News from the institutes and societies that organize science. Covers scientific medals, university-hospital partnerships, oncology cooperatives, and society leadership.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a wearable monitoring device to treat swallowing disorders. The device uses a skin-mountable sensor sticker to measure muscle activity and movement associated with swallowing, allowing for precise coordination of over 30 pairs of muscles and six cranial nerves.
A team of Brazilian researchers has developed a technique to create functional mini-livers using human blood cells and 3D bioprinting. The innovation allows for the production of hepatic tissue in the laboratory in just 90 days, and may become an alternative to organ transplantation in the future.
A new tool developed by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and the Netherlands predicts a person's survival probability after dementia diagnosis over three years. The tool provides clear tables for primary care physicians and specialist clinics to estimate post-diagnosis life expectancy based on easily identifiable factors.
Researchers found that the sympathetic nervous system can limit the generation of effector responses by inhibiting the action of cells attacking an antigen. This discovery opens up opportunities for novel therapies in autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis.
Researchers have found a way to stimulate breathing in premature babies using pure oxygen, which may help reduce the need for invasive respiratory interventions. The technique has shown promising results in preterm rabbit kittens and human clinical studies, offering a potential non-invasive solution for supporting fragile newborns.
A consensus definition has been reached by leading scholars and publishers to track and combat predatory journals, which prioritize self-interest over scholarship. The definition highlights false or misleading information, deviation from best practices, lack of transparency, and aggressive solicitation as key characteristics.
JUA Technologies International, a Purdue University-affiliated startup, has partnered with BrazAgro Ltd. to distribute its solar-drying tray, Dehytray, in Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. The Dehytray uses natural solar energy to dry specialty crops like leafy greens, coffee, and grains.
Professor Bridget Waller's €1.7m project, FACEDIFF, will investigate individual differences in facial expressivity and their relation to facial anatomy. The five-year project aims to understand how people differ in facial expressions and their impact on social interaction.
The European Research Council has awarded EUR 600 million to 301 top scientists and scholars across Europe, covering a wide range of topics in physical sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and humanities. This funding will create over 2,000 jobs for postdoctoral fellows and PhD students.
The new research project will investigate the communication, traffic, and trade between the islands in the Lesser Antilles during the period 1650-1850. Historians believe that the islanders were deeply dependent on each other due to limited resources and vulnerability.
A study by Karolinska Institutet researchers identifies a molecular mechanism linking ALS and type 2 diabetes, where immunoglobulin G antibodies target calcium channels in pancreatic beta cells, leading to cell death. The findings suggest altered humoral immunity may be a generalized phenomenon for other neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at Purdue University have created high-performance, tunable adhesives using compounds found in foods like nuts and fruits. These nontoxic and degradable adhesives could replace carcinogenic formaldehyde-based glues in furniture and other household items, improving health and environmental sustainability.
A study of six beaches in Brazil found a direct correlation between urbanization, metal contamination, and increased metabolic stress in mussels. The researchers suggest that this evidence should be used to inform public policy and mitigate the effects of human activities on marine ecosystems.
A QUT researcher warns that mobile devices blurring work and personal life increase cyber risks for employers and employees alike. BYOD has opened up security challenges, with data breaches and personal information theft on the rise.
Ancient Romans used timber from eastern France (Jura mountains) for portico construction in Rome. The oak planks were transported over 1700km via rivers before reaching the city.
Researchers have mapped 373,869 genes in commercial sugarcane, achieving 99.1% genome coverage. This feat will facilitate genetic improvement of the world's largest crop to increase efficiency and productivity.
Purdue University-affiliated startup GRYFN has received $4.5 million to develop precision geomatics solutions for coaligned and repeatable multi-sensor drone data collection, enabling high-throughput phenotyping in the field.
A new study reveals an unusual diversity gradient in the Amazon Basin, with higher species richness in the western portion than expected. The research, led by scientists from France and Brazil, analyzed data from 97 subdrainage basins along the main stem of the Amazon and its tributaries.
A new device called NewPneu has the potential to impact pneumonia diagnosis in children worldwide. It uses biometric sensors and an Android app to detect respiratory rate and blood-oxygen level, two common measurements for detecting pneumonia.
Researchers used a fine-resolution atmospheric radar to make the first measurements of Earth's ionosphere in the Antarctic region. The study provides valuable information about electron density, ion velocity, and temperature in the ionosphere, shedding light on atmospheric and ionospheric phenomena.
Brazilian researchers have reinterpreted the second law of thermodynamics by introducing statistical fluctuations, revealing that entropy can sometimes decrease. This study has practical interest for nanoscale machines and establishes a floor for fluctuations in thermodynamic quantities.
A team from the Earlham Institute is exploring the chemical diversity of UK plants to identify new medicines, including those found in foxgloves and willow trees. The project aims to understand how plants produce complex chemicals and unlock new pathways for biomanufacturing.
A UK-based science engineering company has licensed a novel heating technology from Purdue University to support industries such as research institutes and commercial manufacturers. The C-Core carbon fiber technology provides uniform heat without cold spots, facilitating high-quality sample delivery in analytical science and forensics.
Despite increased use of mechanized harvesting, aerosol and ozone particle concentrations remain unchanged since the prohibition of burning sugarcane in 2002. The researcher suggests that greenhouse gas emissions and particulate matter come from other sources.
Molecular Systems Biology has appointed systems biologist M. Madan Babu as its new Chief Editor, strengthening the journal's position in the field of systems biology. The appointment aims to encourage interdisciplinary research and bridge silos between fields.
Purdue University researchers have developed patented technology to eliminate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), linked to cancer, thyroid issues, and other health concerns. The team's innovation uses nickel and iron nanoparticles to capture and destroy these contaminants in groundwater.
International researchers have found that most of the black carbon transported to the Atlantic Ocean is 'young' and likely results from recent forest fires. The study, published in Nature Communications, used radiometric dating and molecular composition analysis to quantify and characterize the black carbon flowing in the Amazon River.
Survivors of sepsis need long-term advocacy and support after hospital discharge, a new study suggests. The research identified five major themes among participants, including the challenges of recovery and the importance of caregiver assistance.
Researchers at University of Warwick develop protocol to measure how close a quantum computer's answer is to correct ones. This helps confirm if quantum computer has outperformed classical computers, so-called quantum supremacy.
The FinEstBeAMS beamline at the MAX IV Laboratory in Sweden has conducted its first scientific experiments, studying the electronic structure of three ionic liquids. The research aims to understand the properties of ionic liquids for their application potential in supercapacitors.
Researchers in Spain found nearly half of patients were misdiagnosed with hypophosphatasia, a rare genetic disorder. Up to 15,000 cases may be currently undetected in the Spanish population.
The study estimates that preserving 270 million hectares of native vegetation yields Brazil USD 1.5 trillion per year in ecosystem services such as crop pollination, pest control, and water security. This research supports the importance of Legal Reserves and Permanent Conservation Areas in maintaining environmental services.
A study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology found that kratom may be effective in reducing alcohol consumption but carries risks of addiction and side effects. The researchers suggest alternative therapies could provide safer treatment options for individuals with alcohol use disorder.
Physicists observe unusual quantum critical point in a heavy fermion compound, breaking the Kondo effect and exhibiting strange metal behavior. The discovery could lead to the creation of new sustainable materials for quantum information devices and superconductors.
A study by INFORMS journal Organization Science found that one additional woman on the board results in a 2.3% decrease in market value on average, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. This negative effect is amplified for firms with higher diversity ratings across the organization.
A study by Brazilian researchers found that listening to instrumental music attenuates cardiac stress while driving, increasing parasympathetic nervous system activity and reducing sympathetic nervous system activation. This can contribute to the creation of cardiovascular preventative measures for situations of acute stress.
Researchers have discovered a critical point in supercooled water where thermal expansion and compressibility exhibit anomalous behavior. Theoretical model developed by Brazilian researchers can be applied to any system with two energy scales, including iron-based superconductors.
Purdue University has received the 2019 Innovation and Economic Prosperity (IEP) Place award for its exemplary initiatives in social, cultural, and community development. The university's Center for Regional Development leads various projects to address unique community needs and spur economic growth.
A study by Weizmann Institute researchers reveals that around 4% of left-handed women have excellent senses of smell despite lacking olfactory bulbs in their brains. The findings challenge conventional theories on the necessity of olfactory bulbs for the sense of smell.
A recent study published in Neurology reveals that individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) who also suffer from depression are more likely to experience debilitating symptoms earlier than those without depression. The research highlights the need for early recognition and treatment of depressive symptoms in patients with MS.
Computer scientists at the University of Leeds are developing a robotic autonomy system that combines automated planning with reinforcement learning. The robot learns to plan sequences of moves to reach objects in cluttered spaces, generalizing its abilities to new tasks.
Researchers found that the two species have complementary ecological functions, favoring seed dispersal and growth of adult trees. The loss of these herbivores could lead to significant effects on ecosystem dynamics, equivalent to the eradication of elephants from African and Asian forests.
A new research project aims to improve natural disaster emergency preparedness and response in countries badly affected by earthquakes, flooding, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis. The RESPOND-OR project will investigate issues relating to emergency response management of large-scale natural disasters in Indonesia and Sudan.
Researchers in Brazil have successfully developed a modified strain of Uncaria guianensis, a medicinal plant native to the Amazon Rainforest. By modifying its alkaloid production using 'precursor-directed biosynthesis,' the team was able to create more potent chemicals with enhanced therapeutic effects.
Brazilian researchers have discovered a new species of fungus gnat that emits blue light, which is the first record of such a species in the Neotropics. The larvae produce three lanterns and emit blue light, while adult insects do not.
A study of 993 Brazilian protected areas found 258 moderately vulnerable and 17 highly vulnerable to climate change. The Amazon and Atlantic Rainforest biomes are at greatest risk due to climate-driven changes in vegetation and native species distribution.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed fast-acting robots capable of re-creating bioinspired high-powered and high-speed motions using stored elastic energy. These robots, similar to the chameleon's tongue strike, can catch live insects in just 120 milliseconds.
A new study analyzing diversity across an Australasian reef reveals that coral species richness at different depths is unrelated to energy availability. Despite the expectation of greater diversity in shallower waters due to increased sunlight, the research found that coral diversity was highest at depths of between 15 and 20 metres.
International researchers from IIASA and Japan propose a more systematic exploration of the carbon budget scenario space to address biases identified in current literature. This new approach aims to hedge against future budget uncertainties and provide consistency between physical climate science and mitigation assessments.
A new study by an international team of scientists identified key knowledge gaps to overcome biodiversity loss and achieve ecosystem sustainability. The research calls for more relevant, solutions-focused research that addresses the social-ecological crisis.
Researchers at TU Dresden are working on understanding the metabolism of cancer cells, tracing the development of childhood leukemia, and developing novel electronic components using 2D materials. The institution has received a total of 48 ERC Grants since 2008 to support innovative projects.
The study introduces two novel initiating systems consisting of palladium, naphthoquinone, and borate, exhibiting unique activities in C1 polymerization. The new systems afford high molecular weight poly(alkoxycarbonylmethylene)s with improved yields and stereoregularity.
A new research center will focus on solving fundamental scientific problems in geometry and topology, with potential applications in fields like forest fires and airbags. The Copenhagen Center for Geometry and Topology aims to answer questions about shortest paths, moduli, geodesics, and singularities.
The discovery of osseointegration has led to high clinical performance of oral implants, but peri-implant soft tissue complications can jeopardize osseointegration. Early intervention in situations with peri-implant mucositis is crucial for preventing peri-implantitis.
Researchers discovered that stingless bee larvae depend on a symbiotic relationship with three fungi species to develop and reach adulthood. The interaction between these fungi modulates larval development and highlights the importance of preserving this relationship against pesticide use.
The paper presents advances in precision oral health research, including genomics, data science and biotechnology. The symposium highlighted the importance of personalized oral care and the need for research to fill gaps in understanding the factors that underlie health and disease.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed predictive analytical models to simplify the design and construction of biorefineries, enabling robust operation and minimizing downtime due to plugging problems. The models address machinery and operating conditions, reducing reliance on chemical agents in ethanol fuel production.
The joint partnership between NTU Singapore and GF Singapore aims to demonstrate the new ReRAM technology on 12
A research team has identified a novel caloric restriction mimetic, 3,4-dimethoxychalcone, which induces autophagy and promotes longevity. The substance may prove useful in treating age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Cambridge and University of Strathclyde found that highly-targeted messaging campaigns can effectively dissuade young gamers from getting involved in cybercrime. The campaigns were associated with a sharper and longer-term reduction in attack numbers.