When droplets glide along a specially engineered wire, they gain speed as they coalesce. When the water-attracting wire is inclined, the droplets propel themselves to zip along the line. But the surprise occurs when two water droplets slide into one another and coalesce. By joining together, the droplets' speed increases...
Wood-eating clams use their feces to dominate their habitat
Researchers didn't know what to make of sunken pieces of wood that were so thoroughly chewed-up by clams that the wood crumbled in their hands. It turns out, the super-chewer wood-eating clams had a secret weapon for forcing out other species. The clams, who have special adaptations that let them...
Whales could be a valuable carbon sink, say scientists
Nature-based solutions to fight climate change take a holistic approach that promotes biodiversity and ecosystem preservation. While many efforts have focused on planting trees or restoring wetlands, researchers now also advocate for the importance of understanding the carbon sequestration potential of the planet's largest animals -- whales. Researchers explore how...
Early humans may have first walked upright in the trees
Human bipedalism -- walking upright on two legs -- may have evolved in trees, and not on the ground as previously thought, according to a new study.
Harmful fungal toxins in wheat: a growing threat
Wheat -- the most widely cultivated crop in the world -- is under growing attack from harmful toxins. Across Europe, almost half of wheat crops are impacted by the fungal infection that gives rise to these toxins, according to a new study.
Ebola vaccine regimens safe, immunogenic in adults and children
Two randomized, placebo-controlled trials evaluating three Ebola vaccine administration strategies in adults and children found that all the regimens were safe in both age groups, according to new results. Antibodies were produced in response to the vaccine regimens beginning at 14 days after the first vaccination and continued to be...
Olfactory viral inflammation associated with accelerated onset of Alzheimer’s disease
Viruses can inflame and disrupt connections between the olfactory system, which governs the sense of smell, and the part of the brain associated with memory and learning, possibly accelerating the onset of Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study.
Blood-based metabolic signature outperforms standard method for predicting diet, disease risk
Researchers have found a method using molecular profiling and machine learning to develop blood-based dietary signatures that more accurately assess diet and predict the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. They say the metabolic snapshot could allow those studying food science to better understand the implications of diet...
Precision insights can be found in wastewater
Scientists have developed a machine learning model that uses the assortment of microbes found in wastewater to tease out how many individual people they represent.
Mapping E. coli to overcome antibiotic resistance
Antibiotic resistance, when infection-causing bacteria evolve so they are no longer affected by typical antibiotics, is a global concern. New research has mapped the evolution and process of natural selection of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria in the lab. These maps, called fitness landscapes, help us better understand the step-by-step...