News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
A long-term study has found a connection between abdominal aortic calcification and late-life dementia risk. Researchers discovered that women with medium to high levels of AAC were twice as likely to be hospitalized or die from late-life dementia.
A reference genome for the wild relative of cultivated tomatoes has been developed to improve crop yields and disease resistance. Researchers have also created online tools to facilitate gene discovery and analysis.
Lithium niobate photonics has developed rapidly, enabling compact devices with high performance. Thin film lithium niobate (TFLN) structures have shown significant improvements in refractive index contrast, paving the way for more integrated photonic devices.
Scientists discovered a new species of giant filamentous bacterium, Thiomargarita magnifica, with DNA clustered within membrane-bound compartments. This unique organism challenges traditional understanding of bacterial morphology and genomic complexity.
Scientists have created a membrane made from a waste by-product of vegetable oil manufacturing that can filter out heavy metals from contaminated water. The membrane uses proteins derived from peanut or sunflower oil production to attract and trap heavy metal ions, purifying water to international drinking standards.
A multidisciplinary study by the University of Minnesota found that girls and boys show similar rates of concerns for autism spectrum disorder when screened earlier. The research identified subtle differences in core symptoms but corrected for these biases to reveal a 'high concern' group with an equal sex ratio.
A new species of sea anemone has been discovered off the coast of Japan, forming a symbiotic relationship with the hermit crab. The anemone attaches itself to the crab's shell using a hard shell-like secretion, while the crab taps and pinches the anemone to move it to its new shell.
Researchers at Scripps Research have identified a protein in sensory nerves that detects mechanical itch, which could lead to better drug treatments for chronic itch conditions. The discovery was made by Ardem Patapoutian and his team, who found that PIEZO1 is expressed in two types of sensory neurons implicated in chemical itch.
Researchers have discovered a protein produced by soft-tissue sarcoma tumors that changes the biology of surrounding immune cells, promoting tumor growth. The study could lead to improved treatments for this rare and aggressive cancer type.
A new study reveals that COVID-19 variants are formed in chronic patients with weakened immune systems, who experience prolonged infections. This leads to the accumulation of mutations, similar to those found in severe illness variants.
Researchers analyzed data from over 1.3 million patients and found females experience ear, nose, and throat issues, mood disorders, and fatigue, while males are more likely to suffer from renal disorders. Sex-disaggregated research is crucial for effective therapies and public health interventions.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Cancer have identified a novel immune checkpoint pathway that could lead to better understanding and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. The study suggests that blocking this pathway, combined with immunotherapy, may provide a new therapeutic strategy for liver cancer.
A new study suggests that the bones of fallen Battle of Waterloo soldiers were likely sold as fertilizer due to the scarcity of human remains found on the battlefield. The research, published in the Journal of Conflict Archaeology, is based on original data and visitor accounts from the time period.
A global team led by Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey has secured $25 million to study cachexia, a debilitating wasting condition responsible for up to 30% of cancer deaths. The team plans to build a deep understanding of what causes cachexia and develop novel treatments.
Researchers use computational approach VarC to study the spatial relationships between protein variants, revealing that most cystic fibrosis patients have an unstable inner core. This understanding allows for modeling potential compounds and designing more effective drugs.
Researchers at Kyoto University identified the mechanism behind active inflammation and immunosuppression in tumor microenvironments. EP2/EP4 inhibitors suppress tumor growth by allowing regulatory T cells to infiltrate and activate within tumors, benefiting patients with certain cancers.
The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture's REM Lab uses eye-tracking technology to study consumer preferences, product evaluations, and behavior. The lab aims to develop new solutions in multiple agricultural industries, with potential applications in marketing design and product displays.
Researchers at Cornell University named a new green alga species after poet Amanda Gorman, who inspired them during a challenging year. The discovery was made by accident while studying hornwort plants and contains unique DNA from fungi and bacteria.
Scientists have identified a key mechanism causing the heart's muscle to thicken, leading to irregular rhythms and heart failure. A new peptide treatment could prevent or stop further thickening, offering hope for patients with cardiac hypertrophy.
A recent study published in Angewandte Chemie found that AI models struggle to predict reaction yields due to biased data, mainly caused by a lack of reported failed experiments. The researchers attribute this failure to three possible causes: experimental error, personal bias, and underreporting of negative results.
Researchers found that zinc ion serves as a master-regulator of various processes in sperm to facilitate fertilization. Zinc helps maintain sperm in the non-capacitated state, preventing premature capacitation during artificial insemination.
A group of researchers discovered a new species of green algae, Gormaniella terricola, in Central New York State. The alga's unique chloroplast genome was found to contain DNA from fungi and bacteria, highlighting the importance of horizontal transfer.
Researchers at MIT identified a flawed analysis of website-fingerprinting attacks and developed new techniques to prevent them. They found that attackers can use machine-learning algorithms to decode signals leaked between software programs, enabling them to obtain private information.
A new genetic study published in Nature Genetics found that roughly one in five invasive breast cancers following ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are genetically unrelated to the original DCIS. The findings provide a deeper understanding of DCIS biology and suggest that DCIS should be considered a risk factor for the development of inv...
Researchers have created a new electrical test to screen hundreds of gene mutations, pinpointing harmful mutations that cause inherited heart disorders and sudden death. The breakthrough can identify genetic variants associated with neurological conditions, muscle and kidney diseases.
Scientists have discovered a new molecule, ERX-41, that effectively targets and kills cancer cells with elevated endoplasmic reticulum stress. The compound exploits the weakness in cells not previously targeted by other drugs, showing promise for patients with triple-negative breast cancer and other hard-to-treat cancers.
Researchers discovered Zophobas morio 'superworms' can survive on polystyrene diet, suggesting they can derive energy from it. The worms' gut microbes are believed to play a crucial role in breaking down the plastic material.
The Gloucester, a warship that sank in 1682 while carrying James Stuart, has been discovered off the Norfolk coast. The wreck is significant due to its age and political context, offering insights into 17th-century social, maritime, and political history.
Researchers will track changes in the blood-brain barrier, neurovascular function, and cognition in over 850 participants with genetic variants at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The study aims to improve understanding of the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease and identify effective interventions.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed nano-sensors that can detect pesticide residues on fruit surfaces in just five minutes. The sensors use flame-sprayed nanoparticles made from silver to increase the signal of chemicals, overcoming high production costs and limited batch-to-batch reproducibility.
Researchers have identified glycans in mucus that can prevent Candida albicans from causing infection. These molecules can be used to develop new antifungal medicines or make disease-causing fungus more susceptible to existing drugs.
Researchers at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology observed structural chirality in achiral conjugated polymers, which can enhance solar cells' charge capacity. This discovery introduces new opportunities for research at the convergence of biology and electronics.
The INCLUDE Data Hub provides centralized access to large-scale research resources, including biospecimen libraries and clinical datasets, for the study of Down syndrome. With over 8,000 study participants and 30,000 biospecimens, researchers can accelerate discoveries that benefit people with Down syndrome.
Researchers used drone data to analyze vegetation indicators, such as color appearances, to predict southern rust outbreaks. The study revealed a positive correlation between the presence of southern rust at grain-filling time and yield, enabling informed decision making for growers.
Researchers have identified an anti-malarial compound, ML901, that inhibits the malaria parasite without harming mammalian cells. The compound works by hijacking a reaction to make the parasite self-destruct, showing rapid and prolonged action against resistant strains.
Researchers developed a methodological framework to ensure web data validity in marketing studies. The study provides recommendations for addressing challenges in collecting and using web data via web scraping and APIs.
A team of researchers has found a way to block the replication of one strain of the influenza virus in human cells by inhibiting a specific protein modification process called SUMOylation. This breakthrough could lead to highly effective treatments for the flu and other respiratory viruses.
Scientists at Scripps Research discovered a genetic mutation in PIEZO1 ion channel that impacts tendon biology and boosts the physical performance of mice. Mice with the PIEZO1 mutation had wider tendons, more compliant structures, and could store three times more energy.
A new study reveals that Manx shearwaters use dynamic soaring to harvest wind energy and travel efficiently across the ocean. The birds' ability to adapt their flight patterns to optimize energy gain suggests a potentially game-changing strategy for drones and other aerial vehicles.
A SUTD study has uncovered the reservoir filling strategies and operating rules of China's big hydropower dams on the Lancang-Mekong river. The data shows that dam operations remained steady during a severe drought, indicating no need for emergency releases to mitigate its impact.
This study shows how specific brain regions control the immune response during acute stress, highlighting the detrimental effect on fighting off infection. Researchers found that acute stress prompts a major migration of immune cells, diminishing an immune response to viruses like COVID-19 and influenza.
Researchers found that severe asthma patients produce growth factors that block corticosteroids from working, leading to frequent breathing problems. This discovery may lead to new treatments targeting these growth factors to improve outcomes for patients with severe asthma.
The Frontier supercomputer has achieved an unprecedented level of computing performance, breaking the exascale barrier with 1.1 exaflops of performance. This milestone enables scientists to tackle previously unsolvable problems in fields like energy and national security.
Researchers at Georgia State University have been awarded over $6 million to develop antiviral drugs targeting COVID-19 and other viral threats. The funding will support the establishment of a new Midwest Antiviral Drug Discovery Center, which aims to build a pipeline of antiviral drugs.
Recent studies from Cedars-Sinai have shed light on the importance of a gene in embryo development and its potential link to physical abnormalities. Additionally, research has shown that getting vaccinated against Covid-19 can strengthen immune responses in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. The institution is also working on ne...
Virginia Tech scientists led by Sora Shin are investigating the brain pathways responsible for high-fat diet overconsumption. The study aims to identify a framework for understanding how leptin-responsive circuits respond to food exposure and increase the risk of emotional overeating after abstinence.
The University of Louisville is launching a new campus to focus on health as a shared community resource, incorporating environmental and cultural factors. Researchers will engage with the community to discover how natural environments impact health.
Researchers uncovered intricate settlements in Bolivia's Llanos de Mojos savannah-forest, featuring elaborate structures and a vast network of reservoirs. The cities were built alongside nature, employing successful sustainable subsistence strategies that promoted conservationism and maintained rich biodiversity.
Researchers are utilizing UAVs to capture real-time images of rice crops, extract crop phenotypic traits from the images, and analyze that information to discover superior, high-yielding rice genotypes. The team aims to develop automated algorithms to identify key traits and select best-performing rice genotypes.
Australian researchers have discovered specific gene networks rewired to drive peanut allergy remission through a combination treatment of probiotic and oral immunotherapy. This network reprogramming shuts down the allergic immune response responsible for causing food allergies.
Research reveals pridopidine enhances autophagy in ALS model, reducing toxic protein aggregation and promoting neuronal health. The study supports pridopidine's potential as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington's disease and Alzheimer's.
Researchers discovered a specific glycoprotein, RPTP zeta S3L, that connects to CD33 receptors in the brain, limiting its ability to clean up harmful proteins. This finding may lead to new drug targets and early diagnostics for Alzheimer's disease.
A new study by USC researchers found a significant link between exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. Long-term PM2.5 exposure was associated with a higher risk of mortality from COVID-19.
The Mount Sinai Hospital will recruit eight postdoctoral trainees for a five-year fellowship program in emergency care research. The program aims to investigate complex medical questions and lead to studies transforming patient care.
A recent study published in JACC: Advances has discovered a significant correlation between the racial demographics of cardiovascular disease fellowship programs and the race of their program directors. The study, led by Indiana University researcher Ankur Kalra, found that fellows from diverse backgrounds are more likely to be accepte...
A study led by Tel Aviv University researchers reveals a common mechanism underlying genetic mutations associated with autism, schizophrenia, and other neurological disorders. The discovery points to an experimental drug developed by the team as a potential treatment for these conditions.
A landmark research article published in Science predicted exponential growth in US drug overdose deaths, which has now come true with over 100,000 annual deaths. The Pitt team suggests that a systems analysis and computational models are necessary to understand the deep causal drivers of the epidemic.
The BiCIKL Project has successfully integrated FAIR data on biodiversity for a year, focusing on creating a more transparent and efficient research ecosystem. The project aims to link different sources of biodiversity data across various infrastructures and open data platforms.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have made important discoveries on the crucial role of malnutrition in global tuberculosis, highlighting how gut infections impair treatment outcomes. A new funding partnership will train Tanzanian postdoctoral researchers to work specifically on this intersection.
Research team from Goethe University reproduces Asian monsoon conditions in experimental chamber, identifying increased aerosol particle formation. The study found that ice clouds can form under lower water vapour supersaturation than anticipated, affecting climate models' accuracy.