The capsid of the virus-derived retrotransposon Copia, a parasitic genome element, mediates synaptic plasticity at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction

Researchers tempted grazing cattle with sweet molasses feed to discover whether cows would roam far and wide to graze or stick close to the herd, water supplies and feed stations. The findings by animal scientists at the University of California, Davis, and published in the journal Scientific Reports, offer a low-cost way for ranchers and others to identify the best cows for their landscapes to optimize grazing while meeting the nutritional needs of cattle.  This is the third in a series of papers about research seeking to better understand the grazing personalities of cattle. The first studies ...

MONTRÉAL and VARENNES, QC, Feb. 18, 2025 /CNW/ - Professor Fabio Boschini is among the 126 recipients announced today by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation in seven fields. Sloan Fellowships support outstanding early-career scientists who demonstrate creativity, ambition, and dedication to advance discovery. These rising stars of research come from American and Canadian schools and are definitely names to watch. Many Sloan Fellows have gone on to become Nobel prize winners.   INRS Professor Fabio Boschini has just received a prestigious ...

University of Queensland researchers have for the first time introduced genetic material into plants via their roots, opening a potential pathway for rapid crop improvement. Professor Bernard Carroll from UQ’s School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences said nanoparticle technology could help fine-tune plant genes to increase crop yield and improve food quality. “Traditional plant breeding and genetic modification take many generations to produce a new crop variety, which is time-consuming and expensive,” Professor Carroll said. “We have succeeded in having plant roots absorb a benign nanoparticle which ...

DALLAS, Feb. 18, 2025 — Five regions in the U.S. have been selected to implement a new preventive health initiative to improve care for people with a cluster of chronic conditions known as cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome. Through the initiative the American Heart Association, devoted to changing the future to a world of healthier lives for all, aims to increase awareness and screening for CKM syndrome and facilitate collaboration among health care professionals. CKM syndrome is a clinical term that describes the combined health effects of heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and obesity, which puts people at high risk for heart ...

Accurate assessment of the land surface damage (such as small-scale fracturing and inelastic deformation) from two major earthquakes in 2023 can help scientists assess future earthquake hazards and therefore minimize risk to people and infrastructure. However, attaining precise extensive measurements in earthquake zones remains challenging. The two earthquakes that struck on 6 February 2023 were devastating: they were of magnitude 7.8 and 7.6 and occurred in quick succession near the border between Syria and Turkey. They caused widespread infrastructure destruction and resulted in tens of thousands of deaths across multiple provinces. Using ...

About The Study: This cross-sectional study found a statistically significant increase in abortions for Colorado residents in association with the implementation of Texas SB8. This aligns with reports from area clinicians who experienced dramatic increases in patient demand after SB8, also reported by the media, resulting in delayed appointments for everyone. Corresponding author: To contact the corresponding author, Kelly A. DeBie, J.D., email kelly.debie@colostate.edu. To access the embargoed study: Visit our For ...

About The Study: In this survey study, disparities in tobacco use existed across cumulative disabilities. Despite declines in tobacco use over time, differences in use across cumulative disabilities persisted or worsened, especially among those with 3 or more disabilities. Targeted prevention, screening, and cessation efforts inclusive of multiple products are needed. Corresponding author: To contact the corresponding author, Michael J. Parks, Ph.D., email Michael.parks@nih.gov. To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/  (doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.60471) Editor’s ...

An innovative circuit design could enable miniature devices, such as microdrones and other microrobotics, to be powered for longer periods of time while staying lightweight and compact. Researchers from the University of California San Diego and CEA-Leti developed a novel self-sustaining circuit configuration—featuring miniaturized solid-state batteries—that combines high energy density with an ultra lightweight design.  The results will be presented at the 2025 IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC), which will take place from Feb. 16 to 20 in San Francisco.  One important application envisioned for microdrones is ...

OAK BROOK, Ill. – Different sociodemographic groups, especially racial and ethnic minorities, are less likely to receive timely breast cancer diagnostic services after an abnormal screening mammogram, according to a study published today in Radiology, a journal of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Routine yearly screening mammography is an important first step in the early diagnosis of breast cancer. When a screening mammogram comes back as abnormal, additional imaging and image-guided biopsy may be necessary to diagnose breast cancer. When it is caught early enough, before symptoms are present, breast cancer can be easier to treat and significantly ...

OAK BROOK, Ill. – Research scientists in Switzerland have developed and tested a robust AI model that automatically segments major anatomic structures in MRI images, independent of sequence, according to a new study published today in Radiology, a journal of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). In the study, the model outperformed other publicly available tools. MRI provides detailed images of the human body and is essential for diagnosing various medical conditions, from neurological disorders to musculoskeletal injuries. For in-depth interpretation of MRI images, the organs, muscles and bones in the images are outlined ...