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We achieved gender parity in astronomy in just five years

A national Australian astronomy centre achieved gender parity in just five years by implementing evidence-based strategies and creating a supportive culture. The Centre's program reached a tipping point when there were 40% women in leadership positions, resulting in accelerated student enrolments by women.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence for All Sky Astrophysics in 3D (ASTRO 3D)·JournalNature Astronomy·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 16, 2023

What an animated taco reveals about curiosity and patience

A study by Duke neuroscientists found that curiosity increases people's patience for an answer while making them more eager to hear it. Curiosity also motivated viewers to withhold from hitting the 'spoiler' button and kept watching animated line-drawing videos unfold.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 24, 2023

Lehigh University researchers make sand that flows uphill

Lehigh University researchers have discovered that applying magnetic forces to individual 'microroller' particles can spur collective motion, allowing the grains to flow uphill, up walls, and climb stairs. This counterintuitive phenomenon has potential applications in mixing, segregating materials, and microrobotics.

SourceLehigh University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 20, 2023

WVU faculty, students contribute to cosmic breakthrough uncovering evidence of low-frequency gravitational waves

Researchers from West Virginia University have made a groundbreaking discovery by detecting evidence of low-frequency gravitational waves, which can only be perceived with a detector much larger than the Earth. The signal was detected using pulsar timing arrays and has significant implications for understanding spacetime dynamics.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalThe Astrophysical Journal Letters·DateJun 29, 2023

New study reveals global reservoirs are becoming emptier

A new study using satellite data from over 7,000 global reservoirs found that total storage capacity has increased, but the filling rate is lower than anticipated. The analysis suggests that addressing future water demands cannot rely solely on constructing new reservoirs, highlighting the need for novel management strategies.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 23, 2023

Investigating the placenta: Discovery from Stowers Scientists shows why this often-overlooked organ should be given more attention

A new study from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research reveals the placenta's polyploid cells play a vital role in supporting healthy embryonic development. The modified cell cycle controlling polyploidy is governed by the regulatory gene Myc, which supports DNA replication and prevents premature cellular aging.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalDevelopment·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 7, 2023

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology researchers improve the solubility of redox molecules for enhanced energy storage systems

Researchers from GIST have developed a hydrotropic-supporting electrolyte to enhance the solubility of organic redox molecules in aqueous systems. This improvement enables the creation of high-energy-density electrochemical capacitors with potential applications in redox flow batteries.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalACS Energy Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2023

Iron-rich rocks unlock new insights into Earth’s planetary history

New research from Rice University suggests that ancient microorganisms helped cause massive volcanic events by facilitating the precipitation of minerals in banded iron formations. The study provides insight into processes that could produce habitable exoplanets and reframes scientists' understanding of Earth's early history.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Geoscience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 25, 2023

Tiny microbes could brew big benefits for green biomanufacturing

Researchers have engineered bacteria to combine natural enzymatic reactions with the carbene transfer reaction, producing new-to-nature carbon products that can be used in biochemicals and advanced biofuels. This breakthrough could reduce industrial emissions by providing sustainable alternatives to chemical manufacturing processes.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 8, 2023

How to make the faculty job search less discouraging

A pilot program, developed by University of Cincinnati anthropologist Kathleen Grogan, invited postdoctoral researchers to review each other's job application packages, providing critiques and psychosocial support. Most participants found the feedback helpful in improving their chances of securing a faculty position.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalProceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences·TypeCase study·DateMay 5, 2023

Stowers Institute scientists discover the dynamics of an “extra” chromosome in fruit flies

Researchers at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have revealed the dynamics of a new, young chromosome in fruit flies similar to those found in humans associated with treatment-resistant cancer and infertility. The B chromosomes are maintained by meiotic drive, enabling them to persist in a genome.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2023

Early menopause, later start to hormone therapy may increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease

A new study from Mass General Brigham researchers found that early menopause may be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease dementia. However, women who received hormone therapy around the time of menopause onset did not experience an increased risk of dementia. The study suggests that timing is crucial when it comes to hormone therapy, ...

SourceMass General Brigham·JournalJAMA·TypeObservational study·DateApr 3, 2023

WVU lab’s game-changing high-performance semiconductor material could help slash heat emissions

A team led by Xueyan Song at West Virginia University has created an oxide ceramic material that solves a longstanding efficiency problem plaguing thermoelectric generators. The breakthrough achieved record-high performance, opening up new research directions to further increase performance and enabling large-scale waste heat recovery.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalRenewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews·DateMar 14, 2023

Some ‘allies’ don’t want gay neighbors

A new study by Northwestern University found that the absence of legal protections for sexual minorities increases stigma among both allies and those who reject homosexuality. Even fully accepting individuals may reject their gay neighbors, highlighting the importance of legal inclusion in reducing prejudice.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalSociological Research Online·DateMar 6, 2023

A new model for dark matter

Researchers propose HYPER model of dark matter with a phase transition that boosts its interaction with normal matter, potentially making it detectable. The new diversity in the dark matter sector highlights an alternative to WIMPs, covering almost the full parameter range of planned experiments.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 24, 2023

Repairing gut saves brain function after stroke

Scientists at Texas A&M University found that transplanting intestinal epithelial stem cells can repair the gut and reduce inflammation, potentially preserving cognitive function after a stroke. The study suggests that targeting gut health may be key to developing more effective stroke therapies.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalBrain Behavior and Immunity·DateNov 18, 2022

Nine postdoctoral fellowships in aging research awarded by the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research and AFAR

The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) and the Glenn Foundation for Medical Research have announced the recipients of the 2022 Glenn Foundation for Medical Research Postdoctoral Fellowships in Aging Research. Nine postdoc fellows will receive $60,000 fellowships to advance research on aging biology, geroscience, and potentia...

Climate risks for Gulf of Mexico coral reefs spelled out in study

New research simulates climate warming and ocean acidification in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, finding that high emissions could lead to critically warm temperatures as early as 2050. Reducing emissions may delay this onset, giving coral conservation programs more time to adapt.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of Geophysical Research Biogeosciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 5, 2022

Gender inequities in mentoring may disproportionately affect women researchers

A new analysis of mentoring relationships in academic research reveals that gender inequities in resources available to women mentors may indirectly affect their trainees. Trainees with female mentors were less likely to become academic mentors themselves, a disparity reduced when accounting for institutional bias factors.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeObservational study·DateSep 8, 2022

Dr. Nathan Hogaboom of Kessler Foundation named winner of the Ernest Bors, MD Award for Scientific Development by the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine

Dr. Nathan Hogaboom has won the prestigious Ernest Bors, MD Award for Scientific Development for his pioneering work on regenerative rehabilitation research in spinal cord injury. His award-winning study applied novel principles to treat debilitating shoulder pain in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury.

Biomedical, data science training wins new grant

The program, one of only 18 nationwide, will support eight Ph.D. students and five postdoctoral fellows each year for five years, focusing on biomedical informatics and data science. The grant is the seventh renewal of support for a multidisciplinary training program that began over 30 years ago.

How the pandemic limited access to opioid addiction treatment for racial and ethnic minority groups

A Rutgers study reveals that racial and ethnic minority groups were less likely to obtain prescriptions to treat opioid addiction during the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend is particularly concerning, as minority groups face more barriers to healthcare and are already disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 21, 2022

SwRI researcher shows how elliptical craters could shed light on age of Saturn’s moons

A SwRI study examines elliptical craters on Saturn's moons Tethys and Dione, finding unique patterns that indicate the satellites' age and formation conditions. The research suggests a planetocentric impactor population, pointing to the importance of considering gravity-driven impacts when studying object ages.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute·JournalEarth and Planetary Science Letters·TypeObservational study·DateJun 21, 2022

Chung-Ang university researchers pioneer new way to manipulate microdroplets

Scientists at Chung-Ang University have pioneered a novel method for controlling microdroplet motion on solid surfaces using near-infrared light. This approach allows for more precise control than traditional thermal techniques and opens up new possibilities for applications in microfluidics, drug delivery, and self-cleaning surfaces.

SourceChung Ang University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 21, 2022

Let machines do the work: Automating semiconductor research with machine learning

Researchers use machine learning to automatically analyze Reflection High-Energy Electron Diffraction (RHEED) data, enabling faster and more efficient discovery of new materials. The study focused on surface superstructures in thin-film silicon surfaces and identified optimal synthesis conditions using non-negative matrix factorization.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalScience and Technology of Advanced Materials Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 16, 2022

Bacteria make a beeline to escape tight spaces

Researchers observed that bacteria change their swimming behavior to avoid getting stuck in confined spaces. In open areas, bacteria meander without discernible pattern, but upon entry into tight spaces, they straighten their paths to escape, suggesting physical features like walls and corners serve as crucial cues.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalBiophysical Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 2, 2022