ScienceDaily: All - September 24, 2024
Today's top research news
New battery cathode material could revolutionize EV market and energy storage
A research team has developed a low-cost iron chloride cathode for all-solid-state lithium-ion batteries, which could significantly reduce costs and improve performance for electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage systems.
Climate science: How a believer becomes a skeptic
Researchers explored the powerful effect of repetition on people's beliefs.
Paving the way for new treatments
Researchers have created a computer program that can unravel the mysteries of how proteins work together -- giving scientists valuable insights to better prevent, diagnose and treat cancer and other diseases. The tool uses artificial intelligence (AI) to build the three-dimensional atomic structure of large protein complexes.
Dream discovery: Melatonin's key role in REM sleep revealed
A significant breakthrough in the understanding of sleep mechanism opens new promise for treating sleep disorders and associated neuropsychiatric conditions: Scientists have pinpointed the melatonin receptor MT1 as a crucial regulator of REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep.
Image: Designua/Shutterstock.com
New approach to defibrillation may improve cardiac arrest outcomes
A new observational study suggests the position in which responders initially place the two defibrillator pads on the body may make a significant difference in returning spontaneous blood circulation after shock from a defibrillator.
New research finds that adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders have high rates of comorbid mental and substance use disorders and significant social and economic disadvantages, and only 26% received minimally adequate treatment. Meeting the needs of people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders will require innovative interventions and implementation to improve access to and use of evidence-based approaches, the authors argue.
Biologist pioneers increased protein in staple crops, helps alleviate global protein shortage
A biologist's groundbreaking research aims at improving global nutrition and sustainability.
Potential breakthrough for hard to treat cancers
Experts have developed a breakthrough small-molecule drug, a 'protein degrader'. This molecule, called ACBI3, could potentially lead to new therapies independent of KRAS mutation type, improving outcomes for all patients with cancers caused by KRAS mutations.
Early-universe quasar neighborhoods are indeed cluttered
Observations confirm astronomers' expectation that early-Universe quasars formed in regions of space densely populated with companion galaxies. DECam's exceptionally wide field of view and special filters played a crucial role in reaching this conclusion, and the observations reveal why previous studies seeking to characterize the density of early-Universe quasar neighborhoods have yielded conflicting results.
From chaos to order: Proteins can re-structure themselves to create important substances
The protein 'MIPS' changes its internal structure when it becomes active. Its disordered active centre becomes a defined structure with special functions. The protein plays a key role in the production of inositol, which is also known as vitamin B8, and fulfills important tasks in the body. Researchers have succeeded for the first time in observing the protein as it re-structures.
Extreme polar light environment of the North and South Poles sustains biodiversity
Researchers working in Finland propose that the unique light environment of the Earth's Polar regions creates conditions that result in circumpolar hybrid zones around the North and the South Poles. These extreme conditions increase the synchrony of reproductive phenology among species, i.e., force all species into a smaller window for reproduction. This will sustain biodiversity in the long term.
How the brain integrates pain prediction and stimuli
A study has uncovered new insights into how the brain processes and integrates pain information. The research goes beyond identifying brain areas that respond to pain, revealing the mechanisms behind the brain's integration of pain-related information. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), they formalized how the brain combines pain expectations with the actual intensity of painful stimuli.
Deeper corals may help shallow reefs recover in the Florida keys
Using blushing coral star and genomic DNA analyses, researchers have uncovered vital links between coral populations at varying depths. They identified four distinct genetic lineages, finding strong connectivity between shallow and mesophotic populations. Shallow-specific lineages showed reduced genetic diversity and higher inbreeding compared to depth-generalist lineages. Importantly, mesophotic reefs emerged as crucial reproductive sources, particularly in the Lower and Upper Keys. Corals from these deeper zones hold significant potential to replenish and restore the declining shallow reefs in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
Innovative model provides valuable insights into prostate cancer spread
A new preclinical model using CRISPR, an advanced technology that allows scientists to cut and edit genes, has given researchers a deeper insight into how prostate cancer spreads or metastasizes.
Pandemic-era babies do not have higher autism risk, finds study
Children born during the pandemic, including those exposed to COVID in utero, were no more likely to screen positive for autism than unexposed or pre-pandemic children.
Study of former NFL players finds 1 in 3 believe they have CTE
A study of nearly 2,000 former NFL players shows one-third believe that they have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Those individuals were more likely to report cognitive symptoms, and 25% of them also reported suicidal thoughts. The players who thought they had CTE also were more likely to have low testosterone, depression, pain and other treatable conditions that cause cognitive symptoms.
Transforming agriculture from carbon source to sink
The food system is one of the most significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions on the planet, making the reduction of emissions in this sector a priority for policymakers around the world. Researchers explored the potential of carbon sequestration on farmland to combat climate change, offering insights into economic effects as well as its climate change mitigation potential.
New insights into intellectual disability genetics emerge
Researchers have published a pivotal study that sheds light on a novel genetic variant associated with intellectual capacities and educational outcomes. This discovery offers new insights into intellectual disability diagnostics and potential therapeutic avenues.
Leading scientists redefine 'sustainability' to save the ocean and feed a hungry and warming planet
Top ocean experts have published a report that redefines the concept of 'sustainable fishing' and proposes 11 'golden rules' that radically challenge the flawed approach that currently prevails in fisheries management.
Experts discover the deadly genetics of cholera, which could be key to its prevention
Experts have used a cutting-edge computational approach to discover the genetic factors that make the bacteria behind cholera so dangerous -- which could be key to preventing this deadly disease. The innovative research combines machine learning, genomics, genome-scale metabolic modelling (GSMM), and 3D structural analysis to uncover the genetic secrets of Vibrio cholerae -- the bacteria behind cholera.
Most new recessive developmental disorder diagnoses lie within known genes
Researchers assessed the role of recessive genetic variants in developmental disorders, suggesting reanalysis of genetic data could improve understanding and diagnosis of conditions for millions of families worldwide.
Compact 'gene scissor' enables effective genome editing
CRISPR-Cas is used broadly in research and medicine to edit, insert, delete or regulate genes in organisms. TnpB is an ancestor of this well-known 'gene scissor' but is much smaller and thus easier to transport into cells. Using protein engineering and AI algorithms, researchers have now enhanced TnpB capabilities to make DNA editing more efficient and versatile, paving the way for treating a genetic defect for high cholesterol in the future.
All-night lights change the behavior of fish, even into the next generation
Scientists have shown that light pollution -- especially light in the blue spectrum -- can alter the behavior of fish after only a few nights, and have knock-on effects for their offspring.
Yet another reason why you should sleep on it before making an important decision
Conventional wisdom holds that people are easily seduced by first impressions, and there's solid scientific evidence that initial snap judgements are hard to shake -- even when they turn out to be inaccurate. But according to a new study, sleeping on it can help us avoid judging a book solely by its cover.
Human urine could be used as eco-friendly crop fertilizer
Bacterial communities in soil are as resilient to human urine as synthetic fertilizers -- making recycling the bodily fluid as a fertilizer for agricultural crops a viable proposition.
Bringing lost proteins back home
A new method for relocating proteins that have been misplaced in cells could mean new treatments for cancers and neurodegeneration.
Better than blood tests? Nanoparticle potential found for assessing kidneys
Researchers found that X-rays of the kidneys using gold nanoparticles as a contrast agent might be more accurate in detecting kidney disease than standard laboratory blood tests.