ScienceDaily: All - February 11, 2025
Today's top research news
Bacteria, brains, and sugar: Scientists uncover new connections
Using a new method to study how carbohydrates modify proteins, scientists have discovered that gut bacteria can alter molecular signatures in the brain.
Boosting evolution: How humans unintentionally altered the skulls of pigs
Short snouts and a flat profile -- within a span of 100 years, humans have significantly changed the shape of the skulls of German domestic pigs. This is likely down to new breeding practices introduced at the beginning of the 20th century. The researchers analyzed 3D scans of 135 skulls of wild boars and domestic pigs from the early 20th and 21st centuries. Surprisingly, the same effects can even be observed in species that were kept separately.
Euclid discovers a stunning Einstein ring
Euclid, the European Space Agency's dark Universe detective, has made an astonishing discovery -- right in our cosmic backyard.
Peatlands and mangroves key to reducing carbon emissions in Southeast Asia
Conserving and restoring Southeast Asia's carbon-rich peatlands and mangroves could mitigate more than 50 per cent of the region's land-use carbon emissions, according to a new international study. Despite occupying just 5 per cent of the region's terrestrial land, these ecosystems play an outsized role in emission reduction efforts, making them crucial for meeting climate targets across ASEAN countries.
Bats play a key role in combating rice pests in Southeast Asia
Scientists have demonstrated that Wrinkle-lipped free-tailed bats not only travels great distances, but also hunt at impressive altitudes of up to 1,600 meters above ground -- the altitude at which many planthoppers fly, which are dreaded insect pests of rice plants. Conventional methods of pest control such as insecticides do not work at these altitudes. By restricting the spread of high-flying planthoppers, Wrinkle-lipped free-tailed bats make an important contribution to pest control and thus also to food security in South and East Asia.
Nanoscale tin catalyst discovery paves the way for sustainable CO2 conversion
Researchers have developed a sustainable catalyst that increases its activity during use while converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable products. This discovery offers a blueprint for designing next-generation electrocatalysts.
Biomarker test can detect Alzheimer's pathology earlier
Years before tau tangles show up in brain scans of patients with Alzheimer's disease, a biomarker test can detect small amounts of the clumping-prone tau protein and its misfolded pathological forms that litter the brain, cerebrospinal fluid and potentially blood, new research suggests.
Beryllium-10, a rare radioactive isotope produced by cosmic rays in the atmosphere, provides valuable insights into the Earth's geological history. A research team has discovered an unexpected accumulation of this isotope in samples taken from the Pacific seabed. Such an anomaly may be attributed to shifts in ocean currents or astrophysical events that occurred approximately 10 million years ago. The findings hold the potential to serve as a global time marker, representing a promising advancement in the dating of geological archives spanning millions of years.
High-tech video optimization in our brain
Why do our mental images stay sharp even when we are moving fast? A team of neuroscientists has identified a mechanism that corrects visual distortions caused by movement in animals. The study, conducted in mice, identifies a core function that can be generalized across the vertebrate visual system, including primates such as humans.
Scientists enhance smart home security with AIoT and WiFi
Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) is becoming immensely popular because of its widespread applications. In a groundbreaking study, researchers present a new AIoT framework called MSF-Net for accurately recognizing human activities using WiFi signals. The framework utilizes a novel approach that combines different signal processing techniques and a deep learning architecture to overcome challenges like environmental interference and achieve high recognition accuracy.
In swarm research, a new method makes it possible to track the eye movements of fish automatically, non-invasively and in 3D. Researchers explain why this is important for understanding the 'rules of the swarm'.
New treatment may offer quick cure for common cause of high blood pressure
A revolutionary new treatment called Targeted Thermal Therapy (Tripel T) offers a safer, faster alternative to surgery for patients with high blood pressure caused by Primary Aldosteronism, a hormonal disorder.
New autonomous system to monitor Arctic's melting ice
Researchers have designed an alternative, autonomous observational method to monitor the Arctic's melting ice, which holds promise for improving the autonomy of marine vehicles, aiding in maritime missions, and gaining a deeper understanding of how melting Arctic sea ice affects marine ecosystems. Their conceptual design features a small waterplane area twin hull vessel that acts as a docking and charging station for autonomous underwater vehicles and unmanned aerial vehicles, using solar and turbine energy to enable continuous monitoring.
New study offers hope to patients with advanced liver cancer, cirrhosis
Researchers describe successful tumor removal through the use of immunotherapy and targeted radiation therapy (TARE), in a patient previously considered ineligible for the procedure.
Drug may counteract muscle loss and osteoporosis after rapid weight loss
Rapid weight loss affects muscle mass and can increase the risk of osteoporosis. But now there is good news for people taking weight loss medication who may be at risk. A new study indicates that the drug bimagrumab can counteract the side effects.
Less, but more: A new evolutionary scenario marked by massive gene loss and expansion
Evolution is traditionally associated with a process of increasing complexity and gaining new genes. However, the explosion of the genomic era shows that gene loss and simplification is a much more frequent process in the evolution of species than previously thought, and may favor new biological adaptations that facilitate the survival of living organisms. This evolutionary driver, which seems counter-intuitive -- 'less is more' in genetic terms -- now reveals a surprising dimension that responds to the new evolutionary concept of 'less, but more', i.e. the phenomenon of massive gene losses followed by large expansions through gene duplications.
Earth's inner core is less solid than previously thought
Earth's inner core is undergoing structural transformation.
How does the brain differentiate new stimuli from old ones?
A study sheds light on how networks in the brain detect new information, offering insight into disorders like schizophrenia.
Findings suggest a safe, inexpensive, and effective pathway for allergists to treat children who already tolerate at least half a peanut.
Novel bacteria parasitizing archaea
Researchers have succeeded in cultivating an ultra-small bacterial strain parasitizing archaea and classified it as new species and genus of Minisyncoccus archaeiphilus.