Conservation tillage practices, such as no-till and reduced till, are critical for sustainable agriculture, and they are gradually becoming popular with farmers across the Midwest. Monitoring tillage usage can provide insights into soil health, water levels, and nutrient loss, as well as guide management and policy decisions. A University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign research team has developed a dynamic framework that uses satellite imagery and machine learning to detect tillage practices over large areas and long time periods. The team discusses their methodology and findings in a new paper.

A team of anatomists from Midwestern University, in collaboration with SeaWorld San Diego and Scarlet Imaging, has published a detailed study of the limb musculature of the macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus), uncovering previously unknown features that help explain how these birds swim, dive, and even stand upright.

The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have once again teamed up to support a new class of pediatric cancer research fellows. The awards, totaling a $1.5 million investment, will fuel the work of five fellows who will each receive funding for four years ($300,000 total). Each fellow will conduct an innovative research project with the potential to significantly impact the diagnosis or treatment of one or more pediatric cancers.

A new method developed at Baylor College of Medicine and collaborating institutions allows researchers to better understand how RNA works. The method is a powerful strategy for identifying intricate RNA structures that are likely to have significant biological functions inside cells.

About The Study: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, unsecured firearm storage practices were significantly associated with increased suicide risk across all time frames, after controlling for lifetime mental health disorders and history of stressful life events. Carrying a weapon other than a firearm was also associated with heightened suicide risk. The findings suggest firearm storage and carrying behavior of any weapon, not just firearms, may indicate heightened suicide risk among military service members.

Gender-diverse adolescents who experience bullying and live in states with persistently unsupportive gender identity laws are significantly more likely to suffer escalating psychological distress compared to their peers, according to new research by UCLA Health.