News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a wave energy converter that doubles the power harvested from ocean waves, overcoming technical challenges and unlocking vast untapped potential. The dual-turbine design is cost-effective and requires no special syncing technology.
A new study showcases the COVIDome Explorer, a public online portal for real-time COVID-19 data analysis, visualization and sharing. The platform enables rapid hypotheses testing, hypothesis generation and discoveries by experts and non-experts.
Researchers have discovered a way to induce magnetic waves in antiferromagnets using ultrafast laser pulses, potentially leading to faster and more efficient data storage. This technology could endow materials with new functionalities for energy-efficient and ultrafast data storage applications.
University of Virginia researchers design a simple way to implement a tunable stiffness strategy in robots, enabling efficient swimming at varying speeds. The approach, inspired by the natural adaptability of fish, uses a programmable artificial tendon to adjust tail stiffness in real-time.
Researchers collected over 300 samples from the seafloor to study biodiversity, mineral makeup, and ecological effects of toxic waste dumping. They discovered a new area of methane seepage and a whale fall, providing insights into the impact of human actions on deep-sea ecosystems.
Researchers in Japan have created a method to preserve mouse sperm by freeze-drying it on a plastic sheet, enabling easy transportation via postcard. The 'sperm book' stored at -30°C, can hold thousands of sperm samples, and the mailing method has shown promising results with high offspring rates.
A new Science article assesses the technological progress of colloidal quantum dots, which have become industrial-grade materials for a range of technologies. Advances include first demonstration of colloidal quantum dot lasing, discovery of carrier multiplication and pioneering research into LEDs and luminescent solar concentrators.
A new study analyzed Italian firms' Twitter conversations during the pandemic, revealing a focus on environmental sustainability and digital transformation. The research highlights the importance of corporate social responsibility and stakeholder engagement on these themes.
Researchers identified a genetic mutation in nonhuman primates that closely resembles Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease, a rare and progressive disorder affecting the central nervous system. The discovery was made possible by a massive genomic database built at OHSU's Oregon National Primate Research Center.
A new model integrates advanced models and observational data to track carbon cycles in agroecosystems, validating its performance and demonstrating its potential for estimating different carbon components. This solution has the potential to advance precision agriculture and inform sustainable farming practices.
Researchers have found that improved learning processes are associated with reduced symptoms of depression. By using brain imaging and mathematical modeling, the team identified distinct paths to depression symptoms and proposed a new approach for treating clinical depression.
Researchers applied supervised machine learning to lidar data from fishery surveys, automating the identification process in regions with a strong possibility of harboring fish. The technique decreased manual inspection in datasets from Yellowstone Lake and Gulf of Mexico studies by 61.14% and 26.8%, respectively.
Spotted hyenas inherit advantageous social networks from their mothers, which affect their health and longevity. Higher-ranking mothers imprint these networks on their cubs more accurately, leading to longer life and reproductive success.
Researchers chronicle African dust transport across North Atlantic, highlighting its essential role in marine and terrestrial ecosystems. The study also explores the link between dust transport and African climate, shedding light on Earth's largest source of dust.
Researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering developed a framework called DeepReDuce that streamlines neural networks to be more adept at computing on encrypted data. The team found that DeepReDuce improved accuracy and reduced ReLU count by up to 3.5% and 3.5×, respectively.
Andrea Alù, founding director of Photonics Initiative at CUNY ASRC, received the world's largest unrestricted prize for early-career scientists. His research discoveries in materials science and physics have brought about advances in electromagnetics, nano-optics, and acoustics with potential applications in various fields.
A new species of alpine moth has been discovered in the Alps, with its discovery resolving a 180-year-old mystery. The moth, named Dichrorampha velata, was found to be different from a previously known species and had to be described as new to science.
The NIH is awarding $80 million to the Mendelian Genomics Research Consortium to develop new methods and approaches for identifying genetic causes of single-gene diseases. The consortium aims to significantly increase the number of Mendelian disorders with known genetic causes.
The Swiss team proposes a three-pillar strategy for semantic framework development, compositional language creation, and adaptation to specific data models. This approach aims to unify vocabularies and facilitate cross-referencing of mutually intelligible data from different sources.
A KAIST research team developed a hydrogel-based flexible brain-machine interface that can detect neural signals for up to six months. The device minimizes foreign body responses by mimicking the properties of surrounding tissues when exposed to body fluids.
A study by Texas A&M University suggests that current US laws do not align with the American public's preferences for using big data in public health. The public prefers big data to be used for common good over individual or self-serving interests.
The study reveals that frog eggs release zinc and manganese sparks after fertilization, indicating a shared biology between humans and frogs. The research has implications for understanding the interplay of dietary zinc status and human fertility.
A research team found an unusual competition between charge density wave (CDW) and superconductivity in CsV3Sb5. They discovered that increasing pressure can suppress the CDW state, leading to an abnormal superconducting phase diagram with a double dome shape.
A team of Japanese astronomers developed a new AI technique to remove noise in astronomical data. They applied this tool to actual data from Japan's Subaru Telescope and found consistent results with currently accepted models of the Universe. This powerful new tool will analyze big data from current and planned astronomy surveys.
Nanosized molecules of a particular chemical element can inhibit the formation of plaque in brain tissues, providing hope for novel treatments of neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery was made by researchers at Umeå University in collaboration with colleagues in Croatia and Lithuania.
Researchers from Brown University and MIT developed Tuplex, a new data science framework that compiles custom logic written in Python, reducing wait times to seconds. The platform also handles anomalous data by extracting and setting it aside, allowing users to repair anomalies after the program completes.
Researchers have created the first atlas of a bumblebee brain based on computed tomographic (CT) data, providing insights into spatial orientation in insects. The study, published in Cell and Tissue Research, aims to advance research on neuronal circuits and their applications in humans.
Researchers at Monash University have discovered how Ebola virus evades the immune system by targeting the STAT3 protein. The virus uses a protein called VP24 to disable STAT3's messenger function, which is critical for regulating host immune and inflammatory responses.
Researchers have uncovered a novel strategy employed by MRSA to evade the immune response, causing toxic effects on white blood cells. A mutated protein-based vaccine shows promise in preventing such toxicity, suggesting a potential cure for deadly MRSA infections.
A new study reveals that secretin hormone induces satiation by activating brown adipose tissue, leading to increased glucose uptake and elevated energy expenditure. This mechanism has significant implications for weight control and metabolic disorders.
Researchers have discovered two distinct groups of trans-Neptunian objects with different surface colors exhibit vastly different orbital patterns. This new information can be compared to models of the solar system to provide fresh insights into its early chemistry and the formation of the Kuiper Belt.
Researchers discover 9,000-year-old obsidian flakes in Lake Huron, originating from an obsidian quarry over 2,000 miles away, representing the oldest and farthest east confirmed specimens of western obsidian in the continental US. The find sheds light on social connections across North America 9,000 years ago.
Hebrew University archaeologists found a rare 7,000-year-old seal impression with geometric stamps, marking shipments or silos. The discovery provides early evidence of commercial activity and long-distance trade in the Middle East.
A nationwide study in Scotland found a slight increased risk of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) after receiving the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. The risk is estimated at 11 per million doses, similar to other vaccines for flu and MMR.
Research reveals that people with frequent sleep problems are at a higher risk of dying than those without sleep problems. Specifically, individuals with Type-2 diabetes who also experience sleep disturbances face an increased mortality rate of 87%.
Aalto University researchers have developed a machine learning-based method to produce synthetic data that preserves privacy and can be used for statistical analyses. The new method solves a major problem with existing methods, enabling researchers to share sensitive information without compromising individual identities.
The Journal of the Bulgarian Geographical Society has moved to the ARPHA Platform, offering fast-track publishing, machine-readable XML format, automated data export, and web-service integrations. The journal now covers all fields of geography and interrelated sciences with a focus on Southeastern Europe and the Balkans.
A new type of manmade quasicrystal created by the first test blast of an atomic bomb has been identified by a UMass Lowell geologist. The substance holds promise for various applications such as bone repair, heat insulation and converting heat to electricity.
The study found that vaccinated individuals have lower antibody levels targeting the Delta variant compared to previously circulating variants. Booster doses and second vaccinations are recommended to ensure high protection against new variants.
Researchers discovered a surprising paradox: as emotional expressions increase in intensity, they become more ambiguous to infer meaning from, with maximal intensity leading to decreased legibility. This challenges prevailing theories of emotion and opens new avenues for understanding affective experience and communication.
The Ecole de technologie superieure hosts two new research chairs on artificial intelligence applied to health. The chairs aim to train qualified personnel who can work in a field combining AI and healthcare. Researchers plan to develop algorithms that improve real-time assessment of patient status and reduce ICU readmission rates.
According to a review article in Science Robotics, researchers are making progress in learned robot manipulation, which enables robots to adapt to changing stimuli. The authors propose nine promising areas for future exploration, including representation learning, modular design, and task/skill customization.
Researchers have developed a novel AI technology, Swarm Learning, to analyze big data in decentralized fashion, enabling private and collaborative analysis of scientific data. The approach combines machine learning with blockchain technology, allowing for secure information exchange and optimized parameters.
Researchers discovered that one species of tamarin adopts another's call patterns to communicate and avoid conflict in the Brazilian Amazon. The study found that red-handed tamarins adopt pied tamarins' long calls when entering their territory, potentially to identify each other more easily and avoid territorial disputes.
The study highlights the need for better understanding of terms, rules, and procedures used in GHG emission inventories. Research communities must provide methodological guidance to improve countries' GHG inventories, while also benefiting from their data.
Scientists discovered a scaling law governing urban visitor numbers based on travel distance and frequency, with surprising implications for city planning and pandemic prevention. The law predicts equal energy allocation to travel regardless of distance or frequency, optimizing trip choices.
Researchers at Ruhr-Universität Bochum discovered two new attacks that break PDF certification signatures, enabling attackers to implant malicious code and insert fake content. The team tested 26 PDF applications, with 24 of them vulnerable to at least one attack.
A new study suggests that DJ-1 protein, which protects against free radicals inside cells, worsens inflammation outside the cell, leading to exacerbated pathologies in ischemic stroke. The researchers identified DJ-1 as a previously unknown inflammatogenic DAMP that may be a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
A team of scientists from Loyola University Chicago's Stritch School of Medicine have discovered a critical component for renewing the heart's molecular motor, which breaks down in heart failure. Restoring BAG3 levels could strengthen the heart as a potential treatment for heart failure.
The RIO Journal has published over 300 research outcomes since its launch in 2016, including early ideas, grant proposals, data management plans, and project reports. These non-traditional publications have shown significant engagement and societal impact, with authors mapping their articles to the Sustainable Development Goals.
A large population-level study analyzed stool samples from over 7,000 Finnish adults and found that certain bacterial strains in the gut microbiota were associated with increased mortality risk. The study's machine learning algorithm identified specific microbial species linked to a shorter lifespan.
The fellowship program aims to recruit and train skilled data scientists to advance care through precision medicine. Yale's robust computational resources, biomedical data repositories, and faculty expertise will be available to fellows.
A new water plant species, Mesochara dobrogeica, has been discovered in the ancient Tethys Ocean islands. The study reveals a defined biogeographical identity among the charophytes flora of these paleo-islands.
Researchers at Göttingen University have identified a completely novel on/off switch in proteins that controls their structure and function. The discovery of this lysine-cysteine redox switch has wide-ranging implications for protein design, medical applications, and drug development.
A team of researchers from CNRS has uncovered the earliest human burial site in Africa, dated to approximately 78,000 years ago. The discovery at Panga ya Saidi in Kenya reveals a complex funerary treatment involving a shroud and potential ritual participation from the child's community.
A population-based study found that children born in Sarnia, Ontario have a higher risk of developing asthma compared to neighboring cities. Air pollution exposure in the first year of life was associated with the development of asthma in children.
A new study published in Ageing Clinical and Experimental Research found that older people with vision loss are more likely to suffer mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia. The research examined World Health Organisation data on over 32,000 people and found a significant correlation between vision loss and increased risk o...
Research shows that between 60-70% of attention on social media platforms is focused on just 10 popular domains, while new competitors struggle to survive. The study's findings indicate a decline in online diversity and a potential for artificially high prices and constraints on innovation.
A recent study has shown a significant decline in funding for discovery cancer research since 2006, with the percentage of annual funding falling by around a quarter. Worldwide Cancer Research is urging continued support for this type of research to develop new cancer cures.
Researchers at Skoltech propose a new methodology for analyzing startup growth, leveraging Google Trends' big data. The approach enables building accurate and real-time data-driven growth paths for startups, offering an X-ray scan into technology-based ventures.