News from the institutes and societies that organize science. Covers scientific medals, university-hospital partnerships, oncology cooperatives, and society leadership.
John Innes Centre researchers have settled an epigenetic debate by showing that local chromatin holds epigenetic information passed from parent to daughter cells. Their findings, published in eLife, could have wide implications for human cancers and other organisms.
A pilot study of post-doctorates and doctorate alumni reveals differences in research outputs, satisfaction levels, and employment continuity between permanent and temporary contract holders. The report also discusses the challenges faced by doctorate holders in finding alternative career paths beyond academia.
Scientists have successfully produced samples of strong and resilient synthetic silk with properties tailored for biomedical applications. The new material is created by genetically modifying bacteria to produce spider-like proteins, which are then extruded through microfluidic channels to form fibers.
A new study confirms the Montreal Protocol has effectively protected the ozone layer from severe depletion, with atmospheric concentrations of harmful substances declining since their peak in 1993. The researchers used a state-of-the-art model to investigate the impact of the treaty and found that without it, the Arctic ozone hole woul...
Researchers developed a new method to analyze brainstorms in premature babies, which correlates with their cognitive development at age two. The study uses mathematical functions and software component to analyze EEG signals, providing objective data on brain function in very premature babies.
Researchers used IBM's supercomputing power to model cellulose at the molecular level, revealing a new understanding of its structure and dynamics. The insights could lead to disease-resistant crop varieties and increased sustainability in the pulp and paper industry.
A University of Huddersfield professor has been granted a Newton Research Collaboration Award to develop a Dynamic Behaviour Model (DBM) that accurately predicts the energy usage of non-domestic buildings. The model will take into account various factors, including occupancy level and equipment use, to make a more realistic prediction.
A groundbreaking report from the National Research Council concludes that team science is increasingly used in scientific research, enhancing innovation and impact. However, resolving the challenges of effective team science requires attention to assembling the right people, training and development, and team leadership.
Researchers at McGill University successfully tested the Tomonaga-Luttinger theory by creating a mini-faucet that slowed down superfluid helium flow as predicted. The experiment pushed the limits of nanoscale understanding, shedding light on cooperation among atoms in superfluid states.
The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation has awarded $3.9 million in NARSAD grants to 40 independent investigators from around the world. These grants support basic research, new technologies, and next-generation therapies for schizophrenia, major affective disorders, and other serious mental illnesses.
Peter Lodahl, professor at the University of Copenhagen, has received a 18.6 million kroner grant from the European Research Council to develop technology for quantum communication based on photonics. The project aims to create scalable quantum photonic networks.
The Larsen C Ice Shelf is losing an average of 4 metres of ice and lowering by one metre at the surface due to air loss from the top layer and warmer ocean currents. A collapse could occur within a century, contributing significantly to sea-level rise.
By speeding up real atomic force microscope experiments and slowing down simulations, researchers matched the sliding speeds, resolving a major problem in studying atomic-scale friction. This breakthrough enables the study of stick-slip friction at overlapping speeds, allowing for more accurate measurements.
A recent QUT study suggests that excessive mandatory napping in childcare settings is associated with reduced nighttime sleep duration. The research found that children who received over an hour of mandatory naptime had, on average, 24 minutes less night-time sleep when in childcare.
Researchers from Finland and Europe have discovered a method to convert heat into spin current in magnetic superconductors, enabling faster data writing processes. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize memory technology, making it more efficient and faster.
A new study presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting found that providing students with a collection of self-selected books at the end of the school year can improve reading achievement, particularly for low-income students. Results showed no significant difference in reading scores between intervention and control ...
A study published in Cerebral Cortex found that brain activity differs between people who improve at tapping out their heartbeat and those who don't. The researchers also discovered a correlation between brain activity and subjective performance, suggesting that brain signals can provide a marker of objective performance.
Researchers from Concordia University investigate how an after-school program in Quebec uses social media to revolutionize learning for at-risk youth. Students engage with artist-educators on multimedia projects, developing professional skills and building self-expression through digital arts and new media.
A new study finds that simultaneous marijuana and alcohol users have double the odds of drunk driving, social consequences, and harms to self compared to those who use either substance alone. The research also reveals that concurrent users tend to have heavier drinking patterns.
Scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science have successfully regenerated heart cells in adult mice using a previously unknown signaling pathway. By activating ERBB2, a protein that plays a role in heart development, researchers were able to induce cardiac cell renewal and regeneration without excessive growth or scarring.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $8 million in grants to support research on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and related co-morbidities. The funding will support research conducted at eight South African institutions, linking scientists with U.S. researchers.
Researchers found that the brain's visual cortex retains fundamental topographical and functional connectivity organizational principles, including retinotopic mapping, in people born blind. The study dispels the notion that blindness impairs brain development.
The ROIS collaboration aims to promote data centric science through big data utilization. The partnership with CSC, DSI, and EUDAT will enhance research collaboration and access to funding for data-driven research.
A new study from the University of Guelph found that maternal genetic effects play a significant role in determining the fitness of squirrel offspring. Genetically gifted mothers tend to give birth earlier, have more successful pups, and exhibit other traits that contribute to their offspring's success.
The UK is investing £4.5 million in research projects to tackle the challenges of water-energy-food nexus. The three projects aim to improve resilience, produce nexus models, and identify existing structures with low impact across water, food and energy systems.
The International Human Frontier Science Program Organization has awarded eight young researchers with a total of $300,000 over three years to establish their independent laboratories. The awardees will support training in cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research focused on the life sciences.
Researchers at TUM have developed a new approach to joining modular 3D building units using shape complementarity, enabling practical nanomachines with moving parts. This breakthrough offers a toolkit for easy programming of self-assembly, paving the way for applications in DNA origami.
The Human Frontier Science Program awarded $35 million in research grants to 31 teams, with a focus on intercontinental collaborations and cutting-edge life sciences projects. Younger scientists are encouraged to participate, with an average age of 36 for Young Investigator Grant awardees.
The $20,000 Touch of Genius prize recognizes the innovative device that helps visually impaired students learn Braille using a slate and stylus. The automated tutor provides audio feedback to address challenges associated with learning this skill, improving literacy for millions worldwide.
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is investing £70 million in science research projects across the UK. The funding will support equipment and projects at 18 universities, including ultra-bright lasers, electron microscopes, and advanced x-ray imaging.
A research group at Aarhus University developed a computer game called Quantum Moves, played 400,000 times by ordinary people, providing unique insight into the human brain's ability to solve problems. The results show females outperform males in solving problems, highlighting an unexploited capacity for ingenuity in the human brain.
The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) successfully trialled the MinION portable DNA sequencing device for real-time analysis of environmental samples. The team sequenced complex metagenomic samples, identifying species in real-time using bioinformatics tools Kontaminant and NanoOK.
Professor Mathias Kläui has received a grant from the European Research Council to develop a new type of magnetic sensor, which will enable recording large numbers of revolutions. The new sensors are expected to be ready for pilot applications within 18 months and offer enormous advantages for industrial users.
A study published at the International Association for Dental Research found that dental pain relief is accompanied by reduced activity in the posterior insula and enhanced connectivity to the midbrain. This discovery provides new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying dental pain.
Dr. Martin Weides of KIT is awarded EUR 2 million over five years to study dynamic processes in ferromagnets, which could lead to magnetic data processing components. He aims to understand damping and intrinsic rotations of individual electrons using quantum bits.
McGill researchers have discovered a key epigenetic regulator controlling hippocampus development, which has implications for intellectual disability, Alzheimer's disease, and human brain development. The study sheds new light on the interaction between epigenetic control and neural stem cells.
A new study published in the Review of Financial Studies suggests that regulating CEO payments and performance bonuses can lead to more profitable companies in the long term. The research found that relying on bonuses can encourage CEOs to pursue short-term gains, leading to poor strategic decisions.
A new review of medical literature found no link between menopausal hormone therapy and increased mortality risk. The study included 43 studies with moderate to high-quality evidence and covered over three decades.
The UK needs to invest in science and engineering research to sustain its knowledge economy and drive economic growth. The country's engineering-related sectors contribute £280 billion to GDP, creating jobs and exporting goods worth £239 billion.
Research found that alcohol consumption patterns shift from adolescence to old age, with men increasing their intake more than women. The study suggests incorporating changes in drinking behavior into risk estimates for better public health initiatives.
A recent study has found that mutations in the APC2 gene cause Sotos-like symptoms, including nervous system-related issues and abnormal brain structure. The research team also discovered that APC2 is a crucial downstream gene of the NSD1 gene, which is responsible for Sotos syndrome.
Researchers found that post-reproductive female killer whales act as leaders and share valuable ecological knowledge, helping their younger kin survive. This discovery suggests a potential explanation for the evolution of menopause in humans.
Researchers challenge current theories of ageing by finding that brain activity in older adults is not reduced as previously thought. A new study using resting state fMRI measurements suggests that age-related differences in brain signal amplitude are due to vascular health, rather than brain function.
A recent study by researchers at The Sainsbury Laboratory has shed new light on the evolution of plant diseases using a generalist parasite, Albugo candida. The parasite's ability to suppress host immunity allows it to adapt to different host species and expand its range.
A team of researchers from the University of Cincinnati has made a breakthrough in developing a new type of plasmonic device that can process data using light waves. The device has the potential to make electronics faster, cheaper and more sustainable by reducing heat and power consumption.
A new study suggests that an excise tax on sugar-sweetened drinks can effectively reduce consumption rates, especially among heavy drinkers. The research found that adding a 20 cents per litre tax was more effective than a sales tax of similar levels in lowering consumption rates.
The American Gastroenterological Association has received a $2.25 million endowment to support young researchers studying neuroenteric disease. The AGA-Athena Troxel Blackburn Research Scholar Award will fund studies on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and its impact on the brain-gut axis.
Scientists from TUM and LIU create technology to cage molecules in 2D nanopores, allowing them to investigate thermal behavior of individual species. They successfully track molecule motions at sub-nanometer resolution using scanning tunneling microscopy.
Researchers at McGill University found that visual cues are crucial in recognizing emotions conveyed by music, whereas speech relies on acoustic cues. In their study, participants identified emotions better with video and audio combined compared to just audio or speech alone.
Three UK-based research projects, led by Newcastle University, University of Bristol, and University of Warwick, aim to improve patient lives with assistive devices. The projects focus on developing prosthetic hands with sensory feedback and wearable soft robotics for independent living.
A study by Bernhard Ganss and colleagues found that amelotin is essential for enamel mineralization and maturation. Ammelotin-deficient mice exhibited weak incisor-edge enamel that fractured and chipped, with delayed enamel mineralization and retention of organic matrix.
A team of scientists successfully observed the birth of molecular bonds using femtosecond X-ray scattering. The technique allows for direct visualization of chemical reactions, enabling researchers to better understand light energy conversion and develop new renewable energy resources.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered that at least 14% of cerebral palsy cases are caused by genetic mutations. This groundbreaking finding has significant implications for the diagnosis, management, and treatment of the condition.
Researchers observed atoms forming a weak bond on the path to molecule creation, with only a small fraction converting to stable products. The study paves the way for more efficient reactions in industries such as energy generation and crop fertilization.
Eleven University of Waterloo researchers are receiving funding to collaborate with industry on strategic research projects. The grants will support the development of innovative technologies, including electronic fabric for water filtration systems and secure mobile cloud computing.
Research by Griffith University's Institute for Glycomics has made a significant breakthrough in tackling the human parainfluenza virus, which causes respiratory infections such as croup and pneumonia. The team has demonstrated how the virus engages specific sugars to spread and cause infection.
The RAND Corporation suggests that studies evaluating health information technology should consider both costs and benefits, as well as the long-term implications of adoption. The proposed standards aim to provide a more robust picture of the technology's impact on patients, providers, and payers.
A new study found that meditation can help preserve gray matter in the brain, reducing the age-related loss of functional abilities. Researchers compared 50 meditators with 50 non-meditators and found a significant difference in gray matter volume.
Researchers have discovered a coding system, dubbed the 'Enigma machine,' that governs infections by single-stranded RNA viruses, including those causing the common cold and polio. The code, hidden in the viral genome's RNA sequence, can be jammed to disrupt virus assembly and prevent disease.
Research found significant disparities in mental and physical health of 11-15 year olds between affluent and disadvantaged youths. The study suggests that addressing socioeconomic inequalities is crucial for population health.