Comprehensive maps of epigenetic marks reveal patterns for safe restoration and provide a framework for testing disease models and drug candidates. These findings hold promise for diagnosing and treating diseases caused by gene expression deregulation, including cancer and autoimmune disorders.
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis finds that competition can harm the creative output of female-led groups, but not male-led ones. Women contribute less to team creativity when teams are competing against each other, while men become more creative under similar conditions.
A new study by Washington University in St. Louis found that students who were told they would later teach a passage performed better on recall and organization tasks than those expecting a test. The study suggests that instilling an expectation to teach may be a simple, inexpensive intervention with the potential to increase learning ...
A novel course at Washington University in St. Louis evaluates the effectiveness of active-learning techniques in large lecture classes, showing mixed but consistent benefits in conceptual learning and attitudes towards learning and problem-solving. The study eliminates traditional concerns about large classes and inquiry-based courses.
Researchers use a superconducting quantum device to record and analyze the paths a quantum system takes between two states, revealing the existence of a quantum equivalent of classical 'least action' path. The findings have implications for controlling biological and chemical systems using lasers.
A study examines Twitter conversations about childhood obesity, finding that comments from government and public health organizations are scarce. The researchers believe Twitter can be a valuable tool for reaching a wide audience with accurate health information.
A 100,000-year-old archaic early human skull found in Northern China reveals a surprising presence of an inner-ear formation long thought to occur only in Neandertals. This discovery challenges current scenarios of later Pleistocene human population dispersals and interconnections.
Four doctoral students at Washington University in St. Louis will train in mechanobiology, integrating biology with engineering and other disciplines. They will conduct research on various length scales and develop teaching skills through outreach activities.
A study suggests that early humans who relied on an insect diet during lean seasons may have developed bigger brains and higher-level cognitive functions. Capuchin monkeys' foraging patterns for insects reveal a link between seasonal food scarcity and sensorimotor skills, including tool use and problem-solving.
Researchers found a strong correlation between retirement savings and health improvement behaviors, with 401(k) contributors improving their health by 27% more than non-contributors. The study controlled for initial health, demographics, and job type to find that financial planning predicts future health changes.
Joseph Jez, co-director of the plant and microbial biosciences graduate program at Washington University in St. Louis, has received a $1 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) to establish the Biotech Explorers Pathway. The pathway aims to introduce entering students to both science and business of biotechnology,...
A WUSTL scientist has developed a drug delivery system that exploits bacterial siderophores to target specific pathogens, potentially reviving abandoned antibiotics and making it harder for bacteria to develop resistance. The system uses tiny Trojan horses linked to siderophore molecules to smuggle antibiotics into bacterial cells.
A recent study challenges the idea that individuals with episodic amnesia are unable to understand time, revealing they retain temporal consciousness and can order events on a timeline. This discovery opens up new questions about memory and its relationship to human understanding of time.
Scientists have identified a 'weakness' in the clover genome that biases species to evolve the same trait. In six related clover species, genetic deletions led to the development of a cyanide-less trait, suggesting constrained evolution.
The Photosynthetic Antenna Research Center (PARC) has been awarded $14.4 million in renewed funding from the Department of Energy to continue its research on natural and bio-inspired systems for harvesting the sun's energy. The center will focus on developing more efficient biohybrid systems to capture and convert solar photons into us...
Researchers link massive flooding in China to human-caused environmental degradation and flood-mitigation efforts dating back 3,000 years. The Yellow River's levee system was built over 2,900-700 years ago to control erosion, but it ultimately made periodic floods worse.
A team at Washington University in St. Louis solved the structure of NolR, a master off-switch for the nodulation process that converts bacteria into nitrogen-fixing organisms. The discovery provides insight into the biological machinery of nitrogen-fixing and may lead to re-engineering crop plants with on-site nitrogen-fixing systems.
Recent research suggests that domestication may be more complex than previously thought, with many species being domesticated less than expected. Studies on animal and plant domestication highlight the limitations of human agency in shaping organisms through selective breeding.
Recent research on large herbivore domestication reveals little control of breeding and significant gene flow, challenging traditional assumptions. This lack of genetic isolation threatens livestock diversity and survival in the face of climate change and disease.
A recent genetic study suggests that insensitive genes, rather than complex interactions, may be responsible for the slow pace of plant domestication. This finding could help explain the lag in the archeological record and provide insights into the early stages of domestication.
Researchers developed an optical diode with nonreciprocal light transmission, eliminating backflow of light. The device enhances light transmission in one direction, leading to faster and cooler computers.
Researchers found charred grains of barley, millet, and wheat in Kazakhstan campsites dating back nearly 5,000 years. This discovery pushes back the known East-West interaction along the Silk Road by 2,000 years, indicating nomadic pastoralists played a key role in spreading domesticated crops throughout Central Eurasia.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have identified a key protein in the auxin signaling network that may help understand the entire mechanism. The protein's interaction domain allows it to form chains with other proteins, fine-tuning the response of individual cells to auxin and producing detailed patterns on plant leaves.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a 3D elastic membrane that can precisely measure temperature, mechanical strain, and pH, and deliver treatment for arrhythmia and heart attack prediction. The device has the potential to revolutionize heart treatment by providing high-definition diagnostics and therapy.
A team of researchers is working to improve the outcome of surgical repairs for large rotator cuff tears in older patients by studying the natural attachment of tendon to bone. They plan to use advanced imaging methods and mechanical testing to understand how the natural tendon-to-bone insertion works and what goes wrong in healing.
The Opportunity rover has discovered evidence of conditions that support the chemistry of life in Mars' past, earning a spot in Science magazine. The 10-year-old rover explored Martian geology and environmental processes, searching for signs of habitability and life.
A team of researchers found that microbes engage in market-like behaviors, including comparing bids for commodities, hoarding resources, and eliminating competitors. This discovery has implications for understanding microbial interactions and could lead to new approaches in social microbiology.
Scientists have found odor receptors in lung tissue that can detect cigarette smoke and other irritants, triggering a response to constrict airways. These receptors, called pulmonary neuroendocrine cells, may be responsible for the chemical hypersensitivity characteristic of respiratory diseases such as COPD.
Researchers found evidence of cat domestication in ancient China, tracing it back to farmers 5,300 years ago. The study analyzed bones from excavated sites and discovered that cats were attracted to rodents and other small animals in farming villages.
A new 3-D phase contrast X-ray imaging system will help evaluate and monitor bioengineered tissues in a living body. The technique addresses limitations of conventional X-ray imaging technologies.
Researchers have discovered that naturally occurring gatekeeper sequences on either side of a key protein mutation in Huntington's disease can prevent the formation of toxic structures. This breakthrough offers new hope for understanding and treating the devastating neurodegenerative disorder.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a new technique to isolate and examine a photosynthetic megacomplex in its complete functioning state. This breakthrough provides a deeper understanding of the organization of these complex membranes, which are essential for plant growth and movement.
Researchers used locusts to demonstrate how the brain processes multiple odors simultaneously, recognizing patterns and adapting to new cues. The findings shed light on principles of olfactory computation and have potential applications in medical diagnostics and non-invasive chemical sensing.
A team of scientists has discovered a volcano hidden beneath a kilometer of ice in West Antarctica, sparking concerns about its potential impact on the continent's major ice streams. The volcano, located approximately 25-40 kilometers below the surface, is believed to be fueled by a hot spot in the Earth's mantle.
A study at Washington University in St. Louis found that a small molecule called VIP can temporarily desynchronize brain cells, but also enables them to re-synchronize more quickly to abrupt shifts in daily light-dark schedules. This effect may be useful for travelers and shift workers who struggle with jet lag.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are developing an early warning system using machine learning algorithms to identify hospitalized patients at risk of deterioration or life-threatening events. The system aims to reduce readmissions and improve patient outcomes by providing real-time alerts to physicians.
In a plant cell model system, the katanin enzyme carefully cuts misaligned microtubules at crossovers to form parallel bands. This activity organizes and maintains the cytoskeleton's pattern, essential for its functions in shape and molecular transport.
Researchers discovered that a lack of information about kinship can lead to increased cooperation and reduced conflict within groups. This phenomenon, known as the veil of ignorance, is observed in both social insects and genes, suggesting its evolutionary advantages.
Lihong Wang has received a $3.5 million NIH grant to translate his single-cell label-free photoacoustic microscopy technology into the clinic for cancer screening, detection, prognosis, and monitoring.
Researchers are utilizing post-glacial rebound to determine the stability of the Antarctic ice sheet. By studying seismic waves generated by distant earthquakes, scientists can measure the rate at which the ice sheet is losing mass and estimate its future behavior in a warming world.
Research in Missouri ponds suggests that chytrid fungus may also infect invertebrates like insects, providing a new clue to its ecology and transmission. The study found that ponds with chytrid were more similar in certain measures, indicating alternative hosts or reservoirs for the fungus.
Washington University engineers are studying how stiff or soft brain tissue is using a non-invasive technique. They're creating a model of brain tissue inside a bowl of Jello, which helps them understand how direction affects wave speed and stiffness.
Scientists studying the wild strain of the model organism Dictyostelium discoideum discovered that some clones can farm bacteria and carry defensive symbionts to protect their crops. The researchers isolated wild clones from soil and found that these clones were more complex than previously thought.
Researchers aim to engineer microbes like Synechocystis 6803 to produce useful chemicals, overcoming challenges such as low production speeds and inefficient processes. The goal is to develop microfactories that can produce fuels and chemicals using CO2 as a carbon source.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have created a new class of materials that change their electronic properties when exposed to light. The composite material combines gold nanorods and zinc oxide, leading to improved performance in solar cells and potential applications for sensitive sensors.
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis finds that IT monitoring can significantly reduce employee theft and fraud in the restaurant industry, resulting in a 7% increase in revenue per restaurant. The study used monitoring software to track sales data of employees and found a 22% drop in theft after implementation.
Researchers aim to miniaturize and automate nitrogen fixation, making it available only when needed. By placing the apparatus in plant cells, they hope to reduce energy requirements and environmental problems associated with current methods.
Researchers created ring-shaped complexes of protein and pigments that absorb more sunlight than natural ones. The designs use a combination of synthetic and natural pigments to capture a broader spectrum of light, allowing for efficient energy harvesting.
Research from Washington University in St. Louis suggests a 'flexible hub' theory of brain function, where the fronto-parietal network coordinates processing among specialized networks for novel cognitive tasks. This allows for rapid learning and adaptation, enabling humans to switch between different skills learned in different contexts.
Researchers have discovered a protein in bacteria that delays cell division when food is abundant, enabling cells to grow to the right size. This understanding may be used to design drugs that stop division entirely and kill bacteria.