News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
A study found senior faculty's research publication activity exceeded expectations across disciplines, with a focus on book and chapter publications. Senior scholars are uniquely positioned to invest time in long-term publication efforts.
Researchers developed a link discovery method using terahertz radiation, enabling the detection of non-line-of-sight (NLOS) paths in wireless communications. The study reveals that transmitters with strong angular dispersion can exploit NLOS links to provide faster connectivity.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have created a new 2D superconductor that forms at the interface of an oxide insulator, enabling high-temperature superconductivity and raising fundamental questions about its properties. The discovery could lead to breakthroughs in quantum information processing and quantum sensing.
Researchers used GPS data from 164 wild primate populations to analyze mental abilities that guide travel decisions. The findings provide insight into the cognitive development of these species and enhance approaches to studying primate cognition.
Researchers have discovered a new way to control light emission from materials by stacking films at a twist angle, enabling efficient and systematic control of optical properties. The discovery has significant implications for applications in medicine, environmental technologies, and information systems.
Researchers found that AI algorithms significantly influenced participants' decisions on fictitious political candidates and online dating partners. The study suggests people prefer human-explicit advice for subjective matters like dating but rely on algorithms for rational decisions.
Researchers found raised levels of protective B cells and helper T-cells in asymptomatic people, while those with serious symptoms lost these cells but gained inflammatory ones. The study could help explain lung inflammation and blood clotting symptoms and identify potential therapeutic targets.
Atlantic bluefin tuna numbers appear to be increasing in UK waters after a long period of decline. Researchers have documented this growth using data from citizen scientists, eco-tourism vessels, and fisheries records, revealing that these fish arrive in May and stay until January, with peak sightings between August and October each year.
Scientists have discovered a new species of large, tropical centipede in Okinawa and Taiwan, which is the largest in the region. The species, named Scolopendra alcyona, exhibits amphibious characteristics and prefers streamside environments.
Researchers at MUSC developed RINS, a digital platform that integrates clinical study data from disparate systems, providing metrics on translational science efficiency and effectiveness. This allows for informed decisions on improving translational research practices.
Researchers at Monash University have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the deleterious immune response in rheumatoid arthritis. By examining the molecular and cellular levels of T cell recognition, the team identified an immune signature that may provide a potential avenue for diagnostic development or therapeutic inter...
A new study uses eBird data to identify areas of low Bald Eagle abundance, paving the way for citizen-science data to shape policy decisions. The research finds that eBird data is the most accurate and reliable source for assessing eagle populations, providing valuable insights for conservation efforts.
A new Jurassic pterosaur species, 'Monkeydactyl', has the oldest true opposed thumb, a novel structure previously not known in pterosaurs. This discovery represents the earliest record of an opposed thumb in Earth's history and adds to the list that darwinopteran pterosaurs evolved such a feature.
Research reveals that household water consumption shifted from predominantly morning usage to multiple peaks during the lockdown period. The study found a sharp increase in consumption in March and April, with the number of households in the multiple peak cluster rising by 93% between March and May.
A French-US team has discovered that Mars' climate alternated between dry and wetter periods, with lake-deposited clays forming the base of Mount Sharp before drying up completely about 3 billion years ago.
The CSD MOF Collection offers 10,636 metal-organic framework crystal structures for free access to academics, simplifying computational research. This collection is expected to advance fundamental research and support the growing industry interest in MOFs.
A recent survey of Japanese consumers found that they are more likely to be worried about the use of gene-editing techniques on livestock than on plants. The researchers believe that this may be due to humans feeling closer to animals than plants, leading to stronger moral and taxonomic distinctions.
A study by CU Cancer Center researcher Joaquin Espinosa and his team discovered that oxygen deprivation initially suppresses tumor growth, but later promotes metastasis. The researchers hope to develop therapies targeting specific processes in cancer cells at different stages of hypoxia.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have observed a new form of fluorine, the isotope 13F, which has four fewer neutrons than the naturally occurring stable isotope 19F. This discovery was made using a charge-exchange reaction mechanism, allowing scientists to create a previously inaccessible isotope with exotic properties.
Researchers found that algorithm-generated music recommendations were less accurate for listeners of high-energy music such as hard rock and hip-hop. Those who mostly listened to ambient music received the most accurate recommendations, while those who mostly listened to hard rock received the least accurate ones.
The new PRISMA 2020 guideline provides a 27-item reporting checklist to ensure transparent, complete, and accurate accounts of systematic reviews. This updated version aims to combat incompletely reported reviews that lead to low-value healthcare.
A research consortium led by Professor Wolfgang Maaß of Saarland University is using artificial intelligence to create a data marketplace for food producers. This platform enables producers to retrieve fact-based information on market prices, weather forecasts, and production volumes, allowing them to make informed decisions and reduce...
A major new study from Denmark and USA finds that even small amounts of nitrates in mothers' drinking water result in smaller babies, with an average weight loss of 10 grams. The study, which analyzed over 850,000 births, challenges the current threshold value for nitrate levels in drinking water.
Researchers discovered a method to modify graphene's shape and properties by exposing it to powerful laser pulses. The process, called optical forging, stiffens the material, increasing its bending stiffness and vibrational frequency. This leads to improved device speed and precision, with record-breaking stiffness achieved.
Researchers at Yale have created a global map of undiscovered species, revealing that Brazil, Indonesia, Madagascar, and Colombia hold the greatest opportunities for new discoveries. The study also highlights the importance of taxonomists in finding undiscovered species, and emphasizes the need for more funding to close knowledge gaps.
Researchers analyzed citizen science data and found massive by-the-wind sailor jellyfish strandings occurred in warmer winters, with beach cover spanning over 620 miles. The study suggests a tipping point in the ecosystem towards these jellies as climate change warms oceans.
The National Eye Institute's Data Commons now offers access to AREDS2 data, including thousands of participants with age-related macular degeneration. Researchers can analyze genomic and phenotypic data, as well as retinal images, to better understand the disease and develop new therapies.
A research team at FAU has discovered that calcium can break the strong nitrogen bond at a temperature of minus 60°C. This finding could lead to simplified industrial processes for converting nitrogen into useful chemicals.
Researchers at UIC have found that HPSE drives antiviral immunity, proliferative signals and cell death, with potential applications in treating dysregulation of the protein in various diseases. This discovery has broad implications for diseases such as cancer, atherosclerosis and autoimmune disorders.
A new research project, funded by £1 million from the Medical Research Council, is investigating whether selective P2X7 receptor blocker drugs can treat patients with secondary brain damage. The study's goal is to reduce the impact of traumatic brain injury on patients and improve their clinical outcomes.
Researchers develop dynamic and intelligent solution to detect malware in Android apps without rooting devices or breaching privacy. The system achieves high accuracy in sensitive behavior detection, promising enhanced smartphone security.
Researchers at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences have discovered a new way to halt excessive inflammation by regulating Arginase-2, a protein that limits inflammatory cytokine production. This breakthrough has the potential to protect the body from tissue damage caused by inflammatory diseases.
Researchers discovered human BCAS3 and C16orf70 as novel autophagic proteins, which accumulate around damaged mitochondria after mitophagy induction. The BCAS3-C16orf70 complex is required for autophagosome formation site recruitment, indicating accessory functions in autophagy machinery.
Adhesions form after inflammation or surgery and can lead to chronic pain, digestive problems, infertility, and life-threatening consequences. Researchers have discovered that macrophages play a key role in their development and have developed a new imaging system to visualize them.
A new AI tool developed at the University of Gothenburg uses deep learning to analyse microscope images, extracting more details and information than traditional methods. The tool, called Deep Track 2.0, simplifies data generation and allows for real-time analysis and customised information retrieval.
A team of researchers from NYU Tandon School of Engineering discovered that popular machine-learning frameworks for protecting sensitive data can be subverted, allowing secret information to be extracted. The study highlights the inadequacy of current privacy checks and warns against relying on untrusted third-party tools.
A new study published in Aquatic Toxicology found that shrimp on the South Coast of England have significantly lower sperm counts due to pollution. The research also discovered a decline in population density and fertility issues among other marine creatures, including humans.
A Chinese-German research team has identified a rice plant variant that can neutralize arsenic toxins, with grains containing less than half the amount of arsenic as conventional rice. The astol1 rice variant also exhibits an elevated content of essential trace element selenium.
The webinar highlights the importance of open data in developing resilience in agriculture and food systems, particularly in the face of climate change, pandemics, and pests. Key experts share insights on harnessing data to create more sustainable and equitable food systems.
Researchers build first model to track travel patterns of shared e-scooter use, capturing built environment variables more precisely. The study finds that tourism, commercial areas, hotels, and public transit stops are predictive of scooter destinations in Washington D.C.
The Genomic Data Commons has become a leading cancer genomics resource with over 84,000 anonymized patient cases and 65 projects contributing to the platform, providing a critical role in advancing precision medicine.
Researchers analyzed over 90,000 Alexa Skills and found significant security gaps, including the ability to publish skills under false identities and circumvent Amazon's security checks. Many Skills lack proper privacy policies, putting users' sensitive information at risk.
Researchers detected radio flares months and years after a star was torn apart by a black hole, contradicting previous expectations. The team observed two delayed flares in a distant galaxy, suggesting that new models may be needed to explain this phenomenon.
Researchers have discovered a new gene-editing technique that allows for the programming of sequential cuts in genes, enabling researchers to better investigate time-sensitive processes like cancer development. The discovery was made by UIC's Bradley Merrill and colleagues using special molecules called 'proGuides',
A new dataset from ATR Brain Information Communication Research Laboratory Group provides insights into Decoded Neurofeedback, a technique that uses AI and brain scanning to modify fear memories and boost confidence. The dataset includes five studies and could lead to new treatments for PTSD, phobias, and anxiety disorders.
A comprehensive genetic study in Qatar identifies genetic associations with 45 clinically relevant traits, shedding new light on the genetic architecture of clinical laboratory tests. The study highlights the importance of further research to define the genetic architecture of diseases in the Middle East region.
The report reviews recent changes in EU research policy, identifies key barriers and enablers for data sharing, and maps the Horizon 2020 dementia research portfolio. Key findings include a need to overcome technical, financial and motivational obstacles to data sharing, as well as involving people with dementia in research design.
Researchers found that when people visually estimate object size, they consider the surrounding context and distance from the observer, rescaling sizes before estimating variance. This ability allows for quick estimation of statistical characteristics of multiple objects.
A team of researchers found that protein imbalance leads to cataract formation by causing proteins to clump together and become cloudy. The study provides new insights into the causes of this common eye ailment, which may lead to the development of new treatment methods.
A new five-year study of over 100,000 people in Wales found that those from deprived backgrounds have worse asthma outcomes, including higher hospital admissions and risk of death. The study highlights the need for targeted health education strategies to improve asthma management in these communities.
Research by Cornell University's ILR School found that collaborating with a star employee reduces non-star employees' credit and gains in professional status during successful collaborations. However, it can mitigate or outweigh the loss of professional status associated with collaborative failure.
A new tool using machine learning predictive modeling has been developed to predict the success of extubating ICU patients on intensive mechanical ventilation. The study analyzed data from over 1,000 patients and showed a significant reduction in reintubation rate from 9% to 1%.
Researchers discovered that transparent materials are perceived as flatter than actual thickness, contrary to metallic or glossy surfaces. The study used a computational model to predict image cues contributing to judgment errors and identified regional variations in local luminance contrast as the key factor.
Researchers successfully localized a non-repeating fast radio burst (FRB) using a novel processing system and supercomputer. The breakthrough identified the source location as a galaxy about 3.6 billion light-years away, providing valuable insights into FRBs and their possible causes.
Researchers found that some coronaviruses can incorporate host genes, such as CD200, to prevent excessive inflammation and prolong infection duration. This evolutionary strategy allows viruses to multiply and spread more effectively.
Researchers from Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have developed a protocol that combines random sampling, high-throughput experimentation, and data science to identify synergistic catalyst combinations. The study identified 51 out of 300 catalysts as effective in the oxidative coupling of methane reaction.
Researchers at Lund University discovered distinct strategies among fungi species, including the 'soldier' that grows forcefully, the 'marathon runner' that sends out lone fighters, and the 'snake' that weaves around obstacles. The study provides new insights into fungal behavior and its potential applications in agriculture.
The February edition of SLAS Discovery explores the use of hit discovery methodologies and technologies in both small molecule and large molecule drug discovery. The issue features nine articles of original research, including those on high-throughput screening, mass spectrometry, and AI-driven screening.
Researchers found that desire for self-control is influenced by societal demands and internal motivations, with individuals low in trait self-control expressing greater DSC. Desire for self-control hinges on sense of necessity to accomplish current goals, leading to increased willingness to enroll in training.
The analysis of over 4,000 studies reveals a positive correlation between data availability and data use in biodiversity research. Data integration enables global synthesis and research across multiple taxonomies, facilitating research at various scales.