Store-bought milkweed plants can expose monarch caterpillars to harmful pesticides
Milkweed plants purchased at retail nurseries across the United States were contaminated with pesticides harmful to monarch caterpillars that rely on milkweed, a study led by researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno found. Every plant sampled was contaminated, even those that were labeled friendly to wildlife.
Breakthrough reported in machine learning-enhanced quantum chemistry
In a new study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers from Los Alamos National Laboratory have proposed incorporating more of the mathematics of quantum mechanics into the structure of the machine learning predictions. Using the specific positions of atoms within a molecule, the machine learning model predicts an effective Hamiltonian matrix, which describes the...
Nanorattles shake up new possibilities for disease detection
Researchers at Duke University have developed a unique type of nanoparticle called a "nanorattle" that greatly enhances light emitted from within its outer shell.
Early warning system for environmental changes: New animal tags with cameras and AI complete maiden flight
How can a vulture in a Berlin Zoo help its conspecifics and their habitats in Namibia? Perhaps it can serve as a model and patron for a new generation of animal tags.
Biologists glean insight into repetitive protein sequences
About 70% of all human proteins include at least one sequence consisting of a single amino acid repeated many times, with a few other amino acids sprinkled in. These "low-complexity regions" are also found in most other organisms.
Study quantifies impact of human activity on Atlantic Rainforest's carbon storage capacity
The countless benefits of native forests include the capacity of tree biomass to store large amounts of carbon, which can counterbalance greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. A paper published in the journal Science Advances reports on an innovative analysis of a large dataset designed to clarify the concept of carbon sequestration, a strategic issue in the discussion of global climate...
Millions of farmers put their faith in God when making decisions
A widespread belief among millions of smallholder farmers in one of the world's poorest countries is that God determines their yields. This is shown by a study from the University of Copenhagen that has examined the correlation between religiosity and economic decisions. The finding can contribute to an understanding of the mechanisms behind unproductive agriculture in developing countries—one...
'Glass bubble' nanocarrier boosts effects of combination therapy for pancreatic cancer
Over the past 30 years, progress in early detection and treatment of cancer has helped reduce the overall death rate by more than 30%. Pancreatic cancer, however, has remained difficult to treat. Only 1 in 9 people survive five years after diagnosis, in part because this cancer is protected by biological factors that help it resist treatment.
Bats' midnight snacks reveal clues for managing endangered species
How do we bring threatened and endangered animals back from the brink? The task is never easy or simple, but one thing is undeniably true: If we don't understand these animals and what they need to survive, we have little chance of success.
Interviewers show racial bias when reporting survey respondents' political knowledge
Whether Black people's political knowledge is accurately reported in survey research depends on the race and skin tone of the interviewer conducting the assessment, according to a new study co-authored by a Georgia State University researcher.
Recruiting male allies boosts women at work
When women and men raise their voices together in the workplace, managers are more likely to support gender equity issues, such as equal pay for equal work. That's the finding of a new paper from a researcher at The University of Texas at Austin.
Intriguing material property found in complex nanostructures could dissipate energy
Researchers from The University of Texas at Austin and North Carolina State University have discovered, for the first time, a unique property in complex nanostructures that has thus far only been found in simple nanostructures. Additionally, they have unraveled the internal mechanics of the materials that makes this property possible.
High-performance 937-nm laser lets scientists see deeper with lower power
Two-photon microscopy (2PM) plays a reliably efficient role in noninvasive deep-tissue imaging in biomedical investigation. Since the invention of the two-photon microscope at the end of the 20th century, there has been a steady flow of related research advancing 2PM—from fluorophores to imaging methods and applications—in the fields of biochemistry and medicine.
Building better quantum sensors
Usually, a defect in a diamond is a bad thing. But for engineers, miniscule blips in a diamond's otherwise stiff crystal structure are paving the way for ultrasensitive quantum sensors that push the limits of today's technologies. Now, researchers at the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) have developed a method to optimize these quantum sensors, which can...
Scientists have created a mathematical model for the dynamics of nanoparticles and viruses in cells
Physicists and mathematicians from the Ural Federal University (UrFU) have created a complex mathematical model that calculates the distribution of nanoparticles (in particular, viruses) in living cells. The mathematical model helps with finding how the nanoparticles cluster (merge into a single particle) inside cells, namely in cellular endosomes, which are responsible for sorting and...
Study outlines steps to reduce 'cybervetting' bias in hiring
A new paper on cybervetting says that organizations need to develop and implement clearly defined rules regarding how they use online information about job candidates. Failing to better regulate their use of cybervetting can introduce bias into an organization's hiring processes, invade the privacy of job seekers and ultimately hurt the organization's bottom line.
Researchers present new mathematical model for studying kidney cells
Research published ahead of print in the journal Function presents a new mathematical model using opossum kidney cells to study the endocytic capacity of proximal tubule cells in the kidneys.
Crops grown together cooperate better in just two generations
Growing multiple food crops together is a more sustainable farming practice mimicking highly productive wild plant communities. This process, known as intercropping, takes advantage of complementary features of different types of crops to maximize production and minimize the need for fertilizers and other environmentally harmful practices. For example, indigenous people in North America have long...
US presidential narcissism linked to longer wars
U.S. wars last longer under presidents who score high on a measure of narcissism, new research suggests.
A new method to print mirrors of variable size with a reflectivity of more than 99%
Dielectric mirrors, also referred to as Bragg mirrors, reflect light nearly completely. Hence, they are suited for various applications, such as camera systems and sensor systems for microscopy and medical technologies. So far, such mirrors have been produced by complex processes in expensive vacuum devices.
Researchers upgrade international nomenclature of landslide geometry
A common nomenclature of landslide geometry is the basis for describing and understanding landslides. A landslide is defined as the movement of rock, debris, or earth down a slope—a phenomenon in three-dimensions (3D) space. However, landslide geometry is currently defined in 2D space and does not effectively reveal the movement characteristics of landslides. Traditional nomenclature defines...
Universities can do more to support their students with disabilities
In recent decades, the number of university students with some kind of disability has been progressively increasing due to the more favorable social environment. Despite this progress, these students still face numerous challenges in the academic world.
New laser-based instrument designed to boost hydrogen research
Researchers have developed an analytical instrument that uses an ultrafast laser for precise temperature and concentration measurements of hydrogen. Their new approach could help advance the study of greener hydrogen-based fuels for use in spacecraft and airplanes.
Air quality warning as Oregon wildfire grows
A wildfire raging out of control in Oregon grew in size Tuesday as residents faced evacuation orders and worsening air quality as multiple blazes scorch the US West.
Researchers develop messenger RNA therapy for ovarian cancer, muscle wasting
Researchers at Oregon State University and Oregon Health & Science University have developed a promising, first-of-its-kind messenger RNA therapy for ovarian cancer as well as cachexia, a muscle-wasting condition associated with cancer and other chronic illnesses.