News from the institutes and societies that organize science. Covers scientific medals, university-hospital partnerships, oncology cooperatives, and society leadership.
Dr. French is recognized for his groundbreaking research and extensive writing about alcoholic liver disease, totaling over 450 peer-reviewed papers and 19,470 citations.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have made a photonics breakthrough, achieving radio frequency signal control at sub-nanosecond time scales on a chip-scale optical device. This achievement could unlock the bandwidth bottleneck faced by wireless networks worldwide, enabling broader bandwidth instantaneously to more users.
Researchers found that certain white blood cells, known as BK virus-specific CD8 killer T lymphocytes, significantly increase in patients who can control the virus. These cells can be propagated in cell cultures and may contribute to developing vaccines and adoptive T-cell therapy.
A consortium of UK universities has been awarded £3 million to establish a national high-performance computing facility for machine learning. The Joint Academic Data Science Endeavour (JADE) will provide computational resources for researchers in machine learning and data science.
A study found that the carbon footprint of acquisitive and violent crime dropped from 7 million tonnes CO2e in 1995 to below 3 million tonnes CO2e by 2015. This represents a cumulative reduction of 54 million tonnes CO2e over this period, alongside a 30% decrease in crime.
Researchers from CRAG and Sequentia Biotech have developed transgenic plants that produce twice as much artemisinin as traditional plants. The study identifies the AaMYB1 gene involved in artemisinin synthesis and trichome formation, offering a potential solution to reduce production costs and make antimalarial drugs more accessible.
The six HPC centres will enable new discoveries, drive innovation, and provide access to powerful computers for researchers. The centres will be used for various applications such as predicting jet engine performance, exploring new materials, and developing driverless cars.
Scientists developed a new method to map molecule assembly for discovering new materials. This approach predicts material properties and optimizes molecular structures for specific applications.
Researchers at Tohoku University successfully demonstrated quadruped gait transition phenomena by changing only speed parameters. The energy-efficient profile of the robot's gait patterns matched those measured in horses.
A Phase 2 clinical trial of trofinetide in girls with Rett syndrome aged 5-15 showed statistically significant clinical benefits, including improvements in the Rett Syndrome Behavior Questionnaire and Clinical Global Impression of Improvement. The high dose of trofinetide was well-tolerated with no dose-limiting effects observed.
Researchers demonstrated steady state lasing with colloidal quantum dots, a crucial step towards practical laser technology. The unique shape of the quantum dots, resembling a flying saucer, overcame limitations in previous lasers.
A team led by Dr. Dan Stowell is developing a new approach to machine learning using the dawn chorus, enabling computers to analyze sounds and identify patterns. The research has potential applications in areas such as climate change analysis, historic birdsong recordings, and improving human language understanding.
The Resilient Materials 4 Life (RM4L) project aims to create smart materials that adapt, develop immunity, and self-heal. This research has the potential to revolutionize infrastructure maintenance costs and protect the UK's built environment.
The Human Frontier Science Program has awarded $30 million in grants to the top 3% of research applications, supporting innovative and collaborative projects globally. The 2017 HFSP Research Grants will fund cutting-edge research in various fields, including engineering, biology, and medicine.
The presence of a certified athletic trainer at youth football practices and games can enhance player safety through improved injury awareness, prevention, and assessment. This was found in a study published in Athletic Training & Sports Health Care, which reported a decline in injuries from 25 to 14 over two seasons.
Scientists discovered that tardigrades' unique protein-based mechanism protects them from desiccation by forming glass-like solids, which can also safeguard other biological materials. This breakthrough has potential uses in agriculture and pharmaceuticals, particularly in drought-resistant crops and medication storage.
A new flexible sensor developed at the University of British Columbia holds potential for foldable touch screens and wearable devices. The sensor detects different types of touch, including swiping and tapping, even when stretched or bent.
Researchers found that inorganic chemicals can self-organize into complex structures resembling ancient fossils, raising questions about distinguishing life from non-life. This discovery challenges the identification of Earth's earliest microfossils and redefines the search for life on other planets.
A UTHealth study has found that a pill form of treatment for Clostridium difficile infection can be as effective as traditional methods, with an 83% cure rate among participants. The pill form uses freeze-dried microbiota and could make treatment more convenient for patients and physicians.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have discovered a potential method for separating toxic elements from nuclear waste using arsenic molecules. The breakthrough, published in Nature Communications, could make nuclear waste clean-up safer and more effective.
A new home-based telemedicine program will be developed and pilot-tested to treat multiple sclerosis patients. The program, funded by a $100,000 Genentech grant, aims to improve care for people with advanced MS living in medically underserved communities.
Researchers discovered that robber flies employ a constant bearing angle strategy and 'lock on' to their prey at a distance, allowing them to capture small targets. The flies' eyes have been found to have a high spatial resolution, enabling them to detect prey items up to 100 body lengths away.
A new analysis published in BioScience found that long-term ecological studies are more frequently cited and important for informing policy decisions. The study suggests that funding agencies should prioritize long-term research to advance the science of ecology and support management and policy recommendations.
A new study reveals that ride-sharing is feasible in various cities worldwide, with the potential for sharing autos being more similar than expected. Over 99% of trips in New York and over 97% in San Francisco, Singapore, and Vienna are shareable, highlighting the importance of daily mobility patterns rather than city layout.
Researchers found that state-level Medicaid payment reform led to a 14% reduction in early elective deliveries and improved gestational age and birthweight for infants. The impact was particularly significant for minority patients, with increased health disparities addressed through this policy change.
Professor Erik Bitzek aims to investigate the interactions between cracks and material defects to improve understanding of breaking processes in metals, intermetallic compounds, and semiconductors. He seeks realistic results through micromechanical models and fracture tests to develop novel, fail-safe materials.
A Japanese research group has identified a newly-identified autoimmune endocrine disease caused by thymomas, which leads to hypopituitarism. The study found that abnormal expression of PIT-1 in thymoma cells triggers immune tolerance breakdown, resulting in autoimmunity.
UKCRIC will enable academia, industry, government and end users to collaborate on upgrading UK's infrastructure, reducing its cost and increasing resilience. The initiative will focus on developing new materials, techniques and technologies, as well as research into smart sensors and systems.
A team of scientists led by Jonathan Gagné has found evidence of undetected giant exoplanets in the TW Hya star association, approximately 100 light years from Earth. The researchers used an initial mass function to calculate the distribution of mass in the group and predict the number of undiscovered objects.
Research in yeast reveals increased adaptability with age, benefiting growth on alternative food sources like galactose. This study challenges the notion of aging as an inevitable process, suggesting potential benefits and ancient mechanisms that may be conserved in more complex organisms.
Researchers observed banded mongooses fighting over food and territory, often resulting in serious injury and death. However, they found that pregnant females were less likely to lose their litters after conflicts, suggesting a possible strategy to maintain pregnancy and increase group competitiveness.
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council has announced a major funding boost to develop robotics and artificial intelligence technologies for healthcare and hazardous environments. The £17.3 million investment will support research projects in surgical micro-robotics, autonomous systems, and extreme environments.
The UK government has invested £100 million in a new research institute, the Rosalind Franklin Institute, to develop innovative technologies and treatments for diseases. The institute will bring together experts from across the UK to tackle major health challenges and accelerate the discovery of new treatments.
Researchers found that narrowed eyes are associated with discrimination-related emotions like disgust and suspicion, while widened eyes convey information sensitivity. The study suggests our facial expressions communicate complex emotions through emotional embodiment.
A study by Laurine Gilles and colleagues sheds light on the genetics behind haploid induction in maize, revealing the molecular identity of a key gene that promotes fertilization. The identification of 'Not Like Dad' is an important breakthrough to fully understand the process and translate this breeding tool to other crops.
A new UCL study suggests that people's brain tricks them into believing the low-hanging fruit is ripest when it requires minimal effort. The researchers found that adding load to one of the handles made participants avoid the more effortful response, changing their perception without awareness.
Researchers have identified 3207 consistent confusions in English listeners, revealing types of word misperceptions in noise. The corpus provides valuable insights into speech perception processes and their technical clinical applications.
The green peach aphid can colonize over four hundred plant species due to its ability to rapidly adjust gene expression in response to different hosts. This adaptation allows the insect to feed on essential crops and transmit plant viruses, causing significant losses in crop yields.
Plant tissues have a preferred direction of growth, essential for producing complex shapes. This characteristic is crucial for understanding how genes influence plant shape formation and could lead to better-adapted crop varieties.
Researchers uncovered hundreds of large, mysterious geoglyphs in Brazil's Amazon rainforest, challenging assumptions about the ecosystem. The sites were found to have been built using sustainable 'agroforestry' practices, which concentrated on economically valuable tree species.
A UCL-led study published in Scientific Reports discovered that certain antibiotics, such as oritavancin, can still kill drug-resistant bacteria by exerting strong mechanical forces on their cell surfaces. The findings open up a promising new way to overcome antibiotic resistance and could lead to the development of more effective drugs.
Scientists have successfully created a photonic chip that can emit directional photons, paving the way for complex quantum networks. This breakthrough enables full control over photons and has significant implications for quantum communication and information processing.
Researchers using big data and CRISPR analyze the immune system's minute-by-minute response to viruses, revealing a step-by-step reaction. This approach provides crucial insights into how the body fights off infections.
A new study establishes World Health Organization fetal growth charts using ultrasound measurements during pregnancy in 10 countries. The research found that natural variation in fetal growth differed significantly between countries and was influenced by maternal age, height, weight, and parity, as well as fetal sex.
The new biobank aims to alleviate the lack of samples for researchers studying Lyme disease. With over 250 individual participants, it offers a unique opportunity to explore potential new diagnostics against various bacterial strains.
A new study suggests that corrupt behavior can emerge from a sudden 'golden opportunity' rather than gradual processes. Researchers found participants were more likely to bribe when presented with an abrupt steep-cliff option compared to a gradual slippery-slope option.
Researchers found that attackers can crack Android Pattern Lock within 5 attempts using video and computer vision algorithm software. Complex patterns are actually easier to crack than simple ones, making shorter, simpler patterns a more secure option.
Researchers analyzed two thylacine brains and compared them to those of Tasmanian devils, finding larger caudate zones in the former. This indicates that thylacines devoted more cortex to complex cognition associated with predation, fitting their hunting strategy.
Researchers aim to overcome traditional antenna limitations with liquid materials, enabling flexible and compact devices. The project will test liquids for stability and frequency transmission across various temperatures.
A new study by Professor Catherine Bailey suggests that manipulating employees' desire for meaningful work can damage organizations and alienate staff. The researchers identify two forms of 'acting' used by employees when they perceive organizational efforts to manage meaningfulness, which can lead to negative consequences.
Researchers at John Innes Centre identify CrNPF2.9 as key transporter of strictosidine, a central intermediate in monoterpene indole alkaloid biosynthesis; this discovery sheds light on the pathway of MIA compounds produced in the plant.
Researchers found similar judgements across nationalities on violent act severity, enabling better crime classification for international organisations. The study highlights the need for a nuanced approach to classifying violence, taking into account differences in severity.
Researchers at Polytechnique Montréal developed a novel material that combines 3D printing and nanotechnology to detect toxic liquids in real time. The material, made from thermoplastic and carbon nanotubes, can identify the nature of a liquid upon contact, making it an advantage for heavy industries.
A systematic review confirms Zika virus infection as a cause of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) and congenital brain abnormalities. The study analyzed 72 studies on Zika and GBS, finding at least eight criteria for causality met, while another 36 studies showed seven out of ten criteria satisfied.
Cognitive scientists at Bielefeld University have been investigating the secret of successful chess players by recording players' eye movements and facial expressions. The research group found that chess experts concentrate on main chess pieces and control their attention more efficiently than novices.
Researchers found a balance between two genes, spns1 and atp6v0ca, that maintains normal cell function. Disrupting one gene can induce premature aging, while the other can suppress degradation, extending lifespan in zebrafish.
Professor Daniel Zilberman has received a Consolidator Grant from the European Research Council to study epigenetic information transmission in plant generations. This research is crucial for improving human health and nutrition, as well as developing sustainable agriculture practices.
Researchers have discovered a jet stream within the Earth's molten iron core, moving at over 40 kilometers per year and three times faster than typical outer core speeds. The discovery was made possible by the European Space Agency's Swarm satellites, which provided an unprecedented x-ray view of the planet.
Researchers at ICFO have created a multilayer transparent conductor with low resistance and high optical transmission, exceeding ITO's performance. The new material offers fourfold improvement in figure of merit and superior mechanical flexibility.
Researchers detected lipid residues in unglazed cooking pots from Libyan Sahara sites, dating back over 10,000 years. Over half of the vessels showed plant-based processing, including grains and aquatic plants.