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Speeding up the energy transition reduces climate risks
The World Climate Conference in Glasgow has just ended, and the question is whether the goal of maximum global heating of 1.5°C can still be achieved. In a model calculation, researchers show how the energy transition could lead to the lowest possible cumulative emissions: Instead of slowly cutting back emissions, we should quickly push ahead…
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Study links lead in childhood well water to teen delinquency
Exposure to lead in drinking water from private wells during early childhood is associated with an increased risk of being reported for delinquency during teenage years, according to a new study. Researchers found that children who get their water from private wells before age 6 have higher blood lead levels and also have a 21%…
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Gas bubbles in rock pores a nursery for life on Early Earth
Researchers create compelling scenario for the evolution of membraneless microdroplets as the origin of life. Where and how did life begin on Early Earth more than 3.5 billion years ago from non-living chemicals? Discovering the answer to this question has long been debated and is a challenge for scientists. One thing that scientists can look…
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Researchers first to predict when bacteria may become resistant to antibiotics
Scientists have spotted signs of ‘pre-resistance’ in bacteria for the first time — signs that particular bacteria are likely to become resistant to antibiotics in the future — in a new study. The findings, published in Nature Communications, will allow doctors in the future to select the best treatments for bacterial infections. The team led…
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Heat stress in dairy cows damages health of calves
As scientists continue to explore the wide-ranging effects of heat stress on the health of dairy cattle, a new study adds to the growing understanding of the negative influences of heat stress, not just throughout the lifespan but across generations. With the goals of evaluating the effects of in utero heat stress on overall fetal…
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Microorganism sheds new light on cancer resistance
Scientists describe T. adhaerens’ unusual behavior, including its capacity to repair its DNA even after significant radiation damage and to extrude injured cells, which later die. The findings advance scientific investigations of natural cancer-suppression mechanisms across life. Insights gleaned from these evolutionary adaptations may find their way into new and more effective therapies for this…
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Lemurs show there’s no single formula for lasting love
Humans aren’t the only mammals that form long-term bonds with a single, special mate — some lemurs and other animals do, too. Researchers are mapping the hormone receptors that underlie these primates’ ability to pair up for the long haul. Their findings suggest the brain circuitry that makes love last in some species may not…
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Researchers begin to unravel the mysteries of kombucha fermentation
Scientists are beginning to unravel the key microorganisms that contribute to the fermentation of kombucha, research that is already aiding large-scale kombucha producers in the fast-growing industry. Kombucha is a fermented tea drink that has been homebrewed around the world for centuries, but in recent years has become widely popular with a global market size…
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Entire genome of Eurasian spruce bark beetle now revealed
Researchers have successfully mapped the entire genome of the Eurasian spruce bark beetle. The breakthrough paves the way for new research into bark beetles and better prospects for effective pest control of a species that can destroy more than 100 million cubic meters of spruce forest during a single year in Europe and Asia. Mapping…
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Remoteness does not enhance coral reef resilience, according to marine ecologists
There’s a widespread hypothesis that links the resilience of coral reefs with their remoteness from human activities — the farther away they are from people, the more likely corals are to bounce back from disturbances. «The idea is that these coral reefs might serve as arks, that they could harbor biodiversity and intact ecosystems,» said…