ScienceDaily: All - October 17, 2024
Today's top research news
The monarch butterfly may not be endangered, but its migration is, researchers find
With vigorous debate surrounding the health of the monarch butterfly, new research may have answered the biggest question plaguing butterfly researchers. Why are the wintering populations declining while breeding populations are stable?
Image: pablofdezr/Shutterstock.com
Fearful memories of others seen in mouse brain
Researchers have revealed that the CA1 and CA2 regions in the brain respectively encode the locations and individuals linked with a threatening experience. The results show that, beyond simply recognizing individuals, CA2 helps record more complex aspects of social memory: in this case, whether another individual is safe or risky.
Mpox vaccine is safe and generates a robust antibody response in adolescents, study finds
A clinical trial of an mpox vaccine in adolescents found it was safe and generated an antibody response equivalent to that seen in adults, according to a planned interim analysis of study data. Adolescents are among the population groups affected by mpox in the current Clade I mpox outbreak.
Study explores how traumatic brain injury (TBI) may be linked to Alzheimer's disease
Researchers used mouse models and human post-mortem brain tissue to study the molecular underpinnings that may increase the risk of Alzheimer's after traumatic brain injury (TBI).
New study on microRNAs could lead to better fertility treatment
Researchers have mapped how small RNA molecules, such as the recently Nobel Prize-awarded microRNAs, control cell development in the human embryo during the first days after fertilization. The findings may eventually contribute to improved fertility treatment.
Invention quickly detects earliest sign of heart attack
With heart attacks, every second counts. A new blood test diagnoses them in minutes rather than hours and could be adapted as a tool for first responders and people at home.
The neutron lifetime problem -- and its possible solution
How long do free neutrons live until they decay? This has been a hotly debated topic, because different measurement techniques lead to different results. A possible new solution has now been proposed: All the results can be explained, assuming there are different neutron states with different lifetimes.
Men and women process pain differently, study finds
According to new research, men and women rely on different biological systems for pain relief, which could help explain why our most powerful pain medications are often less effective in women.
Zebrafish as a model for studying rare genetic disease
Nager syndrome (NS) is an extremely rare disease that causes developmental problems and anomalies in facial bone structures and limbs. While the causative gene is known, its underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Researchers from Japan employed genetically engineered zebrafish and found that the mutation in the gene that causes NS, suppresses the Fgf8 levels. This, in turn, affects the expression pattern of a critical cell population called neural crest cells in facial development.
Bacterial vaccine shows promise as cancer immunotherapy
Researchers have engineered bacteria as personalized cancer vaccines that activate the immune system to specifically seek out and destroy cancer cells.
Are nearby planets sending radio signals to each other?
Researchers have developed a new method using the Allen Telescope Array to search for interplanetary radio communication in the TRAPPIST-1 star system.
Boy or girl? Researchers identify genetic mutation that increases chance of having a daughter
Researchers have detected a human genetic variant that influences the sex ratio of children. Additionally, they found that many hidden genetic variants of sex ratio may exist in human populations.
Plastic pollution harms bees, review finds
A new review systematically shows the harmful effects of nano- and microplastics on bees and other beneficial insects. Their function as pollinators is impaired by the plastic particles. This harbors risks for global food security.
Uncovering a way for pro-B cells to change trajectory
Researchers from the School of Veterinary Medicine and Perelman School of Medicine have found that YY1 knockout pro-B cells can generate T lineage cells helping B cells produce antibodies.
New app performs real-time, full-body motion capture with a smartphone
Engineers have developed a new system for full-body motion capture -- and it doesn't require specialized rooms, expensive equipment, bulky cameras or an array of sensors. Instead, it requires only a smartphone, smartwatch or earbuds.
NASA, NOAA: Sun reaches maximum phase in 11-year solar cycle
Experts have announced that the Sun has reached its solar maximum period, which could continue for the next year. Scientists will not be able to determine the exact peak of this solar maximum period for many months because it's only identifiable after they've tracked a consistent decline in solar activity after that peak. However, scientists have identified that the last two years on the Sun have been part of this active phase of the solar cycle, due to the consistently high number of sunspots during this period.
Machine learning analysis sheds light on who benefits from protected bike lanes
A new analysis leverages machine learning to help answer a thorny question: where should new protected bike lanes be placed to provide maximum benefit? The research team use machine learning and optimization to help inform such decisions. It's a challenge that required new computational approaches.
A new study suggests that large-scale adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) could lead to significant population-level health benefits. The research team used computer simulations to show that aggressive electrification of the U.S. vehicle fleet, coupled with an ambitious rollout of renewable electricity generation, could result in health benefits worth between US$84 billion and 188 billion by 2050. Even scenarios with less aggressive grid decarbonization mostly predicted health benefits running into the tens of billions of dollars.