronic beeps and boops due to their unique vocal organ morphology. Smaller bird species like budgerigars and cockatiels surprisingly outperformed larger parrots in this task, suggesting different strategies for sound imitation.
Researchers have made precise measurements of strontium's energy levels, enabled by the Zeeman effect, which could lead to advancements in quantum computing and atomic clock technology. The discovery of the strontium nucleus's spin properties has significant implications for its use in quantum computing.
The study reveals that certain rectangular shapes allow chloroplasts to achieve both efficient light capture at high density and enough space for shifting during strong light avoidance. The natural geometry of Elodea cells matches the predicted optimal shapes well, with a balance between packing and flexibility.
The metaverse is becoming a geopolitical battleground, with the US, China, and EU charting rival approaches to shape its development. The American metaverse is a commercial, closed environment dominated by Big Tech companies, while China's vision prioritizes state control and surveillance.
A new study found that people who have experienced extreme weather events are more likely to view climate change as a serious threat. The study analyzed data from over 128,000 people across 142 countries and found that heatwaves had the strongest effect on risk perception, increasing it by about the same extent as having a university e...
Researchers have developed an efficient way to synthesize valuable compounds using alcohol dehydrogenase enzymes. The enzymes catalyze the formation of amides and thioesters from alcohols and amines or thiols, offering a clean alternative to traditional methods.
Economist Andrea Titton's models show that acting cautiously on climate change is cheaper than taking the gamble of hitting a tipping point. Preparing for climate disasters can disrupt supply chains and cost trillions annually, but investing in green energy now may be more cost-effective.
A new study from the University of Amsterdam updates Hamilton's rule, showing that altruism can be selected in various situations depending on relationship and trait influences. This breakthrough provides a clearer picture of cooperation in evolution, opening doors to more precise research.