Authoritarian populism has weakened democracy in Brazil, says study
The rise of authoritarian populism in Brazil has weakened structures that stabilize democracy—mirroring trends in wider global society and potentially making it harder for the country to strengthen its democracy in future, a new study reveals. The.....»»
Inequality weakens local governance and public satisfaction, study finds
Local governments in developing countries are crucial for providing public services that promote human development and address challenges like extreme weather, unemployment and crumbling infrastructure. Yet, they often face difficulties in implementi.....»»
Researchers take "significant leap forward" with quantum simulation of molecular electron transfer
Researchers at Rice University have made a meaningful advance in the simulation of molecular electron transfer—a fundamental process underpinning countless physical, chemical and biological processes. The study, published in Science Advances, detai.....»»
Systemic solutions needed to counter spread of science misinformation, says new report
Misinformation about science harms personal decisions, democracy and public policy, says Northeastern University professor David Lazer, who contributed to a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine report released Thursday......»»
Heterogeneous host populations drive evolution of more virulent pathogens, modeling study shows
The evolution of pathogens has received attention in a wide range of scientific fields, such as epidemiology, demography, and evolutionary ecology. Understanding pathogen evolution is particularly urgent for rapidly evolving pathogens, such as SARS-C.....»»
Global study reveals phenological divergence between plants and animals under climate change
A collaborative study reveals the distinct mechanisms by which plants and animals respond to climate change in their life-cycle phenology. This research, led by Piao Shilong's team and Zhang Yao's team from the Institute of Carbon Neutrality at Pekin.....»»
Programming cells: New RNA tool enhances precision in synthetic genetic circuits
Researchers have successfully developed a modular synthetic translational coupling element (SynTCE), significantly enhancing the precision and integration density of genetic circuits in synthetic biology. Their study was recently published in the jou.....»»
Chang"e-6 farside basalts reveal a reinforced lunar dynamo
The evolution of the lunar dynamo is crucial for understanding the moon's deep interior structure, thermal history, and surface environment. A study by Chinese scientists conducted paleomagnetic analyses on basalts returned by the Chang'e-6 mission a.....»»
Active particles reorganize 3D gels into denser porous structures, study shows
Colloidal gels are complex systems made up of microscopic particles dispersed in a liquid, ultimately producing a semi-solid network. These materials have unique and advantageous properties that can be tuned using external forces, which have been the.....»»
Your black plastic kitchen utensils aren"t so toxic after all: But you should still toss them, group says
A recent study that recommended toxic chemicals in black plastic products be immediately thrown away included a math error that significantly overstated the risks of contamination, but its authors are standing by their conclusions and warn against us.....»»
Russia-Ukraine War"s unexpected casualties: Hungry people in distant nations
The war in Ukraine is causing hunger thousands of miles from the battlefields, according to a study in Communications Earth & Environment. Nearly three years of war in the "breadbasket of the world" has left croplands destroyed and forced laborers wh.....»»
New research finds that your smartwatch band is laced with toxic forever chemicals
A study has revealed the presence of dangerous forever chemicals in bands sold by top brands. Interestingly, the more expensive they are, the higher the risk......»»
Research reveals an inexpensive fix for California"s struggling wildflowers
California's native wildflowers are being smothered by layers of dead, invasive grasses. A new UC Riverside study shows that simply raking these layers can boost biodiversity and reduce fire danger......»»
New synthesis technique cuts drug development time and cost
A team of chemists from Scripps Research and Rice University has unveiled a novel method to simplify the synthesis of piperidines, a key structural component in many pharmaceuticals. The study, published in Science, combines biocatalytic carbon-hydro.....»»
Study reveals flies more vulnerable than bees to climate change
Despite their reputation as buzzing nuisances, flies serve a critical role as some of the Earth's most prolific pollinators—and new research led by Penn State scientists suggests they are increasingly at risk due to rising global temperatures......»»
Journal that published faulty black plastic study removed from science index
Chemosphere cut from Web of Science, which calculates impact factors. The publisher of a high-profile, now-corrected study on black plastics has been removed from a critical index.....»»
Sugar solution matches antibiotics in treating cow infections
A concentrated sugar solution could be just as effective as antibiotics at treating a common infection in dairy cows, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State. The results were recently published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinar.....»»
Experiments show power-motivated social media users disproportionately spread misinformation
People motivated by power and the desire to influence others are more likely to share fake news posts on social media, according to a new study led by a UCL researcher......»»
Climate change could trigger more earthquakes, study suggests
A recent Colorado State University study published in the journal Geology demonstrates that climate change can affect the frequency of earthquakes, adding to a small but growing body of evidence showing that climate can alter the seismic cycle......»»
How prepared are we for another pandemic? Study provides mathematical insights into airborne viral transmission
Half a decade on from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, a study by the University of Surrey highlights the significant impact of combined public health measures in reducing airborne viral transmission. High-quality face masks were shown to reduce t.....»»
Ancient Mars" thick crust could have supported hidden water reservoirs and rare magmas, new research suggests
A new study explores how variations in Mars' crustal thickness during its ancient history may have influenced the planet's magmatic evolution and hydrological systems. The research, published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters, suggests that the.....»»