Science
press releases.

Science1 Dec 2023

Brace for a potentially record-breaking winter after sweltering summer and autumn

The scorching heatwaves of 2023's summer and autumn shook the world, raising a pertinent question: Will this lead into the warmest winter the globe has ever witnessed? After a summer and autumn marked by extreme temperatures and a consistent global warming trend across oceans and landmasses, concerns mounted about what might follow. The global average temperature during June to October 2023 surpassed the 1991-2020 average by 0.57℃. August and September soared even higher, surpassing historical averages by 0.62℃ and 0.69℃, respectively, eclipsing the records set in 2016. From hottest ...

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Science1 Dec 2023

Paleolithic humans may have understood the properties of rocks for making stone tools

A research group led by the Nagoya University Museum and Graduate School of Environmental Studies in Japan has clarified differences in the physical characteristics of rocks used by early humans during the Paleolithic. They found that humans selected rock for a variety of reasons and not just because of how easy it was to break off. This suggests that early humans had the technical skill to discern the best rock for the tool. The researchers published the results in the Journal of Paleolithic Archaeology. As Homo sapiens moved from Africa to Eurasia, they used stone tools made of rocks, such as obsidian and flint, to cut, slice, and craft ranged weapons. Because ...

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Science1 Dec 2023

Meteorites likely source of nitrogen for early Earth

Micrometeorites originating from icy celestial bodies in the outer Solar System may be responsible for transporting nitrogen to the near-Earth region in the early days of our solar system. That discovery was published today in Nature Astronomy by an international team of researchers, including University of Hawai'i at Mānoa scientists, led by Kyoto University. Nitrogen compounds, such as ammonium salts, are abundant in material born in regions far from the sun, but evidence of their transport to Earth's orbital region had been poorly understood. "Our recent findings suggests the possibility that a greater amount of nitrogen compounds than previously ...

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Science1 Dec 2023

CureSHANK seeking RFAs to stimulate research of SHANK3-related epilepsy in Phelan-McDermid syndrome

CureSHANK will award a total of $250,000 aimed at stimulating research on SHANK3-related epilepsy, prevalent in PMS patients. The grants, CureSHANK Research to Cure Grant: Epilepsy (R2C Epilepsy), will provide targeted funding to support SHANK3-related epilepsy research projects. The awards aim to improve mechanistic and clinical knowledge of SHANK3-related epilepsy. The PMS community lives under the long shadow of epilepsy: it is responsible for many deaths of both children and young adults with PMS, and it is among the disorder's most distressing symptoms. Nearly one-third of individuals living with PMS are diagnosed with epilepsy, often evolving ...

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Science1 Dec 2023

Consensus needed on when global warming reaches 1.5°C

Writing in the journal Nature ahead of COP28, a team of Met Office scientists has emphasised that – surprisingly – there is currently no formally agreed way of defining the current level of global warming relevant to the Paris Agreement. They have proposed a solution. While the global average temperature in a particular year is well-known, this will not be suitable as an indicator of whether the “Paris 1.5” has been breached or not, because the Paris Agreement refers to long-term warming, not individual years. But no alternative has yet been formally agreed. Without ...

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Science30 Nov 2023

Genomic study sheds light on how carnivorous Asian pitcher plants acquired signature insect trap

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Possessing more than two complete sets of chromosomes can be a hindrance to long-term survival of a plant lineage, yet scientists are also finding evidence it’s likely behind some evolutionary innovation. Sudden inheritance of whole suites of extra gene copies can add redundancy to an organism's regular sets of functions, actually permitting some of those copies to evolve and express in entirely new ways. In the case of the East Asian pitcher plant, this mutational freedom may have even fine-turned its ability to capture prey and satisfy its appetite for “meat.” That’s just one of the findings ...

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Science30 Nov 2023

Harnessing the power of a parasite that can stop pain

COLUMBUS, Ohio – For the first time, scientists have begun to figure out why the disfiguring skin lesions caused by cutaneous leishmaniasis don’t hurt. Researchers analyzed leishmaniasis lesions on mouse skin to detect metabolic signaling pathways that differed from uninfected mice. Results suggested the parasites that cause the disease change pain perception – presumably as a way to delay treatment and promote their own survival. “No one knows why these lesions are painless – ...

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Science30 Nov 2023

New study offers cautious hope about the resilience of redwoods

New research from Northern Arizona University has explained coast redwood’s remarkable ability to recover from very severe fire, a rare sign of optimism amid a landscape increasingly scarred by severe fires. The study, published today in Nature: Plants, examined recovery after the catastrophic CZU Lightning Complex Fire, which began in August 2020 and burned thousands of acres of redwoods in Big Basin State Park in California, some more than 1,500 years old. Researchers from NAU’s Center for Ecosystem Science and Society (Ecoss) and the School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems (SICCS) found, however, that many trees were not dead, as they first appeared. Redwoods ...

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Science30 Nov 2023

The American Institute of Biological Sciences aannounces winner of the IDEAL Leadership Award

The American Institute of Biological Sciences is pleased to announce Dr. Nyeema C. Harris as the 2023 winner of its Inspiring Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity, Acceptance, and Learning (IDEAL) Leadership Award. The IDEAL Award recognizes commendable leadership in advancing inclusion, diversity, equity, acceptance, accessibility, and learning in the biological sciences community. The award was presented by past awardee Dr. Steward T. A. Pickett on 30 November 2023 at AIBS's Council of Member Societies and Organizations meeting, entitled "Expanding the ...

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Science30 Nov 2023

Study tests firefighter turnout gear with, without PFAS

Transitioning away from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which offer water- and oil-repelling properties on the outer shells of firefighter turnout gear, could bring potential performance tradeoffs, according to a new study from North Carolina State University. The study showed that turnout gear without PFAS outer shell coatings were not oil-repellent, posing a potential flammability hazard to firefighters if exposed to oil and flame, said Bryan Ormond, assistant professor of textile engineering, chemistry and science at NC State and corresponding author of ...

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Science30 Nov 2023

New study uses genetic data to support use of thiazide diuretics for kidney stone prevention

Kidney stones affect nearly 10% of the global population. For more than three decades, thiazide diuretics, a common medication used for high blood pressure, have been the standard of care for kidney stone prevention because they reduce the excretion of urinary calcium. However, recent clinical trials have raised doubts about their efficacy in preventing kidney stones. The NOSTONE trial, published in The New England Journal of Medicine in March 2023, failed to find a protective effect of thiazide diuretics on kidney stone disease. A ...

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Science30 Nov 2023

Chinstrap penguins asleep thousands of times per day, but only for seconds at a time

In the wild, nesting chinstrap penguins get more than 11 hours of sleep per day – but not all at once. According to a new study, these birds nod off thousands of times per day, but for only around 4 seconds at a time, cumulatively accruing their daily sleep needs while remaining continuously vigilant over their nests. Sleep seems to be ubiquitous throughout the animal kingdom. Typically characterized by immobility and the relative loss of ability to sense and respond to the surrounding environment, sleep can render animals vulnerable to predation. In humans, insufficient sleep can lead to nodding off, the seconds-long interruption of wakefulness by eye closure, and sleep-related ...

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Science30 Nov 2023

Two teosintes made modern maize

Broad genetic sampling of maize and its teosinte grass ancestors reveals evidence of wild admixture during the crop’s initial domestication and dispersal, according to a new study. The findings clarify the contentious origin of modern maize and raise new questions about the anthropogenic mechanisms underlying its spread throughout the Americas. The domestication of crops transformed human culture. For many crops, the wild plants that modern domesticates are most closely related to can be readily identified by morphological and genetic similarities. Yet, despite its global agricultural importance, the ancestry of modern maize has long ...

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Science30 Nov 2023

A mixed origin made maize successful

Maize is one of the world’s most widely grown crops. It is used for both human and animal foods and holds great cultural significance, especially for indigenous peoples in the Americas. Yet despite its importance, the origins of the grain have been hotly debated for more than a century. Now new research, published Dec. 1 in Science, shows that all modern maize descends from a hybrid created just over 5000 years ago in central Mexico, thousands of years after the plant was first domesticated. The ...

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Science30 Nov 2023

Early rhythm control, lifestyle modification and more tailored stroke risk assessment are top goals in managing atrial fibrillation

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA), along with several other leading medical associations, have issued a new guideline for preventing and optimally managing atrial fibrillation (AFib). The guideline was jointly published today in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology and Circulation. Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is the most common type of heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia), affecting over 6 million Americans, and the number is expected to double by 2030. AFib causes a variety of symptoms, including fast ...

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Science30 Nov 2023

Sea fireflies synchronize their sparkle to seek soulmates

ITHACA, N.Y. -- In sea fireflies’ underwater ballet, the males sway together in perfect, illuminated synchronization, basking in the glow of their secreted iridescent mucus. “It’s extreme,” said Nicholai M. Hensley, a postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior in the College of Arts and Sciences. “It’s an illustration of convergent evolution and a striking example of synchronized bioluminescent mating displays. The males are putting it all out on the dance floor. It’s a big bright display.” Hensley is the lead author of new research unwrapping the vivid mating ...

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Science30 Nov 2023

Despite pressures facing young families, parents take precious moments to play with their babies

Four in five primary caregivers of nine-month-old babies reported cuddling, talking and playing with their little one several times a day, in England's first national long-term study of babies in over two decades, led by UCL (University College London). More than half engaged in physical or turn-taking play, singing, pretend games and noisy play with their babies several times a day – activities which were linked to improved early language development. Around three quarters showed their babies picture ...

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Science30 Nov 2023

Tis the season to recognize chocolate: researchers highlight high quality cacao in Colombia

Scientists are working to protect the unique qualities of cacao beans grown in the Buenaventura region on the Pacific coast of Colombia. In a study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, researchers from the Colombian Corporation for Agricultural Research (AGROSAVIA) have examined a wealth of metrics to uncover the complex interactions between environmental factors and cacao quality. In a pioneering move, they have proposed that Buenaventura should be designated as a new Denomination of Origin (DO) for cacao trees. This is a legal recognition given to products that originate ...

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Science30 Nov 2023

Developing a superbase-comparable BaTiO3−xNy oxynitride catalyst

Basic oxide catalysts contain oxygen ions with unpaired electrons that can be shared with other species to facilitate a chemical reaction. These catalysts are widely used in the synthesis of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and petrochemicals. There have been efforts to improve the catalytic power of these catalysts by improving their basicity or the ability to donate electrons or accept hydrogen ions. Various strategies include doping the catalyst with highly electronegative cations such as alkali metals, substituting oxide ions ...

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Science30 Nov 2023

Broadband buzz: Periodical cicadas' chorus measured with fiber optic cables

Annapolis, MD; November 30, 2023—Hung from a common utility pole, a fiber optic cable—the kind bringing high-speed internet to more and more American households—can be turned into a sensor to detect temperature changes, vibrations, and even sound, through an emerging technology called distributed fiber optic sensing. However, as NEC Labs America photonics researcher Sarper Ozharar, Ph.D., explains, acoustic sensing in fiber optic cables "is limited to only nearby sound sources or very loud events, such as emergency vehicles, car alarms, or cicada emergences." Cicadas? Indeed, periodical cicadas—the ...

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Science30 Nov 2023

Innovative gel offers new hope for treating gastrointestinal leaks

In a major advancement in medical technology, researchers at the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation have developed an adhesive gel, offering a revolutionary treatment for gastrointestinal leaks, a condition clinically known as enterocutaneous fistulas. This development marks a significant milestone in addressing a challenging medical condition that has long plagued patients and clinicians. Enterocutaneous fistulas, which are abnormal connections between the gastrointestinal tract and the skin, are primarily a ...

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Science30 Nov 2023

Recent advances in tree nut research — walnuts, pecans and more

As the holiday season approaches, many home kitchens will produce the mouthwatering smells of fresh-baked goods and comfort food. From macadamia nut cookies and pecan pies to turkey stuffing, nuts feature heavily in seasonal pastries and dishes. Below are some recent papers published in ACS journals that report new insights into popular tree nuts. Reporters can request free access to these papers by emailing newsroom@acs.org. “Bulk and Compound-Specific Stable Isotope Analysis for the Authentication of Walnuts (Juglans regia) ...

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Science30 Nov 2023

Money to burn: Wealthy, white neighborhoods losing their heat shields

White, wealthy neighborhoods in the LA area are about to start feeling the same heat that has plagued poorer, Hispanic neighborhoods for generations. A new study shows the protective effect of income has largely eroded over the past 40 years, as landscape plants can’t keep up with the pace of climate warming. Published in the journal Urban Climate, the research cuts across neighborhoods, income levels, and race in the Los Angeles area between 1985 and 2021. It reveals a troubling forecast for city dwellers: it’s becoming unbearably hot, ...

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Science30 Nov 2023

Children who play baseball risk elbow injury

CHICAGO – Youth baseball players are prone to elbow pain and injuries, including repetitive overuse changes and fractures, based on the maturity of their bones, according to a new study being presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). The repetitive motion and force of throwing a baseball places a large amount of stress on the growing bones, joints and muscles of the elbows of baseball players. Youth baseball players who have not yet reached skeletal maturity might be especially vulnerable to elbow pain and injuries. “When we look at the forces that baseball players, even ...

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Science30 Nov 2023

Loss of auditory nerve fibers uncovered in individuals with tinnitus

A new study from Mass Eye and Ear investigators shows that individuals who report tinnitus, which present as a ringing in the ears in more than one out of ten adults worldwide, are experiencing auditory nerve loss that is not picked up by conventional hearing tests. This work is part of a P50 grant awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to Mass Eye and Ear researchers within the Eaton-Peabody Laboratories (EPL) for their work on cochlear synaptopathy, which is commonly referred to as “hidden hearing loss.” The results from this study provide a better understanding on the origins of tinnitus and are published ...

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