News from the institutes and societies that organize science. Covers scientific medals, university-hospital partnerships, oncology cooperatives, and society leadership.
A study by Helmholtz Munich reveals that neuropilin-1 regulates nerve fiber interaction to form correct trajectories. The researchers found that motor axons also play a crucial role in establishing spinal nerves, challenging previous assumptions.
A study funded by a $700,000 grant from the National Trauma Institute aims to improve blood-clot prevention medication dosing for critically ill or obese trauma patients. TEG technology will be used to guide physicians in determining the optimal dose of Lovenox.
Researchers have developed an iPad application for optical tweezers, overcoming limitations of computer mouse control. The multi-touch-based app allows for clear representation of particle systems and offers various techniques for movement.
Researchers found that C. elegans worms gain resistance to one microbe at the cost of becoming more vulnerable to another, highlighting a see-saw balance between immunity to different diseases across the animal kingdom.
Researchers have developed a cell therapy that selectively dampens vascular inflammation induced by LDL, showing substantial protective effects against atherosclerosis. The treatment has been shown to reduce the disease process by up to 70 percent in mouse studies.
Researchers developed a non-invasive method to measure methane release from cattle, accounting for up to 77% of emissions at a single point in a paddock. The technique uses open-path lasers and global positioning devices to track animal movements and wind speed.
The Office of Naval Research has selected 10 finalists for its Chief of Naval Research Challenge, offering each a $100,000 research grant. The recipients will apply the funds to their research areas, addressing various naval forces challenges.
A study of 700 young people from six religious traditions explores how they balance their faith and sexual values. The research reveals a range of perspectives on sexuality, including support for monogamous relationships and varying views on expression.
A new study reveals that the CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) and BORIS proteins directly regulate Rb2/p130 gene expression in lung cells. The findings show that small lung cancer cells exhibit low expression levels of Rb2/p130, while non-small lung cancer cells are overexpressed compared to normal lung cells.
A study published in Psychology and Health found that making a concrete plan and visualizing its execution leads to better food habits. Students who combined planning with visualization increased their fruit consumption twice as much as those who only planned.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council has announced a £7 million grant to increase wheat diversity via comprehensive pre-breeding. This project aims to accelerate genetic improvement of UK wheat, ensuring its sustainability for the benefit of farmers and global food security.
The actual population trajectory is highly uncertain, with scenarios predicting a peak of 9.5 billion before stabilization or decline. Investments in family planning could reduce the number of people to 8 billion, having a beneficial impact on human welfare and environmental issues.
A new study reveals that children born small with large placentas exhibit more activity on the right side of their brains, linked to mood disorders like depression. This finding suggests that adverse environments during pregnancy can cause long-term changes in brain function.
Karolinska Institutet, a leading medical university in Sweden, has attracted top American researcher Juleen Zierath with its high-quality research environment and competitive ERC grant. She focuses on improving diabetes health through clinical research.
Researchers from six UK universities are studying how daily radiation exposure damages graphite blocks in nuclear power reactors. The study aims to help nuclear utility companies plan for the future and improve manufacturing processes.
Outstanding Canadian researchers were awarded top science prizes for their groundbreaking work in AI, astronomy, and engineering. The awards recognize the research excellence and influence of prominent scientists such as Geoffrey Hinton and Victoria Kaspi.
A new foot bone from Hadar, Ethiopia, reveals Australopithecus afarensis had stiff, arched feet similar to modern humans. This finding supports the hypothesis that A. afarensis was primarily an upright walker, with its well-formed arch allowing for efficient walking and running on two feet.
The partnership aims to fund six Ph.D. scholarships over three years in areas such as power electronics and transportation engineering. The collaboration will also facilitate post-doctoral research appointments and series of exchanges between the two institutions.
A new online database has brought together documentary evidence of theatres and society in early-modern London, highlighting examples of violence, kidnapping, and rioting at theatres. The Early Modern London Theatres (EMLoT) database contains transcribed documents relating to eight theatres north of the Thames.
A recent Internet census reveals that only 14% of allocated IPv4 addresses are visible on the public Internet, highlighting an uneven shortage. The IPv6 protocol offers more addresses, but its implementation may involve significant transition costs.
Caterpillars that use defence mechanisms to repel predators produce significantly fewer eggs than their non-defensive counterparts. Research found that these insects grow slower and are smaller when defending themselves.
The human body produces a human antibiotic, beta-defensin 1, in remarkable quantities despite showing little activity against microbes under standard conditions. However, research discovered that this protein unfolds strong antibiotic activity against lactic acid bacteria and yeast under low-oxygen conditions.
A major grant award of £3.3 million has been secured by a Southampton-led consortium project to study past and possible future sea-level rise. The researchers aim to obtain a better picture of how much and how quickly sea level may rise as a result of global warming.
The University of Warwick has developed a new HDR video technology that can capture and display dynamic images with a wider range of lighting conditions. The system will revolutionise the use of HDR in various applications, including surveillance cameras and surgical procedures.
Research finds that asking for advice can increase likelihood of patronizing a business and donating to a nonprofit. On the other hand, soliciting expectations creates distance and reduces subsequent transactions.
A recent study found that red deer on the Isle of Rum are rutting earlier in the year, with their calving seasons now up to two weeks earlier than 30 years ago. This change is attributed to warmer spring and summer temperatures, providing rare evidence of climate change's impact on large mammals.
Researchers from Innsbruck and Vienna have isolated gas-phase carbonic acid, a molecule previously thought to be non-existent. The team used infrared spectroscopy to characterize the molecules and found that they exist in at least three different species.
NIDCR funding to US dental schools decreased by 10% between 2005 and 2009, with dollars from other NIH Institutes and Centers increasing 34.6%. This trend may threaten the identity of dental schools as a profession if research infrastructure is not strengthened.
Research team subject lithium to intense pressure and low temperatures, revealing its surprising properties. The element becomes a liquid at room temperature and refuses to freeze until a chilly -115o F, exhibiting complex crystalline states at high pressures.
Holger Puchta aims to control inheritance in plants to improve crop properties using nature's existing gene pool and cutting-edge techniques like genome sequencing and DNA scissors. The ERC grant will support his five-year project.
Researchers found that sniffing women's emotional tears reduces men's sexual arousal and decreases testosterone levels, but has no impact on emotional responses or empathy. The study uses fMRI scans to reveal brain activity changes in response to tear exposure.
A team of British scientists are heading to the Antarctic Peninsula to collect rock samples and analyze their mineralogy, geochemistry, and isotopic character to determine how glaciers and ice sheets behaved in past climates. They aim to predict how these natural systems will react in years to come if temperatures continue to rise.
Researchers discovered a unique class of cells called astrocytes that contribute to visual blinding in glaucoma, as well as abnormal forms of gamma synuclein. The study's findings suggest a biological process similar to Parkinson's disease unfolds at the optic nerve head.
Researchers have uncovered two photographic images of native Americans from the Amazon region, which were taken by John Thomson in 1911. The images depict the subjects naked to the waist and are part of a broader tradition of imperial photography that sought to document human 'types'.
The 'Older People's Use of Unfamiliar Space' project examines strategies used by older people to find their way in unfamiliar spaces. Designing outdoor spaces that are more easily navigable and walkable is crucial in reducing stress levels, with buildings and landmarks serving as key navigational aids.
A new software tool visualizes biomechanical data to help professionals understand and address mobility challenges. This improves diagnostic, therapeutic, communication, and education procedures, leading to better-designed products and healthcare strategies. The tool has the potential to enhance quality of life for older people.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have identified a spontaneously chain-reacting molecule that can grow durable 'molecular-chains' on surfaces. This discovery could enable faster and more efficient creation of nano-wires for circuitry applications.
The discovery of the fourth giant planet in the HR 8799 system strengthens the resemblance between this exoplanetary system and our own, with all four planets being similar in size. Detailed study of HR 8799e will be challenging due to its relative faintness and proximity to its star.
A new study from UBC finds that sudden changes in meltwater volume contribute more to the acceleration of the Greenland ice sheet than gradual warming. The ice sheet's flow is influenced by complex fluid dynamics and can be accelerated by short-term weather extremes, not just gradual temperature increases.
Researchers at King's College London are creating a mathematical model to measure personal exposure to traffic pollution, allowing individuals to adapt their journeys and reduce harmful emissions. The project will also study the effects of different particles on human health, leading to more focused traffic planning.
A study using location awareness technologies found that older adults spend most of their day sitting or lying, with only a small percentage engaging in walking activities. The findings highlight the importance of providing effective transport networks and local services to support mobility.
Six scientists from Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland, Portugal, and Turkey will receive the 2010 EMBO Installation Grants for 3 years. They will be integrated into the prestigious EMBO Young Investigator programme with networking opportunities and career development programmes.
A Spanish Oncology study has established a new standard treatment for early-stage breast cancer, reducing the risk of recurrence by 32% in women with high-risk but node-negative disease. The treatment, which combines docetaxel with cyclophosphamide, was found to improve disease-free survival and overall quality of life.
A University of Leicester-led project uses space technologies to analyze Renaissance Tomb-Monuments in Suffolk, unlocking their mysterious past. The research employs techniques from Space Science, including 3D scanning and non-destructive materials analysis, to solve complex historical problems.
Advanced riders with formal training demonstrated better road positioning, hazard perception, and progress through bends compared to novice and experienced riders without training. The study suggests that formal advanced training can improve safety on the roads.
A Cardiff University study reveals that living in a deprived area increases the risk of violence more sharply for girls than boys. The researchers found that assault injury rates were uniformly higher in the most deprived areas, and that the risk to girls was three times more sensitive to material deprivation.
Research finds that a missing molecule essential for nerve cell development impacts GnRH transport, leading to infertility in males. In mice lacking SEMA3A, GnRH becomes stuck in the nose or forehead, preventing proper hormone regulation.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have successfully created artificial spin ice, a state-of-the-art nanomaterial that has been difficult to produce in the past. By achieving thermal equilibrium, they can now study the precise configuration of magnetic monopoles and their potential applications in magnetricity.
The EMBO Young Investigator Programme has selected 21 talented young researchers from across Europe to join the network. These group leaders will receive financial support and benefits such as lab management training and networking events.
Researchers at the University of Leeds and Manchester are conducting a £1.5 million project to inform sustainable urban transport planning by 2050. The STEP-CHANGE project will gather data on household travel behavior and analyze it with historical records to develop new tools for sustainability.
Researchers have found a finely tuned process that enables plants to adjust their genes to daylight patterns, shedding light on human responses to disrupted daily rhythms. This discovery could provide new insights into coping with jet lag and shift work.
The American Association for Dental Research (AADR) presented a record-breaking turnout of 22 scientific posters on cutting-edge salivary diagnostics research. Key findings included emerging technologies and translational applications in the field, marking a significant milestone for the organization.
A team of researchers has developed a novel identification system for mouse embryos by injecting silicon barcodes into their perivitelline space. The system enables the tracing of individual embryos during in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer procedures, reducing risks associated with human gamete and embryo identification.
Drongos in the Kalahari Desert act as lookouts for pied babblers, allowing them to focus on foraging and catch more insects. This mutualistic relationship may represent a rare example of two species evolving from a parasitic to a beneficial interaction.
Research into health systems aims to improve healthcare delivery, but lacks clarity due to multiple definitions. The article proposes working definitions for Operational, Implementation, and Health Systems research, which can be used to build on existing research and maximize its impact.
Researchers from Imperial College London have developed a space-time cloak that can conceal events, making it theoretically possible for objects to move undetected. The cloak exploits metamaterials to create undetectable blind spots in light or sound waves.
Neurobiologists have identified specific types of neurons in the amygdala that process fear inputs and regulate subsequent fear responses. These circuits play a key role in the generalization of fear, allowing it to become divorced from its original situation, and may provide new targets for treating phobias and anxiety disorders.
Researchers use snapdragon flower as model to study genetic and chemical cues that shape biological structures, revealing key role of genes in controlling cell growth and orientation. The study also suggests evolutionary tinkering played a role in shaping complex forms.
Researchers used NIRS to investigate infants' hemodynamic responses to happy and angry faces, finding that positive expressions elicited continuous neural activation, while negative expressions triggered more rapid decreased activity. The study suggests hemispheric lateralization of facial expression processing develops by 6 months.
A new study found that workers are pivotal in creating complex societies where conflict is minimized. The research discovered that UK worker ants are more docile and less aggressive towards their queens, whereas Spanish worker ants engage in ruthless behavior to determine the next queen.