Scientists take next big step in understanding genetics of schizophrenia

Genetically speaking, we are individuals different from each other because of slight variations in our DNA sequences — so-called genetic variants — some of which have dramatic effects we can see and comprehend, from the color of our eyes to our risk for developing schizophrenia — a debilitating psychiatric condition…

Cars, chlamydia and canines are biggest koala killers

A database tracking hospital admissions and deaths reveals the devastating impact cars, disease and dogs are having on the South East Queensland koala population. Professor Joerg Henning and his colleagues at The University of Queensland School of Veterinary Science have analysed data from the UQ-developed KoalaBASE. “Car strikes, dog attacks…

Live updates: Russia’s war in Ukraine, Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin in Russia

US President Joe Biden meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Ukrainian presidential palace in Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 20. Ukrainian Presidential Press Office/Getty Images/File US President Joe Biden plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky next week around the UN General Assembly meetings, according to multiple officials…

Clever lapwings use cover to hide in plain sight

Ground-nesting birds called lapwings use the shape of their nests and surroundings to hide from predators, new research shows. Many ground-nesting species are in decline due to changes in land management and high populations of predators, such as foxes and crows. Conservation projects can fail because too many eggs and…

When it comes to starting a family, timing is everything

A new review of methods to increase chances of successful conception suggests that timed intercourse using urine ovulation tests probably improves live birth and pregnancy rates in women under 40 who had been trying to conceive for less than 12 months, compared to intercourse without ovulation prediction. The review, conducted…

Are US teenagers more likely than others to exaggerate their math abilities?

A major new study has revealed that American teenagers are more likely than any other nationality to brag about their math ability. Research using data from 40,000 15-year-olds from nine English-speaking nations internationally found those in North America were the most likely to exaggerate their mathematical knowledge, while those in…

Polar experiments reveal seasonal cycle in Antarctic sea ice algae

In the frigid waters surrounding Antarctica, an unusual seasonal cycle occurs. During winter, from March to October, the sun barely rises. As seawater freezes it rejects salts, creating pockets of extra-salty brine where microbes live in winter. In summer, the sea ice melts under constant daylight, producing warmer, fresher water…

New evidence indicates patients recall death experiences after cardiac arrest

Up to an hour after their hearts had stopped, some patients revived by cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) had clear memories afterward of experiencing death and had brain patterns while unconscious linked to thought and memory, report investigators in the journal Resuscitation, published by Elsevier. In a study led by researchers at…

Study decodes surprising approach mice take in learning

Neuroscience discoveries ranging from the nature of memory to treatments for disease have depended on reading the minds of mice, so researchers need to truly understand what the rodents’ behavior is telling them during experiments. In a new study that examines learning from reward, MIT researchers deciphered some initially mystifying…

New device rapidly controls postpartum hemorrhage

A study led by Columbia obstetricians has shown that a new intrauterine device can rapidly control postpartum hemorrhage, a major cause of severe maternal morbidity and death, in real-world situations. “Our findings show that the device is an important new tool in managing postpartum bleeding,” says Dena Goffman, MD, professor…

Snaps supersonic outflow of young star

Herbig-Haro (HH) objects are luminous regions surrounding newborn stars, formed when stellar winds or jets of gas spewing from these newborn stars form shock waves colliding with nearby gas and dust at high speeds. This image of HH 211 from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope reveals an outflow from a…

AI-driven tool makes it easy to personalize 3D-printable models

As 3D printers have become cheaper and more widely accessible, a rapidly growing community of novice makers are fabricating their own objects. To do this, many of these amateur artisans access free, open-source repositories of user-generated 3D models that they download and fabricate on their 3D printer. But adding custom…

Revolutionizing brain monitoring and stimulation with thin-film neural electrodes

Flexible thin-film electrodes placed directly on brain tissue show promise for the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy, as demonstrated recently by scientists at Tokyo Tech. Thanks to an innovative yet straightforward design, these durable electrodes accurately match the mechanical properties of brain tissue, leading to better performance during electrocorticography recordings…

Genetically modified bacteria break down plastics in saltwater

Researchers have genetically engineered a marine microorganism to break down plastic in salt water. Specifically, the modified organism can break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a plastic used in everything from water bottles to clothing that is a significant contributor to microplastic pollution in oceans. “This is exciting because we need…

Study explains why certain immunotherapies don’t always work as predicted

This block is broken or missing. You may be missing content or you might need to enable the original module. Cancer drugs known as checkpoint blockade inhibitors have proven effective for some cancer patients. These drugs work by taking the brakes off the body’s T cell response, stimulating those immune…