News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a new technology called ViBand that enables smartwatches to detect finger taps, flicks, and scratches. This allows for new applications using common gestures to control the smartwatch and other objects connected through the internet of things.
Researchers found the unique impression of skin scales from a large herbivore sauropod, possibly a titanosaurus, in sandstone rocks. The discovery is significant as it provides evidence of one of the last dinosaurs to live on Earth before their extinction.
Researchers from FAU and Freie Universität Berlin have synthesised an iron compound in the rare oxidation state +4, a milestone in synthetic chemistry. The new molecule exhibits unique structural properties due to supramolecular interactions between ions.
A Monash University study revealed a 'swallowing inhibition' mechanism in the human body to regulate fluid intake and prevent over-drinking. The research showed that drinking too much water can cause potentially fatal water intoxication, highlighting the importance of listening to thirst cues rather than following an elaborate schedule.
Researchers have designed a tiny, wireless data center that could be as small as a handheld device and reduce energy consumption. The 'data center on a chip' technology has the potential to run big data applications three times more efficiently than existing platforms.
Researchers at Marshall University have discovered a peptide, pNaKtide, that can reduce oxidant stress and ameliorate experimental uremic cardiomyopathy. This finding has significant implications for treating patients with kidney disease, which affects millions of people worldwide.
Researchers discovered a well-preserved Bronze Age warrior's tomb in Greece containing over 2,000 objects, including four golden signet rings featuring Minoan iconography. The findings suggest cultural sharing between the ancient civilizations, challenging the theory of mere plunder.
A new extinct shark species, Megalolamna paradoxodon, was identified from fossilized teeth in the eastern and western United States, Peru, and Japan. The shark lived during the early Miocene epoch and is a close cousin of the megatoothed lineage, with characteristics similar to the modern-day salmon shark.
Research published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise found that babies born with a low birth weight are more likely to be rated below-average at school sports by their teacher at age 13. Those with a low birth weight were also less likely to participate in exercise and sports across adulthood, from ages 36 to 68.
Insilico Medicine will present new research data on geroprotectors, small molecules that mimic the young healthy state in old human tissues. The results are a result of a multi-year research program with multiple in silico predictions made using algorithms validated using data from many age-related diseases.
Researchers have identified a new snake species, the 'ghost snake,' in Madagascar's Ankarana National Park. The snake's pale grey coloration and distinct genetic profile set it apart from other cat-eyed snakes found in the region.
A team of researchers has identified an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the formation of compounds giving aged wines their distinct aroma. The discovery, published in New Phytologist, sheds light on how common plant molecules are transformed into specific odorants in wine.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin and Fudan University in Shanghai have discovered that electrons with no mass can acquire a mass in the presence of an extremely high magnetic field. This finding represents a significant breakthrough in fundamental physics, opening up new possibilities for research in high-energy physics.
A study reviewed 20 research papers on deception in groups, revealing that collective interviews are used in only a third of investigations. This highlights the need for new methods to detect deception, as individualized interviews can be manipulated by suspects with prepared scripts.
The NSF has awarded $110 million to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and 18 partner institutions to continue and expand activities through XSEDE. XSEDE will maintain existing services, add innovative elements, and support diverse scientific and engineering challenges.
A new study from Oregon State University found that STEM faculty at large research universities are creating their own evaluation systems, using data to improve instruction. Faculty in these fields are gathering and responding to data, often using their own systems, to advance their teaching beyond required evaluations.
A Monash University and Harvard researchers have discovered the molecular cause of the itchy, painful rash caused by poison ivy. The finding identifies CD1a as a crucial immune molecule in mediating skin inflammation and irritation after contact with urushiol, a key player in triggering skin-based allergic reactions.
Researchers at UCSB discovered crystalline infinite iodide polymers, solving a centuries-old mystery of chemistry. This breakthrough has academic interest, but also potential for development of functional materials for new electronics.
Researchers found that fruit fly ovules use a molecular 'alarm clock' to track time and turn genes back on when ready for ovulation. This mechanism is critical for female fertility, as defects can lead to infertility.
Researchers argue that data sharing is crucial for effective response to public health emergencies and that routine practice will be needed. Three major impediments limit data sharing, including lack of standards for data users, concerns over scholarly stature, and inadequate technology or human capacity.
A study published in Annals of Surgery found that postoperative delirium leads to lesser functional recovery in older adults. The study, which followed participants for 18 months, showed that those who developed delirium experienced more significant decline in physical function after surgery.
A recent study has uncovered evidence of HIV-related retroviruses dating back 60 million years, challenging previous estimates of their origin. The research, led by Daniel Elleder, analyzed genomic data from the Malayan flying lemur and reconstructed ancient viral genomes.
Researchers at University of Maryland discover 'blue whirl' fire tornado that burns nearly soot-free, offering a cleaner and more efficient combustion method. This discovery could lead to better oil spill cleanup techniques with reduced harmful emissions.
The Yale Open Data Access (YODA) Project has made significant progress in accelerating clinical trial data sharing, enabling greater access to high-quality medical research. The project's independent scientific reviews have ensured fair judgment and decision-making authority over data release.
Researchers at Duke University have created gallium nanoparticles with a unique phase coexistence phenomenon, where the particle core is solid while the outer layer remains liquid. This discovery could lead to breakthroughs in nanotechnology applications, including ultraviolet sensors and molecular sensing devices.
Researchers found that high levels of acceleration, total distance covered, and short bursts of speed are linked to increased injury risk. The study provides guidelines for reducing injury occurrence in elite youth football by organizing training sessions to fluctuate between high and low workloads.
A study by Loyola Medicine found that excessive alcohol consumption is associated with lower nitric oxide levels in the lungs, which helps protect against certain bacteria. The researchers suggest that lung doctors should consider the impact of alcohol on nitric oxide levels when interpreting test results.
A robot called SCINDR aims to connect medical scientists worldwide who are working on similar research projects. By analyzing open data from electronic lab notebooks, the robot will suggest collaborations between researchers, potentially accelerating discoveries and treatments.
Researchers have identified a new mechanism that affects immune cell performance and disease risk. FAMIN protein regulates energy availability to macrophages, influencing their ability to fight infection.
A new research replication project involving 24 labs and over 2100 participants failed to reproduce findings suggesting self-control is a depletable resource. The study, published in Perspectives on Psychological Science, used computerized tasks to test the ego depletion effect, but found no significant difference between conditions.
Scientists discovered protected areas contain 15% more individuals and 11% more species than unprotected sites. Better management can double protection effectiveness.
Columbia University Irving Medical Center will play a key role in the launch of the Data and Research Support Center for the NIH's Precision Medicine Initiative Cohort Program. The center will standardize and organize large datasets to help researchers identify individual factors contributing to health and illness.
A new species of venomous snake, Talamancan Palm-Pitviper, was discovered in Costa Rica after being mistaken for its close relative, the Black-Speckled Palm-Pitviper. The team used genetic analysis and museum collections to confirm the discovery.
Researchers identified a key gene in vinegar flies responsible for their waterproof coating, which could provide a new way to control insect pests threatening agriculture and humans. By knocking out this gene, the insects lose their waxy coating and become more vulnerable to environmental stress.
Researchers at Osaka University identified a human immune receptor that detects pathogenic microorganism invasion, which recognizes cleaved antibodies and fights immune evasion mechanisms. This discovery contributes to the development of new treatments and prevention strategies against infectious diseases.
A study published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology found that eating the same food as a companion increases sense of closeness and trust. This strategy can be applied to various social situations, such as first dates or business negotiations, and may even influence marketing effectiveness.
The National Institutes of Health has selected Vanderbilt University Medical Center as the Data and Research Support Center for the Precision Medicine Initiative Cohort Program. The program aims to study genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors affecting the health of a million or more people.
New research from AGU explores the effects of The Blob and El Niño on West Coast productivity, while a Jovian moon dust study may aid future space missions. Meanwhile, a Sahara Desert study reveals electric forces lifting 10 times more dust into the air than winds alone.
The EMODnet Workshop Report highlights the importance of historical biodiversity data for ecological models and future predictions. The workshop aimed to fill gaps in European marine species occurrence data availability by implementing data archaeology and rescue activities.
A University of Houston researcher is exploring electron oscillation in porous gold nanoparticles to harness their energy. The goal is to enhance catalytic reactions and boost biosensing, potentially leading to ultrasensitive detection of disease biomarkers.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have discovered a genetic link between an immune system gene and an increased risk of kidney disease, specifically IgA nephropathy. The study found that variations in the number of copies of the alpha-defensin genes were strongly correlated with the condition.
A team of researchers at Oxford University has identified four genes that play a crucial role in early human development. These genes, known as Argfx, Leutx, Dprx and Tprx, are activated for an extremely brief period, when the embryo is a tiny ball of 8-16 cells. They then switch off, controlling the 'first gear' of embryonic growth.
A new study aims to identify the best method for collecting sexual orientation and gender identity data from patients in emergency departments. The EQUALITY Study found that non-verbal self-reporting is the preferred method among both patient and provider respondents, despite concerns about offending patients.
The Dark Bordered Beauty moth is facing a severe decline due to habitat loss caused by the removal of Creeping Willow plants, which are essential for its caterpillars. Conservation efforts aim to boost Creeping Willow populations and modify grazing regimes to secure the moth's long-term future in England.
Researchers discovered evidence of the world's oldest known fungus gardens within fossil termite nests from the Great Rift Valley of Africa, dating back approximately 25 million years. This finding pushes back the beginning of the termite-fungus symbiotic relationship to at least 31 million years ago.
West Nile virus causes memory loss and mood disorders by sparking inflammation that prunes synapses, the connections between nerve cells. Researchers have identified potential new treatments for the mosquito-borne illness.
Marine biologists have discovered that shark traffic in and out of Palmyra Atoll's lagoon peaks between 7-8 pm. The study used dual-frequency identification sonar to monitor shark movement, revealing a rush hour for these marine predators.
Researchers identified 15 'bright spots' with more fish than expected on coral reefs, often due to local involvement and management practices. The study's findings offer hope for radical new approaches to conservation and suggest investments in local ownership rights can promote better reef conditions.
The Global Alliance for Genomics and Health presents a vision for a common framework of principles, protocols, and interoperable systems to enable responsible data sharing. The alliance has created tools such as the Genomics API and the Framework for Responsible Sharing of Genomic and Health Related Data.
The Materials Project has released a vast dataset of material properties, including 1,500 compounds and 21,000 organic molecules, to accelerate battery research. The data enables computationally driven design and discovery of new materials with improved performance and energy density.
The Alberta Diabetes Institute has awarded $600,000 in funding to support diabetes research projects with high commercialization potential. The funding will accelerate the development of healthcare technologies in Alberta, a province known for life-changing research on diabetes.
A new study by researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering reveals that a third-party can discover many delisted links and determine the names of people who requested their removal from search results. The study shows fundamental technical flaws in the law, potentially compromising its effectiveness.
Stampede 2 is a new large-scale supercomputing system funded by the NSF, providing high-performance computing capabilities for thousands of researchers across the US. The system will employ cutting-edge processor and memory technology, delivering peak performance of up to 18 Petaflops.
The Genomic Data Commons (GDC) brings together genomic datasets and analyzes the data using a common set of methods, democratizing the analysis of large cancer genomic datasets. This platform enables researchers to access and share high-quality data, tools, and support to accelerate studies of cancer biology and personalized treatments.
Researchers from Museo de Zoología at Catholic University of Ecuador discovered two new species of rain frogs in the park, characterized by spiny appearance and direct-developing traits. The findings highlight the region's rich biodiversity and the need for further exploration of unexplored regions.
The University of Texas at Austin has received a $30 million NSF award to build and deploy Stampede 2, a new large-scale supercomputing system that will provide high-performance computing capabilities for thousands of researchers across the U.S. The system is expected to deliver peak performance of up to 18 Petaflops.
The EU-funded project EU BON provides conceptual and practical advice for implementing available data sharing and publishing tools. The report highlights two main challenges facing the biodiversity data community: a lack of unified user interfaces and gaps in data coverage and quality.
Researchers at Georgia State University discover the molecular basis of human diseases resulting from CaSR mutations, potentially leading to new therapies for hypocalcemia and Alzheimer's disease. The study also identifies a small molecule as a lead compound for CaSR regulators.
The RDA Data Share program has selected 14 fellows for its 2016 cohort, with a focus on strengthening careers in data science and data sharing. Fellows will work on their own projects and collaborate with RDA working groups over 12-18 month terms.
A new global research project, Your DNA Your Say, aims to gather opinions from across the world on sharing genetic information. The survey, launched by the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH), seeks to understand public attitudes on data sharing, its use in genomic medicine, and potential harms.