News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
A new poison dart frog species, Andinobates geminisae, has been discovered in Donoso, Panama. Genetic sequencing confirms it is a distinct species from another known poison dart frog, Oophaga pumilio.
Purdue researchers have discovered the structure of the enzyme responsible for producing cellulose, a key breakthrough in understanding plant cell wall composition. The findings could lead to improved methods for breaking down plant materials and creating sustainable biofuels.
A new Kinsey Institute study found that single parents of children under 5 date and are sexually active as often as singles without children, with no gender differences. The study also revealed that these individuals may be seeking adult company to help with childcare.
Researchers predict 6,800 new Ebola cases in West Africa by end of month due to increased rate of rise in August. Mass quarantine efforts may have worsened the outbreak by crowding people together in unsanitary conditions.
A NOAA research team has located the 1910 shipwreck SS Selja and an unidentified steam tugboat wreck near San Francisco's Golden Gate strait. The team also discovered the 1863 clipper ship Noonday, which was previously obscured by mud and silt.
Researchers found that the larvae of G. permixtana feed on Sagittaria trifolia, a new host plant in northern Iran, reducing arrowhead weed germination potential and providing an alternative solution for biological control.
Researchers from ETH Zurich have discovered a new form of innate immune defence against certain RNA viruses, including those causing hepatitis C, yellow fever, and dengue fever. The NMD system, which is a quality control mechanism in cells, also serves as a general virus restriction mechanism in plants.
LSU Health New Orleans will enhance its cancer data on children and young adults by linkages with secondary data sets, providing a more robust research resource. The award aims to better understand why survival rates for adolescents and young adults have not improved over the last two decades.
New research reveals that capturing ordinary experiences can lead to pleasurable rediscoveries in the future. Studies show that people underestimate the value of everyday events, leading to missed opportunities for enjoyment. By documenting mundane moments, individuals can give their future selves the joy of rediscovery.
Researchers discovered that E. huxleyi can grow without thiamine and prefers precursor chemical HMP instead, re-evaluating the importance of vitamin B1 in regulating algal communities. This finding has implications for understanding climate change's impact on marine ecosystems and predicting global carbon cycles.
The NIH has issued a final policy on genomic data sharing to promote the acceleration of biomedical research. The policy, which applies to all NIH-funded large-scale human and non-human projects, requires researchers to obtain informed consent from study participants for future use of their de-identified data.
Researchers at the University of Surrey have discovered a new mechanism for controlling bladder contractions and regulating the body's clock genes. This finding has implications for understanding the pathology and development of new treatments for overactive bladder and irritable bowel syndrome.
A team of researchers from Arizona State University has discovered the genetic 'recipe' for lizard tail regeneration, which involves turning on at least 326 genes in specific regions. This finding may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches for spinal cord injuries and birth defects.
Researchers analyzed bladder biopsies from patients with suspected interstitial cystitis and those without the disease. The study found a significant difference in gene expression between low capacity patients and both normal capacity and control patients, suggesting a potential sub-type of IC.
An international team of researchers from the University of Bonn Hospital and the London Research Institute have now discovered that our immunosensory system attacks viruses on a molecular level. This means a healthy organism can keep rotaviruses, a common cause of diarrheal epidemics, at bay.
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown cardiac molecule that can block a protein causing genetic disruptions in the heart. By restoring levels of this molecule, progression to heart failure was stopped in mice. The molecule, known as Myheart, controls a protein called BRG1 and may lead to a compound for human trials.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have discovered a way to jailbreak current generation iOS devices running iOS 7.1.2, showcasing the vulnerability of Apple's closed platform to exploitation. The study highlights the importance of patching all publicly disclosed threats to prevent potential attacks.
The study found that Rome, London, and Paris emerged as major cultural centers due to high death rates among intellectuals in these cities. Despite increased travel over the centuries, birth and death locations of notable individuals remained relatively close.
Four major health institutions have partnered to create a Clinical Data Research Network, leveraging PCORI's $7 million funding. The network will study patient outcomes for obesity, atrial fibrillation and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, expanding research capabilities and collaboration opportunities.
23andMe has received a $1.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop its web-based database and research engine for genetic discovery. The grant supports the utilization of whole-genome sequence data and imputation to discover rare variants associated with disease.
The proposed EU General Data Protection Regulation may make cancer research impossible due to explicit patient consent requirements, hindering progress in finding cures. ESMO proposes a 'one-time consent' concept to empower patients and ensure the right balance between privacy and public health.
Researchers discovered that male radio performers have faster and more forceful vocal fold closures than non-broadcasters. This may be due to better control of vocal tension while speaking. The study used high-speed videoendoscopy to examine the vocal folds of healthy performers.
A GW researcher has discovered an antibody that recognizes ancestral fossil viruses in the human genome, providing a new target for HIV-1 immunotherapy. This breakthrough could help overcome the virus's frequent mutations and improve treatment options.
Scientists discovered a new pathway the dengue virus takes to suppress the human immune system, deepening understanding of the virus and its potential for more effective treatments. The study reveals how sfRNA interacts with proteins in the cell to evade antiviral defenses.
Carnegie Institution has been awarded $10 million over four years to support basic research in energy materials, which could lead to new discoveries and solutions to major energy challenges. The program aims to design and synthesize revolutionary materials for energy conversion, storage, and transport.
Researchers discovered a group of marine bacteria that synthesize flame retardant-like chemicals, including a potent endocrine disruptor. The study highlights the pervasiveness of these compounds in the ocean food chain, raising concerns about human health risks.
A*STAR scientists discovered that obese individuals lack a crucial protein essential for regulating blood glucose levels, increasing their risk of developing diabetes. The protein, NUCKS, is the first molecular link found between obesity and diabetes, opening up new areas of research for potential treatments.
The Bestcilia project is launching an international patient registry for primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), a rare respiratory disease. The registry aims to collect prospective data on clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes, ultimately improving therapeutic guidelines and quality of life for PCD sufferers.
Scientists have found a constant ratio between excitatory and inhibitory neurons that maintains the brain's internal balance. This E/I ratio allows for subtle control over response to stimuli, preventing runaway firing or permanent quiescence.
Researchers found that extreme market crashes contradict multi-fractal scaling, a phenomenon where financial data patterns self-similarly scale. The study suggests understanding multi-fractal structure can aid early detection of impending extreme events.
Researchers at Benaroya Research Institute used cutting-edge tetramer technology to find T cells driving rheumatoid arthritis. The study demonstrates that these cells have unique markers and change over time in patients with RA.
Researchers found that killing experiences may cause soldiers to become more aware of their own mortality, triggering a focus on self-preservation and reduced high-risk alcohol consumption. The study suggests that this increased sense of vulnerability leads to decreased alcohol abuse rates among soldiers who have killed in combat.
The Structural Genomics Consortium and CHDI Foundation have entered into an open-access research collaboration to discover new drug targets for Huntington's disease. The partnership, which will make research tools freely available without restriction, aims to accelerate discovery of new medicines for the neurodegenerative disorder.
Australian National University researcher Noel Hidalgo Tan discovered hidden paintings on Angkor Wat temple walls, dating back almost 500 years. The artworks depict deities, animals and daily life, shedding light on a previously unknown period in Cambodian history.
The American Aging Association Meeting presented new findings on the role of mTor in aging, as well as insights into the impact of circadian rhythms on lifespan. Researchers also explored the potential of the FAT10 gene and its role in aging research.
The big data era presents both challenges and opportunities for modeling and simulation, as it requires adapting to novel research thinking and methods. The paper highlights the need for exploratory research combining simulation-based engineering and science to develop a new simulation paradigm.
The Health Data Exploration project aims to catalyze the use of personal health data for research, identifying policies and best practices for its transformative knowledge. The Network will bring together companies and researchers to strategize on using personal data to understand health.
A web application is being developed to connect honeybee keepers with researchers, using data from hive registrations and tracking daily cycles. The goal is to discover patterns that could shed light on the declining honeybee population.
A new species of stick insect, Sinophasma damingshanensis, has been discovered in Guangxi, China. The insect boasts unique camouflage abilities, mimicking plant stems and exhibiting rocking behavior to enhance its natural disguise.
Researchers at TSRI discover that Ring1b promotes fusion between telomeres, a process that can lead to cancer. Inhibiting this protein reduces the burden on cells affected by telomere dysfunction.
A new study has redefined the geology of O'ahu, revealing that it consists of three major Hawaiian shield volcanoes. The island's precursor volcano, Ka'ena, was previously unknown and formed over 100 km west of its current location.
Research found that eyewitness accuracy decreases by 0.55% per yard in correct identifications, while false alarms increase by 0.44% per yard. The study's findings have implications for the trustworthiness of eyewitness accounts used in criminal cases.
A new study reveals a connection between necroptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis. RIPK1 is identified as the molecule that regulates this process, allowing cells to choose whether to live or die.
An eight-kilometre-wide crater was formed in southern Alberta, producing a massive explosion that destroyed present-day Calgary, according to researchers. The impact site, dated within the last 70 million years, had devastating consequences for life in the area, with global implications.
Scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research have confirmed the existence of element 117. The element's decay chain to elements 115 and 113 has been verified through experiments.
Researchers identified a genetic disorder, DADA2, caused by inherited mutations in the ADA2 blood enzyme, leading to sporadic fevers, skin rashes, and recurring strokes. The discovery may lead to novel diagnostics and potential treatments using artificial forms of the protein.
The international research team has discovered and named the earliest and most primitive pterodactyloid species, Kryptodrakon progenitor, which lived above the earth 163 million years ago. The fossil was found in northwest China and revealed that pterodactyloids originated and evolved in terrestrial environments.
Researchers have discovered two new US turtle species, the Suwannee and Apalachicola alligator snapping turtles, which are found in the southeastern United States. These ancient reptiles were previously thought to be a single species, but genetic analysis reveals deep evolutionary divisions between them.
Researchers found a strong correlation between shark abundance observed by citizen scientists and those identified by telemetry, suggesting that citizen science can be a cost-effective means to monitor shark populations. The study also showed that shark behavior was unaffected by tourist divers' presence.
Scientists at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf and Vienna University of Technology created ultra-thin membranes that allow highly charged ions to pass through with little energy loss. This discovery has significant implications for developing novel electronic components made of graphene.
The emergence of big data presents both challenges and opportunities for databases, necessitating the development of new technologies and systems to handle vast amounts of complex data. Various distributed processing frameworks and systems have been proposed to address these issues.
The study proposes enhanced technologies and algorithms to increase data capacity and densification in short-range wireless networks, achieving speeds of up to 7Gbps per link. Beamforming is also explored as a solution for multi-gigabit connections between base stations and users, with an adaptive algorithm reducing interference.
Researchers have discovered the biochemical trigger that wakes up immune cells, allowing them to target invading bacteria and fungi. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for inflammatory bowel disease, peptic ulcers, and even TB.
Researchers at Drexel University have developed a way to classify and predict the existence of rare polar metals, which are electrically conductive and have an asymmetric distribution of electrons. This discovery could lead to new materials with unique properties, such as superconductivity.
Roxana Geambasu, a Columbia University computer science professor, has won a $499,000 NSF CAREER Award to create new data protection mechanisms for mobile and cloud devices. Her research focuses on ensuring data security and privacy in an era of increasing threats and irresponsible data management practices.
A recent study found a strong correlation between states' core political characteristics and collective personality traits. States with lower conscientiousness or higher agreeableness tend to have a positive view of government, while those with higher openness to experience are more likely to be ideologically liberal.
A new collaboration enables immediate access to taxonomic research and underlying data, reducing 'shelf life' from 21 years to weeks. The system facilitates data sharing and preservation, addressing 80% of scientific data loss within 10 years.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have developed an artificial version of a naturally occurring protein, properdin, which successfully combats bacterial pneumonia and meningitis in mice. The treatment offers significant protection against life-threatening infections.
Researchers discovered that ancient clam gardens made by Aboriginal people produced quadruple the number of butter clams and twice the number of littleneck clams as unmodified clam beaches. This study provides practical insights into sustainable ancient marine management techniques for local food security strategies.
Researchers at Umeå University have developed a method to engineer carbon nanotube networks into complex architectures, significantly improving charge transport and reducing material costs. This breakthrough is expected to accelerate the development of flexible carbon-based solar cells.