Refining biome labeling for microbial community samples
In a study published in the journal Environmental Science and Ecotechnology, researchers from Huazhong University of Science and Technology have introduced "Meta-Sorter," an AI-based method that leverages neural networks and transfer learning to sign.....»»
With NASA’s plan faltering, China knows it can be first with Mars sample return
"China is likely to become the first country to return samples from Mars." Enlarge / A "selfie" photo of China's Zhurong rover and the Tianwen-1 landing platform on Mars in 2021. (credit: China National Space Administration).....»»
Researchers propose mechanistic framework to explain complex microbe-host symbioses
Virtually all multicellular organisms on Earth live in symbiotic associations with very large and complex microbial communities known as microbiomes. New research has just been published aimed at offering a complete understanding how those relationsh.....»»
Oil and gas communities are a blind spot in America"s climate and economic policies
On a recent visit to Rangely, a small town in northwest Colorado, my colleagues and I met with the administrators of a highly regarded community college to discuss the town's economy. Leaving the scenic campus, we saw families driving into the mounta.....»»
SF Bay area study reveals chemical levels in bottled, tap and household-treated tap water
A team of water technicians at water testing company SimpleLab has tested chemical levels in hundreds of water samples collected from bottles, household taps and treated tap water in the San Francisco Bay area. Their paper is published in the journal.....»»
Dolphin-friendly? New research shows that vague environmental labeling is common on NZ seafood products
Many seafood products sold in New Zealand make environmental claims, but our new research shows most of them are too ambiguous and may serve as greenwashing......»»
The DNA secrets of a medieval cave-dwelling community
Isolated community marked by inbreeding, violence, and devout worship. Enlarge / View of the Las Gobas cave site. (credit: Miguel Sotomayor via Getty) In a new study, we have sequenced DNA from a Christian community in m.....»»
Researchers call for more tailored approach to dealing with different types of sex offenders
Community attitudes to sex offenders who are in positions of trust—such as teachers, coaches, or clergy members—are significantly more negative than those towards general sex offenders (SOs) and could lead to reoffending, a new study finds......»»
Novel probiotics identified in traditional Brazilian cheeses
Research conducted at the Center for Dairy Technology (Tecnolat) in Campinas, São Paulo state, Brazil, has identified lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that have probiotic properties and are beneficial to human health in samples of traditional Brazilian ch.....»»
Machine-learning models can predict colonization outcomes of complex microbial communities
Microbial communities are constantly exposed to the invasion of exogenous species, which can significantly alter their composition and function. The capacity of a microbial community to resist invasion is regarded as an emergent property resulting fr.....»»
Study reveals isolation, endogamy and pathogens in early medieval Spanish community
An archaeogenetic study sheds new light on the isolated medieval community Las Gobas in northern Spain. Besides isolation and endogamy, researchers have also identified the variola virus, which can offer a new explanation of how smallpox entered Iber.....»»
Citizen scientists can help save Australia"s threatened species if given more direction
Across Australia and around the world, citizen scientists are protecting species by recording sightings, surveying landscapes and collecting samples. No job is too big or too small. As wildlife ecologists, we are indebted to this army of volunteers......»»
Loch Ness life seen through holographic lens
Holographic images of microbial life in Loch Ness have been captured for the first time using the University of Aberdeen's state-of-the-art digital holographic camera......»»
Volunteers record bee biodiversity and discover new species in Pennsylvania
Community scientists in Pennsylvania have reported multiple new species of bees never before found in the commonwealth through a monitoring program led by Penn State......»»
Widespread culling of crocodiles is not an effective way to stop attacks on humans, study shows
Education and community awareness, removal of problem animals and exclusion areas are significantly more effective in reducing saltwater crocodile attacks in the Northern Territory than a widespread culling program to reduce crocodile numbers, accord.....»»
Improving the accuracy of global cropland mapping
To address the needs of the agricultural monitoring community, IIASA scientists fused two of the latest high-quality, high-resolution, remotely sensed cropland products to produce an improved cropland map for early warning and food security assessmen.....»»
What really drives consumers to sign up for community-supported agriculture?
As industrialized food markets harm the environment, sustainable food systems emerge as an effective solution. This includes reducing the distance between where the food is produced and consumed, ensuring that people eat locally produced food. One pr.....»»
Ancient microbes linked to evolution of human immune proteins
When you become infected with a virus, some of the first weapons your body deploys to fight it are those passed down to us from our microbial ancestors billions of years ago. According to new research from The University of Texas at Austin, two key e.....»»
Physics meets machine learning for better cyclone predictions
Time is of the essence in tropical cyclone prediction: The more warning time a community has, the better prepared its members will be when a storm makes landfall. Currently, the path and nature of tropical cyclones can be predicted up to only five da.....»»
Apple spotlights how its technology is helping 4-H youth development
As part of its Community Education Initiative, Apple says that its work with 4-H programs has reached over 90,000 young people from communities across the US that are traditionally underrepresented in technology.Mark Light has introduced thousands of.....»»
CEO of failing hospital chain got $250M amid patient deaths, layoffs, bankruptcy
Steward Health Care System, run by CEO Ralph de la Torre, filed for bankruptcy in May. Enlarge / Hospital staff and community members held a protest in front of Carney Hospital in Boston on August 5 as Steward has announced it.....»»