News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
Researchers have discovered how Golden staph, a common bacterial infection, hides inside human cells to avoid detection. The study used InToxSa, a new methodology that enables the study of Golden staph behavior on a large scale.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have discovered two existing drugs that show signs of being effective in treating lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a rare and devastating lung disease. The study found that these drugs target a novel pathway dysregulated in LAM, which could lead to the development of a cure.
New research from the University of Manchester reveals that areas rich in marine life are significantly impacting our ecosystems and climate. The study found that urea, a nitrogen-rich compound, is being transported over long distances through the atmosphere to benefit nutrient-deficient environments.
Researchers found rock-forming elements in the atmosphere of WASP-76 b, which suggests it might have accreted a smaller Mercury-like planet. The discovery provides unprecedented insight into the presence and abundance of rock-forming elements in giant planets.
Researchers discovered the abundance of rock-forming elements in WASP-76 b's atmosphere, which matches its host star and our own Sun closely. The team found that certain elements are depleted due to temperature conditions, providing insight into the sensitivity of giant planet atmospheres.
Researchers found that psychedelic drugs such as LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA reopen critical periods in mice, enabling them to learn from their social environment. The length of time the critical period stayed open varied among drugs, with some lasting up to four weeks.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have discovered a gene that drives the switch between chronic and acute P. aeruginosa infections. The gene encodes a small RNA called SicX, which plays a vital role in bacterial respiration under low oxygen conditions.
Scientists at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have uncovered the structure of the first step in amyloid formation for Huntington's disease. The team proposes a new method for treating not only Huntington's but potentially dozens of other amyloid-associated diseases by preventing the initial, rate-limiting step from occurring.
Researchers found tiny salt crystals in an asteroid sample, indicating the presence of liquid water. The discovery challenges previous assumptions that ordinary chondrite asteroids lack hydrated minerals.
The InVADER Mission successfully deployed a high-tech laser laboratory on the ocean floor, marking a paradigm shift in ocean research and exploration. The Laser Divebot collects compositional data without disturbing the environment, removing the need for physical samples.
CHOP researchers have developed stable, universal MHC-I molecules that can be produced rapidly at scale, allowing for the development of effective and universal immunotherapies. These engineered MHC-I molecules promote peptide exchange across multiple HLA allotypes, covering various forms.
The USC Stem Cell team is developing artificial kidney organoids using human stem cells and synthetic biology. They aim to create a functional kidney that resembles the real thing in function but not in form.
Scientists have developed a novel photonics system that can measure low-energy dynamics of complex physical phenomena with high time resolution. This breakthrough approach combines terahertz spectroscopy and real-time monitoring to facilitate discoveries in materials science.
Researchers have identified a second circumbinary planet, BEBOP-1c, in the TOI-1338/BEBOP-1 system using state-of-the-art instruments. The newly discovered planet has a mass 65 times larger than Earth and orbits both stars at once.
A new study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that the quality of life and self-esteem of children with short stature are associated with coping skills and social supports, rather than their height. The researchers suggest that addressing short stature through a broader, psychosocial approach might have a more positive impac...
The American Heart Association invites researchers to compete in a data challenge to better understand how lipoprotein(a) levels impact cardiovascular disease and stroke risk. The winning project can receive a $40,000 cash prize.
Winship Cancer Institute has received renewal of its National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center designation, solidifying its position as Georgia's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. The designation recognizes Winship's strong research programs, robust shared resources, and first-rate scientists.
The Shape Up! Keiki research study aims to create a better way to measure and describe health from body shape, focusing on identifying obesity risks in young children. Participants aged 5 years or younger will be compensated $200 for their time.
Researchers from Universitat de Barcelona and Universitat Internacional de Catalunya discuss the non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase Src as a good example of an oncogene. Targeting the Src N-terminal regulatory element (SNRE) has potential as oncotargets to inhibit Src activity only in cancer cells.
Researchers found that introducing magnetic defects into topological insulators leads to competing ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions, which control the material's magnetic order. This discovery could have significant implications for reducing energy footprints in computing and electricity transmission.
Researchers have calculated the heavy quark diffusion coefficient, which describes how quickly quarks and gluons transfer their momentum to heavier quarks. The calculation reveals that heavy quarks are strongly interacting with the surrounding plasma, making it difficult for them to change direction.
LSU Health New Orleans researchers found that a combination therapy using Neuroprotectin D1 and Resolvin D1 boosted brain cell survival, growth, and stability. The therapy showed promising results in reducing lesion volume and improving neurological function in acute ischemic stroke models.
Scientists at the University of Illinois Chicago have discovered a peptide from fruit flies that protects insects from bacterial infections by binding to ribosomes in bacteria. The peptide, called drosocin, inhibits translation termination when the ribosome reaches the stop signal at the end of the gene.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys have discovered a new treatment for autoimmune diseases using LY3361237, an antibody that activates BTLA to inhibit the immune system. The study provides insight into the molecular biology of the immune system and could lead to the development of more effective therapies.
Researchers discovered that targeting specific blood vessel enzymes can enhance immunotherapy effectiveness and prevent breast cancer metastasis. By disabling the enzyme DNMT1 in blood vessels, doctors may bolster anti-tumor immune cells entry and increase patients' response to treatment.
Researchers discovered that air quality monitoring stations worldwide are collecting eDNA, providing a treasure trove of biodiversity data. This could solve the global problem of tracking biodiversity at massive scales, with thousands of locations and decades of historic data.
Researchers developed a method using artificial intelligence to track changes in brain synapses, enabling better understanding of how connections change with learning, aging, injury and disease. Machine learning was leveraged to enhance image quality, allowing for detection and tracking of individual synapses.
UofL researchers, led by Jun Yan, will investigate the causes of immune system overresponse in COVID-19 patients, leading to severe lung disease and death. They aim to develop methods to predict, prevent or control this response with potential treatments for other conditions.
A University of Virginia-led study challenges traditional understanding of associative polymers' behavior, revealing that reversible bonds slow down polymer movement without creating a rubbery network. This discovery has implications for materials used in sustainability, health, and engineering applications.
The study found that the immune response to spinal-cord injuries is impaired in older individuals, leading to weaker cell responses and reduced recovery. The researchers identified an essential role for the meninges surrounding the spinal cord in mounting the immune response, paving the way for new therapeutic approaches.
Researchers updated their protein localization prediction model, MULocDeep, to provide more targeted predictions for biological discoveries. The tool helps researchers design more effective experiments and advance scientific discoveries related to drug development and treating diseases like epilepsy.
Researchers found two antimicrobial agents that are more effective in treating the disease-causing agent Treponema pallidum in a laboratory setting. The discovery opens new doors in understanding the disease and finding ways to prevent infection and intervene.
Researchers at Colorado State University have made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding how mountains form, revealing that deep Earth processes are the primary drivers of mountain building in subduction zones. By combining novel data sets and techniques with traditional geomorphology measurements, the team generated a long-term ...
Researchers, led by Elizabeth King, aim to develop a knowledge base on complex genetic traits using fruit fly models. The project seeks to address the scientific knowledge gap in this field by focusing on interconnectedness among multiple factors.
University of Washington researchers have detected atomic vibrations, also known as phonons, in a two-dimensional atomic system. The discovery could help encode and transmit quantum information through light-based systems.
A new kind of superconducting vortex has been found, dividing the magnetic flux into a wider range of values than previously thought. This discovery challenges the prevailing understanding of superconductivity and potentially opens up new possibilities for superconducting electronics.
Researchers identified mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs targeted by stress granule proteins, which accumulate AD-associated gene transcripts in these structures. SGs may play a key role in regulating AD development through the impairment of protein neurohomeostasis.
Researchers have developed strong and ductile titanium alloys by integrating alloy and 3D-printing process designs, enabling new sustainable applications in aerospace, biomedical, and energy technologies. The breakthrough utilizes circular economy thinking to produce alloys from industrial waste and low-grade materials.
A new study reveals the molecular structure of UCP1, allowing scientists to develop therapeutics that activate it to burn excess calories. This breakthrough could combat obesity and related diseases like diabetes by activating brown fat tissue.
Researchers at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology have made a breakthrough in creating ultra-photostable avalanching nanoparticles that can perform unlimited photoswitching. This achievement has significant implications for fields like optical probes, 3D optical memory, and super-resolution microscopy.
A WVU researcher is developing a data-driven approach to enhance roadway maintenance operations, incorporating AI analysis of real-time data from sensors on consumer cars and roadside observation stations. The goal is to minimize time and resources spent on less affected roadways, reducing winter maintenance costs and time.
Researchers presented findings on pembrolizumab for brain metastases, virtual mind-body interventions for post-treatment survival, and dynamic HER2-low status in triple negative breast cancer. The studies aim to improve treatments and outcomes for patients with cancer.
The study reveals the life cycles of four Lonomia Walker species, characterized by unique morphological features. New parasitoids and host plants have also been discovered, shedding light on the complex relationships within this genus.
Alternative gene splicing has been linked to an increased risk of alcohol use disorder (AUD), according to a recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry. The researchers identified 27 exon skipping events that may contribute to AUD risk, opening up new possibilities for finding new therapeutics.
The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered a massive plume of water vapor on Saturn's moon Enceladus, stretching over 6,000 miles. This finding has significant implications for the search for life beyond Earth, as it suggests that Enceladus may have the necessary ingredients for habitability.
A low-cost catalyst developed by Argonne National Laboratory can produce clean hydrogen from water at a lower cost, making it an ideal choice for replacing fossil fuels and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The new catalyst uses cobalt instead of expensive iridium, significantly reducing the cost and increasing efficiency.
Astronomers at MIT and University of Wisconsin have discovered two validated planets, K2-416 b and K2-417 b, in Kepler's last week of high-quality data. The third planet candidate, EPIC 246251988 b, orbits its star every 10 days and is slightly farther away from Earth than the other two.
Two researchers will receive $1 million each for their five-year studies on new medication-based approaches to repair damaged aortas, as well as the effects of exercise on healing heart muscle and brain tissue after a heart attack or stroke. The American Heart Association's Merit Award supports innovative research with high impact.
Researchers found that distant cancers alter liver function by inducing fat accumulation and inflammation in liver cells. The process involves secretion of extracellular vesicles containing fatty acids, which reprogram the liver to resemble fatty liver disease.
Researchers at the University of Córdoba have identified the composition of a Roman perfume over 2,000 years old, with patchouli being the primary scent. The perfume was found in a vessel made of quartz and sealed with dolomite and bitumen, allowing for its preservation.
Researchers have discovered that HER3 plays a crucial role in promoting cell survival in metastatic colorectal and pancreatic cancer. The surrounding liver microenvironment activates HER3, making it an emerging therapeutic target for these types of cancer.
New research from Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences reveals that coccolithophores can survive in low-light conditions by taking up dissolved organic forms of carbon. This finding challenges current understanding of the biological and alkalinity pumps driving carbon transport in the ocean.
A team of researchers has identified TAK1 as a regulator of skeletal muscle mass, slowing down disease progression and improving muscle function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. By targeting this protein, they can suppress muscle fiber death and enhance myofiber growth, offering a promising new approach to treatment.
Researchers discover a molecule that destroys aged cells without affecting healthy ones, paving the way for delaying tissue ageing. Testing with animal models will now begin to explore its potential anti-cancer effects and improve life expectancy.
NERC has invested £25 million in a host of high-risk, high-reward research projects tackling key unanswered questions about our planet. The projects cover geology, atmospheric science, biodiversity and ecology, with research spanning 3-4 years and funding up to £1.3 million.
A Rensselaer research team led by Sangwoo Lee found that crystal structures are not always regularly arranged. The discovery has implications for materials used in semiconductors, solar panels, and electric vehicle technologies.
Scientists have discovered weak, fossilised sediments beneath the seafloor of Antarctica's eastern Ross Sea, which led to massive underwater landslides. These layers made the area susceptible to failure due to past climate change.
Astronomers have discovered an Earth-sized exoplanet, LP 791-18 d, which orbits a small red dwarf star in the constellation Crater. The planet may experience volcanic flare-ups as frequently as Jupiter's moon Io, potentially making it habitable for life. However, more research is needed to confirm its atmosphere, water content, and hab...
Researchers at Michigan Medicine have discovered a new nutrient source that pancreatic cancer cells use to grow in the absence of glucose. Uridine is found in the tumor microenvironment and its exact source remains unknown. Blocking uridine metabolism may lead to new treatment options for pancreatic cancer.
A new machine learning-based model predicts individual cardiac surgery patient mortality risk with improved performance over current population-derived models. The model uses electronic health records to provide personalized risk assessments, offering a significant advantage over existing benchmarks.