Researchers deciphered seismometer readings from a 2017 Montecito landslide to determine the disaster's scale and location. The findings suggest that seismometers can be used to provide an early warning of incoming debris flows, potentially saving lives.
A Northwestern University research team has discovered a new battery material with a record-high charge capacity, enabling smartphones and electric vehicles to last more than twice as long between charges. By adding oxygen to the traditional cathode compound, the battery achieves higher capacity and stability.
The NSF-Simons Research Centers will investigate the mathematical foundations of biological systems, shedding light on the pathways from DNA to organismal complexity. This knowledge may lead to predictive frameworks for understanding phenotypes across multiple scales and time.
A systematic review by Purdue University experts reveals that whey protein supplements combined with physical activity can help women improve their body composition. The study found a modest increase in lean mass without influencing fat mass, supporting the use of whey protein as an effective strategy for achieving a leaner body type.
Vanderbilt University researchers have discovered a way to produce cheap and small carbon nanotubes from air, which are supermaterials stronger than steel and more conductive than copper. This breakthrough could steer the conversation towards using these materials in future technology, rather than just focusing on reducing emissions.
Researchers developed a user-generic musculoskeletal model that translates neuromuscular signals into commands for prosthetic devices. The technology has shown promising results in early testing with able-bodied and amputee volunteers, potentially paving the way for more intuitive and reliable prosthetic control.
Researchers have devised a way to rapidly synthesize and screen millions of novel proteins that could be used as drugs against Ebola and other viruses. These 'xenoproteins' offer advantages over naturally occurring proteins, including increased stability and potential for better immune response.
Four young researchers from abroad receive EU Individual Fellowships to initiate new research projects in physics and palaeogenomics. They will investigate topics such as spin transport, Higgs boson interactions, population dynamics, and quantum physics.
BU researcher Duo Zhang has received a highly competitive $100,000 NIH Pathway to Independence Award to investigate a previously unidentified RNA molecular in lung inflammation. The grant will assist him in launching independent research on bacterial-induced pneumonia.
A new study provides a framework to identify geographical hotspots that can protect wild places and species from biodiversity loss. The study suggests that the exact location of protected areas is vital to wildlife survival, and that Canada's diverse ecosystems require careful consideration in their conservation.
A new study reveals that India experiences an average of 239,000 excess female child mortality annually, primarily in rural areas with lower education and socioeconomic development. The researchers argue that addressing gender discrimination is crucial to reducing mortality rates among girls under five.
Researchers have created a near-atomic-resolution model of tau-microtubule interactions, revealing how tau stabilizes microtubules and forms aggregates that contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. The study provides insight into the mechanisms underlying tauopathies, such as Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have developed a local acoustic treatment using high-back chairs and retroreflective ceilings to reduce speech distraction in open-plan offices. This novel application uses sound reflections to enhance speech communication at short distances, reducing ambient noise disturbance.
Scientists have successfully created a fast, tunable, and stable nanoparticle-array laser, enabling ultrafast lasing dynamics with short and rapidly appearing laser pulses. The study showcases promising potential for all-optical switching and sensing applications.
Researchers at UChicago have developed a system of design principles for working with silicon to control biology using light. The team has demonstrated the ability to stimulate neurons, tissues, and limbs using this method, without the need for genetic modification or a power supply.
A laboratory analysis found that some landscape shapes retain their past forms under turbulent flows, while others erase their initial shapes. The study's results have significant implications for geological dating and understanding the formation of landscapes.
Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that frequent soccer ball heading is associated with poorer performance on psychomotor speed and attention tasks. Players who headed the ball more frequently showed subtle reductions in neuropsychological function, which may lead to microstructural changes in the brain.
A team of researchers has developed a new method for modeling the formation of diamond-like carbon at the atomic level, which challenges the prevailing understanding of the process. The approach uses machine learning to simulate thousands of atoms over long periods, revealing a more accurate picture of how the material forms.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center identified a protein strongly linked to metastatic breast cancer and its growth. High levels of ZMYND8 correlate with poor survival rates in breast cancer patients.
Researchers at Linköping University developed new methods to predict ecological roles of species in ecosystems. They found that a species' environment influences its role, particularly in predator-prey interactions. The study focuses on marine ecosystems but may inspire research on land-based habitats.
A UMass Amherst geoscientist will spend 45 days in a closed habitat on a NASA research mission to study human adaptations during space travel. The experiment aims to optimize the quality of life and work flow for future astronauts, simulating isolation, confinement, and remote conditions.
A new Tulane University study using optical dating found that the rate of land building from river diversions will be dwarfed by wetland loss. The study suggests positioning diversions in areas with greatest potential for land-building and protecting population centers.
Researchers at UT Dallas suggest a new type of matter that exhibits both zero viscosity and non-periodic structure. Theoretical framework proposes an experimental setup to produce the material, potentially creating a supersolid with unique properties.
A Yale-led research group has identified two olfactory receptors that respond to musk compounds, which could advance the study of the pharmacological effects of musks. The discovery may have implications for understanding how human smell works at a molecular level and its impact on behavior.
The European Research Council has invested €650 million in advanced frontier research, with 269 senior researchers across Europe receiving funding for groundbreaking projects. The grants are expected to lead to major scientific advances and potentially create jobs.
Dr. Yanqiao Zhang has received a five-year, $2.5 million grant to investigate the role of hepatic transcription factors in atherosclerosis and lipid metabolism. The award will fund research into novel genes/pathways that regulate atherogenesis.
A decade of fossil collecting in Tanzania and Zambia has provided new perspectives on the Triassic period, revealing regional patterns and similarities across different geographic areas. The findings highlight the presence of early dinosaurs, such as Teleocrater, and other animals that co-existed with them.
A study by computer scientists at the University of California - San Diego found that mining altcoins can earn higher returns than speculation, with daily returns ranging from 7-18% for miners. The researchers estimated potential profits using opportunity cost and simulated daily returns under various conditions.
A genetic mutation in the PIEZO1 gene may protect people from malaria by dehydrating red blood cells, a condition previously thought to be extremely rare. The mutation is found to be common in African populations, suggesting an evolutionary adaptation to malaria.
Kyounga Cheon, Assistant Professor at University of Alabama at Birmingham, receives the second AADR Anne D. Haffajee Fellowship for her research on Streptococcus mutans genotypes and tooth regeneration.
Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a method to construct perfectly aligned molecular assembly structures on graphenes. The technique relies on atomic force microscopy (AFM) and induces symmetry breaking in molecular patterns, enabling precise control over molecular alignment.
A study by UC Santa Cruz researchers has found that 99% of mussels collected from San Francisco Bay were contaminated with at least one algal toxin, and 37% contained four distinct kinds of toxins. The contamination exceeded regulatory guidelines for multiple toxins in previous years.
Researchers successfully exfoliated gallenene onto various substrates, demonstrating its potential as an efficient metal contact in two-dimensional electronic devices. The method used to create the flat gallium could be explored for other metals and compounds with low melting points.
Researchers create molecular machines that self-replicate, producing pounds of 100-percent pure material. This technology could revolutionize manufacturing by designing materials one atom at a time to exact specifications.
Researchers have developed a novel mathematical model combining general relativity with quantum vacuum polarization, enabling the existence of ultracompact stars and new stellar configurations. The study suggests that these stars could be detectable in future gravitational wave observatories.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia found that restricting food access to a six-hour window per day stimulated autophagy and lowered mutant huntingtin protein levels in mice with Huntington disease. This suggests a potential new treatment approach for the disorder, which could be complementary to existing therapies.
Researchers have improved crop water-use-efficiency by 25% without compromising yield, using a single gene. The team increased photosynthetic protein PsbS levels to conserve water, allowing plants to grow faster and yield more during dry spells.
A new machine learning algorithm allows for quick optimization of personalized control parameters for assistive wearable devices, achieving significant improvements in metabolic performance and reducing costs. Researchers achieved a 17.4% reduction in metabolic cost compared to walking without the device.
Researchers deployed 12-foot metal poles with sensors to capture sun-induced fluorescence, allowing them to rapidly monitor crop photosynthetic performance. This technology has the potential to transform phenotyping into an efficient, automated process.
Researchers will conduct a pilot study to assess the efficacy of combined cognitive rehabilitation therapies, including training in memory strategies and the RehaCom computerized cognitive therapy tool. The goal is to improve patient care for individuals with moderate-to-severe TBI by devising tailored memory strategies.
A team of researchers developed a soft robot that uses kirigami to achieve locomotion, gripping the ground like snakeskin. The robot's surface transforms into a textured surface as it stretches, allowing it to crawl without rigid components.
Researchers predict characteristic light signals from supermassive black holes before merger using multimessenger astrophysics. The study simulates binary black hole collisions and provides insights into electromagnetic signals accompanying gravitational waves.
A new study reveals that increased corn and soybean production in the Midwest led to significantly cooler and wetter summers. The research suggests a strong correlation between agricultural intensification and regional climate changes.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a multi-legged robot that replicates the locomotion patterns of cockroaches, allowing it to traverse large gaps and bumps with increased efficiency. By studying the movement principles of these insects, the team aims to create robots that can navigate complex, cluttered terrain.
Nuno Maulide will receive the award at the European Colloquium on Heterocyclic Chemistry in Lecce, Italy, for his original work on unconventional reactivity profiles and high-energy reactive intermediates. The prize includes a travel grant, €1,000 cash prize, and a lifelong online subscription to Topics in Heterocyclic Chemistry.
New research reveals that larger hummingbirds can compensate for their greater body masses by adapting their physiology. The study found that acceleration is primarily driven by muscle capacity, while wing size plays a key role in maneuverability.
Researchers found that Egyptian fruit bats use a technique similar to frequency-scanning sonar, pointing different frequencies of sound at slightly different angles to create fine-grained acoustic images. This discovery could lead to the development of cheap sensors with sensing capability.
A new UTSA study reveals that the 2015 Wimberley floods were exacerbated by flash flooding due to urbanization and heavy rain seasons. The researchers also found that recent years have seen record-breaking floods in Texas, prompting calls for improved storm preparations.
Researchers have discovered that three distinct varieties of the protein AKT play different roles in brain health, with AKT2 targeting brain cancer and AKT1 promoting memory formation. The study's findings hold promise for developing targeted therapies for conditions like Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.
The Kessler Foundation has been awarded a major federal grant to train doctoral-level rehabilitation researchers in partnership with Rutgers University. The five-year grant aims to improve overall health and function of individuals with neuromuscular and musculoskeletal diseases and injuries.
Researchers studied four species of scale-eating fish, finding that each employed distinct strategies to pry scales off prey. The study highlights the diversity of life on Earth and sheds light on the evolution and behavior of these unusual carnivorous grazers.
A portable device can identify liquors and determine if they've been altered, offering a strategy for liquor quality assurance. The device uses an advanced sensor array that can detect various scotch whiskies, bourbon, rye, brandy and vodka with greater than 99 percent accuracy.
Two graduate students have won National Institutes of Health fellowships to study heart health, with Tristan Raisch focusing on electrical conduction and Carissa James exploring protein synthesis in gap junctions. The awards strengthen Virginia Tech's training in biomedical sciences.
Researchers at IST Austria and Paris create framework connecting three neural information encoding theories, providing concrete predictions for previously unstudied coding regimes. The unified theory allows neurons to have mixed coding objectives, covering a range of constraints and phenomena not explained by existing models.
A study published in BMJ Tobacco Control found that plain cigarette packaging can reduce consumers' misconceptions about the safety of certain brands. In an online survey, participants rated Natural American Spirit packaging as safer when viewed with a plain container or graphic warning image compared to current US packaging.
Researchers have identified genetic differences between mosquitoes that prefer plants and those that consume blood. The study suggests that the shift from blood to plant-based diet may be driven by reduced risks of predation and stress associated with consuming blood meals.
A new policy process aims to overcome the stalemate on ivory trade, recognizing the moral perspectives of both proponents and opponents. The researchers' structured approach seeks to help stakeholders understand each other's views, making informed decisions that balance conservation with economic interests.
Researchers at Brown University have created software that allows users to control robots remotely using virtual reality, enhancing the manipulation tasks of autonomous robots. The system uses a robot's sensors to create a point-cloud model of the environment, transmitted to a remote computer connected to a virtual reality headset.
Researchers found that consumers with high levels of trust view misspellings as 'errors of knowledge', while those with low trust see them as indicative of careless writing. Consumers also react differently to typos, viewing typographical errors as signaling a lack of conscientiousness.
Researchers have discovered a promising new strategy to program the immune system to fight cancer by leveraging the novel function of the protein Runx3. This allows killer T cells to locate and persist in infected tissues or tumors, helping to eradicate infections or slow growth of malignancies.