Scientists have discovered that social amoebae can cultivate two bacterial strains, one edible and the other toxic, which differ by only one key mutation. This mutation altered the expression of genes in the non-food strain, making it edible, while the food strain retained its defense mechanisms.
Evolutionary biologist Kenneth Olsen has examined the genetics of hull color in rice, finding that different mutations underlie the emergence of traits in both cultivated and weedy forms. The findings suggest that crops reverted to wild forms by reversing genetic changes, but with a more complex history than initially thought.
Scientists conducted a simulated Mars expedition in the Atacama Desert to test instruments for the 2020 mission. The dry run aimed to identify potential issues and improve performance, ensuring the success of future missions.
Researchers have discovered a push-pull system in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) that allows the biological clock to adjust to changes in day/night cycles. The system uses neurotransmitters GABA and VIP to synchronize neurons and maintain accuracy within minutes of the day.
New research from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that older adults use less effective reference frames to visualize nearby objects, leading to difficulties with daily tasks like dialing phones and grasping objects. This study sheds light on the cognitive changes associated with aging and their impact on hand-eye coordination.
Srikanth Singamaneni aims to create novel biosensors using self-assembled metal nanoparticles with artificial antibodies, improving specificity and sensitivity. He also plans to educate high-school science teachers and develop a nanotechnology kit for students.
Washington University in St. Louis researcher Tae Seok Moon has been awarded a Gates Fellowship to develop probiotic bacteria that target and kill parasite eggs in the human body. The goal is to create a long-term strategy to prevent disease transmission, addressing a major global health challenge.
Researchers found two tiny silica grains in primitive meteorites, with unusual isotopic signatures suggesting they originated from a single core-collapse supernova. This discovery provides clues to the complex nuclear and convective processes operating within stars, shedding new light on stellar evolution and the solar system's formation.
Researchers have developed a new technology called photoacoustic flowoxigraphy that allows for the measurement of oxygen in individual red blood cells in real-time. This breakthrough could lead to a better understanding of oxygen delivery to normal and diseased tissues, as well as how different disease therapies impact oxygen levels.
Researchers will use photoacoustic microscopy to measure oxygen consumption rates of individual cells, mapping distributions of cellular metabolism. The technology has potential applications in gauging cellular health and metabolic state for stress response and toxicity studies.
A study has uncovered a rare congenital deformation in an early human skull from China, suggesting high levels of inbreeding among our ancestors. The finding provides valuable insights into human evolution and population dynamics, revealing unusual population dynamics likely caused by high levels of inbreeding.
Researchers analyzed over 70 years of hourly precipitation data from 13 US sites to test the hypothesis that storms are becoming more frequent and intense as the climate warms. They found a significant steady increase in stormy activity on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, which is famously prone to drizzle.
Biologists Tiffany Knight and Laura Burkle studied a historic dataset from Charles Robertson's 19th-century naturalist work, revealing a weakened plant-pollinator network. The study found that half of the bee species associated with flowers had disappeared, pollinators were active before plants bloomed, and pollination services declined.
A WUSTL researcher has received a $2.25 million grant to create 3D computer models of brain biomechanics, which will help improve methods for preventing and treating traumatic brain injuries. The new models will provide a better understanding of what happens to the brain during such injuries.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have found a way for small molecules to spontaneously grow into centimeter-long microtubes through self-assembly. The process involves the formation of vesicles that stick onto the surface of the tube, causing it to grow longer and wider.
A new device called the SXC ESP was created by Washington University engineers to better protect human lungs from allergens and airborne viruses. The device uses soft X-ray irradiation to capture particles, making it more effective than traditional air cleaners in removing biological agents from the air.
Anthropologist Robert W. Sussman explores the dangers of eugenics and the importance of cultural understanding in addressing human behavior. He argues that most individual variances result from social, environmental, and cultural exposure rather than genetics.
Researchers found that Mound A at Poverty Point was constructed in under 90 days, requiring an estimated 9,000 laborers. The site's unique soil composition and lack of erosion during construction support this rapid build timeline.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered genetic differences between men's and women's hearts, finding that women with failing hearts have weaker gene expression systems than men, while men are more susceptible to atrial fibrillation and long-QT syndrome.
Researchers found that invasive plants reduce biodiversity in smaller areas, but the effect diminishes when studying larger ecosystems. The study provides new insights into the complex relationship between invasive species and local biodiversity.
Researchers discovered a gene in amoebae that enables over-sharing without reducing evolutionary fitness, challenging our understanding of cooperation and cheating. The study tested a knockout mutant 'CheaterB' and found it performed just as well as its ancestor wild strain under laboratory conditions.
Researchers have developed new tiny probes called BRIGHTs that bind to biomarkers of disease and light up to reveal their location when swept by an infrared laser. These probes, made of gold nanoparticles with Raman reporters, create an electromagnetic hotspot that boosts the reporters' emission by a factor of nearly a trillion.
A new study reveals that 34.3% of students with an ASD enroll in STEM majors, higher than peers with other disabilities and the general population. However, young adults with ASD have one of the lowest overall college enrollment rates due to factors like family income and social challenges.
Researchers have developed a low-energy defibrillation scheme that significantly reduces the energy needed to re-establish a normal rhythm in the heart's main chambers. This novel electrotherapy could be less painful than existing implantable defibrillators and may even fall beneath the threshold at which patients begin to perceive pain.
Scientists discover evidence that Moon was born in a catastrophic collision with early Earth, releasing vaporized rock that condensed into the Moon. The discovery provides physical evidence for the Giant Impact Theory and sheds light on the Moon's composition.
A recent analysis of survey data shows that feelings of political empowerment among black Americans have decreased significantly since Obama's election, with conservatives and born-again Christians being the most affected. Education remains a key predictor of freedom perceptions among blacks.
Researchers have designed a complex logic circuit using bacterial genes, enabling synthetic bacteria to monitor and respond to their environments. The circuit consists of four sensors and three two-input AND gates, allowing the bacteria to perform tasks such as detecting cancer indicators and releasing tumor-killing factors.
A $20 million gift from Andrew and Barbara Taylor has established the Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research at Washington University. The institute aims to develop new therapies for psychiatric disorders, which currently have major limitations in effectiveness and potential side effects.
A new study found that providing free birth control reduced unplanned pregnancies and cut abortion rates by 62-78%. Most women chose long-acting methods like IUDs or implants, which have lower failure rates than commonly used birth control pills. The study enrolled 9,256 women and adolescents in the St. Louis area between 2007 and 2011.
Research reveals that approximately 30-40% of eukaryotic proteomes consist of intrinsically disordered proteins, playing crucial roles in signaling and regulation. These proteins' unique characteristics enable them to interact with multiple molecules, facilitating efficient information exchange through networks.
A team of engineers at Washington University in St. Louis will receive $2 million to design a battery management system for lithium-ion batteries, guaranteeing their longevity and safety. The project aims to push the current technology to 100-percent efficiency while maintaining battery lifetime.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis use simulations to determine the atmospheres of hot super-Earths, finding they are mostly composed of steam and carbon dioxide. The study helps astronomers distinguish between different planetary compositions by analyzing atmospheric spectra.
Researchers found that global brain connectivity, specifically with the left lateral prefrontal cortex, explains 10% of individual differences in intelligence. The study suggests that this connection enables flexible hub-like function, monitoring and influencing other brain regions to accomplish tasks intelligently.
Scientists studying giant ice avalanches on Iapetus have found that the coefficient of friction is lower than expected, suggesting a new mechanism for reducing friction during landslides. The findings challenge existing theories and provide insights into the mobility of icy moons in the solar system.
Washington University's engineers will work on low-cost solar cells and systems, while Indian partners deploy the technology. The initiative aims to leapfrog energy production technology, moving directly to solar in under-electrified areas of India.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis decoded the brain activity of two monkeys performing a reaching task, revealing distinct planning strategies and cognitive styles. The study found that one monkey, hyperactive, jumped the gun while the other, smooth operator, waited for the target to appear.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have received $2 million to develop artificial tissue models for testing new drugs that target myofibroblasts, which contribute to heart disease. The study aims to understand how these cells alter the electrical and mechanical properties of heart tissue.
A team of scientists from Washington University in St. Louis has identified the eastern gray squirrel as a major animal reservoir for tick-borne diseases, including ehrlichioses and STARI. The study uses a new assay to detect species-level tick blood meals, confirming the presence of gray squirrel DNA in infected ticks.
Researchers have identified a family of enzymes that attach amino acids to hormone molecules, turning them on or off. This discovery sheds light on the rapid response system in plants, allowing them to adjust to environmental stresses and defend against pathogens.
A new study by Jason Purnell finds that nearly 70% of 2-1-1 callers needed at least one cancer control service, with greater need in Missouri, North Carolina, Texas, and Washington. Callers were receptive to referrals for preventive services like mammography and HPV vaccination.
A new study found that folic acid fortification of foods may lower the incidence of certain types of childhood cancer in the US. Incidence reductions were found for Wilms' tumor and primitive neuroectodermal tumors, two types of cancer previously associated with neural tube defects.
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine found that the genetic reach of autism extends to half siblings, suggesting a central role for genetic mechanisms in transmission. The researchers analyzed over 5,000 families with a child diagnosed with autism and found that half siblings were at higher risk than full siblings.
Photoacoustic tomography allows scientists to see deep beneath the skin with high contrast, revealing tissue oxygen use and cancer biomarkers. The technique enables non-invasive imaging for breast cancer staging, early chemotherapy response monitoring, melanoma detection, and gastrointestinal tract visualization.
Researchers are conducting a seismic survey at the Mariana trench to map the distribution of serpentinite in subducting plates and overlying mantle. This will help understand island-arc volcanism and subduction-zone earthquakes, which are among the most powerful in the world.
A new study by Jason Q. Purnell found that individuals who perceive discrimination are more likely to smoke, with workplace discrimination being a significant factor. The research highlights the importance of addressing discrimination in health care settings and workplaces to improve smoking cessation rates.
Insect metamorphosis triggered by hormones, like puberty in humans, involves a global change of rules for gene expression. Researchers found that a specific gene and signaling pathway work together to control development at different stages.
A new model, published by Anne Hofmeister and Robert Criss, presents a three-dimensional gas cloud scenario for planetary accretion. The model explains planetary orbits and spins without relying on heat production, conserving angular momentum in a cold environment.
A recent study published in EcoHealth found that squirrels and raccoons will abandon food to avoid ticks, indicating they may be aware of the parasite's threat. This new understanding of the ecology of fear extends to parasites and has implications for human health as ticks are vectors of emerging diseases.
A study led by Washington University in St. Louis suggests that military service changes a man's personality, making him less agreeable with friends and family, but more competitive and successful in his career. Despite the challenges, this influence can be seen as a positive trait.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are conducting a landmark study to restore degraded glade habitats and ecosystems using fire manipulation techniques. The goal is to establish best practices for restorative ecology and mitigate biodiversity loss from small habitats, particularly rare species found nowhere else.