Mindfully Curated
The public funding of science is responsible for many of the biomedical and other scientific breakthroughs on which our lives depend. However, the process through which funding decisions are made, the peer review of grant proposals, has been historical…
In the peak heat of summer, beachgoers don’t want their plans thwarted by harmful algal blooms (HABs). But current methods to remove or kill toxin-producing algae and cyanobacteria aren’t efficient or practical for direct applications in waterways. Now…
A patch of ocean in the North Atlantic is stubbornly cooling while much of the planet warms. This anomaly — dubbed the ‘cold blob’ — has been linked to changes in ocean circulation, but a new study found changes in large-scale atmospheric patterns ma…
When a fragrance wafted through the bedrooms of older adults for two hours every night for six months, memories skyrocketed. Participants in this study reaped a 226% increase in cognitive capacity compared to the control group. The researchers say the …
Researchers have developed a device — a breath test that uses a biosensor — as a tool for use in doctors’ offices and crowded public locations to quickly diagnose people infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.
Scientists have demonstrated how mice choose between three different strategies to navigate through their surroundings towards a goal.
Engineers have developed HADAR, or heat-assisted detection and ranging.
The closure in January 2016 of one of Pittsburgh’s biggest coal-processing plants led to immediate and lasting declines in emissions of fossil fuel-related air pollutants. These in turn were linked to near-instant decreases in local heart-related emerg…
The statistical model identifies links between battles in Africa and can be applied to other armed conflicts, according to a new study.
Based on decades of work to uncover the underlying mechanisms of asthma and other respiratory conditions, researchers have produced a simple, rapid test that can identify the presence of a key driver of severe asthma.
Gems’ unique elemental composition and atomic orientation act as a fingerprint, enabling researchers to uncover the stones’ past, and with it, historical trade routes. Scientists now employ three modern spectroscopic techniques to rapidly analyze gems …
Birds can be electrocuted if they come into contact with two energized parts of a power line at once — which can happen when they spread their wings to take off from or land on a power pole. Because of this, energy companies invest substantial time an…
A new study uses nearly a century of data to show that the average heights of winter waves along the California coast have increased as climate change has heated up the planet.
People with type-II diabetes who drank the fermented tea drink kombucha for four weeks had lower fasting blood glucose levels compared to when they consumed a similar-tasting placebo beverage, according to results from a clinical trial. This finding, f…
Researchers have identified plasma protein-based biomarkers capable of identifying adolescents at risk of developing mental health issues.
Ion channels play a crucial role in many cellular processes, including neuronal communication, muscle contraction or cell proliferation. Most multi subunit ion channels exist in two functional states, either closed or open. During gating, one should ex…
Para-cresol is an aromatic compound with a strong horse stable-like odor. It contributes to the off-flavor of some foods, but it is also detectable as a characteristic odorant in whiskey and tobacco, as well as in the urine of various mammals. A resear…
Theoreticians report that they found no evidence of any universal topological signatures after performing the first ab initio investigation of high harmonic generation from topological insulators.
Rather than being solely detrimental, cracks in the positive electrode of lithium-ion batteries reduce battery charge time, research shows. This runs counter to the view of many electric vehicle manufacturers, who try to minimize cracking because it de…
Nature-based solutions (NBS) can help grand challenges, such as climate change and food security, but, as things stand, communities outside of Europe do not stand to benefit from these innovations. New research has found that more than 60% of NBS are l…