News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
A Berkeley Lab-led team has designed a new type of solid electrolyte consisting of a mix of various metal elements, resulting in a more conductive and less dependent material. The new design could advance solid-state batteries with high energy density and superior safety, potentially overcoming long-standing challenges.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed heterostructures that support the prediction of counterpropagating charged edge modes at the v=2/3 fractional quantum Hall state. The team's experiment measured an electrical conductance equal to half the fundamental value of e^2/h, consistent with theoretical predictions.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin developed a new method to create dust-resistant surfaces using nanocoining and nanoimprinting techniques. The resulting surfaces can clean themselves due to their tightly packed pyramid-shaped structures, which prevent dust particles from sticking to the material.
A new approach to boosting protein production has been discovered, which could lead to the generation of a universal booster for protein production. The breakthrough centers on Exin21, a sequence that increases mRNA synthesis and stability and protein expression and secretion.
Researchers Jack Griffith and Taghreed Al-Turki found that telomeres at chromosome tips can encode two small proteins with potent biological properties. The VR protein is elevated in some human cancer cells and may serve as a biomarker for age-related diseases.
Scientists have created a non-destructive method to detect and differentiate gibberellins, a class of plant hormones crucial for growth. The new nanosensors can identify changes in GA levels across various plant species, enabling early interventions against salinity stress.
Researchers have discovered thousands of new miniproteins in human organs, which challenge the assumption that they are insignificant and functionless. The proteins were found to interact with older proteins, suggesting a key role in cellular functions.
Researchers used AgRenSeq genomic discovery method to identify two genes protecting experimental wheat plants against wheat blast. The study highlights the power of heritage wheat varieties and wild grass relatives in providing disease-fighting diversity.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have identified a vital contributor to hyperactive immune responses and neuroinflammation in multiple sclerosis. Blocking this regulator alleviated harmful inflammation in lab mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for new treatments.
The Strategically Focused Research Network on Obesity has published its findings, revealing new information about the causes of obesity and its link to cardiovascular disease. The research team made significant strides in understanding the interface between obesity and cardiovascular disease, including the role of a specific drug target.
Scientists have discovered a new virus that can kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The virus, named Fyn8, was found in local creeks near the University of Southern Denmark campus and has been fully sequenced.
The Purdue University team has proposed a quantum device that can theoretically model and test emergent particles, including the Fibonacci anyon. This discovery could lead to more efficient quantum computing technology by resisting decoherence.
Scientists at the University of Adelaide have constructed the first reference genome for psyllium husk, a versatile plant-derived product used to improve gut health and control blood cholesterol. The discovery will pave the way for improvements to the quality and quantity of psyllium crops.
Scientists at University of Warwick and Politecnico di Milano developed a tool to regulate bacterial electric signals with light, opening new avenues for understanding antimicrobial resistance. This technology could help explain how some bacteria survive antibiotic exposure.
Researchers at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have identified CD70 as a novel therapeutic target for eliminating drug-resistant cancer cells in EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. CD70 targeting strategies showed significant anti-tumor activity, eliminating resistant cells in laboratory models.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered a new mechanism, called H2A-H2B mediated epigenetic memory, that helps cells preserve their information and functionality during division. This discovery could lead to new treatments for cancer and aging by modulating cellular processes.
Researchers from The University of Queensland have identified new active compounds in Hericium erinaceus that promote neuron projections, extending and connecting to other neurons. This discovery could lead to treatments and protection against neurodegenerative cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
A new solid-state crystal growth (SSCG) technique has been developed to manipulate materials' properties by controlling crystallographic orientation. This method allows for large single crystals with desired orientations to be grown easily and inexpensively.
A Flinders University-led research team will explore Aboriginal cultural heritage sites in Limmen National Park using $800,000 ARC Linkage Funding. The project combines archaeological and anthropological data to understand Marra cultural history and inform the management of sensitive cultural heritage sites.
A 250.8 million-year-old fossil find reveals complex marine ecosystems on Earth just one million years after the Permian-Triassic mass extinction, contradicting long-held theories. The discovery provides insights into life's rapid recovery from extreme crises and necessitates a re-evaluation of early Triassic ocean conditions.
Scientists at Indiana University School of Medicine have developed a new treatment that blocks anaphylaxis caused by peanut allergies, potentially saving lives. The covalent heterobivalent inhibitor (cHBI) was tested in animal models and showed promise in preventing allergic reactions for over two weeks.
Researchers discovered a size threshold beyond which antiferroelectric materials become ferroelectric, losing energy storage advantages. At thicknesses below 40 nm, the material becomes completely ferroelectric, while above 270 nm, ferroelectric regions appear.
Researchers at Aston University have discovered a new approach to process LDF light signals, allowing for more precise measurement of blood flow in specific areas of the vascular bed. This innovation has shown significant improvement in diagnostic accuracy for detecting microvascular changes in patients with type 2 diabetes and age-spe...
Researchers at the University of Arizona found that rock ants follow a methodical search strategy, combining systematized meandering with random movement to efficiently explore new areas. This unique behavior may provide insights into the evolution of exploration strategies in other species.
Researchers found associations between cancer treatments and accumulated mutations in blood cells, a sign of accelerated aging called clonal hematopoiesis. This accumulation increases the risk of blood cancer and death in long-term childhood cancer survivors.
Researchers at USC Keck School of Medicine have identified two new avenues for treating diverse forms of ALS by suppressing genes and inhibiting proteins. The findings suggest that targeting SYF2 gene suppression and PIKFYVE kinase inhibition may lead to broadly effective treatments for the disease.
Researchers developed new spiro-pyrazolo quinazoline derivatives with reduced bee toxicity without compromising insecticidal activity. The compounds showed promising results, including one compound with an LD50 value three to four orders of magnitude lower than fipronil.
A UCF cancer researcher is studying the molecular causes of Alzheimer's disease by examining a protein deficiency in the brain. His research may lead to new targets for therapy and earlier diagnosis. The study focuses on KLF8, a protein important for brain function that has been recorded as deficient in patients with Alzheimer's.
Researchers at the University of Calgary discovered a reduction in brain function's brake signal contributes to decisions about eating in obese mice. The study found that when this region is disabled, lean mice continue to overeat despite feeling full.
Researchers at Cornell University found that wild bumblebee queens are being killed in commercial hives due to their attractive colors and smells. The study used queen excluders to test the hypothesis that these hyper-attractive cues are attracting usurping wild queens, leading to their deaths.
Scientists made a groundbreaking discovery that lymphatic vessels can produce both red and white blood cells, challenging the long-held belief that blood cells come solely from bone marrow. The study suggests that lymphatic vessels may play a role in fighting infection and could be important for treating certain blood cancers.
Researchers found a unique, silent frog species in Tanzania's Ukaguru Mountains, highlighting the importance of conservation and understanding diverse ecosystems. The discovery provides critical information for protecting this critically endangered species and its habitat.
A University of Houston engineer has made a groundbreaking discovery that could improve pharmaceuticals by controlling the growth of ammonium urate crystals. By manipulating tautomers, researchers found that a small fraction can control crystal growth, potentially preventing crystallization and related health issues.
Researchers at Rice University have developed light-activated nanoscale drills that can kill pathogenic fungi, providing a potential new treatment option for fungal infections. The molecular machines target the mitochondria of fungal cells, disrupting cellular metabolism and leading to cell death.
Researchers discovered the most efficient way to produce ammonia through electrochemical synthesis, increasing its sustainability. The D5 step site on ruthenium nanoparticles was found to be the most active site for the nitrogen reduction reaction.
Researchers identified 7 key symptoms of long COVID, including heart issues and joint pain, in a study of 52,461 patients. The findings could help healthcare providers diagnose and treat the condition more effectively.
Archaeologists conclude that Anglo-Saxon monasteries were more resilient to Viking attacks than previously thought. Lyminge monastery, located in Kent, endured repeated attacks but resisted collapse for almost a century through effective defensive strategies.
A study by UC San Francisco and Stanford Medicine found that removing the oxytocin receptor does not interfere with monogamy or giving birth. Prairie voles bred without receptors for oxytocin showed similar mating, attachment, and parenting behaviors as regular voles.
Scientists have identified a new species of microalgae, Medakamo hakoo, which has the smallest known genome of any freshwater algae. The discovery could lead to the mass production of substances such as functional foods, cosmetics, and biofuels at low cost.
Researchers have discovered a new form of carbon, LOPC, which consists of 'broken C60 cages' connected by long-range periodicity. The formation of LOPC occurs under specific temperature and carbon/Li3N ratio conditions, and its characterization reveals unique electrical conductivity properties.
Researchers from UTSA and UT Health San Antonio are developing compounds that target the estrogen receptor-beta, which suppresses cancer growth. The goal is to identify a novel ER-beta agonist with potential as a therapeutic strategy for treating GBM in patients.
Research from Texas A&M University reveals that male alcohol use has a significant negative influence on in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates. The study highlights the importance of expanding fertility and prepregnancy messaging to emphasize the reproductive dangers of alcohol use by both parents.
Researchers studied cavefish metabolism to understand how humans might adapt over long periods of inactivity, finding genetic changes that enable muscle endurance and efficient energy storage. The study suggests potential implications for understanding and mitigating the negative effects of sedentary lifestyles on human health.
Researchers have discovered an anti-ageing gene that can rewind the heart's biological age by 10 years, offering a potential target for patients with heart failure. The study found that administering the healthy mutant gene to elderly patients with severe heart problems improved their cardiac function and rejuvenated their immune system.
The Australian black swan's genetic makeup makes it highly susceptible to viral illnesses like avian flu. Without common immune genes found in other waterfowl, the species is at risk of decimation if HPAI enters its native habitat.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia developed ESPRESSO, a new computational tool that can accurately discover and quantify RNA molecules from error-prone long-read RNA sequencing data. This will enable better diagnosis of rare genetic diseases and discovery of potential therapeutic targets in cancer.
Researchers successfully applied AlphaFold AI to an end-to-end platform, discovering a novel target and developing a potent hit molecule for liver cancer. The study demonstrates the potential of AI-powered drug discovery to accelerate treatment development.
Researchers have identified the genetic secrets behind skullcap's anti-cancer activity, enabling the production of synthetic compounds. The discovery is expected to lead to more sustainable and rapid synthesis of cancer-fighting molecules.
A Canadian-led research team has discovered how the protein PCSK9 degrades LDL receptors, leading to increased cholesterol levels. HLA-C plays a critical role in this process, which could lead to new treatments for cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers.
Researchers have characterized the tar spot pathogen on a molecular level, revealing its virulence molecules target specific plant organelles. This study advances our understanding of plant-pathogen interactions and contributes to developing disease control strategies.
A new species record of mesophotic kelp was discovered in the Galapagos Islands, characterized by its extensive and dense kelp forest at depths of ~50m. The research highlights the importance of these forests as ecosystem engineers and supports for marine life, with potential implications for carbon sequestration.
Researchers found that many changes to human DNA had opposing effects, with some variants making enhancers stronger while others made them weaker. This discovery has implications for understanding human evolution and the potential link between human DNA variations and psychiatric diseases.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have successfully discovered new materials using artificial intelligence and self-assembly. The AI-driven technique led to the discovery of three new nanostructures, expanding the scope of self-assembly's applications in microelectronics and catalysis.
Researchers discovered that viral infections like SARS-CoV-2 and influenza destroy a natural immunity needed to resist fungal infections. This leads to impaired cooperation between white blood cells, allowing fungi to take root. The study reveals potential repurposing of current therapies to replace damaged antibodies.
Scientists have mapped out over 300 protein kinases and their targets, which could yield new leads for cancer drugs. The comprehensive atlas helps researchers identify signaling pathways that differ between normal and cancerous cells, or between treated and untreated cancer cells.
The São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Epidemic Preparedness will bring together researchers from various fields to discuss core tracks such as mathematical modeling, genomics, epidemiological surveillance, and public health policies. Participants will engage in simulated situation rooms and hands-on experience with leading faculty.
A multidisciplinary team of UC students developed a new understanding of spinal column formation and reengineered the process in mutant zebrafish. This breakthrough could lead to possible treatments for scoliosis in humans.
Researchers at Iowa State University have identified a metabolic switch that can be modified to control fat production, which could lead to more effective treatments for childhood obesity and cancer. The discovery involves altering the acetylation levels of fatty acid synthase, an enzyme critical to de novo lipogenesis.
A new study uses serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography to reveal the structure of NendoU protein at room temperature. The resulting high-resolution image shows that the protein's flexibility plays a crucial role in its functional mechanism, which is essential for designing antiviral drugs against SARS-CoV-2.
Complimentary press passes are now available for Discover BMB, featuring leading experts and the latest advances in molecular life science. Qualifying journalists can register online to attend the March 25-28 event.