Odors are encoded in rings in the brain of migratory locusts

Researchers describe how odors are encoded in the antennal lobe, the olfactory center in the brain of migratory locusts. Using transgenic locusts and imaging techniques, the researchers were able to show a ring-shaped representation of odors in the brain. The pattern of olfactory coding in the antennal lobe is the same at all stages of locust development. A better understanding of olfactory coding in the locust brain should help to learn more about how the behavior of these insects is controlled, especially their swarming.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240618115710.htm

Cancer survivors are at increased risk of disease throughout life

Researchers have surveyed people under the age of 25 who have had cancer since 1958. The study shows that cancer survivors are at greater risk for cardiovascular diseases, other cancers and other diagnoses later in life. In addition, the researchers saw that socioeconomic factors played a role in survival.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240618115638.htm

Astronomers see a massive black hole awaken in real time

In late 2019 the previously unremarkable galaxy SDSS1335+0728 suddenly started shining brighter than ever before. To understand why, astronomers have used data from several space and ground-based observatories, including the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope (ESO's VLT), to track how the galaxy's brightness has varied. In a study out today, they conclude that they are witnessing changes never seen before in a galaxy -- likely the result of the sudden awakening of the massive black hole at its core.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240618115433.htm

Bedtime battles: 1 in 4 parents say their child can't go to sleep because they're worried or anxious

One in four parents describe getting their young child to bed as difficult -- and these parents are less likely to have a bedtime routine, more likely to leave on a video or TV show, and more likely to stay with their child until they're asleep.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240617173714.htm

Direct evidence found for dairy consumption in the Pyrenees in the earliest stages of the Neolithic

A study on the remains of the Chaves and Puyascada caves, both located in the province of Huesca, Spain, yields the first direct proof of the consumption and processing of dairy products in the Pyrenees already at the start of the Neolithic period, approximately 7,500 years ago, as well as the consumption of pig. The results lead to doubts about the belief that these products were first used much later in the Pyrenean mountain range.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240617173552.htm

Investigating the origins of the crab nebula

A team of scientists used NASA's James Webb Space Telescope to parse the composition of the Crab Nebula, a supernova remnant located 6,500 light-years away in the constellation Taurus.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240617173356.htm

Gonadal function in male mice disrupted by prenatal risk factors

Researchers have consistently shown that prenatal exposure to Di (2-ethyhexyl) phthalate harms the reproductive system in male mice and causes fertility defects. In a new study, scientists have shown that the combination of DEHP and a high-fat diet in pregnant mice can cause more damage to pups than each factor alone.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240614155434.htm

Scientists solve decades long mystery of NLRC5 sensor function in cell death

A new study identifies NLRC5 as an innate immune sensor that plays a crucial role in PANoptotic cell death -- making it a key therapeutic target.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240614155341.htm

Self-assembling and disassembling swarm molecular robots via DNA molecular controller

Researchers have succeeded in developing a DNA-based molecular controller. Crucially, this controller enables the autonomous assembly and disassembly of molecular robots, as opposed to manually directing it.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240614141857.htm

Self-assembling and disassembling swarm molecular robots via DNA molecular controller

Researchers have succeeded in developing a DNA-based molecular controller. Crucially, this controller enables the autonomous assembly and disassembly of molecular robots, as opposed to manually directing it.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240614141857.htm

Tiny New Zealand bird delivers a lesson in birdsong evolution

Scientists are rethinking the evolution of vocal learning in birds. New Zealand's smallest bird, the rifleman or titipounamu, may have a rudimentary version of the talent possessed by parrots, hummingbirds and songbirds.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240614141847.htm

Fasting primes the immune system's natural killer cells to better fight cancer, new study in mice finds

A team of researchers has shown for the first time that fasting can reprogram the metabolism of natural killer cells, helping them to survive in the harsh environment in and around tumors, while also improving their cancer-fighting ability.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240614141827.htm

Low-sodium alternatives can lead to major health gains in Indonesia

Excess sodium intake and a lack of potassium are major contributing factors towards high blood pressure in Indonesia, prompting calls for low-sodium potassium-rich salt substitutes (LSSS) to be readily available to improve health and curb health costs.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240613221926.htm

New fabric makes urban heat islands more bearable

Researchers detail a new wearable fabric that can help urban residents survive the worst impacts of massive heat caused by global climate change, with applications in clothing, building and car design, and food storage. By addressing both direct solar heating and the thermal radiation emitting from pavement and buildings in urban heat islands, the material kept 2.3 degrees Celsius (4.1 degrees Fahrenheit) cooler than the broadband emitter fabric used for outdoor endurance sports and 8.9 degrees Celsius (16 degrees Fahrenheit) cooler than the commercialized silk commonly used for shirts, dresses and other summer clothing.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240613161204.htm

New fabric makes urban heat islands more bearable

Researchers detail a new wearable fabric that can help urban residents survive the worst impacts of massive heat caused by global climate change, with applications in clothing, building and car design, and food storage. By addressing both direct solar heating and the thermal radiation emitting from pavement and buildings in urban heat islands, the material kept 2.3 degrees Celsius (4.1 degrees Fahrenheit) cooler than the broadband emitter fabric used for outdoor endurance sports and 8.9 degrees Celsius (16 degrees Fahrenheit) cooler than the commercialized silk commonly used for shirts, dresses and other summer clothing.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240613161204.htm

Are mixed emotions real? New research says yes

Neuroscientists found that brains display distinct neural activity when experiencing emotions such as bitter-sweetness. The advance could help solve a longstanding scientific debate: whether 'mixed emotions' arise from unique activity in the brain, or if we're just flip-flopping back and forth between positive and negative feelings.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240613161150.htm

Paleontology: New fossil fish genus discovered

Paleontologists have identified a new genus of fossil goby, revealing evolutionary secrets of a lineage that stretches back millions of years.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240613140915.htm

Short-term loneliness associated with physical health problems

Loneliness may be harmful to our daily health, according to a new study focused on understanding the subtleties of loneliness and how variations in daily feelings of loneliness effect short- and long-term well-being. The researchers said the work provides more evidence in support of the devastating impact of loneliness and isolation on physical health in the country, calling it a public health crisis.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240613140903.htm

Ancient ocean slowdown warns of future climate chaos

When it comes to the ocean's response to global warming, we're not in entirely uncharted waters. A new study shows that episodes of extreme heat in Earth's past caused the exchange of waters from the surface to the deep ocean to decline.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240613140748.htm

Younger workers feel stressed, lonely and undervalued

Younger workers are struggling with feelings of loneliness and a lack of appreciation at work and tend to feel more comfortable working with people their own age, according to a recent survey.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240613001402.htm