The IST Austria lab of Daria Siekhaus will explore the role of MFSD1 in metastasis in mice and humans. The project aims to understand its involvement in changes to proteins and their impact on metastasis.
A team of researchers found that frequent e-device users performed less well in a reading comprehension test after reading scientific articles. The study suggests that the way people read on electronic devices can hinder the holistic approach to reading required for understanding science concepts.
A recent study found that how children use devices, not hours spent on them, is the strongest predictor of emotional or social problems. Warning signs include interfering with daily activities, conflict, and unhealthy media habits leading to relationship, conduct, and emotional issues.
The European Research Council has awarded €630 million in Consolidator Grants to 329 top researchers across Europe, creating an estimated 2,000 jobs and funding research projects in physical sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and humanities. The grants are aimed at boosting the EU's scientific excellence and competitiveness.
A Yale-led study found distinct differences in human brain regions, including a unique gene expression pattern in the striatum and higher levels of MET in the prefrontal cortex. These findings suggest that the human brain's cognitive abilities may be linked to specific genetic variations.
Brookhaven Lab scientists Anatoly Frenkel, Morgan May, Rachid Nouicer, Eric Stach, and Peter Steinberg were elected 2017 American Physical Society Fellows for their exceptional contributions to physics. The fellows were recognized for their innovative research in materials physics, astrophysics, and nuclear physics, including discoveri...
Researchers found a three-fold increase in biodiversity during the Ordovician Period, coinciding with a significant rise in oxygen levels. The study suggests that atmospheric oxygen levels did not reach modern levels for millions of years after the Cambrian explosion.
Rice researchers successfully printed complex schwarzite structures with computer algorithms and 3-D printers, showcasing their strength, lightness, and durability. The discovery may lead to high-load-bearing components for buildings, cars, and aircraft, as well as nanoscale electronic devices and battery components.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine found that isolated stem cells have a different gene-expression profile than their counterparts in the body. The study suggests that conclusions about stem cell function may need to be reconsidered due to changes in cell biology during isolation.
A new technique using blue LED lights and catalysts reduces the time to create radioactive molecules from months to hours, accelerating the arrival of new drugs to the marketplace. This innovation has the potential to bring medicines to patients much faster than before.
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to create reconstituted silk that is more than twice as stiff as its natural counterpart. The material has potential applications in medical sutures, scaffolding for new skin or other biomaterials, and sensing devices.
Researchers studied wild-born bonobos at a sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The results showed that bonobos will help strangers get food even when there is no immediate payback. This behavior is linked to a basic form of empathy called emotional contagion, which suggests that bonobos are also contagious with yawning.
Researchers at UCLA discovered that moving bus stops away from busy intersections can significantly reduce the amount of pollution bus riders are exposed to. By relocating stops 120 feet away from intersections, pollutant concentrations decrease sharply with distance.
A single amino acid change determines which species are vulnerable to a hereditary brain disease. The human, mouse and hamster forms of the protein have distinct three-dimensional structures at the atomic level.
Andy Tay Kah Ping, a postdoctoral researcher at Stanford University, has been awarded the inaugural MRS Bulletin Postdoctoral Publication Prize. He was recognized for his exceptional academic credentials, scientific publications, and science communication efforts.
Researchers at UC Davis will analyze the role of academic brands in modern universities, exploring how they reflect and shape university identity. The study aims to understand the relationship between branding, metrics, and excellence, with potential implications for faculty recruitment and funding.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a powerful RNA switch that can activate genes thousands of times better than nature, providing precise control over gene expression. This technology has potential applications in diagnostics, metabolic engineering, and regulating RNA networks.
Researchers at Brown University have improved the resolution of laser terahertz emission microscopy (LTEM) to 20 nanometers, enabling detailed imaging of individual nanostructures. This technique can be used to study a wide variety of materials, including semiconductors and perovskite solar cells.
A comprehensive study found that mining operations in Brazil are destroying a significant portion of the Amazon forest, with 90% of deforestation occurring outside mine lease boundaries. The research suggests that mining is now a substantial cause of Amazon forest loss, warranting action.
A new study explores the coevolving web of life as a network, revealing counterintuitive results on direct and indirect effects within large webs of interacting species. The findings suggest that strong coevolutionary selection between partners increases the importance of indirect effects on overall evolution.
Researchers solved the structure of mouse TRPML1 ion channel using UT Southwestern's cryo-EM facility, a breakthrough that may aid in treating mucolipidosis type IV, a rare neurodegenerative disease. The study utilizes a novel sample preparation technique and cutting-edge software to reveal atomic-level details of the protein.
A team of researchers at the University of Oregon has identified a universal pattern in protein motion, which could help pinpoint where proteins bind to other molecules. The study found that protein motion is governed by random energy fluctuations and a critical hydrogen-bonding network.
Researchers discovered that the human protein APOBEC3G transforms its function from editing viral DNA to blocking HIV-1 replication when it forms a two-protein complex. This finding has implications for developing new anti-HIV drugs.
The Dunlap Institute has received $23 million in funding to develop innovative astronomical technology, including a radio astronomy data centre and an infrared spectrograph. These projects will position Canada at the forefront of next-generation astronomy research.
Princeton researchers identify a new cue in mother's speech to support babies' language learning: a shift in vocal timbre. This finding is consistent across women who speak 10 languages and can be reliably picked out by machine learning algorithms.
Researchers at Rice University created ultraflat magnets with magnetic properties by adding rhenium to two-dimensional materials, expanding possibilities for spintronic devices. The discovery was made using chemical vapor deposition and doping techniques.
A 75-year analysis of aerial photos reveals Greenlandic deltas are growing due to warmer temperatures. The study alters previous understanding of Arctic coast climate change effects.
Researchers developed a machine to automate soybean quality evaluation during harvesting, providing real-time grain quality information. The system uses high-speed camera and computer program to analyze beans in real time, allowing operators to make adjustments as they go.
A recent Oregon study with zebrafish found that transmitted microbes lead to similar gut microbiomes, selecting for particular microbes that are good at moving from fish to fish. This suggests the movement of microbes may drive microbiome variation and could impact human health.
Michael W. Young, a Rockefeller University biologist, has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his groundbreaking work on circadian rhythm. His research revealed the molecular mechanisms that govern biological clocks, which regulate sleep, eating behavior, and metabolism.
A new study from the University of British Columbia has linked lower education and income to higher suicide risks among gay and bisexual men. The research found that these individuals have more than five times the odds of attempting suicide compared to their more advantaged peers.
Researchers successfully used CRISPR-Cas9 to eliminate the mutated myocilin protein, which led to lowered intraocular pressure and prevented glaucomatous damage in mouse eyes. This breakthrough study could pave the way for a new therapy to treat myocilin glaucoma in humans.
Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered that the enzymatic function of the fly enzyme Trr may not be as crucial as previously thought, suggesting alternative explanations for its role in cancer development. The study found that knocking out Trr's catalytic activity did not affect flies' viability or gene expression.
Researchers found that stress reduces our capacity to detect new threats by impairing how well we track and update predictions of potentially dangerous circumstances. Stress also impairs flexibility in decision making, resulting in a slower rate of learning.
Human brains tend to miss objects that are mis-scaled, even when they're in view. Researchers found this phenomenon in eye-tracking studies, but not in computer vision algorithms like deep neural networks. This study aims to better understand human visual search strategies and improve computer vision.
The University of Washington is home to a new national center for research, education, and training in materials science. The center will focus on nanocrystals and thin films with potential applications in clean energy, photonics, and quantum computing.
Researchers developed a method to trace the history of beta-cells in zebrafish, revealing dynamic sub-populations with different developmental histories. These findings have implications for understanding diabetes progression and developing effective strategies for beta-cell regeneration and protection.
A team of researchers has successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of a hybrid process called photo-electro-Fenton (PEF) in removing low concentrations of atrazine and its by-products from surface water. The study showed that over 99% of atrazine was eliminated after just 15 minutes of treatment.
A team of physicists led by Hai-Bo Yu propose a new theory that dark matter particles strongly collide with each other in the inner halo of galaxies, explaining diverse galactic rotation curves. This self-interacting dark matter model thermalizes the inner halo, tying ordinary and dark matter distributions together.
The European Research Council has awarded €605 million to 406 early-career researchers across Europe, with a record share of women amongst the new grantees. The funded research covers various disciplines and will help build teams that can engage over 1,500 postdocs and PhD students.
Researchers developed a $40 portable allergen-detection system called iEAT, which can detect five common allergens in under 10 minutes. The device extracts allergens from food and uses an electronic keychain reader to sense and transmit results wirelessly.
The USDA has invested $12.6 million in funding doctoral and postdoctoral fellowships for agricultural science research and education. The program aims to foster a diverse pool of skilled professionals to tackle pressing food system issues, including plant health, production, and animal welfare.
Scientists at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History discovered that Myrmoteras ants' jaws work independently of other known ant species. The study revealed that the ants' predatory strike takes only half a millisecond and reaches speeds of approximately 50 miles per hour.
A recent study challenged the conventional view of coevolution between plants and herbivores, suggesting that plants' defensive traits, rather than their genetic relationships, are key factors in determining which species herbivores target. This new paradigm proposes that herbivores may 'chase' or switch hosts based on the plant's defe...
Researchers have created a smart fabric that can detect and neutralize nerve gas, with the ability to absorb up to 7g of toxin per gram of Cu. The fabric uses copper-based nanoparticles to break down nerve gas surrogates, making it a potential tool for detecting chemical warfare agents.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new material that can absorb up to 340% of its weight in carbon dioxide, making it a promising solution for capturing greenhouse gases. The boron nitride foam is highly porous and can be tuned for specific applications.
Hydrogeologist David Boutt has been named the Birdsall-Dreiss Distinguished Lecturer for 2018 by the Geological Society of America's Hydrogeology Division. He will give a 12-month national and international speaking tour, including stops in Asia, Europe, and South America.
A new micropropulsion system for CubeSats uses an innovative design of tiny nozzles that release precise bursts of water vapor to maneuver the spacecraft. The FEMTA thruster technology demonstrates a thrust-to-power ratio of 230 micronewtons per watt, making it a viable method for attitude control of CubeSats.
Researchers have created a super-strong adhesive that binds to tissues with strength comparable to cartilage, even when wet. The adhesive uses a double-layered hydrogel design with positively-charged polymers to create a strong bond.
Researchers at MIT have successfully created a platform to store and process quantum information using ultracold molecules, which can retain their information for hundreds of times longer than previously achieved. The breakthrough could enable thousands of quantum computations in sequence within a second of coherence.
A Kansas State University-led team will use the grant to establish a cognitive and neurobiological approaches to plasticity center, supporting research on brain development, cognitive flexibility, and aging-related impairments. The center will also renovate laboratory facilities and recruit new faculty members.
Researchers have successfully manipulated the 'valley' property in electrons using light, a crucial step towards realizing valleytronics technology. This breakthrough has potential applications in logic gates and is a major advancement in the field of materials science.
Researchers at Friedrich Schiller University Jena reconstructed a 300 million-year-old beetle from Australia, shedding new light on the earliest developments in beetles. The 'Bad Boy' exhibits an unorthodox mix of ancestral and modern characteristics, challenging traditional beetle classification.
A new study by Cornell University chemists reveals a critical step in the nitrification process where nitric oxide acts as a chemical prelude to nitrite. This discovery could lead to more efficient fertilization practices and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers found that climate warming can both increase and decrease biodiversity, with higher diversity providing a buffer against environmental changes. In a study, warming meadows led to more nematode species, but those species were also more similar to each other, limiting the 'insurance' effect of increased diversity.
Researchers at Brown University developed a new system that enables robots to follow spoken instructions, regardless of their level of abstraction. The system uses language grounding and hierarchical planning algorithms to analyze the specificity of commands, resulting in dramatic speed-ups in performance.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed energy-recycling stairs that store energy during descent and return it during ascent, easing the impact on knees and ankles. The device reduces knee impact by 37% and ankle stress by 26%, making it easier for people to use stairs without compromising their mobility.
Researchers found trace element barium present in azurite blues, identifying a unique fingerprint that can help link scattered pages. This discovery may aid in provenance research and provide insights into trade routes and historic mining sites.
Nobuo Sato received a $10,000 grant to apply his knowledge of Quantum Chromodynamics to understand the protons and neutrons in everyday matter. His calculations involve parton distribution functions and transverse momentum distributions.
Researchers at IST Austria and Nvidia introduce a novel representation of waves that improves visual detail and user control while reducing computing cost. The method allows for more versatile and physically plausible simulations with minimal extra work.