News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
A rare collection of non-returning boomerangs from Cooper Creek, South Australia, has been analysed, revealing a diverse range of activities and daily lives of Aboriginal people. The artefacts date back to circa 1650–1830 AD and were likely used for fighting, hunting, digging, fire management, and possibly in ceremonies.
A new study suggests that black holes grow in lockstep with the expanding universe, a phenomenon called cosmological coupling. This idea improves the explanation for large black hole masses observed in gravitational wave observatories.
A 26-year study on wild white-footed mice found that mice with physical impairments survived and thrived at a rate similar to their unimpaired counterparts. Mice with impairments had greater mass and larger home ranges, but no evidence of decreased fitness.
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have developed a novel therapy that targets proteins essential for tumor growth and survival. Using a multi-omics approach, they identified peptides unique to neuroblastoma tumors, which are then targeted by peptide-centric chimeric antigen receptors (PC-CARs).
Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered a central mechanism in plants that helps them deal with drought conditions and water shortages. They found that the ABA signal molecule is stored in inactive state in leaves and released under desired conditions, allowing plants to rapidly respond to changing environmental conditions.
A new analysis finds that 67 million US adults identify as disabled, with significant disparities among different socioeconomic and demographic groups. The study highlights the need for accurate data on disability to inform effective policies and solutions.
A new study by Lancaster University identifies four major concerns that hinder the adoption of reusable packaging: affordability, digitalization challenges, regulatory hurdles, and data collection limitations. To address these concerns, researchers propose implementing a track and trace system using unique barcodes to enable businesses...
Researchers at the University of Queensland have developed a method to produce unbreakable screens using liquid-phase sintering of lead halide perovskites and metal-organic framework glasses. This breakthrough could revolutionize the display industry with virtually indestructible displays.
A multidisciplinary team of researchers used a new X-ray technique to discover zinc-containing nanoparticles lodged within the wooden hull of the Mary Rose, leading to its deterioration. The nanoparticles, likely from anaerobic bacteria, have been found in conjunction with polymer deposits that were added to preserve the ship's remains.
Researchers found that future goals are represented by a pattern of neural activity resembling previous visits, and this activity can re-emerge upon decision to target a location. The orbitofrontal cortex plays a key role in representing future goals during navigation.
A five-year study aims to identify hormone responses in a population of Mexican Americans with prediabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and obesity. The research uses genetic data and physiologic testing to guide optimal treatments for diabetes, prediabetes, and related diseases.
A new study suggests that human presence on the Falkland Islands dates back to around 3450 B.C.E., with evidence of fire activity and stone projectile points consistent with Indigenous South American technology. The research indicates that people likely visited the islands for short-term stays, leaving few cultural materials behind.
A new beaked whale species has been discovered and named after Māori whale expert Ramari Stewart, highlighting the importance of Indigenous knowledge in scientific discovery. The species, Mesoplodon eueu, was found in South Africa and features a unique name that reflects its Indigenous roots.
A promising new antimalarial compound has been discovered in a collaboration between McMaster University and the University of Hamburg. The compound, duocarmycin PDE-I2, shows potent malaria-killing properties without the adverse effects of previously known compounds.
A Harvard University study estimates Americans perform about 30 minutes less moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily compared to 200 years ago. The decline is attributed to technology, with researchers using historical body temperature records as a 'thermometer' of population-level physical activity.
SMART researchers have discovered a practical method to overcome current challenges in the manufacture of indium gallium nitride (InGaN) LEDs with considerably higher indium concentration. The new approach uses intrinsic defects in semiconducting materials to form quantum dots that emit long-wavelength light.
A computer model developed by the University of Surrey researchers supports Bernard Williams' 40-year-old hypothesis that pressure changes cause fluid in the cavity to 'slosh', generating stress in the spinal cord tissue. The study shows that this process can lead to small cavities gradually expanding down the spinal cord.
Researchers developed a graphene-based electrode, the sutrode, to modulate spleen function and immune response in diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and sepsis. The device can control different terminal nerves, increasing precision in organ function regulation.
A new study revealed that global guidance for preventing Surgical Site Infections (SSI) is not effective and needs revision. The FALCON trial found no superiority of interventions like alcoholic chlorhexidine skin preparation and triclosan coated sutures over lower-cost alternatives.
A new study reveals that rural Americans face significant challenges in accessing COVID-19 treatment trials, with many living more than an hour away from the nearest trial site. Native Americans and Alaska Natives are particularly affected, with over 50% living more than 60 minutes from a trial site.
Researchers discovered a novel topological edge soliton that inherits topological protection from its linear counterpart, enabling robust and localized light beams. This breakthrough is achieved through nonlinear photorefractive lattices harnessing the valley Hall effect, without requiring an external magnetic field.
A team of scientists led by University of Hawaii at Manoa has discovered a newly-formed planet, 2M0437b, which can be directly observed. The planet is estimated to be several times more massive than Jupiter and formed with its star around the time of main Hawaiian Island emergence.
Researchers aim to generate a model of brain-fat communication system to regulate metabolism during environmental challenges. The study uses cutting-edge techniques like immunolabeling-enabled imaging to identify new components of neural circuits controlling brown and white fat tissues.
Aging affects bilateral coordination, particularly anti-phase movement, by altering alpha and beta neural activity. Researchers discovered that older subjects displayed lower synchronization between sides of the body during anti-phase movements, making such tasks more challenging.
A 'raptor-like' dinosaur was actually a timid, long-necked herbivore, according to recent reanalysis of fossil footprints found in an Australian coal mine. The Prosauropod, a plant-eating dinosaur with legs about 1.4 metres tall and a body length of six metres, is the earliest evidence of its kind in Australia, marking a 50-million-yea...
Researchers discovered carbon residue in ancient ruby, indicating early life presence, and graphite changed surrounding rocks' chemistry for favourable conditions
Researchers identified a protein leakage related to chronic airway diseases, which restricts breathing. Decreasing this leakage could improve asthma and COPD management by relaxing airways.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered a new path forward for processing titanium. Cryo-forging at ultra-low temperatures produces extra-strong nanotwinned titanium with improved strength and ductility. The material maintains its structure and properties at extreme temperatures, demonstrating its versatility.
A team of international scientists has discovered a 5-millimeter crab in 100-million-year-old amber, pushing back the age of non-marine crabs to at least 100 million years ago. The find provides new insights into the evolution of true crabs and their spread across the world.
Researchers have developed nanoparticles that can communicate with and slow the development of cancer cells. The nanoparticles aggregate in cancer cells, reducing metabolic activity and growth, and are activated by MMP-9 enzyme secreted by cancer cells.
Researchers found that somatostatin interneurons can cause seizures when they go haywire, disrupting the brain's balance. The study identified a rare epilepsy syndrome and developed mouse models to understand the neurological dysfunction, paving the way for new treatments.
A team of scientists has discovered the oldest modern-looking crab, Cretapsara athanata, preserved in 100-million-year-old amber. The fossil is remarkably complete, including delicate tissues and well-developed gills, revealing an aquatic to semi-aquatic animal that defies explanation for its preservation in tree resin.
Researchers at West Virginia University discovered a significant relationship between Christian nationalism and vaccine hesitancy, citing a national sample of 2,000 U.S. adults. They found that individuals embracing this ideology are less likely to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and express skepticism towards science.
Researchers from University of Copenhagen discover a protein analysis that can predict COVID-19 patient death or hospitalization with high accuracy, predicting 78.7% of hospitalizations and 93.9% of non-serious infections. This discovery has the potential to save lives by identifying high-risk individuals.
A UNSW-led study analyzing 10 years of citizen science data found that almost half of marine debris can be linked to land-based sources. Plastic accounts for 84% of the rubbish found on Australian beaches, with a significant portion coming from external sources such as stormwater drains near capital cities.
A new MIT study suggests that pedestrians choose routes that point most directly toward their destination, even if those routes are longer. This strategy, known as vector-based navigation, may have evolved to allow the brain to devote more power to other tasks.
Assistant Professor Kang Hao Cheong and his team discovered that chaotic switching for quantum coin Parrondo's games has similar underlying ideas to encryption. They found that using pre-generated chaotic sequences enhances the work, making it easier to invert the encrypted message to obtain the original state.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that the BRCA2 gene requires a specific enzyme, PP2A-B56, to repair DNA damage. This finding may pave the way for more targeted treatment of cancer patients with certain mutations.
University of Illinois Chicago researchers discovered a function of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 in an antiviral defense mechanism, limiting HSV-1 virus infection through rapid activation of antiviral immunity. The protein complex protects the host by preventing encephalitis and possible death due to HSV-1 infection.
Researchers at Arizona State University have refined cryogenic electron microscopy to produce more accurate structures of biological samples. The new method uses a statistical approach to model transitory structures, which can play a vital role in biological processes.
The StEER Network's post-event reconnaissance helped assess building damage from Hurricane Michael, revealing widespread wind- and surge-induced damage. The dataset has been used to develop data-driven fragilities, train machine learning applications, and inform policy and practice improvements for coastal communities.
Researchers found that eating high-fibre whole grain rye products resulted in greater weight loss and body fat reduction compared to refined wheat alternatives. The study, involving 242 participants, suggests that rye's unique fibre content may contribute to its weight-loss benefits.
The USC Stevens INI is partnering with Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the University of Miami to merge Alzheimer's disease data from over 30 datasets, producing a large-scale, standardized set of clearly defined data. This harmonization will enable large-scale machine learning analysis to better characterize the genetic basis...
Researchers at TTUHSC have identified novel targets for treating stroke, focusing on enhancing neurolysin activity. The study discovered small molecules that can selectively enhance the activity of neurolysin, which showed promise in reducing damage to the brain after a stroke.
Researchers have discovered a new drug target for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and other hematologic malignancies, which are sensitive to MEK inhibitors. The study found that mutations affecting RNA splicing alter cells to develop MDS and solid tumors, providing a potential new approach to treating this rare blood cancer.
The University of Houston is part of a $50 million NIH-funded consortium to increase AI diversity and address health inequities. The AIM-AHEAD program will bring together experts in AI, data science, and health equity research to develop more inclusive AI tools.
A new machine learning algorithm has enabled researchers to automatically identify and map the inner structures of cells, including organelles, with unprecedented precision. By processing tens of thousands of high-resolution images, scientists have gained insights into how these structures interact and are arranged within the cell.
The NIH BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network has published an atlas of cell types and neuronal wiring diagram for the mammalian primary motor cortex, derived from detailed studies of mice, monkeys, and humans. This comprehensive resource provides a foundation for further study of cell types in the rest of the brain.
Researchers at Kansas State University argue that integrating National Violent Death Reporting System data into Maternal Mortality Review Committees can improve the efficacy of MMRCs and address racial disparities in maternal mortality. The study found increased risk for pregnancy-associated homicide and suicide during pregnancy and po...
The Ohio State University has received a $15 million NSF grant to create the Imageomics Institute, which will use machine learning methodologies to extract biological traits from images. This new approach, called imageomics, aims to transform biomedical, agricultural and basic biological sciences.
A blockchain-based system allows leader robots to signal movements and add transactions to a chain, while malicious leaders forfeit tokens when caught in a lie. This limits the spread of incorrect information and enables follower robots to eventually reach their destination.
Scientists have discovered a heterogeneous structure in the Earth's inner core, with adjacent regions of hard, soft, and liquid iron alloys. This finding challenges traditional models of the planet's magnetic field generation and provides new insights into the dynamics at the boundary between the inner and outer core.
A groundbreaking study will follow 7,500 pregnant women and their infants across the US to understand healthy brain development. The five-year study aims to provide a comprehensive picture of normal variability in brain development and identify factors that pose the greatest risk.
Researchers identified a potential circumtriple planet in the star system GW Ori, with implications for our understanding of planet formation. The discovery, made using ALMA telescope observations, suggests that planet formation may be more active than previously thought.
Researchers discovered an alternating pattern of tooth replacement in ancient birds, similar to dinosaurs and crocodilians. The study suggests that the genetic controls for tooth replacement survived even after the split between birds and crocodilians millions of years ago.
Boston College physicists uncover novel charge density waves and symmetry-broken phases in the topological kagome metal CsV3Sb5, leading to superconductivity at low temperatures. The study reveals a 'cascade' of correlated electron states driving electrical conduction and potential implications for unconventional electron pairing.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University discovered seahorses can move their head up to catch prey at incredible speeds, facilitated by a powerful flow of water and spring-like mechanism. This study sheds light on the ecology of seahorses, revealing that longer noses enable stronger suction currents for catching smaller prey.
Researchers have discovered toxic DNA buildup in the eyes of patients with geographic atrophy, a devastating form of age-related macular degeneration. Common HIV drugs or safer alternatives, such as Kamuvudines, may block inflammation and protect against retinal cell death, offering new hope for treatment.
The article presents a new plate-based image cytometry method to measure endothelial barrier function, which can be adapted for high-throughput and high-content screening. This approach shows promise in addressing the need for efficient pharmacological therapies for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
Researchers at Mount Sinai have developed a novel therapy called MS67 that effectively fights acute myeloid leukemia with mixed lineage leukemia rearrangement. The therapy degrades the WDR5 protein, which drives the proliferation of this type of leukemia and other cancers such as pancreatic cancer.