News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a potent new antimicrobial that works against the toughest infectious disease strains, including MRSA. The compound, MAC-545496, cripples MRSA's ability to cause infection by diminishing its tolerance to the immune system and blocking its resistance to antibiotics.
Researchers at FAU Harbor Branch and Wageningen University developed a breakthrough in marine sponge cell culture, demonstrating rapid cell division in nine species. This discovery forms the basis for developing marine invertebrate cell models to understand early animal evolution and determine the role of secondary metabolites.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that over half of people would be willing to donate their personal data for research. The researchers developed a new questionnaire to explore individuals' motivations, which identified three key reasons: serving society, gaining personal benefits, and understanding data purpose.
A team of biologists found at least seven different systems regulating sex determination across closely related species. Genetic analysis revealed three underlying mechanisms driving sexual differentiation in frogs, including the empowerment of a gene that becomes potent for female-specific sex determination.
Genetic analyses reveal a new species, Ryukyu-funori (Gloiopeltis compressa), and multiple unnamed species of Gloiopeltis in Japan, challenging previous classification. The study highlights the high diversity within the genus, with many populations previously misclassified as separate species.
Birch bark tar was the world's oldest glue, used in the Palaeolithic Period and up to late antiquity, according to recent research. Archaeological artefacts suggest it was procured despite birch scarcity, highlighting the strength of traditional practices among the Gauls.
Researchers found serious security vulnerabilities in Intel and STMicroelectronics CPUs, which could be used to steal or alter data on billions of devices. The flaws affect laptop, server, tablet, and desktop users worldwide.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University discovered that mosquitoes use sound to communicate during mating, which could lead to quieter drones. The study also found that targeting the specific frequency of the sound can disrupt breeding and population growth.
Researchers from NUS discovered the molecular mechanism underlying natural killer T cell lymphoma, identifying MELK as a stabilizer of EZH2 enzyme. Targeting MELK may provide an alternative approach to treating NKTL by increasing sensitivity to Bortezomib treatment.
Researchers found that stressed horses blink less and twitch their upper eyelids more, providing a simple indicator of agitation. The study used non-invasive measurements to test the significance of eyelid twitches as an indicator of stress.
The study reveals that Trm7-Trm734 preferentially methylates specific tRNA transcript variants, and that Trm734 is required for the positioning of tRNA for methylation. This breakthrough contributes to understanding genetic defects and developing new treatments for nosyndromic X-linked intellectual disability.
A study led by Dr Jeremy Lim and his team has discovered that a few thousand globular clusters formed over at least the past 1 billion years, and perhaps many more over cosmic history. This finding explains why these clusters are not as ancient as previously thought.
The MaveDB database was developed to facilitate the sharing of complex functional genomic data sets, enabling researchers to access and interpret complex data more efficiently. This will accelerate research into gene function, disease mechanisms, and protein engineering.
Certain species of resident bacteria can produce enzymes to break down fungal cell walls, protecting plant roots. The discovery represents a big step forward for developing sustainable crop production systems with fewer pesticides.
A new method uses deep neural networks to precisely guide animated characters by inferring various motions, such as sitting, picking up objects, and running. The technique achieves this in a user-friendly way with simple control commands.
La Jolla Institute of Immunology and Seqster partner to accelerate discovery of personalized treatments for severe asthma through longitudinal data analysis. The collaboration enables 5000 participants to share medical records, genomic data, and wearable device data with researchers.
A team at NYU Tandon created a system that lets people use simple English to create complex machine learning-driven visualizations using VisFlow and FlowSense. These frameworks make non-expert users more comfortable with data modeling while providing shortcuts for experienced users.
Companies can mitigate risks by strengthening every vendor handling their data, according to new research from American University. High-profile breaches have shown that even strong cybersecurity measures are not enough if vendors are weak.
Pensoft's new data audit process ensures datasets are fit-to-use prior to peer review, saving time and effort for authors and reviewers. The workflow applies principles of FAIR data and is applicable to data linked from external repositories.
The NIH BRAIN Initiative has awarded over 180 new projects to accelerate neuroscience discoveries, including developing neural circuit tools, studying non-neuronal cells, and analyzing complex data. These advancements aim to improve treatments for conditions like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and stroke.
Researchers uncover unique tooth for preening feathers and establish distinct lineage between North American and Asian dromaeosaurids. The discovery provides valuable insight into the evolution of theropod dinosaurs around the world.
The University of Chicago is part of a 3½-year project aiming to harmonize cancer research data, advancing treatments and providing better care. The Center for Cancer Data Harmonization will align with the National Institutes of Health's Cancer Research Data Commons.
Regenstrief Institute's Eneida Mendonca and Umberto Tachinardi will share their expertise on artificial intelligence and data infrastructure at a Brazilian workshop. They discuss AI in natural language processing and building data infrastructure for precision medicine.
Oregon State University is leading a 3½-year effort to create a center for cancer data harmonization, working with top institutions to develop a cloud-based data-sharing portal. The goal is to integrate disparate data types to aid researchers and healthcare professionals.
A global Foundational Standard describes how to represent data for natural history and efficacy studies in animals submitted under the FDA's Animal Rule. The standard aims to streamline data reporting and accelerate therapies for humans.
Scientists discovered that microscopic droplets on leaf surfaces provide refuge to bacteria, allowing them to survive dry conditions. The study's findings may enable the development of practices supporting healthy plant microbiomes in agricultural and natural settings.
The study estimates that electronic cigarette use increased from 3.7% to 3.2% among adults aged 18 and older in the US between 2014 and 2018, with a significant rise among young adults aged 18-24 years
Broadening diversity among participants enhances genomic studies' potential to uncover disease causes and treatments. The Psychiatric Genomics Consortium provides guidance on analyzing diverse data, highlighting opportunities, challenges, and solutions.
M. Stanley Whittingham's work on lithium-ion batteries has revolutionized energy storage and utilization, enabling widespread use of portable electronics. His research has been instrumental in advancing the development of these batteries, paving the way for significant technological advancements.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that self-reported health data can be highly biased depending on the country or age group. Researchers compared self-reported measures with tested equivalents and found significant differences in reporting behavior between countries and age groups. This highlights the importance of treating self-repo...
A new study finds that patients want to give consent before their de-identified data is used for research, with racial and ethnic minorities expressing strong sentiments on this issue. The study's findings highlight the importance of transparency and clarity in communicating research goals and activities to patients.
The NIH has awarded $31 million in grants to support consortia studying rare diseases, with a focus on clinical research and collaboration. The funding aims to develop improved approaches for diagnosis and treatment, ultimately moving potential treatments closer to the clinic.
The IU-led center will focus on proteins related to the brain's immune system that may contribute to Alzheimer's disease. The goal is to develop high-quality research tools and new technologies needed to broaden the number of targets being investigated for effective medicines.
A giant exoplanet has been found orbiting a small star, GJ 3512, which is unusual because low-mass stars should have less material to form planets. The discovery was made using the Doppler technique and suggests the presence of another massive planet that may have been ejected from the system.
A team of researchers found a security flaw in biometric passports that enables unauthorized equipment to scan and track passport holders' locations. The ICAO 9303 standard used worldwide since 2004 is vulnerable to attacks, posing a risk to individual privacy.
A new study found that only 39% of postmenopausal women discuss vaginal issues at well woman visits, despite 45% experiencing symptoms. Clinicians are also reluctant to initiate conversations, but patient-initiated discussions often lead to helpful recommendations.
Researchers and publishers promote scientific trustworthiness by adopting practices like article certification badges and public data archiving. Key findings highlight the importance of safeguarding against bias and self-correction in scientific research.
A study found that losing the automatic reenrollment option in California's Covered California marketplace led to a decrease in enrollment. The researchers analyzed data and reported a significant decline in enrollment following the removal of this feature.
Researchers at U-M aim to collect individual-level data across all parts of the criminal justice system, linking it with social and economic data to examine previously unanswerable research questions. The project will create a nationally integrated repository for crime data to support research and evidence-based policy.
The Pew Charitable Trusts has awarded grants to six interdisciplinary research teams, combining expertise in virology, epigenetics, microbiology, and developmental biology to advance groundbreaking discoveries. The research projects focus on understanding complex biological processes, such as viral manipulation of host cells, genetic v...
Researchers analyzed 13,000 observations of the black hole from 133 nights since 2003 and found extreme variations in brightness, with one night seeing an area twice as bright as the next-brightest observation. The team is unsure whether this is an extraordinary singular event or a precursor to significantly increased activity.
Bengio will discuss recent successes and limitations of deep learning, as well as research directions for building human-level AI. The event is part of the Heidelberg Laureate Forum, a networking event bringing together young researchers and award recipients.
A new web-based platform was developed to facilitate in-person survey data collection with minority research participants. The platform allows researchers to administer surveys in the participant's preferred language and dialect, promoting stronger interpersonal connections and improved participation rates.
A new software package, litsearchr, has been developed to streamline systematic reviews in ecology and conservation biology. By reducing the time required to develop a search strategy by 90%, researchers can focus on analyzing relevant information rather than wasting time searching for it.
Researchers discovered 'survivor bias' in groundwater level monitoring, where wells with missing data are excluded, leading to incorrect conclusions. By re-including these wells, the study found that groundwater levels were actually declining in southern India.
The University of Minnesota Medical School has been awarded a $945K grant to advance its cell-based therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Researchers aim to replace diseased muscle tissue with healthy muscle cells using human induced pluripotent stem cells.
Researchers from University of Edinburgh and Pennsylvania State University have made a groundbreaking discovery using equations developed by James Clerk Maxwell, leading to the identification of Dyakonov-Voigt waves. These newly discovered waves have unique properties and could be used in biosensors and fibre optic circuits.
A team led by Dr. Lim Hyun-Ho identified a new structure and mechanism of a membrane protein that causes epilepsy and muscle problems. The study reveals four different structures in the ion exchange process for a single CLC protein, expanding our understanding of this protein's functions.
Researchers at NUS have discovered a new quasiparticle, the polaronic trion, in molybdenum disulphide that can be tuned by both temperature and electric fields. This enables significant tunability in optoelectronic properties.
Australian researchers discovered a protein that prevents NK cells from fighting cancer and found that blocking it with the naturally occurring hormone Follistatin turbocharges the immune system. This discovery may lead to a new and highly potent immune-therapeutic drug for the eradication of cancers like melanoma.
Researchers found that UV radiation damages skin by weakening cell bonds, leading to structural degradation and increased tissue fragility. The study suggests using sunscreen to protect not only against skin cancer but also to maintain skin health and prevent infections.
A survey of over 1,800 participants found that more than 67% were willing to share all items with researchers from their home institution, while fewer shared with other institutions. The way preferences are elicited also affects sharing, with opt-out forms resulting in greater sharing per item.
A CNRS research team found that a sequence of reflexive contractions drives embryonic development, accelerating it by up to 20 times. By artificially recreating this process and applying low-intensity electrical shocks, the scientists triggered hindlimb formation.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a new sensory organ in the skin that detects painful mechanical damage, such as pricks and pressure. This discovery changes our understanding of the cellular mechanisms of physical sensation and may be significant in the understanding of chronic pain.
The US Department of Energy awards $27.6 million to 19 research projects leveraging AI and machine learning for chemistry and material sciences breakthroughs. The funding aims to develop new catalysts, alloys, and methods for energy production and use.
Researchers used AI to analyze wing patterns of Heliconius butterflies, confirming Müllerian mimicry theory and discovering new mechanisms of evolutionary novelty. The study found that species borrow features from each other, generating new patterns and increasing biological diversity.
A survey of internal medicine residents found that many reported being bullied during their training, which had a significant impact on their mental health and overall well-being. The study highlights the need for a safe and supportive learning environment in medical education.
The project aims to advance research by creating a resource for researchers around the globe to access data on craniofacial development and dysmorphologies. Craniofacial conditions affect approximately 600,000 people in the US, with cleft lip and palate being amongst the most common birth defects.
Researchers have developed BigStitcher software to process large amounts of data from light-sheet microscopy, allowing for the creation of high-resolution 3D images. The algorithm enables users to visualize and analyze cellular structures in detail, even in areas with poor image quality.
A population-based study in Taiwan found hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of dementia, particularly among those aged 45-64. Coexisting conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease also contributed to the dementia risk.