News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
New Zealand centenarians exhibit low rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes, depression, and hypertension. Socially active participants showed similar patterns across age groups, while exercise improved health without significant effects on ageing.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered a new plant gene, CLE53, that regulates cooperation between fungi and plants. The gene helps plants absorb phosphorus more effectively, reducing fertiliser use and increasing agricultural efficiency.
The University of Arkansas will lead a statewide computing-cloud called the Arkansas Research Platform to integrate existing high-performance computer resources. Researchers from nine institutions will focus on three major areas of data science: managing complex data sets, securing data privacy, and developing machine learning models.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered a new signaling pathway that can regulate beige fat thermogenesis independently of adrenergic signaling. This discovery opens a new direction for approaching metabolic disorders and could potentially provide a treatment option for patients with catecholamine resistance.
George Mason University's Dieter Bilitza has been awarded funding to work with the Space Physics Data Facility and NASA on advancing strategic science goals through data acquisition and archival services. He will focus on ITM data sets, ensuring useful products are generated for independent community use.
Researchers have discovered a new liquid phase of matter, the ferroelectric nematic, which exhibits strong polar ordering and can be controlled by electric fields. This discovery opens up new possibilities for technological innovations, including advanced display screens and reimagined computer memory.
A new mathematical model estimates regional disease burden and vaccination impact, identifying priority areas for future vaccinations. The analysis suggests that more than 300,000 JE cases were prevented globally due to vaccination between 2000 and 2015.
Researchers at Monash University have discovered that reducing two essential amino acids, threonine and tryptophan, can lead to increased calorie burn and improved health in young mice. A low-threonine diet also protected obese mice from developing type 2 diabetes.
A new software project aims to provide a decision-making tool for health providers and policymakers to balance the need for research with patient privacy concerns. The tool will evaluate risks of sharing sensitive patient data, such as location or medical history, to prevent identification.
Researchers have discovered biochemical alterations in skin cells, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Lesch-Nyhan disease. High levels of folic acid reversed these alterations in cell cultures, suggesting a possible treatment strategy.
A new sensor-based system developed by RMIT University and Arup uses artificial intelligence to measure staff comfort and concentration in flexible working spaces. The study found that office temperature, sleep quality, and meeting schedules significantly impact perceived concentration levels.
A Penn State research team examined the effects of differential privacy on mortality rates in 2010, revealing dramatic changes in population counts for racial and ethnic minorities. The findings highlight concerns about data accuracy, funding allocations, and understated health risks in some areas.
A team of scientists at Lancaster University has discovered a single molecule that can act like a transistor and store binary information. The molecule, which is around five square nanometres in size, could potentially offer information density of 250 terabits per square inch.
Cynthia Dwork has received the Knuth Prize for her groundbreaking work on cryptography in network environments, privacy, and foundational contributions to theoretical computer science. Her research transformed several fields, including distributed systems, data privacy, and fairness in algorithmic decision making.
The Student Collaboration Project aims to diversify the field of space science by providing undergraduate and graduate students with a firsthand research experience. Students will design, build, and launch CubeSats that collect data on the Earth's upper atmosphere.
A method to investigate healthcare data quality using a systematic approach has been developed by researchers at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. The software automatically detects data defects effectively and efficiently, reducing the prevalence of errors in some existing healthcare datasets.
The National COVID Cohort Collaborative aims to turn coronavirus patient data into effective treatments and predictive tools. The secure database will enable diverse experts to analyze the data, identifying potential new drugs and treatments.
A special collection in SLAS Discovery highlights new screening tools and assays for ion channel drug discovery. The articles cover various techniques such as optical and automated patch clamp electrophysiology to identify new chemical matter for medically relevant membrane protein targets.
A recent study found that birds in eastern North America are shifting their breeding ranges in response to climate change. Some species, such as Carolina wrens and red-bellied woodpeckers, may be resilient to future changes, while others, like Neotropical migratory birds, are experiencing range contractions. The research highlights the...
Researchers identified two classes of compounds that prevent most of the effects of interferon-α on human beta cells, paving the way for potential clinical trials. IFN-α promotes rapid changes in chromatin accessibility, which may contribute to triggering autoimmunity and type 1 diabetes.
Stroke survivors who receive early visual training can recover more of their lost vision than those trained later. Researchers discovered that the brain's visual structures degenerate over time after an occipital stroke, but early intervention can halt this loss.
Data science researchers at UC Davis received over $1 million in grants to study innovative concepts with high impact. The grants will fund multidisciplinary research partnerships and projects addressing challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Oden Institute and Alan Turing Institute have signed an MoU to deliver research advances in artificial intelligence, computational science, and data-centric engineering. The collaboration aims to address global challenges such as net zero greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.
A new observational study is exploring blood-based biomarkers and demographic factors to predict COVID-19 disease course. The DISCOVER study aims to identify markers that can help doctors make informed decisions about patient triage and hospital management.
Scientists analyzed 13,000-year-old beetle fossils using X-ray scattering techniques and found that the expected photonic nanostructures were perfectly preserved. The blue and green structural colors studied had not changed over time, with modern beetles of the same genus showing very similar colors.
Researchers propose a blockchain-based system called ORBI to streamline pathogen information exchange between public and private institutions. This decentralized system would preserve individual researcher stakes while ensuring tamper-proof data documentation.
Researchers detail accurate privacy-enhanced genome-wide association studies of over 25,000 individuals using homomorphic encryption to yield results 30 times faster than prior secure computation methods. The technology enables collaboration on large-scale genomic and clinical studies while protecting individual participant privacy.
A new model explains the simultaneous origins of Fermi bubbles and galactic center biconical X-ray structure, with energy injection from a pair of jets emanating from Sgr A* five million years ago. The study suggests the total energy injected is comparable to 20,000 supernovae.
The study created flexible single crystal electronic systems by using organic semiconductors that can be stretched over 10%, exceeding the elastic limit of most single crystals. This breakthrough could enable new applications in sensors and robotics.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have identified a previously unknown mechanism that enables the rapid growth of atmospheric particles. This discovery could help model climate change and reduce air pollution in cities by explaining how tiny particles form and grow.
Scientists from JARA and Heraeus discovered that tiny material variations can significantly impact memristive device behavior. By controlling these differences, they created a method to design artificial synapses with varying excitability, which could lead to more efficient and reliable storage devices.
Researchers at the University of Jyvaskyla and Xiamen University have discovered a novel method for creating functional macroscopic crystalline materials. The material exhibits highly anisotropic electrical conductivity, with significant differences in behavior along its polymer direction versus perpendicular directions. Theoretical mo...
A recent study found that firms perceived to fake social responsibility are no more likely to experience data breaches than those with strong CSR records. In fact, firms with seemingly disingenuous CSR efforts are at increased risk of breach. This 'greenwashing' phenomenon makes them attractive targets for security exploitation.
A hydrological model has led to significant advancements in creating a world water map, utilizing public data and citizen science contributions. The model provides accurate predictions for river flow, with areas like the Eastern US, Europe, Japan, and Russia showing high potential for seasonal forecasts.
Researchers are exploring quantum computing's potential in accelerating drug discovery for COVID-19 treatment. By generating complex compounds quickly, they aim to find a cure faster and more efficiently than traditional methods.
International researchers discovered a nearly complete skeleton of Adalatherium, a 66-million-year-old mammal that lived among dinosaurs and massive crocodiles. The finding sheds light on the evolutionary history of gondwanatherians, an extinct group of mammals known from isolated teeth and jaw fragments.
A new research model developed by HKBU scientists characterizes disease transmission patterns among different age groups and populations. The model enables policymakers to design work resumption plans that balance containment of disease transmission risk with gradual economic reopening.
A new hereditary disease, FACAS, has been discovered that causes a cold-induced urticarial rash in patients exposed to temperatures below 15°C. The researchers found that the disorder is caused by a previously unknown mutation in the 'Factor 12' gene.
Researchers found significant differences in mineral deposits on aortic valves between men and women with stenosis. The study highlights the importance of considering diversity in research to improve science.
Researchers have discovered the first pulsar in Globular Cluster M92 using FAST telescope. The pulsar, PSR J1717+4307A, is an eclipsing binary millisecond pulsar in a circular orbit with a companion star. This discovery provides insights into pulsars and their role in probing dense stellar cores.
A team of researchers from Brown and Rice University has developed a means of performing link discovery with terahertz radiation, enabling ultra-fast wireless data transmission. The approach uses a device called a leaky waveguide to exploit the properties of terahertz waves and track client devices in real-time.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new class of X-ray detectors based on layered perovskites, which are 100 times more sensitive than conventional detectors. The detector can detect X-rays over a broad energy range, making it suitable for various applications such as medical imaging and airport security.
The University of Maryland is funding joint research projects between UMB and UMD to address major healthcare challenges in chronic pain, mental health, aging, and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. The AIM-HI program aims to develop new technologies and approaches to relieve painful ailments.
Scientists at University of Copenhagen have discovered a new way to create topological superconductivity and Majorana zero modes using a cylindrical superconductor surrounding a semiconductor, potentially offering an alternative route for qubits. This breakthrough unifies two existing ideas in quantum mechanics.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology have discovered a new microbe, Ethanoperedens thermophilum, that eats ethane and grows faster than previously known microbes. The discovery sheds light on the mechanism of ethane degradation and its potential for biotechnological applications.
Researchers have identified a small essential clock protein, ELF4, that moves in sync with temperature to coordinate rhythms in shoots and roots. The discovery could provide an advantage for optimal root responsiveness to temperature variations, impacting crop productivity in a climate changing world.
Researchers discovered evidence of cord making on a flint fragment from Abri du Maras in France, dating back 40,000 years. The remains showed twisted fibres made of cellulose, likely from coniferous trees, highlighting the cognitive abilities and knowledge of Neanderthals.
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory develop a novel approach to ultrafast imaging of single sucrose nanoclusters using XFEL pulses, finding that shorter pulse lengths are better for optimal signal degradation. The study's computer modeling will help optimize future experiments.
A new study published in eLife found that people who have survived a suicide attempt are less sensitive to bodily signals related to their heart and breath. The researchers suggest that this 'interoceptive numbing' may be linked to lower brain activity in the insular cortex, a region that closely tracks the internal state of the body.
Researchers have developed a machine-learning based algorithm for quantitatively characterizing materials with features as small as nanometers. The tool can detect faults and cracks, predict lifetimes under different stresses and strains, and track the evolution of microstructures in real time.
Scientists from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology have determined the high-resolution structure of a protein from the recently discovered heliorhodopsin family. The study reveals a unique 'inverted' structure, with key differences from other known rhodopsins, and suggests possible functions for heliorhodopsins.
Researchers discovered evidence of a 90-million-year-old rainforest near the South Pole, suggesting average temperatures were around 12 degrees Celsius. The finding challenges climate models and suggests higher carbon dioxide levels during the mid-Cretaceous period.
A recent study by Ohio State University researchers found that a large number of mobile phone apps contain 'backdoor secrets', allowing hackers to access private data or block content. The team evaluated 150,000 apps and discovered that 12,706 contained hidden behaviors, posing a significant risk to users.
A new study suggests that the brain uses multiple sources of sensory information, including vision and posture, to control movement. When visual cues are distorted or removed, the intensity of muscle stretch reflexes is reduced.
A collaborative study built predictive models to forecast six life outcomes based on 15-year social science data. The findings suggest that even the most accurate models were not reliable, casting doubt on the assumption of predictable life trajectories.
The development of agricultural microbiome metadata standards aims to standardize recording and sharing practices, enabling researchers to integrate data across studies. By establishing a shared consensus on what needs to be reported about microbiome samples, the long-term value of microbiome data can increase.
A new framework has been developed to share clinical data for research and AI algorithm development, prioritizing patient privacy and ethical standards. The framework supports the release of de-identified and aggregated data, with safeguards in place to protect patient identity.
A new study analyzes e-communications to provide sellers with insights about buyers' needs and behaviors. The research identified four distinct influence tactics: information sharing, recommendation, promise, and assertiveness. Effective use of these tactics requires complementary tactics to prompt internalization or compliance.
The OncoMX knowledgebase integrates cancer biomarker data with other relevant data types to facilitate efficient research and exploration. The platform combines heterogeneous data using the BioCompute Object framework, enabling users to compare various experimental data.
Vivli has launched a portal for sharing data from completed COVID-19 trials, waiving member and user fees. The move aims to advance knowledge around the pandemic by making data transparently available to all researchers.