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Breakthrough in benzofuran synthesis: New method enables complex molecule creation
Science

Breakthrough in benzofuran synthesis: New method enables complex molecule creation

In the field of organic chemistry, scientists are always looking out for new types of reactions to unlock synthesis routes for challenging compounds. Most of the progress that we have witnessed in pharmaceutics and agrochemicals over the past few decades can be traced back to the discovery of novel practical reaction pathways. Such pathways often involve the selective replacement of a functional group with another, the formation of aromatic rings, or the strategic cleaving of parts of a molecule. But what about the rearrangement of existing functional groups within a molecule? Also known as ‘substituent ...

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Exploring the interactions between baby marmosets and their caregivers
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Exploring the interactions between baby marmosets and their caregivers

The connection that infants form with their parents or caregivers is crucial for their cognitive, social, and emotional development. These attachments vary in quality, depending on how caregivers respond to the infant's needs. When caregivers are attentive, infants are likely to develop secure attachments. However, if caregivers neglect their needs, infants may develop insecurity, leading to challenges in emotional development and difficulty in forming healthy relationships later in life. To understand how parenting influences attachment formation and child development, researchers led by Associate Professor Atsuko ...

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Care home staff and residents need ‘family’ bonds to thrive

University of Leeds news Embargo: Tuesday 16 April, 2024, 10am UK time Care home staff and residents need ‘family’ bonds to thrive Care home residents receive much better care when they enjoy ‘family’ bonds with staff – but staff must be empowered to create these bonds, new research has found. The study, led by the University of Leeds and funded by The National Institute for Health and Care Research, found that when care home staffing is stable and consistent and numbers are sufficient, workers have the capacity to develop ‘familial’ ...

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Seed ferns: Plants experimented with complex leaf vein networks 201 million years ago
Science

Seed ferns: Plants experimented with complex leaf vein networks 201 million years ago

According to a research team led by palaeontologists from the University of Vienna, the net-like leaf veining typical for today’s flowering plants developed much earlier than previously thought, but died out again several times. Using new methods, the fossilised plant Furcula granulifer was identified as such an early forerunner. The leaves of this seed fern species already exhibited the net-like veining in the late Triassic (around 201 million years ago). The study was recently published in the journal New Phytologist. Mario Coiro and Leyla Seyfullah of the Department of Palaeontology at the University of ...

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Unraveling the role of DlBGAL9 and AGL61/80 in Longan somatic embryogenesis and heat stress tolerance: A multi-omics approach

A research team has unveiled 20 β-galactosidase (BGAL) genes within the longan genome, highlighting their crucial roles in embryogenic development and heat stress adaptation. Particularly, the research team spotlighted DlBGAL9, activated by transcription factors DlAGL61 and DlAGL80, as pivotal in enhancing β-galactosidase activity for cell wall thickening and stress response. These discoveries not only deepen our understanding of BGAL's function in plant development and stress mechanisms but also open pathways for agricultural innovations to improve crop resilience and productivity through genetic ...

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Can animals count?
Science

Can animals count?

HONG KONG (16 April 2024)—A groundbreaking discovery that appears to confirm the existence of discrete number sense in rats has been announced by a joint research team from City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). The findings offer a crucial animal model for investigating the neural basis of numerical ability and disability in humans, the Hong Kong-based researchers say. This innovative study deployed a numerical learning task, brain manipulation techniques and AI modelling to tackle an ongoing debate about whether rats can count, says Professor Yung Wing-ho, Chair Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at CityUHK, who ...

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Illuminating the path to hearing recovery
Science

Illuminating the path to hearing recovery

Professor Yunje Cho’s research team from the Department of Life Sciences at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH, Republic of Korea) has collaborated with Professor Kwang Pyo Kim’s group from the Department of Applied Chemistry at Kyung Hee University (KHU, ROK), Professor Vsevolod Katritch’s team from the University of Southern California (USC, USA), and Professor Carol V. Robinson from the University of Oxford (UK) to uncover the mysteries surrounding a specific receptor protein associated with hearing. Their findings have recently been published in the online edition of Nature Structural & Molecular Biology. Deep ...

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Unlocking the secrets of fruit quality: How anthocyanins and acidity shape consumer preferences and market value

A research team reviews the critical relationship between the accumulation of anthocyanins and organic acids in fruits, highlighting how these factors influence fruit color and consumer appeal through changes in vacuolar pH. The analysis focused on the transcription factors (TFs) responsible for the co-regulation of genes affecting these quality traits, aiming to enhance fruit marketability. By establishing a genetic link and identifying the regulatory mechanisms involved, the team provides a roadmap for breeders to target specific traits for modification. Although progress has been made, the review underlines the ...

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Revolutionizing Citrus cultivation: The superior tolerance and growth vigor of 'Shuzhen No.1' rootstock

Citrus is the world’s most economically significant fruit crop, but it faces various environmental adversities that restrict its distribution. Grafting is a crucial factor in enhancing citrus productivity. Current research focuses on selecting genetically uniform rootstocks, such as trifoliate orange for its disease resistance. However, issues such as sensitivity to alkalinity and incompatibility with certain cultivars persist. Addressing these challenges, a study (DOI: 10.48130/frures-0023-0042) published in Fruit Research on 01 February 2024, introduces 'Shuzhen No.1', a novel rootstock ...

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Family and media pressure to lose weight in adolescence linked to how people value themselves almost two decades later

People who as teenagers felt pressure to lose weight from family or from the media, females, people who are not heterosexual, and people experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage, are most at risk of ‘internalised’ weight stigma, new research led by the University of Bristol has found. The study is published in The Lancet Regional Health Europe today [15 April]. ‘Internalised’ weight stigma, is when people apply negative obesity-related stereotypes to themselves, such as thinking they are less attractive, less competent, or less valuable as a person because of their weight. This is the first time a study has used a large UK sample to examine who is most at risk. In ...

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Despite the desire to reduce the risk of imitation, new research suggests startups should scale slowly and steadily

A new study published in the Strategic Management Journal cautions startups against prioritizing early scaling, as it’s positively associated with a higher rate of firm failure — especially for platform companies. Although managers could see the potential benefits of scaling as a way to prevent competitor imitation, scaling early can also prematurely curtail learning through experimentation and committing to a business idea that lacks product-market fit. Although a few high-growth startups such as Facebook and Uber made their fortunes by scaling early — also known as “blitzscaling” — study authors Saerom (Ronnie) Lee and ...

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New study shows corporate misconduct at home hurts sales overseas

New research in the Global Strategy Journal has bad news for companies struggling with corruption, discrimination, or sweatshops in their supply chain: corporate misconduct demonstrably hurts international sales. Consumers and investors increasingly read about unethical business practices globally and demonstrate their displeasure locally. “Socially irresponsible acts transcend geographic boundaries and negatively affect foreign subsidiary performance,” said Nuruzzaman Nuruzzaman of the University of Manchester, one of the study’s ...

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UNC-Chapel Hill researchers discover new clues to how tardigrades can survive intense radiation

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill researchers have discovered that tardigrades – microscopic animals famed for surviving harsh extremes – have an unusual response to radiation. Led by UNC-Chapel Hill researcher Bob Goldstein’s lab, the new research paper published on April 12 in Current Biology reveals new details on tardigrades’ responses to radiation. Radiation has long been known to damage DNA, and in humans, DNA damage from excessive radiation exposure can lead to diseases. But the tardigrades have an unexpected way to correct the damage. “What we saw surprised us,” said Goldstein. “The ...

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UT Arlington prioritizes entrepreneurship efforts
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UT Arlington prioritizes entrepreneurship efforts

Universities are engines for economic growth that today are supporting technology development, innovation and economic advancement as never before. With the launch of its Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology Development (CETD), The University of Texas at Arlington is beginning a new era of support for student and faculty entrepreneurship. The center, whose mandate also includes supporting the region’s vibrant innovation economy, will expand UTA’s engagement with public and private partners everywhere. “CETD fosters a vibrant and supportive atmosphere ...

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Science

Annals supplement highlights important new evidence readers ‘may have missed’ in 2023

Embargoed for release until 5:00 p.m. ET on Monday 15 April 2024 Annals of Internal Medicine Tip Sheet @Annalsofim Below please find summaries of new articles that will be published in the next issue of Annals of Internal Medicine. The summaries are not intended to substitute for the full articles as a source of information. This information is under strict embargo and by taking it into possession, media representatives are committing to the terms of the embargo not only on their own behalf, but also on behalf ...

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Science

Q&A: How claims of anti-Christian bias can serve as racial dog whistles

In a speech to a group of religious broadcasters in February, Donald Trump promised to create a task force to counter “anti-Christian bias,” which he said would investigate the “discrimination, harassment and persecution against Christians in America.” It’s not the first time Trump has claimed that Christians are being persecuted, and he’s not alone. As more politicians repeat these statements, researchers from the University of Washington investigated whether anti-Christian bias claims can also be ...

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Elite coaches leaving home as Western countries seek sport success

Nations battling for Olympic success in a global sporting ‘arms race’ has led to elite coaches migrating to Western countries as they bid to escape antiquated and restrictive coaching regimes in their home countries, reveals a new study funded by the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Studies Centre. National teams pursuing Olympic gold medals are increasingly recruiting foreign elite coaches from the leading countries, as they try to close the gap between themselves and the top medal-winners in particular ...

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Science

metaphacts and Dimensions launch the Dimensions Knowledge Graph, powered by metaphactory

Digital Science solutions metaphacts and Dimensions are excited to announce the highly anticipated launch of the Dimensions Knowledge Graph, a large ready-made knowledge graph powering AI solutions in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries. The Dimensions Knowledge Graph, powered by metaphactory, is an all-in-one knowledge graph solution, ready-made for easy integration with customers’ data infrastructure and existing internal knowledge graphs. At its core is an explicitly defined and flexible semantic model that can be easily extended to include internal data (which can range from domain expert knowledge or data from internal documents) ...

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Canada likely to miss WHO's Hepatitis C elimination target, research shows

Canada will not reach the original World Health Organization's (WHO) target of eliminating the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030 and lags in comparison to other developed countries, a new study led by researchers at the University of Waterloo has found. HCV is an infection that poses a major public health threat that affects an estimated 250,000 Canadians – despite having a highly effective medication. When gone unscreened, HCV is a highly debilitating infection that causes liver failure and could lead to death. Due ...

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Adverse pregnancy outcomes and long-term mortality in women

About The Study: In a national cohort study of more than 2 million women in Sweden, women who experienced any of five major adverse pregnancy outcomes (preterm delivery, small for gestational age, preeclampsia, other hypertensive disorders, and gestational diabetes) had increased mortality risks that remained elevated more than 40 years later. Women with adverse pregnancy outcomes need early preventive evaluation and long-term follow-up for detection and treatment of chronic disorders associated with premature mortality. Authors: Casey Crump, M.D., ...

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Contraception usage and workforce trends through 2022

About The Study: While contraceptive usage increased initially in the month after Dobbs versus Jackson Women’s Health Organization, all contraception types except vasectomy returned to overall downward trends through the end of 2022 in this study that used a national data set of medical and prescription claims. The decreases the researchers found in contraceptive services and the workforce providing these methods may indicate growing challenges for contraception access. Authors: Julia Strasser, Dr.P.H., M.P.H., ...

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Recreational cannabis legalization, retail sales, and adolescent substance use

About The Study: Using the most recently available 2011 to 2021 data, researchers found limited associations between recreational cannabis legalization and recreational cannabis retail sales with adolescent substance use, extending previous findings. Recreational cannabis legalization was associated with modest decreases in cannabis, alcohol, and e-cigarette use. Recreational cannabis retail sales were associated with lower e-cigarette use, and with lower likelihood but also increased frequency of cannabis use among users, leading to no overall change in cannabis use. Authors: Rebekah ...

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The joy of sports: How watching sports can boost well-being
Science

The joy of sports: How watching sports can boost well-being

For many individuals, sports have long served as a source of enjoyment and relaxation. Watching sports, particularly at large gatherings, goes beyond entertainment. It fosters a sense of community and belonging among audiences. This sense of connection not only makes individuals feel good but also benefits society by improving health, enhancing productivity, and reducing crime. Although it is popularly recognized for its positive effects, existing studies on the relationship between watching sports and well-being offer only limited evidence. Recognizing this gap, a team of researchers led by ...

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No two worms are alike
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No two worms are alike

Sport junkie or couch potato? Always on time or often late? The animal kingdom, too, is home to a range of personalities, each with its own lifestyle. In a study just released in the journal PLOS Biology, a team led by Sören Häfker and Kristin Tessmar-Raible from the Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) and the University of Vienna report on a surprising discovery: even simple marine polychaete worms shape their day-to-day lives on the basis of highly individual rhythms. This diversity ...

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Science

AGA announces new partnership with Target RWE to gather real world data on eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)

Bethesda, MD (April 15, 2024) - The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) and Target RWE have partnered to significantly expand real-world data available for serious, and often chronic, gastroenterological diseases. This partnership will also allow Target RWE to incorporate AGA’s eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) severity index tool, I-SEE, into the TARGET-GASTRO registry. AGA led the international team of more than 30 multidisciplinary experts that developed the Index of Severity for EoE (I-SEE) in 2022. I-SEE is the first-ever severity index for eosinophilic esophagitis, which provides a simple system for physicians to assess and track ...

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