News on early, curiosity-driven science that opens new directions. Covers materials discovery, AI-guided research, pediatric research standards, and energy science.
Researchers found evidence of a 'penultimate outburst' in a massive star before its final detonation as a supernova, providing the first causal link between the two events. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of what triggers a supernova.
A team of researchers has identified six new cryptic species that could serve as a potential biocontrol agent for the invasive Brazilian peppertree in Florida. The discovery highlights the importance of careful identification and assessment to address the complex issue of cryptic species complexes.
Researchers at Benaroya Research Institute found that IL-6 signaling pathway proteins may serve as novel biomarkers for MS disease activity and a potential therapeutic target. The study discovered that T cells in patients with active MS were more sensitive to IL-6, which could lead to new therapies targeting the IL-6 pathway.
The four-year study aims to collect data on eastern brown pelican migrations, demographics, and reproductive success. Researchers will gather data using satellite and GPS transmitters, as well as physical examinations and blood-chemistry profiles to assess body condition and health.
Researchers find only 1.5 million named species out of an estimated 5 million, making conservation efforts more hopeful than previously thought. Increased global involvement in taxonomy and exploration can help discover and protect species from extinction.
The EU has announced €38 million funding for research into rare diseases, aiming to develop new diagnostics and treatments through global data sharing. Advances in DNA sequencing have brought personalized treatments closer, but scientists now need to collate data to identify genetic causes of diseases.
A cluster of 12 unusual stones was discovered in a prehistoric rock-shelter near Boquete, Panama, dating back to 4,000 years ago. The cache is believed to have been used by a shaman or healer for ritual practices.
A study by Weill Cornell Medicine shows that EHRs can improve patient care, but only when combined with sustained high-intensity technical assistance. Small physician practices in underserved areas of New York City need more technical support to effectively use EHR technology.
Researchers at University of Warwick discover a dysfunctional monthly fertility window can cause recurrent miscarriage. Prolonged inflammation in the uterus can lead to embryos implanting out-of-phase, resulting in miscarriage.
Researchers found a strong rise in sea level for CO2 increase from 180 to 400 parts per million, peaking at present-day values. For future climate stabilization at 400-450 parts per million, sea level is set to steadily rise for many centuries.
Researchers discovered a new species of mosasaur that lived about 84 million years ago in freshwater river environments. The largest specimens reached up to 20 feet in length and had unique characteristics such as limbs like a terrestrial lizard, a flattened skull, and a tail unlike other known members.
During Hurricane Sandy, internet outages in the US nearly doubled to 0.43%, affecting New Jersey and New York most significantly. The USC study provides valuable insights into disaster preparedness, informing how ISPs allocate resources to restore access after a disaster.
A recent study from Queen Mary University of London has identified two proteins, Egr2 and Egr3, as crucial regulators of the immune response. In patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), T lymphocytes show defective production of these proteins, leading to increased inflammation.
The UMass Medical School is enrolling expectant mothers from Worcester County in a pilot program of the National Children's Study. The study aims to determine how environmental factors impact children's growth, development, and disease onset. Data collectors will meet participants at home twice during pregnancy and again after birth.
Researchers used historical data from the Very Large Array to identify similarities between underground nuclear explosions and atmospheric disturbances. By analyzing these patterns, they found that astronomical radio telescopes could potentially spot rogue nukes, complementing GPS systems' capabilities.
23andMe has received NIH grants totaling $573,000 to support projects on allergies and asthma genetics, sequencing technology accuracy, and database development. These projects aim to accelerate human genetic research and improve diagnostics and treatments for allergic conditions.
The Indianapolis Discovery Network for Dementia's collaborative approach combines human interaction with technology to improve dementia care. The network has developed innovative tools, such as the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden Scale and the Healthy Aging Brain Care Monitor, which are now in worldwide use.
Researchers discovered a 'temporal sweet spot' that optimizes perceived brightness of light without increasing power. This finding could lead to significant energy savings by redesigning light-emitting devices to flicker with optimal dynamics.
A team of researchers from Nottingham University has discovered a rare genetic variant associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. The study, which used data from over 25,000 people, found that a specific mutation in the TREM2 gene may play a key role in the development of the disease.
Researchers at UCSB have made a significant discovery in the study of split-brain research, uncovering dynamic changes in brain coordination patterns between left and right hemispheres. The findings show that healthy test subjects respond less accurately when information is shown only to the right brain.
Benaroya Research Institute (BRI) has received a $100,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop rapid malaria vaccines using synthetic minigene libraries. This innovative approach aims to identify protective target antigens in a fraction of the time required by conventional technologies.
Virginia Tech researchers developed a computer-based system to analyze social media posts for vehicle defects, a first large-scale case study confirming the value of social media in vehicle quality management. The system can sift through millions of unrelated posts to identify useful information on safety and performance issues.
The PLOS Biology editorial emphasizes the need for open access journals to ensure research reusability, beyond just accessibility. The scientific community can progress by sharing and building upon each other's work.
Research conducted through online communities faces methodological limitations, including selection bias and information bias, which may impact the accuracy of findings. The study highlights the need for clearer disclosure of benefits and risks to participants, particularly when data is shared with third parties.
Researchers highlight methodological limitations in direct-to-consumer research, including selection bias and information bias. The authors advocate for clearer communication of results and benefits, ensuring informed consent and safeguarding public trust.
The new Big Data journal will publish peer-reviewed content on novel technologies, policies, and innovations in the field. It aims to facilitate collaboration among researchers, analysts, and business leaders to address challenges and discover breakthroughs in big data.
The Beutler laboratory has released its ENU mutagenesis data, which underpin the Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, for public use. The dataset is available in an online open access repository called Mutagenix, linked permanently to a 'Data Note' article published in BMC Research Notes.
Researchers discovered that African dung beetles use dung balls for evaporative cooling, climbing on them when overheating to maintain a cooler body temperature. This behavior is unique among insects and demonstrates the complex strategies insects employ to regulate their body temperature.
The quality of care for patients hospitalized with VTE significantly improved between 2005 and 2009, likely due to the implementation of VTE treatment guidelines. The study found a decrease in in-hospital mortality and length of stay, while total cost per case remained stable.
A Danish-British research team discovered a previously unknown third position in the calcium pump's on-off switch, enabling it to function at full speed when activated. This discovery improves our understanding of biological mechanisms and may lead to better treatment of diseases related to calcium balance.
A new study from the University of Tennessee confirms that solar wind is a source for water embedded in the lunar surface. The researchers found that most of the water in agglutinates comes from solar wind, making it a valuable resource with potential use as rocket fuel.
A new web-based data network aims to make existing knowledge available to policymakers and scientists worldwide, improving science and innovation policy. Researchers propose a unified set of standards between databases and platforms to overcome data sharing challenges.
Researchers aim to understand the natural history and progression of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, a liver disease that can cause damage in children and adults. The multi-center study will provide information on treatment options for companies developing pharmaceuticals.
Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) have discovered a genetic risk allele for uterine fibroids in white women using an unbiased approach. Genetic variants were found to be significantly associated with uterine fibroid status, particularly in the FASN gene, which encodes fatty acid synthase protein.
The NSF invests nearly $15 million in new Big Data research projects to develop new tools and methods for extracting knowledge from large data sets. These grants aim to accelerate progress in science and engineering research and innovation.
Researchers have uncovered a rare fossil called Kulindroplax, the missing link between two mollusc groups, and modelled it in a 3D computer animation. The study provides unprecedented detail, enabling scientists to understand the relationship between aplacophorans and chitons.
Researchers discovered a pheromone formula that attracts milkweed stem weevils, four times more than boll weevils, in Texas traps. This finding could help conserve rare milkweed types and monitor monarch butterfly populations.
A new malaria-transmitting mosquito species has been discovered in western Kenya by Notre Dame researchers. The mosquito breeds outdoors and bites people earlier in the evening, threatening current malaria control techniques.
A new study by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital distinguishes multiple sclerosis patients into two meaningful subsets, MSa and MSb, based on distinct RNA molecules. This categorization may lead to more personalized treatments for individual patients.
Researchers at Harvard University are developing new tools and policies to protect personal data used in research studies, enabled by a four-year $5 million NSF grant. The project aims to make sharing research data safer in cyberspace while preserving individual privacy.
Scientists found evidence that early microbes colonized land 2.75 billion years ago, producing oxygen and weathering minerals. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that life was limited to oceans during this period, suggesting a more significant role for microorganisms on land.
Researchers at ORNL have discovered a strain relaxation phenomenon in cobaltites that can lead to defect-free thin films. This breakthrough could enable the creation of advanced materials for fuel cells, magnetic sensors, and other energy-related applications.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic discovered a new enzyme called BACE2 that destroys beta-amyloid, a toxic protein fragment associated with Alzheimer's disease. The discovery suggests that impairments in BACE2 may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease and could lead to gene therapy as a potential treatment.
Researchers at Benaroya Research Institute will receive $4.7 million in grants to study immune function and develop new therapies for autoimmunity prevention. The goals include understanding how the immune system becomes unbalanced in individuals with autoimmune diseases.
Researchers from the University of Montreal discovered the genetic cause of hereditary spastic ataxia, a rare disease affecting coordination and movement. The VAMP1 gene mutation is responsible for the condition, which can lead to debilitating symptoms if left untreated.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a simulation model to study how planets form from protostellar disks. The models simulate key factors such as turbulence and temperature, which affect planet formation, providing insights into the conditions most favorable for planetary birth.
A Penn State-led project in the Gulf of Mexico has been recognized for its diverse partnerships and groundbreaking discoveries, including new coral communities and marine archaeological finds. The research aims to protect deep-water corals and other hard-bottom communities in the northern Gulf of Mexico.
Scientists have created a new, harmonized earthquake catalogue for Europe and the Mediterranean that spans over 1,000 years. The catalogue, known as the European-Mediterranean Earthquake Catalogue (EMEC), covers earthquakes with magnitudes of Mw 3.5 and larger in the northern part of the region, and Mw 4.0 in the southern part.
Scientists have recorded over 60 unique songs from critically endangered bowhead whales, with the variety of tunes surprising and comparable to that of songbirds. The findings also suggest that bowhead whales may have a repertoire of songs they sing during a season, making them the only known whales to do so.
The UK Data Service will provide seamless access to extensive range of economic and social data, including census data. The service is designed to support current and future research demands of academic and non-academic users, maximizing the impact of their work.
Researchers at OHSU School of Dentistry discovered that TDP-43, linked to ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases, activates multiple molecular pathways when genetically manipulated. The study found that the loss of TDP-43 results in widespread gene activation and altered splicing, which can be reversed by restoring TDP-43 expression.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has awarded a $4.78 million grant to Cleveland Clinic researchers to discover new pathways linked to cardiovascular diseases through metabolomics. The study aims to improve diagnostics and treatments for cardiovascular disease by analyzing the role of gut flora in heart disease.
Researchers found that the HIV protein vpu interferes with the immune response protein IRF3, dampening the ability of the immune system to protect against virus infection. This discovery could lead to the development of new antiviral therapeutics that target this interaction.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered a new single-gene cause of chronic kidney disease, which implicates DNA damage response signaling. The study found that mutations in Fanconi anemia-associated nuclease 1 (FAN1) lead to increased DNA damage and apoptosis in patients with CKD.
Researchers have discovered a triboelectric generator that can produce small amounts of electricity from motion, using flexible polymer materials. The device can be used to supplement power produced by nanogenerators and may offer a new way to create active sensors for touch-sensitive devices.
Researchers from UTHealth and France have discovered a gene defect linked to systemic complications including life-threatening thoracic aortic disease and intracranial aneurysms. The new syndrome is similar to Marfan and Loeys-Dietz syndromes but distinct in its genetic cause.
A study has identified three genes, AKT3, PIK3R2, and PIK3CA, associated with megalencephaly and a range of disorders including cancer, epilepsy, and autism. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for these conditions.
The Electronic Data Methods (EDM) Forum aims to develop innovative strategies for addressing challenges in traditional research studies and data sources. Researchers share lessons learned from eleven projects funded by the U.S. Agency for Health Research and Quality, focusing on using electronic clinical data to improve patient outcomes.
Researchers at McGill University have discovered the genetic cause of double-cortex syndrome, a form of epilepsy that affects primarily females. The study found that disease-causing mutations disrupt teamwork between proteins necessary for brain cell skeleton construction, leading to malformation and seizures.
New research by Richard Wright and colleagues found that while racial diversity is increasing in major US cities, highly diverse neighborhoods are still rare. The study also showed that many African Americans remain concentrated in segregated neighborhoods despite immigration, which has led to more racially diverse tracts.