Researchers at the University of York have uncovered the neural mechanism that instructs the brain to prioritize and strengthen important memories during sleep. This 'tagging' mechanism, linked to a specific brainwave pattern, helps the brain filter out irrelevant details and retain key experiences.
A new study found that only 13 low-and middle-income countries offer full support for smokers to quit, leaving billions without access. Researchers recommend tailored quitting programmes and low-cost strategies like national quitlines, mobile health apps, and community health workers to expand support in resource-limited settings.
A study analyzing ancient DNA from 111 individuals across Sicily's archaeological sites reveals a genetic 'melting pot' where Christians and Muslims coexisted, challenging the idea of large-scale population change.
Researchers have extracted and analyzed ancient proteins from Homo naledi fossils, revealing a potential all-female burial site. The study suggests that the adult fossils found in South Africa's Rising Star Cave system lack physical variations typically expected between males and females.
Scientists mapped the genetic history of ancient grapevines from Tuscany's Cetamura del Chianti settlement, discovering a single, identical variety passed down for centuries. The study found that white grapes were dominant in ancient Chianti, contradicting the region's modern reputation for red wines.
A recent study examines how donor money is distributed across protected areas in Africa, revealing that optimising a single goal leads to suboptimal decisions. The researchers propose a 'portfolio approach' to funding, prioritising clear definitions of success before allocating finite funds.
A renowned conservation program, launched in 1996, has failed to maintain its success in promoting wolverine population growth. Despite initial promising results, documented numbers have fallen significantly in northern strongholds, with government funds frozen for two decades.
A new study reveals that Mohenjo-daro, the Indus civilization's largest city, became more egalitarian over time as it matured. The city's inhabitants worked together to ensure fair access to a good standard of life, with investment in practical things like drainage and street maintenance.
Researchers have discovered the missing genes and enzyme that tobacco plants need to make nicotine, solving a mystery that has puzzled scientists for nearly two centuries. The discovery could lead to safer production of medicines and vaccines using tobacco plants, without the unwanted nicotine.
A global 'road map' has been developed to understand complex peatland systems and their role in tackling climate change. The study identified critical questions that need to be addressed, including locating peat deposits and monitoring carbon levels in real-time.
Scientists discovered that evolution used the same genes, ivory and optix, to evolve near-identical colour patterns among distantly related butterfly and moth species. This finding suggests that life on earth may be more predictable than first imagined, with nature following a particular route.
Researchers have identified six key elements - meaning and purpose, life satisfaction, self-acceptance, strong relationships, autonomy, and happiness - as crucial for positive mental wellbeing. Experts say these factors can help policymakers better understand where to intervene in promoting mental health.
Researchers at the University of York have discovered a protein that allows the African trypanosome parasite to evade detection by destroying specific parts of its genetic instructions. This breakthrough provides new vulnerabilities for future treatments and could revolutionize our understanding of infection.
Researchers have developed experimental compounds that block flu viruses by locking onto their surface enzyme, potentially improving treatments and pandemic preparedness. The new approach shows promise in stopping common types of flu virus, including H3N2 and bird flu strains.
Research found that twins score lower than their singleton siblings in language, cognition, and social-emotional development until age seven, but then significantly outperform them in verbal ability. Twins face specific challenges like competition for parental attention, leading to peer-related difficulties as they reach school age.
A new study has uncovered the earliest genetic evidence of domestic dogs to date, finding that they were already living alongside Ice Age humans over 14,000 years ago. The research analyzed ancient DNA from archaeological sites in the UK and Türkiye, revealing a shared diet between early dogs and humans.
A recent study by the University of York found that UK polling clerks made mistakes in 36% of cases when tested with real ID documents. The findings challenge the assumption that human checks are a reliable barrier against voter fraud, highlighting the need for improved training methods and alternative security measures.
Scientists at the University of York discovered a plant gene that produces a powerful alkaloid, securinine, in a unique process driven by bacterial-like genes. This finding allows for the mass production of valuable compounds in labs, reducing reliance on rare plants and harsh chemicals.
Research shows that conservation efforts can be more effective if they focus on why people buy ivory rather than just promoting its illegality. Studies suggest that targeting specific audiences and using behavioural theory can help change consumer behaviour.
Researchers used robotics and 'click' chemistry to synthesize over 700 metal complexes in a week, identifying six potential new lead compounds. An iridium-based antibiotic candidate showed high effectiveness against bacteria while being non-toxic to human cells.
New research suggests a common childhood virus can trigger DNA damage leading to bladder cancer. Laboratory studies using human tissue samples found that the virus's antiviral defences cause collateral damage in cells' own DNA.
Researchers at the University of York have discovered a way to harness radiation from particle accelerator beam dumps to produce medical isotopes used in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Copper-67 is a rare isotope with limited global supplies, but this method could generate it without affecting main physics experiments.
Scientists have discovered a family of enzymes produced by Phytophthora infestans that disable plants' early warning system, weakening their defenses before they can respond. Disabling the genes for these enzymes rendered the pathogen incapable of infecting the host.
Researchers at the University of York suggest Dark Matter could impart a subtle red or blue tint to light as it passes through regions with Dark Matter presence. Detecting such effects could open up a new way to study invisible mass in the cosmos.
A new study argues that modern plastics form an important archaeological record of human impacts on planetary health. The researchers suggest using the 'Plastic Age' as a way to study people's relationship with the world, similar to how archaeologists study past relationships through material culture.
A recent study has uncovered new insights into Stone Age life and death, showing that women and children were as likely to be buried with stone tools as men. The discovery at Zvejnieki cemetery in northern Latvia suggests a shared ritual tradition across the eastern Baltic region.
A new study identifies a critical gene that regulates immune responses in female T cells but not in males. This discovery may lead to more effective treatments tailored to biological sex for diseases such as severe asthma and infections affecting millions of people worldwide.
A recent study has consistently linked e-cigarette use to a higher risk of cigarette smoking and various health concerns in young people. The review found that vaping often precedes smoking and can lead to increased frequency and intensity of smoking, as well as associated risks such as asthma and depression.
New research shows that ancient Japanese rice farming did not necessarily lead to the abandonment of cultural practices, particularly culinary traditions. Millet, a sister crop of rice, was largely left behind in Japanese cuisine despite its popularity in Korean cooking.
Scientists have recovered a protein sequence from a fossilized tooth over 20 million years old, revealing new insights into the rhino family tree and its divergence from other species. This ancient find expands the timescale for recoverable evolutionary-informative protein sequences by ten-fold.
Prehistoric people used slow cooking to carefully extract animal teeth, challenging the assumption that they were scavenged. The most effective methods were pit steaming and wet cooking, which also allowed for meat consumption and bone tool-making.
Researchers challenge the idea of an incestuous social elite ruling over ancient Ireland, citing a lack of corroborating evidence from nearby settlements and dietary practices. The study suggests that the society was more equal, with people sharing resources and living in similar dwellings.
A new study has found that two ancient Ice Age 'puppies' are likely to be wolf cubs, not dogs, based on genetic analysis of their gut contents and other chemical 'fingerprints'. The discovery provides insight into the diet and breeding behaviors of Pleistocene wolves, which lived in a diverse environment with varied ecosystems.
Scientists have re-dated the world's oldest complete wooden hunting weapons using amino acid geochronology, establishing a new age of approximately 300,000 years. The findings highlight significant leaps in early human hunting capabilities and cooperative behavior around 200,000 years ago.
The discovery of a skeleton in a Roman cemetery in York has confirmed the presence of human-lion combat in ancient Rome. The skeleton shows bite marks consistent with a lion attack, providing direct physical evidence of gladiatorial combat between humans and lions.
A study by the University of York showed that nature-based activities can improve mood and anxiety levels in patients with mild to moderate mental health conditions. Activities such as gardening, tending allotments, and care farming had the most impact on participants.
A new study suggests that local practitioners are needed to bring together local knowledge and conservation practices for managing conflicts between humans and large carnivores. This approach recognizes the importance of Indigenous groups and traditional local communities in shaping policies on coexistence with these species.
A new study suggests that pre-colonial people in Brazil may have gathered in summer months to feast on migratory fish and share alcoholic drinks. The researchers analyzed pottery fragments dating back to between 2300 and 1200 years ago, which revealed evidence of fermented beverages and processing of fish.
London taxi drivers use cognitive resources efficiently by prioritizing challenging areas first and filling in the rest of the route around them. This flexible planning strategy can help improve future AI navigation technologies.
Researchers have identified molecular mechanisms by which osteoporosis medications protect against Covid-19. The study suggests that compounds like alendronate and zoledronate may be beneficial in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection and related hospitalizations.
A new study reveals that sleep deprivation can inhibit the brain's ability to suppress unwanted memories and intrusive thoughts. Researchers found that well-rested individuals showed more activation in a specific brain region when attempting to suppress memories, while sleep-deprived individuals struggled with this task.
Researchers reconstruct genomes of 1,000-year-old maize cobs to reveal close genetic link with Northern Flint varieties, showing the selection process that shaped this globally important food crop. The study provides valuable information for crop breeders to reintroduce lost genetic diversity and develop new varieties.
A new study reveals DNAN, a chemical compound replacing TNT in explosives, harms plants by accumulating throughout the plant and lingering for longer. This poses a risk of animals consuming infected plants, introducing toxin into the food chain.
A recent study by University of York researchers investigated the factors influencing plant development, finding specific genetic changes control timing. Plants redirect nutrients from leaves to reproductive organs earlier than anticipated, suggesting potential for improving crop uniformity and nutritional value.
A team of researchers from the University of York and Hull York Medical School has developed a new, safe and effective way to infect volunteers with the parasite that causes leishmaniasis, allowing for the testing of vaccines and preventative measures.
Researchers discovered that sodium channels allow cancer cells to grow and spread by increasing energy production and producing lactic acid, which breaks down the extracellular matrix. Blocking these channels may be an effective way to slow cancer growth and prevent metastasis in breast cancer patients.
Researchers analyzed microscopic evidence from Stone Age structures at Star Carr, finding distinct areas for different domestic activities such as butchery and crafting bone tools. This suggests that hunter-gatherers had a shared understanding of organizing tasks within their dwellings.
Researchers used Game of Thrones to understand how brains recognize faces, finding that familiarity with characters increases brain activity in non-visual regions. This study provides new insights into prosopagnosia, a condition that affects facial recognition and social interactions.
A new study using a global pollen dataset reveals that human activity has increased plant diversity in many parts of the northern hemisphere over thousands of years. However, in other regions, such as Africa and South America, human land use led to decreased biodiversity.
A new mathematical model suggests that male mammals' absence of breastfeeding may be an evolutionary strategy to limit the spread of harmful microbes. The theory proposes that maternal-only lactation acts as a sieve, retaining beneficial microbes and preventing their transmission through mammary milk.