Research at Washington University in St. Louis reveals that white clover's chemical defense against insect pests comes from both of its parental species, not just one as previously thought. The plant's ecological success can be attributed to this cyanogenesis process.
Research from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that cannabis use disorder (CUD) may be a risk factor for poorer COVID-19 outcomes due to a genetic predisposition. CUD was found to account for up to 40% of genetically influenced risk factors, such as body mass index and diabetes, for severe COVID-19 presentations.
Researchers used statistical models to study the co-evolutionary history of pierid butterflies and their host plants. They found that butterfly-plant relationships are resilient to changes in species composition but can destabilize over larger structural changes.
A 17-year study found that children who experienced poverty in preschool had smaller volumes of certain subcortical brain regions, including the hippocampus and thalamus. The researchers also found that these children showed slower growth in these regions over time, leading to poorer cognitive and behavioral outcomes in adulthood.
Researchers found that lizards with sticky toepads prevail in the arboreal environment, accessing new resources unavailable to padless lizards. This evolutionary advantage enables them to stay in trees and rarely leave, whereas padless species often transition to ground life.
New research reveals Bronze Age farmers in China prioritized cattle for their diets, utilizing byproducts like millet stalks for feed. This approach differs from other regions, where cows were raised closer to human settlements.
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis shows that guided by sparsity, silicon neurons learn to pick the most energy-efficient perturbations and wave patterns, enabling an emergent phenomenon of efficient communication between neurons. This research has significant implications for designing neuromorphic AI systems.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis used comparative metabologenomics to study the genomes of Streptomyces bacteria and identify key factors that influence drug production. The study found that fine-tuning of specific nucleotides can control antibiotic production, offering new insights for next-generation drug discovery.
Researchers discovered that PIEZO channels in plant cells are located deeper within the cell, in vacuole membranes, not along the plasma membrane as in animal cells. This finding sheds light on how plant cells perceive and respond to mechanical forces.
Researchers discovered that double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is substantially more chemically stable than single-stranded RNA (ssRNA), which has implications for its use in pesticides and understanding of viral behavior. The findings suggest storing dsRNA in high pH environments can provide extra protection against degradation.
Researchers developed nanoparticles that absorb near-infrared light, creating heat and inhibiting electrical activity in neurons. The biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticles offer a potential tool for controlling neuronal activity remotely.
A new study found that sinking organic matter influences the types of signals preserved in sediments, leading to altered geochemical signatures. This discovery can provide new insights into past local environmental conditions and modify our understanding of global biogeochemical cycling.
A team of researchers at Washington University in St. Louis has developed artificially designed, amyloid-silk hybrid protein produced in engineered bacteria that surpasses the strength and toughness of natural spider silks, as well as steel and Kevlar.
Research found that MRI's static magnetic field decreases blood-brain barrier opening volume and microbubble cavitation activity, leading to reduced drug delivery efficiency. The study suggests considering the impact of the magnetic field in clinical applications of focused ultrasound for brain disease treatment.
A study found that male dragonflies evolve less wing pigmentation in regions with hotter climates to regulate body temperature. This adaptation helps them survive but may also make it harder for them to attract mates.
Researchers have determined that a massive star, rather than the young sun, was responsible for the split in oxygen isotopes found in the sun and other planets. The study, led by Lionel Vacher, used an unusual meteorite named Acfer 094 to gain insight into the solar system's past.
Antibiotic use in India increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly for mild and moderate cases, due to a lack of adherence to guidelines. The study highlights the need for policy changes to address antibiotic misuse and the potential consequences of drug-resistant infections.
Research from Washington University in St. Louis has found an efficient two-bit quantum logic gate that uses a new form of light, increasing efficiency by orders of magnitude. The discovery was made possible by the unique features of measurement and the existence of photonic dimers.
Researchers have developed a new 2D alloy material combining five metals that acts as an excellent catalyst for reducing CO2 into CO. The high-entropy transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) alloy has potential applications in environmental remediation, transforming carbon dioxide into a hydrocarbon.
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis mapped PM2.5 levels across China, Europe, and North America using satellite data and computer modeling. The research found that most changes in air quality were driven by natural meteorological variability, not lockdowns.
A large retrospective study found that convalescent plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients can improve the likelihood of survival among blood cancer patients hospitalized with the virus. The therapy, which involves transfusing plasma rich in antibodies, was associated with a lower death rate compared to those who did not receive it.
A new study by Washington University School of Medicine identifies a protein called Interleukin-22 that may protect babies from necrotizing enterocolitis, a leading cause of death among premature infants. The findings suggest that low levels of IL-22 in the intestine lead to an exaggerated inflammatory response and tissue damage.
A new study suggests that peacekeeping patrols can increase individuals' optimism about cooperation with outgroups, making them more willing to engage in intergroup cooperation. This cooperation limits communal violence, promotes economic development, and bolsters social trust. The research, conducted by William Nomikos, found that UN ...
A comprehensive study published in Nature Communications found that more than one million deaths worldwide were attributed to fossil fuel combustion in 2017. The research used a global dataset of air pollution emissions and modeling to identify specific sources of pollution, including coal, energy production, and cookstoves.
When E. coli bacteria starve, their cytoplasm shrinks, concentrating nutrients, while the periplasm increases in volume as the inner membrane pulls away from the outer membrane. This reversible adaptation may help them survive until they find their next nutrient source.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a new way to design grafts that decreases the risk of clotting in hemodialysis patients. By tailoring the angle of connection between the graft and vein, surgeons can reduce thrombosis rates substantially.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a predictive model using tumor biomarkers and imaging parameters to forecast chemotherapy response. The model's accuracy reaches 0.94, allowing for early adjustments to treatment plans and reduced use of toxic chemotherapy drugs.
Scientists have discovered that bacteria found in brackish sediments can 'eat' electricity and absorb climate-warming carbon dioxide. This unusual skill was previously thought to be exclusive to freshwater bacteria, but may be common in marine bacteria.
A new brain stimulation technique, sonothermogenetics, has been developed by combining ultrasound and genetics to activate specific neurons in the brain.
A new study found that delaying lung cancer surgery for more than 12 weeks after diagnosis is associated with a higher risk of recurrence and death. Patients who underwent surgery within this time frame lived 7.5 months longer than those who delayed treatment.
Research from Washington University in St. Louis found that electric fish pause before sharing important information to increase listener response. The study reveals an underlying mechanism for how pauses allow neurons to recover from stimulation, making the following message clearer for the listener.
Phytochromes help plants detect light direction, intensity, and duration, as well as temperature, allowing them to adapt to various environments. The study fully characterized the phytochrome family in Arabidopsis thaliana and found surprising differences between isoforms.
A new study in PNAS reveals that domesticated watermelons come from wild crop progenitors in northeast Africa. The research uses DNA from hundreds of watermelon varieties to confirm the correct origin, correcting a long-held misconception about their South African roots.
A multi-institutional team has identified a compound that prevents the lengthening of the heart's electrical event, preventing cardiac arrhythmia. The compound, C28, enhances the IKs potassium ion channel function without affecting normal action potentials.
A new study in zebrafish reveals that tumors can alter the metabolism of healthy tissues, which could lead to new cancer treatments. The research found that melanoma consumes more glucose than other tissues, but surprisingly, this has no impact on circulating glucose levels.
Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis discovered variations in how animals and bacteria use heme, a crucial molecule in supplying cells with energy. The study found that human and bacterial cytochrome c synthases rely on different parts of the cytochrome c to orient themselves, leading to potential targets for new antibiotics.
Bai lab creates a stable, efficient anode-free sodium battery that achieves high performance while eliminating the need for a traditional anode material. The new design uses a thin layer of copper foil as the current collector, resulting in significant improvements in size and cost compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
New research reveals Andean forests have high potential to store carbon under climate change. The study, which analyzed data from 119 forest-monitoring plots across the Andes Mountains, found that Andean forests are acting as aboveground carbon sinks.
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis challenges the long-held theory that the collapse of Cahokia, a pre-Columbian Native American city, was caused by excessive tree cutting and deforestation. Researchers found no evidence of flooding issues or environmental missteps, contradicting previous narratives about ecocide.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have observed a new form of fluorine, the isotope 13F, which has four fewer neutrons than the naturally occurring stable isotope 19F. This discovery was made using a charge-exchange reaction mechanism, allowing scientists to create a previously inaccessible isotope with exotic properties.
Researchers found that climate change poses a significant extinction threat to Tidestrom's lupine, a plant with only seven known populations. A 1°C temperature increase is projected to reduce individual plants by 90%, with local extinction likely for one population.
A team at Washington University in St. Louis has developed an imaging technique using acoustic resolution photoacoustic microscopy co-registered with ultrasound and paired with deep learning to differentiate between residual tumors and healthy tissue in rectal cancer patients after chemotherapy and radiation. This technique shows promi...
Researchers found conservatives less willing to participate in medical research due to lower trust in science and ideological differences. The divide could threaten the generalizability of studies, impacting the quality and relevance of medical findings.
New research from Washington University in St. Louis reveals that school closures disproportionately affect mothers' labor force participation, with a 23 percentage point gap in some states. Mothers' work attachment fell more significantly than fathers', and the gender gap is expected to have long-lasting effects on lifetime earnings.
A new study questions the use of pyrite as a proxy for reconstructing oxygen levels in Earth's oceans. Researchers found that signals from pyrite in sediments are more controlled by sea level changes in shallow waters than other factors. This challenges current methods for understanding ocean chemistry and oxygenation.
Research highlights social resilience as key factor in overcoming climate adversity, with aridification sparking development of agriculture and complex social structures. The study shows that population surged around 3,900 to 3,500 years ago due to human adaptations and innovations.
A new model developed by a Washington University mathematician helps estimate the relative risk of different in-person activities, such as traveling or attending events. By breaking down individual factors and adding their contributions to relative risk, the model allows for informed decision-making about participation.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis developed a pain-free microneedle patch that can detect biomarkers in the fluid between cells, revolutionizing diagnostic testing. The technology offers unprecedented sensitivity and could eliminate unnecessary hospital trips and discomfort.
Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis have discovered that Kamchatka's Shiveluch volcano contains around 10%-14% water by weight, a significantly higher amount than most volcanoes. This finding is significant as it could provide insights into the global water cycle and the plumbing systems of other volcanoes.
Physicists at Washington University discovered a method to add electrical charge to graphene devices by layering alpha-RuCl3 flakes. This process allows for 'permanent' charge transfers without external electric fields, enabling control over the flow of electrical current.