Thailand's Iron Age Log Coffin culture

A mortuary practice known as Log Coffin culture characterizes the Iron Age of highland Pang Mapha in northwestern Thailand. Between 2,300 and 1,000 years ago, individuals were buried in large wooden coffins on stilts, mostly found in caves and rock shelters.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240206151349.htm

Powerful answers to energy questions may be blowing in the wind

While wind farms have become a widely popular method of generating energy, researchers are now looking at the impact of these large farms on wind patterns and the surrounding environment.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240206144948.htm

Study finds strongest evidence to date of brain's ability to compensate for age-related cognitive decline

Scientists have found the strongest evidence yet that our brains can compensate for age-related deterioration by recruiting other areas to help with brain function and maintain cognitive performance.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240206144944.htm

Are body temperature and depression linked? Science says, yes

People with depression have higher body temperatures, suggesting there could be a mental health benefit to lowering the temperatures of those with the disorder.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240205204435.htm

Number of shark bites consistent with recent trends, with small spike in fatalities

There was an increase in the number of unprovoked shark attacks worldwide and an uptick in fatalities in 2023 compared to the previous year. A scientific database of global shark attacks, confirmed 69 unprovoked bites in 2023. Although this is higher than the most recent five-year average of 63 attacks, the data remain consistent with long-term trends.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240205165948.htm

One person can supervise 'swarm' of 100 unmanned autonomous vehicles

Research involving has shown that a 'swarm' of more than 100 autonomous ground and aerial robots can be supervised by one person without subjecting the individual to an undue workload.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240205165940.htm

Virus ancestry could aid bid to predict next pandemic, study finds

Virus family history could help scientists identify which strains have potential to become the so-called Disease X that causes the next global pandemic.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240205165913.htm

Common food preservative has unexpected effects on the gut microbiome

Analysis of a common preservative used to kill pathogens in food shows that it affects beneficial bacteria as well, threatening the healthy balance of the gut microbiome.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240202192305.htm

Scientists see an ultra-fast movement on surface of HIV virus

Seeing a glycoprotein on the envelope of the HIV virus snap open and shut in mere millionths of a second is giving investigators a new handle on the surface of the virus that could lead to broadly neutralizing antibodies for an AIDS vaccine. Being able to attach an antibody specifically to this little structure that would prevent it from popping open would be key.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240202153435.htm

A sleeker facial recognition technology tested on Michelangelo's David

Many people are familiar with facial recognition systems that unlock smartphones and game systems or allow access to our bank accounts online. But the current technology can require boxy projectors and lenses. Now, researchers report on a sleeker 3D surface imaging system with flatter, simplified optics. In proof-of-concept demonstrations, the new system recognized the face of Michelangelo's David just as well as an existing smartphone system.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240202132613.htm

A physical qubit with built-in error correction

Researchers have succeeded in generating a logical qubit from a single light pulse that has the inherent capacity to correct errors.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240202115149.htm

Gene-editing offers hope for people with hereditary disorder

A group of patients with a hereditary disorder have had their lives transformed by a single treatment of a breakthrough gene-editing therapy, according to the lead researcher.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240202115141.htm

Scammed! Animals 'led by the nose' to leave plants alone

Fake news works for wallabies and elephants. Herbivores can cause substantial damage to crops or endangered or protected plants, with traditional methods to deter foraging lethal, expensive or ineffective. Biologists are now using aromas from plants naturally repellent with remarkable success to deter the animals.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240202115129.htm

Disrupted cellular function behind type 2 diabetes in obesity

Disrupted function of 'cleaning cells' in the body may help to explain why some people with obesity develop type 2 diabetes, while others do not. A study describes this newly discovered mechanism.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240201212856.htm

Trees struggle to 'breathe' as climate warms

Trees are struggling to sequester heat-trapping carbon dioxide (CO2) in warmer, drier climates, meaning that they may no longer serve as a solution for offsetting humanity's carbon footprint as the planet continues to warm, according to a new study.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240131183540.htm

Discovery of a third RNA virus linage in extreme environments Jan 17, 2024

A research group has discovered a novel RNA viral genome from microbes inhabiting a high-temperature acidic hot spring. Their study shows that RNA viruses can live in high-temperature environments (70-80 degrees Celsius), where no RNA viruses have been observed before. In addition to the two known RNA virus kingdoms, a third kingdom may exist.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240131144520.htm

Engineering viruses to kill deadly pathogens

Antimicrobial resistance is an urgent and growing global crisis. Researchers are exploring phages, viruses that infect bacteria, as a possible solution. In the new study, researchers successfully modified DNA from four types of phages to kill a deadly pathogen. The process can also be used to produce more phage variants for further exploration.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240131144435.htm

AI-powered app can detect poison ivy

To find poison ivy before it finds you, scientists have published a new study in which they show how they used artificial intelligence to confirm that an app can identify poison ivy. The app is not yet commercially available, nor is there a timetable for it to be available.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240130200929.htm

How a mouse's brain bends time

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Assistant Professor Arkarup Banerjee has found that some mice's brains bend their perception of time in order to communicate with each other more effectively. The discovery may help explain how our brains enable us to interact with one another and the surrounding world.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240130133623.htm

Music causes similar emotions and bodily sensations across cultures

A new study has shown that music evokes similar emotions and bodily sensations around the world.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240130133606.htm