Volunteers should not become friends with patients, say Norwegian researchers
When a volunteer supports a patient, a special and often rather unequal relationship can develop between the helper and the person receiving the help. Researchers have now investigated this relationship and offer guidance on finding the right balance.....»»
El Niño exacerbates effects of drought on Amazon groundwater and increases fire risk, study finds
The risk of fires in the Amazon is greater in regions where groundwater storage is compromised, especially when El Niño exacerbates the drought. Using satellite images and data from fires, researchers have been able to demonstrate the relationship b.....»»
South Dakota outbreak reveals potential H5N1 adaptation in domestic cats
University of Pittsburgh researchers have identified evidence of H5N1 adaptation in domestic cats. Work centered on a rural outbreak in South Dakota, where multiple cats died after showing neurological and respiratory symptoms......»»
Researchers turn coal into graphite for clean energy, electric vehicle batteries
Yesterday's polluting fuel could be transformed into a valuable material for tomorrow's electric vehicle batteries, thanks to a wide-ranging research project that utilizes expertise spanning the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory......»»
Atomic force microscopy reveals microtubule defects at submolecular resolution
In a study recently published in the journal Nano Letters, researchers from Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan, used frequency-modulated atomic force microscopy to reveal the submolecular structure of micr.....»»
Neuronal adaptations shed light on anglerfish hunting behavior
Characterized by their unique adaptations to extreme environments, anglerfish are known for using lures to attract prey. Researchers at Nagoya University in Japan have discovered in frogfish (a subgroup of anglerfish) a specialized motor neuron popul.....»»
Weight loss drugs may also treat addiction, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease
Pharmaceutical companies are already cashing in on their other health benefits. One of Dr. Mo Sarhan’s patients was experiencing intense cravings for opioids and alcohol when th.....»»
Researchers identify amino acids that prevent sporulation in food poisoning
Food poisoning is a common, yet unpleasant, illness caused by eating contaminated items. It is sometimes caused by Clostridium perfringens, a pathogen widely found in soil and the intestinal tracts of animals......»»
Researchers reveal key factors behind Japan"s plastic waste removal rates in rivers
Plastic pollution is an ever-growing problem in today's world, as most societies have become overly dependent on plastics for packaging, medical supplies, and general goods......»»
Researchers explore likelihood of a future quake along the Nevis-Cardrona Fault in western Otago
A new study reveals the likelihood of a future earthquake occurring along the Nevis-Cardrona Fault in western Otago is lower than previously thought......»»
Researchers unveil new tool to combat mosquito-borne diseases
According to figures from the World Health Organization, vector-borne diseases account for more than 17% of all infectious diseases, causing more than 700,000 deaths annually. Malaria causes an estimated 249 million cases globally, and results in mor.....»»
Helicopter parenting in fish: Damselfish protect young by eating parasites
Researchers have discovered a rare example of "great fish parenting" with a common coral reef species found to actively protect their young by eating parasites......»»
Interview: How these developers created 2024’s most celebrated apps
Apple today announced the winners of the 2024 App Store Awards, recognizing apps and games that “helped users ignite their creativity, achieve new milestones, and cherish everyday moments with family and friends.” I had the chance to spend tim.....»»
Hedgehogs" hibernation patterns show surprising flexibility
Research has found hedgehogs living in the same, semi-rural area have wide variation in hibernation timing and pattern, with some entering hibernation as much as three months later than others. The researchers say this flexibility could help them ada.....»»
BadRAM: $10 hack unlocks AMD encrypted memory
Cybersecurity researchers have identified a vulnerability (CVE-2024-21944, aka BadRAM) affecting ADM processors that can be triggered by rogue memory modules to unlock the chips’ encrypted memory. The SPD chip can be modified using an off-the-s.....»»
Open source malware up 200% since 2023
Sonatype’s 2024 Open Source Malware Threat Report reveals that the number of malicious packages has surpassed 778,500 since tracking began in 2019. In 2024, researchers examined how threat actors leverage malicious open-source packages to targe.....»»
Rethinking the quantum chip: Engineers present new design for superconducting quantum processor
Researchers at the UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (UChicago PME) have realized a new design for a superconducting quantum processor, aiming at a potential architecture for the large-scale, durable devices the quantum revolution dem.....»»
Understanding bribery: Why people choose to give bribes
McGill-led researchers developed a model of the factors that go into citizens' calculations about whether to bribe officials, information that can help authorities fight corruption......»»
First-ever Mediterranean mako shortfin shark tagged for conservation
Virginia Tech researchers successfully tagged a young shortfin mako shark in the Mediterranean during the summer of 2023, the first time that this has been done in the region. These sharks are critically endangered not only in the Mediterranean but a.....»»
Predicting atomic structures proves useful in energy and sustainability
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) have developed a new approach that combines generative artificial intelligence (AI) and first-principles simulations to predict three-dimensional atomic structures of highly complex materia.....»»
Study challenges assertion that mealworms break down polystyrene
The capability of mealworms to digest and break down plastics has been challenged in a study led by researchers from The University of Western Australia......»»