Dive deep into advanced subjects through bite-sized articles, with links to more in-depth content from top universities and respected publications. Challenge yourself with thought-provoking questions to think beyond the text.
Are you a fan of miso and natto? A new study from Japan, published by The BMJ, has found that a higher intake of fermented soy products is associated with a lower risk of death. The study investigated the association between different types of soy products and death from any cause, cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and injury. The researchers found that a higher intake of fermented soy (natto and miso) was associated with a significantly lower (10%) risk of all-cause mortality. Read the article to find out more about the potential health benefits of fermented soy products.
Are you curious about how fertilized chicken eggs can be sexed without opening them? Researchers at the University of California, Davis and Sensit Ventures Inc. have developed a new method to sort eggs by sex based on the volatile organic chemicals emitted through the shell. By identifying the sex of an egg early in incubation, billions of male eggs could be humanely diverted to other uses, reducing waste and environmental impact. Check out the full article published in PLOS ONE to learn more about this innovative technology.
Are you interested in urban studies and the environmental challenges facing Asian cities? Then you won't want to miss this article from the Singapore Management University (SMU) Office of Research. Assistant Professor Sayd Randle shares her insights on the messy reality of green infrastructure projects in Los Angeles and how they impact socio-environmental inequality. Discover the complicated dynamics of well-intentioned green initiatives and the issue of non-valued labour within frameworks of environmental justice. Don't miss out on this thought-provoking read!
Are you tired of boring car parks? Well, there's more to them than meets the eye! Check out this fascinating article from the BBC about how solar panels are revolutionizing car parks across the UK. Not only are they visually stunning, but they also provide a sustainable source of energy that can power hundreds of homes. With a recent push for clean energy production, solar car parks are becoming more popular than ever, and the possibilities for turning car parks into solar farms are endless. Don't miss out on this exciting new development in renewable energy!
Are you interested in medicine and drug research? A Yale-led study published in JAMA Network Open reveals that new medicines and vaccines approved by the FDA are often not available in the countries that hosted their clinical trials, raising concerns about equitable distribution of research benefits. The study analyzed 563 trials for which location data was available and found that only 15% of the drugs were approved in every country that hosted trials. Access was lowest in Africa, where none of the drugs were available anywhere except in South Africa. Read more about the study from Yale University to learn about the researchers' recommendations for making drug research more equitable.
Are you interested in exploring the ancient Japanese tradition of thatching and experiencing it firsthand? Discover a rare opportunity to stay in a 160-year-old thatched-roof house in the Miyama region, preserved by a community of thatchers who are masters of this 5,000-year-old craft. Read this fascinating article by BBC Travel to learn about the history and significance of thatching in Japan, the connection between thatching and Shinto religion, and the unique lifestyle of rural communities in Miyama.
Are you fascinated by flying mammals like bats and sugar gliders? Did you know that they haven't had a common ancestor in 160 million years, but still use some of the same genetic ingredients to form their wing flaps? A recent study by biologists at Princeton University, published in Science Advances, explores how these tiny creatures developed their wings through convergent evolution. The researchers discovered a network of genes driving the formation of wing flaps in sugar gliders and bats, shedding light on the origins of diversity in the animal kingdom.
Are you curious about how people around the world perceive gender norms? A new global study by Stanford economist Alessandra Voena and her team reveals that misconceptions about gender views are ubiquitous across the globe. The study analyzes gender views in 60 countries representing 85 percent of the world's population, and the results are striking. Men and women are much more aligned than people think, and both genders support issues around women'™s rights to a much higher degree than conventional wisdom holds. Learn more about the study's implications for gender equality policies in the full article from Stanford University.
Are you curious about how cows digest their food? Did you know that they regurgitate and chew their food multiple times before swallowing? A research team including the University of Göttingen has discovered that this process helps protect cows' teeth from being worn down by hard grit, sand, and dust. To learn more about this fascinating process and its evolutionary implications, check out the article published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science (PNAS).
Are you interested in learning about the latest advancements in medical research? Then you won't want to miss the BBC's article on the world's biggest human imaging project! Over 60,000 UK volunteers, including the author of the article, have had their brains, bodies, and genomes scanned in order to help predict and prevent diseases like dementia, cancer, and heart disease. With researchers in over 90 countries using this database for health-related studies, the possibilities for new medical breakthroughs are endless. Don't miss out on this fascinating article!
Are you fascinated by the evolution of human civilization? Then you won't want to miss this groundbreaking research by Heriot-Watt University! According to a paper published in Nature Scientific Reports, our ancestors in Europe were using fire for cooking, heating and defense at least 250,000 years ago - 50,000 years earlier than previously thought. The research team used forensic chemical methods to identify incomplete burning molecules at an archaeological site in Spain, providing definitive evidence of human-controlled fire. This discovery sheds new light on our understanding of human development and the role of fire in our evolutionary success.
Are you interested in investing in bitcoin and want to know what factors drive its returns? Look no further than a groundbreaking paper from Illinois Institute of Technology researchers that provides empirical evidence on the predictive power of blockchain technology, investor sentiment, and economic stress levels for bitcoin returns. Published in The Journal of Alternative Investments, this paper offers insights to help guide investors, economists, and academics. Find out more about the dual nature of bitcoin as a technical artifact and speculative asset, and the risks associated with holding it as an asset.
Are you curious about how nanowire networks can exhibit short- and long-term memory like the human brain? An international team led by scientists at the University of Sydney has published their findings in the journal Science Advances, paving the way towards replicating brain-like learning and memory in non-biological hardware systems. The study demonstrates how nanotechnology could be used to build a brain-inspired electrical device with neural network-like circuitry and synapse-like signalling. This breakthrough could have real-world applications, such as improving robotics or sensor devices that need to make quick decisions in unpredictable environments. Read the full article to learn more!
Are you interested in learning about the age of microplastics found in the ocean and how they affect the environment? Researchers from Kyushu University and Asahi Kasei Corporation have developed a new method to estimate the age of microplastics found in the upper oceans. By analyzing plastic oxidation levels with environmental factors such as UV exposure and ambient temperature, they found that microplastics in nearshore regions ranged from 0 to 5 years old, whereas microplastics from offshore regions ranged from 1 to 3 years old. Their findings were published in the journal, Marine Pollution Bulletin.
Are you curious about the hidden waterways that run beneath London's busy streets? Did you know that many of London's neighborhoods are named after these waterways? Discover the fascinating story of London's "secret" rivers, their historical significance, and how they are being restored to improve the environment and the lives of millions of people in this inspiring article from BBC. Follow the journey of volunteer groups who are revitalizing these waterways, creating habitats for wildlife, and reducing flood risks across the city.
Are you a fan of cute animal posts on social media? Have you ever wondered why they make you go "awwww"? A team of researchers at the University of Maryland has been studying the impact of cuteness on our emotions and behaviors, and how it can be used to manipulate us. Their findings, published in Frontiers in Psychology, offer fascinating insights into the science of cuteness, including a recipe for achieving ultimate cuteness. Read on to discover the implications of this research for society, disinformation and national security. (Source: University of Maryland)
Are you interested in learning about the dangers of antimicrobial resistance and why it's such a big deal? Look no further than the World Health Organization's reference article on the topic! This informative piece explains how antimicrobial resistance occurs and why it's such a threat to our health and the health of our planet. You'll learn about the various factors driving antimicrobial resistance, as well as the impact it can have on medical procedures and the global economy. Don't miss out on this important read!
Are you from Miami? Do you use expressions like "get down from the car" or "super hungry"? According to a recent study by Florida International University, these expressions are evidence of a distinct dialect emerging in South Florida. The study examines how Spanish sayings are being "borrowed" and directly translated into English, creating a unique variety of English with subtle structural influence from Spanish. Find out more about this fascinating phenomenon in the article published in English World Wide by FIU.
Are you curious about what motivates people to be good? A recent study from Washington University in St. Louis explores the surprising reasons why some people make the effort to be more moral. The study found that many people are motivated to become more moral for self-serving reasons, but they also see potential value in being fairer and more compassionate. Read the full article to learn more about the study's findings and gain insights into your own motivations for moral behavior.
Are you interested in understanding how language impacts people with disabilities? Flinders University and UK researchers have analysed the use of disability-related taboo words, exploring their negative and positive impact on people with disabilities. The study sheds light on why taboo words continue to be used in a positive way and the grassroots campaigns trying to raise awareness and discourage people from using hurtful words. This article is a must-read for anyone interested in promoting inclusion and understanding for people with disabilities.