ScienceDaily: Featured - January 12, 2025
Featured research news
A fast-moving belly flop: Researchers unveil the unique skills of cricket frogs
The way cricket frogs move across the surface of water has long been thought to resemble walking on water, but researchers have now discovered a different reality.
'What is that?' Scientists explain white patch that appears near northern lights
A whitish, grey patch that sometimes appears in the night sky alongside the northern lights has now been explained.
Feeding your good gut bacteria through fiber in diet may boost body against infections
A new study has found that the composition of your gut microbiome helps predict how likely you are to succumb to potentially life-threatening infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae, E.coli and other bugs -- and it may be altered by changing your diet.
Magma composition may drive volcanic tremor
A new study based on the sampling and analysis of volcanic ash at Cumbre Vieja volcano in the Canary Islands, located off Africa's northwest coast, suggests that the composition of magma could drive tremors during volcanic eruptions. The findings highlight the potential of volcanic ash analysis as a monitoring and forecasting tool.
Cleopatra's sister remains missing
anthropologists have analyzed a skull that was found in the ruins of Ephesos (Turkey) in 1929. It was long speculated that it could be the remains of Arsino IV, the sister of the famous Cleopatra. However, the latest anthropological analyses show that the remains are those of a boy between the ages of 11 and 14 who suffered from pathological developmental disorders. His genes point to an origin in Italy or Sardinia.
Rapid return of water from ground to atmosphere through plants
A new study provides the first comprehensive global estimates of the amount of water stored in Earth's plants and the amount of time it takes for that water to flow through them. The information is a missing piece of the puzzle in understanding the global water cycle and how that cycle is being altered by changes in land use and climate.
Pet dogs often overlooked as spreader of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella
Antibiotic-resistant Salmonella is a serious public health concern that has increased in recent years as the bacteria have developed ways to survive drugs. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people can get Salmonella from eating contaminated food products or from infected people or animals -- typically via unintentional contact with feces via touching hands or stroking a pet. However, researchers have found that household dogs are an overlooked transmission point for zoonotic pathogens such as nontyphoidal Salmonella, which can cause diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps, with some infections potentially having life-threatening complications.
Disovery of new skeletal tissue advances regenerative medicine potential
An international research team has discovered a new type of skeletal tissue that offers great potential for advancing regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
Chimpanzees are genetically adapted to local habitats and infections such as malaria
Chimpanzees bear genetic adaptations that help them thrive in their different forest and savannah habitats, some of which may protect against malaria, according to a study by an international team.
Storing carbon in buildings could help address climate change
Construction materials such as concrete and plastic have the potential to lock away billions of tons of carbon dioxide, according to a new study by civil engineers and earth systems scientists. The study shows that combined with steps to decarbonize the economy, storing CO2 in buildings could help the world achieve goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A smart ring with a tiny camera lets users point and click to control home devices
Researchers have developed IRIS, a smart ring that allows users to point and click to control smart devices. The prototype Bluetooth ring contains a small camera which sends an image of the selected device to the user's phone. The user can control the device clicking a small button or -- for devices with gradient controls, such as a speaker's volume -- rotating the ring.
Electric fungi: The biobattery that needs to be fed
A battery that needs feeding instead of charging? This is exactly what researchers have achieved with their 3D-printed, biodegradable fungal battery. The living battery could supply power to sensors for agriculture or research in remote regions. Once the work is done, it digests itself from the inside.
Floods, droughts, then fires: Hydroclimate whiplash is speeding up globally
Hydroclimate whiplash -- rapid swings between intensely wet and dangerously dry weather -- has already increased globally due to climate change, with further large increases expected as warming continues, according to a team of researchers.
An earful of gill: Evolutionary origin of the mammalian outer ear
A recent study has uncovered the surprising evolutionary origin of the mammalian outer ear, linking it to the gills of ancient fish and marine invertebrates. The research reveals that both structures are composed of elastic cartilage and shares gene control elements that hint at their connection. This finding sheds new light on the evolution of the mammalian ear, highlighting how structures can transform over time to serve new functions.
The extreme teeth of sabre-toothed predators were 'optimal' for biting into prey
Sabre-toothed predators -- best know from the infamous Smilodon -- evolved multiple times across different mammal groups. A new study reveals why: these teeth were 'functionally optimal' and highly effective at puncturing prey.
Why do birds make so many different sounds? A study gets at the underlying factors
Researchers conducted a global study of the factors that influence bird sounds, using more than 100,000 audio recordings from around the world.
Rethinking population management in zoos
Until now, contraception has been the method of choice for zoos to avoid surplus animals. Researchers are now calling for a paradigm shift: zoos could preserve their breeding populations, raise awareness of conservation challenges and improve animal welfare and their carbon footprint by allowing animals to reproduce naturally and culling surplus animals.
Electrohydraulic wearable devices create unprecedented haptic sensations
Scientists have invented compact wearable devices that deliver rich, expressive, and pleasant tactile sensations that go far beyond the buzzing vibrations of today's consumer devices.
An academic has used drone mapping to investigate a 3000-year-old 'mega fortress' in the Caucasus mountains, revealing details that re-shape understanding of the site and contribute to a global reassessment of ancient settlement growth and urbanism.
Evolutionary biology: Ants can hold a grudge
Evolutionary biologists are investigating the extent to which ants learn from past experiences. After being attacked by ants from a particular nest, ants behave more aggressively towards others from that same nest.
How deep sleep clears a mouse's mind, literally
A good night's sleep does more than just help you feel rested--it might literally clear your mind. A new study shows how deep sleep may wash away waste buildup in the brain during waking hours, an essential process for maintaining brain health. The findings also offer insights into how sleep aids may disrupt the 'brainwashing' system, potentially affecting cognitive function in the long run.
Human 'domainome' reveals root cause of heritable disease
Unstable proteins are the main drivers of many different heritable diseases, according to a new study, including genetic disorders responsible for the formation of cataracts, and different types of rare neurological, developmental and muscle-wasting diseases. Unstable proteins are more likely to misfold and degrade, causing them to stop working or accumulate in harmful amounts inside cells.
Discovery of new class of particles could take quantum mechanics one step further
In a study, physicists now observed a class of quantum particles called fractional excitons, which behave in unexpected ways and could significantly expand scientists' understanding of the quantum realm.
New AI predicts inner workings of cells
In the same way that ChatGPT understands human language, a new AI model developed by computational biologists captures the language of cells to accurately predict their activities.
Discovery of 'Punk' and 'Emo' fossils challenges our understanding of ancient molluscs
Researchers have unearthed two fossils, named Punk and Emo, revealing that ancient molluscs were more complex and adaptable than previously known.
Tiny microbe colonies communicate to coordinate their behavior
A new study reveals evidence of electrical signaling and coordinated behavior in choanoflagellates, the closest living relatives of animals. This elaborate example of cell communication offers key insights into the early evolution of animal multicellularity and nervous systems.
A newly described dinosaur whose fossils were recently uncovered is challenging the existing narrative, with evidence that the reptiles were present in the northern hemisphere millions of years earlier than previously known.
Morning coffee may protect the heart better than all-day coffee drinking
People who drink coffee in the morning have a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease and a lower overall mortality risk compared to all-day coffee drinkers, according to new research.
Earth's air war: Explaining the delayed rise of plants, animals on land
If you like the smell of spring roses, the sounds of summer birdsong, and the colors of fall foliage, you have the stabilization of the ozone layer to thank for it. Located in the stratosphere, where it shields the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation, the ozone layer plays a key role in preserving the planet's biodiversity. And now we may have a better idea of why that took so long -- more than 2 billion years -- to happen. According to a new study, Earth's early atmosphere hosted a 'battle royale' between iodine and oxygen -- effectively delaying the creation of a stable ozone layer that would shield complex life from much of the sun's ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The new theory may solve a mystery that has puzzled scientists for hundreds of years.
Pluto-Charon formation scenario mimics Earth-Moon system
A researcher has used advanced models that indicate that the formation of Pluto and Charon may parallel that of the Earth-Moon system. Both systems include a moon that is a large fraction of the size of the main body, unlike other moons in the solar system. The scenario also could support Pluto's active geology and possible subsurface ocean, despite its location at the frozen edge of the solar system.
Exploring the eco-friendly future of antibiotic particles
Goji berries are a ubiquitous superfood known for a multitude of health benefits, including their antibiotic properties. Researchers have now found an effective way to harvest silver nanoparticles from these berries. They created the nanoparticles by drying, grinding, and then filtering the goji berries to create an extract. Then, they added chemical silver nitrate (AgNO3) and reduced the solution. The silver nanoparticles were confirmed using visualization techniques and tested for their antimicrobial activity.
Drug-resistant hookworms put pets and people at risk
Canine hookworms are becoming increasingly resistant to drugs across Australia, according to new research. Scientists have identified widespread resistance to benzimidazole-based dewormers which are commonly used to treat gastrointestinal parasites in dogs.
AI slashes cost and time for chip design, but that is not all
Researchers have harnessed artificial intelligence to take a key step toward slashing the time and cost of designing new wireless chips and discovering new functionalities to meet expanding demands for better wireless speed and performance.
Microplastics widespread in seafood people eat
The tiny particles that shed from clothing, packaging and other plastic products are winding up in the fish that people eat, highlighting a need for technologies and strategies to reduce microfiber pollution entering the environment.
Beyond the 'Dragon Arc', a treasure trove of unseen stars
Taking advantage of a cosmic 'double lens,' astronomers resolved more than 40 individual stars in a galaxy so far away its light dates back to when the universe was only half its present age.
Lead pollution likely caused widespread IQ declines in ancient Rome, new study finds
Lead exposure is responsible for a range of human health impacts, with even relatively low levels impacting the cognitive development of children. Scientists have previously used atmospheric pollution records preserved in Arctic ice cores to identify periods of lead pollution throughout the Roman Empire, and now new research expands on this finding to identify how this pollution may have affected the European population.
Physicists explain a stellar stream's distinctive features
Physicists have proposed a solution to a long-standing puzzle surrounding the GD-1 stellar stream, one of the most well-studied streams within the galactic halo of the Milky Way.
Climate change is accelerating forest defoliation by helping invasive species spread
Computer models predict that hotter, drier conditions in North America will limit the growth of a fungus that normally curbs the spread of the spongy moth, an invasive species that has caused millions of dollars in damage to forests.
U.S. Corn Belt: Intensive farming and shallow groundwater affect precipitation patterns
New research shows that the sweeping land use changes and irrigation of the U.S. Corn Belt, along with the influence of the area's shallow groundwater, have significantly altered precipitation patterns in that vital agricultural region.
'Sandwich carers' experience decline in mental and physical health
People who care for both their children and older family members -- also known as 'sandwich carers' -- suffer from deterioration in both their mental and physical health over time, finds a new study.
Climate extremes in 2024 'wreaking havoc' on the global water cycle
2024 was another year of record-breaking temperatures, driving the global water cycle to new climate extremes and contributing to ferocious floods and crippling droughts, a new report shows. The report found rising temperatures are changing the way water moves around the planet, 'wreaking havoc' on the water cycle.
Floods linked to rise in US deaths from several major causes
Over the last 20 years, large floods were associated with up to 24.9 percent higher death rates from major mortality causes in the U.S. compared to normal conditions. A new study demonstrates the sweeping and hidden effects of floods --including floods unrelated to hurricanes, such as those due to heavy rain, snowmelt, or ice jams.
Citizen science reveals that Jupiter's colorful clouds are not made of ammonia ice
Collaborative work by amateur and professional astronomers has helped to resolve a long-standing misunderstanding about the composition of Jupiter's clouds. Instead of being formed of ammonia ice -- the conventional view -- it now appears they are likely to be composed of ammonium hydrosulphide mixed with smog.
Tuberculosis strains resistant to new drugs are transmitted between patients
Tuberculosis (TB) is the world's biggest infectious disease killer with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) posing a particular threat to global health. A study shows that resistance to the new MDR-TB treatment regimen recently recommended by the World Health Organization is already spreading between patients.
Tiny plants reveal big potential for boosting crop efficiency
Scientists have long sought ways to help plants turn more carbon dioxide (CO2) into biomass, which could boost crop yields and even combat climate change. Recent research suggests that a group of unique, often overlooked plants called hornworts may hold the key.
Non-opioid pain relievers beat opioids after dental surgery
Researchers find an over-the-counter combo is more effective for wisdom tooth extraction pain.
Hornwort genomes provide clues on how plants conquered the land
Over 450 million years ago, plants began the epic transition from water to dry land. Among the first pioneers were the ancestors of humble hornworts, a group of small, unassuming plants that have persisted to this day. New research reveals insights into the genetic blueprints of hornworts, uncovering fascinating details about plant evolution and the early days of life on land.