Blackberries with no thorns? Scientist assembles genome of a blackberry in major step to breed better fruit
Thornless, disease-resistant, and tastier blackberries could be on the horizon—thanks to new genetic research from the University of Florida.
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First atomic map of potato pathogen reveals potential infection mechanism
Plants are susceptible to a wide range of pathogens. For the common potato plant, one such threat is Pectobacterium atrosepticum, a bacterium that causes stems to blacken, tissues to decay, and often leads to plant death, resulting in significant agricultural losses each year.
Less intensive management works best for agricultural soil, study finds
The less intensively you manage the soil, the better the soil can function; for example, not plowing as often or using more grass-clover mixtures as cover crops. These are the conclusions of a research team led by the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW).
Global map of fishmeal and fish oil factories exposes industry's footprint
Around the world, millions of tons of small fish are processed into fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO) each year—key ingredients in aquaculture that help farmed fish, like salmon, grow. A new University of British Columbia (UBC) study has revealed the global distribution of FMFO
Atmospheric reaction between Criegee intermediates and water found to be unexpectedly fast
Criegee intermediates (CIs)—highly reactive species formed when ozone reacts with alkenes in the atmosphere—play a crucial role in generating hydroxyl radicals (the atmosphere's "cleansing agents") and aerosols that impact climate and air quality. The syn-CH3CHOO is
Compact optical clock uses quantum interference for improved frequency stability
An atomic clock research team from the National Time Service Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has proposed and implemented a compact optical clock based on quantum interference enhanced absorption spectroscopy, which is expected to play an important role in
Bureaucrats get a bad rap, but they deserve more credit: A sociologist of work explains why
It's telling that U.S. President Donald Trump's administration wants to fire bureaucrats. In its view, bureaucrats stand for everything that's wrong with the United States: overregulation, inefficiency and even the nation's deficit, since they draw salaries from taxpayers.
Researchers uncover how intestinal parasite Cryptosporidium alters host cells
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have shown that the Cryptosporidium parasite exports a protein into infected intestinal cells, altering the gut environment and enabling the parasite to survive and replicate.
New method identifies rancid hazelnuts without removing them from the bag
No more rancid hazelnuts: A research team at the URV has developed a method that can identify nuts that have gone bad due to oxidation. The technique uses infrared light to determine the chemical composition of hazelnuts without even removing them from their shells.
Sexism can undermine teams by disrupting emotional synchrony's role in performance
In a world where innovation and progress depend on effective teamwork, a new study reveals how sexist behavior within teams sabotages not just individuals, but the very fabric of collaboration.
'Extremely rare event': Bone analysis suggests ancient echidnas lived in water
A small bone found 30 years ago at Dinosaur Cove in southeastern Australia could turn what we know about the evolution of echidnas and platypuses on its head.
Anatomy of a 'zombie' volcano: Investigating the cause of unrest inside Uturuncu
Scientists from China, the UK and the U.S. have collaborated to analyze the inner workings of Bolivia's "zombie" volcano, Uturuncu. By combining seismology, physics models and analysis of rock composition, researchers identify the causes of Uturuncu's unrest, alleviating fears
Earthquake-driven land sinking could increase flood risk in Pacific Northwest
The next great earthquake isn't the only threat to the Pacific Northwest. A powerful earthquake, combined with rising sea levels, could significantly increase flood risks in the Pacific Northwest, impacting thousands of residents and properties in northern California, Oregon,
Pugs and Persian cats show strikingly similar 'smushed' faces due to artificial selection
Through intensive breeding, humans have pushed breeds such as pug dogs and Persian cats to evolve with very similar skulls and "smushed" faces, so they're more similar to each other than they are to most other dogs or cats.
First synthetic 'mini prion' shows how protein misfolding multiplies
Scientists at Northwestern University and University of California, Santa Barbara have created the first synthetic fragment of tau protein that acts like a prion. The "mini prion" folds and stacks into strands (or fibrils) of misfolded tau proteins, which then transmit their
Using 'shallow shadows' to uncover quantum properties
It would be difficult to understand the inner workings of a complex machine without ever opening it up, but this is the challenge scientists face when exploring quantum systems. Traditional methods of looking into these systems often require immense resources, making them
First observation of non-reciprocal Coulomb drag in Chern insulators reported
He Qinglin's group at the Center for Quantum Materials Science, School of Physics, has reported the first observation of non-reciprocal Coulomb drag in Chern insulators. This breakthrough opens new pathways for exploring Coulomb interactions in magnetic topological systems and
P160C fires up successfully, a new chapter for Ariane 6 and Vega launchers
The P160C qualification motor was successfully tested on 24 April at the European Spaceport in French Guiana, on the solid-propellant booster test stand (BEAP) operated by the French Space Agency (CNES). The successful test firing of the first P160C motor is a major milestone
Reciprocal interaction between extrachromosomal DNA maintenance and DNA damage response revealed
Extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) is a unique form of circular DNA that exists outside of normal chromosomes. Found exclusively in tumor cells, it often carries cancer-promoting genes (oncogenes) and is detectable in most human cancers.
First fossil pangolin tracks discovered in South Africa
A team of scientists who study vertebrate fossil tracks and traces on South Africa's southern Cape coast have identified the world's first fossil pangolin trackway, with the help of Indigenous Master Trackers from Namibia. Ichnologists Charles Helm, Clive Thompson and Jan De
Nuclear chemistry research gets an efficiency boost with 'serial approach'
Heavy actinides—elements at the bottom of the periodic table, after plutonium—are radioactive, rare and chemically complex, making them notoriously difficult to study. Most studies conducted on these elements have traditionally been done one-compound-at-a-time or extrapolated
Multistakeholder solutions for urban resilience for coastal cities
Rapid urbanization and climate change are intensifying urban flash floods and waterlogging, especially in coastal cities. In a new study published in Risk Sciences, a duo of researchers explore the growing challenges and offer practical solutions for building resilient and
Cryptocurrency may be evolving into a shadow banking system
A recent study published by political scientists at Freie Universität Berlin, Christopher Olk and Louis Miebs, indicates that the global cryptocurrency system has been undergoing significant transformations. The crypto system, which was originally intended as an alternative to
With sustainable practices, New York dairy farms achieve lower emissions
A number of New York dairy farms achieve low greenhouse gas emissions due to sustainable management practices like growing a high proportion of their own feed and making the most of manure, according to new research. The findings establish the first regional baseline for dairy
Glaciers offer clues into the path of fossil fuel pollution
Glaciers provide a unique opportunity for researchers to measure levels of atmospheric carbon deposition. Unlike other terrestrial ecosystems, these slow-moving rivers of ice do not have other large reservoirs of soil or vegetation that might obscure how much carbon they
Humanity's recent history leaves marks in deep marine sediments
Research led by the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO-CSIC), with the participation of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), has reconstructed the history of pollution in the seabed of the Cantabrian Sea and the northwestern
Vesta's missing core shatters long-held beliefs about the asteroid
For decades, scientists believed Vesta, one of the largest objects in our solar system's asteroid belt, wasn't just an asteroid and eventually concluded it was more like a planet with a crust, mantle and core. Now, Michigan State University has contributed to research that
Scientists crack decades-old puzzle in carbon dioxide-to-fuel conversion
New research has revealed the fundamental mechanisms that limit the performance of copper catalysts—critical components in artificial photosynthesis that transform carbon dioxide and water into valuable fuels and chemicals.
First real-time visualization of nanofiber self-assembly uncovers key steps in formation of supramolecular gels
Imagine materials that build themselves, responding intelligently to their environment to deliver drugs precisely where needed, scaffold regenerating tissues, or clean up pollutants. These are the promises of supramolecular gels, fascinating soft materials formed by the
ACES finds its home in orbit
The Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space (ACES), ESA's state-of-the-art timekeeping facility, has been successfully installed on the International Space Station, marking the start of a new chapter in space-based precision science.
Is there a best way to peel a boiled egg? A food scientist explains
We've all been there—trying to peel a boiled egg, but mangling it beyond all recognition as the hard shell stubbornly sticks to the egg white. Worse, the egg ends up covered in chewy bits of adhesive membrane in the end.
Investigators are increasingly using technology in conflict-related sexual assault cases
In the last two weeks of February, humanitarian agencies reported 895 cases of conflict-related rape as M23 rebels advanced through the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees official, this was an average of more
Life on Earth-like planets may emerge rapidly once conditions are favorable
An astronomer at Columbia University is suggesting that because life emerged so soon on Earth after its formation, it may emerge rapidly on Earth-like planets after the right conditions arise in general.
Hubble visits glittering cluster, capturing its ultraviolet light
As part of ESA/Hubble's 35th anniversary celebrations, the European Space Agency (ESA) shared new images that revisited stunning, previously released Hubble targets with the addition of the latest Hubble data and new processing techniques.
Unexpected link found between police spending, housing prices
A first-of-its-kind study on the link between police budgeting and the housing market seemed to be a dead end—showing practically no relation between the spending on law enforcement and home transaction volume and prices, just like previous studies.
New atomic fountain clock joins elite group that keeps the world on time
Clocks on Earth are ticking a bit more regularly thanks to NIST-F4, a new atomic clock at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) campus in Boulder, Colorado.
Who do Africans trust most? Surveys show it's not the state (more likely the army)
A recent Afrobarometer study has shown declining trust in public institutions over the past decade among African citizens. Study findings call into question the credibility and legitimacy of state institutions like the presidency, parliament and security forces, including the
Amazon set for launch of Starlink-rival satellites
After delaying an earlier attempt due to bad weather, Amazon is preparing to launch its first batch of Project Kuiper internet satellites on Monday, stepping into direct competition with Elon Musk's Starlink.
Teachers in South African schools may be slow to report rape of girls: Study shows why
In South Africa, the age of consent for sex is 16 years old. Engaging in sexual activity with someone under the age of 16 is considered statutory rape, even if the minor consents as defined under the law that applies to adults.
50 years later, Vietnam's environment still bears the scars of war, and signals a dark future for Gaza and Ukraine
When the Vietnam War finally ended on April 30, 1975, it left behind a landscape scarred with environmental damage. Vast stretches of coastal mangroves, once housing rich stocks of fish and birds, lay in ruins. Forests that had boasted hundreds of species were reduced to
Granular systems, such as sandpiles or rockslides: New research will help scientists describe how they work
Did you eat cereal this morning? Or have you walked on a gravel path? Maybe you had a headache and had to take a pill? If you answered any of these questions with a yes, you interacted with a granular system today.
How math helps to protect crops from invasive disease
New research from The University of Texas at Arlington and the U.S. Department of Agriculture demonstrates how mathematical modeling can predict outbreaks of toxic fungi in Texas corn crops—offering a potential lifeline to farmers facing billions in harvest losses.
Curd your enthusiasm: Secrets of oldest book on cheese revealed
Held by Cultural Collections at the University of Leeds, the earliest-known English book about cheese is revealing its fascinating and sometimes nauseating contents to the public for the first time.
Extreme rainfall—a long-standing hypothesis on temperature dependence may finally be settled
Flash floods resulting from extreme rainfall pose a major risk to people and infrastructure, especially in urban areas. Higher temperatures due to global climate change affect continuous rainfall and short rain showers in somewhat equal measure.
Flower strips could save apple farmers pest control costs
Planting wildflowers in apple orchards could save farmers up to £3,000 per hectare a year, according to a new study.
Pressure-responsive, layered semiconductor shows potential for next-gen data storage
A squishy, layered material that dramatically transforms under pressure could someday help computers store more data with less energy.
Tensions over Kashmir and a warming planet have placed the Indus Waters Treaty on life support
In 1995, World Bank Vice President Ismail Serageldin warned that whereas the conflicts of the previous 100 years had been over oil, "the wars of the next century will be fought over water."
How will the LA fires affect the ocean? These researchers are racing to find out
Scientists aboard a research vessel near Los Angeles collected ash, air and water samples as fire blazed on the hills before them in January.
Global first test success for NASA space power system
A spacecraft power system that combines the technological know-how of engineers and scientists at the University of Leicester and NASA Glenn has passed its first test with flying colors.
India and Pakistan tension escalates with suspension of historic water treaty
India has taken the highly significant step of suspending the 1960 Indus waters treaty, which governs water sharing with Pakistan, as part of its response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Kashmir that killed at least 26 people.
