A new artificial intelligence tool could aid in limiting or even prevent pandemics by identifying animal species that may harbor and spread viruses capable of infecting humans. The machine learning model analyzes host characteristics and virus genetics to identify potential animal reservoirs and geographic areas where new outbreaks are more...
Blog
Thinner Arctic sea ice may affect global ocean circulation
One of the ocean currents in the Arctic Ocean is at risk of disappearing this century because of climate change, according to a new study. As a result, the North Atlantic could be flooded with freshwater which would weaken the global ocean circulation.
Rice Scientists Pioneer Method to Tackle ‘Forever Chemicals’
Rice University researchers have developed an innovative solution to a pressing environmental challenge: removing and destroying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly called “forever chemicals.”
In a Warming World, Why Is the Southern Ocean Getting Cooler?
Climate models predict that as the planet warms, so will the Southern Ocean. But for decades, the waters around Antarctica have grown mysteriously cooler. A new study shows why.
Wildfires, Windstorms and Heatwaves: How Extreme Weather Threatens Nature’s Essential Services
How much will strawberry harvests shrink when extreme heat harms pollinators?
Drone experiment reveals how Greenland ice sheet is changing
A new study measured water vapor in Greenland's air, collecting data crucial for improving climate models and forecasting Arctic changes.
How a critical enzyme keeps potentially dangerous genes in check
The new study reveals a remarkable way that cells keep us safe from transposable elements (TEs) gone wild. The researchers found that cells have taken advantage of an entire protein network to repress TE activity and keep themselves healthy.
Why scientists are worried about weasels
Weasels are often difficult to capture on camera, making it hard for conservationists to track their population numbers. This study aimed to determine the best material to use as bait for camera traps when studying the weasels. Researchers found that red meat worked better than other options, especially when supplemented...
New approach could treat anthrax beyond the ‘point of no return’
Researchers show that a cocktail of growth factors reversed would-be lethal cell damage in mice with anthrax, suggesting that this approach could be adapted for use in patients.
Understanding the immune response to a persistent pathogen
Researchers show that the immune system can recognize and control the latent stage of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, a finding that can inform the study of latency in other infections of the nervous system.