News from the institutes and societies that organize science. Covers scientific medals, university-hospital partnerships, oncology cooperatives, and society leadership.
A new method to measure polarization angle developed, achieving precision twice that of previous work. A hint of parity symmetry violation found in the cosmic microwave background radiation with 99.2% confidence level.
Researchers found nine genes in mako sharks that relate to tumor suppression and wound healing, surprising given the low incidence of cancer in these animals. The study also suggests that mako sharks may have monochrome vision, a common trait among all shark species.
Research aims to examine impact of organisational cultural tightness on employee creativity and firm innovation in Asia. Tight cultures may hinder certain aspects but potentially foster other creative aspects.
Baikal seals' unique comb-like teeth allow them to expel water while retaining prey during high-speed hunting. Their small size enables a net energy gain from consuming tiny amphipods, which are challenging for other aquatic mammals to eat.
Scientists have developed a new method for analyzing the structure of skin using T-rays, which can help diagnose and treat conditions like eczema and psoriasis. The technique measures the refractive index of skin to determine hydration levels, providing valuable information on skin thickness and properties.
Researchers from SMART and TLL discovered a way to detect shade avoidance syndrome (SAS) in plants within hours using Raman spectroscopy, enabling farmers to intervene timely and improve crop yield. The method can be widely applied across various plant species and crops.
A USask-led international team has sequenced the genomes of 15 wheat varieties representing breeding programs worldwide, enabling scientists to quickly identify influential genes. The results provide a comprehensive atlas of wheat genome sequences, which will accelerate breeding efficiency and meet future food demands.
Researchers found that people with a growth mindset of interest are more likely to generate ideas combining diverse fields, leading to higher-quality integrative solutions. This can help organizations create innovative products and services, as well as aid job seekers in adapting to changing fields.
A study published in Science Advances reveals that young Brazilians are becoming more interested in environmental and scientific topics as they begin high school. However, the level of interest varies by region, with students from the North being more enthusiastic about learning about local wildlife and biodiversity.
Researchers from the University of Oldenburg are using virtual reality to better understand auditory perception, particularly in noisy environments. They aim to clarify how complicated processes such as perception, attention, and memory can be investigated using new interactive VR methods.
After being wiped out by whaling, blue whales have made a comeback to South Georgia, with 58 sightings reported in a 2020 survey and numerous acoustic detections. The discovery is key evidence in learning how the species is recovering following a ban on commercial whaling.
A recent study by researchers at Universitat Pompeu Fabra reveals that many Spanish civil society organizations are not involved in science and technology, or unaware of their involvement. However, the study also highlights the potential for these organizations to contribute to research and improve relations between science and society.
A new study found that people who spent more time on their phones were more likely to reject larger, delayed rewards in favor of smaller, immediate rewards. This suggests a link between smartphone use and impulsive decision-making.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a machine learning model that can predict reaction outcomes and test new reactions in a blind prospective manner. The model uses statistical robust machine learning models trained on a small number of reactions to provide interpretable chemical reactivity flowcharts.
The Purdue Innovation Partners Institute is bridging the rural digital divide by bringing wireless broadband connectivity to underserved communities. The initiative, backed by a $1M public-private partnership, aims to support remote learning and improve quality of life for K-12 students in northern Jasper County, Indiana.
A novel engineered C. glutamicum strain can produce high-level glutaric acid from glucose, breaking the record for the highest titer ever reported. The new strategy employs systems metabolic engineering strategies, including introducing Pseudomonas putida genes and optimizing culture conditions.
A team of scientists has identified a region of the thalamus as a key source of top-down information, which is essential for processing sensory signals in the context of past experiences. This discovery sheds light on how the brain encodes and retrieves memories, particularly in cases of brain disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
Researchers have discovered the three-dimensional structure of Nef-CD4 and AP-2, providing a basis for developing anti-HIV therapies. This finding highlights Nef's crucial role in subverting human cells' defense mechanisms, enabling HIV replication and disease progression.
Researchers at Purdue University have created a pearl spectrometer, demonstrating light transport-assisted information processing. This innovation has the potential to improve spectroscopy in biomedical and military applications by providing compact and efficient sensing capabilities.
Researchers at University of São Paulo and University of Pennsylvania conducted clinical trials on monoclonal antibody eculizumab and experimental drug AMY-101, showing promising results in accelerating recovery from severe COVID-19. The studies found that inhibiting the complement system reduced inflammation and improved lung function.
A new research project explores how counter-terrorism affects public perceptions and urban atmospheres in Europe's cities. It assesses the impact of terror threats on everyday life through a large-scale international survey and in-depth studies of five European cities.
Scientists at the University of São Paulo have developed a method to generate intense beams of light with quantum correlations, which can be used for high-precision metrology and information encoding. The new technology has potential applications in fields such as gravity wave detection and secure communication.
Research finds that working in prestigious posts triggers resource-related and identity-related tensions for professionals managing their brand. Key practices to mitigate these tensions include transporting teams, out-conforming to commercial logics, selectively neglecting local normative expectations, and materializing the professiona...
Ali Abolmaali, chair of UTA's civil engineering department, is a recognized authority on computational mechanics and synthetic fiber reinforced concrete pipes. He has secured over $36 million in research funding from various agencies.
Researchers at Charité and Tel Aviv University are investigating the causes of drug tolerance in invasive fungal pathogens. They aim to identify molecular pathways that explain this phenomenon and develop new treatments for life-threatening fungal infections.
Researchers at the University of Córdoba have developed a biocide additive that can be incorporated into traditional materials used in cultural heritage restoration. The new material, featuring carbendazim-clay complexes, shows improved antimicrobial effectiveness and long-lasting properties compared to existing solutions.
Researchers discovered that overexpressing protein kinase A (PKA) improves muscle resistance to fatigue in mice by suppressing FoxO proteins and increasing oxidative potential. This study offers a potential solution for treating atrophy and promoting muscle growth without severe side effects.
Barbara Hammer and her team will explore new technologies for secure drinking water supply in cities with the help of 10 million euros from the European Research Council. They are developing controllable artificial intelligence to detect factors putting strain on the system, enabling operators to make informed decisions.
Researchers aim to understand the structure and function of plasmodesmata, key routes for coordinating tasks in plants. They will use state-of-the-art methods like cryo-electron tomography to visualize plasmodesmata's composition and function.
Two studies by Aalto University show that minor sound fluctuations make identifying concert halls difficult. The research highlights the importance of considering both acoustic parameters and musical timbre in understanding concert hall acoustics.
Researchers have successfully raised funding for a project to develop a new super-resolution microscopy technique that can visualize individual synapse proteins with nanometer-scale resolution. The project combines expansion microscopy and single-molecule-sensitive super-resolution microscopy to achieve improved microscopic resolution.
The illustrations, created by Nigerian artist Christian Okwananke, show social and mental health impacts of NTDs like stigmatisation, loneliness, and depression. They were shown to NTD health professionals and had an impact, sparking conversations in a sensitive way.
The study found that small gifts to donors, such as coins or greeting cards, can increase the response rate and effectiveness of charitable appeals. However, they do not maximize average donations or raise more total funds compared to non-monetary incentives or no incentives at all.
Researchers found chikungunya can infect the central nervous system, impairing cognitive and motor functions. The study also showed that patients with diabetes are at a higher risk of death during the subacute phase, which is seven times greater than for non-diabetics.
Scientists at the University of Turku discovered that titanium is key to hackmanite's glow and developed a material with a longer afterglow. The study reveals complex composition differences in natural minerals and their role in luminescence, offering valuable insights for synthetic materials development.
A collaboration between genome researchers mapped out the virus dispersal, confirming Europe's central role in global spread. The study suggests travel restrictions were too little and too late, with most disease spread via Europe, not directly from China.
Researchers from UPV/EHU used spectroscopy to explore how the environment impacts on degradation of new stone construction materials. They discovered that lichens play an active role in biodegradation processes and can be used to measure environmental contamination.
A $1.2 million NSF-funded project will study AI and smart technologies for emergency response and risk communication in Central Florida. The project aims to develop community partnerships and build a regional data-sharing platform.
A joint research group has developed a way to simulate the quantum physical properties of complex solid state systems using real systems of atoms. The team's approach uses mathematical and numerical methods to investigate which quantum systems are suitable for simulations, paving the way for progress in robust quantum computing.
A research team from the University of Córdoba has developed a method to calculate tree water consumption, allowing for optimized irrigation systems. This innovation enables farmers to determine if their trees are consuming water at optimal levels or experiencing stress, enabling targeted watering and maximizing production.
A study by University of Kent researchers found that individuals who feel a system or authority is unresponsive to their demands are more likely to support hacker activity. This support can be seen as a means to express anger and frustration towards the organization, even if it involves disruptive actions.
Researchers analyzed 133 dream reports word by word using graph theory to show that REM dream reports have more structural connectedness than non-REM dream reports. This study confirms that dream report structure varies according to sleep stage and has implications for understanding dreams worldwide.
A team of researchers in Japan has created the most detailed and complete record yet of Earth's last magnetic reversal. The study reveals that the geomagnetic field became unstable at least 10,000 years prior to the magnetic direction change 773,000 years ago, and the full reversal process took at least 20,000 years.
A recent study reveals that SARS-CoV-2 can remain infectious in aerosol particles for up to 3 hours, and that large droplets don't travel far, contrary to initial medical guidelines. Engineers recommend increasing outdoor air supply, using fine particle filters, or short-wavelength UV-C light to deactivate virus particles.
Researchers developed a plastic film containing silver-silica nanoparticles that inactivates the novel coronavirus on contact, reducing SARS-CoV-2 particles by almost 100%. The film is made by Brazilian company Nanox and has been approved as a PPE mask for COVID-19 protection.
A study by Karolinska Institutet reveals that microglial autophagy plays a crucial role in MS progression. The researchers found that removing an autophagy gene, Atg7, disrupts the immune cells' ability to clean up damaged tissue residues, leading to disease worsening.
A systematic review of nine clinical studies involving 6,577 patients with COVID-19 found that obesity significantly increases the risk of severe illness and death. The study also highlights the importance of addressing obesity through public health policies to prevent COVID-19-related complications.
The Hittite cuneiform scripts will be made available online, providing access to 30,000 clay tablets and fragments written in the Hittite language. This digital platform aims to boost Hittitology research worldwide.
The COMBINE (OCT-FFR) trial found that the presence of TCFA is a strong predictor of future MACE, despite lack of ischemia. Combining FFR and OCT can improve accuracy of high-risk lesion identification in patients with diabetes.
Researchers have discovered evidence of Byzantine and Early Islamic resource management practices through micro-geoarchaeological investigations of trash mounds in the Negev region of Israel. The findings provide insights into agricultural shifts during the Roman Imperial Period and Late Antiquity.
Researchers at Monash University discovered that metformin, a diabetes drug, removes damaged proteins and restores swimming ability in zebrafish with myofibrillar myopathies. The treatment shows promise for children suffering from this rare genetic disease.
Computer scientists at Saarland University have developed a method to produce special textiles with electronic properties through a dyeing process. This allows for the creation of e-textiles that can be integrated into IT devices without affecting their original properties.
Researchers found that the orbitofrontal cortex, responsible for calculating economic value, also judges relationship value based on commitment signals. This suggests a neural overlap between economic and social value evaluation.
The webinar, titled 'The first carnival of the animals: Causes and consequences of the diversification of Early Palaeozoic marine life', will be presented by leading palaeontologists Professor David Harper and Professor Renbin Zhan. It will examine how major biotic events such as the Cambrian Explosion influenced life on Earth.
A new study found that including Arctic radiosonde data reduces uncertainty in forecasting hurricanes' tracks, particularly when upper-level troughs affect their movements. This improvement can lead to better preparation and mitigation of human casualties and socioeconomic losses caused by these storms.
A recent study published in Nature Genetics has confirmed the genetic link in cerebral palsy, revealing that rare gene mutations can cause this devastating movement disorder. The research, which analyzed DNA from 250 cerebral palsy families, found evidence of damaging genetic variants and inherited recessive gene variations.
Primate lentiviruses, such as HIV-1, overcome species barriers through viral infectivity factor (Vif) and APOBEC3 protein interactions. A study by the University of Tokyo found that gorilla APOBEC3G can restrict SIVcpz replication but a specific amino acid substitution in Vif can evade this restriction.
A new study by the RAND Corporation found that US insulin prices are significantly higher than those in other high-income countries, even when accounting for rebates and discounts. The average price per unit across all types of insulin in the US is $98.70, compared to a fraction of this cost in other nations.
A new study from Binghamton University found that professional subcultures within an organization significantly impact employees' compliance with information security policies. Researchers discovered that different groups, such as physicians and support staff, have varying levels of adherence due to their unique work responsibilities a...
A recent study published in The Journal of Neuroscience has revealed striking similarities and differences in how dog and human brains process visual information about others. Researchers used fMRI to compare brain activity patterns between twenty dogs and thirty humans, finding both analogous and divergent patterns of species- and fac...