News from the institutes and societies that organize science. Covers scientific medals, university-hospital partnerships, oncology cooperatives, and society leadership.
Researchers discovered that blowflies use a unique mechanism called 'bubbling' to cool down, moving a droplet of saliva in and out of their mouths to promote evaporation. This behavior helps lower the insect's body temperature by up to 8°C below ambient temperature, with a significant impact on its flight muscles and brain.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have identified a protein called GPR68 that senses blood flow and tells small blood vessels to dilate. This discovery could lead to new treatments for conditions like ischemic stroke and hypertension.
A new study by University of Kent researchers suggests that young men in Southern Italy who prioritize masculine honour are more likely to engage with criminal organisation members. The research highlights the importance of addressing these values in education programmes aimed at preventing young people's involvement with such groups.
The Casey Strale Foundation has raised over $150,000 for TGen ACC research, supporting life-changing work by Dr. Sunil Sharma and his team in developing new treatments for this rare cancer. The foundation's efforts aim to honor the memory of teenager Casey Strale, who lost his battle with ACC.
The Brazilian chip SAMPA will upgrade the detection system in ALICE at the Large Hadron Collider, enabling the detection of thousands of particles per second. The new system will increase the collision rate by a factor of 100, from 500 to 50,000 collisions per second.
Scientists at Goethe University Frankfurt explore cryobiology's social and biological impacts, including 'suspended life', and study immune defense mechanisms to understand pathogens' evasion strategies.
Researchers at the University of Huddersfield are leading a £80,510 project to create an accessible interface for extracting information from millions of words in Hansard. The new website aims to make historical debates more easily searchable and understandable for those without specialized knowledge.
Researchers have made counter-intuitive observations in hybrid quantum systems, where cooling processes can lead to heating. The study revealed that symmetries in the system can cause decay to excite components of another subdomain, resulting in a heat-up effect.
BNSF Railway has been awarded the 2018 INFORMS Prize for their pioneering integration of operations research and analytics programs. The O.R. program has driven better decision-making in various aspects of the company's rail network, resulting in annual savings of over $110 million.
Researchers shed light on functional mechanism of ABC exporters, which transport a wide range of molecules out of cells. This understanding could lead to new therapeutic approaches by specifically influencing or inhibiting these processes.
A national survey by Kessler Foundation reveals that 69% of people with disabilities are striving to work, overcoming barriers through job preparation and negotiation. The study also finds that many employees report experiencing and successfully addressing obstacles such as negative attitudes and pay disparity.
Researchers analyzed 8.3 million organizations and found that female leaders increased the number of women in top- and middle-management positions in public organizations.
Research suggests that imagining an object can produce the ventriloquist illusion and its aftereffect, changing future perception of sound. The brain integrates information from multiple senses to produce a coherent experience of the world, making it difficult to distinguish between real and imagined stimuli.
Biogerontology Research Foundation's Chief Science Officer, Professor Alexander Zhavoronkov, will share his projections on how AI is set to revolutionize biopharma for aging and biomarker discovery. He will reveal the latest progress in AI and drug discovery at Pioneers18 in Vienna.
A study by the Solid State Physics Group at São Paulo State University found that certain materials exhibit exotic behaviors, including a
Research from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business found that US publicly listed companies' chances of surviving over five years have declined significantly since the 1960s. The study suggests that traditional views on company age may no longer predict organizational success, as organizations become increasingly temporary.
A study by Michigan State University and The Nature Conservancy found that informal boundary spanners are four times more likely to diffuse information, making them key influencers in organizational change. By analyzing the organization's social network structure, leaders can identify these hubs and disseminate new ideas efficiently.
Bartos' project will examine the functional role of inhibitory nerve cells in forming memory traces and controlling cognitive behavior, a process not yet fully understood.
Researchers have proposed a theoretical device that leverages Majorana fermions to act as a thermoelectric tuner, allowing for the filtering of thermal energy. The device consists of a quantum dot connected to a Kitaev wire with ring-shaped majoranas at its edges.
Research found that higher dairy consumption is associated with improved volumetric bone mineral density and vertebral strength in men aged 50 and above. The study also showed positive associations between cream intake and bone health in women, although results were less significant compared to men.
Research at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden links specific DNA variants to IBS in women, explaining its higher prevalence compared to men. The study found associations with constipation-predominant IBS and harder stools, reinforcing the role of sex-hormones.
The TrueBrainConnect project aims to develop complex models capable of predicting different mental states based on EEG data. The researchers hope to identify early precursors of disease and delineate different types of dementia, leading to improved prognosis for neurological disorders.
A new research project aims to understand how non-profits and private organizations coordinate with governments in responding to natural disasters. The study will analyze data from Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and California, with the goal of improving recovery efforts and community resilience.
A study by Cornelia Lawson et al. reveals female scientists with young children receive less funding and citation rates compared to their male counterparts. The researchers highlight the need for support systems for women with childcare responsibilities.
The Mayo Clinic has published a 'Charter on Physician Well-Being' to minimize and manage physician burnout, promoting a positive workplace culture. The charter calls for adequate support systems, wellness programs, and organizational changes to address stress, overwork, and mental health issues.
David Peak, a physics professor at Utah State University, has received the national Council on Undergraduate Research-Goldwater Scholars Faculty Mentor Award. He has mentored over 30 USU undergraduates to 36 Goldwater Scholarships and Honorable Mentions.
The Human Frontier Science Program awarded over $34 million to 31 winning research teams in a global competition that started with 771 submissions from scientists in 50+ countries. The funding supports cutting-edge, interdisciplinary projects under the theme Complex mechanisms of living organisms.
The EPSRC RCUK Catapult Researchers in Residence (RiR) initiative aims to accelerate impact, increase knowledge exchange, and develop new collaborations. The first tranche of 18 awards has been successfully funded.
Archaeologists have discovered evidence of hundreds of villages in unexplored regions of the Amazon, home to diverse communities and agricultural practices. The research provides a wealth of information on the history of the Amazon, revealing that ancient populations had an impact on the environment, challenging previous assumptions.
The University of Liverpool has been awarded £3m in funding to support two innovative projects focused on improving drug delivery and ophthalmic innovations. The projects aim to develop novel materials and technologies that can benefit patients with various healthcare needs.
A study at UNICAMP in Brazil has identified genetic factors associated with the severity of acute viral bronchiolitis, a leading cause of hospitalization in infants worldwide. The researchers found links between specific genes and viruses that can cause the disease, which could lead to personalized treatment.
The UK Centre for Research on Energy Demand (UKCRED) will focus on systemic and socio-technical perspectives to develop internationally leading research on energy demand. Led by Professor Nick Eyre at the University of Oxford, the centre aims to reduce energy demand, decarbonize it, and make it more flexible.
A new laser technique can detect even trace amounts of chemicals in the air, making it possible to alert communities to biological or chemical attacks. The technology is accurate and sensitive enough to determine if there is a molecule of any chemical present at concentrations as low as one part per billion.
Scientists at Griffith University have unveiled a highly accurate technique for measuring electrical forces using a single atom as a sensor, with sensitivity down to 100 zeptoNewtons. This achievement allows for the investigation of surface phenomena and has potential applications in quantum computing and medical research.
A study of 2,500 participants found that deployment to combat units was associated with lower odds of e-cigarette use. Soldiers who perceived e-cigarettes as less harmful had a 61% reduction in risk of using them.
A study found that access to dental services increased for Medicaid children between 2013-2015, with 77% utilizing Type I services and 21% using Type II services. Sealant access rates improved, but sealant utilization remained low, particularly among older children.
A study at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry found a significant decrease in opioid prescriptions after implementing an opioid prescribing protocol. The analysis showed a 47.1% reduction in total opioid prescriptions and tablets per prescription written.
Researchers found that e-cigarette aerosol exposure causes shape changes and narrowing of the orofacial area in developing murine embryos. Flavored e-cigAMs showed greater detrimental effects than plain e-cigAMs, highlighting a potential risk to fetal development.
Research examines subgingival virome in periodontal health and disease, finding lower virus levels in healthy controls compared to diseased subjects. The dominant viruses were members of the Herpes Simplex family, with gram-negative phages predominating in diseases.
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft has approved 14 new Priority Programmes for 2019, covering a range of disciplines and topics including spatial genome architecture, Perovskite semiconductors, and digital image. The programmes will receive approximately €80 million in funding over three years.
Researchers followed decomposing carcasses to better understand fossil formation, revealing incomplete remains and distorted life histories. This study helps create accurate pictures of ancient animals and ecosystems.
Yogalakshmi Rajendran, an Assistant Professor at the University of California, San Francisco, received the fellowship for her clinical application of autologous blood products in regenerative dentistry and NIH-funded study on oral cavity microflora.
Grayson Marshall, a renowned scientist and mentor, has received the AADR's highest honor for his dedication to fostering the next generation of researchers. His exemplary record of mentoring students and trainees has led to several pursuing academic careers as mentors.
Teresa Dolan, a renowned researcher and clinician, was recognized by the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) with the 2018 AADR Jack Hein Public Service Award. The award honors her exemplary service promoting oral health research to a wide constituency.
J. Bernard Machen, a renowned educator and researcher, has been awarded the AADR Honorary Membership for his dedication to public health and dental research. The American Association for Dental Research (AADR) recognized Machen's innovative leadership in dental education and unwavering support for research and discovery science.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have discovered a new class of semiconductors, known as hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (HOIPs), that can emit light with nuanced colors. The materials are energy-efficient, easy to process and stable at room temperature, making them potentially useful for various applications.
Scientists warn that Amazon deforestation rates between 20% and 25% could irreversibly alter the region's hydrological cycle, leading to degraded savannas and low biodiversity. Researchers advocate for a safety margin of less than 20% deforestation to prevent this tipping point.
Researchers at the UPV/EHU develop two new methods for generating and classifying music, one based on genre classification using similar bertso melodies. These methods also enable the automatic generation of new melodies in various styles.
Researchers from CSIC developed a method to measure immigrant integration using Twitter data, analyzing language and location. The study found cities with high integration capacity in London, San Francisco, Tokyo, and Los Angeles, while others like Detroit, Miami, Toronto, and Amsterdam show low integration.
A study found that none of nine analyzed toothpastes mitigated enamel surface loss, a key factor in tooth erosion and dentin hypersensitivity. Researchers stress the importance of proper dental treatment, diet, and lifestyle changes to prevent these problems.
A RAND Corporation study found that California's Mental Health Services Act has reduced homelessness and hospitalizations for seriously mentally ill individuals in Los Angeles County. The program has also improved employment and wellbeing outcomes among those served.
A system developed by I.Systems uses AI to control pressure and reduce leak losses in water distribution networks. The Leaf system has already reduced water waste due to leakage by 2% in a region comprising seven municipalities in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil.
Researchers from CFAED at TU Dresden have made a significant discovery in organic semiconductors by uncovering doping. The team simulated and experimentally verified the doping properties of prototypic materials C60 and ZnPc using density of states and Fermi level position analysis.
A new study found that larger hummingbirds are more fuel efficient than smaller species, thanks to their ability to increase mechanochemical efficiency. This allows them to conserve energy while maintaining hovering flight, which is a remarkable feat given the high metabolic rates required for this activity.
Brazilian researchers design a non-invasive system that identifies different stages of fruit ripening with an accuracy rate of 95%. The system uses algorithms and digital imaging to analyze the biochemical stage of fruit maturation, providing essential information for precise papaya harvesting.
A recent study published in Nature Communications suggests that deforestation could lead to a significant rise in global temperatures if not addressed. The research, led by Paulo Artaxo, used computer modeling and found that the loss of tropical forests would intensify global warming by 0.8°C on average.
A study of six countries found that young men, ethnic minorities, and people living in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas are more likely to experience first-episode psychosis. The study also showed that environmental factors play a crucial role in the variation of incidence rates across urban and rural areas.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum aim to optimize the Density Matrix Renormalization Group method to predict properties of complex molecules. The goal is to tailor molecules for specific applications, enabling more accurate simulations and cost-effective synthesis.
Researchers discovered xenon compounds with nickel and iron at extreme pressures and temperatures, which could explain the missing noble gas in Earth's atmosphere. The study provides evidence for previously theorized compounds of iron and xenon under core conditions.
Researchers at National Institute for Fusion Science have discovered a way to predict plasma loss in fusion research. By studying the resonant and non-resonant modes of plasma deformation, they can identify the 'trigger' that occurs immediately before the sudden phenomenon, allowing for predictions to be made.