News from the institutes and societies that organize science. Covers scientific medals, university-hospital partnerships, oncology cooperatives, and society leadership.
Researchers at the University of Konstanz are analyzing denial-of-service attacks to understand their influence on politics and international attention. The study aims to map global patterns of cyberattacks, evaluate their relationship with traditional forms of contention, and identify consequences for protest dynamics.
The new system uses round aluminum tanks floating on rafts of PET bottles, reducing manual labor and mortality rates. With the help of an automatic feed dispenser controlled by a solar-powered timer, fish are fed correctly 48 times per day.
A new phylogeny of the Pleurodira suborder, including the Yellow-spotted Amazon River turtle, provides insights into the evolutionary history and biogeographical distribution of side-necked turtles. The study found that Pleurodira fossils are scattered across continents, with the oldest species dating back to 125 million years ago.
Researchers revealed the structural fold of S. agalactiae CAMP factor, composed of 5+3 helix bundles, with N-terminal bundle responsible for membrane permeabilization and C-terminal bundle for host receptor binding. The study clarifies the molecular mechanism of co-hemolytic activity.
Rothamsted Research has developed a new approach to protecting wheat crops from the devastating take-all root fungus, by carefully selecting the first wheat variety in a cropping cycle. This reduces the disease's severity and increases yields in subsequent crop varieties.
Rothamsted Research has launched a collaborative program, AgRIA, to accelerate innovation in the agricultural sector. The program aims to develop research ideas from agri-tech into new industries through short-leap projects, entrepreneurial studentships, and longer leap-of-faith projects.
Researchers found that Bogong moths rely on the Earth's magnetic field to steer flight during migration, similar to night-migratory birds. The moths use a magnetic sense to determine their migratory direction and align it with celestial or terrestrial landmarks.
Ghost Cytometry uses novel imaging technique and AI to identify and sort cells with unprecedented high-throughput speed. The system enables fast and accurate isolation and diagnosis of cancer cells, improving medical therapies.
Researchers identified 29 Antarctic fungi with proven action against Xanthomonas citri, the bacterium causing citrus canker. The isolated compounds inhibited bacterial growth by up to 98%, offering a promising alternative to copper-based control methods.
An interdisciplinary team investigates how individual building blocks arrange into regular patterns during embryonic development or healing processes. Researchers use high-resolution video microscopy and novel biomolecules to test findings on fruit flies and human stem cells.
Researchers found an increase in high waves and winds in the Arctic Ocean due to melting sea ice. This increase poses a significant threat to safe navigation and coastal populations.
A Brazilian team developed a platform that combines mass spectrometry with AI to diagnose viral, bacterial, fungal, and genetic diseases. The method shows high accuracy in detecting Zika infection even after the acute phase.
VTT's research reveals that new-generation wind turbines are reasonably efficient in low winds, allowing for more flexible turbine locations. The new technology increases the potential offered by wind power, covering up to 86 TWh of Finland's electricity consumption, fivefold more than previous technology.
The ViEWS system assesses the risk of three forms of political violence and makes predictions for countries and actors. The forecasts are compared to actual events and models are revised to optimize predictions, with a focus on transparency and open-source data.
The startup's tool identifies behavioral patterns and establishes a driving profile with high accuracy, enabling fleet owners to provide personalized guidance to dangerous drivers. The system also detects anomalies associated with drug use, drowsiness, or cellphone use while driving, allowing for prompt intervention.
A research group from the University of Córdoba found that remote control watering systems have been successfully implemented in most water users associations in Spain, but issues with maintenance and adaptation remain. The systems have shown to facilitate life in rural areas, but also revealed problems with their use and effectiveness.
Researchers developed a new model to control chaos in particle accelerators, enhancing efficiency and reducing initial velocity requirements. The transport barrier mechanism, inspired by tokamaks, shows promising results in simulations.
Research suggests that minimum insolation hours requirements for nearly zero energy buildings are unjustified, as they increase the risk of overheating. Dynamic solar shading proved to be more efficient than static shadings in reducing heat losses.
A new German Research Foundation Priority Program explores how cells utilize phase separation to perform novel functions. The program aims to understand the collective behavior of intrinsically disordered proteins, which have been termed the dark proteome.
Scientists have successfully enhanced the capacity of PETase, an enzyme that degrades polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a type of plastic commonly used in bottles. The breakthrough could lead to more efficient biodegradation of PET and reduce ocean plastic waste.
Researchers at Aalto University have created a time quasicrystal that demonstrates the self-sustaining oscillation and coherency of time crystals. This breakthrough could pave the way for real-world applications in quantum information processing devices.
A group of Brazilian researchers have discovered an ultrafast way to magnetize matter using minimal energy. Using a technique called magnetization by light, they were able to align the spins of 6,000 electrons in just 50 picoseconds with a single photon.
New research from the University of East Anglia shows that DNA's shape can be manipulated using various triggers including copper, oxygen, and a substance similar to Vitamin C. This discovery has potential applications in nanotechnology and DNA-based computing.
The 2018 class of AGA Research Foundation awardees will continue to push gastroenterology and hepatology research forward with protected time for fundamental research. The awards program has launched the careers of investigators doing important work that translates to new patient care tools and better outcomes for patients.
Researchers found that banded mongooses inherit their feeding preferences from their escorts, not biological parents, and these learned behaviors last a lifetime. The study also suggests cultural inheritance may play an important role in many animal species, shaping individual diversity.
Researchers at MIT have developed an algorithm that uses a network-based approach to optimize taxi fleets in cities. The solution, dubbed the 'minimum fleet problem,' reduces the number of vehicles needed by 30% while maintaining service levels.
A recombinant E. coli strain has been developed to biosynthesize 60 different nanomaterials covering 35 elements on the periodic table. The team successfully synthesized 33 novel nanomaterials for the first time, advancing the design of nanomaterials through biosynthesis.
A team of scientists from Rothamsted Research has found that certain commercial cereal varieties can support beneficial fungi that suppress the take-all fungus, a devastating disease in wheat crops worldwide. This could provide a potential biological management strategy to control the disease.
Researchers have identified SETD2 as a critical effector protein in MLL-fusion proteins, driving oncogenesis in AML. This finding paves the way for a more effective therapy using a combination of compounds.
Researchers develop MOF, a hybrid material with porosity, enabling control over metallic nanostructures and their applications in catalysis and battery stabilization. The innovative methodology allows for precise control of material design, paving the way for diverse uses of these materials.
A recent study warns of a global collapse in controlling fungal infections due to emerging resistance. The rapid evolution of resistant fungal strains poses significant threats to human health and food security worldwide.
A new system has been designed to improve the quality of frozen horse sperm by using impermeable cryoprotectants that protect the external part of the cell. This method has been shown to be more effective than traditional permeable cryoprotectants, which can damage the sperm membrane and affect fertility.
The Earth BioGenome Project aims to sequence genomes of every eukaryotic species on Earth, filling the huge knowledge gap in biodiversity research. With a cost estimate of approximately US$4.7 billion, the project will lay the scientific foundation for a new bioeconomy and bring innovative solutions to global problems.
A new £4.8 million engineering research programme, ACHILLES, will examine how to maintain and monitor linear infrastructure assets to improve resilience. The project involves experts from seven universities and aims to develop deterioration models and sensors for better maintenance and safety.
The program aims to educate journalists about aging issues and disseminate information on scientific findings, policy debates, and innovations. The 2018 cohort will participate in the GSA Annual Scientific Meeting and deliver stories from the conference.
Researchers from Brazil's National Energy & Materials Research Center (CNPEM) have discovered a key enzyme that can boost the efficiency of sugarcane bagasse saccharification, a crucial step in producing second-generation ethanol. The enzyme, produced by microorganisms living in Lake Poraquê in the Amazon, shows high glucose tolerance ...
A recent study suggests that plants and animals in Latin America originated from the Amazon, highlighting a dynamic process of colonization and speciation. The research found that natural dispersal events played a crucial role in shaping the American tropics' exceptional biodiversity.
Researchers found that participants who received smaller servings consumed less alcohol, with a 20.7% - 22.3% decrease in one study and a 32.4% - 39.6% decrease in another. Reducing serving sizes could lead to 1,400 fewer deaths and 73,000 fewer hospital admissions annually.
New research suggests that life could be common throughout the multiverse due to dark energy's impact on star and planet formation. The findings contradict the long-held notion that a specific amount of dark energy is necessary for life to emerge, raising questions about the multiverse theory's ability to explain cosmic origins.
The Daily Mile program, which involves a 15-minute daily break for physical activity, has been shown to improve fitness, body composition, and activity levels in children. The study found significant positive changes in the intervention school compared to the control school.
A study published in Cell Metabolism reveals that mitochondrial protein production regulates the well-being of cells via unknown communication links. As cells age, this communication collapses, leading to vital functions deteriorating or failing.
Ants working together use switching between two types of motion to overcome barriers, with smaller groups favoring squeezing through a narrow hole and larger groups using sideways motions around the barrier. The size of the food item determines which mode of motion will dominate.
Scientists from 12 countries urge caution on climate geoengineering, warning it may do more harm than good. Developing countries are most vulnerable to climate change and geoengineering's unintended consequences, including acidification of the ocean and disruptions to biodiversity.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide found a genetic signal common to both cerebral palsy and autism in children. Cell lines from 182 individuals with cerebral palsy showed disruptions in cell signalling and inflammatory pathways, similar to those seen in some children with autism.
A research team of engineers, led by Professor Camillo Nuti at Roma Tre University, investigated the Leaning Tower of Pisa's survival despite strong earthquakes. The team found that dynamic soil-structure interaction (DSSI) helped the tower survive due to its unique combination of height and foundation soil stiffness.
Researchers developed a miniaturized FTIR spectrometer based on silicon photonics, overcoming technical challenges to monitor greenhouse gases remotely. The device achieved resolutions comparable to commercially available portable spectrometers.
The MRC Human Genetics Unit at the University of Edinburgh has received £53 million in funding to study human genetics. The unit will investigate genetic variations and their impact on diseases, including those affecting childhood development and cancer.
Researchers at TU Dresden are developing intelligent material combinations for autarkic fibre composites with integrated actuators and sensors. These materials can react quickly and precisely to environmental changes, making them suitable for applications in mechanical engineering, robotics, architecture, and orthotics.
A Brazilian study identifies areas with high genetic diversity and climatic stability for conservation. The researchers used ecological niche modeling to simulate the distribution of forests in past eras, revealing priority areas for action that have suffered least from climate change.
Researchers at Saarland University have developed a new type of sensor called Multi-Touch Skin, which can capture touches on the body with precision, even from multiple fingers. The sensors are printed using a household inkjet printer and can be designed to fit any shape, enabling new applications for interaction designers.
A study of dual job holders found that they do not prioritize one job over the other and demonstrate high levels of work engagement and performance. However, this often leads to increased work-family conflict due to time spent away from home.
Brazil's new synchrotron light source, Sirius, has selected 23 suppliers from 18 firms to develop its high-tech components. The suppliers were chosen based on their ability to develop world-class advanced technologies and meet the project's strict parameters.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Board of Governors approved over $20 million for studies using PCORnet to improve care for people with arthritis, blood pressure, depression, and irritable bowel disease. The four projects will foster relationships between researchers and stakeholder partners to support research ...
A new survey conducted by the University of East Anglia found that mainstream media coverage of humanitarian crises is often simplistic, partial, and lacking in-depth analysis. Respondents highlighted a desire for more expert analysis and scrutiny of the aid sector itself.
Brazilian researchers use human tissue samples from victims of the Hiroshima bombing to measure radiation dose absorbed by bones. The study confirms the feasibility of this method and opens up possibilities for future research, clarifying details of the nuclear attack.
The UK EPSRC has funded 11 research projects to address challenges in building trust, privacy and security in the use of personal data and digital technology. These projects focus on areas such as personalised e-books for children's reading, IoT devices in homes, and trusted sharing of personal health data.
A Brazilian research team has developed a novel technique to produce high-performance silver nanoparticles with 32 times the bactericidal capacity of existing materials. The new method uses pulsed laser irradiation and reduces production costs, making it economically feasible for large-scale applications.
Researchers at Aalto University have successfully generated and detected entanglement in massive mechanical oscillators, opening doors for new quantum technologies. The achievement uses a theoretical innovation developed by Dr. Matt Woolley and Prof. Aashish Clerk to stabilize exotic quantum states.
The project aims to explore highly novel forms of physical photovoltaic (PV) tiles that can harness indoor and ambient light to power integrated digital services. This technology has vast applications, including interactive art designs, pedestrian navigation, and energy-efficient street awnings.
Scientists have discovered key features that explain how two very similar fungi, one causing crop failure and the other producing mycoprotein for consumption, differ in lifestyle. The study highlights potential targets for disease control.