Measuring Martian winds with sound

Martian landers have been able capture measurements of wind speeds -- some gauging the cooling rate of heated materials when winds blow over them, others using cameras to image 'tell-tales' that blow in the wind -- but there's still room for improvement. Researchers now demonstrate a novel sonic anemometric system featuring a pair of narrow-band piezoelectric transducers to measure the travel time of sound pulses through Martian air. The study accounted for variables including transducer diffraction effects and wind direction.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240813132036.htm


Starvation and adhesion drive formation of keratinocyte patterns in skin

Cell-cell adhesion-induced patterning in keratinocytes can be explained by just starvation and strong adhesion researchers find.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240812210603.htm


New method for orchestrating successful collaboration among robots

New research shows that programming robots to create their own teams and voluntarily wait for their teammates results in faster task completion, with the potential to improve manufacturing, agriculture and warehouse automation.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240812165455.htm


Scientists identify genes linked to relapse in the most common form of childhood leukemia

Scientists have identified novel genetic variations that influence relapse risk in children with standard risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (SR B-ALL), the most common childhood cancer.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240812160253.htm


Fallopian tubes can be safely removed during sterilization, study suggests

Women whose Fallopian tubes are removed during sterilization via laparoscopy have only marginally more surgical complications than those whose tubes are simply cut, a study shows. The removal, salpingectomy, is a safe procedure that can help protect against future ovarian cancer, according to a new study.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240812123313.htm


How mortal filaments' self-assemble and maintain order: Align or die

A previously unknown mechanism of active matter self-organization essential for bacterial cell division follows the motto 'dying to align': Misaligned filaments 'die' spontaneously to form a ring structure at the center of the dividing cell. The work could find applications in developing synthetic self-healing materials.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240812123256.htm


Drug protects against air pollution-related Alzheimer's signs in mice

A new study shows how feeding mice a drug called GSM-15606 provided protection against air pollution-related increases in proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240812123246.htm


Treating radiation wounds with aspirin hydrogels

Radiation is a powerful tool for treating cancer, but prolonged exposure can damage the skin. Radiation-induced skin injuries are painful and increase a person's chances of infection and long-term inflammation. Now, researchers report an aspirin-containing hydrogel that mimics the nutrient-rich fluid between cells and accelerates healing of skin damaged by radiation in animals. With further development, the new salve could provide effective and rapid wound healing for humans.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240812123241.htm


Possible explanation for link between diabetes and Alzheimer's

People with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive problems. A new study shows that the reason may be that people with type 2 diabetes have more difficulty getting rid of a protein that may cause the disease.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240812123233.htm


Babbling babies need timely responses to learn language, social norms

New research shows the timing of others' reactions to their babbling is key to how babies begin learning language and social norms -- a process evident in infants' interactions with a robot.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240812123214.htm


The threat of mpox has returned, but public knowledge about it has declined

As the threat of mpox returns, a survey finds that U.S. adults no longer know as much about the disease as they did during the outbreak of 2022.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240811233340.htm


Millions of years for plants to recover from global warming

Catastrophic volcanic eruptions that warmed the planet millions of years ago shed new light on how plants evolve and regulate climate. Researchers reveal the long-term effects of disturbed natural ecosystems on climate in geological history and its implications for today.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240809135943.htm


Potential new approach to enhancing stem-cell transplants

A discovery may boost the effectiveness of stem-cell transplants, commonly used for patients with cancer, blood disorders, or autoimmune diseases caused by defective stem cells, which produce all the body's different blood cells.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240809135941.htm


Largest protein yet discovered builds algal toxins

While seeking to unravel how marine algae create their chemically complex toxins, scientists have discovered the largest protein yet identified in biology. Uncovering the biological machinery the algae evolved to make its intricate toxin also revealed previously unknown strategies for assembling chemicals, which could unlock the development of new medicines and materials.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240809135939.htm


Study reveals ways in which 40Hz sensory stimulation may preserve brain's 'white matter'

Scientists report that gamma frequency light and sound stimulation preserves myelination in mouse models and reveal molecular mechanisms that may underlie the benefit.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240809135936.htm


Nature at risk in the hunt for the perfect selfie

The need for a dramatic selfie or the perfect landscape photo is proving detrimental to nature, a new research collaboration has found.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240809135856.htm


Detecting climate change using aerosols

Researchers analyzed long-term aerosol satellite observation big data focusing on the Pacific Ocean downwind of China. Using a newly developed metric that considered aerosols as tracers, they detected altered atmospheric transport patterns associated with climate change. They observed that the distance of transboundary air pollution moving east from China had shortened. Thus, long-term satellite-based Earth observations are crucial for early climate change detection and accurate evaluation of this trend.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240808115233.htm


3D-printed blood vessels bring artificial organs closer to reality

Lab-grown organs are a long-time 'holy grail' of organ engineering that has yet to be achieved, but new research has brought that goal a big step closer to reality using a new 3D-printing method called co-SWIFT. co-SWIFT prints branching networks of double-layered vessels that are infused with smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells into living human cardiac tissue, and can even replicate patient-specific vascular structures,indicating that it could one day be used for personalized medicine.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240807225648.htm


Drug bypasses suppressive immune cells to unleash immunotherapy

Immunobiologists found that a subset of immune cells that normally puts the brakes on the immune system to prevent it from attacking the body's healthy cells inadvertently also dampens cancer immunotherapy.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240806205712.htm


Elephants on the move: Mapping connections across African landscapes

Elephant conservation is a major priority in southern Africa, but habitat loss and urbanization mean the far-ranging pachyderms are increasingly restricted to protected areas like game reserves. The risk? Contained populations could become genetically isolated over time, making elephants more vulnerable to disease and environmental change.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240806163745.htm


Researchers create new treatment and vaccine for flu and various coronaviruses

Researchers have discovered new ways of preventing and treating respiratory viruses. In two new papers, the team reports the development and validation of NanoSTING, a nasal spray, as a broad-spectrum immune activator for controlling infection against multiple respiratory viruses; and the development of NanoSTING-SN, a pan-coronavirus nasal vaccine, that can protect against infection and disease by all members of the coronavirus family.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240806131347.htm


Horse miscarriages offer clues to causes of early human pregnancy loss

A study of horses -- which share many important similarities with humans in their chromosomes and pregnancies -- revealed that 42% of miscarriages and spontaneous abortions in the first two months of pregnancy were due to complications from an extra set of chromosomes, a condition called triploidy.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240805164431.htm


Greenland fossil discovery reveals increased risk of sea-level catastrophe

Seeds, twigs, and insect parts found under two miles of ice confirm Greenland's ice sheet melted in the recent past, the first direct evidence that the center -- not just the edges -- of the two-mile-deep ice melted away in the recent geological past. The new research indicates that the giant ice sheet is more fragile than scientists had realized until the last few years -- and reveals increased risk of sea-level catastrophe in a warmer future.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240805164411.htm


Catching a new (sea) star

Researchers have discovered a new species of sea star (also known as starfish). The discovery came about thanks to collaborative work among researchers, fishers, and aquarium and museum staff. The starfish, which has been named Paragonaster hoeimaruae, belongs to the family Pseudarchasteridae. It is a distinctive red and beige color, with five arms and spans just over 10 centimeters.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240805134237.htm


Nature's design marvel: How shark skin's denticles adapt to wide speed

New findings on how sharks achieve drag reduction could inspire the design of riblets for more efficient aircraft and boats. In their investigation of great white shark denticles, researchers found that ridge height and spacing play crucial roles in drag reduction at different swimming speeds. Higher middle ridges aid sharks in efficient cruising at slower speeds, while the lower side ridges become more critical for drag reduction during high-speed hunting bursts. The analysis also suggests that the speeds of an extinct giant shark, megalodon, may not much differ from those of the white shark.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240805134138.htm


New model refutes leading theory on how Earth's continents formed

Computational modeling shows that plate tectonics weren't necessary for early continents.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240805134131.htm


Scientists and climate change: Extreme concern and high level of engagement

Scientists from across academic disciplines are extremely concerned about climate change. Many of them have already changed their own lifestyles or engaged in advocacy and protest, with even more being willing to do so in future. This is evident from a large-scale survey of scientists from all over the world.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240805133849.htm


What researchers know about the genetic complexity of schizophrenia, to date

A new review article outlines the genetic, neurobiological, and environmental foundations for schizophrenia.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240802170955.htm


New study highlights scale and impact of long COVID

Researchers analyzed dozens of previous studies into long COVID to examine the number and range of people affected, the underlying mechanisms of disease, the many symptoms that patients develop, and current and future treatments.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240802170950.htm


Link between global warming and rising sea levels

A new study suggests that Earth's natural forces could substantially reduce Antarctica's impact on rising sea levels, but only if carbon emissions are swiftly reduced in the coming decades. By the same token, if emissions continue on the current trajectory, Antarctic ice loss could lead to more future sea level rise than previously thought.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240802144615.htm


Allergy cells' hidden secret

Known for their role in allergic reactions, mast cells have long been recognised as key players in our immune system. When they encounter allergens, they release chemicals that trigger typical allergy symptoms such as tissue swelling and inflammation. Now, researchers have discovered a hidden talent of mast cells: they can capture and use another type of immune cell called neutrophils. This surprising discovery sheds new light on how our immune system works, particularly during allergic reactions.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240802132958.htm


Trying to limit calories? Skip the dip, researchers advise

Snacks provide, on average, about one-fourth of most people's daily calories. With nearly one in three adults in the United States overweight and more than two in five with obesity, researchers are investigating how Americans can snack smarter.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240801165632.htm


Retreat of tropical glaciers foreshadows changing climate's effect on the global ice

As they are in many places around the globe, glaciers perched high in the Andes Mountains are shrinking. Now, researchers have uncovered evidence that the high-altitude tropical ice fields are likely smaller than they've been at any time since the last ice age ended 11,700 years ago.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240801165624.htm


Climate anomalies may play a major role in driving cholera pandemics

New research suggests that an El Nino event may have aided the establishment and spread of a novel cholera strain during an early 20th-century pandemic, supporting the idea that climate anomalies could create opportunities for the emergence of new cholera strains.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240801142243.htm


Easy tool helps estimate fall risks

Researchers have developed a formula and easy-to-use assessment tool for estimating fall risks using a database of older adults. Preventing falls among older adults is expected to extend life expectancy and reduce medical and nursing care costs.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240801012126.htm


Pursuing the middle path to scientific discovery

Scientists have made significant strides in understanding the properties of a ferroelectric material under an electric field. This breakthrough holds potential for advances in computer memory, lasers and sensors for ultraprecise measurements.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240801004053.htm


Scientists devise method to secure Earth's biodiversity on the moon

New research led proposes a plan to safeguard Earth's imperiled biodiversity by cryogenically preserving biological material on the moon. The moon's permanently shadowed craters are cold enough for cryogenic preservation without the need for electricity or liquid nitrogen.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240731141234.htm


Body appreciation varies across cultures

People from different cultures show both similarities and differences in how body appreciation, sociocultural pressure, and internalization of thin ideals vary, according to a new study.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240731141148.htm


New high-resolution 3D maps show how the brain's blood vessels changes with age

Researchers have identified mouse brain regions vulnerable to blood vessel degeneration, offering clues to the connection between vasculature and neurodegenerative disease.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240730162155.htm


Super-black wood can improve telescopes, optical devices and consumer goods

Thanks to an accidental discovery, researchers have created a new super-black material that absorbs almost all light, opening potential applications in fine jewelry, solar cells and precision optical devices.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240730140539.htm


A tool for visualizing single-cell data

Modern cutting-edge research generates enormous amounts of data, presenting scientists with the challenge of visualizing and analyzing it. Researchers have developed a tool for visualizing large data sets. The sCIRCLE tool allows users to explore single-cell analysis data in an interactive and user-friendly way.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240730134849.htm


MicroRNA study sets stage for crop improvements

MicroRNAs can make plants more capable of withstanding drought, salinity, pathogens and more. However, in a recent study scientists showed just how much we didn't know about the intricate processes plants use to produce them.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240729173502.htm


Fetal brain impacted when mom fights severe flu: New mouse study explains how

New research using live mouse-adapted influenza virus improves upon previous mouse experiments to explain how maternal infection impacts fetal brain development. The study also indicates fetal brain changes are more likely once the severity of the mother's infection meets a specific threshold.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240729173408.htm


To get drivers to put down their phones, make it a game

A large trial of strategies to reduce distracted driving showed that those that were 'gamified' yielded a lasting reduction in handheld phone usage while driving.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240729173324.htm


Researchers use non-invasive technique to record involuntary nervous system

A research team has shown that a wearable, non-invasive device can measure activity in human cervical nerves in clinical settings. The results could help medical professionals tailor treatments for inflammatory conditions like sepsis and PTSD.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240729110300.htm


Countries need to co-operate on migration as climate crisis worsens

Humanity must rethink migration as the climate crisis drives rapid global changes, researchers say.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240729110246.htm


Study tracks exposure to air pollution through the day

For people moving through the Bronx at different times, exposure to particulate matter 2.5 microns or bigger rises by about 2.4 percent when daily travel patterns are taken into account, according to a new study.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240729104216.htm


When allocating scarce resources with AI, randomization can improve fairness

Researchers argue that, in some situations where machine-learning models are used to allocate scarce resources or opportunities, randomizing decisions in a structured way may lead to fairer outcomes.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240726193217.htm


New additive process can make better -- and greener -- high-value chemicals

Researchers have achieved a significant breakthrough that could lead to better -- and greener -- agricultural chemicals and everyday products. Using a process that combines natural enzymes and light, the team developed an eco-friendly way to precisely mix fluorine, an important additive, into chemicals called olefins -- hydrocarbons used in a vast array of products, from detergents to fuels to medicines. This groundbreaking method offers an efficient new strategy for creating high-value chemicals with potential applications in agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, renewable fuels, and more.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240726193214.htm


'Dancing molecules' heal cartilage damage

New therapy uses synthetic nanofibers to mimic the natural signaling of a protein that is crucial for cartilage formation and maintenance. Researchers found that intensifying the motion of molecules within the nanofibers led to more components needed for regeneration. After just four hours, the treatment activated the gene expression necessary to generate cartilage. Therapy could be used to treat osteoarthritis, which affects nearly 530 million people worldwide.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240726193211.htm


New understanding of fly behavior has potential application in robotics, public safety

Scientists have identified an automatic behavior in flies that helps them assess wind conditions -- its presence and direction -- before deploying a strategy to follow a scent to its source. The fact that they can do this is surprising -- can you tell if there's a gentle breeze if you stick your head out of a moving car? Flies aren't just reacting to an odor with a preprogrammed response: they are responding in context-appropriate manner. This knowledge potentially could be applied to train more sophisticated algorithms for scent-detecting drones to find the source of chemical leaks.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240726113422.htm


Folded peptides are more electrically conductive than unfolded peptides

What puts the electronic pep in peptides? A folded structure, according to a new study. Researchers combined single-molecule experiments, molecular dynamics simulations and quantum mechanics to validate the findings.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240725193917.htm


Nitrogen emissions have a net cooling effect: But researchers warn against a climate solution

An international team of researchers has found that nitrogen emissions from fertilizers and fossil fuels have a net cooling effect on the climate. But they warn increasing atmospheric nitrogen has further damaging effects on the environment, calling for an urgent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to halt global warming.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240725154823.htm


Size doesn't matter for mammals with more complex brains

Mammals that have evolved more developed brains tend to have a smaller size difference between males and females of that species, according to new research.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240725154746.htm


Method enables fast, accurate estimates of cardiovascular state to inform blood pressure management

A new mathematical method, validated with experimental animal data, provides a fast, reliable and minimally invasive way of determining how to treat critical blood pressure changes during surgery or intensive care.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240725154719.htm


Scientists study how to bring you 'climate-smart coffee'

Coffee beans consumed across the globe come from two species: Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora. By 2050, about 80% of Arabica production is predicted to decrease because of climate change. Researchers are investigating to see if they can find alternative coffee cultivars.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240725154702.htm


How a bacterium supports healing of chronic diabetic wounds

New research shows that a certain bug, Alcaligenes faecalis (A. faecalis), can facilitate healing of hard-to-treat wounds among people with diabetes. While there are many studies done on potentially harmful bacteria in wounds, the researchers discovered that A. faecalis, a bacterium found in many types of chronic wounds, actually boosts healing of diabetic wounds. The researchers found that the beneficial bacterium can promote skin cell movements that are essential for wound closure by inhibiting enzymes that are over-produced in people with diabetes.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240725154647.htm


How evolution tamed a deadly virus and why we should still worry

Over the last century, a once-deadly mosquito-borne virus has evolved so that it no longer sickens humans. New research shows that changes in the virus's ability to target human cells paralleled the decline in illness and death. The findings offer important lessons in virology that may help guide better preparedness for future outbreaks of other viral diseases.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240725154643.htm


Parched Central Valley farms depend on Sierras for groundwater

New research shows California's Central Valley, known as America's breadbasket, gets as much as half of its groundwater from the Sierra Nevadas. This is significant for a farming region that, in some parts, relies almost entirely on groundwater for irrigation.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240725154631.htm


New gene therapy approach shows promise for Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in developing a new gene therapy approach that restores full-length dystrophin protein, which could lead to new treatments for people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724191230.htm


Researchers discover faster, more energy-efficient way to manufacture an industrially important chemical

The reactivity of zirconium on silicon nitride enhances the conversion of propane into propylene, a key commodity chemical needed to make polypropylene. This finding hints at the reactivity researchers might achieve with other nontraditional catalysts.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724171608.htm


Hens blush when they are scared or excited, study finds

Hens fluff their head feathers and blush to express different emotions and levels of excitement, according to a new study.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724171456.htm


Study of urban moss raises concerns about lead levels in older Portland neighborhoods

Lead levels in moss are as much as 600 times higher in older Portland, Oregon, neighborhoods where lead-sheathed telecommunications cables were once used compared to lead levels in nearby rural areas, a new study of urban moss has found.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240724123116.htm


Drawing water from dry air

A prototype device harvests drinking water from the atmosphere, even in arid places.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240723182005.htm


Brain's support cells contribute to Alzheimer's disease by producing toxic peptide

Oligodendrocytes are an important source of amyloid beta and play a key role in promoting neuronal dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240723144058.htm


Tumor suppressor protein Par-4 triggers unique cell death pathway in cancerous cells

A team of researchers has discovered that the tumor suppressor protein Prostate apoptosis response-4 (Par-4) can cause a unique type of cell death called ferroptosis in human glioblastoma -- the most common and aggressive type of brain tumor -- while sparing healthy cells. This new understanding has the potential to inform the development of novel treatments for various hard-to-treat cancers and neurodegenerative diseases.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240723132040.htm


Could smart guide RNAs usher in an era of personalized medicine?

Scientists utilize logic gate-based decision-making to construct circuits that control genes.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240723123531.htm


Researchers warn of unprecedented arsenic release from wildfires

The wildfire season of 2023 was the most destructive ever recorded in Canada and a new study suggests the impact was unprecedented. It found that four of the year's wildfires in mine-impacted areas around Yellowknife, Northwest Territories potentially contributed up to half of the arsenic that wildfires emit globally each year.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240723123513.htm


Researchers enhance tool to better predict where and when wildfires will occur

A newly enhanced database is expected to help wildfire managers and scientists better predict where and when wildfires may occur by incorporating hundreds of additional factors that impact the ignition and spread of fire.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240722175910.htm


Converting captured carbon to fuel: Study assesses what's practical and what's not

A new analysis sheds light on major shortfalls of a recently proposed approach to capture CO2 from air and directly convert it to fuel using electricity. The authors also provide a new, more sustainable, alternative.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240722155154.htm


Male elephants signal 'let's go' with deep rumbles

Male elephants use infrasonic rumbles to signal group departures, revealing complex vocal coordination and strong social bonds.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240722155043.htm


Deep-ocean floor produces its own oxygen

An international team of researchers has discovered that metallic minerals on the deep-ocean floor produce oxygen -- 13,000 feet below the surface. Discovery challenges long-held assumptions that only photosynthetic organisms generate Earth's oxygen. Minerals at the abyssal seafloor appear to act like geobatteries to produce oxygen in a process that does not require sunlight.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240722154949.htm


Cracking the code of hydrogen embrittlement

When deciding what material to use for infrastructure projects, metals are often selected for their durability. However, if placed in a hydrogen-rich environment, like water, metals can become brittle and fail. Since the mid-19th century, this phenomenon, known as hydrogen embrittlement, has puzzled researchers with its unpredictable nature. Now, a study brings us a step closer to predicting it with confidence.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240719180346.htm


Chemists design novel method for generating sustainable fuel

Chemists have been working to synthesize high-value materials from waste molecules for years.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240719123857.htm


Converting wastewater to fertilizer with fungal treatment

Creating fertilizers from organic waste can help reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and promote sustainable production. One way of doing this is through hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), which converts biomass into biocrude oil through a high-temperature, high-pressure process. Two studies explore the use of a fungal treatment to convert the leftover wastewater into fertilizer for agricultural crops.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240718205243.htm


Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy marks a milestone in cancer treatment

Scientists provide a comprehensive overview of the evolution and potential of TIL therapy. They describe its development and highlight its transformative potential.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240718205234.htm


How pollution may remain in water after oil spill cleanups

The way oil drops break up at the water's surface means some oil may not get cleaned up after a spill.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240718145043.htm


Want privacy? You're just a stick figure to this camera

A new camera could prevent companies from collecting embarrassing and identifiable photos and videos from devices like smart home cameras and robotic vacuums. It's called PrivacyLens.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240718131155.htm


Although tiny, peatland microorganisms have a big impact on climate

Polyphenols are generally toxic to microorganisms. In peatlands, scientists thought microorganisms avoided this toxicity by degrading polyphenols using an oxygen-dependent enzyme, and thus that low-oxygen conditions inhibit microbes' carbon cycling. However, a new study found that Arctic peatland microorganisms used alternative enzymes, with and without oxygen, to break down polyphenols. This suggests carbon stored in these ecosystems is more at risk than previously thought.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240717204102.htm


Microbes found to destroy certain 'forever chemicals'

An environmental engineering team has discovered that specific bacterial species can cleave the strong fluorine-to-carbon bond certain kinds of 'forever chemical' water pollutants, offering promise for low-cost treatments of contaminated drinking water.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240717162500.htm


Research tracks 66 million years of mammalian diversity

New research has examined the fossil record going back 66 million years and tracked changes to mammalian ecosystems and species diversity on the North American continent.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240717121128.htm


Research shows protein isoform inhibitors may hold the key to making opioids safer

Researchers have identified a new way to make opioids safer, increasing the pain-relieving properties of opioids while decreasing unwanted side effects through the spinal inhibition of a Heat shock protein 90 isoform.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240716202304.htm


Large study confirms: Siblings of autistic children have 20% chance of autism

A new, large study confirms earlier findings that children with an autistic sibling have a 20% chance of being autistic themselves.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240716202257.htm


Nature-based solutions to disaster risk from climate change are cost effective

A new global assessment of scientific literature finds that nature-based solutions (NbS) are an economically effective method to mitigate risks from a range of disasters -- from floods and hurricanes to heatwaves and landslides -- which are only expected to intensify as Earth continues to warm.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240716151252.htm


How astronomers are using pulsars to observe evidence of dark matter

Tantalizing evidence of potential dark matter objects has been detected with the help of the Universe's 'timekeepers'. These pulsars -- neutron stars which rotate and emit lighthouse-like beams of radio waves that rapidly sweep through space -- were used to identify mysterious hidden masses. Pulsars earned their nickname because they send out electromagnetic radiation at very regular intervals, ranging from milliseconds to seconds, making them extremely accurate timekeepers.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240716151238.htm


New research demonstrates potential for increasing effectiveness of popular diabetes, weight-loss drugs

A network of proteins found in the central nervous system could be harnessed to increase the effectiveness and reduce the side effects of popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs, according to new research.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240715170850.htm


A new neural network makes decisions like a human would

Researchers are training neural networks to make decisions more like humans would. This science of human decision-making is only just being applied to machine learning, but developing a neural network even closer to the actual human brain may make it more reliable, according to the researchers.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240715135808.htm


Artificial intelligence outperforms clinical tests at predicting progress of Alzheimer's disease

Scientists have developed an artificially-intelligent tool capable of predicting in four cases out of five whether people with early signs of dementia will remain stable or develop Alzheimer's disease. The team say this new approach could reduce the need for invasive and costly diagnostic tests while improving treatment outcomes early when interventions such as lifestyle changes or new medicines may have a chance to work best.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240713121220.htm


Groundbreaking study reveals insights into Alzheimer's disease mechanisms through novel hydrogel matrix

Researchers have unveiled a pioneering study shedding light on the intricate mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease (AD).

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240712222157.htm


Microbeads with adaptable fluorescent colors from visible light to near-infrared

Researchers have successfully developed an environmentally friendly, microspherical fluorescent material primarily made from citric acid. These microbeads emit various colors of light depending on the illuminating light and the size of the beads, which suggests a wide range of applications. Furthermore, the use of plant-derived materials allows for low-cost and energy-efficient synthesis.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240712124136.htm


A chemical claw machine bends and stretches when exposed to vapors

Scientists have developed a tiny 'claw machine' that is able to pick up and drop a marble-sized ball in response to exposure to chemical vapors. The findings point to a technique that can enable soft actuators--the parts of a machine that make it move--to perform multiple tasks without the need for additional costly materials. While existing soft actuators can be 'one-trick ponies' restricted to one type of movement, this novel composite film contorts itself in different ways depending on the vapor that it is exposed to.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240712124133.htm


Researchers uncover brain region's role in hearing and learning

The human brain is remarkably adept at adjusting what we hear based on contexts, like our current environment or priorities, but it's still unknown how exactly the brain helps us detect, filter and react to sounds. Now, biologists are a step closer to solving that mystery. Using an animal model, the researchers found that the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), a brain region associated with decision-making but not typically linked to hearing, plays a central role in helping the auditory cortex (a primary hearing center of the brain) adapt to changing contexts or situations.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240711132131.htm


Uncovering late-onset combined immune deficiency in chromosome 18q deletion syndrome

Researchers have revealed a novel association between chromosome 18q deletion syndrome and late-onset combined immunodeficiency (LOCID). Their finding challenges the previously held notion that 18q deletion syndrome only involves humoral immunodeficiency affecting B cells and antibody production. Moreover, the study highlights the need for regular immune function testing in 18q deletion syndrome patients for early diagnosis and improved management.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240711111542.htm


Hydrogen flight looks ready for take-off with new advances

The possibility of hydrogen-powered flight means greater opportunities for fossil-free travel, and the technological advances to make this happen are moving fast. New studies show that almost all air travel within a 750-mile radius (1200 km) could be made with hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2045, and with a novel heat exchanger currently in development, this range could be even further.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240711111519.htm


Unveiling 1,200 years of human occupation in Canada's Arctic

A recent study provides new insights into ancient cultures in Canada's Arctic, focusing on Paleo-Inuit and Thule-Inuit peoples over thousands of years. Researchers detected human presence and settlements on Somerset Island, Nunavut, by analyzing sediment samples.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240711111415.htm


Dark matter in dwarf galaxy tracked using stellar motions

The qualities and behavior of dark matter, the invisible 'glue' of the universe, continue to be shrouded in mystery. Though galaxies are mostly made of dark matter, understanding how it is distributed within a galaxy offers clues to what this substance is, and how it's relevant to a galaxy's evolution.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240711111354.htm


Creativity starts in the cradle, new research shows

New research indicates that babies can begin grasping complex language and ideas.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240710195507.htm


A new species of extinct crocodile relative rewrites life on the Triassic coastline

The surprising discovery of a new species of extinct crocodile relative from the Triassic Favret Formation of Nevada, USA, rewrites the story of life along the coasts during the first act of the Age of Dinosaurs. The new species Benggwigwishingasuchus eremicarminis reveals that while giant ichthyosaurs ruled the oceans, the ancient crocodile kin known as pseudosuchian archosaurs ruled the shores across the Middle Triassic globe between 247.2 and 237 million years ago.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240710195436.htm


Cirrhosis affects twice as many transgender adults as cisgender adults, study finds

A new study has found a startling disparity in the frequency of liver disease for transgender individuals and highlights the need for more specialized care.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240710131010.htm


Research reveals the most complete dinosaur discovered in the UK in a century

The most complete dinosaur discovered in the UK in the last 100 years, with a pubic hip bone the size of a 'dinner plate', has been described in a new article.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240710130921.htm


The Gulf Stream is wind-powered and could weaken from climate change

New evidence of changes to the Gulf Stream during the last ice age could indicate additional sensitivity to future climatic changes, finds a new study.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240710130836.htm


Researchers listen to the hearts of bats in flight

Unique recordings show that bats can ramp up heart rate from 6 to 900 b.p.m within minutes

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240710002017.htm


Found with Webb: A potentially habitable icy world

A international team of astronomers has made an exciting discovery about the temperate exoplanet LHS 1140 b: it could be a promising 'super-Earth' covered in ice or water.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240709184235.htm


Building materials for water-rich planets in the early solar system

Age data for certain classes of meteorite have made it possible to gain new findings on the origin of small water-rich astronomical bodies in the early solar system. These planetesimals continually supplied building materials for planets -- also for the Earth, whose original material contained little water. The Earth received its actual water through planetesimals, which emerged at low temperatures in the outer solar system, as shown by computational models carried out by an international research teach with participation by earth scientists.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240709121817.htm


Ancient large kangaroo moved mainly on four legs, according to new research

A type of extinct kangaroo that lived during the Pleistocene around two and a half million to ten thousand years ago, known as the 'giant wallaby', was a poor hopper, a study has found.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240709121711.htm


Life underground suited newly discovered dinosaur fine

A newly discovered ancestor of Thescelosaurus shows evidence that these animals spent at least part of their time in underground burrows. The new species contributes to a fuller understanding of life during the mid-Cretaceous -- both above and below ground.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240709121648.htm


Brain-imaging study reveals curiosity as it emerges

You look up into the clear blue sky and see something you can't quite identify. Is it a balloon? A plane? A UFO? You're curious, right? A research team has for the first time witnessed what is happening in the human brain when feelings of curiosity like this arise. The scientists revealed brain areas that appear to assess the degree of uncertainty in visually ambiguous situations, giving rise to subjective feelings of curiosity.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240708222424.htm


Companies that mitigate climate change reduce their cost of capital

A recent study explored the relationship between corporate climate change mitigation actions and the cost of capital for 2,100 Japanese listed companies from 2017 to 2021. The findings reveal that companies that maintain lower carbon intensity and disclose more climate-related information can reduce their capital costs. Conversely, mere commitments to climate change without actionable measures do not significantly impact costs.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240708101020.htm


Ionic liquids: 'Don't shake it'

Chemists have develop innovative ionic liquid synthesis and purification technology.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240705101201.htm


A 2D device for quantum cooling

Engineers have created a device that can efficiently convert heat into electrical voltage at temperatures lower than that of outer space. The innovation could help overcome a significant obstacle to the advancement of quantum computing technologies, which require extremely low temperatures to function optimally.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240705101138.htm


Scientists discover new T cells and genes related to immune disorders

Researchers have discovered several rare types of helper T cells that are associated with immune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and even asthma. The discoveries were made possible by a newly developed technology they call ReapTEC. The new T cell atlas is publicly available and should help in the development of new drug therapies for immune-mediated diseases.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240704201557.htm


Clever pupils don't need to attend academically selective schools to thrive, study finds

New findings challenge the idea that academically selective schools are necessary for clever pupils to achieve good outcomes.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240704122222.htm


Researchers capture never-before-seen view of gene transcription

New tech reveals findings that address long-standing theories about how bacteria begin the process of making RNA from DNA.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240703183715.htm


Moon 'swirls' could be magnetized by unseen magmas

Mysterious, light-colored swirls on Moon's surface could be rocks magnetized by magma activity underground, laboratory experiments confirm.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240703131824.htm


High ceilings linked to poorer exam results for university students

Ever wondered why you performed worse than expected in that final university exam that you sat in a cavernous gymnasium or massive hall, despite countless hours, days and weeks of study? Now you have a genuine reason -- high ceilings.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240702200407.htm


Advancing toward a preventative HIV vaccine

A major challenge in developing a vaccine for HIV is that the virus mutates fast -- very fast. Although a person initially becomes infected with one or a few HIV strains, the virus replicates and mutates quickly, resulting in a 'swarm' of viral strains existing in a single body.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240702161514.htm


Optoelectronics gain spin control from chiral perovskites and III-V semiconductors

A research effort has made advances that could enable a broader range of currently unimagined optoelectronic devices.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240702135546.htm


Melting of Alaskan glaciers accelerating faster than previously thought

Melting of glaciers in a major Alaskan icefield has accelerated and could reach an irreversible tipping point earlier than previously thought. The research found that glacier loss on Juneau Icefield, which straddles the boundary between Alaska and British Columbia, Canada, has increased dramatically since 2010. The team looked at records going back to 1770 and identified three distinct periods in how icefield volume changed. In particular, they found that icefield-wide, rates of glacier area shrinkage were five times faster from 2015-2019 relative to 1948-1979. The research team say that current published projections for the Juneau icefield may need to be updated to reflect the processes detailed in this latest study.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240702135402.htm


Organic material from Mars reveals the likely origin of life's building blocks

Two samples from Mars together deliver clear evidence of the origin of Martian organic material. The study presents solid evidence for a prediction made over a decade ago that could be key to understanding how organic molecules, the foundation of life, were first formed here on Earth.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240701232841.htm


Self-assembling, highly conductive sensors could improve wearable devices

To advance soft robotics, skin-integrated electronics and biomedical devices, researchers have developed a 3D-printed material that is soft and stretchable -- traits needed for matching the properties of tissues and organs -- and that self-assembles. Their approach employs a process that eliminates many drawbacks of previous fabrication methods, such as less conductivity or device failure, the team said.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240701162218.htm


Largest ever genetic study of age of puberty in girls shows links with weight gain

Genes can indirectly influence the age at which girls have their first period by accelerating weight gain in childhood, a known risk factor for early puberty. Other genes can directly affect age of puberty, some with profound effects.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240701131723.htm


Novel blood test helps improve cancer treatments

Oncologists use biopsy and imaging techniques to diagnose and monitor tumor diseases and assess treatment success. Researchers have further developed an advanced method to analyze liquid biopsies of DNA fragments in the blood. The new method is fast and practical, without putting much of a strain on patients. This could make it possible to provide diagnostics and treatments that are more closely tailored to individual patients in the future.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/07/240701130900.htm


This desert moss has the potential to grow on Mars

The desert moss Syntrichia caninervis is a promising candidate for Mars colonization thanks to its extreme ability to tolerate harsh conditions lethal to most life forms. The moss is well known for its ability to tolerate drought conditions, but researchers now report that it can also survive freezing temperatures as low as 196 C, high levels of gamma radiation, and simulated Martian conditions involving these three stressors combined. In all cases, prior dehydration seemed to help the plants cope.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240630153052.htm


Investigating newly discovered hydrothermal vents at depths of 3,000 meters off Svalbard

Hydrothermal vents can be found around the world at the junctions of drifting tectonic plates. But there are many hydrothermal fields still to be discovered. During a 2022 expedition of the MARIA S. MERIAN, the first field of hydrothermal vents on the 500-kilometer-long Knipovich Ridge off the coast of Svalbard was discovered.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240628125250.htm


Tiny bright objects discovered at dawn of universe baffle scientists

A recent discovery by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) confirmed that luminous, very red objects previously detected in the early universe upend conventional thinking about the origins and evolution of galaxies and their supermassive black holes.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240628125241.htm


Drowning in waste: Pollution hotspots in aquatic environments

A new study explores waste management systems and reveals that achieving zero waste leakage by 2030 is unlikely, potentially jeopardizing related Sustainable Development Goals. The authors emphasize the need for global cooperation, particularly across four regions, to responsibly manage waste disposal.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240628125212.htm


Analysis suggests 2021 Texas abortion ban resulted in increase in infant deaths in state in year after law went into effect

Researchers use statistical modeling to estimate infant deaths expected if one of the country's most stringent state abortion laws had not been enacted. The study estimates that infant deaths in Texas increased more than expected in the year following the state's 2021 ban on abortion in early pregnancy, especially among infants with congenital anomalies.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240627174235.htm


Solar technology: Innovative light-harvesting system works very efficiently

Researchers are reporting progress on the road to more efficient utilization of solar energy: They have developed an innovative light-harvesting system.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240626152221.htm


Iceland's volcano eruptions may last decades

Scientists predict from geochemical data that Iceland is entering a new volcanic era that will last for decades, possibly centuries. Under an hour's drive from the country's capital city, the ongoing eruptions pose considerable risks for economic disruption, and they leave evacuated communities uncertain of a possible return.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240626152033.htm


Non-stop flight: 4,200 km transatlantic flight of the Painted Lady butterfly mapped

In October 2013 a researcher made a surprising discovery of Painted Lady Butterflies on the Atlantic beaches of French Guiana -- a species not typically found in South America. This unusual sighting prompted an international study to investigate the origin of these butterflies.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240625221740.htm


Telltale greenhouse gases could signal alien activity

If aliens modified a planet in their solar system to make it warmer, we'd be able to tell. A new study identifies the artificial greenhouse gases that would be giveaways of a terraformed planet.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240625205632.htm


Facial recognition linked to close social bonds, not social butterflies

Do you have trouble recognizing faces, or do you never forget a face? The better you are at facial recognition, the more supportive relationships you are likely to have, regardless of your personality type.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240624125612.htm


New study confirms forever chemicals are absorbed through human skin

A study of 17 commonly used synthetic 'forever chemicals' has shown that these toxic substances can readily be absorbed through human skin.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240624125549.htm


Study identifies first drug therapy for sleep apnea

An international study shows new drug improves sleep, health in patients diagnosed with obesity and sleep apnea.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240621172407.htm


Imaging technology captures how neurons communicate with new clarity

Insights from advanced imaging technology show how neurons communicate at the atomic level for the first time.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240621172358.htm


Cooling 'blood oranges' could make them even healthier -- a bonus for consumers

An orange teeming with antioxidants and other health benefits may be a shot in the arm for consumers and citrus growers, if the fruit is stored at cool temperatures, a new study shows.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240621122919.htm


Novel catalysts for improved methanol production using carbon dioxide dehydrogenation

Encapsulating copper nanoparticles within hydrophobic porous silicate crystals has been shown to significantly enhance the catalytic activity of copper-zinc oxide catalysts used in methanol synthesis via CO2 hydrogenation. The innovative encapsulation structure effectively inhibits the thermal aggregation of copper particles, leading to enhanced hydrogenation activity and increased methanol production. This breakthrough paves the way for more efficient methanol synthesis from CO2.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240621122914.htm


Promise green hydrogen may not always be fulfilled

Green hydrogen often, but certainly not always, leads to CO2 gains.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240621122903.htm


Membrane protein analogues could accelerate drug discovery

Researchers have created a deep learning pipeline for designing soluble analogues of key protein structures used in pharmaceutical development, sidestepping the prohibitive cost of extracting these proteins from cell membranes.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240621122844.htm


Scientists at uOttawa develop innovative method to validate quantum photonics circuits performance

A team of researchers has developed an innovative technique for evaluating the performance of quantum circuits. This significant advancement represents a substantial leap forward in the field of quantum computing.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240620194011.htm


Changing climate will make home feel like somewhere else

The impacts of climate change are being felt all over the world, but how will it impact how your hometown feels? An interactive web application allows users to search 40,581 places and 5,323 metro areas around the globe to match the expected future climate in each city with the current climate of another location, providing a relatable picture of what is likely in store.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240620152332.htm


Newly discovered dinosaur boasts big, blade-like horns

A new dinosaur has been identified and named. The dinosaur's name, Lokiceratops rangiformis, translates roughly to 'Loki's horned face that looks like a caribou.'

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240620152258.htm


First conclusive evidence that a terrestrial leech species can jump

A new study presents video evidence that at least one species of terrestrial leech can jump, behavior that scientists have debated for more than a century.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240620152253.htm


Climate models underestimate carbon cycling through plants

The carbon stored globally by plants is shorter-lived and more vulnerable to climate change than previously thought, according to a new study.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240620152225.htm


Titan's lakes may be shaped by waves

Geologists studied Titan's shorelines and showed through simulations that coastlines of the moon's methane- and ethane-filled seas have likely been shaped by waves. Until now, scientists have found indirect and conflicting signs of wave activity, based on Cassini images of Titan's surface.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240619143731.htm


Odors are encoded in rings in the brain of migratory locusts

Researchers describe how odors are encoded in the antennal lobe, the olfactory center in the brain of migratory locusts. Using transgenic locusts and imaging techniques, the researchers were able to show a ring-shaped representation of odors in the brain. The pattern of olfactory coding in the antennal lobe is the same at all stages of locust development. A better understanding of olfactory coding in the locust brain should help to learn more about how the behavior of these insects is controlled, especially their swarming.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240618115710.htm


Cancer survivors are at increased risk of disease throughout life

Researchers have surveyed people under the age of 25 who have had cancer since 1958. The study shows that cancer survivors are at greater risk for cardiovascular diseases, other cancers and other diagnoses later in life. In addition, the researchers saw that socioeconomic factors played a role in survival.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240618115638.htm


Astronomers see a massive black hole awaken in real time

In late 2019 the previously unremarkable galaxy SDSS1335+0728 suddenly started shining brighter than ever before. To understand why, astronomers have used data from several space and ground-based observatories, including the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (ESO's VLT), to track how the galaxy's brightness has varied. In a study out today, they conclude that they are witnessing changes never seen before in a galaxy -- likely the result of the sudden awakening of the massive black hole at its core.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240618115433.htm


Bedtime battles: 1 in 4 parents say their child can't go to sleep because they're worried or anxious

One in four parents describe getting their young child to bed as difficult -- and these parents are less likely to have a bedtime routine, more likely to leave on a video or TV show, and more likely to stay with their child until they're asleep.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240617173714.htm


Direct evidence found for dairy consumption in the Pyrenees in the earliest stages of the Neolithic

A study on the remains of the Chaves and Puyascada caves, both located in the province of Huesca, Spain, yields the first direct proof of the consumption and processing of dairy products in the Pyrenees already at the start of the Neolithic period, approximately 7,500 years ago, as well as the consumption of pig. The results lead to doubts about the belief that these products were first used much later in the Pyrenean mountain range.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240617173552.htm


Investigating the origins of the crab nebula

A team of scientists used NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to parse the composition of the Crab Nebula, a supernova remnant located 6,500 light-years away in the constellation Taurus.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240617173356.htm


Gonadal function in male mice disrupted by prenatal risk factors

Researchers have consistently shown that prenatal exposure to Di (2-ethyhexyl) phthalate harms the reproductive system in male mice and causes fertility defects. In a new study, scientists have shown that the combination of DEHP and a high-fat diet in pregnant mice can cause more damage to pups than each factor alone.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240614155434.htm


Scientists solve decades long mystery of NLRC5 sensor function in cell death

A new study identifies NLRC5 as an innate immune sensor that plays a crucial role in PANoptotic cell death -- making it a key therapeutic target.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240614155341.htm


Self-assembling and disassembling swarm molecular robots via DNA molecular controller

Researchers have succeeded in developing a DNA-based molecular controller. Crucially, this controller enables the autonomous assembly and disassembly of molecular robots, as opposed to manually directing it.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240614141857.htm


Tiny New Zealand bird delivers a lesson in birdsong evolution

Scientists are rethinking the evolution of vocal learning in birds. New Zealand's smallest bird, the rifleman or titipounamu, may have a rudimentary version of the talent possessed by parrots, hummingbirds and songbirds.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240614141847.htm


Fasting primes the immune system's natural killer cells to better fight cancer, new study in mice finds

A team of researchers has shown for the first time that fasting can reprogram the metabolism of natural killer cells, helping them to survive in the harsh environment in and around tumors, while also improving their cancer-fighting ability.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240614141827.htm


Low-sodium alternatives can lead to major health gains in Indonesia

Excess sodium intake and a lack of potassium are major contributing factors towards high blood pressure in Indonesia, prompting calls for low-sodium potassium-rich salt substitutes (LSSS) to be readily available to improve health and curb health costs.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240613221926.htm


New fabric makes urban heat islands more bearable

Researchers detail a new wearable fabric that can help urban residents survive the worst impacts of massive heat caused by global climate change, with applications in clothing, building and car design, and food storage. By addressing both direct solar heating and the thermal radiation emitting from pavement and buildings in urban heat islands, the material kept 2.3 degrees Celsius (4.1 degrees Fahrenheit) cooler than the broadband emitter fabric used for outdoor endurance sports and 8.9 degrees Celsius (16 degrees Fahrenheit) cooler than the commercialized silk commonly used for shirts, dresses and other summer clothing.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240613161204.htm


Are mixed emotions real? New research says yes

Neuroscientists found that brains display distinct neural activity when experiencing emotions such as bitter-sweetness. The advance could help solve a longstanding scientific debate: whether 'mixed emotions' arise from unique activity in the brain, or if we're just flip-flopping back and forth between positive and negative feelings.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240613161150.htm


Paleontology: New fossil fish genus discovered

Paleontologists have identified a new genus of fossil goby, revealing evolutionary secrets of a lineage that stretches back millions of years.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240613140915.htm


Short-term loneliness associated with physical health problems

Loneliness may be harmful to our daily health, according to a new study focused on understanding the subtleties of loneliness and how variations in daily feelings of loneliness effect short- and long-term well-being. The researchers said the work provides more evidence in support of the devastating impact of loneliness and isolation on physical health in the country, calling it a public health crisis.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240613140903.htm


Ancient ocean slowdown warns of future climate chaos

When it comes to the ocean's response to global warming, we're not in entirely uncharted waters. A new study shows that episodes of extreme heat in Earth's past caused the exchange of waters from the surface to the deep ocean to decline.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240613140748.htm


Younger workers feel stressed, lonely and undervalued

Younger workers are struggling with feelings of loneliness and a lack of appreciation at work and tend to feel more comfortable working with people their own age, according to a recent survey.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240613001402.htm


Pacific coast gray whales have gotten 13% shorter in the past 20-30 years, Oregon State study finds

Gray whales that spend their summers feeding in the shallow waters off the Pacific Northwest coast have undergone a significant decline in body length since around the year 2000, a new study found.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240612173127.htm


Does having a child with low birth weight increase a person's risk of dementia?

People who give birth to infants less than 5.5 pounds may be more likely to have memory and thinking problems later in life than people who give birth to infants who do not have a low birth weight, according to a new study. The effect on memory and thinking skills was equivalent to one to two years of aging for those with low-birth-weight deliveries.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240612173116.htm


Exposure to heat and cold in early life may affect development of white matter in the brain

Brain scans of more than 2,000 preadolescents suggests that early life exposure to heat and cold may have lasting effects on the microstructure of white matter in the brain, especially when living in poorer neighborhoods. The study highlights the vulnerability of fetuses and children to extreme temperatures.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240612173110.htm


What the geologic record reveals about how oceans were oxygenated 2.3 billion years ago

Geochemists used thallium isotopes to track the rise and fall of free oxygen on Earth between 2.5 and 2.2 billion years ago, the process that enabled life as we know it.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240612140903.htm


Ritual sacrifice at Chichén Itzá

Rising to power in the wake of the Classic Maya collapse, Chich n Itz was among the largest and most influential cities of the ancient Maya, but much about its political connections and ritual life remain poorly understood. Close kin relationships, including two pairs of identical twins, suggests a connection to the Maya origin myths of the Popol Vuh. Further comparison to Maya populations today reveals the genetic impact of colonial-era epidemics.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240612113249.htm


Painful truth about knee osteoarthritis: Why inactivity may be more complex than we think

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common cause of pain and joint stiffness. And while physical activity is known to ease symptoms, only one in 10 people regularly exercise.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240611194717.htm


Wind from black holes may influence development of surrounding galaxies

Clouds of gas in a distant galaxy are being pushed faster and faster -- at more than 10,000 miles per second -- out among neighboring stars by blasts of radiation from the supermassive black hole at the galaxy's center. It's a discovery that helps illuminate the way active black holes can continuously shape their galaxies by spurring on or snuffing out the development of new stars.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240611171516.htm


How do supermassive black holes get super massive?

By combining forefront X-ray observations with state-of-the-art supercomputer simulations of the buildup of galaxies over cosmic history, researchers have provided the best modeling to date of the growth of the supermassive black holes found in the centers of galaxies.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240611171513.htm


3D-printed mini-actuators can move small soft robots, lock them into new shapes

Researchers have demonstrated miniature soft hydraulic actuators that can be used to control the deformation and motion of soft robots that are less than a millimeter thick. The researchers have also demonstrated that this technique works with shape memory materials, allowing users to repeatedly lock the soft robots into a desired shape and return to the original shape as needed.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240611171459.htm


Origins of fast radio bursts come into focus through polarized light

What scientists previously thought about where Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) come from is just the tip of the iceberg. A new study details the properties of polarized light from 128 non-repeating FRBs and reveals mysterious cosmic explosions that originated in far-away galaxies, similar to our own Milky Way.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240611130435.htm


Would astronauts' kidneys survive a roundtrip to Mars?

The structure and function of the kidneys is altered by space flight, with galactic radiation causing permanent damage that would jeopardise any mission to Mars, according to a new study led by researchers from UCL.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240611130413.htm


Trash-sorting robot mimics complex human sense of touch

Researchers are breaking through the difficulties of robotic recognition of various common, yet complex, items. Their layered sensor is equipped with material detection at the surface and pressure sensitivity at the bottom, with a porous middle layer sensitive to thermal changes. An efficient cascade classification algorithm rules out object types in order, from easy to hard, starting with simple categories like empty cartons before moving on to orange peels or scraps of cloth.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240611130406.htm


Feeling rough after your COVID shot? Congrats, it's working!

One of the most common reasons for bypassing the COVID vaccine is concern about side effects like tiredness, muscle and joint pain, chills, headache, fever, nausea and feeling generally unwell. But a new study has found that the symptoms indicate a robust immune response that is likely to lessen the chances of infection.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240610171023.htm


Lone Star State: Tracking a low-mass star as it speeds across the Milky Way

Astronomers have discovered a rare hypervelocity L subdwarf star racing through the Milky Way. More remarkably, this star may be on a trajectory that causes it to leave the Milky Way altogether.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240610171015.htm


NASA's Webb opens new window on supernova science

Peering deeply into the cosmos, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is giving scientists their first detailed glimpse of supernovae from a time when our universe was just a small fraction of its current age. A team using Webb data has identified 10 times more supernovae in the early universe than were previously known. A few of the newfound exploding stars are the most distant examples of their type, including those used to measure the universe's expansion rate.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240610171010.htm


Two can play that game: juvenile dolphins who play together are more successful as adults

Juvenile social play predicts adult reproductive success in male bottlenose dolphins, a new study has found.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240610170927.htm


Webb telescope reveals asteroid collision in neighboring star system

Astronomers have captured what appears to be a snapshot of a massive collision of giant asteroids in Beta Pictoris, a neighboring star system known for its early age and tumultuous planet-forming activity.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240610140338.htm


Optimism wards off procrastination

People with an optimistic outlook on the future are less likely to be severe procrastinators, according to new research. While procrastinators often admonish themselves for their 'bad habit,' it turns out that their worries for the future are more to blame. Through a survey of nearly 300 young people, researchers found that those who had a positive view about their stress levels decreasing in the future, compared to the past or present, were less likely to experience severe procrastination. Views on personal well-being didn't appear to have an effect. Improving people's outlook and readiness for the future could help them overcome procrastination and achieve a less stressful lifestyle.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240610140256.htm


Benefits of failure are overrated

The platitude that failure leads to success may be both inaccurate and damaging to society, according to new research.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240610140218.htm


Sky's the limit for biofuels

The United States has enough biomass potential to produce 35 billion gallons per year of aviation biofuel by 2050, a new report confirms.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240607151736.htm


Silkworms help grow better organ-like tissues in labs

Biomedical engineers have developed a silk-based, ultrathin membrane that can be used in organ-on-a-chip models to better mimic the natural environment of cells and tissues within the body. When used in a kidney organ-on-a-chip platform, the membrane helped tissues grow to recreate the functionality of both healthy and diseased kidneys.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240606184338.htm


A new study reveals that marine cyanobacteria communicate

A breakthrough study changes the way we understand cyanobacteria, which are essential for the sustenance of life. The study shows that these organisms do not operate in isolation, but rather physically interact through membrane-nanotubes, which function as exchange bridges between cells.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240606152330.htm


Nanoparticles: Risk for babies in the womb

Little is yet known about the health effects of nanoparticles on pregnancy. An interdisciplinary team is currently analyzing the risks for babies in the womb. Using a lab model, the researchers were able to determine that certain nanoparticles impair the release of chemical messengers in the placenta and thus the formation of blood vessels.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240606152319.htm


People feel more connected to 'tweezer-like' bionic tools that don't resemble human hands

Some say the next step in human evolution will be the integration of technology with flesh. Now, researchers have used virtual reality to test whether humans can feel embodiment -- the sense that something is part of one's body -- toward prosthetic 'hands' that resemble a pair of tweezers. They report that participants felt an equal degree of embodiment for the tweezer-hands and were also faster and more accurate in completing motor tasks in virtual reality than when they were equipped with a virtual human hand.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240606152145.htm


Planet-forming disks around very low-mass stars are different

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, a team of astronomers studied the properties of a planet-forming disk around a young and very low-mass star. The results reveal the richest hydrocarbon composition seen to date in a protoplanetary disk, including the first extrasolar detection of ethane and a relatively low abundance of oxygen-bearing species. By including previous similar detections, this finding confirms a trend of disks around very low-mass stars to be chemically distinct from those around more massive stars like the Sun, influencing the atmospheres of planets forming there.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240606152101.htm


Tiny roundworms carve out unique parasitic niche inside pseudoscorpion's protective covering

In a parasitic first, a Baltic amber specimen has revealed that millions of years ago tiny worms known as nematodes were living inside of and feeding on the outer protective layer of pseudoscorpions.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240606001345.htm


Oral insulin drops offer relief for diabetes patients

Diabetes rates continue to rise. Scientists have now created a pain-free drug delivery method to help people with diabetes manage the disease and maintain their health more easily. Researchers have developed oral insulin drops that when placed under the tongue are quickly and efficiently absorbed by the body, potentially replacing the need for insulin injections.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240605162742.htm


Blood sausages and yak milk: Bronze Age cuisine of Mongolian nomads unveiled

Bronze cauldrons were used by the inhabitants of the Mongolian steppe around 2,700 years ago to process animal blood and milk. This is shown by a protein analysis of archaeological finds from this period.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240605162547.htm


Father's diet before conception influences children's health

A recent study provides new insights into how fathers' diets and overweight can affect their children's health even before conception. The findings of the study can help develop preventive health measures for men wishing to become fathers: The healthier the father's diet, the lower the risk for their children to develop obesity or diseases such as diabetes later in life.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240605162338.htm


Proton therapy demonstrates advantages in Phase III head and neck cancer trial

According to preliminary data from a multi-institution Phase III trial intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) achieved similar clinical outcomes and offered significant patient benefits when compared to traditional intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) as part of chemoradiation treatment for patients with oropharyngeal (head and neck) cancer.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240604184247.htm


Giant viruses found on Greenland ice sheet

Giant viruses found on the Greenland ice sheet probably regulate the growth of snow algae on the ice by infecting them. Knowing how to control these viruses could help us reduce the rate of ice-melt.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240604184205.htm


Population shifts, risk factors may triple U.S. cardiovascular disease costs by 2050

Driven by an older, more diverse population, along with a significant increase in risk factors including high blood pressure and obesity, total costs related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) conditions are likely to triple by 2050, according to recent projections. At least 6 in 10 U.S. adults (61%), more than 184 million people, are expected to have some type of CVD within the next 30 years, reflecting a disease prevalence that will have a $1.8 trillion price tag in direct and indirect costs.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240604132105.htm


Sunshine spurs spending: Investors bet big on sunny days

New research has found a connection between pleasant weather conditions and higher investment in lottery-like stocks.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240603195800.htm


Airplane noise exposure may increase risk of chronic disease

A new study indicates that airplane noise may increase one's risk of developing cardiometabolic diseases, a cluster of conditions such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and hypertension. The study found that people who were exposed to airplane noise levels at 45 dB or more were more likely to have higher self-reported body mass index (BMI), with the highest BMI measures linked to aircraft noise levels at 55 dB or above.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240603172239.htm


Microscopic defects in ice shape how massive glaciers flow, study shows

A glacier's flow depends on how microscopic defects move through the ice, according to new research that also yielded a new model for predicting how glaciers will flow, ultimately contributing to sea-level rise.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240603172218.htm


Shape and depth of ocean floor profoundly influence how carbon is stored there

The movement of carbon between the atmosphere, oceans and continents -- or carbon cycle -- regulates Earth's climate, with the ocean playing a major role in carbon sequestration. A new study finds that the shape and depth of the ocean floor explain up to 50% of the changes in depth at which carbon has been sequestered there over the past 80 million years. While these changes have been previously attributed to other causes, the new finding could inform ongoing efforts to combat climate change through marine carbon sequestration.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240603172205.htm


Altered carbon points toward sustainable manufacturing

Researchers develop a vastly more productive way to convert carbon dioxide into useful materials and compounds.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240603114419.htm


The embryo assembles itself

Biological processes depend on puzzle pieces coming together and interacting. Under specific conditions, these interactions can create something new without external input. This is called self-organization, as seen in a school of fish or a flock of birds. Interestingly, the mammalian embryo develops similarly. Scientists now introduce a mathematical framework that analyzes self-organization from a single cell to a multicellular organism.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240603114353.htm


Greenhouses cover more and more of Earth's surface

Greenhouse cultivation is booming globally, especially in the Global South -- and across one country in particular. This is revealed in a new study that deploys detailed satellite imagery and AI to map greenhouses across the planet. According to the researchers, the development is a source of both promise and concern.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240603114305.htm


Paving the way for hydrogen from algae enzymes

Under certain conditions, some algae are able to produce hydrogen -- a much sought-after green energy source. Its production takes place in the unique catalytic center of the unicellular algae and is only possible if certain cofactors of the relevant proteins are present. Researchers have identified how such a cofactor, the so-called hydrogen cluster, is assembled. Specifically, they describe the previously unexplained role of the enzyme HydF, which is involved in the final steps of assembly.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240603113734.htm


A greener, more effective way to kill termites

Scientists have discovered a highly effective, nontoxic, and less expensive way to lure hungry termites to their doom.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240531182855.htm


Martian meteorites deliver a trove of information on Red Planet's structure

Mars has a distinct structure in its mantle and crust with discernible reservoirs, and this is known thanks to meteorites that scientists have analyzed. These results are important for understanding not only how Mars formed and evolved, but also for providing precise data that can inform recent NASA missions like Insight and Perseverance and the Mars Sample Return.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240531182852.htm


Children's visual experience may hold key to better computer vision training

A novel, human-inspired approach to training artificial intelligence (AI) systems to identify objects and navigate their surroundings could set the stage for the development of more advanced AI systems to explore extreme environments or distant worlds, according to new research.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240531145021.htm


Glimpses of a volcanic world: New telescope images of Jupiter's moon Io rival those from spacecraft

Combining a new imaging instrument with the powerful adaptive optics capabilities of the Large Binocular Telescope, astronomers have captured a volcanic event on Jupiter's moon Io at a resolution never before achieved with Earth-based observations.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240530182217.htm


'Ugly' fossil places extinct saber-toothed cat on Texas coast

This fossil looks like a lumpy, rounded rock with a couple of exposed teeth that are a little worse for wear, having been submerged and tumbled along the floor of the Gulf of Mexico for thousands of years before washing up on a beach. But when it was X-rayed a doctoral student saw there was more to the fossil that met the eye: a hidden canine tooth that had not yet erupted from the jaw bone. It was just what researchers needed to identify the fossil as belonging to a Homotherium, a genus of large cat that roamed much of the Earth for millions of years.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240530182207.htm


NASA's James Webb Space Telescope finds most distant known galaxy

Over the last two years, scientists have used NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to explore what astronomers refer to as Cosmic Dawn -- the period in the first few hundred million years after the big bang where the first galaxies were born.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240530132704.htm


Musankwa sanyatiensis, a new dinosaur from Zimbabwe

Fossils found on the shoreline of Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe represent a completely new dinosaur species. This remarkable find, named Musankwa sanyatiensis, marks only the fourth dinosaur species named from Zimbabwe.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240530132349.htm


Grow the skin you're in: In vivo generation of chimeric skin grafts

Researchers found that mutated mouse embryos showing an abnormal epidermal differentiation and injected with mouse pluripotent stem cells grew large patches of mature epidermis derived from the donor cells that survived transplantation to adult mice and grew natural-looking fur. Injecting the embryos with human keratinoctyes produced sheets of semi-humanized skin, suggesting that this system could be developed further to grow autologous skin grafts for treating severe skin wounds.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240529144248.htm


Menstrual periods are arriving earlier for younger generations, especially among racial minority and lower-income individuals

The average age at menarche -- the first menstrual period -- has been decreasing among younger generations in the U.S., especially those belonging to racial minorities and lower socioeconomic statuses, according to a new study. It also found that the average time it takes for the menstrual cycle to become regular is increasing.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240529144225.htm


Orchids support seedlings through 'parental nurture' via shared underground fungal networks

Orchid plants nurture their seedlings via an underground fungal network, new research has revealed.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240529144112.htm


Bird flu: Diverse range of vaccines platforms 'crucial' for enhancing human pandemic preparedness

Review of research to-date suggests vaccination remains the most effective strategy for avian influenza prevention and control in humans, despite varying vaccine efficacy across strains.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240529031235.htm


Intermittent fasting shows promise in improving gut health, weight management

Participants following an intermittent fasting and protein-pacing regimen, which involves evenly spaced protein intake throughout the day, saw better gut health, weight loss and metabolic responses. These benefits were notably greater than those seen with simple calorie restriction. The findings could advance our understanding of the relationship between the gut microbiome and metabolism and improve strategies for managing obesity.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240528192103.htm


Improved refrigeration could save nearly half of the 1.3 billion tons of food wasted each year globally

A new study concludes that nearly half of the food waste, about 620 million metric tons, could be eliminated by fully refrigerated food supply chains worldwide. At the same time, fully refrigerated supply chains, or 'cold chains,' could cut food waste-related emissions of climate-warming greenhouse gases by 41% globally, according to a new study.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240528134230.htm


Weight gain is kicked to the curb in antipsychotic drug breakthrough

Thousands of Australians struggle with serious mental health conditions. But when the recommended treatment involves antipsychotic medications, the side effects are excess kilos, which only adds weight to an already complex diagnosis. Now, new research shows that antipsychotics can be reformulated with a strategically engineered coating that not only mitigates unwanted weight gain but also boosts serotonin levels by more than 250%.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240528115050.htm


Pharmacists prove effective, less costly care option for minor illnesses

Greater use of pharmacists to treat minor illnesses could potentially save millions of dollars in health care costs, according to new research. The findings also indicate a way to improve healthcare access by expanding availability of pharmacists' clinical services including prescribing medications, amid an ongoing shortage of primary care providers. The study found that care for a range of minor health issues -- including urinary tract infections, shingles, animal bites and headaches -- costs an average of about $278 less when treated in pharmacies compared to patients with similar conditions treated at 'traditional sites' of primary care, urgent care or emergency room settings. Follow-ups with pharmacy patients showed that almost all their illnesses had resolved after the initial visit with a pharmacist. Notably, if all of the illnesses in the three-year study that were treated at a traditional site of care had been treated by community pharmacists, it would have saved an estimated $23 million in health care expenses.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240528115023.htm


Simple food swaps could cut greenhouse gas emissions from household groceries by a quarter

Switching food and drink purchases to very similar but more environmentally friendly alternatives could reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from household groceries by more than a quarter (26%), according to a new study.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240528114503.htm


Florida fossil porcupine solves a prickly dilemma 10-million years in the making

An exceptionally rare fossilized porcupine skeleton discovered in Florida has allowed researchers to trace the evolutionary history for one of North America's rarest mammals.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240528114315.htm


Echidnapus identified from an 'Age of Monotremes'

Australian researchers have found evidence of the oldest known platypus and a new species, dubbed 'echidnapus', which has a platypus-like anatomy alongside features that more closely resemble an echidna.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240527115905.htm


Combating carbon footprint: Novel reactor system converts carbon dioxide into usable fuel

Boilers are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. In a recent study, researchers developed a method to convert CO2 emissions from small boilers into methane, which makes use of an optimized reactor design that evenly distributes the CO2 feed. This, in turn, results in significantly lower temperature increments and a boost in methane production. This innovative technique could pave the way for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240527115855.htm


On repeat: Biologists observe recurring evolutionary changes, over time, in stick insects

An evolutionary biologist reports evidence of repeatable evolution in populations of stick insects.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240524171440.htm


AI headphones let wearer listen to a single person in a crowd, by looking at them just once

Engineers have developed an artificial intelligence system that lets someone wearing headphones look at a person speaking for three to five seconds to 'enroll' them. The system then plays just the enrolled speaker's voice in real time, even as the pair move around in noisy environments.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240524171429.htm


High H5N1 influenza levels found in mice given raw milk from infected dairy cows

Mice administered raw milk samples from dairy cows infected with H5N1 influenza experienced high virus levels in their respiratory organs and lower virus levels in other vital organs, according to new findings. The results suggest that consumption of raw milk by animals poses a risk for H5N1 infection and raises questions about its potential risk in humans.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240524121634.htm


Developing novel methods to detect antibiotics in vegetables and earthworms

Researchers have managed to analyze, simultaneously, several families of antibiotics in vegetables and earthworms. Sampling carried out in various locations has yielded data on the existence of antimicrobial agents and their derivatives in vegetables. In this respect, Vergara stresses the need for further research to address the problem of contamination by this type of medication in the environment.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240523205057.htm


Birth of universe's earliest galaxies observed for first time

Researchers have now seen the formation of three of the earliest galaxies in the universe, more than 13 billion years ago. The sensational discovery contributes important knowledge about the universe.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240523153708.htm


Charting a pathway to next-gen biofuels

From soil to sequestration, researchers have modeled what a supply chain for second-generation biofuels might look like in the midwestern United States.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240523153631.htm


Planet hunters unveil massive catalog of strange worlds

While thousands of planets have been discovered around other stars, relatively little is known about them. A NASA catalog featuring 126 exotic, newly discovered worlds includes detailed measurements that allow for comparisons with our own solar system.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240523112632.htm


The global clean water crisis looms large

Water scarcity will intensify with climate and socioeconomic change, disproportionately impacting populations located in the Global South.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240523112544.htm


Potentially habitable 'exo-Venus' with Earth-like temperature discovered

Astronomers have made the rare and tantalizing discovery of an Earth-like exoplanet 40 light-years away that may be just a little warmer than our own world. The potentially-habitable planet, named Gliese 12 b, orbits its host star every 12.8 days, is comparable in size to Venus -- so slightly smaller than Earth -- and has an estimated surface temperature of 42 C (107 F), which is lower than most of the 5,000-odd exoplanets confirmed so far. That is assuming it has no atmosphere, however, which is the crucial next step to establishing if it is habitable.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240523112455.htm


Exploring diversity in cell division

Animals and fungi predominantly use two different modes of cell division -- called open and closed mitosis, respectively. A new study has shown that different species of Ichthyosporea -- marine protists that are close relatives of both animals and fungi -- use either open and closed mitosis, closely correlated to whether the species has multinucleate life cycle stages. The study demonstrates the way animals do cell division might have evolved long before animals themselves did and how this is linked to an organism's life cycle.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240522130501.htm


New tool may help prioritize high-risk infants for RSV immunization

On the heels of a shortage of nirsevimab for infant respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) prevention, a new tool may help identify newborns at highest risk for developing serious RSV LRTI, according to new research.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240521204336.htm


Scientists create tailored drug for aggressive breast cancer

Scientists have used breast cancer cells' weakness against themselves by linking a tumor-selective antibody with a cell-killing drug to destroy hard-to-treat tumors.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240521204313.htm