News from the institutes and societies that organize science. Covers scientific medals, university-hospital partnerships, oncology cooperatives, and society leadership.
Researchers at A*STAR's Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology have decoded the genome of the African coelacanth, revealing genetic changes that enabled aquatic animals to transition to life on land. The study provides valuable insights into the evolutionary history of the species and its adaptations.
Scientists at the National Oceanography Centre have discovered that dredged sediment in Liverpool Bay moves back to the port within weeks, saving millions of pounds. The study's findings suggest that computer models can accurately predict particle movement, reducing environmental costs and disturbance.
Joanna Berzowska's project harnesses power from the human body to create garments with complex, surprising transformations. The technology is woven into the fibre itself, enabling innovative 'smart textiles' with potential applications in fashion and beyond.
A new 1000-year Antarctic Peninsula climate reconstruction reveals a near-tenfold increase in summer ice melt since the mid-20th century. This intensification has important implications for ice instability and sea level rise in a warming climate.
New study reveals local conditions, such as slope steepness and soil depth, limit tree line advance due to global warming. Research suggests that temperature alone cannot explain high-elevation tree cover in certain areas.
The joint research collaboration aims to develop new approaches to tackle emerging infectious diseases in the Asia-Pacific region. The project will focus on designing treatments and vaccines for tuberculosis, predicting patients at risk of severe dengue, and developing improved vaccines against virus diseases.
A recent study suggests that people with low self-control prefer and depend on individuals with high self-control, which can aid in overcoming temptation. The findings also indicate that these individuals may be more likely to form adaptive relationships by surrounding themselves with others who possess strong self-control.
Ford was recognized by INFORMS for its widespread use of analytics and operations research to drive business success. The company's application of advanced analytical methods has transformed it into a data-driven organization, supporting strategic and tactical decisions across multiple departments.
Researchers at the University of Leeds found a compound called pyrophosphite, which is similar to ATP and could have acted as an earlier form of energy transfer. This discovery suggests that chemical life could be the missing link between geology and biology.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have developed a tactile helmet that uses ultrasound sensors to detect distances and provide fire-fighters with additional information. The technology could also be useful for people with visual impairments, acting as an additional sense to guide users.
Researchers have discovered a new fossil species, Holoptychius bergmanni, in the Canadian Arctic during the Devonian period. The discovery sheds light on the evolutionary transition from finned vertebrates to limbed vertebrates and provides insights into the life of large predatory fish in this ecosystem.
A new study from the University of Sheffield used a test machine to measure friction on tennis court surfaces, finding that sand particle size affects clay court friction, particularly when wet. The research aims to create international standards for court surfaces to inform players about court conditions and improve player safety.
Researchers analyzed 66 Amazon protected areas and found no strong association between deforestation avoidance and RAPPAM scores. However, they discovered a correlation between the absence of land tenure conflicts and successful deforestation prevention.
Researchers have identified two molecules that can predict which stroke patients are at risk of severe long-term disability. The study found elevated levels of endothelin converting enzyme-1 (ECE-1) and big endothelin-1 (BigET-1) in SAH patients who suffered significant disability.
A new study by Concordia University researchers found that companies with financial restatements are more likely to have poor corporate governance, including high growth rates and less independent oversight. These firms are also more likely to replace top executives and auditors in an attempt to improve their public image.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg are leading an EU-funded project to identify individuals with obesity at greatest risk of developing metabolic complications. The project aims to develop methods for early intervention and improved treatment, with potential to reduce healthcare costs and premature deaths.
A recent study published in Nature Geoscience suggests that tropical forests are less likely to lose biomass in response to greenhouse gas emissions. This finding has important implications for the future evolution of tropical rainforests and their role in the global climate system.
Research reveals that international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) reflect the cultures of their home nations, influencing advocacy strategies and techniques. Donors can use this knowledge to select INGOs aligned with their preferred approach to activism.
Researchers developed a pixelated vision system to enhance retinal implants, allowing patients to detect motion, large objects, and improve orientation. The system uses mathematical algorithms to pick out salient locations in images and provides directional cues for navigation tasks.
University of Toronto researchers dominated eight prize categories in this year's Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) awards. A total of nine U of T researchers won honours, including Stephen Cook receiving the Gerhard Herzberg Canada Gold Medal for Science and Engineering.
Researchers evaluated an afterschool program called the Good Behavior Game, finding that high organizational ability and community involvement are key to its effectiveness. The study suggests that combining these elements can lead to improved implementation of evidence-based practices in afterschool settings.
Research suggests that large-scale wind farms' generating capacity may peak at between 0.5 and 1 watt per square meter, significantly lower than previous estimates. This limitation could impact the feasibility of scaling wind power to meet a third of global energy needs within the next half-century.
A new research project aims to develop sustainable air conditioning and refrigeration systems for vehicles, reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The technology uses waste heat from engine exhaust to power the system, resulting in a significant reduction in emissions and energy consumption.
A $4 million international collaboration aims to create a noninvasive quantum electron microscope, enabling real-time imaging of living cells at molecular resolution without radiation damage. The project has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of biology and fundamental physics.
Researchers at the University of Montreal have found a way to diagnose and treat osteoarthritis in cats using meloxicam, an anti-inflammatory medication. The study showed that daily oral administration of meloxicam provided pain relief for four weeks, with higher doses continuing to provide relief for five weeks after treatment stopped.
A study by Spanish National Research Council proposes a new methodology to assess air traffic congestion. Researchers found that crew rotation and passenger connections systematically spread flight delays, revealing a domino effect.
The post-2015 development agenda should include measurable targets for NCD prevention and treatment. Experts argue that making NCDs central to the agenda is essential for achieving sustainable development and reducing disability and deaths globally.
A study suggests that reducing sodium intake by 40% could save 280,000 to 500,000 lives over 10 years. Gradual reductions in sodium consumption are projected to have substantial mortality benefits across the population.
New UNH research reveals vicarious supervisory abuse negatively impacts co-workers of employees who suffer from 'second-hand' or vicarious abusive supervision. The study found greater job frustration, coworker abuse, and lack of perceived organizational support among affected workers.
Researchers developed a predictive model of spatial epidemic spread in territorial animals, quantifying transmission events and propagation speed based on demography, animal wandering patterns, and contagiousness. This model has potential to inform targeted prevention strategies for zoonotic diseases with animal origins.
A new study finds that shame about past alcoholism is linked to increased risk of relapse and declining physical and mental health in recovering addicts. Behavioral displays of shame were found to predict likelihood of relapse, severity of relapse, and worsening health over time.
Microscopic ocean algae coccolithophores are sensitive to environmental changes and carbon cycle. The study found that different species responded to rapid climate warming events, with some thriving while others declined.
Researchers identified stable haploid strains of Candida albicans, enabling the targeting of individual genes for screening and speeding up the discovery of treatment targets. This breakthrough fills a 100-year gap in understanding this important pathogen's life cycle and may accelerate efforts to cure Candida infections.
Researchers analyzed over 858,717 grant and contract summaries to identify potential instances of duplicate funding. They found strong evidence that tens of millions of dollars may have been spent on grants where at least a portion was already being funded.
Campylobacter balances two systems to prioritize finding food, suggesting the 'need to feed' is its primary concern. This understanding may help prevent future disease by targeting the bacteria's navigation systems.
IST Austria professor Peter Jonas is one of three Austrian collaborators in the €1 billion Human Brain Project. He contributes his research on cellular and subcellular parameters, crucial for accurate modeling of the brain.
A global research team has completed high-quality sequencing of 90 chickpea genomes, revealing clues on how to improve crop resilience. The study provides a map of the genes that define the chickpea plant, potentially leading to improved varieties with enhanced drought tolerance and disease resistance.
Researchers at INRS Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications Centre developed a novel nanohybrid structure combining carbon nanotubes and lead sulfide nanoparticles using pulsed laser ablation technique. The new material exhibits strong photoresponse, fast photocurrent response time and spectrally wide photoactivity.
A new single-photon detector has been developed, achieving a previously unattained detection efficiency of 91% and low error rate. The detector's high performance enables reliable detection of single photons, crucial for optical data transmission and quantum computation.
Research published in the Journal of Dental Research shows that beta-catenin is crucial for odontoblast cell differentiation and root development. Tissue-specific inactivation of beta-catenin in developing odontoblasts resulted in molars lacking roots and thin incisors.
A recent study found that only 22% of participants who reported certain triggers developed a migraine attack after exposure. The research suggests that people may no longer need to avoid suspected triggers if they don't experience a headache episode within three months.
Joerg Schmiedmayer's work focuses on ultra cold atom clouds with high order, approaching a disordered thermal equilibrium. His new ERC Grant will investigate relaxation and non-equilibrium dynamics in quantum systems.
The system uses a novel real-time method to obtain information on road conditions, providing direct warnings to drivers before they notice changes in the road. By transmitting observations from multiple vehicles and sensors, the system can create a real-time slipperiness map, making it safer for all users.
The Chromosome-Centric Human Proteome Project (C-HPP) is a 10-year effort to map and describe human proteins. The project aims to provide a full catalogue of proteins with practical applications in novel drug targets, diagnostic biomarkers, and understanding cellular regulators.
A four-year study found that young grizzly bears learn their habitat selection strategies from their mothers, which may be a more adaptive strategy than instinct. The research tracked 32 adult and young bears in western Canada and showed genetically related female bears shared similar habitat choices.
A Knowledge Transfer Partnership between Cornwall Council and Plymouth University improved social care training, resulting in the development of a new training programme for staff. The programme incorporates aspects of safeguarding adults, the Mental Capacity Act, and Equality and Diversity legislation.
The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation has awarded $1.5M in NARSAD Distinguished Investigator Grants to 15 researchers studying depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism, and anxiety disorders. The grants will support innovative research ideas with the potential to transform mental illness treatment and prevention.
A new research unit at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz will investigate how differences between individuals and communities arise or are created, and how these change or disappear. The study aims to understand the conditions that obtain to human differentiation and categorization.
A UK-wide clinical trial has identified a treatment approach that significantly reduces the risk of kidney failure in patients with membranous nephropathy. The study, published in The Lancet, recommends alternating monthly cycles of prednisolone and chlorambucil as the most effective treatment for this common type of kidney disease.
Researchers from Aarhus University used advanced bio-imaging techniques to discover that geckos shed their tails along pre-formed score lines. This process is independent of protein-cleaving enzymes and involves microstructures at the ends of muscle fibers, facilitating a quick getaway for these lizards.
Researchers from Aalto University have successfully combined virus particles, protein cages, and nanoparticles to create novel crystalline materials with tunable properties. These biohybrid superlattices exhibit enhanced optical, magnetic, electronic, and catalytic features.
The sixth SystemsX.ch tender approved 15 projects with CHF 60 million available, focusing on biological processes and medical applications. Switzerland reiterates its pioneering role in systems biology through collaborations between researchers from various institutions and companies.
Scientists at the University of Liverpool found that male mice produce pheromone darcin, which provokes females and competitor males to remember a preference for its location. This allows them to recall sites with high concentrations of the scent, even after multiple encounters.
EMBO has awarded 10 life science researchers with Installation Grants to relocate and establish research groups in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Poland, Portugal, and Turkey. The grants aim to support talented young scientists and help reverse talent loss from these countries.
Scientists have identified a 'histone code' in honey bees that helps control cell development and explains why they are sensitive to environmental changes. The discovery may also shed light on how royal jelly affects the sex of honey bee larvae.
An international team of researchers has discovered a new species of ostracod, a type of crustacean, in 425 million-year-old rocks. The fossils are exceptionally well-preserved, including the shell and soft tissues such as body, limbs, eyes, gills, and alimentary system.
A system using ultrasound to measure piston movement could improve engine efficiency by adjusting lubrication levels. The technique allows for accurate testing of the seal between piston rings and cylinder walls.
Marshall Johnson, a renowned UC Riverside entomologist, has received the Distinguished Scientist of the Year Award from the International Organization for Biological Control – Nearctic Regional Section. He has made significant contributions to the field of biological control through his research and extension work, developing and imple...
Researchers at Penn State University have developed a new type of optical fiber with integrated solar-cell capabilities that can be scaled to long lengths and woven into flexible fabrics. This technology has the potential to revolutionize portable electronics, offering lightweight, foldable, and wearable power sources.
Volunteers who saw larger portions before eating reported less hunger 2-3 hours later, while those seeing smaller portions did not. This suggests that cognitive processes influence feelings of satiety after meals.