Eurekalert


The premier online source for science news since 1996. A service of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Updated: 3 years 9 months ago
New research may explain shortages in STEM careers
A new study by the University of Georgia revealed that more college students change majors within the STEM pipeline than leave the career path of science, technology, engineering and mathematics altogether
Categories: Content
Scientists use genetic engineering to explore mechanisms involved in psychiatric disorders
The research group created a virus capable of acting on specific adult brain regions, helping to elucidate the role of key neurons in the prefrontal cortex. They tested the technique on mice.
Categories: Content
Stimulating environments boost the brain; now scientists have found the genes responsible
Scientists use a swathe of modern techniques to map, in unprecedented detail, the molecular changes in the brain of mice that grew up in stimulating surroundings. These can be pinpointed to specific 'epigenetic' modifications to the genome within neurons and glia cells. These then regulate the activity of a minority of genes, especially within genomic regions implicated in cognitive mental health in humans. Published by the open access publisher Frontiers, the study may yield new leads in the search for mental health therapies.
Categories: Content
Symbiotic bacteria in root cells may be key to producing better crops, Rutgers study finds
A Rutgers study finds that symbiotic bacteria that colonize root cells may be managed to produce hardier crops that need less fertilizer.
Categories: Content
New ebolavirus vaccine design seeks to drive stronger antibody defense
Scientists at Scripps Research have unveiled a new Ebola virus vaccine design, which they say has several advantages over standard vaccine approaches for Ebola and related viruses that continue to threaten global health. In the new design, described in a paper in Nature Communications, copies of the Ebola virus outer spike protein, known as the glycoprotein, are tethered to the surface of a spherical carrier particle.
Categories: Content
PENTEC: World experts team up to improve outcomes for children after radiation therapy
Experts around the world volunteer in a large-scale effort to provide the first evidence-based guidelines for pediatric radiation therapy. These guidelines are aimed at minimizing long-term side effects while maintaining effectiveness of therapy.
Categories: Content
Lemon trees showed less response to citrus greening disease pathogen than orange trees
Citrus greening disease was first discovered in Florida in 2005. Since then, production of oranges in the United States for processing has declined by 72 percent between the 2007-2008 growing season and the 2017-2018 growing season, primarily in Florida. The disease was discovered in California in 2012, and now the state is beginning to see a rapid increase of citrus greening disease.
Categories: Content
Bears that mark more trees may be more successful in mating
Brown bears that are more inclined to grate and rub against trees have more offspring and more mates, according to a University of Alberta study. The results suggest there might be a fitness component to the poorly understood behaviour.
Categories: Content
All gas, no brakes: Testosterone may act as 'brake pedal' on immune response
Jonathan Busada, a researcher with the WVU School of Medicine and Cancer Institute, has investigated the role that hormones play in male and female inflammatory responses. In a new study, he found that testosterone may protect against stomach inflammation.
Categories: Content
How imperfect memory causes poor choices
A new study from UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business and UC San Francisco's Department of Neurology combines insights from economics and psychology with decision-making experiments and fMRI brain scans to examine how our imperfect memories affect our decision making. Answering this question could hold implications for everything from conducting consumer research and crafting public policy to managing neurodegenerative diseases.
Categories: Content
We need herd immunity against COVID-19 vaccine misinformation
A new study published in the scientific journal PLOS ONE led by researchers at UNSW Sydney revealed over 103 million people globally liked, shared, retweeted or reacted with an emoji to misinformation and conspiracy theories about COVID-19 vaccines.
Categories: Content
Genetic risk of heart disease may be due to low Omega 3-linked biomarker
People who are genetically more likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases may benefit from boosting a biomarker found in fish oils, a new study suggests.
Categories: Content
Johns Hopkins develops device for fast gonorrhea diagnosis
A Johns Hopkins University-led team has created an inexpensive portable device and cellphone app to diagnose gonorrhea in less than 15 minutes and determine if a particular strain will respond to frontline antibiotics.
Categories: Content
Elephant seals' extreme diving allows them to exploit deep ocean niche
Using data captured by video cameras and smart accelerometers attached to female elephant seals, Taiki Adachi and colleagues show that the animals spend at least 80% of their day foraging for fish, feeding between 1,000 and 2,000 times per day. The unique glimpse at elephant seal foraging strategy shows how these large marine mammals exploit a unique ocean
Categories: Content
'Opioid treatment deserts' abound, study finds
Neighborhoods without opioid treatment providers likely serve as a widespread barrier to care for those who are ready to seek help, a new study has found.
Categories: Content
Researchers discover new genetic variants responsible for neurodevelopmental disorders
Researchers have revealed how variants of a gene responsible for packing and condensing genetic material present a novel cause for certain neurodevelopmental disorders.
Categories: Content
Only 17 percent of free-flowing rivers are protected, new research shows
The research, published in special issue of Sustainability that was co-edited by NAU researchers, demonstrates that biodiversity commitments will be key to global freshwater protection.
Categories: Content
The triple threat of coronavirus
Immense research efforts are invested in figuring out how the virus manages to mount an effective invasion while throwing the immune system off course. A new study, published today in Nature, reveals a multipronged strategy that the virus employs to ensure its quick and efficient replication, while avoiding detection by the immune system.
Categories: Content
Autologous adipose injection for shoulder pain in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury
Dr. Malanga: "The results show that the minimally invasive injection of micro-fragmented adipose tissue is a safe and efficacious option for wheelchair users with shoulder pain. Based on the success of our study, a randomized controlled study with a larger number of subjects has been initiated in this patient population through funding from the New Jersey Commission for Spinal Cord Research."
Categories: Content
Fighting food insecurity by building better beans
As climate change heats up the air and land making them hotter and dryer, warmer nighttime temperatures make it more difficult to grow beans -- the number one source of protein and nutrients for many people living in Central America and Africa. Researchers at Michigan State University are building better beans by tapping into the genetics of the more heat-resistant tepary bean.
Categories: Content