Long considered a disease brought to the Americas by European colonizers, leprosy may actually have a much older history on the American continent. Scientists reveal that a recently identified second species of bacteria responsible for leprosy, Mycobacterium lepromatosis, has been infecting humans in the Americas for at least 1,000 years,...
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New Study Analyzes Air Quality Impacts of Wildfire Smoke
The comprehensive research examined air quality in Reno, Nevada during 106 wildfires to illuminate the atmospheric and public health impacts of smoke.
Coastal Alaska Wolves Exposed to High Mercury Concentrations From Eating Sea Otters: Research
UCalgary ecotoxicology expert Ben Barst contributes to study of marine food’s impact on predators.
Mid-Air Transformation Helps Flying, Rolling Robot to Transition Smoothly
Specialized robots that can both fly and drive typically touch down on land before attempting to transform and drive away.
Kinetic coupling — breakthrough in understanding biochemical networks
A new concept of kinetic modules in biochemical networks could revolutionize the understanding of how these networks function. Scientists succeeded in linking the structure and dynamics of biochemical networks via kinetic modules, thus clarifying a systems biology question that has been open for longtime.
A sweeping study of 7,000 years of monuments in South Arabia
New research brings together 7,000 years of history in South Arabia to show how ancient pastoralists changed placement and construction of monuments over time in the face of environmental and cultural forces.
Huge sea-urchin populations are overwhelming Hawaii’s coral reefs
This study measured the growth rate of coral reefs in Honaunau Bay, Hawaii, using on-site data gathering and aerial imagery. Researchers found that the reefs are being eroded by sea urchin populations which have exploded due to overfishing in the area. The reefs are also threatened by climate change and...
Bed bugs are most likely the first human pest, new research shows
Researchers compared the whole genome sequence of two genetically distinct lineages of bed bug, and their findings indicate bed bugs may well be the first true urban pest.
Zika virus uses cells’ ‘self-care’ system to turn against host
A new study reveals the biological secret to the Zika virus's infectious success: Zika uses host cells' own 'self-care' system of clearing away useless molecules to suppress the host proteins that the virus has employed to get into those cells in the first place.
Rapid simulations of toxic particles could aid air pollution fight
A pioneering method to simulate how microscopic particles move through the air could boost efforts to combat air pollution, a study suggests.