University of Edinburgh News - 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 [...]

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 [...]

12,000 Years Old: World’s Oldest Solar Calendar Discovered on Ancient Turkish Pillar

University of Edinburgh — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 08:21:30 +0000

Research at Turkey’s 12,000-year-old Göbekli Tepe site indicates that carvings on ancient pillars likely represent the world’s oldest solar calendar, potentially created to commemorate a catastrophic comet strike that may have spurred the development of civilization. Experts suggest that markings on a stone pillar at a 12,000-year-old archaeological site in Turkey likely represent the world’s [...]

Webb Unveils Scorching Storms on Distant Worlds in Unprecedented Detail

University of Edinburgh — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 07:12:32 +0000

Astronomers used the James Webb Space Telescope to create a comprehensive weather report for two brown dwarfs located about six light years from Earth. Researchers have created the most detailed weather report ever for two distant worlds beyond our own solar system. The international study – the first of its kind – reveals the extreme [...]

Making This Simple Dietary Change Could Significantly Reduce Your Risk of Diabetes and Cancer

University of Edinburgh — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 12:46:52 +0000

A study indicates that reducing processed meat consumption by about one-third in the U.S. could prevent over 350,000 diabetes cases in ten years, as well as significantly decrease cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer cases. Researchers used a microsimulation to analyze the impact of reducing both processed and unprocessed red meat intake on multiple health outcomes. [...]

3D-Printed Artificial Blood Vessels Could Revolutionize the Treatment of Heart Disease

University of Edinburgh — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 22:31:25 +0000

3D-printed blood vessels that closely resemble the properties of human veins could revolutionize the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Experts say that newly developed strong, flexible, gel-like tubes, created through an innovative 3D printing technology, have the potential to enhance outcomes for heart bypass patients by replacing the human and synthetic veins currently used in surgery [...]

“Wonder Material” Graphene Verified Safe in Groundbreaking Human Study

University of Edinburgh — Fri, 16 Feb 2024 10:00:49 +0000

A revolutionary nanomaterial with huge potential to tackle multiple global challenges could be developed further without acute risk to human health, research suggests. A revolutionary nanomaterial with huge potential to tackle multiple global challenges could be developed further without acute risk to human health, research suggests. Carefully controlled inhalation of a specific type of graphene [...]

Which Virus Will Cause the Next Global Pandemic? Scientists Discover New Disease X Clues

University of Edinburgh — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 19:30:03 +0000

Understanding the ancestry of virus families may assist researchers in pinpointing which variants possess the potential to become Disease X, the elusive pathogen responsible for the next worldwide pandemic. A study has identified 70 virus lineages – groups of related viruses – that pose the biggest risk. Viruses from other genetic backgrounds are unlikely to [...]

Puzzle Solved: New Near Unbreakable Material Rivals Diamond in Hardness

University of Edinburgh — Mon, 25 Dec 2023 01:57:36 +0000

Scientists have solved a decades-long puzzle and unveiled a near unbreakable substance that could rival diamond, as the hardest material on earth, a study says. Researchers found that when carbon and nitrogen precursors were subjected to extreme heat and pressure, the resulting materials – known as carbon nitrides – were tougher than cubic boron nitride, [...]

Why Do Some Men Not Produce Sperm?

Stowers Institute for Medical Research — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 23:16:42 +0000

Scientists at Stowers Institute collaborate to discover an underlying cause of male infertility. Infertility affects countless couples globally, and in half of these cases, the problem lies with the male partner. Specifically, about 10% of these men face the challenge of producing minimal or no sperm. Recent research conducted jointly by the Stowers Institute for [...]

3D Eye Scans Emerge as a Crucial Tool in Combating Kidney Disease

University of Edinburgh — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 10:22:07 +0000

A new study indicates that 3D retinal scans could revolutionize the early detection and monitoring of kidney disease, offering a non-invasive and efficient diagnostic tool. 3D eye scans can reveal vital clues about kidney health that could help to track the progression of disease, research suggests. The advance could revolutionize the monitoring of kidney disease, [...]

3 Simple Activities That Can Enhance Cognitive Function in Older Adults

University of Eastern Finland — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 09:55:25 +0000

Playing a single 18-hole round of golf or completing 6 km of either Nordic walking or regular walking can significantly improve immediate cognitive function in older adults, according to a recent study published in BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine. An international research team, comprising members from the University of Eastern Finland, the University of [...]

Defending Against Memory Loss: Prior Training Shows “Profound Benefits” in Cognitive Aging

Impact Journals LLC — Mon, 02 Oct 2023 17:57:22 +0000

Spatial memory often deteriorates with age. It’s crucial to comprehend the impacted processes in aging to devise strategies for enhancing well-being. Everyday memory retention can be swayed by events occurring at the time of learning or by early life experiences. Memory attenuation in the young can be mitigated, leading to prolonged memory retention when a [...]

Nature’s Secret Code: New Findings Shatter Long-Held Beliefs About Fibonacci Spirals

University of Edinburgh — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 14:08:14 +0000

A 3D model of a 407-million-year-old plant fossil has reshaped our understanding of leaf evolution. This study has also provided new perspectives on the remarkable patterns observed in plants. Early plant leaf arrangements differ from those in many contemporary plants, challenging a longstanding belief about the beginnings of a famous mathematical pattern observed in nature, [...]

New Research Shines Light on Cause of Chronic Kidney Disease

University of Edinburgh — Fri, 21 Jul 2023 05:55:42 +0000

A new understanding of a protein linked to kidney and heart damage might pave the way for novel treatment strategies for chronic kidney disease, according to recent research. Scientists, through a study conducted on mice, have discovered that a protein known as Indian Hedgehog (IHH) drives scarring in the kidneys and hearts. This protein is [...]

The Earliest Quiescent – Researchers Reveal Traits of Ancient Galaxy 25 Billion Light-Years Away

University of Edinburgh — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 18:23:59 +0000

Utilizing the most powerful telescope to date, astronomers have identified a colossal and tightly clustered galaxy situated 25 billion light-years away. GS-9209, a galaxy that emerged just 600 to 800 million years following the Big Bang, has been identified as the earliest galaxy of its type ever discovered, according to scientists. Detailed properties of GS-9209 [...]

Does COVID-19 Vaccination Cause Changes to Women’s Periods?

University of Edinburgh — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 14:14:28 +0000

A recent study has concluded that there is no cause for alarm regarding changes to menstrual cycles due to the Covid-19 vaccination. However, the study points out that women who have contracted the Covid-19 virus may experience an increased likelihood of disruptions in their menstrual cycle. These disruptions could manifest as skipped or heavier menstrual [...]

Improved Sensitivity and Usability – A New Way To Monitor Brain Blood Flow

SPIE - International Society for Optics and Photonics — Wed, 24 May 2023 11:18:16 +0000

Recent findings unlock the potential of high-pixel-resolution single-photon avalanche diode cameras in multispeckle diffuse correlation spectroscopy. Assessing the circulation of blood to the brain can provide significant insights into its functioning. A surge in blood flow often corresponds to neuronal activity, while a reduction could signify various irregularities, such as a potential precursor to stroke. [...]

The “Rosetta Stone” of Paleontology: 400 Million-Year-Old Fossil Cache Unveils Early Life

University of Edinburgh — Fri, 19 May 2023 21:07:58 +0000

Cutting-edge technology has revealed new insights about a globally famous fossil treasure trove, which may provide critical evidence concerning early life on Earth. Scientists investigating the 400 million-year-old fossil cache, discovered in the remote northeastern region of Scotland, report that their results display a higher level of molecular preservation in these fossils than what was [...]

Do Cesarean-Born Babies Miss Out on Essential Microbes?

Cell Press — Thu, 30 Mar 2023 11:15:48 +0000

Is it true that cesarean-born babies lack crucial microbes? Recent evidence indicates that the answer is “no.” In a report published in the journal Cell Host & Microbe, researchers have revealed that mothers can transfer microbes to their infants through other compensatory methods. Despite receiving less of their mother’s gut microbiome during birth, babies born [...]

Surprising Research Reveals Rampant Violence in Early Farming Societies

University of Edinburgh — Tue, 21 Feb 2023 20:39:59 +0000

According to new research, violence, and warfare were prevalent in many Neolithic communities across Northwest Europe during the time when farming was adopted. New research suggests that violence and warfare were widespread in numerous Neolithic communities throughout Northwest Europe during a time period associated with the adoption of agriculture. Bioarchaeologists discovered that more than one [...]

100 Million People at Risk – The Hidden Cost of Soaring Fertilizer Prices

University of Edinburgh — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 18:49:06 +0000

A study suggests that rising fertilizer prices could threaten an additional 100 million people with undernourishment. The conflict in Ukraine has resulted in the blockading of significant amounts of wheat, barley, and corn, however, researchers have found that the reduced food exports from the region have a lesser impact on food price increases than previously [...]

Decoding the Past – Scientists Uncover the Origin of Mysterious Giant Extinct Marine Reptile Graveyard

University of Utah — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 18:48:15 +0000

For many years, researchers have been studying a state park in Nevada, but despite their efforts, the reason for the high number of ichthyosaur deaths in the area some 230 million years ago remains a mystery. Blue and humpback whales, along with other marine giants of today, regularly undertake long migrations to reach waters where [...]

Warning: Eating Too Much Salt Could Be Making You Stressed

University of Edinburgh — Fri, 06 Jan 2023 13:37:23 +0000

According to a recent study, a diet high in salt can contribute to stress. In experiments with mice, researchers discovered that a high-salt diet led to a 75% increase in stress hormone levels. These findings may prompt a review of public health policies related to salt intake, with the goal of reducing the amount of [...]