News from the institutes and societies that organize science. Covers scientific medals, university-hospital partnerships, oncology cooperatives, and society leadership.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the sources of relativistic Electron Precipitation (REP) events, which may pose challenges to human spaceflight. The study reveals that at least three separate processes contribute to REP events: EMIC waves, Whistler mode chorus waves, and electrostatic whistler waves.
A new paper by Berkeley Haas Prof. Jennifer Chatman and colleagues shows narcissistic leaders 'infect' their organizations' cultures, leading to decreased collaboration and integrity. The researchers reveal how narcissists create lasting damage on employee morale and performance.
A study suggests that conserving aquatic environments in the Amazon can be more efficient than protecting terrestrial species, with benefits reaching 84% of protection for aquatic species. The approach focuses on rivers and lakes, rather than land-based conservation units.
A landmark special issue collaboration between Kew and New Phytologist Foundation highlights the global roadmap for protecting and sustainably using plants and fungi. The research emphasizes the importance of collaboration and recognizes the threats to plant and fungal diversity, highlighting a critical need for conservation efforts.
A Monash University-led study identifies many-body dephasing as a fundamental cause of quasiparticle death, affecting superconductivity and superfluidity. The research sheds new light on the nature of quasiparticles and has potential implications for near-zero resistance electronic devices.
A team at KAIST developed an E. coli strain that can grow up to 11-fold higher cell density using CO2 and formic acid as sole carbon sources. The engineered strain shows promise for producing chemicals from these carbon sources, a crucial step forward in biorefinery production.
Researchers have created ultrapotent compounds to treat Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections in the US. The compounds show significant advantages over current antibiotics, including minimum inhibitory concentration values as low as 0.003 μg/mL and improved prevention of recurrence.
Researchers are creating a data platform called NORPP Manager to provide public access to large-N organizational data on the nonprofit sector. The platform will fill significant data voids and enable social scientists to conduct large-scale, representative studies.
A survey of geosynchronous orbital debris found over 75% of detected objects could not be matched to known objects in public satellite catalogues. Astronomers are urging more regular deep surveys to quantify the risks posed to active satellites.
The Initiative for Open Abstracts aims to boost the discovery of critical research by making abstracts openly available through Crossref. This collaboration between publishers, librarians, researchers, and stakeholders seeks to facilitate large-scale access and promote discoverability.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified all cell populations in mouse teeth and young human teeth, deciphering differentiation pathways of odontoblasts and ameloblasts. The study sheds light on tooth sensitivity and the formation of enamel.
A new study published in PLOS Medicine suggests that rheumatoid arthritis patients with and without autoantibodies have distinct conditions. Longitudinal data from 1,285 RA patients showed improved disease activity but varying long-term outcomes depending on autoantibody status.
A research team has successfully sequenced and assembled the Wels catfish genome, which is expected to reveal insights into its remarkable growth rate, appetite, and lifespan. The study's findings will help address bottlenecks in aquaculture and conservation of wild populations.
A $1m research project will examine fossilised fungi from 15-17 million years ago to forecast the impact of predicted rises in current global temperature on present day species. The study aims to understand how fungi respond to past warm climates, which could provide valuable information for adapting to climate change.
A new study found that smaller operators can deliver harder logistic shocks to a community when disrupted, rather than larger organizations. The research analyzed 154,862 organizations across ten countries and identified industry sectors and countries with strong supply chain communities.
Climate models suggest that tropical and subtropical southern hemisphere countries, including Brazil, may experience longer droughts and reduced rainfall by the end of the century. The mid-Pliocene period, which occurred 3 million years ago, shares characteristics with modern warming, indicating a possible future scenario.
A study published in BMJ Open found large discrepancies in payments made by drug companies and UK patient organisations. Patient organisations claimed £33 million, while drug companies disclosed £54 million - a shortfall of over £21 million.
The ERC highlighted its efforts to bridge the gap between world-class science and world-beating companies at the European Research and Innovation Days 2020. The event featured sessions on public engagement with research, frontier research to fight COVID-19, and blue-sky research for an uncertain future.
Researchers at UMass Amherst and Baylor College of Medicine developed a new method to protect deep neural networks from catastrophic forgetting, inspired by the brain's 'replay' ability. The method, called generative replay, generates high-level representations of previously seen data, preventing the network from forgetting earlier lea...
Researchers reviewed the fundamental theories underpinning the quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE), a key feature of emerging 'quantum' materials. QAHE causes zero-resistance electrical current along material edges and has potential for reducing power consumption in electronic devices.
High-performing VA primary care clinics have fully-staffed teams, clearly defined roles, and leadership responsible for implementing team-based care. These processes enhance patient engagement in care, leading to better adherence to treatment, intermediate health outcomes and mental health reports.
SMART researchers have discovered a new way to manufacture human red blood cells that cuts the culture time by half compared to existing methods. The new protocol stores cultured cells in liquid nitrogen for 11 days and produces RBCs within 11 days.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new small molecule to combat vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE), a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections. The molecule has been shown to target and treat VRE in both systemic circulation and the gastrointestinal tract, offering a potential solution to this deadly superbug.
A novel process for fabricating special optical fiber has been developed by Brazilian researcher Cristiano Cordeiro, simplifying the conventional method that requires costly equipment. The new process can be completed in under an hour and is significantly cheaper, enabling more researchers to produce their own optical fiber.
Researchers at USP and UNICAMP discovered eight novel polyphenols with anti-cancer properties in Brazilian red propolis. Two substances isolated from the rarest type of propolis significantly reduced proliferation of ovarian, breast, and brain cancer cells.
A new protocol allows for the protection and correction of fragile quantum information in case of qubit loss, addressing a crucial issue in quantum computing. This breakthrough could prove essential for future large-scale quantum computer development.
The CancerCirculome project aims to improve understanding of ecDNA's mechanisms involved in cancer development and disease progression. Researchers will focus on DNA circularization, replication, and reintegration into chromosomes to identify new diagnostic and treatment targets for pediatric cancers.
Bielefeld University researchers Professor Dr Martina Hofmanová and Dr Toni Goßmann have been awarded ERC Starting Grants for their innovative research projects on fluid flows and epigenetic programming. The funding will support groundbreaking findings in mathematics, biology, and meteorology.
Vera Demberg is working with computer systems that can explain or summarize content, aiming to reduce misunderstandings and ensure natural human-computer interaction. She aims to model individual language comprehension and create a system that adapts to individual users' manner of expression.
Professor Dietmar Gallistl from Friedrich Schiller University Jena aims to develop new algorithms and discretization techniques for fully nonlinear equations, with potential applications in financial mathematics and geometry. The project will focus on minimizing computational effort while achieving accurate approximations.
A team of researchers found evidence confirming theoretical predictions about gravitational interactions between multi-star systems, resulting in warped disks and misaligned rings. The discovery sheds light on the formation process of planets with extreme orbital angles.
The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded €677 million in Starting Grants to 436 early-career scientists, enabling them to tackle pressing questions in health, energy, and digital technologies. The grants will create approximately 2,500 jobs across Europe.
Purdue University innovators developed a wearable solution to treat antibiotic-resistant infections, allowing patients to receive treatment from home. The low-cost patch and battery-powered device deliver ozone therapy to accelerate healing.
Purdue engineers have developed a simple printing process that renders any paper or cardboard packaging into easy-to-use human-machine interfaces. The technology allows for the fabrication of vertical pressure sensors without external batteries, harvesting energy from user contact.
Researchers have discovered a way to make staple foods resistant to flooding triggered by climate change. By manipulating enzymes that control plant responses to low oxygen levels, scientists hope to create flood-tolerant crops that can help mitigate the devastating impact of extreme weather events on food production.
Two 14-year longitudinal studies found that people with disagreeable personality traits, such as being combative and manipulative, are not more likely to achieve power than those who are nice. In contrast, extroverts were the most likely to advance in their organizations based on sociability, energy, and assertiveness.
Researchers have created an atomic structure of the peptide-loading complex, a biological nanomachine that loads antigens onto MHC molecules. This allows for detailed molecular dynamics simulations to study its dynamics and mechanism, enabling targeted interventions in immune processes.
Researchers found high rates of nematode and cestode infections in Medieval Europe, with infection rates most common among children. The study suggests that past living conditions may inform modern intervention campaigns.
The new diagnostic technique allows direct detection of disease-specific miRNA, breaking through current limitations in early disease detection. The technology is expected to be available to medical practitioners in the next five years, offering a cost-effective solution for rapid and early diagnostics.
A team of researchers found that black-naped terns adjust their migration timing and path based on typhoon activity, with those migrating during peak typhoon season targeting stopover areas. The study used geographic tracking data from 20 birds to understand how the birds respond to environmental cues and optimize their routes.
A novel flavivirus identification test using RT-qPCR has been validated in Brazil for fast and sensitive detection of diseases. The method identifies and distinguishes between flaviviruses causing diseases in humans and animals.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science identify key molecule regulating biomolecular messaging in nerve cells, which plays a role in chronic pain. Targeting this molecule, importin alpha-3, could provide new options for treating chronic pain with fewer side effects.
A high-protein diet with a calorie-reduced intake was found to decrease liver fat by around 40% in obese individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study suggests that the positive effect of the high-protein diet is due to suppressed uptake, storage, and synthesis of fat in the liver.
A machine learning model has uncovered distinct statistical features marking the formative stage of slow-slip ruptures, allowing geophysicists to understand the timing of devastating faster quakes. The research suggests that slow-slip rupture may be predictable, providing an easier way to study fundamental physics.
Researchers have discovered how insect wing-inspired nanomaterials kill bacteria on contact, with patterns that stretch, slice or tear cells apart. The findings hold promise for developing low-cost and scalable anti-bacterial surfaces for use in implants and hospitals to combat deadly superbugs.
A team of researchers at CSIC and CRAG has discovered a new method to transform chloroplasts in leaves into chromoplasts, which produce high levels of carotenoids. This process can increase the nutritional value of crops and provide a sustainable source for the food and cosmetic industries.
Researchers investigating the decline of Norway's sea trout populations have found 11 disease-causing factors. They plan to survey the entire coast using advanced analysis methods and tag 150 fish with electronic tags to study behavior and migration patterns.
Researchers developed a wearable sensor printed on microbial nanocellulose, enabling noninvasive detection of body fluids present in sweat. The device can detect biomarkers such as sodium, potassium, and glucose, with potential applications for diabetes monitoring and hormone control.
Researchers at KIST found a strong correlation between ultrasonic stroke rehabilitation treatment and changes in delta brain waves, which can improve motor functions. The study lays the foundation for developing a patient-specific stimulation method to estimate therapeutic effects.
Two natural sugar polymers, exopolysaccharide and biosurfactant, contribute to multicellularity in M. xanthus. The compounds are produced in distinct areas of the swarm, promoting the formation of complex structures and ensuring community survival.
The Campinas Electrochemistry Group produces novel materials through self-organization in chemical systems. The group aims to achieve a deeper understanding of these processes to control their growth and structure. This research has the potential to lead to advancements in catalytic efficiency, selectivity, and material properties.
A team of Japanese researchers has discovered a new species of sea worm in the Southern Ocean, expanding our understanding of the region's biodiversity. The newly identified species, Flabelligena hakuhoae, is one of six described species within the genus Flabelligena.
A recent study by Dr. Jeremy Bernerth and H. Jack Walker found that using cannabis after work hours does not compromise job performance as assessed by supervisors. In fact, the researchers suggest that after-hours cannabis use may offer some work-related benefits, such as helping employees relax and restore energy after a long day.
Research reveals the resolution of injury-induced inflammation is under dietary control, requiring a balance of hormonal and genetic factors. The diet can enhance or inhibit each step of the process, affecting healing outcomes.
Researchers studied Backpage.com accounts and discovered linked activities among them, which may help identify illegal trafficking activity. The study found common behaviors in ads placed by these accounts, including evasive tactics used by sex trafficking organizations.
A team of researchers has tracked a rare 'boomerang' earthquake in the ocean for the first time, revealing how it can cause devastating effects on land. The study used underwater seismometers to monitor the Romanche fracture zone and recorded a magnitude 7.1 earthquake with a unique reversing rupture mechanism.
Scientists found that in actual materials, there's no critical point for quantum phase transitions in a genuine zero-field environment. Instead, many-body interactions impose order on matter at low temperatures.
Researchers have developed a quantum algorithm that can diagnose noise in large quantum systems, enabling the creation of more reliable and scalable quantum computers. The algorithm was tested on a 14-qubit machine and discovered correlations not previously detected.
Researchers found that oxytocin administration reversed precursors of osteoporosis in female rats, including reduced bone density and decreased bone strength. The study suggests that oxytocin may be a strong ally in preventing osteoporosis during perimenopause.
The Purdue team's disinfection method uses edible materials and FDA-approved food coloring dyes to kill airborne pathogens. The technology has been patented and is being licensed for commercialization, with potential applications in medical settings and public spaces.