Researchers discovered evidence of milk processing in ancient pottery from east Africa, confirming the story that bones have been telling us about pastoralist societies' way of life. The findings suggest that herders who specialized in cattle were drinking milk and survived better due to lactase persistence.
Research reveals that organic carbon particles in cookstove emissions are equally potent agents of atmospheric warming as black carbon, with potential health risks from high molecular weight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The study's findings have significant implications for regional climate change and Paris Agreement targets.
A research team led by Jonathan Losos will sequence the genomes of 200 species of Anolis lizards and introduce genetic changes using CRISPR to test their effects on adaptation. The study aims to identify genes responsible for evolutionary adaptation in Central American lizards.
A new study reveals the extent to which high-yielding rice varieties favored in the Green Revolution have evolved into weedy populations worldwide, outcompeting cultivated varieties. The scientists found that over a third of Asian weed strains originated from elite cultivars developed during this era.
A noblewoman from the Tang Dynasty was buried with her donkeys, indicating she wanted to continue playing her favorite sport, Lvju, after death. Researchers found donkey bones in Cui Shi's tomb, providing the first physical evidence of donkey polo in Imperial China.
A new analysis of GM Bt cotton in India challenges its effectiveness, citing increased spending on fertilizers and insecticides as key factors behind productivity gains. Despite being credited with tripling cotton production, the seeds' impact is overstated due to factors beyond their agronomic benefits.
Weedy rice is a significant threat to global rice productivity, with $45 million annual losses in the US alone. Researchers aim to characterize its genetic basis and traits that enable it to outcompete rice.
Researchers found that urban lizards can maintain function at temperatures 0.82 degrees C higher than forest counterparts. This heat tolerance allows them to thrive in urban environments, where temperatures often exceed 40 C.
A new study of North American birds found that regional ecosystem stability over time depends on both the total number of species present in a locality and on the variation in species identities among localities. The researchers used 20 years of observational data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey to test this hypothesis.
Ultrasonic waves can activate Siri and Google without phone owners' knowledge, as demonstrated by Washington University researchers. The team tested 17 phone models and found that all but two were vulnerable to such attacks.
A recent study published in African Journal of Ecology found that naked mole rats do not disperse according to moon phases. Captured dispersing naked mole rats showed no correlation with full moon or new moon, suggesting cues from the social environment may be triggering this behavior.
A new study by Washington University in St. Louis reveals that many families at risk for Vitamin A deficiency can't grow Golden Rice, while commercial farmers won't plant it due to its breeding into existing lowland rice varieties.
Research from Washington University in St. Louis reveals that suicidal thoughts in children as young as 9 and 10 years old, with family conflict and parental monitoring being key factors, contrary to the long-held belief that such thoughts only arise in adolescence.
A collaborative research effort has identified key amino acid sequences responsible for liquid-liquid phase separation in proteins. The study's findings reveal that spacers play a crucial role in diluting the interaction strength of sticky amino acids, allowing proteins to condense into liquids.
Physicists propose using ultra-high energy neutrinos to study interactions beyond the standard model, with a new resonance dubbed the 'Zee burst.' This detection could reveal exotic particles such as supersymmetric partners and heavy decaying dark matter.
A new analysis of the Curious Marie meteorite chunk reveals the presence of presolar silicon carbide grains, which were thought to be too fragile to have endured the high-temperature conditions near the sun's birth. This finding forces a revision in how scientists understand the environment in the early solar nebula.
Researchers from Washington University found that adding orthophosphate to the water supply before switching to chloramine can prevent lead contamination. In their experiment, lead levels remained below 10 micrograms/liter in pipes treated with orthophosphate, whereas levels rose above 80 micrograms/liter in control pipes.
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that early human ancestors could have eaten hard plant foods like nuts and seeds without causing damage to their teeth. The researchers used experiments on modern tooth enamel to demonstrate that even the hardest plant tissues barely influence microwear textures.
Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis have created an optical resonator system that can turn transparency on and off, allowing for control over a process called electromagnetically induced transparency. This technology has far-reaching implications for applications such as quantum computing, communications, and more.
A research team at Washington University in St. Louis found that dissolved organic compounds can trigger the mobilization of arsenic in recharged aquifers. When oxygen is introduced into the aquifer, it triggers oxidative dissolution of sulfide minerals, releasing arsenic into the water.
Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis and Argonne National Laboratory have successfully reversed the flow of electrons in a purple photosynthetic bacteria, achieving a 90% yield on the B-branch side. This breakthrough discovery sheds light on the earliest light-driven events of photosynthesis and could aid in designing bi...
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found that T cells play a critical role in protecting against staph infections. The study suggests activating untapped immune cells and immunizing infants before birth to block toxin effects. This new approach shows promise for developing an effective staph vaccine.
New research from Washington University in St. Louis reveals that two annual plants, goosefoot and erect knotweed, can produce yields comparable to those of maize when grown together with other lost crops. The study's findings challenge the assumption that maize was adopted as a staple crop due to its high productivity.
A new study shows that chimpanzees using complex tools to gather termites are more likely to share tools with novices and teach them skills. This behavior has implications for the evolution of human cultural abilities, suggesting a greater role for social learning in transferring complex tool traditions.
Researchers found that key changes during rice domestication reflect selection on traits determined by a portion of the genome that does not transcribe proteins. Non-coding RNAs, suspected to play important roles in regulating growth and development, were also implicated.
Phytochromes can sense light intensity, duration, color, and day length by measuring the proportions of their inactive and active forms. Researchers have overcome a major hurdle to defining the transition between these states, allowing for atomic-resolution molecular movies of the process.
A new imaging technique combining machine learning and optical coherence tomography detects precancerous and cancerous tissue with 100% accuracy, according to a pilot study. The technology may assist traditional colonoscopy by providing real-time, non-invasive imaging for deeper precancerous polyps and early-stage cancers.
Researchers found that MRSA on people and pets can spread through skin-to-skin contact, contaminated surfaces, and environmental factors. Frequent handwashing and high cleanliness scores reduce the risk of staph transmission.
Artificial light at night negatively impacts thousands of species, causing global declines in abundance. Experts recommend turning off unnecessary lights, using motion-activated fixtures, and selecting amber-colored lights to curb light pollution and preserve insect populations.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have uncovered a novel process by which phototrophic microbes can accept electrons from solid and soluble substances. This discovery, published in mBio, could lead to the development of bacterial platforms that feed on electricity and carbon dioxide to produce valuable compounds.
New research challenges traditional idea about relationship between alcohol use and brain size, suggesting that reduced brain volume may represent a genetically-conferred predispositional risk factor for heavier alcohol consumption. Longitudinal and family data from three independent brain imaging studies confirm this association.
Researchers confirm that the brain attends to criticality, a state of optimal excitation without disorder, to maximize information processing. This is achieved through the regulation of inhibitory neurons, allowing for efficient encoding and transmission of complex patterns.
Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis realize a parity-time (PT) symmetric quantum system, allowing them to observe previously unexplored phenomena. The work demonstrates the potential applications of such systems to quantum computing.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that collagen fiber length can affect how cells move collectively, with longer fibers supporting streaming out of colonies and elongating cells. The study suggests that a balance between aggressiveness and cooperation is crucial for cell movement.
Researchers found that different shapes of micropillars affect liquid retention, with triangular pillars showing reduced critical burst volume for high surface-tension liquids. The study aims to develop an evaporative heat exchange device.
A recent study from Washington University in St. Louis challenges the idea that species previously exposed to variable conditions are better suited to cope with climate change. The model predicts that simple changes in weather event intensity could be lethal for populations that have experienced similar events in the past.
Early rice growers unwittingly selected for barnyard grass, which later evolved to mimic rice plants, allowing it to escape detection and spread globally. The study sequenced the genomes of rice-mimic and non-mimic forms of the weed to understand this process.
A new ancient DNA study reveals the complex origins of populations in Central Asia, combining archaeological and genetic expertise to illustrate nuanced mechanisms of genetic diversity and change. The research, published in Science, is the largest in the world to date and addresses a significant gap in the ancient DNA dataset.
Fuzhong Zhang receives nearly $2 million NIH grant to investigate metabolic diversity and its relation to antibiotic persistence in bacteria. He aims to understand what causes cells with different metabolic activity and develop strategies to control these differences.
A global study finds that birds with smaller brains thrive in variable environments by using alternative ecological strategies, such as large bodies and high reproductive rates. In contrast, big-brained birds are less adaptable and invest more time in raising fewer offspring.
New research shows that mosquitoes at the northern edge of their range are successfully surviving cold winters using diapause eggs. This rapid local adaptation could impact efforts to control the spread of invasive species like Asian tiger mosquitoes, which transmit diseases such as Zika and dengue viruses.
A study by Washington University researchers found that people ascribe an inflated weight to their country's contribution to WWII. Russians view the war differently, listing D-Day as a 'relief' for Soviet forces rather than a pivotal moment.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered a mechanism by which plants regulate the hormone auxin, affecting growth and development. The sticky properties of Aux/IAA repressor proteins allow them to bind to DNA-binding domains, controlling transcription.
Mutations of a gene implicated in long QT syndrome trigger seizures due to its direct effects on neurons and glia, independent from heart function. This discovery challenges the assumption that seizures are secondary outcomes of cardiovascular disease.
A recent meta-analysis of research on implicit bias found that changing people's biases may not necessarily lead to changes in related behaviors. The study, published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, reviewed 492 studies and found no evidence of a causal relationship between biased thinking and behavior.
Scientists have solved the X-ray crystal structure of an enzyme that produces a broad-spectrum antibiotic called obafluorin. This breakthrough provides a detailed molecular structure of the enzyme's three-dimensional space and sheds light on its mechanism, which could lead to the creation of new antibiotics with novel structural classes.
A team of engineers at Washington University in St. Louis has found a more stable, less toxic semiconductor for solar applications, made up of potassium, barium, tellurium, bismuth and oxygen (KBaTeBiO6). The new compound has a band gap of 1.88 eV, which is close to the halide perovskites, making it promising for solar cell applications.
New research from Washington University in St. Louis identifies a critical regulator of lateral root production, showing how auxin and cytokinin hormones interact to control root growth. The study reveals that the transporter TOB1 can limit auxin's root-promoting capabilities, promoting a slow but steady approach to root development.
Researchers found that manganese can increase the rate of conversion from lead carbonate to lead dioxide by two orders of magnitude. This process can occur when chlorine disinfectants are used in water treatment, and varying concentrations of manganese among public water systems may explain differences in lead dioxide presence.
Researchers found that African chickens have longer, meatier legs due to selective breeding, but are losing diversity as commercial birds are introduced. The study highlights the importance of preserving traditional breeds and their unique characteristics.