News from the institutes and societies that organize science. Covers scientific medals, university-hospital partnerships, oncology cooperatives, and society leadership.
A team of US researchers has cracked the three-dimensional atomic structure of a large RNA molecule, achieved after four years of research. The new image shows the densely packed and highly organized double-helix-shaped regions of the molecule, with magnesium ions providing 'glue' for its organization.
A new report by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) reveals that U.S. taxpayer-financed investments in agricultural research abroad have generated significant economic benefits for U.S. farmers and consumers. The study found that every dollar invested in wheat research produces a return of up to $190, while rice re...
Researchers at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences are conducting a three-year study on saw palmetto production and management. The study aims to increase knowledge on factors affecting growth and fruiting of the saw palmetto, with potential benefits for farmers in Florida seeking supplemental income.
Professors Fraser Stoddart and David Williams successfully link complex synthetic molecules, enabling the creation of molecular chains with various applications in information storage systems and molecular computing. The achievement represents a significant step towards storing data within molecules smaller than a grain of salt.
A team of researchers has identified a gene responsible for hair growth, tooth development, and sweat gland function. The gene, located on the X chromosome, is associated with a rare genetic disorder called anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (ED), which affects approximately 125,000 Americans.
The US Department of Agriculture has introduced Mediterranean mites to control field bindweed, a perennial weed that infests millions of acres of wheat, corn and other crops in the Pacific Northwest. The mites feed on bindweed leaves, causing galls to form, which weaken the weed and make it more susceptible to herbicides.
A new study found that children living in communities with stricter fireworks laws are 7 times less likely to be injured than those in lenient areas. The study, published in Pediatrics, also recommends a nationwide ban on personal firework use except for licensed public displays.
Researchers at San Francisco State University found a link between the African hornbill's seed dispersal pattern and rainforest regeneration. The team discovered that hornbills distribute seeds in treeless areas, critical for forest regeneration, particularly in cleared regions.
The Byrd Polar Research Center at Ohio State University has acquired the papers, letters, and documents of Frederick Albert Cook, the first American to explore both the North and South Polar regions. The collection, comprising 24,000 items, is expected to shed new light on Cook's claims of reaching the North Pole before Robert Peary.