News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
Four neuroscientists, including Christian Haass, receive the Brain Prize for their work on the genetic and molecular bases of Alzheimer's disease. Their research has revolutionised understanding of the changes in the brain that lead to Alzheimer's, with potential implications for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Researchers with UAHS and ASU are studying the effect of two Medicaid enrollment freezes and subsequent expansions on healthcare utilization and expenditures among adults and children in Arizona. The study aims to inform policymakers about Medicaid funding and administration.
Researchers emphasize the importance of international collaboration in developing 5G and beyond technologies. The 5TONIC testbed has brought together companies, universities, and research institutions to test and prototype advanced wireless network systems.
Researchers have found that wearable activity data can predict various markers of risk for cardiovascular diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar. The study also identified active individuals at increased risk of having enlarged hearts, a condition commonly thought only to affect competitive athletes.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that judo athletes who wear a white uniform have an advantage in winning, regardless of the color of their opponent's uniform. The researchers analyzed extensive data from judo competitions and found no effect of uniform color on winning.
A research team has discovered a critical moment when DNA escapes from the mitochondria during cell death, potentially triggering autoimmune diseases. This 'Great Escape' moment may one day prove crucial for understanding inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki's BioGeoClimate Modelling Lab have developed a new model to predict soil moisture using airborne laser scanning data. The study reveals that fine-scale topography is essential for modeling water distribution, providing valuable insights into climate change impact and biodiversity assessments.
A European study reveals that 80% of popular Android health apps fail to meet security standards, putting users' sensitive data at risk. The research found serious security problems in how applications handle user data, including unauthorized data sharing and insecure data transfers.
The study reveals that Bornean orangutan populations are declining faster than expected, with deforested areas and agricultural land showing the most significant rates of decline. However, some populations appear to be relatively stable, highlighting the need for urgent conservation efforts to prevent further losses.
Researchers developed a multistep process to grow single crystal, atomically thin films of tungsten diselenide on large-area sapphire substrates. The process achieved good crystal quality and improved performance by factors of 20-100 times.
Researchers at Monash University have identified a molecular switch in the brain that regulates fat storage after dieting. This switch, called carnitine acetyltransferase (Crat), instructs the body to replace lost weight through increased fat storage.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding how penoxsulam works to control weeds, which could lead to the development of new, safe herbicides. The study found that penoxsulam combines with an enzyme in the weed and prevents it from producing amino acids.
Swansea University will share initial investment of £30 million with Queen's University Belfast to focus on Modernising Public Health and Enabling Precision Medicine. The project aims to upscale research in scientific discovery and its translation to improve patient and population health.
Researchers developed water-splitting catalyst made of nickel and iron, but uncertainty remained about its mechanism. New study reveals iron performs water-splitting reaction, not nickel, paving the way for improved catalysts.
Researchers discovered ways to improve computing efficiency in cloud-based containers, reducing latency by utilizing caching and prefetching. The study analyzed 38 million requests and 181.3 TB of traces, finding that younger nonproduction registries experience lower loads compared to production systems.
Researchers have discovered a fundamental energy field guiding formation of complex patterns in materials that crystallize, altering current understanding of metal solidification. This finding has the potential to improve casting and welding processes, leading to stronger alloys and improved metallurgical process control.
The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association has received a $11.1 million gift from the Henrietta B. and Frederick H. Bugher Foundation to fund targeted research in hemorrhagic stroke. The centers will employ precision medicine, data analysis, and core collaborative research to prevent and treat this type of stroke.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have discovered a new process called aggregation-induced emission (AIE) that can create wider variety of colours in high-definition TVs. This process could increase the number of colour combinations by over 50% and lead to brighter, lighter and more energy-efficient displays.
Researchers at University of Louisville find activity-based training improves bladder and bowel function, increases sexual desire in individuals with severe spinal cord injury. The training also strengthens neural circuits that control urogenital and bowel functions.
The Data Science Institute at Columbia has awarded grants to five research teams to use data science to solve societal problems in cancer research, medical science, transportation and technology. The teams will work together to transform several fields throughout the university.
The EPSRC has awarded £14 million to five research projects that employ novel approaches to data science, involving universities and industry partners. The initiatives aim to develop new algorithms and mathematical tools to better understand large data sets and make informed decisions in various sectors.
A newly funded project aims to create a data-driven tool to identify individuals headed toward violent extremism. The computational tool will monitor and screen for proven risk indicators of radicalization among large databases.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have developed a new class of implantable devices that utilize synthetic peptides to mimic surrounding tissue. The peptides can be attached to surfaces using electric fields, enabling optimal orientation and density control.
Entomologist Brian Brown discovers the new fly species, named Megapropodiphora arnoldi, with highly reduced legs and tiny wings. The fly is likely a parasitoid of ants or termites.
Researchers from the University of Leicester have discovered a unique 450-million-year-old fossil of a mysterious creature with soft body parts preserved. The discovery provides new insights into the life of the Ordovician period and expands our understanding of the planet's ancient world.
Researchers identified four fundamental building blocks for all proteins, which can be stacked together to form energy-rich molecules available to humans and other living organisms. The discovery could lead to applications in biomedical engineering, therapeutic proteins, and industrial catalysts.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed a thermochromic material that works as both transparent and non-transparent, producing electricity when darkened. The material's reversible phase transition enables it to switch between these states without degrading its electronic properties.
Astronomers discovered a 'hot Jupiter' with westward winds, defying theory. The planet's atmosphere may interact with its magnetic field or be affected by clouds, raising new questions about the phenomenon.
A study published in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that patients with high intra-tumour heterogeneity of the oestrogen receptor are twice as likely to die from breast cancer over a span of 25 years. This risk holds true for Luminal A breast cancer subtype, which is generally considered to have a good prognosis.
US Army Research Laboratory scientists improved chemical yield of diaminoglyoxime (DAG) synthesis by 80%, increasing material production per reaction. The new method reduces heat release, minimizing explosion and combustion hazards.
A study by Bar-Ilan University researchers found that difficult relationships are common, especially within families and workplaces. The study, based on data from the University of California Network Study, reveals that social norms and institutional constraints often force people to retain challenging connections.
Researchers at University of Texas at Austin analyzed 40 years of stock prices, finding that high-beta stocks do not outperform those with low betas. Controlling for lottery-like characteristics, the seminal theory is empirically supported, revealing price pressure from investors as the main cause of the anomaly.
The AGA FMT National Registry is the largest planned FMT study, tracking 4,000 patients for 10 years. The registry aims to provide a wealth of data on FMT's effectiveness and long-term effects, helping advance research and improve treatment outcomes.
The Renown Institute for Health Innovation is partnering with Helix to offer DNA sequencing to an additional 40,000 Nevadans through the Healthy Nevada Project. This phase will utilize Helix's proprietary Next Generation Sequencing technology to provide unparalleled access to genetic data.
Three new species of zoantharians were discovered in the Indo-Pacific region, expanding our understanding of coral reef diversity. One species was named after President Tommy Remengesau of Palau, highlighting the nation's support for marine conservation.
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) created an individual access right to genomic data, but its implementation has been marred by controversy and conflicting regulations. Bioethicists and safety regulators have raised concerns about the misuse of genetic data, while lawmakers argue that GINA solves a non-existent problem.
Researchers at Washington State University discovered a genetic variation that predicts how well people perform certain mental tasks when sleep-deprived. Individuals with a specific variation of the DRD2 gene are resilient to the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive flexibility.
Researchers at Monash University have identified a novel molecular 'blueprint' that enables the immune system to fight disease by 'remembering' past infections. This discovery potentially opens new avenues for improving vaccines and therapies, including those targeting cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Researchers at Eurac Research and Medical University of Innsbruck have identified a new medical entity: isolated high-altitude psychosis. The condition is characterized by psychotic episodes in extreme altitudes, often accompanied by hallucinations and disorientation.
A comprehensive study revealed that the common silky anteater is actually a complex of at least seven different species, including three previously revalidated and three newly described species. The discovery was made using genetic and anatomical data from 33 DNA samples and over 280 museum specimens.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a new way to produce high-density DC current, vastly improving over existing triboelectric nanogenerators. The discovery enables continuous flow of electricity from nanoscale movement and vibration, opening up potential applications in sensors, wearable devices, and more.
A large genetic study found a significant link between delay discounting and ADHD, obesity. Delay discounting refers to the tendency to undervalue future rewards, which was found to be correlated with various psychiatric and behavioral traits.
After retiring from work life, people sleep approximately 20 minutes longer than before retirement and experience improved sleep quality. This is particularly true for individuals who had previously experienced sleep difficulties or were heavy alcohol users, with a notable decrease in early morning awakenings and nonrestorative sleep.
Researchers have discovered two super-Earths around the red dwarf star K2-18, one of which could be a scaled-up version of our own planet. The newly found planet, K2-18c, is likely too hot to support life, but its companion, K2-18b, has potential for liquid surface water and might harbor conditions suitable for life.
Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology have successfully recorded non-error data in magnetic holographic memory, reducing energy consumption and improving reconstruction performance. The breakthrough enables high-volume data storage with ultra-high density and speed, potentially surpassing Blu-ray discs.
A team from Peking University successfully experimentally demonstrated a 70Gb/s optical link using an 18GHz band-limited VCSEL and multimode fibers. This achievement showcases the potential for realizing high-speed data transmission in data centers using low-cost and band-limited devices. The study's results have important scientific s...
Female horseflies can identify dark cows among equally dark patches using polarized light reflected from their smooth coats. This allows them to detect host animals more efficiently in sunny conditions.
Researchers at The Feinstein Institute discovered dozens of genetic variations linked to general cognitive ability. These findings have the potential to aid in targeted treatment for cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Researchers identified AMIGO2 and PTK7 as key players in melanoma cell growth and survival. Targeting these proteins may lead to new treatments for metastatic melanoma.
Researchers from Insilico Medicine and BitFury Group present a blockchain-based life data interchange system to decentralize and accelerate biomedical research. The system utilizes deep learning technologies to analyze human life data, reducing biases and democratizing healthcare access.
New study reveals that five babies per 1,000 born in England may have sustained brain injury at or soon after birth, leading to serious conditions like cerebral palsy and blindness. The research, using routine NHS data, aims to better understand how to prevent brain injuries in preterm and full-term babies.
A new method developed by researchers at the University of Warwick uses fluorescent dye to detect small microplastics in oceans, challenging current estimates that only 1% of plastic waste is found. The method reveals a significant abundance of polypropylene microplastics, highlighting the impact of consumer habits on ocean health.
A new analytical method developed at GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel shows that water penetrates significantly deeper into the Earth's crust than previously assumed. This finding is crucial for understanding the ocean's heat budget and volatiles in the crust.
Galla Chinensis has been identified as a strong potential agent in preventing dental caries due to its antibacterial capacity and tooth mineralization benefit. The main active ingredient of Galla Chinensis is unknown, but medium molecular weight gallotannins have been shown to be most effective.
A new model proposes returning control over human life data to patients, accelerating biomedical research through a secure and transparent distributed personal data marketplace utilizing blockchain and deep learning technologies. This approach can resolve challenges faced by regulators and improve patient satisfaction.
Researchers analyzed anonymous Google location data to understand human mobility patterns before and after Hurricane Maria. Travel out of Puerto Rico increased by 20% the day before the storm, with people flocking to cities like Orlando and Miami for shelter.
Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University have discovered a novel layered superconductor based on tin and arsenic, exhibiting high-temperature superconductivity. The material's crystal structure and electronic state are unique, enabling the study of high-temperature superconductivity.
The American Heart Association has awarded $2 million in grants to researchers, clinicians and computer engineers to develop precision medicine projects. The grants will support the use of cloud computing and data analytics to improve cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment.
Researchers found that beta wave activity is not sustained but rather occurs in discrete bursts, and the timing of these bursts affects perception. The study's findings provide a better understanding of how beta waves help filter distractions to process sensations.
The NIH has awarded Jackson Laboratory for its innovative software to improve data sharing in heart disease research. Researchers will now have access to genomic data shared by humans and animal models, enabling them to fast-track their studies.