News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
The university will use its expertise to create better wide bandgap semiconductors for the US defense, with potential applications in electric vehicles, power grids, and quantum technologies. The hub aims to build 'lab to fab' capability for semiconductors and enhance fundamental research.
Researchers developed a new theoretical framework called Assembly Theory, which bridges physics and biology to understand how complexity and evolution emerge. The theory explains and quantifies selection and evolution, providing new insights into the physics underlying biological complexity and evolutionary innovation.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have identified a protein mutation in CD8+ T cells that can make them more effective against cancer and infections. The mutated T cells were found to be more active when stimulated, persist longer, and expand in great numbers during the initial immune response.
Rice University bioengineers Jerzy Szablowski and Julea Vlassakis have received the National Institutes of Health Director’s New Innovator Award for their creative research projects on gene expression and cancer interactions. Szablowski is developing noninvasive methods to map gene expression, while Vlassakis is studying complex single...
Researchers discovered that around 13% of brain proteins differ between males and females, with some proteins more abundant in females and others in males. The study also found that genetic variation influences protein expression, with sex-related differences prominent at the protein level.
Researchers found that administering precursors of Elovanoids improved neurological deficit in an experimental model of ischemic stroke. The study identified a cascade of gene responses and sheds light on potential new therapeutic avenues for treating ischemic strokes.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have developed a new method for DNA detection that is 100 times more sensitive than traditional methods. This breakthrough enables fast and accurate disease diagnosis, reducing wait times for lab processing from days to minutes.
A University of Melbourne research team is developing an oral therapeutic to restore the activity of common antibiotics used to treat community-acquired bacterial pneumonia. The project aims to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria and reduce healthcare costs, with potential applications in low- and middle-income countries.
Holford's research will focus on developing new directions for using cephalopod venoms in drug discovery and exploring their evolutionary dynamics. Her study has broad applications for science, including understanding venom gland biology and the molecular mechanisms behind bioactive compounds.
Researchers at Northwestern University identified a new evolutionarily conserved RNAi-based form of cell death called Death Induced by Survival gene Elimination (DISE), which targets essential survival genes in cancer cells. This mechanism is ancient and effective against all cancers tested.
Researchers created a tiny 3D cell culture model that mimics the function of lymphatic vessels to explore how inflammatory substances affect the lymphatic system. They found that certain cytokines cause cells to tighten their junctions, leading to reduced fluid drainage and swelling. Inhibiting a protein called ROCK2 reversed lymphedem...
A new study published in Exp. Mol. Med. has identified Thrap3 as a key player in exacerbating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by inhibiting AMPK, a crucial regulator of fat metabolism. Inhibiting Thrap3 expression presents a promising avenue for treating NAFLD.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have discovered a genetic scar that enables pneumonia-causing bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics. The study found that mutations in the pde1 gene act as an evolutionary gateway for this resistance, threatening patient treatment and highlighting the need for control measures.
A significant breakthrough sheds light on Parkinson's disease mechanisms, revealing that mitochondrial DNA damage triggers the spread of debilitating symptoms. The researchers' findings offer promising potential for innovative treatments and diagnostics.
Researchers have discovered a new species of calcifying phytoplankton, Calciopappus curvus, found in the Sargasso Sea near Bermuda. The species is distinct from others in its genus and boasts intricate skeletons that may aid movement or protection.
Armida Labs, a UCR-founded pharmaceutical company, has received a $400,000 NIH Small Business Innovation Research grant to develop its breakthrough pancreatic cancer therapy Targefrin. The grant will enable the company to gather industry-standard data for human clinical trials.
Researchers developed a new technology to test new drugs against liver diseases by recreating the real human liver environment. The model consists of live liver cells in an artificial blood vessel system, allowing for controlled testing and monitoring.
USC is partnering with seven leading regenerative medicine institutes to form the Los Angeles and surrounding area regenerative medicine consortium. The partnership aims to advance regenerative medicine using stem cells and gene therapies for treating unmet medical needs.
Researchers have discovered a new plasmid in epidemic Vibrio cholerae samples that introduces genes encoding resistance to multiple antibiotics. The finding underscores the importance of genomic surveillance and suggests that the strain's stability poses a concerning factor for future outbreaks.
Researchers found that genetic recycling enabled the emergence and adaptation of 500 cichlid species in Lake Victoria over just 16,000 years. The study identified unique ancient genes and hybridisation as key drivers of this unprecedented biodiversity explosion.
Researchers have developed a new semiconducting material called multielement ink that can be processed at low temperatures, paving the way for more sustainable semiconductor industry. The breakthrough enables faster and lower-energy production of semiconductors, which could significantly reduce carbon emissions.
Researchers discovered that a mutation in the gene ACTA2 causes moyamoya disease and strokes in young children. The mutation leads to dysfunctional smooth muscle cells in arteries, resulting in blockages and increased risk of stroke. Understanding this mechanism could lead to new treatments for moyamoya disease.
A UCLA study found that exposure to critical Black history can contribute to white people's recognition of health disparities faced by Black Americans and lead to support for policies aimed at equity. The study also found that perspective-taking, regardless of instruction, leads to greater recognition of racism in healthcare.
Researchers discovered an epigenetic clock in plants that accurately tracks time over generations, shedding light on invasive species and human activities. The clock resolves divergence times of phylogenetic trees, providing a novel tool for dating plant clones.
Researchers analyzed over 2 million cells from 400 postmortem brain samples to identify cellular pathways that could become new drug targets for Alzheimer's treatments. They found impairments in mitochondrial function, synaptic signaling, and protein complexes, as well as disrupted lipid metabolism.
A new sauropod dinosaur species, Garumbatitan morellensis, was discovered in the Iberian Peninsula. The fossil remains found in Sant Antoni de la Vespa exhibit unique characteristics, including a morphology similar to modern sauropods from the Late Cretaceous.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have discovered that a tiny chemical modification on mRNAs, known as m6A, is key to the formation of stress granules during cell stress. Longer mRNAs dominate stress granules because they have high levels of m6A, which triggers their sequestration.
A team of paleontologists has discovered the oldest record of sea turtle DNA in a fossil shell from Panama's Caribbean coast. The findings, published in Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, date back approximately 6 million years to the upper Miocene Epoch.
Researchers identified key proteins regulating cholesterol distribution within cells, including OSBP1, ORP92, and GRAMD1s. This discovery sheds light on the critical mechanisms underlying cellular cholesterol distribution, offering insights into various health conditions.
A special supplement presents insights on neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, affecting 55 million people worldwide. Researchers explore novel molecular pathways and therapeutic approaches, such as acupuncture therapy, to alleviate the burden of brain disorders.
A small molecule drug improved the fitness of hematopoietic stem cells used in cell transplants, potentially enhancing the success of procedures like ex vivo gene therapy. The study found that targeting extracellular vesicles relieved stress on cells outside the body, improving their performance when transplanted back in.
Researchers analyze neuroendocrine tumors at single cell resolution, unlocking key insights into tumor biology and potential evolution of tumor characteristics. The study reveals heterogeneity within tumor subtypes and identifies potential targets for immunotherapy treatment.
Insilico Medicine has identified 9 potential dual-purpose targets against aging and 14 major age-related diseases using Microsoft BioGPT. The proposed genes include CCR5 and PTH, which have not been previously correlated to the aging process.
Five lung stem cell variants dominate CF lungs, causing inflammation, fibrosis, and mucin secretion. CFTR modulators fail to suppress these inflammatory variants, suggesting they as key targets for new drugs.
Researchers have identified that ancient quakes occurred in shallow faults on the Puget Lowlands in western Washington, which could lead to another devastating event. The study used tree rings to pinpoint the dates of these quakes and found a link between them, suggesting regional hazard models may need to be updated.
A new study reveals that magma oceans on rocky exoplanets can affect their size, evolutionary path, and mantle structure. The research found that these ocean's compressible nature can make lava-rich planets denser than solid planets of similar size.
Jennifer Hurley, Ph.D., is investigating how the 24-hour cycle affects human health and has been granted $2.1 million over five years from the National Institutes of Health. Disruptions to circadian rhythms have been linked to serious medical conditions such as neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
The new resonators exhibit a record low UV light loss, enabling the development of miniaturized devices for applications such as spectroscopic sensing, underwater communication, and quantum information processing. The researchers achieved this by combining optimized design and fabrication techniques with amorphous alumina materials.
The University of Minnesota Medical School has received a $16 million grant from the NIH BRAIN Initiative to create detailed maps of brain connections. This project aims to better understand how complex neural pathways generate human behaviors and develop treatments for brain disorders.
Scientists rediscovered the Species that was first described in 1916, found only in southern Brazil, with an increased distribution to diverse terrains, including rainforests and grasslands. The species is currently Data Deficient due to habitat fragmentation and agricultural pressure.
A new NIH grant will investigate the impact of combined alcohol and e-cigarette use on the blood brain barrier, a cell layer regulating substance passage into the central nervous system. The study aims to identify mechanisms behind damage and potential biomarkers for clinical use.
Researchers found an average of 41 microplastic particles per square meter per day settled from the atmosphere, while sediment samples contained denser particles with higher population densities. The study suggests clothing is likely the prominent source of microplastics to the Ganges River system.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Science have uncovered a novel mechanism for sorting endocytic cargo, revealing a specific compartment within the trans-Golgi network that determines the fate of cargo. This discovery has implications for understanding basic life processes and diseases caused by disruptions in endocytosis.
Researchers identified specific blood biomarkers that can accurately identify patients with long COVID, revealing distinct immune and hormone function differences. The study also found abnormal T cell activity, reactivation of latent viruses, and reduced cortisol levels in patients with long COVID.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have identified a small strand of microRNA called let-7 as crucial in governing the formation of cellular memories that enable T-cells to recognize and attack tumor cells. This discovery offers new insights into how vaccines work and could lead to improved cancer therapies by boosting cellular memory.
An international team has decoded the TSPO protein to visualize neuroinflammation, revealing its relationship with microglial cells. The study's findings pave the way for optimizing observation of neuroinflammatory processes and re-reading previous studies.
Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered two novel yeast species with high oil-forming potential, which could be used to produce alternative biofuels and reduce CO2 emissions. The study also explores the relationship between climate and microbial ecology in Shiga Prefecture.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic discovered that senescent macrophages in the lung promote tumor growth by blocking the immune system's response to abnormal cell growth. Eliminating these senescent cells delays tumor formation, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
Researchers investigate protists in Lassen Volcanic National Park's hot and acidic geothermal lake to gain insight into their evolution and genome biology. They aim to understand how these organisms adapted to survive in extreme environments, which could expand the understanding of life's potential habitats.
A team of researchers identified a protein called RAC2 that appears to drive the foreign body response, which causes the body to reject biomedical implants. Suppressing production of this protein could reduce the risk of implant rejection and improve the design and safety of implants.
A recent study by Kate McDowell found that librarians face obstacles such as fear of data and time constraints when using data storytelling. To overcome these barriers, McDowell suggests prioritizing storytelling before data storage to make the most of data collection.
Researchers identified potential therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease and other conditions using a new approach combining AI-driven target identification with protein phase separation analysis. The study provides insights into the role of protein phase separation in human disease and its potential as a therapeutic target.
Researchers at Linköping University develop a new method to deliver strong compounds specifically to bacteria, allowing for efficient and safe treatment of infections. The TOUCAN strategy uses nucleases to target bacterial DNA, reducing side effects associated with current antibiotics.
Astronomers used James Webb Space Telescope to discover that Milky Way-like galaxies are surprisingly common and dominated throughout the universe's history. These 'disk' galaxies formed 10 billion years ago or longer and were previously thought to be fragile in early Universe.
A Texas A&M research team found that a population of endangered red-crowned parrots is thriving in urban areas, with four main roosts in the Rio Grande Valley. The parrots' adaptability to human environments and lack of competition for food sources make them an unusual example of a species doing well in urban areas.
Scientists have identified a specific process that helps control transposable elements, which destabilize the genetic code and contribute to aging. Strengthening this pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans extended its lifespan.
University of Queensland researchers have identified a novel molecule that could overcome cancer drug resistance and prevent tumour regrowth in cancer patients. The newly discovered molecule is not currently a target for treatment, opening the potential for new drug development to combat this major cause of death in cancer patients.
Researchers have developed a new method to detect microRNA targets at the level of single cells, allowing for detailed study of gene regulation. This breakthrough enables researchers to follow microRNA targeting of thousands of RNAs during biological processes, revealing surprising complexity in each cell.
The researchers created nanoribbons made of phosphorus and tiny amounts of arsenic, which were able to conduct electricity at high temperatures. The arsenic-phosphorus ribbons have also turned out to be magnetic, opening up possibilities for quantum computers.
Researchers at PNNL have developed ultra-low radiation cables to minimize interference from cosmic radiation, increasing sensitivity and flexibility in detector design. These cables can help solve key mysteries of the universe, including dark matter and neutrino properties.