HomeProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Young women with hula hoops
Science

Hourglass body shape is ideal for hula hooping, says study

Pranjal Malewar

Scientists explain the physics of hula hooping.

ants in group
Social Science

Ants vs. humans: Why collaboration works better for them

Pranjal Malewar

Putting group smarts to the test.

early life model
Biology

Today’s genetic code likely came after other codes that have since gone extinct

Pranjal Malewar

Study sheds light on origin of genetic code.

Beer and grain
Science

Evidence of rice beer dating back approximately 10,000 years at the Shangshan site

Pranjal Malewar

New insights into the origins of alcoholic beverage brewing in East Asia.

Researchers identified an unforeseen trade-off for fisheries as nutrient inputs are reduced to improve water quality – in particular, a lower harvest of the popular yellow perch species as dead zones were diminished.
Environment

Cleaner water may pose risk to some Lake Erie fish species

Ashwini Sakharkar

Unforeseen water quality–fisheries tradeoffs are reduced to improve water quality.

Covid-19. Coronavirus Epidemic Design
Health

Surprising biological mechanisms discovered underlying severe COVID-19

Pranjal Malewar

Severe COVID-19 has been considered an inflammatory “cytokine storm”.

Human brain
Neuroscience

Our human family tree evolved bigger brains much more rapidly than earlier species

Pranjal Malewar

Brains grew faster as humans evolved.

Engineers fabricated a simple water filter modeled after the mobula ray’s plankton-filtering features. Pictured are pieces of the filter.
Technology

MIT engineers look to manta rays to design better water filters

Amit Malewar

The filter feeder's unique mechanism could potentially revolutionize the design of industrial water filters.

exploded view of an ice giant planet such as Uranus or Neptune
Space

What lies beneath the bland surfaces of Uranus and Neptune?

Amit Malewar

Uranus and Neptune are unique but superficially bland ice giants in our solar system. Planetary scientists have devised two proposals for what lies beneath...

A seabird colony i Norway, on which this model could be applied.
Environment

New model can be used to better understand coexistence in nature

Ashwini Sakharkar

Understanding the coexistence in nature.

Methylmercury
Environment

How do microbes create the most toxic form of mercury?

Pranjal Malewar

A poison that can accumulate in fish.

fish
Science

Microbial production of the most toxic form of mercury

Ashwini Sakharkar

How microbes create the most toxic form of mercury.

Snowball Earth
Earth

New evidence suggests Earth was covered in ice more than 660 million years ago

Amit Malewar

Researchers at the University of Colorado, Boulder have uncovered strong evidence that supports Snowball Earth theory.

Young again
Science

Aging reversed: A species of comb jelly can reverse its life cycle

Pranjal Malewar

Returning from adulthood to a larval stage.

Robotic sensory cilia that monitor internal biomarkers to detect and assess airway diseases.
Technology

Artificial cilia monitor internal biomarkers to detect airway diseases

Ashwini Sakharkar

A system of artificial cilia capable of monitoring mucus conditions in human airways to better detect infection.

Micrometeorological observation tower in Alaska. The tower installed in a black spruce forest on permafrost in Fairbanks, Alaska, monitors CO2 exchange and environmental conditions in 30-minute intervals.
Science

Climate change increases sources of carbon and CO2 sinks

Ashwini Sakharkar

Landmark 20-year study of climate change impact on permafrost forests.

Plane with covert feather wings
Technology

Bird-inspired rows of flaps can improve flight performance

Jay Kakade

Inspired by bird feathers called covert feathers, researchers at the University of Princeton have found that rows of flaps can enhance flight during maneuvers...

Meteorite Approaching to the Earth
Earth

What impact did a meteorite the size of four Mount Everests have on Earth?

Pranjal Malewar

Giant impact had silver lining for life, according to new study.

Atmospheric Water Harvesting prototype
Invention

Frog skin-inspired technology captures atmospheric water

Jay Kakade

This groundbreaking technology even pulls large amounts of water from the air in low humidity

D. rarus
Science

The mystery of the ‘Dinky’ dinosaur’s unusually long stride solved

Pranjal Malewar

UMD paleontologist helped recreate the movements of a bird-sized raptor.

A person holding a bottle of weight loss supplements
Health

Thousands of lives could be saved by expanded access to weight-loss drugs

Ashwini Sakharkar

It needs to remove existing barriers that are hindering people's access to effective weight loss treatments.

Man Under Stress
Neuroscience

New study reveals brain’s waste-clearance pathways for the first time

Amit Malewar

The study uses imaging in neurosurgery patients to show how the brain's glymphatic system clears waste.

Air bubbles under water
Invention

Researchers witnessed the formation of tiny water bubbles in real-time

Pranjal Malewar

Watch water form out of thin air.

crops on field
Plants

Critical crops’ alternative way to survive stressful, dry conditions

Ashwini Sakharkar

All C4 crops are critical for global food security.

neck pain
Health

Neck strain alters spine and muscles, leading to pain

Dr. Prajakta Banik

Using smartphones and computers for long periods has led to a rise in neck pain, while neck muscle fatigue severely.

Cellular elongation
Biology

A rare form of cell division reproduces human mouth bacteria

Pranjal Malewar

One of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet is closer than you think—right inside your mouth.

Depicted is a longwing butterfly resting on a Lantana flower. Its wing patterns have been modified through CRISPR gene editing, which removed a crucial RNA molecule, leading to a loss of melanic scales.
Science

An unexpected genetic mechanism influences butterfly wing evolution

Ashwini Sakharkar

Genomic dark matter solves butterfly evolutionary riddle.

Mars InSight as seen in "selfie" taken by lander
Space

Geophysicists find stores of liquid water on Mars

Amit Malewar

Presence of liquid water most probable explanation for data collected by Mars lander.

Brown-led researchers highlight 16,000 years of climate history in the tropical Andes, which includes areas like the Laguna Llaviucu in Cajas National Park in Ecuador.
Environment

Study uncovers 16,000 years of climate history in tropical Andes

Ashwini Sakharkar

A new study that explores ancient temperatures and rainfall patterns in the tropical Andes of South America.

Cloudy nature landscape by lake
Science

Greenland fossils reveal increased risk of sea-level catastrophe

Ashwini Sakharkar

The story of Greenland keeps getting greener and scarier.

Recent Stories

Astronomers solve Sulfur mystery with Ammonium Hydrosulfide salt

Space

A copper catalyst can efficiently convert carbon dioxide into acetaldehyde

Invention

Not all Hot Jupiters orbit alone

Space

The long-term benefits of girls’ education

Social Science

Marvel and DC Movies: Trauma and character development

Social Science