Researchers at Oregon State University have made an important breakthrough in producing thin film absorbers for solar cells using continuous flow microreactors. This innovative technology could significantly reduce the cost of solar energy devices and material waste, making it a game-changer for sustainable solar cell manufacturing.
Twelve new research projects on infectious diseases and immunology have been awarded grants by A*STAR's Biomedical Research Council and Singapore Immunology Network. These projects aim to develop better vaccines and improve clinical care for patients, with a focus on viral infections and the human immune response.
A study found pregnant women had a disproportionately higher risk of death due to 2009 influenza A(H1N1) in the US. Early antiviral treatment was associated with fewer ICU admissions and deaths. Pregnant women are at increased risk due to changes in their immune, cardiac, and respiratory systems.
A study found that healthy children from South Asian and African-Caribbean groups in the UK showed increased precursors of diabetes risk, similar to adult disparities. Researchers observed these patterns in children as young as 9 and 10 years old, suggesting ethnic differences persist into childhood.
Children under 5 years old with severe hearing loss who underwent cochlear implantation showed significant improvement in comprehension and expression of spoken language. Younger age at implantation was linked to greater improvements, with the majority of children showing trajectories similar to those of hearing children.
Researchers identified carbon dioxide as an odorant that alters physiology and affects aging in fruit flies. Flies incapable of smelling CO2 live longer and are resistant to stress. This finding suggests a potential link between sensory perception and aging, with implications for human health.
A study investigated transplanting practices during container production of lacebark elm, finding that planting at grade during initial production phase resulted in greater growth. Trees planted below or above grade showed reduced growth in subsequent phases, with those planted at or below grade performing better in the landscape.
CU-Boulder's disdrometer team will use three vehicles to measure precipitation particles in severe storms, while a UAS project aims to collect meteorological data safely navigating below clouds. The efforts aim to improve tornado forecasting and reduce fatalities.
Alcohol-dependent women with supportive spouses may benefit from couples therapy, which maintained gains longer than individual therapy. Women with depression also did better in couples therapy, highlighting the importance of social support for change.
Researchers found a 28% reduced risk of developing breast cancer in women whose breasts decreased in density over time. The study suggests that measures of breast density may provide additional information for assessing breast cancer risk.
Researchers investigated COX-2 expression as a prognostic factor in pancreatic cancer, finding no significant correlation between high COX-2 levels and survival rates. High histological grade and nodal involvement remained key predictors of shorter survival.
New research identifies the source of 'noise' in HIV gene expression, finding that transcriptional bursting generates exceptionally high levels of noise. This finding suggests that latency may be fundamental to the HIV life cycle.
A study by Texas Tech University researchers found that distance-education students use computer-mediated communication to compensate for reduced face-to-face interaction with faculty. The researchers recommend that faculty respond promptly to student emails and phone calls to maintain effective communication, while also providing trai...
Indeval, Mexico's Central Securities Depository, won the INFORMS Edelman Award for implementing an operations research-based engine in its Securities Settlement System (SSS). The system settles over $250 billion daily and reduces liquidity requirements by 52%.
A recent study published in Johns Hopkins Medicine found that men who gained five or more pounds near the time of their prostate surgery are twice as likely to have a recurrence of their cancer compared with patients whose weight is stable. Physical activity was shown to reduce this risk.
A new study found that child care directors in metropolitan Milwaukee would unnecessarily exclude 57% of children with mild illnesses from care. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Public Health Association have established guidelines to address this issue, but their implementation remains inconsistent.
A study found that patients report 20 times more side effects from depression medication than psychiatrists record in charts. The researchers suggest using a self-administered patient questionnaire to improve recognition of side effects.
Researchers at OHSU have developed a blood test that can identify individuals at risk of heart attacks, including those with normal cholesterol levels. The test measures gamma-prime fibrinogen and has been shown to be effective in predicting coronary artery disease.
A new study suggests that high estrogen levels in men may increase their risk of developing prostate cancer. However, the researchers also found that certain estrogen metabolites may offer a protective benefit against prostate cancer development.
The University of South Florida will train 100 e-ambassadors to help doctors use and adopt electronic health records, improving patient safety and convenience. The initiative aims to bridge the gap in adopting new systems and make EMRs more responsive to physicians.
Researchers found that healthy older adults taking rosuvastatin had fewer heart problems and strokes than those not taking the medication. A high false-positive rate was associated with low-dose CT lung cancer screening, highlighting its potential harms. U.S. News rankings are criticized for relying too heavily on subjective data.
Foreign body airway obstructions are rare but lethal in young children. The study found that nearly 2.5 million US children experience these incidents annually, with up to 2,000 deaths reported.
Researchers at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center found that a high-fat diet during pregnancy increases breast cancer risk not only in daughters but also in their female and male offspring's daughters. The study suggests that pregnant mothers should eat well-balanced diets to potentially reduce the risk of breast cancer in...
Researchers identified LPCAT1 as a key protein in lung surfactant production, essential for air breathing transition in mice. Decreased LPCAT1 expression may underlie fatal respiratory distress syndrome in premature infants.
A new thesis at the University of Gothenburg reveals that a probiotic, Lactobacillus plantarum, has no effect on Salmonella bacteria. Researchers found that the probiotic did not reduce diarrhoea or shorten the duration of infection in patients with Salmonella.
A study found that 10.2% of patients developed anemia after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, primarily due to iron deficiency. Patients at increased risk included menstruating females and those with marginal ulcers on endoscopy.
A new technology developed at the University of Toronto enables ads to be resized automatically to conform to any web space, maximizing usable website spaces. This innovation could significantly increase revenues for publishers and create new opportunities for advertisers, given the online advertising market's billions-of-dollars worth.
Volunteers in Project BudBurst are tracking plant blooms across the US, providing a baseline for studying climate change impacts. Key findings include some plants blooming earlier than usual, which could be related to rising temperatures.
A new research paper concludes that deterrence can no longer be the primary national cybersecurity strategy due to the unique characteristics of cyberspace. Experts propose a three-tiered approach to guide US strategy in responding to cyber threats, emphasizing war-fighting and offense-defense frameworks to contain damage and reduce harm.
A research team from Japan has discovered that inhibiting IGF-IR activity decreases proliferation and motility of pancreatic cancer cell lines. This finding suggests a potential new approach for treating pancreatic cancer.
The Block by Block project aims to educate residents about diabetes, increase early diagnosis and provide resources to improve medical care and self-management for 13,000 adults. The four-year project includes household screenings, educational programs, and a case management program to help residents with diabetes organize their care.
Researchers have identified SphK1 and SphK2 as crucial proteins involved in generating the molecule S1P, which affects blood vessels and the immune system. Mice lacking these proteins showed improved recovery from anaphylaxis, while those lacking only SphK1 recovered poorly.
Deaf children with cochlear implants show improved communication skills, reducing grade failures and delays in reading and writing. Despite initial struggles, they achieve satisfactory educational and employment successes after implantation.
A study found that patients with mild to moderate acne who underwent remote online visits had a similar decrease in inflammatory acne lesions as those who visited their dermatologist's office. Both groups reported high levels of satisfaction with their care.
Researchers found that a Mediterranean diet high in phenols represses pro-inflammatory genes, which could contribute to reduced cardiovascular disease risk. The study also suggests that this diet can alter the activity of immune system cells, leading to a less deleterious inflammatory profile.
A new book by NASA climatologist Claire Parkinson examines the coming climate crisis, drawing on 4.6 billion years of Earth's climate history. The book highlights the limitations of computer models and warns of unintended consequences of geoengineering, instead advocating for alternative approaches to reduce climate change.
Virginia Commonwealth University researchers identified a new tumor-promoting gene called LSF, which is significantly higher in more than 90% of patients with liver cancer compared to healthy individuals. Inhibiting LSF may reverse the aggressive properties of human liver cancer cells.
A new tobacco product with a candy-like appearance and flavorings may increase appeal to young people, leading to nicotine addiction. Researchers found that ingestion of as little as 1mg of nicotine can cause severe symptoms in children, posing a significant public health risk.
Researchers at Lund University and the University of Gothenburg have discovered a breast milk component, HAMLET, that selectively kills cancer cells without harming healthy ones. Laboratory experiments have shown HAMLET to be effective against various types of cancer.
A Phase I clinical trial demonstrated early signs of a strong safety profile and clinical activity for BBI608, a first-in-class cancer cell stemness inhibitor. Nine patients achieved stable disease for at least two months with early signs of tumor regression.
A study found that grotesque juxtapositions in fashion ads are more effective at grabbing attention than traditionally attractive images. Women who regularly read fashion magazines approached such ads as a type of fiction, immersing themselves in the narrative and exploring its creative elements.
A recent study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology reports successful treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) and Crohn's disease using infliximab. The therapy improved colonic lesions and overall condition without compromising lung function, suggesting a potential anti-inflammatory effect on both colon and lung.
A new biosensor can measure real-time glutamate flux of neural cells in a living organism, providing valuable data for neurological diseases and treatments. The sensor's versatility would be valuable for understanding the effects of therapies for various conditions.
A blood test and DNA analysis accurately predict which men with low-grade prostate cancers may need treatment, say Johns Hopkins scientists. The prostate health index and DNA content in biopsy tissue can detect the progression of small prostate cancers.
Researchers investigated how defects in graphene affect its electronic properties. They found that surface quality plays a crucial role in controlling plasmons, which could be harnessed for future technical applications.
The study found that about two-thirds of couples showed significant clinical improvement after therapy, and the integrative therapy approach was more effective than traditional therapy. Couples who started therapy committed to improving their relationship and were willing to work on themselves
Researchers are developing tools to tackle complex problems in logistics planning, resource allocation and circuit design. By combining techniques from mathematics, statistics and computer science, they aim to create more efficient delivery systems for the Air Force.
Researchers developed a two-step screening strategy to identify small molecules that bind to TrkB but not other related proteins. These compounds have shown promising therapeutic potential in treating neurodegenerative conditions by activating TrkB signaling and preventing neuronal degeneration.
Researchers at Fox Chase Cancer Center have isolated an engineered antibody, GS45, that targets the Müllerian Inhibiting Substance Type II Receptor on ovarian cancer cells. This unique target is scarce in normal tissue, reducing the risk of side effects associated with traditional targeted therapies.
Researchers have found that olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) transplanted into children and adolescents with cerebral palsy can improve neurological function without causing significant side effects. The study suggests OEC transplantation may be a promising treatment for this incurable disorder.
Jerry Posakony, scientist at PNNL, received the AAES John Fritz Medal for his groundbreaking work in ultrasonics and medical diagnostics. His research enabled physicians to visualize internal body structures, significantly advancing medical diagnosis.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic found that people with higher vitamin K intakes from their diet had a lower risk of developing Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Vitamin K intake was estimated from a food questionnaire and was associated with a significant protective effect against the disease.
Researchers found that ischemic preconditioning increases arterial blood flow while portal vein flow remains unaffected, suggesting a new strategy to reduce I/R injury. The study also suggests temporary occlusion of the portal vein may help avoid complications during liver surgery.
Researchers have identified small molecules that bind to TrkB, a protein involved in nerve cell survival, and demonstrated their potential in treating neurodegenerative conditions. Additionally, a new compound has been found to prevent anaphylactic shock by targeting the SphK1-S1P pathway, which may lead to the development of new thera...
A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research reveals that different psychological processes drive consumer preferences, with 'projection' (predicting others' likes) and 'introjection' (considering others' preferences before one's own) underlying distinct motivations. Consumers who value uniqueness are more likely to like products ot...
The Wellcome Trust extends its Seeding Drug Discovery initiative with a £110 million investment over five years. This support enables the progression of promising drug discovery projects to attract follow-on investors and develop novel medicines.
Researchers have evaluated a blood test that identifies patients with low-grade, low-stage prostate cancer who are at risk of needing treatment. The study found that a biomarker called Prostate Health Index was significant in predicting unfavorable biopsy conversion.
Researchers developed a novel statistical model to guide targeted therapies based on molecular signatures in tumor biopsies, showing promising results in treating stage IV non-small cell lung cancer. The study found that four drugs targeting specific molecular pathways led to improved disease control and overall survival.
Researchers have developed a microbial fuel cell that can generate electricity from mud and wastewater using the tiny Geobacter microbe, which uses its hair-like extensions to produce power. The technology has potential applications in powering autonomous underwater vehicles and tracking ocean life.
A large study found that consuming well-done meat increases the likelihood of developing bladder cancer, especially in people with genetic variants. The risk was higher for those who ate high amounts of red meat and had unfavorable genotypes in the HCA metabolism pathway.