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596 articles from ScienceDaily
Machine learning helps scientists identify the environmental preferences of microbes
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/28 21:36
A machine-learning approach can give scientists insight into the environmental preferences of microbes, based only on their genes. The approach has practical research implications: it could help researchers more efficiently grow bacteria in the laboratory. It could also lead to smarter use of microbes in agriculture, ecological restoration, and even probiotics.
Previously unknown intercellular electricity may power biology
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/28 21:36
Researchers have discovered that the electrical fields and activity that exist through a cell's membrane also exist within and around another type of cellular structure called biological condensates. Like oil droplets floating in water, these structures exist because of differences in density. Their foundational discovery could change the way researchers think about biological chemistry. It could...
New research redefines mammalian tree of life
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/28 21:36
Scientists from around the globe are using the largest mammalian genomic dataset in history to determine the evolutionary history of the human genome in the context of mammalian evolutionary history. Their ultimate goal is to better identify the genetic basis for traits and diseases in people and other species.
Deep-learning system explores materials' interiors from the outside
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/28 19:08
A machine-learning method detects internal structures, voids, and cracks inside a material, based on data about the material's surface.
Mushrooms and their post-rain, electrical conversations
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/28 19:08
Certain types of fungi can communicate with each other via electrical signals. But much remains unknown about how and when they do so. A group of researchers recently headed to the forest to measure the electrical signals of Laccaria bicolor mushrooms, finding that their electrical signals increased following rainfall.
Artificial photosynthesis for environmentally friendly food production
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/28 19:08
Ensuring the supply of food to the constantly growing world population and protecting the environment at the same time are often conflicting objectives. Now researchers have successfully developed a method for the synthetic manufacture of a nutritional protein using a type of artificial photosynthesis. The animal feed industry is the primary driver of high demand for large volumes of this...
Are the least social animals the most innovative?
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/28 19:08
Innovating, i.e. the ability to find solutions to new problems or innovative solutions to known problems, it provides crucial benefits for the adaptation and the survival of human beings as well as for animals. What are the characteristics that make specific species or animals to be innovative? A study has analyzed this cognitive skill in ungulates, a group of mammals such as dromedaries, horses...
Structured exploration allows biological brains to learn faster than AI
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/28 19:07
Neuroscientists have uncovered how exploratory actions enable animals to learn their spatial environment more efficiently. Their findings could help build better AI agents that can learn faster and require less experience.
Engineers 'grow' atomically thin transistors on top of computer chips
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/28 19:07
A new method enables 2D-material semiconductor transistors to be directly integrated onto a fully fabricated 8-inch silicon wafer, which could enable a new generation of transistor technology, denser device integration, new circuit architectures, and more powerful chips.
Astronomers detect 'nearby' black hole devouring a star
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/28 19:07
MIT astronomers have discovered a new 'tidal disruption event,' in which the center of a galaxy lights up as its supermassive black hole rips apart a passing star. The outburst is the closest tidal disruption event observed to date, and one of the first to be identified at infrared wavelengths.
Ecosystem evolution in Africa
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/28 19:07
New research pushes back the oldest evidence of C4 grass-dominated habitats in Africa -- and globally -- by more than 10 million years, with important implications for primate evolution and the origins of tropical C4 grasslands and savanna ecosystems across the African continent and around the world.
Scientists identify antivirals that could combat emerging infectious diseases
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/28 19:07
A new study has identified potential broad-spectrum antiviral agents that can target multiple families of RNA viruses that continue to pose a significant threat for future pandemics.
Study finds ChatGTP outperforms physicians in providing high-quality, empathetic advice to patient questions
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/28 19:07
A new study provides an early glimpse into the role that AI assistants could play in medicine. The research compared written responses from physicians with those from ChatGPT to real-world health questions. A panel of licensed healthcare professionals preferred ChatGPT's responses 79% of the time.
Superflare with massive, high-velocity prominence eruption
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/28 04:32
A team of Japanese astronomers used simultaneous ground-based and space-based observations to capture a more complete picture of a superflare on a star. The observed flare started with a very massive, high-velocity prominence eruption. These results give us a better idea of how superflares and stellar prominence eruptions occur.
THURSDAY 27. APRIL 2023
Plastic particles themselves, not just chemical additives, can alter sex hormones
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/27 23:36
A new study used a pioneering technique to deliver endocrine-disrupting aerosolized micro-nano-plastics to female lab rats.
The reasons why insect numbers are decreasing
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/27 23:36
Researchers are investigating the causes and consequences of the worldwide insect decline as well as considering potential countermeasures.
Highly dexterous robot hand can operate in the dark -- just like us
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/27 23:35
Researchers demonstrated a highly dexterous robot hand, one that combines an advanced sense of touch with motor learning algorithms in order to achieve a high level of dexterity. In addition, the hand worked without any external cameras -- it's immune to lighting, occlusion, or similar issues. Because the hand doesn't rely on vision to manipulate objects, it can do so in difficult lighting...
New test reveals existing antibiotics, hiding in plain sight on pharmacy shelves, can treat superbugs
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/27 23:35
A new test revealed that FDA-approved antibiotics -- available at your neighborhood pharmacy -- can effectively treat superbugs. They are not prescribed, however, because the gold-standard test predicts they will not work. The new test may improve the way antibiotics are developed, tested and prescribed -- and it is openly available to all.
Potential breakthrough in Type 1 diabetes treatment
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/27 23:35
Scientists identified three biomaterial formulations that could help develop a more sustainable, long-term, self-regulating way to treat Type 1 diabetes using a new screening technique that involves tagging each biomaterial formulation in a library of hundreds with a unique 'barcode.'
The future is foggy for Arctic shipping
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/27 23:35
As the Arctic warms and loses sea ice, trans-Arctic shipping has increased, reducing travel time and costs for international trade. However, a new study finds that the Arctic Ocean is getting foggier as ice disappears, reducing visibility and causing costly delays as ships slow to avoid hitting dangerous sea ice.
Mental imagery a helpful way to distract teens from negative thought patterns
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/27 23:35
For adolescents who may get stuck in negative thought spirals, refocusing on mental imagery is a more effective distraction than verbal thoughts.
Scientists slow aging by engineering longevity in cells
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/27 23:34
Researchers have developed a biosynthetic 'clock' that keeps cells from reaching normal levels of deterioration related to aging. They engineered a gene oscillator that switches between the two normal paths of aging, slowing cell degeneration and setting a record for life extension.
Genomes from 240 mammal species explain human disease risks
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/27 23:34
Why is it that certain mammals have an exceptional sense of smell, some hibernate, and yet others, including humans, are predisposed to disease? A major international research project has surveyed and analyzed the genomes of 240 different mammals. The results show how the genomes of humans and other mammals have developed over the course of evolution. The research shows which regions have...
One famous dog and a powerful new approach for understanding biology and evolutionary history
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/27 23:34
Ever since scientists first read the complete genetic codes of creatures like fruit flies and humans more than two decades ago, the field of genomics has promised major leaps forward in understanding basic questions in biology. Two recent articles break new ground by showing how much valuable information can be found in genomes of a single species, such as endangered orcas, or even in the DNA of...
Pulling the plug on viral infections: CRISPR isn't just about cutting
- ScienceDaily
- 23/4/27 23:34
CRISPR claimed scientific fame for its ability to quickly and accurately edit genes. But, at the core, CRISPR systems are immune systems that help bacteria protect themselves from viruses. A new study reveals a previously unrecognized player in one such system -- a membrane protein that enhances anti-viral defense. According to study authors, the finding upends the idea that CRISPR systems mount...