SCROLL NEWS / DISCOVERY
Search headlines
Find the stories shaping the conversation.
Results for " Archer " 3,566 found 🔀 AI-powered Shuffle
I’m a scientific researcher. This ethics board has soul-crushing side effects.
Institutional review boards can safeguard human subjects without burying scientists in paperwork.
Permanent daylight saving time has a dark side, scientists warn
A new study warns that permanent daylight saving time could force American children to make at least 2 billion additional school commutes in darkness, potentially increasing safety risks and disrupting their biological clocks. Researchers found that fatal crashes involving school-aged pedestrians were roughly twice as likely during dark mornings as after sunrise.
15-Minute Lesson Plan: A Teen Tracks Down Over 11,377 Moths
Violet Clinton is doing award-winning entomological field research. Is there a citizen science project you might want to conduct?
Molecular dinitrogen anions pave the way for low-temperature ammonia synthesis
New antiperovskite-supported cobalt catalyst can produce ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen under mild conditions without precious metals, as reported by researchers from Science Tokyo. This self-organizing nanostructured material unlocks a novel cooperative mechanism between cobalt, barium, and aluminum that promotes nitrogen activation through the formation of molecular dinitrogen anions (N2)−, outperforming benchmark ruthenium and industrial iron catalysts.
SLAC scientists find conclusive proof of a mysterious third type of magnetism
For nearly 90 years, scientists believed magnetism fell into just two categories, but researchers have now confirmed a remarkable third type called altermagnetism. Using specialized X-rays, they uncovered a unique magnetic signature that proves these materials behave differently from conventional magnets. Altermagnets combine stability with the ability to efficiently carry information, potentially overcoming major limitations in today's electronics. The discovery could lead to faster computers, more efficient data centers, and breakthroughs in quantum technology.
I look up as I walk, my healthcare costs look down
An Osaka Metropolitan University researcher analyzed 338,706 person-months of data linking objective smartphone step counts from Osaka Prefecture’s official health app with health-insurance claims for 20,950 adults aged 40 and over. Generalized additive models revealed that the non-linear association between daily steps and subsequent 6-month healthcare expenditures transforms with age. Predicted costs were largely insensitive to steps among middle-aged adults but fell steeply with increasing steps among older adults.
RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute Researchers Contribute to Study Supporting Shorter Radiation Treatment for Breast Cancer Patients
Bruce Haffty, MD, associate Vice chancellor for Cancer Programs at Rutgers Cancer shares about the findings of a recent Journal of Clinical Oncology study supporting shorter radiation treatment for breast cancer patients.
Is politics pushing Americans away from religion?
Some researchers argue that political views are shaping religious affiliation rather than the other way around, a dynamic they say could be hazardous to both American politics and the country’s religious landscape
Michielssen named R. Bruce Sampsell Professor of Applied and Computational Mathematics
Eric Michielssen, a leading researcher in computational electromagnetics and wave physics, joined the Yale faculty in 2026.
Energy drinks put healthy, young people at heightened risk of cardiac arrest, heart attacks, research shows
Many people assume energy drinks 'contain no real risk,' researchers say. But their study suggests otherwise.
Microbiome research reveals how bacterial lipids influence liver and muscle health in mice
An interdisciplinary team of researchers from UConn and the University of Pittsburgh is filling knowledge gaps about the surprising roles that our microbiomes play in our health. The team's recent studies, ...
The Toronto lab using new science to unlock the secrets of old books
Inside this medieval studies laboratory at the University of Toronto, researchers use high-tech tools to discover hidden text, invisible ink and centuries of human history.
Sandstorm: A new playbook for sharing desert science
Wildcats football and a board game about battling invasive grasses are giving U of A researchers creative ways to connect people with the science of protecting the Sonoran Desert.
Scientists revive decades-old approach to target cancer-linked genes using synthetic DNA
Researchers have developed a new approach that uses synthetic DNA molecules to target cancer-linked genes directly, opening new possibilities for future treatments, diagnostics and biological research.
Google researchers demand freedom to tell the world what they know about AI
Employees said that employment contracts at Google's AI division deter workers from speaking out about the dangers of the technology.
Scientists Asked 50 People to Recreate Their Near-Death Experiences, and the Results Are Pretty Wild
Researchers asked 50 people to recreate their near-death experiences and discovered intriguing patterns in the shapes and colors.
Multi-scale dual-discriminator GAN completes occluded plant point clouds
Researchers have developed a multi-scale dual-discriminator generative adversarial network (MSDDG) to complete missing point clouds of plants, a common problem when optical sensors capture complex canopies.
A biocomputer that runs on bacteria
A McGill-led research team has developed a bacteria-based biocomputer that can solve large, complex problems using a small fraction of the memory and resources required by standard (“solid-state”) computers. Possible applications include encryption, molecular biology and artificial intelligence (AI), the researchers said.
Election Day Could Be a Rainy One in Some Areas
Researchers have found that bad weather can deter certain voters.
5,300-year-old kidney stone the size of a grape found in Bronze Age man's burial near Black Sea
Researchers identified a 5,300-year-old kidney stone in the burial of a Bronze Age cattle herder in Russia.
Research Roundup: Scientists analyze long COVID symptoms, explain thermal noise communication, measure ‘hard’ x-rays
Stanford researchers recently published discoveries in COVID research, low-energy data signals and electron motion imaging.
The zeptoverse: what is it and how will it transform physics?
Researchers have detected signals from the smallest distances ever probed.
Digital Science acquires Jenni AI to connect research sources | ETIH EdTech News
Digital Science acquires Jenni AI, used by more than 8 million students and researchers in 189 countries, with plans to connect it to Dimensions’ 171 million publications. ETIH EdTech News covers the acquisition, academic writing tools, citation verification and continuity for existing subscribers.
Two healthy diets stood out in a study of more than 7,000 adults
In a cross-sectional analysis of 7,256 adults from the Maastricht Study, researchers found that greater adherence to the DASH and Dutch Healthy Diet patterns was associated with higher very-low-frequency (VLF) heart rate variability power, particularly among participants not taking beta-blockers. No significant associations were observed across time-domain HRV measures after full adjustment, and the findings do not establish that these diets improve cardiovascular function.
Researchers target PFAS with lower-temperature destruction method
University of Utah engineers develop process that could destroy “forever chemicals” after they are removed from contaminated water.
Rutgers Is Awarded $3.6 Million to Improve Heart and Metabolic Health in Older Adults With HIV
With a $3.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, Rutgers researchers will conduct one of largest and most comprehensive studies of heart and metabolic conditions among older adults living with HIV.
According to science, you may be more likely to gain respect and status by helping others
Human intelligence is still a bit of an enigma. Researchers have some ideas about why advanced intelligence evolved in humans, but they have not come to a conclusive answer. One prominent idea is that ...
Ohio State hosts researchers, business leaders to share AI strategies
Students, scholars and business leaders from across the country recently gathered at The Ohio State University to discuss how academic institutions and companies are implementing AI.Ohio State’s Fisher College of Business convened the AI in Business Conference at The Blackwell Inn and Pfahl Conference Center on the Columbus campus. The confere...
Johns Hopkins cancer cell mapping technology chosen for Anthropic AI project
Pioneering AstroPath technology, developed by two Hopkins researchers, combines astronomy, pathology, and AI to create detailed maps of tumors
Wishing upon even star political candidates can be dangerous
Wishing really hard for something won't necessarily make it come true, but a new study from a UConn researcher indicates up to 90% of voters expect their side to win an election, a percentage that's significantly ...
ASGA's Attack on Menhaden Science Exposes Its Own Double Standard
Saltwater guides question the credibility of industry-supported scientists while accepting environmental funding and overlooking conservation advocates' longstanding relationships with fisheries researchers. / ACCESS Newswire / November 2, 2026 / The American Saltwater Guides Association (ASGA) set out to expose what it called "tainted influence" over scientific research used to manage Atlantic menhaden.
Underwater technology showcase brings ocean researchers and industry to URI Narragansett Bay Campus
KINGSTON, R.I. — Nov. 2, 2026 — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute, based at the URI Narragansett Bay Campus, hosted an underwater systems and autonomy showcase with two blue technology companies, Sonardyne and Voyis, in early October. The two-day event brought together oceanographers, ocean engineers, industry experts, and other participants […]
UCT researchers name 400 000-year-old fossilised termite nests after Little Karoo town
University of Cape Town (UCT) researchers recently named a series of approximately 400 000-year-old fossilised underground nests of an extinct termite species after Calitzdorp, the Little Karoo town near which they were found. In October 2026, the research team returned to the town to donate a poster documenting their discovery to the Calitzdorp Museum, helping to connect local communities with the region’s remarkable fossil heritage.
Most comprehensive atlas of healthy human tissue launched to help understand disease
Researchers and data scientists from dozens of universities, hospitals and other institutions across the United States have built an online portal that provides free, open access to one of the most comprehensive ...
UAlbany researcher calls for transparency and digital literacy as AI spreads in politics
AI is becoming a powerful tool in political campaigns, but a new study suggests voters’ trust in AI-assisted messaging can hinge less.
Experts could soon reverse daylight savings clock changes. Here’s why
We all love that extra hour we get in bed every October, but researchers argue that changing the clocks twice a year harms our health.
BRC expands support for life sciences research at Cornell
The Biotechnology Resource Center – a set of core facilities providing shared, cutting-edge resources for life sciences research – is enhancing and expanding its support for Cornell researchers.
SESAME Symposium Places Science Diplomacy at the Heart of Regional Cooperation, Peace and Human Responsibility
The role of science in a world increasingly shaped by conflict, technological rivalry and deepening political divisions was at the heart of an international symposium held at the Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME) in Allan, Jordan, on 28 October 2026. Bringing together senior scientific leaders, diplomats, policymakers and researchers from across the region and beyond, the symposium examined how major research and technology infrastructures can advance international cooperation, strengthen scientific capacity and contribute to peacebuilding.
Deep-sea 'chimneys' found by Chinese team could help submarine warfare
Chinese researchers have identified underwater "inertial chimneys" that channel wind-generated energy thousands of feet into the deep ocean.
Expedition records no blue whales near the Galapagos for nine months
A nine-month expedition near the Galapagos recorded no blue whales amid unusually warm El Niño waters. Researchers suggest the animals may have shifted south toward cooler, more productive waters.
Here's the Food Named the Healthiest in the World by Science, and You Can Grow It on Your Windowsill
Not kale, not blueberries: the peppery green that topped a CDC-published ranking, and how to grow it at home. Every few years, a new superfood takes over grocery aisles and social feeds. Kale had its moment, then blueberries, then avocado. But when a researcher ranked fruits and vegetables by how many nutrients they deliver per calorie,...
How space science is shaping next-gen skincare
As researchers rethink skincare and personal care products for astronauts, the same approach is influencing the beauty industry's earthly customers.
U.S. science academy and IIT Kanpur sign climate research accord
The partnership will bring U.S.-based researchers to India for collaborative projects development and knowledge exchange.
Wishing Upon Even Star Political Candidates Can Be Dangerous
UConn political science researcher finds so-called ‘wishful thinking’ correlates with such negatives as polarization, animosity toward opposing side
Advancing Active Acoustics: How Scientists Use Sound to Monitor a Three-Dimensional Ocean
The ocean is a three-dimensional world. Life moves vertically and horizontally through the water, often across large areas and at depths scientists cannot easily observe. Active acoustic technology gives researchers a tool to sample what’s hidden under the surface, gathering information that nets and other sampling gear cannot capture.
Scientists gather to take the pulse of Wellfleet Harbor
Researchers will share findings on water quality, wildlife and restoration efforts shaping the future of Wellfleet Harbor. The public is invited.
Scientists gather to take the pulse of Wellfleet Harbor
Researchers will share findings on water quality, wildlife and restoration efforts shaping the future of Wellfleet Harbor. The public is invited.
Childhood Mild TBIs Linked to Worse Veteran Mental Health: Study
Researchers studied 1,286 veterans to assess the effect of childhood traumatic brain injury, finding two determining factors for success.
A flexible new route to designer materials built from nanoparticles
MIT researchers developed a new way to control how nanoparticles come together to create high-performing materials for photonics, chemical catalysis, medicine, agriculture, and more.
Scientists find a way to send smells online
Researchers have developed a system that can detect an odor, transmit information about it over the internet, and release a corresponding scent through a wearable device, Qazinform News Agency correspondent reports, citing a study published in Science Advances.
Strengthening Japan–India partnership for science and innovation
A recent international conference at Hokkaido University brought together researchers from Japan, India, and beyond to explore collaborations that can help tackle challenges in food, health, and materials science.
Scientists launch probe into sudden loss of bioluminescence in Vieques’ Mosquito Bay
By THE STAR STAFFScientists have launched a field investigation into the unexplained disappearance of bioluminescence in Mosquito Bay, Vieques, after the lagoon began showing signs of ecological change earlier this year, raising concerns about the health of one of Puerto Rico’s most renowned natural attractions.The Puerto Rico Science, Technology and Research Trust provided the information.Researchers say that in September 2026, the lagoon experienced a sharp decline in populations of Pyrodinium
Prophage Activation Turns Bacterial Biofilms into Programmable DNA Factories
Hidden mechanisms in extracellular DNA spotted by researchers at Aarhus University enable dormant viruses to become superstructure architects.
Real-World Weight Journeys: Exploring Health Experiences to Improve Care
(Feature Impact) A number on a scale tells only part of the story. Living well is also about having energy, feeling your best and enjoying a good quality of life. Yet each person’s path is different, and lifestyle changes, medicines and other approaches to managing weight can affect health in different ways. TNCMS.AdManager.render({region: 'fixed-big-ad-top-asset', slot: 1, fold: "above"}); No two weight-management journeys look the same. Some people are taking their first steps toward healthier habits. Others are balancing health conditions, caring for family members, coping with stress or exploring new treatment options. Along the way, they may find support that helps them succeed or encounter obstacles that make progress more difficult.These stories provide valuable insights into what it takes to improve health in everyday life.That’s the idea behind the American Heart Association’s Healthy Living BEYOND Weight Study. By learning directly from adults across the country, researchers aim to better understand the challenges, motivations and factors that shape weight and health outcomes over time. The goal is to generate insights that can help improve support, inform care and empower more people to live healthier lives.What Factors Influence WeightNearly 1 in 3 U.S. adults are overweight and 2 in 5 are obese, according to the National Institutes of Health. Weight is shaped by many factors, including:Genetics and hormonesAccess to healthy food, safe places to exercise and healthcareChronic stress and mental healthMedications and metabolismCommunity conditions, as where you live can influence your ability to live a healthy lifeHow Joining a Study Can Make a Difference Led by the American Heart Association, the Healthy Living BEYOND Weight Study is open to U.S. adults with a BMI of 25 or higher, including those who have tried lifestyle changes, weight-management medicines or weight-loss surgery. By sharing information about their health and daily lives, participants can help researchers better understand how to improve care.Interest in newer weight-loss medicines, such as GLP-1s, has grown rapidly. While these treatments are helping many people, researchers are still learning about their long-term effects and how they fit into everyday life. People who currently use or previously used a GLP-1 may be eligible to participate and help generate insights that could improve care for others.Reasons to Join This StudyBy joining this study, participants can help researchers better understand the long-term impact of treatments, identify what helps people succeed and uncover the challenges they face along the way. The information they share can help fill important gaps in research, shape better and more compassionate care and guide future health recommendations.According to the Pew Research Center, 31% of U.S. adults report they’re online “almost constantly.” The study is conducted entirely online, making participation convenient and easy. It can be completed from home on a schedule that works best for each participant.Consider these reasons to participate:Your story matters. By participating, you may help build knowledge that can improve care, guide health recommendations and help people live healthier lives.It’s easy. The study is conducted entirely online, making it simple to join and stay involved at your own pace.It’s safe and respectful. All data is collected with your informed consent, protected by privacy safeguards and handled according to rigorous ethical and scientific standards.You won’t be alone. Millions of people are navigating weight and health challenges. By sharing your journey, you can help researchers better understand what works, what support is needed and how to shape better and more compassionate care for others.Learn more and consider signing up at Heart.org/GoBeyond.Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
Health warnings on vapes changed people's choices, but there was a catch
In a Canadian discrete choice experiment involving 2,961 e-cigarette users and nonusers, researchers examined how health warnings, nicotine strength, plain packaging, and prices influenced preferences for vaping products, heated tobacco, and cigarettes. Warnings on all three product categories increased the predicted probability of choosing none from 50% to 65% among nonusers and from 10% to 18% among users, while lower nicotine strength made vape pods more appealing and price increases produced smaller, mixed effects.
Global Summit for Eye Health Kicks Off in St. John’s With Calls for Action
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda—The inaugural Global Summit for Eye Health begins today in St. John’s, bringing together heads of state and government, ministers, multilateral and development institutions, donors, industry researchers and eye health leaders with the goal of driving a new wave of global action on eye health. The Summit is hosted by the government of Antigua and Barbuda, in technical collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and supported by global health alliance for eye health the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).
BMP hospital ruling raises wider questions about speaking up in health care
By William Crooks Quebec’s labour tribunal has ordered safer work organization at Cowansville’s Brome-Missisquoi-Perkins Hospital after finding inadequate control of psychosocial risks and insufficient protection of meal and rest breaks. Separately, research involving Université de Sherbrooke researchers found fear of reprisal among more than half of part…
Extreme heat and cold hit some people far harder, and it's not just about illness
Researchers analysing 285,444 adults in Finland and the UK found that excess mortality associated with extreme heat and cold was more than tenfold higher among people with both pre-existing medical conditions and socioeconomic disadvantage than among those with neither or only one vulnerability. Climate modelling suggested that warming from approximately 1°C to 4°C could increase the proportion of deaths attributable to extreme temperatures from around 1% to more than 5% in both countries.
UVA professor explores how to bridge deep political divides in new book
In a time of intense political division, a University of Virginia researcher says the secret to better conversations isn’t winning an argument or even finding common ground, it’s genuine curiosity.
Scientists discover a surprising brain benefit of eating peanuts every day
A surprising new study suggests that eating peanuts every day could help support brain health and memory in older adults. Researchers found that consuming about two servings of unsalted, skin-roasted peanuts daily for 16 weeks improved insulin responsiveness in brain regions important for memory, a function that often weakens with age and has been linked to Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists discover a surprising brain benefit of eating peanuts every day
A surprising new study suggests that eating peanuts every day could help support brain health and memory in older adults. Researchers found that consuming about two servings of unsalted, skin-roasted peanuts daily for 16 weeks improved insulin responsiveness in brain regions important for memory, a function that often weakens with age and has been linked to Alzheimer's disease.
Minnesotans urged to join citizen science effort to track and collect ticks
ST. PAUL, Minn.—Researchers in Minnesota are calling on outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, livestock owners and pet owners across the state to aid in a statewide citizen science effort to map and
Breaking the ice: Scientists use attracting particles to form an anti-spin ice
In a recent Nature Communications study, researchers have reported the realization of an anti-spin ice, a system that does the opposite of conventional spin ices by breaking the ice rule that governs ...
RAND and USC health researchers: Even big self-insured companies can’t rein in health costs
Price transparency won’t fix employers’ health costs.
African Scientists Expand Research into Neglected Women’s Health Issues
More than 200 million African women live with conditions such as heavy menstrual bleeding, fibroids and endometriosis. Researchers say better funding and support are needed to turn local ideas into practical health solutions By Lenah Bosibori Across Africa, millions of women live with severe menstrual pain, fibroids, endometriosis and pelvic floor disorders without timely diagnosis […]
Petting Dogs Was Supposed To Lower Stress—Scientists Found Something Else
The real benefit may kick in later than expected, with researchers uncovering a surprising shift in the body's response to stress.
What Happens When Microplastics Meet Water? Scientists Uncovered a Potential Source of Cell-Damaging Molecules
Researchers tested six common plastics and found that the materials used in grocery bags and yogurt cups were among the most chemically active.
An AI Called LUMINA Is Being Taught to Pick Safe Landing Sites on the Moon
Ohio State researchers unveiled LUMINA, an AI framework meant to help planners choose safe, resource-rich Moon landing sites, with Mars as a possible later target.
Shark science and conservation magazine launched by Living Sharks Museum
Living Sharks Magazine to advocate for sharks through contributions by citizens, researchers and conservationists alike
Taking the blame off El Niño
Climate change is blurring lines around El Niño’s impact as researchers try to demystify a powerful periodic weather pattern
New Android SMS of Death exploit can remotely crash unpatched phones
A security researcher has released a proof-of-concept exploit for a recently patched Android vulnerability, dubbed "SMS of Death" and tracked as CVE-2026-58882, that lets attackers remotely disrupt cellular service or crash phones by sending a specially crafted text message.
UCSB Researchers Develop Climate Model for Infant Health
UCSB researchers develop a climate-based forecasting model to predict low birthweights in West Africa and curb malnutrition.
Scientists finally discover how a common gut bacterium can trigger colon cancer
Scientists at Johns Hopkins have uncovered a crucial missing link between a common gut bacterium and colorectal cancer, solving a mystery that has puzzled researchers for nearly two decades. The bacterium, Bacteroides fragilis, produces a toxin that damages the colon’s protective lining, triggers chronic inflammation, and promotes tumor formation.
I’m a skeletal biology researcher. Here’s what you need to know about bone loss.
The quiet nature of bone loss makes menopause an important time to bring skeletal health into the conversation.
Scientists develop new system to boost prime editing in dicot plants
A new gene-editing system could make it easier for researchers to introduce precise genetic changes into crops such as tomatoes, soybeans and rapeseed. Developed by researchers in China, SmartPE improves ...
Bottom Jokes Fueled Around a Third of the Taboo Humor in 269 Famously Funny Science Papers
An analysis of 269 humorous scientific papers found that 12.3% used sex, bodily functions or other taboo subjects, though the study did not test readers' reactions.
Why do scientists study toast crumbs, itching and head-banging? A new analysis identifies seven ways research gets funny
An analysis of 269 humorous scientific papers found that 48.3% applied rigorous methods to everyday subjects, while researchers identified six other recurring humor strategies.
Interview: Life Science Hub leadership talks impacts on RI
The Rhode Island Life Science Hub isn’t a building or a lab — it’s a quasi-public organization that helps researchers and startups in the Ocean State access the funding and equipment th…
Interview: Life Science Hub leadership talks impacts on RI
The Rhode Island Life Science Hub isn't a building or a lab — it's a quasi-public organization that helps researchers and startups in the Ocean State access the funding and equipment they need to achi...
Sam Altman says OpenAI won't slow science paper blitz — even though academics are calling it a 'giant bomb'
"It’s really cool and terrible at the same time", say researchers
A surprising vitamin A discovery is changing what scientists know about vision
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University have uncovered a surprising process that helps humans develop sharp vision before birth, challenging decades of assumptions about how the eye forms. Using miniature human retinas grown in the lab, researchers discovered that a vitamin A derivative and thyroid hormones work together to shape the foveola, the tiny region at the center of the retina responsible for our sharpest vision.
Why we love a good Halloween scare: the science behind the thrill
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Why do so many of us love a good scare — from haunted houses and horror movies to roller coasters that make our hearts race? According to FIU psychology researcher Matthew Sutherland, the answer lies deep in the brain, where our alarm, control and reward systems work together to […]
2026-2027 Audree V. Fowler Fellows in Protein Science
Graduate students Lenka Milojević (Zhou group), Akshaya Narayanasamy (Lindert group), Sarah Singleton (Conway group), and Janet Zhong (Feigon group) have been selected as 2026–27 Fowler Fellows and shared their research at a special event on Oct. 13, 2026. 2026-27 Fowler Fellows – Sarah Singleton, Lenka Milojević, Janet Zhong, and Akshaya Narayanasamy. Akshaya Narayanasamy and Prof. Steffen Lindert. Sarah Singleton and Prof. Stuart Conway. Janet Zhong and Prof. Juli Feigon. About the 2026-27 Audree Fowler Fellows in Protein Science Lenka Milojević is a fifth-year Biophysics Ph.D. candidate in the lab of Professor Z. Hong Zhou at UCLA. As an undergraduate at Maastricht University, she studied the structural basis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis virulence and amyloid-β fibril nucleation in the lab of Professor Peter Peters. She completed her bachelor’s thesis research at UCLA in the lab of Professor David Eisenberg, focusing on amyloid disaggregation, before beginning her doctoral studies. In the Zhou lab, Lenka uses cryo-electron tomography to visualize and characterize membrane-associated protein assemblies across a range of viral and cellular systems. Akshaya Narayanasamy is a fifth-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UCLA, mentored by Professor Steffen Lindert. She earned her B.S.-M.S. in Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Thiruvananthapuram, where she worked in Professor Mahesh Hariharan’s lab investigating how single-atom substitutions influence crystal packing and charge transport behavior. She received her M.S. in Physical Chemistry from The Ohio State University before moving with the Lindert lab to UCLA. At UCLA, Akshaya develops integrative modeling methods that combine deep learning and Rosetta with experimental data, such as ion mobility mass spectrometry and cryo-EM, to improve protein structure prediction. Her current work focuses on developing an experimentally guided diffusion model and designing de novo protein binders with potential antibacterial activity. Ultimately, she aims to bridge AI-based structure prediction and experimental data to make computational protein models more reliable for drug discovery and therapeutic design. Sarah Singleton is a 4th year BMSB student, working in Professor Stuart Conway’s lab. She earned her B.S. in Biochemistry at Simmon University (Fenway, MA). Her research is centered on drugging the previously undruggable class of proteins—transcription factors. Zinc finger (ZF)-containing transcription factor proteins typically contain multiple ZF motifs, but little is known about the principles that govern the recognition of multi-ZF arrays by immunomodulatory imide drugs (IMiDs). In a multi-ZF array that contains several potentially targetable ZFs, which will be accessible and why? How does the surrounding protein architecture inform IMiD recognition? Sarah’s research aims to utilize her findings on the fundamental principles of ZF recognition to design IMiD therapeutics for transcription factors involved in health and disease. Janet Zhong is a fourth-year BMSB student, working in Professor Juli Feigon’s laboratory. She received her BSc and MRes from Imperial College London. At UCLA, Janet combines cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and biochemical approaches to investigate how proteins and RNAs assemble into ribonucleoprotein structures. Her research focuses on telomerase, the enzyme that maintains chromosome ends, with interests in its structure, assembly, and mechanisms. She has also worked on capturing the cryo-EM structure of a small bacterial non-coding RNA called raiA motif RNA. About Dr. Audree Fowler A strong supporter of the basic sciences and medicine at UCLA, alumna Dr. Audree Fowler (B.S. ’56 chemistry, Ph.D. ’63 biochemistry) established the Audree V. Fowler Fellows in Protein Science in 2008. Fowler was Director UCLA Protein Microsequencing Facility from 1984-1999 and is a Researcher Emeritus of the UCLA Department of Biological Chemistry. She is one of the first four women to receive a Ph.D. from the UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. In 2018, the women were awarded the department’s 2018 Alumni Legacy Awards in recognition of their achievements in life, and generous support and service to UCLA. “The sciences gave me a great life. Now I want to help others have access to the same opportunities I enjoyed,” Fowler explained when she established the Fowler Fellowships endowment. Applications for the fellowships are solicited from graduate students in the Molecular Biology Interdepartmental (MBI) Ph.D. Program, Biological Chemistry, and Chemistry & Biochemistry Departments. In addition to presenting their research at a special seminar, the recipients each receive a $5,000 award. Previous Fowler Fellows from the UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry 2025-26 – Nikki Cheung (Clubb Group), Jonathan Jih (Zhou Group), Eileen Olivares (Loo Group), and Lily Taylor (Rodriguez Group) 2024-25 – Andrew Goring (Clubb lab), Eric Pang (S. Clarke and Rodriguez labs), and Miranda Villanueva (Backus lab) 2023-24 – Alexandra Turmon (Backus lab), Cindy Wang (S. Clarke and C. Clarke labs) 2022-23 – Cody Gillman (Gonen lab), Declan Evans (Houk lab), Troy Lowe (S. Clarke lab), Ashley Julio (Backus lab), and Alex Stevens (Hong Zhou lab) 2021-22 – Weixian Deng (Wohlschlegel/Plath labs), Yi Xiao “Sean” Jiang (Eisenberg lab), Maria Flores (Rodriguez lab), Carter Lantz (Loo lab), and Logan Richards (Rodriguez lab). 2020-21 – Janine Fu (Loo lab), Calina Glynn (Rodriguez lab), and Jiahui Lu (Eisenberg lab) 2019-20 – David Boyer (Eisenberg lab), Orlando Martinez (Clubb lab) and John Muroski (Loo lab) 2018-19 – Scott McConnell (Clubb lab), Kevin Murray (Eisenberg lab), Rebeccah Warmack (S. Clarke lab) 2017-18 – Michael Hughes (Eisenberg lab), Yuxi Liu (Yeates lab), Kanishk Jain (S. Clarke lab) 2016-17 – Brendan Amer (Clubb Lab) and Jeff Vinokur (Bowie Lab) 2015-16 – Henry Chan (Feigon lab), Smriti Sangwan (Eisenberg lab), Nicholas Woodall (Bowie lab) 2014-15 – Dan McNamara (Yeates lab) 2013-14 – Alex Jacobitz (Clubb lab), Alexander Patananan (S. Clarke lab), Carly Ferguson (Loo lab) 2012-13 – Letian Xie (C. Clarke lab), Anni Zhao (Eisenberg lab) 2011-12 – Timothy Anderson (Clubb lab), Soohong Kim (Weiss lab) 2010-11 – Zeynep Durer (Reiser lab), Cecilia Zurita-Lopez (S. Clarke lab) 2009-10 – Luki Goldschmidt (Eisenberg lab), Kristofer Webb (S. Clarke lab), Sheng Yin (Loo lab) 2008-09 – Nathan Joh (Bowie lab), Neil King (Yeates lab) Photos courtesy of Helen Houldsworth, the Molecular Biology Institute.
What smart people are saying about the $6 billion Binance hack
After hackers stole more than $6 billion from Binance, executives and researchers raced to figure out what went wrong.
Hugging Face Launches ProtoStar to Tackle Science's Data Problem
There’s a lot of scientific data out there – and universities, government agencies, and research labs have spent decades collecting it. This includes everything from climate change to human biology. Much of it is publicly available. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean other researchers can easily use it. Sometimes, just getting the data into a usable […]
A City Doesn’t Grow at One Speed
Using decades of Landsat and Sentinel-2 images, researchers discover the Urban Pulse to help track the cycles and rhythms of how neighborhoods within cities change.
Science Begins With Wonder and Sometimes With a Salamander.
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by the Don & Beth Straus Center at Birch Bay Village. BAR HARBOR—The children had come to see the axolotls, those odd little salamanders with pink frills around their heads and the remarkable ability to grow back what they lose. But also there were stickers. There were crafts. There was the kind of excitement that makes a roomful of kindergarteners forget, for a little while, that sitting still is ever a requirement. And then there were the animals themselves, alive in their clear cases at the MDI Biological Laboratory, where 12 children from Pemetic Elementary School got to meet the creatures they had been learning about in class. “Do you love them?” their teacher, Carol Null, asked. The answer came back in a chorus. “I do!” “I do!” “I do too,” Null said, smiling. “I love them even more now.” That was the thing about a day at the lab. Science was no longer a picture in a book, or a word on a classroom wall. It had a face, a tail, and a set of extraordinary powers. And for a child, sometimes that is where wonder begins. Sometimes learning about science is about stickers. Sometimes it’s about bright pink feathers and getting super excited about that glow in the dark. Sometimes learning about science is joy—pure and simple joy. That’s how it was October 28 at the MDI Bio Lab as Miss Hannah (known in the lab as Dr. Hannah Lust, director of STEM, undergraduate and graduate Training), other scientists, graduate students, and MDI Bio Lab staff, hosted 12 students from Carol Null’s Pemetic Elementary School’s kindergarten class. The 2.5-hour program created by Dr. Lust focused on axolotls, a species of mole salamanders, a superhero in the animal world: a superhero with some scientific-study worthy superpowers. One of those superpowers come from the axolotls’ ability to regenerate body parts, including entire limbs. But also, they’re cute. This fall, before coming to the internationally renowned lab nestled in Salsbury Cove, Null has been integrating axolotls into her class. They’ve been part of the kids’ vocabulary and their storytelling. They’ve been part of science. They’ve been part of the children’s learning about facts vs opinions. The Pemetic Elementary kindergarten students learn about invasive species and the impact on the ecology and one student related it to their dad, who lobsters, and his worries about green craps, an invasive species in Maine. “Are they bigger or smaller than you thought they’d be?” the children are asked after the scientists show them multiple see-through cases of axolotls, lined up on a table that they’re told not to jiggle. “Bigger!” “I think they’re bigger.” “Smaller!” The bio lab opening its doors to the collaborations and to students and families is a norm, but this is the first program of this kind. It’s meant to encourage kindergarten students about axolotls. But when the students come to the bio lab something else happens too—something beyond Null’s child-focused teaching—the students see science—and the regenerating creatures in real life. They do crafts. They speak with them. They meet people who know all about them: scientists and educators who talk to the kids like they’re equals. That’s a superhero power, too. Null speaks about meeting the kids where they’re at in her classroom, letting their interest and hearts lead her in their learning. That requires recognition of interests, of individuality, of empathy. Some would argue that’s a super power, too, but it’s also in those 12 students as they listen to the storybook, encounter those live axolotls, and hear about how axolotls might help advance society’s understanding of human health. As Eddie Seckeler (comparative animal models, CORE facility manager), carefully puts the axolotls on a cart and rolls them away, some of the children stop what they’re doing to watch. “Bye axolotls.” “Bye!” “Bye!” The axolotls are not just images in a book, Hello, I’m an axolotl by Hayley and John Rocco; they are real and cool. MDI Biological Laboratory scientists Dr. Prayag Murawala and Dr. James Godwin who both feature in the Roccos’ book. The kindergarteners get to meet them in real life, off the page, in the world, doing science. They learn from them, laugh with them. “The visit is about more than meeting an unusual animal. By introducing children to scientists working in their own community, the experience helps make science tangible and accessible. Students can see that science is not just something they read about in books or learn about at school. It is something real people do every day by asking questions, making observations and working to understand how the world works,” explains MDI Biological Laboratory Director of Communications Rebecca Woods. While the students make axolotl-related crafts around tables, graduate students and staff help out. Ryan holds up his construction paper setting and axolotl to show Omar Maged, a graduate student. “Do you like it?” Ryan asks, eyes wide, turning from his axolotl to look up at Omar. Omar studies the construction paper for a moment, smiles and says definitively, each word important. “It is beautiful.” Null says that she’s so thankful for all the “amazing” community partners that her school and her students get to interact with as they learn and grow and live, but emphasized how the MDI Bio Lab goes out of its way to create something meaningful, something that allows her young students to build their own agency, to know that they can be impactful in their community, to show them how how things they learn about in text is connected to themselves and their community. Woods explains, “Axolotls have an extraordinary ability to regenerate, or regrow, certain body parts, including limbs. Scientists study these animals to understand how regeneration works and what their biology might teach us about tissue repair and healing in humans.” The children enter the space for “a memorable introduction to a big scientific question,” Woods said. “How can some animals regrow body parts? The encounter encourages children to look closely, wonder about what they see and begin to understand how scientists use observations and experiments to investigate questions.” “For the students, the visit is an opportunity to explore a fascinating animal and meet scientists in their own community,” Woods explains. “For MDI Biological Laboratory, it is a chance to share the excitement of research, nurture curiosity, and help young learners discover that science begins with asking questions.“ At the beginning of the school year, Pemetic kindergarteners didn’t know what the axolotl was—at least not exactly—now they know all about the axolotl’s life cycle. “It’s different than a butterfly,” one student told Mrs. Null. It is. The change and knowledge might seem small**,** but it offers a glimpse of what happens when a subject moves beyond the pages of a book and into a child’s world. The children have been learning about butterflies at the Charlotte Rhoades Park and Butterfly Garden. At both the garden and the MDI Bio Lab, the children see the animals, meet the scientists who study them and at the lab encounter a question that researchers are still working to answer: how can some creatures regenerate body parts, and what might that teach us about healing in humans? They leave with gift bags, paper-plate salamanders, new things to wonder about and a connection between the science they learn in school and the work happening in their own community. The axolotls may be remarkable for their ability to grow back what they have lost. For these young students, the day offers something different: a chance to discover how much there is to ask, observe, and imagine. When Null’s students had time to use chalk and draw whatever they want, in the beginning of the year, they drew rainbows. Now? They’re using that chalk and choosing to draw axolotls instead. About MDI Bio Laboratory For more than 125 years, MDI Bio Lab has been a center for training and research in comparative biology. In the last two decades its biomedical research has focused on aging, regeneration, and environmental toxins. The Laboratory houses 11 research groups staffed by an international team of world-class scientists and graduate students. It also leads a statewide network of colleges, universities and research institutions that collaborate to provide training, research experiences and financial support to help young Mainers play a bigger role in today’s biomedical revolution. Located on Maine’s rugged coast, the Laboratory’s 100+ acre campus houses research facilities, cottages and dorms that house visiting scientists and students. It is also home to MDI Bioscience, a subsidiary working to design innovative techniques to speed the drug discovery process. The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Rick Osann Art. LINKS TO LEARN MORE NIH INBRE MDI BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY Pemetic Elementary School Hello, I’m an Axolotl Photos: Carrie Jones/Bar Harbor Story HELP SUPPORT THE BAR HARBOR STORY When we started The Bar Harbor Story, we didn’t know if anyone would read it. But you showed up. You shared. You sent tips. Now—over 400,000 views every month later—it’s clear: people here care about their community and each other. We’ve kept everything free because news should never be out of reach, but every one of our stories takes time to write, and your support keeps The Bar Harbor Story going. If you value our work, please consider a paid subscription, a founding membership, or a sponsorship. It truly helps us cover one more meeting, tell one more story, shine one more light. Even $5 a month makes a difference. Click here to become a one-time supporter now. Thank you so much for being here. Founding member information can be found here. Have questions about sponsorships? Just send Shaun an email at sfarrar86@gmail.com, he’d love to hear from you. Subscribe Share Bar Harbor Story Share Leave a comment
How Can Science Better Support Interdisciplinary Researchers?
Academics and industry experts discuss how science can better support interdisciplinary researchers through reforming funding applications, collaboration, and traditional career advancement.
Snowfall and clouds may slow East Antarctic ice loss in a warmer world
A new modeling study, published in the journal Nature Climate Change, suggests that the East Antarctic Ice Sheet may be more resilient to extreme long-term warming than previously estimated. Increased snowfall, greater cloud cover, and changes in atmospheric circulation could partially offset ice loss—even under very high carbon dioxide concentrations. Researchers from the IBS Center for Climate Physics at Pusan National University in South Korea conducted idealized simulations with different atmospheric CO2 levels, spanning 100,000 years using a coupled global climate–ice-sheet model. Unlike conventional studies that prescribe atmospheric and oceanic conditions, the model allowed climate and the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets to evolve together.
Scientists Crack Solar Panels' 33% Efficiency Ceiling
Researchers in Spain increased theoretical efficiency by harnessing extra light reflected from solar cells after it has been absorbed.
Exclusive | Asian scientists are looking to South Korea as it becomes harder to stay in the US
Seoul university says it’s luring researchers in energy, quantum materials and biomedicine while still working with US and Chinese partners.
Could AI ever build itself? Scientists map the road to the 'last AI built by humans.'
Researchers hope recursive self-improvement could tackle the skyrocketing costs of developing advanced AI models. But is it viable?
UCD recognises Jocelyn Bell Burnell for achievements in science and philanthropy
UCD has recognised the achievements of Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell and her commitment to creating the researchers of the future.
‘The potential to destroy:’ Invasive pest sparks action from Florida scientists
University of Florida researchers have secured $200,000 in federal funding to investigate how an emerging threat could possibly be managed.
700 GB in 15 seconds: Smart system helps scientists keep pace with atom-scale microscope
Researchers run an advanced electron microscope in plain English, from tomography to ptychography, with data processed in seconds.
New AI tool helps scientists identify bacteria hidden in soil
A handful of soil holds a crowded world of bacteria, fungi and other organisms. Scientists can collect their DNA, but much of it remains difficult to identify. Now, researchers at the Hebrew University ...
Scientists reveal a hidden snakebite crisis killing up to 513,000 people a year
A startling new study suggests that venomous snakebites are killing far more people worldwide than official statistics indicate, with an estimated 274,000 to 513,000 deaths every year. Researchers found that as many as 7 million people could suffer snake envenoming annually, while more than 800,000 survivors are left with long-term disabilities.
University of Arkansas researchers lead maternal health project
The Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research (I3R) at the University of Arkansas is leading a maternal health research project in partnership with Springdale-based healthcare provider Community Clinic. According to...
University of Arkansas researchers lead maternal health project
The Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research (I3R) at the University of Arkansas is leading a maternal health research project in partnership with Springdale-based healthcare provider Community Clinic. According to...
University of Arkansas researchers lead maternal health project
The Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research (I3R) at the University of Arkansas is leading a maternal health research project in partnership with Springdale-based healthcare provider Community Clinic. According to...