Articles tagged with Biospecimens
A new paper outlines principles for reducing power imbalances in biological fieldwork, including procedures for permitting and licensing developed at the University of Kansas. The guidelines aim to ensure safety, legal, and ethical conduct, prioritizing communication and transparency in fieldwork planning.
A new study suggests that members of the public want to know if their health information or samples from their bodies will be used in research or to help develop new biomedical products. The study found that patients are more likely to want notification about research use of their health information than biospecimens.
A new approach in metabolomics reveals how much of our body chemistry is traceable to what we consume. By matching molecular signatures with reference databases, scientists can create a diet profile of individuals and understand relationships between diet and health outcomes.
The INCLUDE Data Hub provides centralized access to large-scale research resources, including biospecimen libraries and clinical datasets, for the study of Down syndrome. With over 8,000 study participants and 30,000 biospecimens, researchers can accelerate discoveries that benefit people with Down syndrome.
A new study analyzing 8 cohorts of COVID-19 patients found that antibody responses in previously infected individuals were relatively stable, providing protection from reinfection unless the new infection was the Omicron variant. Vaccination also boosted protection, with rapid immune responses observed even after a single vaccine dose.
The Epstein Family Foundation has donated $50 million to USC and UC San Diego to accelerate Alzheimer's research and discover effective therapies for the disease. The collaboration aims to compress study design, patient recruitment, and clinical trials to expedite the discovery of better treatments and a cure.
A new module in biodiversity collections addresses the need for scientists to have both foundational biological skills and data acumen. The module was implemented in 10 courses across four universities and showed strong learning results, with students feeling well-prepared to collect and archive specimens, as well as deposit digital da...
A 'raptor-like' dinosaur was actually a timid, long-necked herbivore, according to recent reanalysis of fossil footprints found in an Australian coal mine. The Prosauropod, a plant-eating dinosaur with legs about 1.4 metres tall and a body length of six metres, is the earliest evidence of its kind in Australia, marking a 50-million-yea...
The project digitized over three million specimens collected by botanists and naturalists across the southeastern US over 200 years. The resulting database is now freely accessible online, providing valuable insights into ecosystems, species distribution, and the effects of climate change.
Three new snailfish species, Paraliparis echongpachot, P. kadadakaleguak, and P. marianae, have been named after student suggestions in the Chamorro language. The specimens were collected in the 1980s but not examined until recently, when they were analyzed by Oregon State University alums Bruce Mundy and David Stein.
The new NeuroCOVID database will collect information from clinicians about COVID-19-related neurological symptoms, complications, and outcomes. It aims to provide insight into how COVID-19 affects the nervous system and inform research on preventing and treating neurological complications.
Researchers found that Amazon fish species can rapidly adapt their body shape in response to environmental changes. The study used geometric morphometrics to analyze changes in six native species across five genera, revealing that even specialist species are capable of changing their anatomy to survive in the new environment.
Researchers at Stanford University and the Exploratorium developed an immersive exhibit allowing visitors to interact with single-cell organisms called Euglena. Visitors spent twice as much time engaging with interactive exhibits compared to traditional microscope-only displays.
Researchers propose anticipatory waivers of consent for pediatric biobanking, allowing for efficient use of samples from minors. The authors also examine the inadequate response to the US Public Health Service's unethical experiments in Guatemala.
Scientists have recorded the first cave-dwelling centipede from southern China, a species that had been hiding away from biologists. The new cavedweller, Australobius tracheoperspicuus, is tiny and has pale yellow-brownish color with no eyes.
A newly discovered Tylosaurus fossil, likely a newborn, lacks the characteristic long snout of the species. Researchers found that the development of this feature occurs extremely quickly, between birth and juvenile stage.
A team of Harvard scientists discovered that tiny Phoroncidia rubroargentea spiders use a combination of structural colors, pigment, and fluorescent material to produce their distinctive red and silver hues. The colors are stabilized by a tough cuticle layer, with the silver color relying on a reflective material similar to fish scales.
Scientists have identified three new species of ground snakes in Ecuador, including the Critically Endangered Cerberus Groundsnake. The study highlights the importance of genetic analysis in resolving problematic species delimitation and conservation efforts.
Studies found that shells from California mussels (32% thicker) and Native American sites (94% thicker) were significantly thinner than modern specimens. Ocean acidification is a major driver of this decline.
A new study reveals that up to half of the world's natural history specimens may have incorrect names, which can hinder biologists' work in fields like evolution and conservation. The researchers suggest that digitalised specimens and DNA sequencing can improve naming accuracy when integrated with taxonomic projects.
Researchers developed a novel approach to collect healthy post-mortem blood and tissue samples from hundreds of donors for gene expression analysis. The GTEx Project provides valuable resources for understanding disease processes and developing treatments.
Researchers suggest using non-lethal techniques such as high-resolution photography and DNA sampling to identify species, avoiding harm to small populations. The goal is to balance scientific understanding with conservation concerns and minimize the impact of field collections.
Biologists at ASU and Plymouth University suggest non-lethal techniques like high-resolution photography, audio recordings, and DNA sampling can identify species without harming small populations. The researchers aim to minimize the impact of scientific research on endangered animals.
The New York Botanical Garden has digitized the two-millionth plant specimen, a rare purple pitcher plant, as part of its ambitious project to make scientific collections widely available online. The milestone achievement marks almost one-third of the way to the garden's goal of digitizing its entire collection of 7.3 million specimens.
The newly described species Tinkerbella nana is the smallest known fairyfly, with a body length of only 155μm. Its aerodynamic features are thought to aid in reducing turbulence and drag during flight.
Researchers from the University of Melbourne have made a groundbreaking discovery that enables ultrafast high-resolution imaging in real time. By generating ultra-short durations of electron bunches, they can achieve both cold and fast electrons, paving the way for new advances in the field.
A Network Integrated Biocollections Alliance (NIBA) aims to provide online access to digitized data from biological specimens held in various repositories. The initiative will help cope with environmental problems such as climate change and invasive species.
The new Bio4D software program will manage biological repositories for genetic and genomic research, including blood, DNA, and tissue samples. It aims to accelerate discovery in the laboratory and help translate information to oncologists working with clinical patients.
A study shows that great bustard males use their 'beards' to signal their weight and age, avoiding bloody fights and increasing reproductive success. The study found that the heaviest males with well-developed plumage are more attractive to females and avoid confrontations.
Researchers have discovered a new species of giant crayfish, Barbicambarus simmonsi, in Tennessee and Alabama, which is at least twice the size of its closest relative. The species was found under rocks in a creek and has distinctive 'bearded' antennae with setae that enhance sensory function.
Researchers use X-ray diffraction microscope to image the 3D internal structure of yeast spores and cells. The technique overcomes limitations of previous methods, enabling quantitative 3D imaging of whole biological specimens at nanometer-scale resolutions.
A new technique from Carnegie Mellon University speeds up critical steps in automated biological screening methods, improving accuracy and reducing time requirements. The method also enhances the efficiency of the belief propagation algorithm, applicable to fields beyond biology.
Researchers developed a temperature-independent pH buffer to maintain sample stability during freezing and thawing. The new buffer showed minimal pH changes, even after repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Researchers found salamanders with unusual, asymmetrical spots in a pond on an Ithaca golf course, suggesting environmental stress. The study compared 60-year-old samples with contemporary ones, showing a significant change in spot symmetry.
Scientists at UCLA have developed a new technique that enables them to analyze the molecular composition of ancient fossils, providing conclusive evidence for their biological origin. The study's findings confirm that the oldest known fossils are made of organic matter similar to living microbes.
Infrared microspectroscopy enables the analysis of localized chemical content in extremely small specimens. Kansas State University chemist David Wetzel and co-author Steven LeVine have pushed the technology's applications to the forefront of biological research.
A new species of rabbit with distinctive brown stripes has been identified in the Annamite Mountains of Laos. Genetic analysis reveals a close connection to a critically endangered Sumatran species, suggesting divergence around 8 million years ago.
A new species of deer, the leaf deer, has been identified in remote mountain regions of Southeast Asia. The species was confirmed through DNA sequencing and represents a significant discovery in conservation biology.
Biologists at Washington University pinpointed cassava's origins to southern border of the Amazon River basin in Brazil using DNA sequencing techniques. The study reveals genetic diversity in wild and domesticated cassava strains, providing insights into crop improvement.
Alan Walker, a distinguished professor at Penn State, has been recognized by the British Royal Society for his groundbreaking work on human origins. He is one of forty-two new Fellows elected this year and was honored for his distinguished contributions to the world's knowledge of human origins.
Researchers found that a specific component of neural circuitry in the prefrontal cortex is altered in most people with schizophrenia, leading to disturbances in complex thinking processes. The study suggests that this alteration may be a specific brain disturbance in the disease process of schizophrenia.
A consensus group of breast cancer specialists has developed a classification system for DCIS, taking into account nuclear grade, necrosis, polarization, and architecture. The new system aims to improve patient treatment and discrimination between less aggressive and more aggressive cases.
Researchers have created a new tool to correct distortions in microscopes, allowing for enhanced resolution and accuracy in studying tiny surfaces. The innovation uses an electron mirror to cancel aberrations caused by lenses, leading to practical applications such as smaller miniature probes and improved instruments.
Dr. Patricia Gensel and her husband discover ancient arthropods in Canada, including scorpions and millipedes that lived on land over 200 million years before dinosaurs appeared. The fossils provide conclusive proof of large land-dwelling arthropods existing early in the Paleozoic era.
Researchers at the University of Kansas have improved near-field optical scanning microscopy to study individual biological molecules. The new cantilevered probe reduces force on samples, allowing for gentler interaction and high sensitivity.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed a technique to create ultra-smooth gold surfaces, more than 10 times smoother than existing ones. This breakthrough can be used for scanning tunneling microscopy of biological molecules and making reflective coatings for large X-ray mirrors.