News from the institutes and societies that organize science. Covers scientific medals, university-hospital partnerships, oncology cooperatives, and society leadership.
Researchers at Aalto University have created an armour-plated superhydrophobic surface that can withstand sharp and blunt objects while maintaining its world-record effectiveness in repelling liquids. The surface features a honeycomb-like structure of tiny inverted pyramids, protecting the fragile chemical coating from damage.
Researchers developed a thermoluminescent material that responds to UV radiation, overcoming current limitations in personal and environmental UV dosimetry. The new material enables accurate detection of UV exposure and has potential applications in various fields.
Researchers at the University of Freiburg are developing a new storage concept that balances power density with affordability, recyclability and ease of use. The 'Plug-In' project aims to create a scalable and intelligent battery system for decentralized electrification in rural areas.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo's Engineering School have developed a low-cost mechanical ventilator that costs approximately 7% as much as conventional ventilators. The device has already been tested in animals and humans and shows promise in treating patients with acute respiratory syndrome, a severe outcome of COVID-19.
Researchers at CSIC pioneer the use of whole living cells in dynamic combinatorial chemistry systems to discover new bioactive molecules. This methodology has great potential in rapidly identifying new molecules with potential biological activity, and could lead to faster discovery of bioactive compounds.
The Purdue team's testing showed that SOPHIA achieved significant benefit over default and static-optimized database configurations, with improved throughput across various workload types. The technology was tested on metagenomics, high-performance computing, and IoT workloads, demonstrating its versatility.
A study used satellite images and machine learning to analyze forest fragment degradation and regeneration in the Atlantic Rainforest. Researchers found that certain tree species indicate forest regeneration, while others mark degraded areas.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have successfully synthesized evasins, a type of anti-inflammatory protein found in tick saliva, which can suppress chemokine-driven inflammation in human diseases. The proteins show great promise in treating lung inflammation in respiratory illnesses like COVID-19.
Australian archaeologists have discovered rare, small-scale rock art in the form of miniature stencils in a rockshelter traditionally owned by the Marra people. The discovery adds another dimension to the Australian and global rock art record, highlighting the use of beeswax as a material for making these tiny artworks.
Researchers have developed an efficient way to create micro-combs and exploit them in highly performing and robust frequency multiplexed optical fibre networks. This breakthrough enables the record-high data transmission over 75 km of standard optical fibre using a powerful class of micro-comb called soliton crystals.
Kali Thomas, a researcher at Brown University, has been honored with the inaugural Terrie Fox Wetle Rising Star Award in Health Services and Aging Research. She is being recognized for her work on organizing and delivering long-term services and supports to improve health outcomes for older adults.
James L. Kirkland, MD, PhD, received the Irving S. Wright Award for his research on cellular senescence and age-related diseases, while Sean Curran, PhD, won the Vincent Cristofalo Rising Star Award for his work on aging biology. Both awards recognize their contributions to advancing our understanding of aging.
A team of Canadian and Italian researchers have synthesized large-scale two-dimensional conjugated polymers, demonstrating their electronic properties. The results provide new insights into mechanisms of surface reactions at a fundamental level, yielding a novel material with outstanding properties.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have optimized vehicle dynamics and powertrain operation using connectivity and automation to reduce stop-and-go driving and travel time while ensuring energy efficiency. The algorithms achieved a 30% increase in energy efficiency in real-world testing, surpassing simulation predictions.
Scientists measured a significant reduction in CO2 emissions in London during the pandemic, with daily reductions mirroring decreases in traffic flow. The lockdown's impact on air quality and potential changes in behaviors post-lockdown are also being studied.
The COVID-19 crisis has already changed the research community, enabling international collaboration and accelerated data sharing. Biomedical researchers now advocate for smart, lasting investments in global health to address chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer.
Researchers at CeMM have identified a new key element, TASL, responsible for sorting out pathogen challenges and modulating inflammatory responses. The discovery highlights potential new targets for treating autoimmune diseases and overreaction to infections.
Researchers found strikingly high oxygen levels 2 billion years ago in ancient Russian rocks, contradicting previous models of Earth's carbon and oxygen cycles. The discovery sheds light on the evolution of complex life and suggests suitable conditions for eukaryotes to thrive earlier than thought.
A new article proposes a systems approach, Classification-Coordination-Collaboration (3C), to promote the overall realization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The approach consists of classification, coordination, and collaboration, which interact with each other to achieve SDG goals.
Scientists discovered a critical protein, Ded1p, that changes its structure in response to heat stress, triggering the production of stress-protective proteins. This mechanism may help organisms adapt to temperature fluctuations and has implications for understanding neurodegenerative diseases.
A study by North Dakota State University and HSE University found a positive correlation between Russian's latent dissent at work and emotional burnout. Employees often express dissent through venting to co-workers or friends rather than management, leading to burnout and work-life imbalance.
A study at Harvard Medical School found that administering CoQ10 reverses damage to germinative cells caused by BPA exposure. The antioxidants reduced oxidative stress and cell death rates in worms exposed to BPA, suggesting a potential strategy for reversing BPA-induced fertility issues.
Scientists use sound and light to store and transfer information on microchips, extending the lifetime of phonons from nanoseconds to 40 nanoseconds. This breakthrough opens possibilities for optical signal processing, fine filtering, high-precision sensing, and telecommunications.
Colijn's research aims to measure the effectiveness of COVID-19 health policy measures in BC, such as physical distancing. Her team will develop a statistical test to analyze control measures and estimate their strength.
Researchers have developed a zinc-doped manganese chromite crystal with significant technological potential. The material exhibits paramagnetic-to-antiferromagnetic phase transition at 19 kelvin, making it suitable for various applications.
The Bay of Biscay has been identified as a hotspot for marine litter, with microplastics found in over 50% of water and sediment samples. The polymers most prevalent are polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, and polystyrene, often originating from the breaking up of larger objects.
A startup-developed AI system using facial recognition and thermal imaging detects fevers remotely in people near hospital front desks, alerting staff to potential COVID-19 cases. The system has been successfully implemented at Albert Einstein Jewish Hospital in São Paulo, Brazil.
Deer damage is driven by factors such as climate, tree type, density, roads, and surrounding landscape, according to a new study. The study found that afforestation can influence deer damage in different areas of the country.
Dr Philippa Tomczak has been awarded a £1.2m grant to reconceptualise prison regulation, including representatives from multiple sectors and stakeholder groups. This will enable a step change in prison regulation and boost potential improvements in prison safety.
A study by the UPV/EHU-University of the Basque Country analyzed the influence of ozone formation precursors in the Valderejo Nature Reserve. The research found that biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) contribute up to 68% of the total VOCs measured, with isoprene and monoterpines being key contributors.
Researchers have identified 284 open reading frames in the herpes simplex virus 1 genome, allowing for more precise study of individual genes. This breakthrough has implications for immunological therapies, such as oncolytic viruses used to treat certain tumor diseases.
Magnamed will supply 6,500 mechanical ventilators to hospitals in Brazil by August to help meet growing demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company partnered with several leading Brazilian and multinational corporations to achieve this goal.
A new systematic review highlights the importance of emotional and psychological support, community involvement, and personal growth for new mothers during the postnatal period. The study identified four recurring themes that shape a positive post-birth experience, providing insights for caregivers to improve maternal care.
A new study found a significant decrease in intimate partner violence in Nicaragua over a 20-year period, with women's advocacy groups credited for the change. The percentage of women experiencing physical violence decreased from 55% to 28%, and emotional violence from 71% to 43%.
Researchers investigated how stress granules assemble and dissolve, shedding light on their role in neurodegenerative diseases like ALS. Stress granules formed in response to stress can promote the assembly of dynamic structures that may trigger motor neuron death.
A new carbon dioxide sensor developed by Purdue University researchers can help manage climate control and indoor air quality, reducing energy consumption. The sensor uses resonant sensing and resistive sensing to detect CO2 levels, allowing heating and ventilation systems to adjust accordingly.
The University of Huddersfield's two-year project, ICE+, will see over 750 students from across seven schools work in inter-disciplinary teams to develop enterprise and innovation skills. The project aims to promote the benefits of employing graduate talent and boost local employment opportunities for former students.
Nanobodies have been isolated and made available for researchers to study the 'spike' protein of SARS-CoV-2 virus. These proteins can stabilise the 'spike', enabling better imaging at an atomic scale, which could lead to new diagnostics and treatments.
Researchers have identified two novel viruses in Brazilian patients with suspected dengue, one from the Ambidensovirus genus and the other from Chapparvovirus. The study used metagenomics to analyze blood samples and found an unexpected presence of these viruses in human hosts.
Researchers at SMART and MIT developed nanosensors to study plant communication, providing insights for crop yields. The technology can be applied to all types of plants and offers valuable data on plant stress responses.
A study of 20 years of data found that between-workplace share of wage inequality is growing in 12 of the 14 high-income countries studied, including the US. Rising between-firm inequalities are linked to declining national labor market institutions and weak protections for lower-skilled workers.
Researchers at the University of Innsbruck propose a new measurement protocol to identify topological states in interacting systems. This method can extract topological invariants from statistical correlations of simple, local random measurements.
A Swedish study found that children of parents with mental illness are at a higher risk of injuries, particularly during the first year of life. The risk remains elevated even after age 17, and is slightly higher for common parental disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Researchers confirm early plant cultivation in southwestern Amazonia, dating back to 10,350 years ago, with evidence of manioc and squash. The discovery suggests that the earliest inhabitants were not just hunter-gatherers but also engaged in plant cultivation.
The Belle II experiment has analyzed a small amount of data collected during the start-up phase of SuperKEKB in 2018. The analysis did not provide any indication of the Z' boson, but it did limit the mass and coupling strengths of the particle with previously unattainable accuracy. This result does not rule out the existence of the Z' ...
A study found that 54.8% of COVID-19 cases imported to Brazil by March 5 came from Italy, while 24.9% traveled from Italy to São Paulo. The virus spread quickly in Brazil, with the first cases reported in São Paulo City, and sustained community transmission now prevails.
The study found that extreme rainfall days have increased significantly in metropolitan São Paulo, with a four-fold rise over the past seven decades. The researchers also observed an increase in consecutive dry days, suggesting that heavy rainfall events are becoming more concentrated in shorter periods.
A new international coalition aims to accelerate COVID-19 research in resource-poor settings, addressing the urgent need for effective treatments and vaccines. The Coalition will facilitate a coordinated approach to collect data from all regions, enabling rapid evidence-based decisions on policies and practice.
Researchers found that dynamic illumination, like water caustics in coral reefs, can increase attack latency for fish. This delay can be maximized in shallow water with fine scale and sharp water caustics.
A cloud-based supply chain management system for emergency response has been developed by Purdue University researchers. The system allows for real-time tracking of supplies and aid, enabling better targeting of assistance to those most in need. This innovation aims to improve outcomes for individuals impacted by natural disasters.
Purdue University scientists are rapidly developing technologies to diagnose and treat COVID-19, including paper-based rapid-detection systems and environmental decontamination methods. Industry partners are being sought to license these innovations and bring them to market.
A study in Finland found that environmental features such as nature destinations and walking-friendly infrastructure are crucial for older adults' physical activity. The research highlights the importance of considering specific neighborhood conditions when planning initiatives to promote older adults' health.
Researchers at Flinders University have discovered a complex array of sensory nerve endings in the lower colon that can detect sensory stimuli and communicate with the spinal cord. This breakthrough could lead to new medications to treat disorders related to gut-to-brain communication.
Researchers from The Graduate University for Advanced Studies uncovered the oldest Japanese astronomical record of a 'red sign' which may have been caused by a strong magnetic storm. This ancient literary reference was previously believed to be an unexplained phenomenon but modern science has now provided a convincing explanation.
A new AI-driven system, DeepSPM, demonstrates fully-autonomous Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) operation, allowing for optimal data acquisition and quality assessment without human supervision. This breakthrough enables long-term SPM operation and bridges the gap between nanoscience, automation, and artificial intelligence.
Researchers developed an easy-to-use sensor that can sensitively detect changes in ethylene levels, a key hormone in plant health. The sensor uses a network of single-walled carbon nanotubes to monitor fluctuations in ethylene gas levels, with high sensitivity suitable for monitoring plants in the field.
Purdue University researchers have created a novel system that allows multiple players to interact with the same VR game on smartphones, reducing latency and improving user experience. The Coterie system enables 4K-resolution VR on commodity mobile devices and supports up to 10 players in the same application.
Researchers at Linköping University discover that bacteria, not human cells, are responsible for the detection of epigenetic mark 6mdA. The team finds multiple methods used to detect 6mdA produce false positive results due to bacterial contamination and technical issues.
Researchers have demonstrated a significant leap in hollow-core fibre performance, enabling faster data transmission rates and reducing latency. The new technology has shown a 50% reduction in attenuation and a doubling of maximum transmission length compared to conventional glass fibres.
The Rosalind Franklin Institute has committed to developing a new detector for low-energy cryoEM, enabling atomic-scale images of biological samples. The goal is to make cryoEM more accessible and affordable, allowing for faster scientific progress in medical research and drug development.