Science News & Research Discoveries - SciTechDaily

Unlocking the Deep Past: New Study Maps the Dawn of Animal Life

University of Edinburgh — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 02:46:07 +0000

Researchers have linked changes in sea levels and marine oxygen to the evolution of early animals in a study that combines fossil analysis with geological data from 580–510 million years ago, enhancing our understanding of early biodiversity. A newly developed timeline of early animal fossils shows a connection between sea levels, marine oxygen changes, and [...]

A Game Changer in Gut Health Research: Engineers Unveil Advanced Device for Microbiome Sampling

Tufts University — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 16:46:59 +0000

Steps are being taken toward human clinical trials for the precision measurement of the intestinal microbiome. Researchers at Tufts University School of Engineering have made remarkable strides in developing a small, pill-sized device that can be swallowed to traverse the gastrointestinal tract, providing a comprehensive sampling of the microorganisms present within it. This device has [...]

Scientists Create Membrane That Cleans Water at Record Speed

New York University — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 07:20:54 +0000

New method greatly improves the speed and efficiency of membrane production, presenting promising solutions for addressing water purification issues. A team of NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) researchers has developed a novel approach that utilizes microwave technology to more easily synthesize and fine-tune a new type of membrane which effectively purifies water from a wide range [...]

Juicier, Glossier, Better: Superior Strawberries Unlocked Through Genetics

Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 23:15:27 +0000

A groundbreaking study has unveiled key genetic markers and candidate genes essential for improving the quality traits of strawberries, promising more vibrant, juicier, and longer-lasting fruits. Researchers from the University of Bordeaux have leveraged genome-wide association studies to advance our understanding of strawberry genetics, pinpointing 71 associations across 11 traits that influence fruit quality. This [...]

“Little to No Value” – Study Finds Insecticide Sprays Fail To Control Cockroaches

Entomological Society of America — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 14:00:59 +0000

Consumer insecticide sprays provide “little to no value” against German cockroach infestations, researchers say. A study has found that most consumer insecticide sprays are ineffective against German cockroaches, with over 80% of these pests surviving exposure to common pyrethroid-based products. Researchers emphasize the need for better testing standards and more effective pest control strategies, including [...]

Giant Fossil Discovery in Namibia Challenges Long-Held Evolutionary Theories

University of the Witwatersrand — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 08:23:37 +0000

Researchers have unearthed a giant basal tetrapod fossil in Namibia, revealing new aspects of early land animal evolution and highlighting the importance of southern continents in the study of these ancient species. An international team of paleontologists has discovered a fossilized giant basal tetrapod in Namibia. Basal tetrapods, early four-legged vertebrates with fingers and toes, [...]

New Research Challenges Conventional Wisdom on Wet Surface Adhesion

University of Akron — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 01:21:17 +0000

In a significant shift in understanding, scientists have found that water can improve adhesion under certain conditions, challenging the longstanding belief that water impedes this process. This discovery could lead to advances in medical adhesives and other applications. Researchers from the University of Akron and the University of Pittsburgh have challenged long-standing beliefs with new [...]

Paleontological Surprise: New Research Indicates That T. rex Was Much Larger Than Previously Thought

Canadian Museum of Nature — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 20:48:15 +0000

Research indicates that the largest T. rex could have weighed up to 15 tonnes and measured 15 meters, significantly larger than any currently known specimens, suggesting potential for even larger discoveries as paleontological efforts continue. New research published in the journal Ecology and Evolution assesses the maximum possible sizes of dinosaurs, using Tyrannosaurus rex as [...]

Scientists Uncover Ancient Origin of Cultural and Linguistic Networks of Central African Hunter-Gatherers

University of Zurich — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 16:10:35 +0000

Extensive social networks among different hunter-gatherer groups in the Congo Basin existed long before the advent of agriculture in the region. This continent-wide exchange helped preserve a rich cultural diversity that evolved over thousands of years, as demonstrated by researchers from the University of Zurich through their studies of musical instruments, specialized vocabulary, and genetic [...]

Unearthing History: Ancient Potatoes Reveal Indigenous Agricultural Genius

Lisa Potter and Margaret Chamberlain, University of Utah — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 06:26:36 +0000

Research confirms the Four Corners potato was historically cultivated by Indigenous groups in the Southwest, showing advanced agricultural techniques and the potato’s role in trade networks, significantly impacting plant diversity. A study reveals that a native potato species, Solanum jamesii, was historically transported and cultivated by Indigenous peoples across the Southwestern U.S., contributing to the [...]

Why Is Your Heart on the Left? Unraveling the Mysteries of Biological Chirality

Chan Zuckerberg Biohub — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 22:13:06 +0000

Exploring geometry and chirality in life by probing the sphinx tile. Why is the heart slightly to the left side of the body for most people? Why is DNA almost always a right-handed helix? The same goes for alpha helices, the building blocks of proteins. Chirality, or handedness, is pervasive in biology, yet the reasons [...]

Decoding Visual Deceptions: How the Brain Predicts and Rewrites Reality

Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 15:00:39 +0000

Experience shapes neural connectivity: Our brain interprets visual information by combining what we see with what we already know. Researchers at the Champalimaud Foundation have uncovered how our brains blend visual stimuli with prior knowledge to enhance perception, a key process that could have implications for treating mental health disorders like autism and schizophrenia. Their [...]

Scientists Uncover Mysterious Long-Distance Whale Synchronization

Hokkaido University — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 13:58:49 +0000

Scientists applied chaos theory to the movement of iconic arctic whales and uncovered a 24-hour diving cycle and a long-range (~100 km) synchronization. A recent study reveals intricate patterns in bowhead whale behavior, indicating a 24-hour cycle of deep diving in synchronization with prey movement during spring. Scientists uncovered this pattern using chaos theory and [...]

“Hearing” Temperature – Scientists Uncover a New Layer of Human Perception

Reichman University — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 12:36:42 +0000

Researchers demonstrated that humans can perceive water temperature through sound, an ability likely developed through exposure, suggesting potential for new sensory brain maps and advanced perceptual skills. Researchers from the Ivcher Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Technology (BCT Institute) at Reichman University (IDC Herzliya) have uncovered a largely overlooked perceptual ability, using machine learning to [...]

Seeds of Civilization: Scientists Unearth 7,000-Year-Old Farming Secrets in Western Europe

University of Barcelona — Sun, 11 Aug 2024 23:49:05 +0000

Research reveals that Neolithic farmers in Western Europe, particularly at La Draga, employed advanced cereal cultivation methods, reflecting a significant evolution from earlier agricultural methods that originated in the Middle East. A team of researchers led by the University of Barcelona has uncovered new insights into the advent and expansion of agriculture during the Neolithic [...]

Paleontologists Discover Unique Dolphin-Like Marine Crocodile From the Age of the Dinosaurs

University of Edinburgh — Sun, 11 Aug 2024 17:51:11 +0000

A newly discovered species of marine crocodile from 135 million years ago has been described from Germany. A new species of ancient marine crocodile, Enalioetes schroederi, has been described by an international team of scientists, including researchers from Germany and the UK. This species lived about 135 million years ago in the shallow seas that [...]

Low-Cost and Eco-Friendly: UCLA Engineers Develop Innovative New Building Cooling Technology

University of California, Los Angeles — Sun, 11 Aug 2024 12:04:25 +0000

A low-cost method uses common building materials that absorb or radiate heat to regulate temperature. As global temperatures increase, the demand for sustainable cooling solutions is also on the rise. A team of researchers from UCLA and their collaborators have developed a cost-effective and scalable method to cool buildings during the summer and heat them [...]

According to a New Study, Following This Type of Diet Could Slow Biological Aging

University of California - San Francisco — Sun, 11 Aug 2024 03:54:08 +0000

Researchers found that diets high in essential nutrients and low in added sugars can reduce cellular aging, as shown by “epigenetic clock” measurements. High sugar consumption, however, accelerates biological aging, underscoring the importance of a nutrient-rich diet for longevity. Researchers at UC San Francisco have discovered a connection between adhering to a nutrient-rich diet, particularly [...]

The Oldest Grapes in the Americas: Discovery of 60-Million-Year-Old Seeds Unveils Ancient Plant Secrets

Field Museum — Sun, 11 Aug 2024 00:25:05 +0000

Grape fossils in South America show evolution and resilience post-dinosaurs, aiding understanding of current biodiversity shifts. Researchers have discovered fossil grape seeds that range from 60 to 19 million years old in Colombia, Panama, and Peru. One of these species represents the earliest known example of plants from the grape family in the Western Hemisphere. [...]

Concerning Findings: New Research Reveals That Washing Your Fruit Doesn’t Remove All Pesticides

American Chemical Society — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 21:52:28 +0000

A new study has introduced a technique using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to detect low levels of pesticide residues on food, suggesting that washing alone might be insufficient to remove pesticides, and peeling may be necessary. Pesticides and herbicides are critical to ensuring food security worldwide, but these substances can present a safety risk to [...]

Ancient Ruins Reveal the Engineering Marvels of 1800-Year-Old Roman Mills

Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 13:18:50 +0000

Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University have decoded the history of the Roman mill complex of Barbegal in France using calcium carbonate deposits from the site. These findings reveal the mills’ operational life and the adaptations in water management needed over time, offering a rare insight into ancient industrial engineering. Archaeologists face a major challenge when [...]

New Research Reveals Why Your Glass Bottle of Orange Juice Is Bad for the Planet

University of Massachusetts Amherst — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 09:54:22 +0000

UMass Amherst survey seeks to improve the food industry’s understanding of consumer attitudes toward sustainable packaging and to guide consumers toward more eco-friendly options. A new study revealed that while consumers preferred glass for its perceived sustainability, cartons are actually the most energy-efficient and sustainable packaging option for single-serve orange juice, contrary to popular belief. [...]

Reimagining the Logic of Imaging: International Team of Scientists Develops Revolutionary Microscopy Method

Trinity College Dublin — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 06:12:35 +0000

A team from Trinity College Dublin has innovated a microscopic imaging technique that lowers radiation exposure and speeds up the process, enhancing safety and efficiency in imaging sensitive materials. An international team of scientists, led by Trinity College Dublin, has developed an advanced imaging technique using cutting-edge microscopes. This new method significantly cuts down on [...]

Researchers Uncover Hidden Elements in Mysterious Renaissance-Era Alchemy Lab

Birgitte Svennevig, University of Southern Denmark — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 23:39:59 +0000

Discoveries at medieval alchemist Tycho Brahe’s former laboratory indicate he experimented with rare elements like tungsten, unknown in his time, while developing medicinal concoctions for diseases like the plague. Medieval alchemists were notoriously secretive and didn’t share their knowledge with others. Danish astronomer and alchemist Tycho Brahe was no exception. Consequently, we don’t know precisely [...]