Evolved in the lab, found in nature: Uncovering hidden pH sensing abilities in microbial cultures
In a study led by Sarah Worthan, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in the Behringer Lab at Vanderbilt University, scientists have successfully evolved microbial cultures that possess the ability to sense pH changes, enabling rapid responses to environ.....»»
What delusions can tell us about the cognitive nature of belief
Delusions can sometimes turn into strongly held beliefs. Beliefs are convictions of reality that we accept as true. They provide us with the basic mental scaffolding to understan.....»»
Tweaking non-neural brain cells can cause memories to fade
Neurons and a second cell type called an astrocyte collaborate to hold memories. “If we go back to the early 1900s, this is when the idea was first proposed that memories are ph.....»»
Exploring new liquid organic hydrogen carrier materials for a safer, more transportable energy source
To reduce CO2 emissions, the energy transition from a carbon-based energy system to a more sustainable system based on hydrogen energy is urgently needed. However, the nature of hydrogen (such as low volumetric density, flammability, and embrittlemen.....»»
Next-generation, nature-inspired sunscreens have a new molecular scaffold
A team of researchers led by professors Wybren Jan Buma at the University of Amsterdam and Vasilios Stavros at the University of Warwick (U.K.) have laid the groundwork for using urocanic acid and its derivatives as a novel class of sunscreen filters.....»»
Companies won"t survive in a nature-depleted world—some business owners are taking action
After the conclusion of UN biodiversity conference Cop16, it was easy to feel disappointed. In Cali, Colombia, discussions fell short on how to monitor targets and progress remains slow. Despite agreements, Cop16 lacked urgency from governments and t.....»»
Mysteries of the universe explored by professor, students in Italian underground lab
In an underground lab in a mountainous region of Italy that contains the coldest temperatures known to exist in the universe, teams of international scientists are to trying to solve one of the biggest mysteries in particle physics......»»
"Genetic time machine" reveals complex chimpanzee cultures
In recent decades, scientists have clearly demonstrated that chimpanzees, like humans, pass on complex cultures such as tool use from generation to generation. But human culture has become vastly more sophisticated, from the Stone Age to the Space Ag.....»»
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.....»»
A nearby supernova could end the search for dark matter
The search for the universe's dark matter could end tomorrow—given a nearby supernova and a little luck. The nature of dark matter has eluded astronomers for 90 years, since the realization that 85% of the matter in the universe is not visible thro.....»»
AI tool can engineer "better, faster, stronger" proteins
Nature is adept at designing proteins. Scientists are even better. But artificial intelligence holds the promise of improving proteins many times over. Medical applications for such "designer proteins" range from creating more precise antibodies for.....»»
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.....»»
Neanderthal adhesive manufacturing site found in Gibraltar cave
Cut into a Gibraltar cliff face overlooking the Alboran Sea, a cave opening leads back in time to one of the earliest manufacturing sites on the planet—a Neanderthal-built tar distillation oven hidden for 65,000 years......»»
Confidence drives feedback-seeking behavior: Insights into learning and motivation
A new study from co-lead author Christopher J. Cagna, Ph.D., of the Kessler Foundation examines the determinants of feedback-seeking behavior and their impact on learning. In collaboration with fellow co-lead author, Jamil P. Bhanji, Ph.D., of Rutger.....»»
Nature-based solutions are cheap and effective, and governments have the tools to make them a reality
As the world gathers in Azerbaijan for this year's annual UN climate conference (COP29), the urgency to act on climate change has never been greater......»»
Engineering nature"s blueprint: Dendron-based assemblies for chlorophyll"s materials
Researchers often look to photosynthesis—a process that turns sunlight into chemical energy in plants and bacteria—as a model for innovation. Photosynthesis is in turn linked to chlorophyll pigments, tiny green molecules that play a key role in h.....»»
Enhancing visibility for better security in multi-cloud and hybrid environments
In this Help Net Security interview, Brooke Motta, CEO of RAD Security, talks about how cloud-specific threats have evolved and what companies should be watching out for. She discusses the growing complexity of cloud environments and the importance o.....»»
Using matter waves, scientists unveil novel collective behaviors in quantum optics
A research team led by Dominik Schneble, Ph.D., Professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, has uncovered a novel regime, or set of conditions within a system, for cooperative radiative phenomena, casting new light on a 70-year-old problem.....»»
New tool to map protease specificity may pave the way for improved treatments
FMI researchers have developed a new tool that maps how proteases—enzymes that process proteins—cut their targets. This innovation offers new insight into the highly selective nature of proteases, which were previously seen as indiscriminate degr.....»»
Curiosity, images, and scientific exploration: New book by physicist explores remarkable phenomena
When we gaze at nature's remarkable phenomena, we might feel a mix of awe, curiosity, and determination to understand what we are looking at. That is certainly a common response for MIT's Alan Lightman, a trained physicist and prolific author of book.....»»
Early 20th century oceans might have been warmer than previously thought
Ocean temperatures in the early twentieth century were warmer than previously thought, according to new evidence presented in Nature......»»