The 2014 AAAS/Subaru Science Books & Film competition recognized four engaging science books exploring school gardens, fossil discovery, backyard bird watching, and biotechnology. Winners received $1500 and a plaque for their outstanding contributions to science writing and illustration.
Paul B. Tchounwou, associate dean of graduate studies at Jackson State University, received the 2013 AAAS Mentor Award for his significant contributions to mentoring African American students in environmental sciences. He has mentored over 75 students and has played a key role in increasing research productivity at the university.
Andrew Tsin, a professor of biology at the University of Texas at San Antonio, received the 2013 AAAS Lifetime Mentor Award for his dedication to mentoring underrepresented students. He has mentored over 130 students, including dozens of Hispanic Americans, and helped establish programs aimed at increasing diversity in science education.
Researchers reconstructed the neuronal circuits of an adult male nematode to understand how sensory neurons interpret signals from the environment and translate them into mating behavior. The comprehensive map, known as a connectome, reveals various classes of neurons involved in locomotion, posture, and insemination.
Strogatz has contributed widely to popularize mathematics through newspaper articles, books, radio and television appearances, documentaries, and public lectures. He has introduced the public to various mathematical concepts, including chaos theory, statistics, and group theory.
Dr. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang has been honored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) with the Early Career Award for Public Engagement with Science, recognizing her contributions to public engagement activities and research in neuroscience of social emotion and education.
The annual challenge honored recipients who used visual media to convey scientific research and ideas, featuring award-winning entries such as 'Dynamic Earth' on climate change and 'Wearable Power' on sustainable energy. The competition received over 1,983 public votes for the People's Choice awards.
Researchers have identified a distinctive profile of cytokine activity associated with certain symptoms of endometriosis, including ovarian and rectovaginal lesions. This signature is negatively correlated with patient fertility and has previously been implicated in the disease.
A Scripps Health study suggests that a ZIO Patch, worn on the chest for up to two weeks, detects abnormal heart rhythms more effectively than a traditional Holter monitor. The patch's extended monitoring period led to significantly more arrhythmia events being detected.
Daniel G. Streicker's research using viral infections in bats aims to understand how infectious diseases jump between species and prevent disease transmission. He has developed a novel population genetic framework to determine transmission rates and shown that host biology can shape the speed of viral evolution.
Researchers at Scripps Translational Science Institute used wireless health sensors to collect data from meditators, studying the immediate effects of meditation on blood pressure and markers of stress. The study aims to guide better treatments for high blood pressure and other health conditions.
Researchers at Temple University have discovered that inhibiting a specific protein called TNNI3K can limit damage from heart attacks and protect the heart from further injury. The findings have significant potential for translation into human patients and could lead to the development of a new treatment using a TNNI3K inhibitor.
A new study published in Cell suggests that the latent reservoir of HIV-infected patients is significantly larger than previously estimated, making it a major barrier to cure. The findings highlight limitations of current treatment strategies and could lead to the development of more effective interventions.
Researchers found that a fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, blocks the adaptive immune response in amphibians, allowing it to survive. The study suggests that the fungus targets a conserved vulnerability shared by both amphibian and mammalian lymphocytes.
A complete skull from early Homo has been discovered in Georgia, combining features like a small braincase with large teeth. The finding suggests that all Homo species may have belonged to the same evolving lineage.
Carl Nathan, MD, receives $20,000 prize for discoveries in immunology; monograph published in Molecular Medicine explores inspiration and purpose in scientific inquiry. The Anthony Cerami Award aims to document innovations and discoveries in medicine and healthcare.
A Yale-led study has identified 52 genes that significantly correlate with outcome in patients with IPF, predicting shorter survival time and guiding treatment decisions. The discovery of these biomarkers may lead to better prediction of disease presence and severity.
Voyager 1 has entered interstellar space, leaving the heliosphere and entering a region of cold, dark space. The spacecraft's plasma density measurements suggest it crossed the heliopause in August 2012, marking a significant technological achievement and a new chapter in human scientific endeavors.
Scientists have finally mapped the brain region responsible for numerosity, distinguishing between small and large quantities. The discovery reveals a topographical layout of numerosity in the human brain, with neurons organized to facilitate communication and interaction over short distances.
A new study reveals that only 17% of Earth's land needs to be protected to satisfy the Convention on Biological Diversity's goals, but this area must contain 67% of all plant species. Protecting these hotspots could slow biodiversity loss and meet international targets
A new model predicts arsenic contamination risks in China, identifying high-risk areas where millions of people live. The model could also be used to identify contaminated water sources in other arid regions worldwide.
Scientists successfully treated the Ebola virus in infected animals following onset of disease symptoms, demonstrating promise for developing therapies against the virus. The experimental treatment, known as MB-003, protected 43% of infected non-human primates.
A new mouse model study reveals that interleukin-17 can stabilize atherosclerotic plaques by promoting their stability. This discovery provides crucial information on the role of the immune system in atherosclerosis and may lead to the development of new therapies.
The Sackler Institute aims to advance understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders and develop innovative treatments through collaboration across King's and other research networks. The new institute will foster interdisciplinary training and translation of findings into patient care.
A new study reveals that the brain's representation of complex features may start earlier and be more cumulative than previously thought. Researchers analyzed nerve cell pairs in two adult macaques and found that the neuronal circuit generating pair-association was only in area TE, not in area 36.
Archaeologists uncover evidence of ancient grain cultivation between 12,000 and 9,800 years ago in eastern Fertile Crescent. Plant remains found at Chogha Golan site show simultaneous development of Neolithic culture across region.
Researchers found regions of genome associated with cholera susceptibility, including pathways regulating water loss and innate immune system responses. The findings suggest a potential fingerprint for cholera's genetic impact, such as the relative rarity of blood type O, which may confer increased risk of severe symptoms.
Researchers have developed an assay to quantify structural avidity in living T cells, a key predictor of success in adoptive transfer therapies. The technology offers advantages over previous methods, including simplicity, non-invasive measurement, and quantitative assessment of binding strength.
A new course module, ECO mission, has won the Science Prize for Inquiry-Based Instruction for its effective teaching of biology. The course uses a combination of web-based learning environments and hands-on experimentation to improve students' understanding of real research.
The BigBrain project presents a landmark three-dimensional digital reconstruction of the human brain with a spatial resolution of 20 microns. This allows for unprecedented exploration of brain microstructure and cellular level details, facilitating new insights into neurobiology, cognition, and aging.
The disappearance of large fruit-eating birds from Brazilian forests has led to smaller, less successful seeds in nearby palm trees. The study found that the absence of these birds triggered a rapid evolution of forest palms, resulting in smaller seeds.
A new study suggests that Li-ion battery disposal can lead to environmental and human health threats due to the release of toxic materials. The American Chemical Society recommends stronger government policies to encourage recovery, recycling, and reuse of lithium-ion battery materials.
A new study reveals that the ancient Maya civilization developed its unique culture and architecture through broad cultural exchanges across southern Mesoamerica. The researchers found that the plazas and pyramids at Ceibal, Guatemala, were built around 1,000 BCE, predating other comparable examples by roughly 200 years.
Researchers report success with Sirolimus treatment, minimizing seizures and improving language function in Pretzel syndrome children. The study's findings have implications for related neurodevelopmental disorders like tuberous sclerosis complex.
The article provides an evidence-based overview of pancreatic cancer diagnosis and treatment, emphasizing the importance of surgery as a curative option. Key findings also highlight the benefits of accelerated progress in understanding the disease through partnerships between clinicians and basic scientists.
The DREAM Breast Cancer Prognosis Challenge successfully predicted better breast cancer progression than existing models, using genomic and clinical information from 2000 women. The winning team, Attractor Metagenes, developed a model based on 'attractor metagenes,' gene signatures that behave similarly in multiple cancer types.
A team of scientists at Temple University School of Medicine has identified a key molecule, GRK2, in mitochondria that contributes to the death of heart cells. The researchers found that blocking this enzyme's activity can prevent its delivery to mitochondria and reduce pro-death signaling.
The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute aims to develop advanced personalized therapeutic solutions for patients with devastating brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The institute will conduct bench-to-bedside research to test novel therapeutics in cutting-edge clinical trials.
Researchers envision cell-based therapeutics as a promising approach to treat critical diseases. Cells can adapt and respond better than small-molecule drugs, offering a more predictable treatment option.
Christina Wang, a leading LA BioMed researcher, has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the field of andrology. Her research has focused on male reproductive health and disease, with a particular emphasis on androgen replacement therapy and hormonal male contraceptive development.
Researchers propose coverage with evidence development (CED) and parallel review policies to accelerate access to molecular diagnostics, which aid in disease prediction, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. These policies aim to streamline regulatory processes and provide benefits for developers.
Researchers at Temple University School of Medicine have identified a biochemical step underlying heart failure that could aid the development of new drugs. GRK5 enzyme gains access to heart cells' nucleus via calcium and calmodulin, leading to hypertrophy and ultimately heart failure.
A Mars research project led by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has won the Science Prize for Inquiry-Based Instruction. Middle-school students from a small rural town in northern California used a camera orbiting Mars to conduct their own experiment and discover a new cave on the flanks of a Martian volcano.
A new paradigm for therapeutics discovery is proposed by Garret FitzGerald, MD, FRS, to address the unsustainable model of current drug development in the US. The approach aims to integrate knowledge of preclinical science with an understanding of drug action in humans, leading to improved prediction of efficacy and safety.
A study by Umeå University researchers found that even small amounts of anxiety-moderating drugs like Oxazepam can change the behavior and feeding rates of wild European perch. The fish became bolder, less social, and ate faster after exposure to the drug.
A study found that certain gut microbes convert melamine into toxic cyanuric acid, accelerating kidney stone formation. This conversion process is key to understanding melamine-induced kidney failure in humans.
A new study offers conclusive evidence that cosmic ray protons within our galaxy are accelerated in the shock waves produced by supernovae. Researchers detected the spectral cutoff in the gamma ray spectrum due to the decay of neutral pions, connecting gamma rays to accelerated protons.
Researchers at Penn have identified innate lymphoid cells as a possible therapeutic target for treating atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema. The study found that these cells contribute to disease progression and may be regulated by different pathways in the skin.
A new web-based teaching tool, Genomics Explorers, has been awarded the Science Prize for Inquiry-Based Instruction. The tool helps students formulate and explore their own research questions using genomic data sets, promoting real research experience and ownership of the process.
Genetic sequencing technology is altering cancer diagnosis and treatment, but traditional specimen handling methods slow progress. Scripps physicians propose freezing tumor tissue to preserve DNA coding, potentially leading to better diagnoses and treatments.
The five recipients of the 2013 AAAS-EurekAlert Fellowships are Sofia Moutinho, Victoria Renata Sanchez Hernandez, Marcos Chumpitaz Sanchez, Lucas Viano, and Alejandra Vargas Morera. They will attend the AAAS Annual Meeting in Boston to cover the latest research and network with peers from around the world.
Researchers identified MECP2 duplication syndrome as a cause of recurrent infections and neurological problems in infant boys. The study found that excess MeCP2 protein suppressed gamma interferon production, leading to partial immunodeficiency. This deficiency made it difficult for the immune system to fight off certain infections, su...
Dr. Kurokawa led an independent commission investigating the Fukushima nuclear disaster, exposing regulatory capture and cultural factors that contributed to the accident. The Commission's report was presented to Parliament and has since led to a safety-first standard for the global nuclear sector.
Fifteen University of South Florida faculty were named AAAS Fellows this year, recognized for their scientifically or socially distinguished efforts. The university was among the top ten organizations worldwide with the most AAAS Fellows, alongside universities such as Michigan and California-Davis.
Seven University of Minnesota faculty members have been named AAAS Fellows for their groundbreaking research and innovative efforts in science. They were recognized in four different sections, including geology, physics, pharmaceutical sciences, and biological sciences.
Darlene Ketten, a biologist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, has been recognized as an AAAS Fellow for her work on the biophysics of hearing in mammals. She is also developing ultra-high resolution imaging techniques to diagnose hearing impairments.
Researchers used ribosome-mapping technique to investigate HCMV's proteome, discovering hundreds of previously unidentified proteins and exceptionally short protein sequences. These findings provide new understanding of how the virus manipulates human cells during infection.
Dr. Aristotle Voineskos has won the prestigious Polanyi Prize for his research combining brain imaging and genetics to improve diagnostic classification and treatment strategies for severe mental illness.
Researchers are using computational models and digital tools to build a clearer picture of disease mechanisms, aid in diagnosis, and test therapies. These advancements have the potential to predict patient risk and develop more effective treatments.
Peter Liddicoat, a research fellow at the University of Sydney, won the contest with his six-month preparation burlesque circus show on manipulating aluminum alloy crystal structures. His win marks the first time a Ph.D. dance based on pure mathematics has taken top prize.