EU researchers are taking fresh approaches to understanding a growing group of illnesses in a bid for more effective treatments. By  Gareth Willmer In mid-2015 and early 2016 in Finland, a group of scientists became interested in inspecting doormats. The pursuit, while seemingly unusual, had a serious aim: to determine whether a higher mix of microbes typically found in rural environments might protect against the development of type 1 diabetes, an immune-system disorder. Microbe mixes The study is part of a research project that received EU funding to examine links between immune-syste ..read more

Systems controlled by next-generation computing algorithms could give rise to better and more efficient machine learning products, a new study suggests.  Using machine learning tools to create a digital twin, or a virtual copy, of an electronic circuit that exhibits chaotic behavior, researchers found that they were successful at predicting how it would behave and using that information to control it. Many everyday devices, like thermostats and cruise control, utilize linear controllers – which use simple rules to direct a system to a desired value. Thermostats, for example, employ such ..read more

Researchers in the emerging field of spatial computing at Stanford University have developed a prototype augmented reality headset that uses holographic imaging to overlay full-color, 3D moving images on the lenses of what would appear to be an ordinary pair of glasses. Unlike the bulky headsets of present-day augmented reality systems, this new approach delivers a visually satisfying 3D viewing experience in a compact, comfortable, and attractive form factor suitable for all-day wear. Overcoming Technical Barriers with AI-Enhanced Holography and Nanophotonics The researchers have overcome t ..read more

JILA fellow, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) physicist, and University of Colorado Boulder Physics Professor Adam Kaufman and his team, along with collaborators at NIST, have demonstrated a novel method of boson sampling using ultracold atoms in a two-dimensional optical lattice of intersecting laser beams. The research, recently published in Nature, marks a significant leap beyond previous achievements in computer simulations or with photons. Applying Optical Tweezers to Large-Scale Hubbard Systems The researchers used cutting-edge techniques, including optical tweezer ..read more

A collaborative study led by researchers from the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that an estimated 321,566 children in the United States lost a parent to drug overdose from 2011 to 2021. The study, published in JAMA Psychiatry, reveals that the rate of children experiencing this loss more than doubled during this period, from approximately 27 to 63 children per 100,000. Disparities Among Racial and Ethnic Gr ..read more

A study by researchers at Kobe University has revealed that even small invertebrates like woodlice and earwigs can disperse seeds they eat, setting a new record for the smallest animal recorded to do so. This discovery highlights the crucial yet often overlooked role that these tiny creatures play in ecosystems. The Importance of Small Invertebrates in Seed Dispersal Many plants rely on animals to eat their fruit and disperse their seeds to farther-off places after passing through the animal’s digestive tract. While most research has focused on mammals and birds as seed dispersers, the Kobe ..read more

Researchers from the University of California, Irvine have discovered molecular evidence of the damaging impact heat stress has on the gut, liver, and brain in elderly mice. The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, is one of the first to investigate the effects of heat stress on the gut-liver-brain communication or “axis” at a molecular level, potentially leading to the development of precise prognostic and therapeutic interventions. The Importance of the Gut-Liver-Brain Axis The gut, liver, and brain have a complex and multidirectional communication system that influences var ..read more

A new study led by Duke University assistant professor of computer science Pardis Emami-Naeini has shed light on American women’s concerns about the privacy of period-tracking apps in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022. The study, which polled 183 women across the United States, found that while many women feel uneasy about how their data are used and shared on these apps, few have taken steps to protect themselves. The Convenience and Cost of Period-Tracking Apps Nearly a third of American women use apps to track their menstrual cycles, plan and pr ..read more

A groundbreaking study led by Dr. Assaf Hochman from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and an international team of researchers has shed new light on the atmospheres of Earth-like exoplanets. The research, which focuses on the nearby exoplanet Proxima Centauri b, marks a significant step forward in understanding habitable worlds beyond our solar system. The Intricate Connection Between Ozone and Climate Dynamics Using sophisticated coupled climate chemistry model simulations and recent advances in dynamical systems theory, the team uncovered the crucial role of ozone in shaping Proxima Cent ..read more

In a new study funded in part by the Australian Government through the National Environmental Science Program’s (NESP) Resilient Landscapes Hub, researchers have discovered the endangered Australian brook lamprey (Mordacia praecox) living in streams as far north as Rockhampton, Queensland. This finding significantly extends the species’ known range by over 1,000 km and makes it the only lamprey species in the world to inhabit truly tropical waters. From Larvae to Adults: The Life Cycle of the Australian Brook Lamprey The Australian brook lamprey is a primitive jawless fish that grows up to 1 ..read more