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Digitizing decades worth of pre-computer files held in storage at the Narragansett Bay campus let oceanographers at the University of Rhode Island get a better picture of Narragansett Bay over time. URI operates the longest-running time series in Rhode Island, which now reveals that the level of phytoplankton in the bay has dropped by half in the last half century.

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A team of glaciologists led by researchers at the University of California, Irvine used high-resolution satellite radar data to find evidence of the intrusion of warm, high-pressure seawater many kilometers beneath the grounded ice of West Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier.

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Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have designed a regenerative medicine therapy to speed up diabetic wound repair. Using tiny fat particles loaded with genetic instructions to calm down inflammation, the treatment was shown to target problem-causing cells and reduce swelling and harmful molecules in mouse models of damaged skin. Details on their findings were published in the May 20 online issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

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New sociological research that looks into how crisis conditions during the pandemic—such as poor heath and insecure housing—affected domestic abuse and victims’ interpretation of violence.

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Spectroscopy allows scientists to study the structure of atoms and molecules, including the energy levels of their electrons. This research examines the potential of spectroscopy techniques that rely on quantum entanglement of these photons. These methods can reveal information about molecules not possible with traditional spectroscopy. They also reduce the damage spectroscopy causes to samples.

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Research presented at the ATS 2024 International Conference demonstrates that veterans who received care via the Post-acute Recovery Center (PARC) model after a serious illness experienced fewer deaths and more days outside of the hospital compared to those not enrolled in PARC.

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Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI) announces the publication of the scientific paper Global Mercury Concentrations in Biota: Their Use as a Basis for a Global Biomonitoring Framework in the journal Ecotoxicology. The paper describes for the first time currently available mercury data for fish and wildlife on a global scale.

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Patients with fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who take multiple medications are more likely to develop severe drug intolerance than healthy patients, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers reported. Their findings, published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, could help health professionals prescribe drugs for patients and identify treatment plans for multiple drug intolerance syndrome (MDIS).

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Why is the warm gas-giant exoplanet WASP-107 b so, so puffy? With a moderate temperature and an ultra-low density on par with a microwaved marshmallow, it seems to defy standard theories of planet formation and evolution. Two independent teams of researchers think they’ve figured it out.

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The new Tandem Dual-Antenna Spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Interferometry (TDA-InSAR) system, addresses the limitations of current spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems by providing a more reliable and efficient method for 3D surface mapping.

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What’s the best way to communicate with a vaccine-hesitant person about a vaccine’s potential benefits? New research from Binghamton University, State University of New York found that a one-size-fits-all approach to communicating messages isn’t effective.

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This study investigates the genetic regulation of volatile production in melons, identifying over 1000 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting aroma and ripening. Key findings highlight specific chromosomes that influence ester and aldehyde levels, contributing to unique aromas in climacteric and non-climacteric melons, aiding breeding programs aimed at enhancing fruit quality.

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Utilizing a near-single-cycle strong laser field, inter-cycle interference between photoelectron trajectories is mitigated in photoelectron holography, clearly unveiling two unique electron-holography patterns: fishbone-like and spider-leg-like.

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A cutting-edge study has shed light on the TOMATO MADS-BOX 6 (TM6) gene's critical influence on the elaborate development of tomato flowers. This research pierces the veil on the genetic underpinnings of floral formation, providing fresh insights into the realm of plant biology.

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Using citizen science, photographs, on-water observations and the combination of morphological and genetic data, researchers are the first to provide evidence that the Atlantic cownose ray has recently made a new home in Bermuda. Results show that after hundreds of years of natural history records, this is a novel migration of Atlantic cownose rays to Bermuda. Findings suggest that cownose rays have been in Bermuda for more than a decade since 2012 and observations of the species continue to be sustained today.

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Variations in water quality can impact the development of the visual system of one species of African fish, suggests a new study.

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Matt and Brandon traveled to Ecuador's rainforests to map the Coca River with drones. The river is experiencing massive erosion and sedimentation problems after the San Rafael waterfall collapsed in 2020. Their work could help the country save a hydroelectric power plant that provides 30% of the country's electricity as well as roads and pipelines the area's people depend on for commerce and transportation.

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A research team has identified key metabolic composition differences between annual bluegrass and creeping bentgrass under heat stress, revealing specific metabolites linked to heat tolerance.

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A research team has achieved a groundbreaking improvement in the haplotype-resolved genome sequence of the japonica rice cultivar Nipponbare.

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A research team has developed a novel conceptual framework for designing plastic-greenhouse soil profiles that cater to the needs of smallholder farmers.

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A research team has recently published a comprehensive review on the innovative integration of spectral data and phylogeographic patterns to study plant genetic variation.

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A research team has reviewed the role of MicroRNA156 (miR156) in horticultural plants, uncovering its significant influence on a variety of biological processes such as vegetative growth, floral induction, and stress response.

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In a review article, a research team meticulously analyzed the biological impacts of ornamental plants' exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs), especially those at high frequencies.

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A research team has meticulously analyzed the transcriptional response of Impatiens walleriana to Plasmopara obducens infection, revealing between 3,000 and 4,500 differentially expressed transcripts at various stages of the disease.

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A quarter of parents report that caffeine is basically part of their teen’s daily life, according to a national poll.

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Dr. Hyuk-June Moon from the Bionics Research Center at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), in collaboration with Prof. Olaf Blanke’s team at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), has successfully induced self-location illusions with multi-sensory virtual reality (VR) in the MRI scanner and observed corresponding changes in the human brain's grid cell activity.

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Equations that don’t use racially and ethnically adjusted spirometry results to help determine eligibility for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) clinical trials may lead to higher percentages of Black patients enrolled, according to research published at the ATS 2024 International Conference.

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A study has tapped into the peach genome, creating large-scale gene coexpression networks (GCNs) that predict gene functions and streamline the peach breeding process. This innovative approach addresses the complex task of identifying genes linked to desirable breeding traits in peaches.

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A study introduces an automated machine learning (Auto-ML) model that predicts the freezing tolerance of grapevines in real-time, a critical advancement for sustainable grape production in cooler climates. This model leverages hourly temperature data and varietal specifics to forecast cold hardiness, a significant step towards precision viticulture.

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Recent research has unveiled the genetic foundations of resistance in strawberries to Macrophomina, a formidable soilborne disease. Employing cutting-edge breeding strategies and genomic analysis, scientists have pinpointed crucial genetic loci responsible for resistance, heralding a new era of more robust strawberry varieties.

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Race-based assessments of lung function have historically assumed different levels of “normal” for different patient groups. New analysis shows that removing from lung function estimates would increase the number of Black patients diagnosed with serious disease.Greater estimated disease severity would change a patient’s diagnosis, disability compensation, eligibility for certain jobs.

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A recent study has unlocked the genetic secrets behind the sweetness of strawberries, a key factor in consumer preference. The research identifies key genetic markers that influence both the sugar content and yield of strawberries, offering a significant step forward in the breeding of sweeter, more productive varieties.

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New genomic insights from researchers unveil critical genes influencing apple fruit size and shape. Through a comprehensive genome-wide association study, the study identifies several genetic markers linked to these traits, offering potential for enhanced breeding strategies.

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A new study has uncovered a genetic treasure trove within the melon genome that could revolutionize the plant's defense against pests and diseases. Researchers have identified a cluster of genes that bestow resistance to both powdery mildew and aphids, two of the most devastating threats to melon crops worldwide.

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Biotechnological innovation meets horticulture as researchers unveil a cutting-edge genome editing protocol for grapes. This novel technique, integrating protoplast culture with CRISPR-Cas9, facilitates the regeneration of non-chimeric, transgene-free plants across a spectrum of grape varieties.

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Scientists have the first direct evidence that the powerful magnetic fields created in off-center collisions of atomic nuclei induce an electric current in “deconfined” nuclear matter. The study used measurements of how charged particles are deflected when they emerge from the collisions. The study provides proof that the magnetic fields exist and offers a new way to measure electrical conductivity in quark-gluon plasma.

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A lack of detailed record-keeping in clinics and emergency departments may be getting in the way of reducing the inappropriate use of antibiotics, a pair of new studies suggests. About 10% of children and 35% of adults who got an antibiotic prescription during an office visit had no specific reason for it in their record.

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Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that a strain of gut bacteria can boost immune responses and enhance cancer immunotherapy to fight sarcoma tumors in mice. Shown is a rendering of microbes in the intestine.

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A paper in the journal Science Advances describes how the moving parts of a particular plant protein control whether plants can grow and make energy-intensive products such as oil — or instead put in place a series of steps to conserve precious resources. The study focuses specifically on how the molecular machinery is regulated by a molecule that rises and falls with the level of sugar — plants’ main energy source.

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A study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has found that repeat vaccination with updated versions of the COVID-19 vaccine promotes the development of antibodies that neutralize a wide range of variants of the virus that causes COVID-19, as well as related coronaviruses.

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The sweet taste receptor, expressed in taste bud cells, conveys sweetness from the mouth when it is activated. Monell researchers delved into how the sweet-taste receptor might be the first stop in a metabolic surveillance system for sugar. They team found that stimulation and inhibition of the receptor demonstrates that it helps regulate glucose metabolism in humans and may have implications for managing such metabolic disorders as diabetes.

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Vaccines remain the gold standard of protection against dangerous pathogens, but take considerable time and vast resources to develop. Rapidly mutating viruses such as SARS-CoV-2 can blunt their effectiveness and even render them obsolete.

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Dr. Karen K. Resendes, Associate Dean of Assessment and the First Year Experience, Professor of Biology at Westminster College (New Wilmington, PA), has been elected to serve as the Council on Undergraduate Research Board of Directors’ Treasurer for the membership year 2024-2025.