Researchers have developed a drug compound that stops cancer cell growth in mice with little effect on normal healthy cells, making it potentially nontoxic for patients. The therapy targets the epidermal growth factor receptor gene, which is overexpressed in about half of all triple-negative breast cancer cases.
Research at the University of Arizona found a strong link between bright color use and ancestral day-night activity patterns. Species that use bright colors for sexual signals were descended from diurnal ancestors, while those using aposematism had nocturnal ancestors. This pattern holds across land vertebrates with over 40,000 species.
Researchers created global temperature maps of Earth during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum, a time period similar to our own future under climate change. The study found that the climate was more sensitive to carbon dioxide increases than previously thought, with sensitivity between 5.7 to 7.4 degrees Celsius per doubling.
Researchers have identified a potential source of shock-darkened meteorites, which could explain discrepancies in how near-Earth asteroids are classified. The asteroid, 1998 OR2, is about 1.5 miles wide and shows characteristics that suggest it has undergone shock darkening.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have identified a protein called Ait1 that regulates cell growth in yeasts. This discovery presents new targets for developing antifungal drugs that can attack disease-causing yeasts while sparing human immune cells.
A University of Arizona-led study uses bacteria to understand how natural patterns form through mechanical interactions. The findings suggest that just four different adhesive molecules are sufficient to create any possible tiling pattern, with implications for understanding complex multicellular life and creating biodegradable materials.
University of Arizona students developed a comprehensive study to track and characterize the brightness of satellites. The team's work could help astronomers adapt by closing their telescopes' shutters during incoming bright satellites.
Researchers confirm COVID-19 originated from live animals sold at Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, China. The market was the epicenter of the epidemic, with vendors getting infected first and setting off a chain of infections.
Researchers from the University of Arizona suggest that dying stars can forge carbon nanotubes in the envelopes of dust and gas surrounding them. This process involves the spontaneous formation of carbon nanotubes, which are highly structured rod-like molecules consisting of multiple layers of carbon sheets.
A team of astronomers has created a detailed map of the molecular emissions surrounding red hypergiant star VY Canis Majoris. The image sheds light on the mechanisms involved in the final stages of extreme supergiant stars, offering new insights into their processes.
Astronomers discovered five isolated 'blue blob' systems containing young, blue stars and little atomic hydrogen gas. The presence of mostly young stars and lack of gas suggests recent gas loss, contradicting expectations of older red stars.
Researchers found a correlation between Parkinson's gene alpha-synuclein and vocal production in zebra finches. The study suggests that this link could lead to earlier diagnoses and treatments for Parkinson's patients.
A team of researchers has confirmed that a volcanic eruption in 1628 B.C. was not Thera but Alaskan volcano Aniakchak II, helping to narrow down the potential dates for the Thera eruption's occurrence between 1611 B.C., 1562-1555 B.C. and 1538 B.C.
New research suggests that collective grief is a critical component of the Black grief experience, influenced by America's history of racialization and racial violence. This collective grief can be felt deeply due to strong community ties and kinship bonds formed during enslavement and historical trauma.
A new study reveals that freshwater habitats have the highest animal species richness per area, with more than 99% of known animal species inhabiting land and 12% ocean habitats. The research suggests that preserving freshwater ecosystems can protect more species and evolutionary history.
A recent study combining climate data with fossil records of large mammals in Africa found that times of erratic climate change do not lead to major evolutionary changes. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that environmental variability and species turnover may not be closely related.
A recent study published in Nature Geoscience has found that tropical trees' trunk growth is reduced in years with drier and warmer conditions. The researchers also discovered that the effect of climatic fluctuations is more dramatic in arid or warm regions, suggesting climate change may increase the sensitivity of tropical trees.
Researchers used lake sediment in the Tibetan Plateau to estimate that high-elevation alpine permafrost will melt faster than arctic permafrost, releasing greenhouse gases and contributing to global temperature rise. The study suggests that up to 60% of alpine permafrost land area may be lost under current warming conditions.
A new study by the University of Arizona has identified a brain region and neural circuitry that mediate satiation, making it possible to create treatments with fewer side effects for eating disorders and weight management. The parasubthalamic nucleus plays a key role in regulating feelings of fullness after eating.
A study by University of Arizona researcher Sabrina Helm identified two prevailing climate change coping profiles: adaptive approach coping and maladaptive avoidance coping. The adaptive approach group tends to engage in pro-environmental behaviors and express concern about climate change, while the maladaptive avoidance group is less ...
A University of Arizona-led team combined tree-ring data with forest inventory measurements to predict future tree growth. The researchers found a 56-91% decline in individual tree growth, leading to less carbon sequestration by Arizona's forests.
Researchers have found an unprecedented increase in winter stream flow rates over the last 25 years, with nearly 80% above average, driven by permafrost melt and forest fires. The combined effects of these factors are accelerating Arctic ice melt and exacerbating global warming.
Researchers have discovered a treasure trove of previously unknown globular clusters in the outer regions of Centaurus A, an elliptical galaxy. The study provides new insights into galaxy formation and the distribution of dark matter in the universe.
Researchers found that diverse plant water-use strategies and soil interactions support forest stability during extreme drought. The study revealed a 70% drop in carbon storage but also showed plants releasing VOCs to signal with soil microbes, mitigating emissions.
Current climate models underestimate species extinction rates by neglecting the complexities of ecosystems. Researchers used piñon pine data to model how climate affects tree populations and distribution, finding indirect effects that cannot be captured by climate-only models.
A new study suggests that the brain uses a mechanism called 'repulsion' to differentiate between similar environments. Researchers found that when participants were asked about stores shared between two cities, their brains showed surprisingly different patterns of activity, indicating that they were treating these familiar locations a...
A team of astronomers from the University of Arizona suggests that near-Earth asteroid Kamo`oalewa could be a miniature moon, with its spectrum matching lunar rocks from NASA's Apollo missions. The asteroid's orbit is similar to Earth's but with a slight tilt, making it unlikely to have originated from a typical near-Earth asteroid.
A University of Arizona-led study reconstructs Earth's climate since the last ice age, highlighting unprecedented global temperatures and the speed of human-caused warming. The research combines two independent datasets to create a more complete picture of past temperatures.
A new study reveals that many cratons were uninhabitable for microbes for much of their existence, with the longest period of habitability not much beyond a billion years. The deep biosphere, home to microbial life, has evolved over geologic history, and modern microbes are related to ancient ancestors in the subsurface.
A new study suggests that women are just as competitive as men in competitions, and that their reluctance to take risks is not the cause of the gender wage gap. Researchers found that when given the option to share winnings with losers, women were more likely to compete and excel.
Astronomers have discovered a massive galaxy protocluster, believed to be a 'galaxy shipyard', in the distant universe. The discovery provides insights into galaxy cluster formation and sheds light on the process of galaxies forming into clusters.
A UArizona-led team has discovered nearly 500 ancient ceremonial complexes in southern Mexico, similar to the largest Maya monument Aguada Fénix. The findings suggest that the Olmec civilization played a significant role in shaping the development of the Maya civilization.
Researchers used Hubble Space Telescope observations and theoretical models to study a broader population of hot Jupiters. The study provides insight into planet formation and suggests that these planets contain similar sets of molecules, including water and carbon monoxide.
New research from the University of Arizona suggests that a slowdown in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) will intensify extreme cold weather in the US. The study found that without the AMOC, extremely cold winter weather would become more frequent and severe.
Researchers at the University of Arizona developed a new curriculum that allows high school students to learn about coronaviruses, genetics, and bioinformatics from home. The lesson plan, which was created before COVID-19 vaccines were introduced, teaches students how different vaccines work and analyzes protein sequences. Students who...
A study by University of Arizona behavioral ecologist Jennifer Verdolin mapped the intricacies of prairie dog social dynamics, including degree centrality and between-ness centrality. This research has big implications for conservation efforts, highlighting the importance of considering all factors that support a species' survival.
Asteroid Bennu's surface is covered in boulders due to its highly porous rocks, which compress rather than fragment under meteoroid impacts. This contradicts previous observations of fine regolith on similar asteroids, such as Ryugu and Itokawa.
A study of metal-rich asteroids has found that they have surfaces with 85% metal such as iron and nickel, similar to stony-iron meteorites. The research also identified four possible asteroid families in the main asteroid belt, which may hold clues about their origins.
Researchers analyzed idle thoughts for 10 minutes to capture patterns of thinking, revealing a link between ruminative thinking and depression. Participants who scored high on a rumination questionnaire experienced negative thoughts that lasted longer than positive thoughts.
Astronomers observe a tidal disruption event caused by an intermediate-mass black hole consuming a star, providing the first measurements of its mass and spin. The findings shed light on the elusive category of intermediate black holes, which may account for most black holes in galaxy centers.
The study proposes a novel 'hit-and-run-return' scenario, where pre-planetary bodies crash into each other, slow down, and then merge again. This led to the formation of Venus as having had a very different experience in its growth compared to Earth.
Researchers found shell beads in Morocco dating back 142,000-150,000 years, shedding light on early human communication and cognitive evolution. The discovery suggests that humans have been using nonverbal cues to express identity and affiliation for hundreds of thousands of years.
Researchers study social support networks and health outcomes of over 670 Hispanic and non-Hispanic lung cancer patients to understand the Hispanic Health Paradox. The study aims to identify cultural differences in social interactions that influence health outcomes.
Research suggests that climate-caused disruptions to the jet stream's position and intensity could lead to severe weather-related consequences. The study's findings imply that continued warming could cause significant deviations from the norm, rendering the jet stream drastically different within a matter of decades.
A University of Arizona-led study found that drought and seasonal fluctuations in rainfall are larger drivers of evolutionary diversity than warm temperatures. The research team created maps of evolutionary diversity across North, Central and South America, revealing that deserts have more plant species compared to forests due to drought.
Researchers Altaf Engineer and Esther Sternberg aim to redesign office spaces to enhance employees' emotional and physical health. Their seven-domain framework considers factors like sleep, movement, environment, and nutrition to create a healing space.
A new study assesses the impact of environmental policies on Amazon biodiversity, finding that 40-73,400 square miles of rainforest have been affected by fires since 2001. The research highlights the need for strong antideforestation policies and recognition of Indigenous lands to protect the region's biodiversity.
Researchers found that having cameras on during virtual meetings increases fatigue, with correlations to reduced voice and engagement. The effects are stronger for women and employees newer to the organization, likely due to self-presentation pressures.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation has identified an enzyme called secreted phospholipase A2 group IIA as a key mechanism driving COVID-19 severity. The enzyme is found to be associated with increased mortality rates, particularly when its levels are high, and could provide a new therapeutic target for reducing ...
Rare fossils from the Cambrian period confirm the presence of an ancestral frontal domain in arthropods, which gives rise to crucial neural centers involved in decision-making and memory. The discovery also sheds new light on the evolutionary origin of visual systems in arthropods.