A research team from Kumamoto University has made a groundbreaking discovery that reveals how the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) silently persists in the body, potentially laying the foundation for new therapeutic approaches. Their findings, published on May 13, 2025, in Nature Microbiologyidentify a previously unknown genetic “silencer” element that keeps the virus…
Terrestrial plants drove an increase in global photosynthesis between 2003 and 2021, a trend partially offset by a weak decline in photosynthesis — the process of using sunlight to make food — among marine algae, according to a new study published in Nature Climate Change on August 1. The findings could inform planetary health assessments,…
The solar atmosphere, or corona, is far hotter than the Sun’s surface, a paradox that has puzzled scientists for decades. Furthermore, the constant outflow of plasma and magnetic fields from the Sun, known as the solar wind, is accelerated to incredible speeds. Turbulent dissipation – the process by which mechanical energy is converted into heat…
It was a single lightning flash that streaked across the Great Plains for 515 miles, from eastern Texas nearly all the way to Kansas City, setting a new world record. “We call it megaflash lightning and we’re just now figuring out the mechanics of how and why it occurs,” said Randy Cerveny, an Arizona State…
If scientists are to better understand whether the genes that let us safely welcome the weekend with a cold beer or enjoy a bottle of wine with dinner began with apes eating fermented fruit, then the habit needs a name, according to a new study. “Scrumping” is the name coined in a paper led by…
1. Introduction to Plant and Animal Interdependence The relationship between plants and animals is one of the foundational aspects of life on Earth. These two groups of organisms have co-evolved for millions of years, shaping the ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles that sustain life. Their interactions are crucial for the maintenance of biodiversity, food chains, and…
An analysis of studies incorporating data from almost 30 million people has highlighted the role that air pollution – including that coming from car exhaust emissions – plays in increased risk of dementia. Dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease are estimated to affect more than 57.4 million people worldwide, a number that is expected to almost…
People with dementia are diagnosed an average of 3.5 years after symptoms are first noticed, or even longer (4.1 years) for those with early-onset dementia, finds a new study led by UCL researchers. The study, published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatryis the first systematic review and meta-analysis of global evidence examining time to…
