News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
Researchers at UC Davis are part of a NIH initiative to make biomedical data accessible online. The goal is to accelerate discoveries by making research data FAIR, findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable.
Researchers at University of California San Diego have found a new pathway called Intracellular Pathogen Response (IPR) that helps animals cope with certain types of stress and attacks, including heat shock. The study reveals the IPR gene pals-22, which increases tolerance to heat shock when expressed in roundworms.
Researchers found signals in a tiny worm that control the mechanism of severed nerves self-healing. The discovery enables genetic control over this process, raising hopes for treating nerve injuries in humans. The study used laser beams to sever neurons and observed how they regenerated, finding full function restored within 48 hours.
Researchers at UHN's Krembil Research Institute identified LXB4, a unique lipid that protects neurons against glaucoma in preclinical models. This discovery provides hope for devising a new strategy to protect vision in glaucoma patients and may have implications for other neurodegenerative diseases.
Scientists found microcolumns in layer V of the cortex, which are synchronized neural activity units. These units could represent an essential computational unit in the brain, similar to parallel computers.
SourceData provides a suite of tools to generate, validate and use figure data, making it efficient to find and reuse published results. The platform links figures to other related figures across papers and journals, creating a searchable knowledge graph.
Researchers discovered that our chromosomes age along with us, affecting how our immune system renews itself. In young people, thousands of gene sites are open, while in older adults, these sites become closed, leading to decreased activity in genes and pathways critical for defending against disease.
The NIH BRAIN Initiative has launched a major effort to discover and catalog the brain's diverse cell types. The BICCN will generate knowledge that is prerequisite to solving the mysteries of brain disorders such as schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and autism spectrum disorder.
The pilot project identified significant bottlenecks in data sharing practices among IDRC-funded projects, including lack of resources, expertise, and tailored data management platforms. The study recommends empowering Program Officers with training and support to enhance policy implementation.
Researchers at the National University of Singapore have discovered a critical molecular target for sphingosine-1-phosphate production, paving the way for regulating its signalling in circulation. Low levels of S1P have been linked to various immune and vascular diseases, including multiple sclerosis and cardiovascular complications.
Researchers at Monash University have created the first high-resolution structure of the Type II secretion system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a critical component in the bacteria's ability to secrete toxins. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new drugs targeting this nanomachine to reduce virulence and combat infection.
The MyGene2 platform connects patients, clinicians, and researchers to share genetic data, phenotypes, and experiences. Over 1,000 profiles have been created, enabling matches among patients with the same disease and facilitating low-cost exome sequencing.
GA4GH has struck formal collaborations with 15 international genomic data initiatives, including Genomics England and the U.S. All of Us Research Program. The goal is to create framework and standards for responsible sharing of genomic data by 2022.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that surface polarization in mixed media increases the attraction among rare earth elements. This finding could make rare earth recovery faster, easier, and less expensive. The study's results have implications for separating rare earths as well as other elements and nuclear waste removal.
Springer Nature's new platform provides easy access to the largest collection of life sciences protocols and methods. Users can search and compare content using advanced knowledge models and AI-powered text mining technologies, with features like protocol landing pages that summarize key information.
A University of New South Wales researcher has uncovered documents that suggest Teddy Evans, Scott's second-in-command, may have been responsible for his leader's death and that of four others. Evans' actions, including stealing rations and failing to pass on orders, are believed to have contributed to the tragedy.
A Data Science Institute professor is leading a research team to develop an intelligent headphone system that detects sounds of approaching vehicles and sends audio alerts to pedestrians. The project aims to reduce pedestrian injuries and fatalities in crowded cities by providing a warning system for pedestrians wearing headphones.
Researchers discovered that yeast cells form protein aggregates in response to stress, which are then dissolved when the stress passes. The aggregates serve as a protective mechanism for essential enzymes, enabling the cell to quickly recover from stress.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse has awarded UCLA a $5 million grant to create a resource center for researchers studying the effects of substance abuse on HIV/AIDS. The Collaborating Consortium of Cohorts Producing NIDA Opportunities will connect researchers with access to millions of pieces of research data and lab samples.
The Magee Prize will be awarded to a collaborative team of researchers proposing innovative projects in women's health research. The winners will collaborate with MWRI researchers to improve women's health globally, focusing on topics like early human development, reproductive sciences, and gender-based biology.
UTHealth's Jim Zheng has been awarded a $5.8 million CPRIT grant to analyze cancer data and develop tools for analyzing cancer, with the goal of finding potential cures. The grant will fund the establishment of the Data Science and Informatics Core for Cancer Research at UTHealth.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded four grants to establish a coordinated scientific research effort on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Researchers will collaborate on projects, share data, and engage with the ME/CFS community to advance knowledge and potential treatments for this debilitating disease.
The Center for Solutions for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CfS for ME/CFS) will pursue basic research and develop tools to monitor illness progression, while working closely with the ME/CFS community through partnerships and outreach.
Researchers found that metabolism directly impacts malaria development and severity. A study by Instituto de Medicina Molecular revealed that dietary shifts can lead to a 90% reduction in parasite load.
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences has awarded a $2.375 million grant to Van Andel Research Institute to study epigenetic control mechanisms that regulate the genetic code. The researchers aim to understand how these complex controls are orchestrated and leverage this knowledge to design more effective medications.
A study by Indiana University researchers found that US women have diverse preferences for genital touch, location, pressure, shape, and pattern, with 41% preferring a single style of touch. The study also revealed that nearly 75% of women require clitoral stimulation to achieve orgasm during intercourse.
Scientists in Bordeaux discovered a new mechanism for storing information in synapses and controlling the storage process. They found that halting receptor movement can block the acquisition of certain types of memories, confirming the role of synaptic plasticity.
Researchers discovered evidence of rapid climate changes on a millennial-to-centennial scale that occurred 780 to 760 thousand years ago. The findings suggest that this interglacial climate could be useful in predicting the Earth's future climate.
Researchers found 60 genetic variants influencing HbA1c measurements and ability to diagnose diabetes. These variants, including one associated with lower HbA1c levels despite high blood glucose, may lead to underdiagnosis of type 2 diabetes in African Americans.
The ICSU World Data System has launched the CoreTrustSeal Certification, a core-level certification for Trustworthy Data Repositories. The certification is based on the DSA-WDS Core Trustworthy Data Repositories Requirements catalogue and procedures, aiming to promote sustainable and trustworthy data infrastructures.
Gautam Das, a University of Texas at Arlington computer science professor, has received a $199,346 grant from the National Science Foundation to explore ways to perform data analytics with limited location-based data views. The project aims to develop techniques that can tap into this data and enable third-party clients to create locat...
Brown's Data Science Initiative aims to bring together experts from various fields to develop new tools for applying data to complex problems. The grant will support intensive research activity and workshops bringing top researchers to campus to work on improving predictive power of mathematical models.
Penn State faculty members Ming Xiao, Heng Xu, and Jun Zhu receive NSF Convergence grants to support interdisciplinary research on permafrost coastal erosion, crowdsourcing research, and quantum science. The grants aim to bring together experts from various fields to address complex challenges and advance scientific discovery.
Researchers have discovered a new species of extinct dolphin, Inermorostrum xenops, off the coast of South Carolina. The toothless dolphin lived around 28-30 million years ago and provides evidence of suction feeding in echolocating sea mammals.
Researchers at Penn State's IST developed a system that correlates Twitter posts with power outage reports, showing a moderate-to-strong correlation. The tool could enable real-time monitoring and faster deployment of resources during disasters.
A UBC Okanagan researcher has developed a new artificial bone design that can be customized and printed with a 3D printer. The designs strike a balance between porosity and strength, offering potential for more effective bone replacements.
Researchers discovered a security success in the Panama Papers project, where globally distributed journalists collaborated remotely via the internet. The investigation exposed offshore companies linked to politicians and corporate bribery scandals, with $2 billion hidden around the world.
A team of researchers has created a suite of tools to help identify victims of sexual exploitation by analyzing online ads and Bitcoin transactions. The algorithm can link ads to a common author and Bitcoin wallet, potentially revealing human traffickers' identities. This technology is crucial for law enforcement and nonprofit organiza...
A UC Berkeley PhD candidate has developed techniques to identify adult ads linked to human trafficking rings by analyzing Bitcoin payment data. The algorithm, which combines stylometry and timestamp analysis, shows a high true-positive rate for grouping ads by author.
The new data resource center will accelerate novel treatments for childhood tumors by making genetic sequences available on the cloud. Researchers expect to identify beneficial mutations that allow some children to survive longer than others.
In fiscal 2016-17, UCI researchers secured $378 million in grants and contracts, with a strong focus on health research and collaborations with companies. The funding reflects continued support for the university's world-class faculty, facilities, and community-based programs.
A breakthrough method has yielded a trove of neuronal subtypes and gene regulators in the brain, using molecular profiling to detect epigenetic regulation. This discovery opens the door to potentially discovering changes linked to brain disorders and compiling the brain's 'parts list'.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed a method for computers to mine databases of patents, inventions, and research papers to identify ideas that can be repurposed. This approach uses crowdsourcing and deep learning to analyze product descriptions and find analogous products, leading to innovative solutions.
Researchers demonstrate method for multiplexing data carried on terahertz waves, transmitting two real-time video signals at an aggregate data rate of 50 gigabits per second. The terahertz multiplexer uses a waveguide with metal plates to separate data streams based on frequency and angle.
International researchers developed a mathematical model predicting docetaxel discontinuation due to adverse events, incorporating five clinical factors. The combined model stratified patients into low and high risk groups, with the high group having more than double the likelihood of discontinuation.
Researchers at Monash University have discovered a brain mechanism that controls the conversion of white fat into brown fat after eating, which could lead to new obesity treatments. The 'switch' is turned off during fasting and on during feeding, promoting weight gain when the switch remains active.
Researchers created high-fidelity maps of neural brain connections, revealing unique features of each individual's brain. These findings may help diagnose and treat neurological diseases such as migraines, Alzheimer's, and brain injuries.
The Danish Reference genome is a groundbreaking achievement in genomics, allowing for the analysis of previously untractable regions and mapping non-simple variation among individuals. This breakthrough increases understanding of genetic differences affecting health and disease, paving the way for precision medicine.
A new extinct bird species, Pyrrhula crassa, has been discovered on Graciosa Island in the Azores archipelago. The species went extinct due to human colonization and introduction of invasive species. Its unique beak morphology suggests it was a large bullfinch species.
The University of Rochester has been awarded $19 million from NCATS to coordinate a network of over 50 institutions nationwide, aiming to accelerate research into health benefits. The grant will support 20 new personnel and expand the university's existing efforts in biomedical research.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers found that gift givers tend to choose superficial gifts over sentimental ones, even when recipients prefer sentimentally valuable gifts. The study suggests that givers view sentimental gifts as uncertain in their impact, but view preference-matching gifts as a sure single.
A team of researchers from Monash University has identified the Nkx2.5 gene as a key regulator of wing development in emus. This discovery sheds light on the genetic basis of limb reduction and may have implications for human limb development, particularly in individuals born with limb abnormalities.
A new species of non-photosynthesizing parasitic plant, Sciaphila sugimotoi, has been discovered on Ishigaki island in Okinawa, Japan. The plant, which stands 5-10cm above ground, feeds off the roots of host fungi and is named after Mr. Takaomi Sugimoto, one of its discoverers.
A new technique called factorized variational autoencoders (FVAEs) uses neural networks to predict a viewer's facial expressions for the remainder of the movie after observing an audience member for just a few minutes. The approach demonstrated impressive accuracy in predicting reactions, outperforming conventional methods.
A new study uses Google search data to track dengue fever in underdeveloped countries, providing accurate and timely estimates of disease prevalence. The method, called ARGO, combines Google Trends data with government-provided clinical data to alert governments and hospitals when elevated dengue incidence is anticipated.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University discovered a novel way phosphorylation affects protein function and localization, leading to increased pain sensitivity. The study offers a new target for developing alternative pain medications and provides a tool for studying synaptic development and pathology.
Monash University researchers have identified a key part of the process by which a common clinical antibiotic is formed, paving the way for novel compounds to tackle bacterial resistance. By understanding this process, scientists can manipulate it to create modified compounds that could help combat superbugs.
A structured program using technology improved team communication and patient engagement in ICUs, leading to a 29% reduction in adverse events. Patient satisfaction scores also increased significantly with the intervention.
Following Anders Breivik's Norwegian parliament bombing and Utøya massacre in 2011, Danes saw a significant increase in trauma- and stressor-related disorders, with 2,736 extra cases reported. The study suggests media coverage played a crucial role in amplifying the negative effect on mental health.
Using infrared satellite data, researchers have successfully predicted the end of lava flow-forming eruptions. The system detects heat emissions from erupting volcanoes and analyzes them to determine when the eruption will end. This approach has significant implications for reducing disturbance caused by volcanic eruptions.