News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
The Alberta Diabetes Institute has launched a new $600,000 partnership to advance early-stage technologies for Type I and II diabetes. The three-year fund will support novel discovery research with high commercialization potential.
Scientists discover extraordinary diversity and specialization in tropical insects, with each fly having a unique ability to escape parasitic wasp species. This specialization leads to increased niche diversity in the community, revealing that insects are more diverse than thought.
New research using NASA data shows that only a small number of Greenland's largest glaciers are responsible for the majority of ice discharge into the ocean. The study used satellite observations and ice thickness measurements to calculate ice flow rates, providing a clearer picture of how glacier dynamics affect the Greenland Ice Sheet.
The University of Notre Dame has established a state-of-the-art research center for drug discovery and development, with the aim of improving lives worldwide. The Warren Family Research Center will support the translation of basic scientific discoveries into new therapeutics.
Clemson University has received a $5.3 million NSF grant to create a national network of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure Research and Education Facilitators. The project aims to empower local campus researchers to effectively use advanced cyberinfrastructure, particularly those in the 'long tail' of users.
Researchers from Mainz University demonstrated a new physical phenomenon that manipulates magnet states using electric signals. This breakthrough combines the merits of charge-based and spin-based devices, paving the way for new generation memory devices.
The Gordon & Llura Gund foundations have donated $3 million to Autism Speaks to support the Autism Ten Thousand Genomes program, sequencing over 3,000 genomes. This gift will enhance the organization's research and technology networks, leading to real-life medical impacts on individuals and families.
A new study published in Diabetologia found that diabetes in women is associated with a higher risk of stroke compared to men. The research showed a graded association between HbA1c levels and stroke risk in women, indicating that those with higher blood sugar levels are more likely to experience a stroke.
Researchers have identified a rare genetic disorder that causes sporadic fevers, skin rashes, and recurring strokes in early childhood. The syndrome is caused by variants in the CECR1 gene, which impede production of a protein vital to healthy blood vessel walls.
The study reveals that actin is busy forming a stiff cortex in cells during mitosis and cannot be used for endocytosis. By tricking the cell into making actin available, researchers restarted endocytosis in mitotic cells.
A new study from Cornell University researchers challenges the notion that momentum plays a significant role in sports performance. Despite appearances, winning streaks have little to do with momentum. Winning the first game of a weekend series does not impact the probability of winning the second, according to the study.
Researchers discovered a new layer in the human cornea that plays a vital role in fluid flow from the eye. This finding could shed light on glaucoma, a devastating disease caused by defective drainage of fluid.
A global study found that an estimated 5.2% of women worldwide experience non-partner sexual violence, with highest rates in central and southern Africa and lower rates in North Africa and South Asia. The data highlights the need for better policies and services to address this issue
Brain researchers discovered how Galileo's visual illusion works in the mind's eye, revealing that it occurs due to non-linear and exaggerated responses to light stimuli. This effect is responsible for various phenomena, such as why certain objects appear larger or smaller based on their dark parts in bright daylight.
A study published in Biology Letters reveals that jackdaw eyes are used as a means of communication between members of the same species, helping them defend their nests and chicks from competitors. The research suggests that the bright eyes may be an adaptive trait unique to jackdaws.
University of Cincinnati researchers are developing validation metrics that could help predict the success or failure of hypersonic aircraft. The metrics involve principal component analysis (PCA) decomposition of simulation and test data to measure uncertainty, which will ultimately determine the success in building such a plane.
System 91S is experiencing strong wind shear, elongated circulation, and broken convection. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center expects the system to weaken as it moves south through the Mozambique Channel.
Researchers discovered an additional active process producing nanodiamonds in sediments less than 3,000 years old, suggesting a possible extraterrestrial event. The study found no correlation between nanodiamond concentration and alternative processes, supporting the ET impact hypothesis.
Scientists at University of Calgary's Libin Cardiovascular Institute have discovered a calcium-sensing-gate mechanism responsible for initiating calcium waves and arrhythmias. This breakthrough may lead to new drug interventions for treating calcium-triggered arrhythmias.
A recent study finds that narcissistic leaders face a double-edged sword, with extremely high or low levels of narcissism leading to poorer organizational outcomes. Moderation is key, as confidence without antisocial tendencies can lead to effective leadership.
Researchers at the University of Toronto found that the popular blood type diet theory is not valid, as associations between diets and health markers are independent of an individual's blood type. The study suggests that adherence to a sensible vegetarian or low-carbohydrate diet is key to improving health, regardless of blood type.
Researchers have discovered a physical phenomenon that could prove suitable for use in further data aggregation, allowing information to be stored in the tiniest of spaces. The discovery was made using advanced electron microscopes and computer simulations, and involves ferroelectric polar properties within antiferroelectric materials.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London uncovered a critical mechanism in tendon function, revealing why older individuals are more prone to tendon injuries. The study found that fascicle helices are essential for tendon elasticity and that ageing alters this structure, increasing the risk of injury.
Researchers analyzed data from over 850,000 online gamers, finding that those who practiced more efficiently or explored game mechanics before achieving higher scores. This study suggests that optimal learning strategies can improve skill acquisition and become increasingly relevant as people live longer and acquire complex skills.
Study participants focus on a small number of network members and allocate limited communication time accordingly. These distinct patterns persist over time despite changes in the network, reflecting limitations in maintaining emotionally close relationships.
A new study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that moving to a greener area improves mental health and the effect continues long after the move. The research team analyzed data from over 1,000 participants and found significant and sustained improvements in mental health for those who relocated to greener areas.
A study of over 10,000 people found that seeing a specialist increased quit rates by three times compared to self-trying. Buying nicotine patches or gum did not improve success rates.
Three new lizards from Peru have been identified as distinct species using a combination of molecular, ecological, and morphological analyses. The study demonstrates the feasibility of discovering new species with limited resources, highlighting the importance of stable scientific names for biodiversity conservation.
Researchers discovered that the Pallas long-tongued bat uses stealth echolocation to catch moth prey, employing high-frequency but low-intensity calls that evade the insects' auditory systems. This finding suggests that more bats may benefit from this stealthy approach, previously only known in the European barbastelle bat.
Researchers at Arizona State University discovered that chameleons change colors to convey important information during social interactions, such as territory disputes and mating. The study found that the intensity and speed of color changes can predict which chameleon will win a fight or approach an opponent.
Three University of Utah Health Sciences faculty members, Carl Wittwer, Lisa Cannon-Albright, and Glenn Prestwich, have been elected as fellows of the National Academy of Inventors for their groundbreaking research and inventions. Their work has resulted in major disease-related discoveries, numerous patents, and biomedical inventions ...
A team of Montréal researchers discovered that the protein PC7 plays a critical role in the brain by affecting cognitive performance such as anxiety, learning, and emotional memory. The study found that mice lacking PC7 had impaired episodic and emotional memories, while exhibiting increased levels of dopamine in the brain.
Current Plant Biology publishes articles on interdisciplinary plant science research, combining physics, mathematics, and chemistry disciplines. The journal aims to facilitate the growth of quantitative, interdisciplinary plant biology by publishing work openly and sharing research datasets.
Researchers have discovered a specialized sound-producing organ in koalas, located outside the voice box, which enables extremely low-pitched mating calls. The organ produces continuous sounds on inhalation and exhalation, similar to a donkey's braying.
Researchers have identified two subglacial lakes beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet, which could influence global sea level rise and the future of the ice sheet. The lakes are part of an open system connected to the surface, unlike isolated Antarctic lakes, and their existence has significant implications for understanding ice flow speeds.
Researchers discovered that fire ant rafts can store energy like an elastic material and dissipate energy as a viscous material. The structure of the raft is constantly changing through active rearrangements, allowing it to adapt to external forces.
Tropical Cyclone Helen is expected to intensify and make landfall in the coastal plain of Krishna Delta in Andhra Pradesh, India. The storm's track is predicted to shift westward due to a mid-level subtropical ridge, with forecasters warning fishermen to return to shore.
A new multi-million dollar collaboration aims to enable university researchers to harness the full potential of data-rich world in various scientific fields. The 5-year, $37.8 million initiative seeks to establish career paths for data scientists, build sustainable research ecosystems, and facilitate collaborations across institutions.
Researchers at Wayne State University have made a breakthrough discovery in the inflammatory stress mechanism driving rheumatoid arthritis. A specific IRE1a inhibitor was identified to prevent arthritis in animal models, offering new hope for treating this autoimmune disease.
Lumosity presents new data on measuring cognitive training improvements, finding larger doses lead to greater gains and training gains strongly predict transfer effects. A reliability assessment of the BPT shows it is a powerful tool for evaluating the effectiveness of cognitive training.
The OU Natural Products Discovery Group has launched a crowdsourcing initiative to engage the public in finding new compounds with therapeutic relevance. The program has already led to the discovery of maximiscin, a unique bioactive compound obtained from a soil sample submitted by an Alaskan citizen.
Researchers discovered a way to distinguish protein aggregates from healthy proteins using multi-photon laser technique. This allows for the potential removal of harmful protein aggregates without surgery or toxic chemicals.
The study found that the EPA accepted only 23% of OSRI submissions, leading to the use of thousands of animals in unnecessary testing. The authors urge the EPA to standardize its evaluation procedures and support the use of existing data to reduce animal use.
A nationwide study reveals huge disparities in death reporting to coroners, with inconsistent rates across jurisdictions. The research also exposes a significant gender disparity, where women's deaths are less likely to be reported and result in unnatural death verdicts.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $14.5 million to develop a data and knowledge management system for geosciences, fostering greater data accessibility and research collaboration. The EarthCube framework aims to connect geo-, bio- and cyberscientists to advance the understanding and prediction of the Earth system.
A new iPad application is being used to examine how young children learn through their interactions with nature. The app allows researchers to track behaviors, movements, engagement, and probable science learning in natural settings such as PlayScapes.
A study published in BMJ Open found that the number of newly diagnosed autism cases in the UK has leveled off after a five-fold increase during the 1990s. In contrast, US data show a 78% rise in prevalence among 8-year-olds between 2004 and 2008.
A new study by the University of South Carolina reveals significant limitations in NHANES data, with most nutrition data being physiologically implausible and invalid for population-level analysis. This has serious implications for the role of energy intake in obesity and public health policy.
Researchers have identified six new disease-related genes for Sjögren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease that affects moisture-producing glands. The findings provide a first step towards understanding how genetic variants alter immune system functions and may lead to the development of therapeutics.
A Dartmouth researcher found that oxygen can keep dying heart cells alive by providing spikes of oxygen. This discovery could lead to new treatments for congestive heart failure, which is often caused by cell death due to lack of oxygen. The research suggests that controlled breathing exercises may also have health benefits.
Researchers found that participants poured 12% more wine into wide glasses than standard ones, and 9% more when holding the glass while pouring. This highlights the importance of educating people on how to measure a proper serving size of alcohol.
Researchers found that the size, shape, and color of a wine glass influence the amount of wine poured. Participants poured around 12% more wine into wide glasses than standard ones. To minimize overconsumption, experts recommend using white wine glasses and pouring when the glass is on a table or counter.
Iowa State University researchers have discovered the binding site of a protein that loosens plant cell walls, allowing plants to grow. The discovery uses advanced NMR technology and could lead to more efficient bioenergy production.
A new family of non-precious metal catalysts developed by the UNIST research team exhibits better performance than platinum in oxygen-reduction reaction, offering a solution for widespread commercialization of fuel cell technology. The catalysts show high electrocatalytic activity and superior long-term durability.
A team of UCLA scientists successfully modeled and explained the unprecedented behavior of a previously unknown third radiation ring around Earth. The region was found to consist of different populations driven by various physical processes, with ultra-relativistic electrons posing significant hazards to satellites.
Researchers found that neurofeedback techniques can improve whole-brain signal-to-noise ratio, allowing for clearer thought and concentration. This technology has implications for brain rehabilitation and treatment of disorders such as traumatic injury or stroke.
Researchers at Oregon State University found that resveratrol in red grapes and pterostilbene in blueberries can boost the innate immune system by increasing CAMP gene expression. This synergy is significant and has been shown to increase CAMP expression by several times.
A collaboration between NIST and 5 technical journals found that one-third of papers contained erroneous or incomplete chemical property data. A new online tool was developed to identify and eliminate errors in experimental data, using expert software system for data evaluation.
Scientists at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute have reported experimental evidence supporting the top-down theory of fullerene formation. The discovery could lead to better medical imaging contrast agents and cancer treatment methods, as fullerenes with trapped metal atoms show low side-effect risks.
Researchers found that yeast S. pombe remains youthful when reproducing under favorable conditions, producing offspring younger than the parent. However, after stress or negative influences, the yeast ages and produces cells with damaged material.