Researchers used VLT interferometer observations to study infrared spectra of dusty discs around three young stars, finding abundant crystalline silicate grains and processed dust near the star. This suggests that building blocks for Earth-like planets are present in circumstellar discs from the start.
Researchers found that dermal exposure accounts for a substantial portion of total exposure among pesticide workers, with some workers absorbing more pesticide through the skin than inhaled. The study's results underscore the need for improved methods to assess worker exposure and protect health.
A study by the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School found that preparing for extreme events depends on a complex interplay between risk assessment, perception, and management. Understanding cumulative effects can increase people's willingness to take actions to mitigate risks.
Researchers discovered that Thymosin beta-4 prevents cell death after a heart attack and limits scar tissue formation in mice. The protein promotes survival and migration of heart muscle cells, which could lead to new treatments for heart disease in humans.
A study found that cord blood stem cells can be used in transplants for leukemia patients without a matched relative or donor, resulting in high survival rates. The availability of umbilical cord blood provides a logical choice for doctors and patients when a matching bone marrow donor cannot be found.
The study found that eelgrass significantly increased survival of silversides, tautog, and cunner even at low shoot densities. Macroalgae did not provide a similar benefit.
A UCLA study uses evolutionary game theory to model human behavior in small social groups, finding that cooperation in the context of public goods can be sustained when freeloaders are punished through social exclusion. This suggests a possible explanation for the evolution of altruism and moral outrage.
A University of Utah study suggests that a type of cellular waste may be responsible for a form of blinding eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa. The researchers found that a mutation in the carbonic anhydrase 4 gene can lead to photoreceptor degeneration, highlighting the potential for new treatments targeting this process.
A new five-year project at NIST seeks to create standardized measurement methods and diagnostic probes for organic electronics. The goal is to accelerate the development of practical plastic microchips, which could enable large-area applications like wall-sized electronic murals.
A two-year depression treatment program improved employee productivity by an average of 6% and reduced absenteeism by 22%. Consistently employed patients benefited the most from enhanced treatment, making significant gains in productivity while reducing symptoms of depression.