Researchers used chondrites to calculate early Earth's atmosphere, finding a reducing atmosphere with methane and ammonia. This contradicts the Miller-Urey experiment, which relied on an oxidizing atmosphere.
Researchers found early humans started using supportive footwear around 26,000 years ago to reduce toe bone strength. This change was likely caused by the introduction of protective footwear, which reduced the roll of the little toes and weakened them over time.
The new program predicts both protein sequences and untranslated regions, revealing novel insights into gene regulation. By identifying correct transcription start sites and spliced untranslated regions, scientists can better understand gene function and regulation.
A microbial fuel cell has been created by Washington University researchers that generates electricity and treats wastewater, a process with potential to power 900 American homes. The device uses a carbon-based foam and bacteria to produce electricity from organic matter in wastewater.
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis shows that people with schizophrenia can remember things just as well as healthy subjects with proper cues and memory aids. The research suggests a new way to understand the cognitive problems underlying schizophrenia, offering hope for more effective cognitive rehabilitation programs.
A study by Washington University postdoctoral fellow Alan Castel found that expert video game players exhibit a 20% reduction in response times compared to non-players. This suggests that expertise is acquired through practice rather than being an innate ability.
A team of engineers has successfully removed bioaerosols from a hospital therapy pool using a new generation of hybrid filters. The filters reduced concentrations of culturable bacteria by up to 80% and total bacteria by up to 76%, significantly improving pool safety and reducing illness risks.
The Mladec assemblage is the oldest directly dated substantial collection of modern human remains in Europe, dating back approximately 31,000 years. The fossils confirm that early modern humans emerged in Central Europe during the Aurignacian period and provide valuable insights into their ancestry.
Researchers have developed a new map of life on Earth, which could be used to identify the potential for life on Mars. The map was created by tracing the evolutionary history of microorganisms using genetic sequencing data and shows that ancient microbes inhabited specific habitats, including hydrothermal systems.
A new software program, TWINSCAN, has been developed to predict genetic sequences in nematodes with high accuracy. The program predicts 60% of the genes in the C. elegans genome exactly, right up to the last amino acid, surpassing previous predictions.
Research reveals that female mosquitofish choose males based on gonopodium size, which is linked to speed and predator avoidance. In contrast, larger genitalia may be favored in predator-free environments where the advantage outweighs the trade-off.
A Neandertal femur found in France suggests that the transition from Middle Paleolithic to Upper Paleolithic marked a shift to greater mobility among humans. Close competition for food and space persisted with hyenas during this period, indicating a more complex human landscape.
Shelly Sakiyama-Elbert and her team have screened a large number of molecules to find peptide sequences with varying affinity for heparin, a sugar that binds nerve repair drugs. They aim to develop affinity-based drug delivery systems to stimulate tissue regeneration for conditions like nerve damage.
Washington University will receive funding to develop a mobile science classroom that provides interactive experiences and exhibits for elementary school students. The program aims to improve science education in underrepresented public schools, aligning with Missouri standards.
A recent study by Washington University researchers used a molecular survey to detect Mycobacterium avium in the lungs of nine lifeguards who developed hypersensitivity pneumonitis after exposure to pool water. The bacterium, known for its resistance to disinfection, was found at high levels in air samples taken near the pool.
A study by Washington University researchers found that husbands' education levels have a greater impact on migration patterns than wives', with power couples more likely to move to large cities. The study suggests that women can expect ongoing disparities in professional salaries, as the continued presence of trailing wives contribute...
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have successfully sequenced a fossil human protein from over 40,000 years ago, providing valuable information on human evolution and diet. The analysis reveals that the Neanderthal sequence is identical to modern humans', suggesting a shared dietary history.
The study reveals that VIP peptide is essential for synchronizing the brain's biological clock, which regulates daily rhythms in behavior and physiology. Mice lacking VIP suffered from internal desynchrony, while adding VIP restored synchronicity.
A new study suggests that the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) functions as an early warning system to help recognize and avoid high-risk situations. The ACC learns to warn us of potential mistakes before difficult decisions must be made, allowing for more careful behavior.
A fourth kind of RNA polymerase, Pol IV, has been found in plants, playing a crucial role in maintaining genome integrity. It helps direct DNA methylation to specific sequences, ensuring proper gene expression and preventing developmental problems. The discovery sheds light on the unique features of plant biology.
Researchers reconstructed climatic conditions in western Egypt 130,000 years ago, finding a humid event that supported human presence and wildlife. The study provides new insights into the dispersal of humans out of Africa and the impact of climate change on ancient societies.
Researchers have uncovered a new hypothesis on the origins of cyanobacteria, which gave rise to chloroplasts in plant cells. The study suggests these bacteria first emerged in freshwater systems and gradually adapted to brackish and marine environments over time.
Children from traditional nuclear families achieve better in school than stepchildren and half-siblings, despite being raised with their two biological parents. The researchers found that family structure is just one factor influencing educational outcomes.
A new math model of heart cells has identified a novel calcium pathway that regulates cardiac electrical activity and is linked to arrhythmia research. The study, published in Circulation, provides a valuable tool for understanding the relationship between calcium handling and cardiac arrhythmias.
Researchers at Washington University have discovered that organic carbon and amorphous silicates in interstellar grains embedded within interplanetary dust particles are the carriers of the astronomical 2175 Å extinction line. This finding solves a 40-year-old mystery, providing evidence for the origins of this feature.
A new method has been developed to remove MTBE, a carcinogenic pollutant, from water using a titanium dioxide catalyst. The catalyst causes MTBE to react with dissolved oxygen, producing harmless carbon dioxide.
The Washington University CubeSat, Bandit, is a small satellite that can dock with a medicine ball-sized mothership, making it ideal for inspection tasks. Developed by students and faculty, the satellite has the potential to disrupt spacecraft design with its innovative technology.
Researchers studying Acetobacter bacteria have discovered enzymes that resist acid, shedding light on potential treatments for diseases caused by misfolded proteins. The findings could lead to more stable proteins and environmentally friendly industrial processes.
Researchers analyzed a sample from Gabon's natural nuclear chain reaction site and found how the reactor operated in a 30-minute cycle. The study also revealed the role of alumophosphate as the system's waste absorber, providing insights into safer nuclear reactor operations.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that genetically distinct populations of brown lizards (Anolis sagrei) introduced to five countries can be traced back to Florida. The study, which analyzed DNA from over 600 individuals, suggests that the Sunshine State is a key site for species migration.
Researchers have developed a new system to improve heart defibrillation by targeting rogue electrical waves in arrhythmia. The device produces milder shocks, reducing the amount of energy required, which could lead to smaller, longer-lasting devices that spare patients from frequent replacements.
A team of researchers, led by Himadri Pakrasi, aims to model the networks that cyanobacteria, Arabidopsis, and Physcomitrella use to cope with radicals. This study has potential applications for human biology and could lead to new therapies.
Excess nitrogen and phosphorus from farming activities cause eutrophication, creating a food web that imperils frogs. A parasite, Ribeiroia ondatrae, infects tadpoles, causing deformities.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have created a detailed map of the Comstock Lode, a 14-million-year-old gold and silver ore deposit. The map uses mathematical techniques to visualize patterns of oxygen isotope exchange between water and rock, providing insights into the geological processes that formed the ore district.
A biologist studied the tree hole ecosystem and found that changing factors such as predation, resources, and disturbance alters community composition. The results show that certain species are tolerant of predators, disturbances, or competition, allowing them to coexist in different spatial scales.
Computer models show Io's volcanic eruptions vaporize sodium, potassium, silicon, and iron gases into its atmosphere. Researchers found single-atom and molecular forms of these elements, which could lead to unusual gas formations.
A breakthrough in brain-machine interface technique uses electrocorticographic (ECoG) activity to record brain surface signals, enabling humans to control computers with their minds. The study achieved high accuracy rates and promises potential applications in prosthetic limb control for individuals with disabilities.
Researchers have developed a novel method to create well-defined nanostructured carbons using polyacrylonitrile (PAN) as a precursor. The technique provides significant advantages over existing methods and has potential applications in energy storage/conversion devices and display technologies.
The oldest available data on the Missouri River shows that water flow has become more variable over time due to extensive damming. The river is also narrower at St. Charles, Missouri, with a reduced width of 500 yards compared to its original 720 yards in 1804.
A computer scientist at Washington University in St. Louis has developed a novel technique to extract more DNA from a single sequence reaction, reducing both cost and time of the sequencing process. The approach uses software that sorts through genetic information and finds predicted sequences, with 59% of predicted genes verified as e...
Blank's research challenges initial findings on cyanobacteria age, pinning emergence to 2.3 billion years ago using genetic analysis. This breakthrough also sheds light on eukaryote evolution and the development of mitochondria.
The Rat Genome Sequencing Project Consortium has completed the genome sequence of the common laboratory brown rat, sharing approximately 825 non-repetitive DNA sequences with humans and mice. The study reveals unique genetic differences between rodents and humans, shedding light on evolutionary processes.
A team at Washington University in St. Louis has created a three-minute video capturing the unique interaction between water and three different oils when mixed using a magnetic stir bar. The resulting vortices, or funnels, display distinct characteristics due to their varying viscosities, showcasing the fluid dynamics phenomenon.
The device captures aerosol particles with an electrical field, charging and trapping them to destroy bioagents. Smart nanoparticles catalyze oxidation to completely deactivate organisms.
The Maize Genomics Consortium developed a cost-effective approach to sequence the maize genome, reducing its effective size by six-fold. The method uses methyl-filtration and high-Cot selection, targeting overlapping fractions of the genome enriched for genes.
Researchers analyze over 59,000 grains from Acfer 094 meteorite and identify nine specks of silicate stardust. The discovery provides information about stellar sources, nuclear processes, and the physical and chemical compositions of stellar atmospheres.
Researchers have discovered that carbon isotopic compositions in IDPs are different from those on Earth and in other parts of the Solar System, indicating it was formed in molecular clouds before the formation of the Solar System. The findings help understand the Solar System's formation and the origin of organic matter on Earth.
Researchers found that dynamic pricing strategies outperform fixed prices in environments with high market uncertainty. Optimal prices adjust continuously over time and jump upward at the point of sale. Companies can benefit from proactively setting prices to impact revenue and learn from sales observations.
Research casts doubt on voice-stress lie detection technology, with studies finding dismal results in detecting deception and excluding non-deceitful individuals. The technology's ability to identify micro-tremors related to stress is limited, suggesting it may not be capable of reliably detecting lies.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have found that heavy metal snow on Venus is actually made of lead sulfide, contradicting previous hypotheses. This discovery could allow for the dating of Venus using lead isotopes, providing a new frontier for space exploration.