Can gene discovery methods halt the global march of wheat blast?
An international research collaboration led by the John Innes Centre has used innovative genomic discovery methods to show how we might halt the emerging and highly destructive disease known as wheat blast......»»
Time is running out for a treaty to end plastic pollution—here"s why it matters
On March 2, 2022, delegates to the UN environment assembly adopted an ambitious resolution to develop the text of a new treaty by the end of 2024 to end plastic pollution. With 24 days of formal negotiation between almost 200 countries completed, spr.....»»
Gene regulation study reports surprising results: Extensive regions of DNA belong to multiple gene switches
Some sequences in the genome cause genes to be switched on or off. Until now, each of these gene switches, or so-called enhancers, was thought to have its own place on the DNA. Different enhancers are therefore separated from each other, even if they.....»»
On the trail of an 18th-century master forger: New evidence discovered
A document held in Göttingen University's Faculty of Humanities has been revealed as an 18th century forgery. The document purports to be from 1266, but mentions a church in Pisa that was not built until later. This discovery is the result of resear.....»»
"e-Drive": New gene drive reverses insecticide resistance in pests... then disappears
Insecticides have been used for centuries to counteract widespread pest damage to valuable food crops. Eventually, over time, beetles, moths, flies and other insects develop genetic mutations that render the insecticide chemicals ineffective......»»
Ted Cruz wants to overhaul $42B broadband program, nix low-cost requirement
Cruz claims grant program is "boondoggle," urges Biden admin to halt activities. Emboldened by Donald Trump's election win, Republicans are seeking big changes to a $42.45 billion.....»»
Niagara fireball event leads to discovery of tiniest known asteroid
In an international study led by Western University and Lowell Observatory, scientists describe a pioneering, integrative approach for studying near-Earth asteroids based largely on a November 2022 fireball event that dropped meteorites in the Niagar.....»»
Wealthy nations offer $250 bn on climate but pressed for more
Wealthy nations on Friday offered $250 billion a year to help poorer nations hit hardest by global warming but faced immediate calls led by Africa to give more as UN climate negotiations extended into overtime......»»
Fossil discovery reveals giant worm lizard with snail-cracking jaws
An international team of researchers has discovered a new fossil worm lizard species in Tunisia. Terastiodontosaurus marcelosanchezi is the largest known species of the Amphisbaenia group, with a skull length of over five centimeters......»»
Discovery of van Hove singularities could lead to novel materials with desirable quantum properties
Strong interactions between subatomic particles like electrons occur when they are at a specific energy level known as the van Hove singularity. These interactions give rise to unusual properties in quantum materials, such as superconductivity at hig.....»»
Ryugu asteroid sample rapidly colonized by terrestrial life despite strict contamination control
Panspermia is the hypothesis that life can survive the transfer between planetary bodies as a secondary path for life to get started on planets throughout a solar system. The discovery of extraterrestrial life on asteroids or within meteorites would.....»»
More than 40% of coral species face extinction, according to new research
Following a global assessment, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has revealed that 44% of reef-building coral species globally are at risk of extinction. The announcement was made at the ongoing COP29 UN climate conference......»»
Infrastructure and communication challenges can be barriers to food safety in the low-moisture food industry
Low-moisture foods such as dried fruits, seeds, tree nuts and wheat flour were once considered to carry minimal microbial risks. However, the increased number of outbreaks linked to bacteria-contaminated low-moisture foods has resulted in product rec.....»»
Origin of life research finds RNA can favor both left- and right-handed proteins
The mystery of why life uses molecules with specific orientations has deepened with a discovery that RNA—a key molecule thought to have potentially held the instructions for life before DNA emerged—can favor making the building blocks of proteins.....»»
Gene expression shifts help explain how a shrew changes brain size to match the seasons
New research shows how the Eurasian common shrew (Sorex araneus) changes its brain and bodily size throughout the year. The study, published online in eLife, reveals how changes in gene expression enable these small mammals to shrink their brain in.....»»
Establishing a general theory of metal-support interaction: AI-driven advances in catalysis
How can artificial intelligence (AI) help accelerate scientific discovery based on vast amounts of experimental data? A new study by Prof. Li Weixue's team from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) of the Chinese Academy of Scienc.....»»
Fewer than 7% of global hotspots for whale-ship collisions have protection measures in place, researchers report
According to the fossil record, cetaceans—whales, dolphins and their relatives—evolved from four-legged land mammals that returned to the oceans beginning some 50 million years ago. Today, their descendants are threatened by a different land-base.....»»
Researchers identify previously unknown compound in drinking water
A team of researchers from the United States and Switzerland has reported the discovery of a previously unknown compound in chloraminated drinking water. Inorganic chloramines are commonly used to disinfect drinking water to safeguard public health f.....»»
DNA-based methods found highly effective for identifying insect species
A team of researchers from Linnaeus University and Linköping University, extensively evaluated DNA barcoding and metabarcoding methods. A comprehensive study has demonstrated that DNA-based methods are remarkably reliable for identifying insect spec.....»»
Support for carbon pricing higher than expected, finds study
Viewed by many experts as one of the most effective tools of climate policy, carbon pricing seeks to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Currently, however, only 23% of global greenhouse gas emissions are subject to this climate tax, as it is seen as un.....»»
Madagascar"s huge ocean algae bloom was caused by dust from drought-stricken southern Africa
Scientists have found new evidence that desertification, potentially linked to global warming, leads to large amounts of nutrient-rich dust landing in the sea, causing ocean algae to grow rapidly. Biological oceanographer John A. Gittings and an inte.....»»