Science
Scientific discoveries and research
Divergent molecular mechanisms for fungal plant biomass conversion
Fungi are major degraders of plant biomass, including leaves, stems and roots. Investigating the molecular mechanisms that control this process is essential for...
Critically endangered pygmy raccoons observed making their own paper toys
Some of the most intriguing scientific breakthroughs happen when researchers aren't explicitly looking for them. Take, for example, the pygmy raccoon (Procyon p...
An activity-based probe library for identifying protein function
Proteins are vital to living systems. They build and repair tissues, act as enzymes to speed chemical reactions, regulate hormones and transport nutrients—all o...
Brainless sea sponges use sunset to prepare for metamorphosis—and attach in 30 minutes
Well before I start collecting coats, keys or shoes, my dog always knows when we're about to leave. By picking up on subtle cues, he anticipates our next moveme...
Davyne changes color beyond human sight, opening path to invisible security tags
While studying the properties of hackmanite, researchers created a new material called davyne that changes color in the near-infrared region. The color change c...
Potholes are annoying and dangerous: Now they're political
In Victoria, potholes have become a hot issue in the lead-up to the state election in November. According to the National Transport Research Organization, Victo...
AI-driven polymer discovery could replace years of trial and error with closed-loop testing
In the realm of materials science, there is a plethora of datasets and tools at our disposal—the issue is how to effectively use these resources in harmony. Res...
AI helps dentists practice the conversations that matter
A University of Rochester collaboration is using an AI-powered virtual patient to help dentists strengthen their communication, build trust and better respond t...
Venice Lagoon provides living laboratory for researchers studying climate change
Venice really is sinking. Sort of. The home of gondolas, bridges and canals is built across a collection of islands, and the sediments beneath them are graduall...
Climate risk is changing where banks lend—before disaster strikes
Whether buying a home or opening a local business, affordability is no longer the only question people should be asking, says Kristle Romero Cortes, an associat...
Wrinkled carbon nitride challenges flat-sheet model for photocatalyst design
Graphene is flat. But that doesn't mean other 2D materials—particularly those containing more than one element—necessarily share the same structure. In the past...
How hibernating squirrels retain sense of touch in the cold
For most mammals, cold suppresses neural activity and diminishes the sense of touch. But the thirteen-lined ground squirrel can detect touch in conditions as lo...