Connecting Research and Experts with Journalists

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With vigorous debate surrounding the health of the monarch butterfly, new research from the University of Georgia may have answered the biggest question plaguing butterfly researchers. Why are the wintering populations declining while breeding populations are stable? Published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study suggests that monarchs are dying off during their fall migration south to Mexico.

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When it comes to mating, two things matter for Heliconius butterflies: the look and the smell of their potential partner. The black and orange butterflies have incredibly small brains, yet they must process both sensory inputs at the same time — which is more than current artificial intelligence (AI) technologies can achieve without significant energy consumption. To make AI as smart as the butterflies, a team of Penn State researchers has created a multi-sensory AI platform that is both more advanced and uses less energy than other AI technologies.

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A new poll shows 74% of older adults would not trust online health information if it were generated by artificial intelligence, and that 20% have little or no confidence they could spot health misinformation if they came across it on the internet.

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In the ongoing effort to enhance crop efficiency, researchers have uncovered key genetic components of photosynthesis in tomatoes. A new study highlights the PetM domain-containing protein, crucial for the electron transport chain in chloroplasts, and its role in plant growth under different light conditions. By knocking out the PetM gene, scientists observed significant effects on photosynthesis, providing fresh insights into how plants adapt to varying light environments. This discovery could pave the way for improving crop resilience and productivity.

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A pivotal study has illuminated how woodland strawberries launch rapid defense mechanisms against Botrytis cinerea, the fungus responsible for devastating gray mold. Using high-resolution RNA sequencing, researchers mapped the strawberry’s swift systemic response and the pathogen’s persistent gene activity during early infection stages. These findings are key to advancing strategies aimed at enhancing plant immunity, offering promising directions for safeguarding strawberry crops from this widespread disease.

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Climate change has a negative impact on food security. An international research team led by Wolfram Weckwerth from the University of Vienna has now conducted a study to investigate the natural variation of different chickpea genotypes and their resistance to drought stress.

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Researchers from the University of South Australia have identified a new, brain-based measure of sleepiness that may provide a diagnosis in just two minutes.

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Hybrid quantum error correction technology opens new directions for quantum computer development

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Teleoperated robots for gathering moon dust are a step closer, according to new research by scientists at the University of Bristol.

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Indoor vertical gardens are gaining popularity among homeowners and restaurants, allowing them to grow microgreens year-round, but new research has identified a major drawback: their demands on energy.