News from the institutes and societies that organize science. Covers scientific medals, university-hospital partnerships, oncology cooperatives, and society leadership.
Researchers found a new species of 90-95 million-year-old crab fossil with multiple marine arthropod characteristics, showcasing an unusual branch on the crustacean tree of life. The exceptional preservation allowed detailed reconstruction and 3D-printer-ready models.
Researchers have identified two sets of proteins that work together to keep DNA strands unknotted and tangle-free. These proteins, known as SMC and TopoII, use a mechanism similar to a belay device on climbers' rope to resolve knots and links in DNA.
A new study suggests that the Cerrado biome in Brazil connected the Andean and Atlantic tropical forests, which are now over 1,000 km apart. The research used genomic and biogeographical data to support this hypothesis.
Researchers from Otago Global Health Institute aim to increase TB notifications in Indonesia by implementing an electronic referral system and educating private healthcare providers. The study, funded by $650,000, will shed light on the issue of unreported TB cases and its impact on global health.
A study published in the National Tax Journal found that allowing donors to claim charitable donations earlier, such as before tax season, increases donations by nine percent. Researchers from UBC Okanagan and other institutions used a policy experiment in Quebec to test this idea.
Dr. Blake Richards has made significant contributions to mathematical models of learning and memory in the brain, providing insights into the neurobiological basis of animal and human intelligence. His work explores the neural basis of deep learning and its potential to revolutionize our understanding of the brain.
Research from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business found that transparency in charitable organizations on crowdfunding platforms increases donations and fundraising. Regular operational updates significantly increase financial benefits, with each work-related word in updates boosting donations by $65 per month.
Booz Allen Hamilton received the 2019 INFORMS Prize for its pioneering integration of operations research (O.R.) and analytics programs. The company consolidated its O.R. talent into a single, centralized organization to enhance cross-disciplinary exchanges and accelerate internal research projects.
Researchers discovered that impaired FUS protein-protein interactions contribute to ALS degeneration, but drug-induced autophagy reduces pathological processes linked to aberrantly accumulated FUS. Stimulating autophagy rescued RNA-binding proteins and reduced neuronal death in cell culture experiments.
Physicists at the University of Bath have developed a flexible way to synthesize novel nanomaterials, including Tungsten Disulphide -TMDs. The process allows for tunable materials with potential applications in optics and sensors.
Scientists have observed the structural bending and stretching of carbon disulphide molecules in real-time, revealing a linear-to-bent transition driven by electronic structure changes. This breakthrough uses advanced laser-induced electron diffraction techniques to capture snapshots of molecular dynamics with sub-atomic resolution.
The Russian Science Foundation will support nine research projects from Ural Federal University, with funding ranging from 4-6 million rubles per year. This includes six new projects and three existing ones, which have been working since 2016.
An international consortium has sequenced the entire genome of durum wheat, revealing genes responsible for traits like yield, disease resistance, and nutritional properties. The team has also identified a gene that accumulates cadmium in durum grain, enabling selective breeding to reduce toxic levels.
Researchers found evidence of a giant exoplanet orbiting an evolved binary system, with a mass approximately 13 times that of Jupiter. The discovery was made possible by analyzing variations in eclipse timing and orbital period using Kepler Space Telescope data.
Researchers at McGill University have created a new class of hypergolic fuels that are significantly cleaner and safer than current options. These fuels use metal-organic frameworks to unlock energy, offering a promising solution for the aerospace industry.
Researchers review TFE's role as a structuring agent for unfolded peptides, inducing helical conformations, while also enhancing protein denaturation. The study details recent applications of TFE in conformational studies, including antimicrobial and aggregation-prone peptides.
Professor Thomas Rudel received a €2.5 million ERC Advanced Grant to study how Chlamydia evades the human immune system and cause chronic diseases like cervical cancer. The grant aims to develop new therapies to overcome this 'blindness' and improve treatment outcomes for Chlamydia infections.
Researchers found that leukocytes select the path of least resistance by using their nucleus to measure pore sizes and guide movement. The nucleus acts as a mechanical gauge, pushing forward to insert into multiple pores to determine the largest size.
Scientists found that amorphous systems converge to hyperuniformity, a hidden order on large scales, as they optimize individual cells' geometrical properties. This discovery has implications for the development of novel materials, including photonic metamaterials and block copolymers.
The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) is leading the next phase of the Reframing Aging Initiative, a long-term social change endeavor to improve public understanding of aging. The initiative aims to counter negative views of aging and promote accurate perceptions.
Scientists have identified genes involved in sugarcane root cell separation, a process that can be applied to other parts of the plant. The development of transgenic varieties with soft cell walls similar to papaya could increase sucrose extraction and reduce enzyme cocktails for ethanol production.
Scientists at Linköping University have developed an ultra-sensitive heat sensor based on a polymer mixture that uses ions as charge carriers, resulting in a signal 100 times stronger than traditional materials. The new material has potential applications in wound healing, electronic skin, and smart buildings.
The European Research Council has invested EUR 540 million in grants for 222 top researchers across Europe. Their projects could lead to breakthroughs in renewable energy, biological clocks, and social justice, among other areas.
A microscopic fungus has caused a significant decline in amphibian populations, with at least 501 species affected. The chytrid fungus has led to a 93% decline in anuran species, which account for 89% of all amphibian species, and is thought to have spread from Asia to Central America via human transportation.
The Human Frontier Science Program (HFSPO) awarded $35 million in Research Grants to 34 winning teams, including 9 Young Investigator Grants and 25 Program Grants. The grants fund cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research projects globally.
The European Research Council awards €2.4 million grant to investigate collective identity, self-identity, and social cognition. The project, led by Professor Dan Zahavi, aims to understand the relations between individuals and groups.
Two new Emmy Noether Independent Junior Research Groups at Charité will explore the use of deep brain stimulation to treat neurological disorders and the regulation of immune responses in the nervous system. The groups, led by Dr. Andreas Horn and Dr. Christoph Klose, will receive over €1.7 million in funding for three years.
The new centre aims to advance health and medicine by understanding the fundamental nature of life, with a focus on designing and building artificial cells and minimal genomes. Researchers will also investigate protein design and the foundations of life.
Scientists have discovered that USP25 is inactive in its isolated form and forms a tetramer, whereas USP28 exists as a constitutively active dimer. This knowledge provides the molecular basis for developing targeted anti-cancer drugs with low side effects.
Dust particles from glacial outwash plains can serve as efficient nuclei for ice nucleation, contributing significantly to ice nucleation in Arctic low-level clouds. This study highlights the impact of high-latitude dusts on glaciation and adds to our understanding of climate regulation by clouds.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have found a way to confine catalysts in tiny pores of host materials, leading to increased activity and novel properties. The new approach, called Pourbaix-Enabled Guest Synthesis, uses thermodynamics to overcome challenges and create multifunctional materials.
The TeamUp5G project aims to develop new solutions for 5G transmission, radio resource management, and spectrum optimization. It also focuses on the development of small cells and massive antennas to improve network capacity and energy efficiency.
Researchers at Rice University discovered that molecules on the surface of gold nanorods induce dipoles, scattering enough energy to dampen plasmon signals. This finding enhances catalysis applications and challenges previous explanations for signal loss via plasmon damping.
Research on guppy fish reveals that genes in males are preserved over generations, allowing the evolution of bright colors. This genetic stability enables the conservation of characteristic traits, such as coloration, in males.
A recent study published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology reveals that employees need to feel their boss is important to foster loyalty. The research found that a good working relationship alone may not be enough to build trust, emphasizing the importance of perceived manager importance in employee motivation.
Researchers found that IgG antibodies play a crucial role in stabilizing arterial plaques, reducing the risk of rupture and clotting. The study suggests that these antibodies may be a new target for mitigating atherosclerosis and improving cardiovascular health.
The VA's 'whole health' model is a leading-edge effort to address social determinants of health and move from volume to value. The model features multimodal approaches in integrative health, including evidence-informed complementary and integrative approaches as part of a commitment to diminishing reliance on opioids.
Researchers at Purdue University have created a new technology to clean and purify produced water, a byproduct of the oil refinery industry, which is deemed unusable due to contaminants. The process uses activated charcoal foam and solar light to remove nearly all traces of oil from the water, meeting EPA standards for clean water.
A new research group at the University of Jena has demonstrated quantum vacuum processes for the first time, using strong fields and high-performance lasers. The experiments aim to provide evidence for fundamental physics assumptions, with potential applications in medicine, life sciences, and materials research.
Researchers investigated factive and counterfactive constructions in aphasia, finding that individuals with aphasia performed similarly well on factive interpretation tests but struggled with counterfactive ones. The study highlights the relationship between language, cognition, and propositional thought in aphasia.
This special issue reviews whole systems research methods in healthcare and its patient-centered salutogenic focus. It highlights the convergence of conventional medicine and whole systems research to combat opioid reliance and promote integrative chronic pain models.
The UK is set to lead wireless communications technology with the DLINK project, which aims to deliver 'fibre-in-air' communication links with unprecedented data rates and transmission distances. The project exploits a new portion of the wireless spectrum, called D-band, enabling high data rates of up to 45Gb/s.
Researchers have developed tiny 'blinkers' that can image single molecules of RNA or protein inside cells simultaneously, opening up new possibilities for diagnostics and treatments. The approach uses fluorescent probes that blink with variable duration and frequency to detect dozens of biomolecules at once.
A study by RAND Corporation finds that nocturia, a health condition causing frequent nighttime bathroom visits, can lead to economic losses of $44.4 billion annually in the US. People suffering from nocturia report lower life satisfaction and work engagement, resulting in lost productivity and GDP.
A team of researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum has identified a crucial role for a sixth transport step in the regulation of peroxisome function. The study reveals that this step is essential for maintaining the balance between import and export of enzymes, preventing diseases such as infant mortality
A new process developed by Purdue University researchers makes it easier to cut and shape exotic metals, reducing the need for high-force machining. The method uses a designer surface-active agent to create a smoother end surface with fewer cracks and tears.
A new study found little evidence of elk modifying their behavior to avoid grey wolves in Yellowstone National Park, contradicting earlier research on the topic. The study used GPS tracking technology to monitor elk and wolf movements between 2012 and 2016.
Researchers at TUM have developed a compact instrument to determine the spectral properties of individual molecules, capturing detailed information on molecule-environment interactions. This breakthrough aims to accelerate the identification of efficient molecules for future organic solar cells.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that medium syncopation rhythms with simple and medium harmony complexity elicited the highest ratings of pleasure and movement. Harmony boosts the inverted U curve effect, making listeners want to move more when combined with rhythm.
Researchers have developed a hybrid material combining molybdenum disulfide and azobenzene that exhibits unique optical and transport properties. The structure makes the material attractive for building compactable and malleable quasi-two-dimensional transistors powered by light.
A study of over 278,000 births in Finland found an association between steroid treatment and reduced birth weight. Babies exposed to steroids were on average born with lower birthweights, regardless of whether they were premature or full-term.
A new study published in Aging Clinical and Experimental Research found that high health literacy can be a resource in old age, leading to better physical functioning, fewer illnesses, and improved health ratings. The study also highlighted the importance of evaluating media health information's reliability.
Researchers have discovered that Lake Pebas, a massive wetland in western Amazonia, existed until 8.5 million years ago, contrary to previous assumptions. The lake's presence was confirmed through geochronology of mineral zircon specimens from two paleontological sites, providing new insights into the region's geological history.
A recent study using data from 1.2 million people found that genetic variants associated with increased tobacco and alcohol use also linked to various diseases, including obesity, diabetes, ADHD, and mental illnesses. The study suggests a complex interplay between genes and environmental factors influencing addiction.
A study published in Nature Climate Change finds that climate change can redistribute the strength of ecological interactions between predator and prey species. Higher temperatures lead to more intense predation pressure, while increased climate instability weakens predators' effectiveness in controlling pests.
The UK will create 1,000 new Ph.D.s in Artificial Intelligence (AI) with a £100m investment, driving transformation across industries, healthcare, and climate change. The program aims to ensure AI innovation has ethics at its core, training future leaders to work on complex tasks and generate novel large-scale open datasets.
A novel concept proposes a lateral alternating multilayered junction for organic solar cells, enabling long-distance carrier transport and extraction. The structure shows promising results with high exciton-collection efficiency, paving the way to exceed conversion efficiency of 20%.
A new study led by the University of Birmingham found that biodiversity on land has been stable for at least 60 million years, contrary to previous assumptions. The research analyzed fossil data from thousands of sites and found that interactions between species limit the number of species that can co-exist.
Researchers from São Paulo and the UK presented advances in new battery development to address increasing demand for energy storage. Lithium-air batteries have great potential for use in transportation, power distribution networks, and can store energy for up to 24 hours at a low cost.
The $US30 million Advanced LIGO Plus project will improve the two existing Laser Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatories (LIGO) in the United States and include a new LIGO India facility. This upgrade is expected to significantly increase the number and strength of gravitational wave detections.