Unveiling the mechanism of 3D folding of cell sheets

The artist in nature creates wonders of geometric patterns, as can be seen in the wings of Drosophila fruit flies just after emerging from their pupal case, which is known as eclosion. They meticulously fold into stereotypic shapes, just like in the paper-folding art of origami, invented from humanity’s innate…

Encouraging new prospects for the treatment of consciousness disorders

An international study led by the Coma Science Group of the University of Liège (BE) and involving more than ten institutions has tested transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on a large number of patients suffering from consciousness disorders following severe brain injury. These results represent a significant advance in how…

Switching from harmful to helpful fungi

Mold and diseases caused by fungi can greatly impact the shelf life of fruit and vegetables. However, some fungi benefit their hosts by aiding plant survival. Colletotrichum tofieldiae (Ct) is a root mold which typically supports continued plant development even when the plant is starved of phosphorus, an important nutrient…

‘Super-enhancer’ super-charges pancreatic tumor growth

Salk scientists identified new set of molecules that drive the growth of human pancreatic cancer cell lines, explaining how genetic mutations can activate genetic “super-enhancers” that promote out-of-control pancreatic cancer growth. They show the efficacy of an experimental drug that targets a super-enhancer related protein, demonstrating the promise of therapeutics…

Agriculture study delivers unexpected results: Cover crops and roots

Farmers usually plant so-called cover crops after harvesting their main crop in the Fall. This prevents erosion of the soil and nutrient leaching. The roots of these crops also stabilize the structure of the soil. It had been assumed up to now that a mixture of different cover crops would…

Rubber plumbing seals can leak additives into drinking water

As drinking water flows through pipes and into a glass, it runs against the rubber seals inside some plumbing devices. These parts contain additives that contribute to their flexibility and durability, but these potentially harmful compounds can leak into drinking water, according to a small-scale study in ACS’ Environmental Science…

Researchers to study Alzheimer’s disease in marmosets

To reimagine existing preclinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine neuroscientists created the first non-human primate model of hereditary Alzheimer’s in marmoset monkeys, outlining their approach in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions. Researchers are now working on characterizing and validating genetic, molecular, functional…

Pressure in the biliary system leads to tissue changes in the liver

The liver produces bile, which the intestine uses for digestion. For the transport of bile, the liver relies on a network of microscopic tubings, known as bile canaliculi, formed by liver cells called hepatocytes. When the outflow of bile to the intestine is blocked, it collects in the liver and…

How pulsating pumping can lead to energy savings

Pumping liquids may seem like a solved problem but optimizing the process is still an area of active research. Any pumping application — from industrial scales to heating systems at home — would benefit from a reduction in energy demands. Researchers at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA)…

Furthest ever detection of a galaxy’s magnetic field

Using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), astronomers have detected the magnetic field of a galaxy so far away that its light has taken more than 11 billion years to reach us: we see it as it was when the Universe was just 2.5 billion years old. The result provides…

Live updates: Russia’s war in Ukraine

US officials are urging North Korea to cease any arms negotiations with Russia amid reports that Kim Jong Un may meet with Vladimir Putin to discuss a potential deal to supply Moscow with weapons for its war in Ukraine. Follow here for live updates. Source link

Water-quality risks linked more to social factors than money

When we determine which communities are more likely to get their water from contaminated supplies, median household income is not the best measure. That’s according to a recent study led by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin that found social factors — such as low population density, high…

Vast bubble of galaxies discovered, given Hawaiian name

A University of Hawaiʻi-led discovery of an immense bubble 820 million light years from Earth is believed to be a fossil-like remnant of the birth of the universe. Astronomer Brent Tully from the UH Institute for Astronomy and his team unexpectedly found the bubble within a web of galaxies. The…

Fossil spines reveal deep sea’s past

Right at the bottom of the deep sea, the first very simple forms of life on earth probably emerged a long time ago. Today, the deep sea is known for its bizarre fauna. Intensive research is being conducted into how the number of species living on the sea floor have…

Balancing biodiversity, climate change, food for a trifecta

Across the globe, and particularly in Brazil, lies an embarrassment of riches that also stage a showdown as mitigating climate change and protecting biodiversity square off against growing food. In this week’s Science of the Total Environment, scientists from and once affiliated with Michigan State University’s Center for Systems Integration…

Human shoulders and elbows first evolved as brakes for climbing apes

The rotating shoulders and extending elbows that allow humans to reach for a high shelf or toss a ball with friends may have first evolved as a natural braking system for our primate ancestors who simply needed to get out of trees without dying. Dartmouth researchers report in the journal…

Disparities in who dwells behind crumbling US levees

In the United States, tens of millions of people live behind levees, but historically disadvantaged groups are more likely to live behind subpar levees and have fewer resources to maintain critical levee infrastructure, a new study reveals. The study is the first to quantify the national disparity of disadvantaged communities…

New cause of Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia

Researchers have discovered a new avenue of cell death in Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. A new study, led by scientists at Oregon Health & Science University and published online in the journal Annals of Neurology on Aug. 21, reveals for the first time that a form of cell death…

Making plant-based meat more ‘meaty’ — with fermented onions

Plant-based alternatives such as tempeh and bean burgers provide protein-rich options for those who want to reduce their meat consumption. However, replicating meat’s flavors and aromas has proven challenging, with companies often relying on synthetic additives. A recent study in ACS’ Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry unveils a potential…

‘Gates of Heaven’ calcium channel drives oral cancer pain and growth

An essential protein that acts as a gatekeeper for calcium entering cells promotes the growth of oral cancer and generates pain, according to a new study published in Science Signaling led by researchers at NYU College of Dentistry. Targeting this protein — the ORAI1 calcium channel — could provide a…

Researchers use AI to find new magnetic materials without critical elements

A team of scientists from Ames National Laboratory developed a new machine learning model for discovering critical-element-free permanent magnet materials. The model predicts the Curie temperature of new material combinations. It is an important first step in using artificial intelligence to predict new permanent magnet materials. This model adds to…

New research sheds light on origins of social behaviors

Male fruit flies don’t usually like each other. Socially, they reject their fellow males and zero in on the females they discern via chemical receptors — or so scientists thought. New research from Cornell University biologists suggests the fruit fly’s visual system, not just chemical receptors, are deeply involved with…