News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
The U.S. Department of Energy has approved the next phase of the $815M upgrade of the Advanced Photon Source, a premier national research facility that will enable scientists to see things at a scale they have never seen before with storage-ring X-rays. The upgrade positions the APS to be a global leader among the new generation of sto...
Researchers successfully applied machine learning to discover innovative materials with desired properties from limited data. The study identifies thousands of promising virtual polymers with high thermal conductivity, outperforming typical polyimides.
A recent study published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology found that information about a company's founder's motivation has a powerful effect on whether consumers deem a brand authentic. In two experiments, participants rated products as more authentic and of higher quality when they were presented with stories about the founder's...
Researchers at DGIST have discovered the formation of valley domains in molybdenum disulfide, enabling the storage and use of information using valley numbers. This discovery is expected to advance the development of next-generation semiconductor technology.
Researchers used machine learning to design novel polymers with superior heat transfer properties. The method achieved outstanding prediction performance even with limited data sets, leading to the identification of promising 'virtual' polymers.
The analysis result shows high precision in retrieving column-averaged dry-air mole fractions of methane and carbon monoxide using the proxy method. The results depict higher concentrations in Southeast and South Asia, Central Africa, and the northern part of South America.
A study of 300,000 participants found that implicit bias against people with disabilities increases over time and with age, while explicit attitudes towards them become more positive. Women and those with contact to the disabled population show lower prejudice.
Researchers have discovered a new species of tree in the Usambara Mountains, which grows up to 20m tall with white flowers. The tree is considered endangered due to its restricted population range and potential reliance on a specific beetle for pollination.
A new archaeological discovery was made at the L'Anse aux Meadows site in Newfoundland, revealing a previously unknown cultural horizon dating back to between the late 12th and 13th centuries. The layer contained trampled surfaces, charcoal, and wood working debris without any culturally diagnostic artifacts.
The National Science Foundation is funding a new supercomputer at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center (PSC) with a $10-million grant. The Bridges-2 system will provide massive computational capacity and flexibility to researchers in Pennsylvania and nationwide.
Scientists have discovered semiconducting nanotubes with precise cylindrical structures, which can be used as fluorescent markers in medical research or catalysts in photoreduction reactions. The researchers' accidental discovery reveals the spontaneous formation of these nanostructures using metallic nanocrystals and certain ligands.
Researchers found magnetic anomalies resembling those formed at mid-ocean ridge plate boundaries, suggesting Tamu Massif formed by mid-ocean ridge 'spreading' rather than as a shield volcano. The discovery weakens the accepted analogy between eruptions of continental flood basalts and oceanic plateaus.
A biochemical oxygen sensor conserved across biological kingdoms allows both plant and animal cells to sense changes in oxygen levels. The newly identified enzymatic oxygen sensor is functionally identical in plants and animals, with potential implications for addressing cellular hypoxia in human diseases like cancer.
Researchers found that 150,000 Ontarians experience a concussion each year, with children under 5 and adults over 65 being at higher risk. Summer months see a peak in concussions, with rural communities experiencing a higher rate than non-rural areas.
The BioImage Archive is a large-scale resource hosting reference imaging data to facilitate global access and analysis. The archive aims to improve research quality, speed up scientific discovery, and advance knowledge in fields like human health, food security, and biodiversity.
A team of Portland State University researchers has discovered a possible one-pill cure for malaria using a compound based on a natural red pigment. The compound has shown effectiveness in killing the malaria parasite in mice and human blood with a single low dose.
Researchers analyzed payroll-based staffing data for over 15,000 US nursing homes, finding that 54% of facilities met expected staffing levels less than 20% of the time. Weekend staffing was particularly low, with an average of just 17 minutes per resident day for RNs.
Researchers have discovered a new property of light, self-torque, which can be naturally generated through high-harmonic generation. This property enables beams with changing angular momentum to modulate properties similar to frequency modulation in communications.
Researchers call for new models to value human life data, allowing patients to own and profit from their health information. This shift could lead to increased engagement in the healthcare system, driven by blockchain technology and AI-based data analysis.
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative has awarded $68 million to support the Human Cell Atlas, a collaborative effort between scientists from diverse disciplines. The funding will support networks of researchers who will map specific tissues in the healthy human body, generating cellular and molecular maps that will aid in understanding disease.
A Université de Montréal study found that five- and six-year-old inattentive boys are more likely to report lower incomes at 33 to 35 years of age compared to their pro-social peers. Pro-social children, on the other hand, are on a trajectory leading to better-paying jobs.
Researchers developed a new type of refrigeration using a nanosponge, a soft material with tiny pores, to replace hydrofluorocarbons. The team successfully carried out a force-driven liquid-to-gas phase transition, paving the way for more efficient and environmentally friendly refrigerants.
Researchers at UVA are using machine learning algorithms on biopsy images to diagnose environmental enteric dysfunction, a disease that affects hundreds of thousands of children worldwide. The technology has the potential to provide insights that evade human eyes, validate pathologists' diagnoses and shorten treatment times.
The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) complicates data sharing in research, with participants' consent withdrawal rights and limited data retention posing challenges. Researchers advocate for GDPR-compliant repositories and adaptable funding policies to ensure safe data sharing.
Research from the University of Exeter found that spending at least 120 minutes in nature a week significantly boosts psychological wellbeing. The study's findings suggest two hours of natural exposure is crucial for promoting overall health and wellbeing.
A new cloud-computing platform called brainlife.io is being used to support and publish reproducible neuroscience research, potentially reducing delays in discovery. The platform is being used to advance research on multiple health care studies, including sports concussion and Alzheimer's disease.
Four multi-institutional research projects were awarded up to $50,000 in funding through iTHRIV's Pilot Translational and Clinical Studies Program. These projects aim to address potentially life-threatening disorders such as hereditary angioedema and improve diagnosis and treatment of vascular diseases.
A novel enzyme from a soil fungus breaks down β-1,2-glucan into sophorose, revealing its potential role in the symbiosis of bacteria and plants. The discovery sheds new light on the diversity of glycoside hydrolases and their applications.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have discovered a new avenue for understanding and controlling combustion processes, which will ultimately lead to cleaner engines. By analyzing a massive dataset of flames and fuels, the team identified correlations among chemical intermediates that play a role in pollutant formation.
Researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design have discovered a method to achieve self-assembly of low-density droplets in microfluidic flows using three-dimensional microchannels. The study shows that by introducing a gradual increase in height, droplets can accumulate and assemble into ordered structures.
Scientists have identified a biomarker that can diagnose celiac disease in individuals following a gluten-free diet with high sensitivity and specificity. The discovery uses the relative expression of the UBE2L3 gene isoforms in blood samples, enabling accurate diagnosis without the need for gluten consumption.
Researchers found a significant amount of overlap between their data and citizen sightings, with roughly 65% for red foxes and 56% for coyotes. The study highlights the potential of citizen science to inform urban canid management and monitor human-carnivore interactions.
The Enabling FAIR Data project calls on all scientific disciplines to adopt a set of principles ensuring data is findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable. This shift in research culture could increase opportunities for new research outcomes, enabling scientists to spend more time on research.
Researchers from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have made a groundbreaking discovery in thin film magnet interactions, revealing a new antisymmetric element that enables the creation of three-dimensional spin structures. These structures could lead to faster and more robust magnetic storage units with larger data capacities.
A new survey found that around one in five doctors are aware of patient feedback about their care online, while the majority did not encourage patients to leave feedback. The study also revealed that GPs view online feedback as mostly negative, particularly on social media.
Researchers at Princeton University discovered a new mechanism linking the circadian clock and fat metabolism through the Nocturnin enzyme. The study found that Nocturnin regulates specific metabolites to produce energy and protect cells from damage, leading to improved metabolic health outcomes.
Researchers discovered a signalling protein, semaphorin3d (Sema3d), that protects parathyroid glands from excessive activity, providing insights for drug development. Sema3d's protective role could also be relevant to other tumour types.
Defects in MOFs have been found to tailor these versatile materials for specific applications, such as catalysis and gas separation. KAUST researchers have developed a method to image defects using transmission electron microscopy, revealing that specific defects can improve MOF performance.
A new data analysis platform, CellBench, is being used to compare the performance of thousands of single-cell analysis options, helping researchers identify the best method for their questions. This will enable more accurate conclusions from large biological datasets, potentially leading to new discoveries and effective therapies.
Researchers found that matching mitochondrial DNA to nuclear DNA could be important when selecting potential donors for mitochondrial donation treatment. They discovered that mitochondria are fine-tuned to the nucleus and may influence the likelihood of certain mutations being passed on.
A survey of Japanese researchers found that 95% had shared their data, but only 56% had created a data management plan (DMP). The main reasons for not creating a DMP were unfamiliarity with funders' requirements and lack of institutional support. Japanese researchers cited supporting research progression and transparency as motivations...
Researchers at the University of Freiburg have identified a mechanism that clears blocked proteins from the mitochondrial entry gate. This discovery, dubbed 'mitochondrial protein translocation-associated degradation', has implications for understanding neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers identified a key acid-activated protein channel (PAC) that could provide a new target for therapies for stroke, heart attack, cancer, and inflammation. The discovery was made by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers who found the PAC protein in human cell lines using a novel method.
Research finds that fearful customers are sensitive to the size and scope of a data breach, whereas angry customers are not. The study also suggests that in the stock market, fear makes consumers more sensitive to breach size.
Researchers studied embryonic development to understand how neurons regulate digestive movement. They discovered that intestinal nervous system coordinates muscular contractions and reflexes.
A new CDC study cautions that sports whistles used by referees, coaches, and others are a risk factor for hearing loss. The study measured the acoustic signature of 13 whistle brands, finding sound levels between 100-120 decibels, which can exceed safe daily exposure within just a few seconds.
A new study found that people who walk faster have a higher life expectancy than those who walk slower, regardless of their weight status. The research used data from the UK Biobank and found that underweight individuals with a slow walking pace had the lowest life expectancy.
Researchers analyzed human tracks from 14,000 years ago, discovering five individuals entered the cave barefoot, including young children who were active group members. The team found evidence of social or symbolic activities within inner chambers, suggesting humans engaged in fun activities during exploration.
A new monkey species, Alophia, has been discovered in Africa at 22 million years old, bridging the 6-million-year gap in primate evolution. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of Old World monkeys and their dietary changes over time.
Researchers at Aalto University have discovered a surprising phenomenon where heavy particles move towards the regions with more vibrations, or antinodes, dubbed "inverse Chladni patterns", allowing for predictable motion control and potential applications in pharmaceutical research and microsystem assembly.
Penn State researchers have discovered a way to control substrate defects to improve the quality of 2D materials, enabling wafer-scale growth. The new method uses hexagonal boron nitride as a surface to orient transition metal dichalcogenides in a preferred direction.
A new species of medicinal mushroom, Ganoderma tropicum, was recorded in Thailand for the first time. The study found optimal growth conditions for mycelia production at specific temperatures and pH levels.
Scientists at CU Anschutz Medical Campus identified a rare genetic mutation causing an immune dysregulation syndrome, characterized by recurrent infections and autoimmune complications. The discovery provides unique insights into cell biology and suggests the possibility of treating the disease with gene therapy.
A global Therapeutic Area Standard has been released to represent data in research studies pertaining to CDAD, driven by the need for a major medical and infection control problem. The standard aims to accelerate clinical research and improve public health outcomes.
A new model describes how bacteria spread when moving in two different ways, providing a unifying theory for microbial communities. The theory reveals that the dynamics of spread are limited by the constraints of water and nutrient availability.
Abnormal necroptosis function contributes to cancer cell survival and multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease. Controlling necroptosis may lead to new treatments for these diseases.
Researchers identified two new neurodevelopmental diseases caused by ACTL6B gene mutations, leading to epilepsy, seizures, and cognitive delays. The study used induced pluripotent stem cells and CRISPR gene editing technology to understand the role of ACTL6B in brain development.
Researchers at TU Graz have made breakthroughs in super-battery research, finding ways to minimise the negative effects of singlet oxygen on redox mediators. They discovered a suitable quencher, DABCOnium, which transforms singlet oxygen into harmless triplet oxygen.
Researchers from the University of Kent have found that a newly discovered Ebolavirus, known as Bombali, is unlikely to cause severe disease in humans. The study compared amino acid sequences of virus proteins and identified positions that determine whether a virus causes disease in humans.
A University at Buffalo researcher and his team tested the impact of response options on the reliability of psychological measures, finding that six options appears to be the magic number for optimal accuracy. They argue that too few or too many options can lead to inaccurate results due to human cognitive limitations.