RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, scientists have accurately modeled particular cellular changes in Drosophila melanogaster, or the fruit fly, during embryonic development. When certain tissue shrinks dramatically to close a gap during the fruit fly embryo’s growth, the cells remain elastically solid rather than turning into a liquid form as expected. The model created by the researchers shows how this phenomenon happens and may lead to a new form of condensed matter physics with potential applications in neuroscience, biology and artificial intelligence.

The findings, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,also revealed a surprising connection to the work that earned the 2024 Nobel Prize in physics.

“During the dorsal closure process, tissue, called amnioserosa, is shrinking like mad, and by all accounts, it should turn into a fluid,” says Andrea Liu, University of Pennsylvania theoretical physicist and author on the research. “But it doesn’t. The cells stay locked in place with their neighbors, and we wanted to understand why.”

Time-lapse video of fruit fly dorsal closure

Credit: I. Tah, D. Haertter, J.M. Crawford, D.P. Kiehart, C.F. Schmidt, A.J. Liu, PNAS.

Time-lapse video showing the microscopic dorsal closure process in a fruit fly embryo. The superimposed yellow dots represent the cellular movements predicted by the researchers’ model.

The researchers used a method introduced

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RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

LOS ANGELES – Property owners have seven days left to submit a Right of Entry (ROE) form to LA County. In order to have debris removed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), property owners affected by the Los Angeles Wildfires must submit a ROE form by April 15, 2025

Federally funded debris removal is available to residents of single family and owner-occupied multi-family units. 

All disaster impacted property owners should submit a ROE form by April 15, 2025, to opt-in or opt-out of the debris removal program. 

If a property owner opts out of the USACE debris removal program, they become responsible for all permits, inspections and other associated debris removal requirements and costs. 

There is no out-of-pocket cost to have debris removed by USACE, however the program is unable to duplicate other forms of funding specific to debris removal. If a property owner has insurance for debris removal, residual funds not used by the property owner may be remitted to the county to offset the cost of debris removal at a later date.

Submit a ROE form to LA County:Contact Los Angeles County for more information about debris removal: 

Follow FEMA online, on X @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol, on FEMA’s Facebook page or Espanol page and at FEMA’s YouTube account. For preparedness information follow the Ready Campaign on X at @Ready.gov, on Instagram @Ready.gov or on the Ready Facebook page.

California is committed to supporting

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RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Disaster Recovery Centers across Kentucky will reopen at 9 a.m. Wednesday following temporary closures due to severe weather and flooding over the past several days.

“We understand how important these recovery centers are to Kentuckians impacted by the February Severe Storms,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Jeremy Slinker. “Our priority remains the safety of everyone involved in the recovery process.”

Now that weather conditions have improved, all centers are ready to reopen and resume normal operations. Survivors can visit any center to speak with FEMA specialists in person, ask questions, check application status, and receive help with uploading documents. Find a DRC near you: DRC Locator

Survivors do not have to visit a Disaster Recovery Center to apply for assistance. Help remains available in multiple languages through:

Online at DisasterAssistance.govPhone at 800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585). Lines are open daily. FEMA remains committed to working side by side with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, local leaders, and community organizations to ensure everyone impacted by this disaster receives the help they need.

For the most up-to-date information on recovery efforts, visit: fema.gov/disaster/4860

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