News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance has awarded new grants to researchers, convened top scientists at the Cure CRC Summit, and launched K-SPY, a groundbreaking multi-center platform trial for high-risk colorectal cancer cases. The initiative aims to improve outcomes for millions affected by the disease.
Professor Uauy brings extensive experience in wheat genetic research and genomics to lead the institute's ambition to deliver Healthy Plants, Healthy People, Healthy Planet. His vision for plant science will ensure global agricultural challenges are addressed through interdisciplinary science.
Researchers have developed an embedded 3D-printing technique that allows for the rapid production of fine, continuous, and soft fibers in gel. The method uses a solvent exchange approach to inhibit capillary breakup from surface tension, achieving resolutions as low as 1.5 microns.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed 'synthetic worms' that can move independently using active matter, a new class of materials. The 3D structures were created by applying an electric field to micron-sized particles suspended in a liquid mixture, and exhibit fascinating life-like behavior.
Researchers discovered that many marine fungi isolated from Hawai'i's nearshore environment have the ability to degrade plastic. The team then conditioned these fungi to consume polyurethane and other types of plastics more efficiently. By studying their adaptability, scientists hope to develop new solutions for cleaning up oceans.
Researchers have designed a compact, high-efficiency flow battery test system that requires an order of magnitude less starting material while delivering results comparable to standard lab-scale systems. The mini flow cell design is geared towards rapid screening and development of new battery materials, reducing the time and resources...
Researchers at PNNL developed a mini flow battery test system that requires less starting material while delivering comparable performance to standard lab-scale systems. This innovation reduces time and resources needed for testing new battery materials, accelerating the discovery of grid energy storage technology.
A team of researchers has identified a new chronic blood clotting disorder, VITT-like monoclonal gammopathy of thrombotic significance (MGTS), characterized by antibodies similar to those causing vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT). The disorder can lead to severe symptoms despite treatment with full-dose bloo...
Australian scientists engineer fish and flies to break down toxic methylmercury into a less harmful gas, offering a new solution to environmental pollution. The research could lead to the creation of wildlife that protects both human health and the environment.
Researchers at University of British Columbia discovered a new brain cell type called 'ovoid cells' that play a central role in remembering and recognizing objects. These highly-specialized neurons activate when encountering something new, triggering the process to store objects in memory.
Studies identified 153 cases of psychosis caused by brain lesions, which connected to a common circuit in the hippocampus. The circuit, including the rostromedial prefrontal cortex, is a promising target for transcranial magnetic stimulation therapy, potentially improving symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.
Researchers found that olpasiran significantly lowers lipoprotein(a) levels by over 95% and reduces oxidized phospholipids, which promote atherosclerosis. The study also showed no significant effects on inflammatory markers.
Researchers found that flagellin from the gut disrupts immune checkpoint treatment in ovarian cancer patients. Inhibiting this pathway may enhance clinical outcomes and save lives. The discovery could lead to novel therapies capable of targeting ovarian tumors.
Researchers will present findings on Treatment Outcomes By Duffy Genotype in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma, highlighting longer progression-free survival for those receiving Lenalidomide, Bortezomib, and Dexamethasone alone or with autologous stem cell transplantation. Another study found that immune reactions leading ...
A recent study found that autophagy, a natural defense mechanism in cells, is less efficient in female eggs with moderate or severe DNA damage. Boosting autophagy can improve egg quality and reduce the risk of miscarriage and birth defects. The study's findings offer new directions for improving reproductive health.
The detection of a single muon from a cosmic neutrino interacting with the ARCA detector provides compelling evidence for the origin of the event. The ultra-high-energy neutrino has an estimated energy of 220 PeV, opening a new observational window on the Universe and expanding our understanding of high-energy phenomena.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a way to convert gut bacteria into miniature protein factories that produce and release targeted proteins inside the lower intestine. This breakthrough could potentially treat chronic diseases.
The study reveals that relaxor ferroelectrics like lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT) exhibit improved performance when shrunk down to a precise range of 25-30 nanometers. This 'Goldilocks zone' size effect could enable advanced applications such as nanoelectromechanical systems and energy harvesting.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new use for superconducting nanowire photon detectors to detect high-energy protons, opening up exciting opportunities in nuclear and particle physics. The team found that wire widths smaller than 400 nanometers demonstrate high detection efficiency.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute present studies on novel treatments for prostate, kidney, and bladder cancers. The team introduces a novel HIF-2α inhibitor called casdatifan, which shows promising early clinical activity in heavily pretreated patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma.
A new species of deepwater tilefish has been discovered in the South China Sea with distinctive facial markings, leading to its naming after Princess Mononoke's protagonist San. The study, published in ZooKeys, used genetic analysis to confirm the new-species status and highlighted the importance of marine biodiversity.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University found that chronic stress changes how the brain processes sounds, with higher decibel levels needed to trigger similar responses. This effect may be driven by a type of inhibitory cell becoming more active under repeated stress.
Researchers have developed a new form of QR code that can protect users from phishing attacks by signaling whether a link is safe or not. The SDMQR codes provide an added layer of security without interfering with existing functionality, allowing companies to replace traditional barcodes with more sophisticated QR codes.
Dr. Alison Altman, a Texas A&M chemist, has received the NSF CAREER Award to support her research on underexplored elements of the periodic table and their applications in technology. She aims to expand chemistry education at all levels, emphasizing its impact on everyday life.
Researchers highlight microalgae's capacity to mitigate CO2 emissions while driving sustainable industry, with 'smart microalgal bioprospecting' needed to unlock its full potential. Discovering new species with enhanced growth rates or lower resource demands could reduce costs and increase commercial viability.
Researchers at University of Melbourne and Pfizer discover new insights into a dual-target drug that may supercharge cancer-fighting immune cells, potentially leading to improved outcomes for breast cancer patients. The study found that this approach can enhance anti-tumor immunity by intratumoral CD8+ T cells.
Influenza A virus particles can change shape from spheres to larger filaments to favor infection efficiency, according to a new NIH study. The researchers developed a method to observe real-time structure formation and found that filament shape requires more energy, helping the virus evade immune responses.
Researchers identified a link between Alzheimer's disease, cell function, and cholesterol in the brain. Lowering oxysterol levels freed trapped ABCA1, restoring its healthy state, and showed potential as a new treatment approach.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have successfully cultivated an ultrasmall bacterial strain that parasitizes methanogenic archaea, inhibiting their growth. This discovery represents the first successful cultivation of such bacteria and proposes a new phylum Minisyncoccota, advancing our understanding of microbial ecology.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have made significant advancements in treating oligometastatic prostate cancer, advanced urothelial cancer, and triple-negative breast cancer. Personalized risk-based screening is also being explored as a tool to reduce cancer deaths.
Scientists have discovered a scrawny star and its fast-moving super-Neptune world, which sets a new record for the fastest exoplanet system. The planetary system is thought to move at least 1.2 million miles per hour.
Thousands of proteins rely on their tails to become successfully embedded within the cellular membrane. Researchers discovered a protein called YidC that helps short tails cross the fatty membrane, enabling functional protein-tail integration.
UD researchers found significant differences in gene expression in adipose tissue, a vital endocrine organ linked to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. The study identified four genes related to metabolism, calcium handling, and inflammation that warrant further investigation.
The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation has announced the recipients of its inaugural Keith Terasaki Mid-Career Innovation Award. Dr. Liangfang Zhang and Dr. Aydogan Ozcan were recognized for their innovative approaches to translating groundbreaking research into real-world impact.
Researchers found that glioblastoma stem cells are co-localized with myeloid-derived suppressor cells, promoting tumor growth and aggressiveness. The study identified key molecules, such as IL-6 and IL-8, that attract and activate MDSCs, providing new potential therapeutic targets.
A new study compares the allosteric regulation of Escherichia coli and Mycobacterium tuberculosis cAMP receptor proteins, revealing distinct regulatory mechanisms despite structural resemblance. The findings suggest species-specific control over bacterial gene regulation and have potential implications for drug development.
Researchers aim to identify key mechanisms and molecular targets to prevent tumor progression in Rhabdomyosarcoma patients. The study focuses on the TAK1 protein, which plays a significant role in regulating cell growth, and its potential inhibition as a therapeutic approach.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a low-cost technology using curcumin to curb bacterial resistance. The study shows that photodynamic inactivation can trigger deleterious reactions within bacteria, killing them and reducing the number of antibiotic-resistant strains.
A University of Ottawa neuroscientist has led a Canadian research team to discover how neural stem cells integrate signals from different cell types and decode them. The study found that low daughter cell numbers trigger activation, while high numbers keep them in quiescence, offering new insights into cellular relationships and potent...
A new genetic mutation, RUFY1-RET fusion, was discovered in a patient with stage IV CD-74-ROS1 fusion NSCLC who developed resistance to lorlatinib. The finding highlights the importance of ongoing genetic testing to guide therapy decisions.
The ISSCR International Symposium will commemorate the 20th anniversary of iPSC discovery, highlighting breakthrough achievements and new research advances. The event aims to celebrate the transformative power of scientific curiosity and its potential to unlock cures for previously untreatable diseases.
Researchers mapped the precise brain mechanisms that enable animals to overcome instinctive fears, revealing two key components in this learning process. The study found that a brain structure called the ventrolateral geniculate nucleus (vLGN) stores learning-induced memories and is triggered by the release of endocannabinoids.
Researchers at TUM found that cystic fibrosis causes changes in the immune system as early as birth, leading to frequent inflammation and infections. These changes are not affected by CFTR modulator therapies.
Researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 to study the gene function of adenine phosphoribosyl transferase in beans. They found two functional mutants with distinct roles: one affects adenine recycling and the other regulates cytokinins, essential for root growth and nodules.
A Virginia Tech research team has made significant progress in understanding the role of physical properties in tuning the body's immune responses. By modifying biomaterials' size, shape, and stiffness, they aim to enhance immune cell behavior and stimulate antitumor immune responses.
A team of researchers at Mass General Brigham has discovered that granzyme K activates the complement system against own tissues, driving inflammation and tissue damage. Inhibiting this pathway could preserve anti-microbial functions while targeting chronic inflammatory diseases.
Researchers at ETH Zurich discovered tiny ice quakes deep inside ice streams, explaining the discrepancy between simulations and satellite measurements. The findings impact sea-level rise estimates and may reveal fault planes in ice cores, providing a better understanding of ice stream deformation.
Scientists at KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed a refined method for measuring and predicting gravity changes as the Nordic region rises. The study found that the Ferroscandinavian peninsula's land mass is more dense than previously known, with an upper mantle density of approximately 3,546 kilograms per cubic meter.
Researchers identified S6K2 as a potential target for treating NRAS MUT melanoma, which accounts for 30% of all melanoma cases. The team found that silencing S6K2 killed cancer cells by disrupting lipid metabolism, and combining treatment with two compounds improved therapeutic outcomes.
A new study reveals that first-generation planetesimals in the inner solar system were rich in moderately volatile elements, which were later lost during violent cosmic collisions. This discovery reshapes our understanding of how planets acquired their ingredients.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a method to transform graphite into novel materials with controlled atomic layers, enabling the creation of tiny electronic memory units. This process, known as 'Slidetronics,' allows for precise manipulation of material properties, opening doors to innovative applications in electronic...
The KeyScope is a low-cost, robust laparoscope priced at approximately $1,000, making it accessible in low- and middle-income countries. It offers high-resolution images, color accuracy, and low distortion, comparable to standard laparoscopes.
A new study suggests that pre-colonial people in Brazil may have gathered in summer months to feast on migratory fish and share alcoholic drinks. The researchers analyzed pottery fragments dating back to between 2300 and 1200 years ago, which revealed evidence of fermented beverages and processing of fish.
Researchers at MIT and Harvard University have directly measured superfluid stiffness in magic-angle graphene for the first time, shedding light on its remarkable properties. The study suggests that quantum geometry governs the material's superconductivity, a key step toward understanding its exceptional properties.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have found that opioid delta-receptor agonists can alleviate stress-induced IBS symptoms in a validated mouse model by targeting the central nervous system. The study suggests that these drugs could provide a more definitive solution for IBS with minimal adverse effects.
Researchers at McGill University found that a protein produced in muscles helps manage the release of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which promotes egg maturation. Lowering myostatin levels delayed puberty and reduced fertility, while restoring it boosted FSH levels.
The Terasaki Institute recognizes Dr. Cato Laurencin's groundbreaking contributions to regenerative engineering, while Dr. Jun Chen is recognized for his innovative technologies in soft bioelectronics and magnetoelastic materials.
The partnership aims to accelerate discoveries and develop life-changing therapies for children with cancer and rare diseases. By combining expertise in pediatric care and cutting-edge technology, the organizations hope to make significant strides in understanding and treating devastating childhood diagnoses.
Researchers have found a new method to remove PFAS from drinking water by heating them with granular activated carbon at 572 degrees Fahrenheit. This process achieves 90% mineralization of the PFAS, breaking them down into harmless inorganic fluorine.
University of Texas at Arlington President Jennifer Cowley has received a national award for her sustained commitment to community engagement. The Richard Guarasci Award for Presidential Leadership honors presidents who demonstrate deep and committed civic engagement throughout their careers.