Science
press releases.

Science22 Sep 2023

Jellyfish are smarter than you think

Jellyfish are more advanced than once thought. A new study from the University of Copenhagen has demonstrated that Caribbean box jellyfish can learn at a much more complex level than ever imagined – despite only having one thousand nerve cells and no centralized brain. The finding changes our fundamental understanding of the brain and could enlighten us about our own mysterious brains. After more than 500 million years on Earth, the immense evolutionary success of jellyfish is undeniable. Still, we've always thought of them as simple creatures with very limited learning abilities. The prevailing opinion is that ...

Read the release

Science22 Sep 2023

Vulnerability of older adults to government impersonation scams

About The Study: In this study using a behavioral experiment designed to mimic a real-world imposter scam among 644 older adults, a sizable number of older adults engaged without skepticism. The results suggest that many older adults, including those without cognitive impairment, are vulnerable to fraud and scams. Authors: Lei Yu, Ph.D., of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, is the corresponding author. To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/ (doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.35319) Editor’s ...

Read the release

Science22 Sep 2023

A teamwork to evaluate the influence of the cathode catalyst layer platinum loading on the durability of PEMFC

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) hold promise as a replacement for fossil fueled engines in heavy-duty vehicles. Reducing the platinum content in catalysts is pivotal for scaling up in such applications. Yet, the degradation patterns of low platinum content catalysts remain poorly understood. A team of scientists conducted experiments to shed light on the degradation mechanisms associated with varying catalyst content, offering valuable insights. Their work is published in the journal Industrial Chemistry & Materials on 11 Aug 2023. In ...

Read the release

Science22 Sep 2023

Efficient fuel-molecule sieving using graphene

Tsukuba, Japan—For realizing carbon neutrality, the demand for the development of direct methanol/formic acid-fuel cell technology has been increasing. In this technology, methanol or formic acid is used as an e-fuel for generating electricity. The fuel cells generate electricity via proton transfer; however, conventional proton-exchange membranes suffer from the "crossover phenomenon," where the fuel molecules are also transferred between anodes and cathodes. Thereafter, the fuel molecules are unnecessarily oxidized and the electrodes are deactivated. In this study, the researchers developed a new proton-exchange ...

Read the release

Science22 Sep 2023

New study unveils direct synthesis of FCMs via solid-state mechanochemical reaction between graphite and PTFE

A research team, led by Professor Jong-Beom Baek and his team in the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering at UNIST have achieved a significant breakthrough in battery technology. They have developed an innovative method that enables the safe synthesis of fluorinated carbon materials (FCMs) using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and graphite. Fluorinated carbon materials have garnered considerable attention due to their exceptional stability, attributed to the strong C-F bonding—the strongest among carbon single bonds. However, traditional methods of fluorination involve highly toxic reagents such as hydrofluoric acid (HF), making them unsuitable for practical ...

Read the release

Science22 Sep 2023

Study finds connection between gut microbiome and bone density

BOSTON – There is growing evidence that a relative abundance of certain gut microbes may be related to skeletal health, according to a new study published in Frontiers in Endocrinology. If confirmed by additional research, the findings could provide the opportunity to alter gut microbiomes to achieve better bone health, as scientists learn more about “osteomicrobiology,” a new term recently used to characterize this relationship. Due to the lack of large-scale human studies of the gut microbiome and skeletal health, researchers led by Paul C. Okoro, Data Scientist II at Hebrew SeniorLife and Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for ...

Read the release

Science22 Sep 2023

One-stop implementation from signal detection to processing

In order to explore brain disorders and discover potential treatments, it is crucial to analyze and interpret the signals transmitted by the brain. Although neural probes attached to the brain can effectively detect subtle bio- signals, they lack the ability to amplify and process these signals, necessitating the use of a separate amplifier. The research team identified a solution in common household “inkjet printers” that have been widely available for a long time. A collaborative research team led by Professor Sungjune Jung (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Convergence IT Engineering) with PhD candidate ...

Read the release

Science22 Sep 2023

Ochsner offers tuition assistance to aspiring nurses and doctors

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – Ochsner Health is again expanding its Ochsner Scholars program for aspiring nurses and physicians ready to fill critical healthcare shortages in local communities and shape the healthcare workforce of the future. Ochsner is excited to announce tuition assistance for 100 Nurse Scholars pursuing Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Licensed Nurse Practitioner (LPN), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) degrees this spring to students across Louisiana and Mississippi. Ochsner is also covering tuition for up to 10 Physician Scholars ...

Read the release

Science22 Sep 2023

Colorful primates don’t have better color vision, study finds

Primate species with better colour vision are not more likely to have red skin or fur colouration, as previously thought. The findings, published this week in the Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, suggest that red skin and/or red-orange fur may be beneficial for use in social communication even in primate species that don't have particularly good colour vision. It's long been assumed that primates' colourful skin and fur is linked to their enhanced colour vision, and the results may have implications for understanding why these traits exist in different species. Lead author Robert MacDonald from the University of Bristol explained: ...

Read the release

Science22 Sep 2023

Novel method reveals link between man-made chemicals in everyday products and later puberty

Children exposed to higher levels of synthetic chemicals in everyday products, such as water-resistant clothes, umbrellas and food packaging, are more likely to mature later during puberty, according to research presented at the 61st Annual European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology Meeting in The Hague. The findings may help better regulate the industrial production and use of these chemicals on a national and international level. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known ...

Read the release

Science21 Sep 2023

Moms’ ability to ‘remember’ prior pregnancies suggests new strategies for preventing complications

Scientists have known for decades that pregnancy requires a mother’s body to adjust so that her immune system does not attack the growing fetus as if it were a hostile foreign invader. Yet despite learning a great deal more about the immunology of pregnancy in recent years, a new study shows that the cellular crosstalk between a mother and her offspring is even more complex and long-lasting than expected. The study was published online Sept. 21, 2023, in the journal Science by a research team led by Sing Sing Way, MD, PhD, Division of Infectious Diseases at Cincinnati Children’s and the Center ...

Read the release

Science21 Sep 2023

Curbing violence in Mexico: Disrupting cartel recruitment holds the key, a new study finds

Not through courts and not through prisons. The only way to reduce violence in Mexico is to cut off recruitment. Increasing incapacitation instead leads to both more homicides and cartel members, researcher Rafael Prieto-Curiel from the Complexity Science Hub and colleagues show in a study in Science. In 2021, approximately 34,000 people died from intentional homicides in Mexico – the equivalent of nearly 27 victims per 100,000 population. This ranks Mexico among the least peaceful countries worldwide. FIFTH LARGEST EMPLOYER In order to be able to address this violence ...

Read the release

Science21 Sep 2023

Regeneration across complete spinal cord injuries reverses paralysis

When the spinal cords of mice and humans are partially damaged, the initial paralysis is followed by the extensive, spontaneous recovery of motor function. However, after a complete spinal cord injury, this natural repair of the spinal cord doesn’t occur and there is no recovery. Meaningful recovery after severe injuries requires strategies that promote the regeneration of nerve fibers, but the requisite conditions for these strategies to successfully restore motor function have remained elusive. “Five years ago, we demonstrated that nerve fibers can be regenerated across anatomically complete spinal cord ...

Read the release

Science21 Sep 2023

Using harmless light to change azobenzene molecules with new supera molecular complex

New discovery allows scientists to change the shape of azobenzene molecules using visible light, which is more practical and safe than previously used ultraviolet light. Azobenzenes are incredibly versatile and have many potential uses, such as in making tiny machines and improving technology as well as making light controllable drugs. This molecule can switch between two different forms by light. However, the two forms are in equilibrium, which means that a mixture present that prevents optimal use for applications. Being able to control them with visible light and enrich only one form opens up new possibilities for these applications, making them more efficient ...

Read the release

Science21 Sep 2023

Conversations with plants: Can we provide plants with advance warning of impending dangers?

Imagine if humans could ‘talk’ to plants and warn them of approaching pest attacks or extreme weather. A team of plant scientists at the Sainsbury Laboratory Cambridge University (SLCU) would like to turn this science fiction into reality using light-based messaging to ‘talk’ to plants. Early lab experiments with tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana) have demonstrated that they can activate the plant's natural defence mechanism (immune response) using light as a stimulus (messenger). Light serves as a universal means of daily human communication, for example the signalling at traffic lights, pedestrian ...

Read the release

Science21 Sep 2023

New study reveals a long history of violence in ancient hunter-gatherer societies

Violence was a consistent part of life among ancient communities of hunter-gatherers, according to a new study co-authored by a Tulane University researcher that looked for signs of trauma on 10,000-year-old skeletal remains from burial sites in northern Chile. The study was published in the journal PLOS ONE. Archaeological research has shown that interpersonal violence and warfare played an important role in the lives of hunter-gatherer groups over time. Still, many questions remain about the factors that influence such violence. The record of human populations in northern Chile extends across 10,000 years, providing a valuable opportunity to study patterns in violence over time. John ...

Read the release

Science21 Sep 2023

Split gene-editing tool offers greater precision

HOUSTON – (Sept. 21, 2023) – To make a gene-editing tool more precise and easier to control, Rice University engineers split it into two pieces that only come back together when a third small molecule is added. Researchers in the lab of chemical and biomolecular engineer Xue Sherry Gao created a CRISPR-based gene editor designed to target adenine ⎯ one of the four main DNA building blocks ⎯ that remains inactive when disassembled but kicks into gear once the binding molecule is added. Compared to the intact original, the split editor is more precise and stays active for a narrower window of time, ...

Read the release

Science21 Sep 2023

MD Anderson Research Highlights for September 21, 2023

HOUSTON ― The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Research Highlights showcases the latest breakthroughs in cancer care, research and prevention. These advances are made possible through seamless collaboration between MD Anderson’s world-leading clinicians and scientists, bringing discoveries from the lab to the clinic and back. Understanding the role of exceptional research as a driving force behind progress in its mission to end cancer, MD Anderson is proud to support World Cancer Research Day, Sept. 24, which calls for global efforts to promote cancer ...

Read the release

Science21 Sep 2023

New origin story for key regulatory gene

Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) was discovered decades ago in Drosophila, where it was found to be a key controller of developmental genes. Further analyses showed that PRC2 modifies chromatin and silences target gene expression. However, the ancestral function of PRC2 - as functioning primarily to control genes during development - was called into question when researchers discovered that PRC2 also plays a role in unicellular species, in which no development takes place. A first hint at PRC2’s original role came from studies in red algae, which found PRC2 left its methylation mark on transposons – jumping genes that ...

Read the release

Science21 Sep 2023

NIH center grant bolsters male contraceptive research

Weill Cornell Medicine has received a three-year, nearly $6 million grant to lead one of three national contraceptive research centers. The grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, part of the National Institutes of Health, will fund the Weill Cornell Medicine Contraception Development Research Center. Led by Drs. Jochen Buck and Lonny Levin, both professors of pharmacology at Weill Cornell Medicine, the center will focus on developing an on-demand male contraceptive. “It’s an honor to be selected for a second time for this award,” Dr. Levin ...

Read the release

Science21 Sep 2023

Towards a better understanding of early human embryonic development

The onset of embryo-specific gene transcription, also known as embryonic genome activation (EGA), is a crucial step in the developmental journey of an organism. Although EGA has been studied to some extent in mice, human EGA remains largely unexplored, mainly due to the lack of novel in vitro cell models and ethical restrictions on the usage of human embryos. Thus, cell models resembling the human blastomere stage—when the embryo undergoes a cell duplication process—are necessary to study the earliest stages of human EGA and understand the events that occur during early embryonic development. To ...

Read the release

Science21 Sep 2023

Evaluating the shear viscosity of different water models

Water is one of the most abundant substances on Earth and partakes in countless biological, chemical, and ecological processes. Thus, understanding its behavior and properties is essential in a wide variety of scientific and applied fields. To do so, researchers have developed various water models to reproduce the behavior of bulk water in molecular simulations. While these simulations can provide valuable insights into the specific properties of water, selecting an appropriate model for the system under study is crucial. ...

Read the release

Science21 Sep 2023

Curiosity about religion is viewed as morally virtuous, new research finds

People from diverse religious backgrounds in the United States view curiosity about religion as morally virtuous, according to new research published in Social Psychological and Personality Science. Atheists also view this curiosity as moral, although less moral than a lack of religious curiosity. Previous research has examined what makes people curious and how curiosity helps people learn new information, but psychologists know less about how displaying curiosity is viewed by other people. The current research finds that people ...

Read the release

Science21 Sep 2023

TTUHSC researchers receive NIH grant to address preeclampsia rates

According to a study recently published by the Journal of the American Medical Association, maternal morbidity and mortality rates in Texas during the last two decades have more than doubled from 1999 (10.3 deaths per 100,000 births) to 2019 (21.9 deaths per 100,000 births). This rate not only exceeds the national average (17.4 in 2018), but it also places Texas at or near the bottom of most metrics used to determine the safest states in which to have a baby. One of the primary factors related to the lack of maternity care in the Lone Star state is the existence of maternity care deserts, which are counties where no maternity care exists. And in the Texas Panhandle, ...

Read the release

Science21 Sep 2023

E-cigarettes are not a gateway into smoking

The most comprehensive study to date investigating whether e-cigarettes are a gateway into or out of smoking finds that, at the population level, there is no sign that e-cigarettes and other alternative nicotine delivery products promote smoking. The study, led by Queen Mary University of London and funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR), also found some evidence that these products compete against cigarettes and so may be speeding up the demise of smoking, but this finding is only tentative and more data are needed to determine the size of this effect. The study compared the time course of use and sales of electronic cigarettes with that ...

Read the release