News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
A new £5 million research partnership aims to create super-resilient, data-driven networks that can adapt to changing demands. The partnership will develop an 'autonomic' network with minimal human intervention, leading to improved customer experiences and greater agility for businesses.
The University of Plymouth has developed HDNetDB, the first freely available data network for scientists researching Huntington's disease. This resource links various cellular processes in a molecular network and provides a more holistic view of the disease.
A study published in Frontiers analyzed traditional cuisines' flavor networks to develop a new principle behind cooking, called food-bridging. The research found regional clusters with distinct flavor patterns, and its mathematical representation, semi-metricity, may be applied to predict successful ingredient combinations.
Neurons in the brain receive information from large parts of the visual field to form a coherent perceptual image. The study found that neurons are most likely connected if they react to edges on a common axis, mirroring the structure of the visual world.
Scientists at Cardiff University have discovered new molecules, including formylium and sulphur monoxide, within the remnants of Supernova 1987A. This suggests that supernovae can create clouds of molecules and dust at extremely cold temperatures, similar to those in stellar nurseries where stars are born.
Researchers developed a method to generate large amounts of training data using computer graphics and motion capture technology. This allows for accurate pose recognition, including complex positions such as recumbent and crouching, enabling care robots to provide better care. The generated data is freely available for research purposes.
Researchers found that particular bonobo males have a strong advantage over others when it comes to fathering offspring, with one male fathering over 60% of the next generation. This finding challenges previous assumptions about female choice and social dynamics in bonobos.
Researchers have discovered how Cpf1, a new molecular scissor, can act like a GPS to identify its destination in the genome, enabling precise genome modification and repair. The high precision of Cpf1 will improve the use of this technology in repairing genetic damage and other medical applications.
An international team of scientists discovered a possible cause for irregularities in climate evolution: enhanced volcanic activity induced by falling sea levels. This study found that reduced pressure on the seafloor led to increased lava and carbon dioxide emissions, stabilizing atmospheric CO2 concentrations during glacial periods.
The project aims to create a system that can effectively monitor data centers and analyze findings with minimal human intervention. Led by McMaster Engineering professors, the team will develop tools to analyze performance in real-time, helping companies make decisions to reduce energy usage and predict system faults and failures.
After 100 years of misidentification, researchers have confirmed the existence of Kadsura matsudae, a distinct East Asian vine species. The discovery was made by collaborating experts from Japan and Taiwan, who utilized molecular analysis to distinguish it from previously thought to be Kadsura japonica.
A set of guidelines helps create, reference and maintain web-based identifiers to improve reproducibility, attribution, and scientific discovery in life sciences. Persistent identifiers enable the linking and discovery of data, but their robustness and uniqueness are crucial for usefulness.
Researchers have discovered a new mobile colistin resistance gene, mcr-3, in Escherichia coli of pig origin, which may already be widely disseminated. The prevalence of mcr-3 is likely underestimated due to potential transfer between bacterial species.
A UCSF-led study found that crowdsourced data may not be representative of certain populations, such as older adults and racial/ethnic minorities. The study suggests that proactive efforts are needed to promote inclusion of underrepresented groups in projects using crowdsourced recruitment and data collection.
A new study found stronger support for all forms of gun control among Latinos and blacks than whites, with significant predictors including racial prejudice and ideology. The researchers analyzed data from a 2015 survey on gun control conducted by YouGov.com.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University found that a high fat diet rich in plant-derived 'good' fats reduced bacterial diversity and inflammation in mice with Crohn's-like disease. This discovery could lead to new anti-inflammatory probiotics and provide hope for patients suffering from debilitating intestinal symptoms.
Insilico Medicine will showcase its latest AI advancements in aging research and personal health data management. The company aims to apply deep learning to improve biomarker development, predict chronological age, and provide geroprotectors for various diseases.
Researchers from Swansea University highlight the need for improved reporting of asthma diagnosis and events in electronic health records. The study found wide variations in methods across studies, compromising validity and reproducibility.
Researchers at Queen's University have created unique 2D sheets, called domain walls, which exist within crystalline materials and can appear, disappear or move around without permanently altering the crystal. These breakthroughs could revolutionize tiny electronic devices by enabling constant reconfiguration of electronic circuits.
Researchers at WMG, University of Warwick, discovered that intelligent management of vehicle-to-grid technology can improve EV battery life by up to 10% while powering large buildings. Their 'smart grid' algorithm optimizes energy transfer without degrading batteries.
A team of researchers has identified novel structures on bacteria using high magnification imaging, revealing a wealth of unknown information about well-studied species. The discovery is expected to lead to improvements in medicine, environmental science, and multiple additional fields where bacteria play a critical role.
Researchers have discovered the oldest securely aged fossil evidence of modern humans in Africa, pushing back their origins by 100,000 years. The findings from Jebel Irhoud, Morocco, reveal a complex evolutionary history of mankind that likely involved the entire African continent.
Researchers have determined the origin of the 1586 Sanriku tsunami that hit Japan, tracing it to a mega-earthquake in the Aleutian Islands. The study used coral fragments dated to the 16th century and found a precise age of 1572±21 years.
Researchers at the University of Surrey discovered that delaying meal times by five hours can delay blood sugar rhythms, suggesting a potential solution for alleviating symptoms of shift work and jet lag. This finding indicates that separate circadian clocks govern glucose metabolism and fat levels in the blood.
Researchers at Griffith University are developing highly sensitive nanoscale sensors to monitor strain, pressure, flow rate, magnetic field and temperature in harsh environments. The project aims to improve the safety and efficiency of oil and gas delivery systems in Australia.
A new study reveals that the main evolutionary force driving the shape of duck, goose, and other waterfowl beaks is their diet. The research, which analyzed the 3-D form of over 136 specimens of waterfowl, found a strong correlation between dietary preferences and beak shape.
Research reveals women are underrepresented in philosophy journals, with female authors making up only 14-16% of publications. Journals without anonymous review tend to have higher percentages of women authors, highlighting the need for change in publishing practices.
Researchers at Osaka University have discovered a clear connection between quantum fluctuations and the effective charge of current-carrying particles in exotic phase transitions. This breakthrough provides insight into quantum phase transitions, potentially unlocking applications in superconductivity and other areas.
A team of researchers, led by Drs. Meaney and Smith, will investigate the cellular mechanisms of concussions and their impact on brain recovery. They aim to decipher how the brain re-routes signals after a concussion and develop new clinical interventions.
Scientists have developed a conductive paper that can contribute to flexible electronics, enabling scalable production on a large scale. The material, which costs $1.30 per square meter, conducts electricity while maintaining durability, making it suitable for future flexible electronics.
A study found that male fruit flies have specific neurons called MS1 that release octopamine to keep them awake during courtship, suppressing sleep. The researchers also discovered that these neurons communicate with other brain cells to enhance male sexual behavior.
Japanese researchers isolated a protein essential for chloroplast nucleoid segregation, improving understanding of chloroplast DNA dynamics. The moc1 gene functions as a 'Holliday junction resolvase', untangling DNA structures crucial for cell health.
Joseph Paton, a neuroscientist at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, has been awarded a $650,000 grant to further study how the brain processes time. His work aims to understand how internal signals are converted into action, enabling animals to interact with their environment in a more informed and calculated manner.
The Biogerontology Research Foundation will present its work on applying artificial intelligence and deep learning to combat aging and age-related disease. The foundation has published seminal papers demonstrating the potential of these approaches to accelerate drug discovery and development, reducing costs and risks.
Researchers found that smiling makes a person appear to be two years older due to associated wrinkles. In contrast, surprised expressions are perceived as youthful, contradicting common perceptions of age and emotions.
An international study has identified a new therapeutic target for Hepatitis C Virus by hijacking host cell communication systems. The approach may have broader application to other infectious diseases.
Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark have developed a new technique to detect ecstasy that is extremely reliable and simple to use. The method can detect even small traces of the active compound in ecstasy with almost 100 percent certainty.
Researchers discovered surface runoff in megadunes of Badain Jaran Desert, recharging lake water. This finding explains the source of lake water in the desert region.
Scientists at Penn State report breakthroughs in stenciling 2D materials with atomic precision, enabling new chip functionality and overcoming substrate effects. The simple technique involves exposing photoresist to UV light and washing away exposed areas, allowing precise placement of high-quality materials.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism causing intestinal inflammation, linking elevated Bcl-3 protein levels to immune system imbalance. Elevated Bcl-3 triggers regulatory T-cell inactivation, leading to severe inflammatory responses.
Scientists have found that Boreal Shield lakes in Canada share key properties with Archean oceans, allowing for new insights into early life forms and potential solutions to greenhouse gas emissions and harmful algal blooms. Researchers can use these lakes as living laboratories to study ancient microbial communities.
A study found that Leave campaigners outperformed Remain's Stronger In on Twitter, using effective messaging and agenda-setting strategies. The analysis also revealed the Remain camp's sporadic online approach and reliance on negative comments, which strengthened the Leave campaign's message.
A research scientist at CSIC has discovered that wax worms can quickly biodegrade polyethylene, a material difficult to break down. The worm's ability is attributed to its similarity in composition to beeswax and may involve an enzyme-based mechanism.
Researchers discovered that early diagnosis and alternative dietary therapies can significantly improve patient outcomes for patients with Glucose Transporter Type 1 Deficiency. The study's results, published in JAMA Neurology, highlight the importance of addressing this disease through a comprehensive approach.
Scientists at Diamond Light Source developed a new Pan-DDAA method to extract clear detail from X-ray diffraction data. The approach identifies noise sources and removes them, exploiting the ability of Diamond's beamline to repeat measurements quickly.
A new systematic review confirms that moderate to high levels of caffeine intake (up to 400 mg/day) are not associated with adverse health effects in healthy adults. The review also highlights the need for further research on sensitive populations, such as pregnant women and children.
A new study published in PLOS One found a significant correlation between the consumption of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and sedentary behavior in pre-teen girls. The research also suggests a weak association between PUFA intake and diabetes risk among adult women in Europe. Researchers recommend further studies to confirm ...
The USDA has announced $21.8 million in funding to address the outbreak of citrus greening disease, also known as Huanglongbing (HLB), which poses an imminent threat to US citrus production. Innovative solutions and research are being developed to combat this devastating disease.
Cytomegalovirus has evolved to hide from the immune system by presenting decoy markers, tricking NK cells into thinking infected cells are healthy. The immune system responds by evolving new mechanisms to detect and kill the virus, including a molecule called NK1.1.
A recent study by Michigan State University researchers found nearly 1,800 large data breaches in patient information over a seven-year period. Hospitals were responsible for most of these breaches, which highlights the need for increased data protection in the healthcare industry.
A study published in JAMA Oncology analyzes 18 years of data on Oregon's Death with Dignity Act, revealing that 64% of patients who used the law ingested the medication and died. The majority of users were older white men with college education, and cancer was the underlying terminal illness for 77% of cases.
A new report reveals that while researchers acknowledge the benefits of open data, data sharing practices are still limited due to various reasons such as lack of training and proprietary aspects. The study found that only about 15% of researchers share their data in a repository, with most sharing it directly with collaborators.
Researchers found that people who are aware of a product's price tend to evaluate the experience more critically, resulting in decreased satisfaction. For consumers, avoiding price focus can prolong enjoyment, while for marketers, separating price from experience may prevent consumer burnout and increase purchasing loyalty.
Researchers discovered that motivation shifts from promotion to prevention as people make progress toward their goals. This shift can be leveraged to improve goal-attainment by focusing on avoidance strategies rather than positive aspects.
Virginia Tech researchers discovered that Android apps collude to mine user information, compromising security. The study found thousands of pairs of apps that could leak sensitive data, with the biggest risks coming from seemingly innocuous apps like ringtones and widgets.
Aging cells of progeria patients can be recovered by inhibiting ROCK protein activation and increasing mitochondrial function through the use of drug Y-27632. This study identifies a molecular causal relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and cell senescence, offering new hope for treating premature aging syndromes.
Researchers at INRS-Institut Armand-Frappier Research Centre have developed a strategy to increase the antimicrobial activity of cationic peptides against biofilms. The modified peptide demonstrated a 60-fold enhanced antimicrobial effect, paving the way for potential therapy combinations with clinically relevant antibiotics.
Researchers have discovered a genetic element that enables tiny microbes to self-mutate, dramatically expanding the tree of life. The discovery reveals how rapid evolution occurs in these small organisms, which are also remarkably diverse.
Three MIT-affiliated research teams receive $10M in funding to develop novel energy storage technologies for future mobility and autonomous systems. The projects focus on lithium-ion batteries and nanostructured catalysts for oxygen reduction, with the goal of accelerating materials discovery and reducing CO2 emissions.
A diet high in short-chain fatty acids produced by gut bacteria has been found to protect against the onset of type 1 diabetes. The study, published in Nature Immunology, suggests that this special diet can improve immune tolerance and reduce inflammation.