New eco-friendly cremation methods use low-heat processes and break down corpses into soil, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A corpse composting method turns bodies into natural soil without a sealed casket, providing environmentally friendly burial options
Experts in pathology are advocating for a comprehensive training program to integrate genomics and personalized medicine into daily practices. The proposed curriculum would cover laboratory medicine, genetic counseling, and health information technology, enabling pathologists to serve as primary consultants for physicians and patients.
Newborns of non-smoking mothers exposed to secondhand smoke during pregnancy have genetic mutations that may affect long-term health, including survival, birth weight, and susceptibility to diseases like cancer. The study confirms previous research on the effects of passive smoke on gene expression.
Scientists measure delay of tens of attoseconds between light pulse and electron emission, challenging existing models. The findings have important implications for simulating electronic properties of materials.
In European mountains, burning has become a common tool for managing scrubland, but its impact on bird populations is varied. The study found that some species, such as the Dartford warbler, recover more slowly after fire at higher altitudes.
Researchers at Duke University have identified a direct connection between plant development and growth, revealing that the Short-root protein controls the activity of genes involved in cell division. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of growth and development in plants and potentially other species.
A new study found that excess nitrogen in estuaries can alter the composition of plant species, favoring grasses over sedges that respond poorly to rising CO2 levels. This shift can impact ecosystem capacity to store carbon and adapt to climate change.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found that sleep strengthens weak associations in the brain, improving prospective memory and recall of future intentions. The study showed that a good night's sleep helps individuals carry out their plans more effectively by enhancing the link between context and intention.
Researchers have discovered a crucial protein controlling cell division and acquisition of characteristics in plants. This breakthrough provides new insights into the co-ordination of cellular processes and may have implications for animal biology and organ formation.
The Elsevier Foundation has awarded a $177,000 grant to the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSDW) to support young women scientists. The grant will fund a seven-country assessment of women's participation in science and innovation systems.
A North Carolina State University study reveals that older adults fare equally well as young adults in making intuitive decisions, but face challenges with complex decision-making. Older adults with higher education performed better at remembering specific criteria and utilizing them when making decisions.
The European Space Agency has received tiny microshutters, as small as human hair, which will focus the infrared camera on specific targets to the exclusion of others. These microshutters are a key component in the James Webb Space Telescope's ability to observe distant stars and galaxies.
Researchers at University of Arizona successfully created nitrogenated organic molecules in a laboratory setting that mimics Titan's atmosphere. The findings suggest that complex organic molecules could be present on Titan, potentially creating conditions conducive to life.
Researchers found that bacteria release extracellular DNA (eDNA) when relatives die, which inhibits the sticky holdfasts of living cells from adhering to surfaces. This allows surviving cells to escape established colonies and outcompete each other for better conditions.
The TRMM satellite detected scattered moderate to strong convection southwest of Darby's center, with isolated strong convection also seen over the Gulf of Tehauntepec. Darby's remnants are expected to weaken and move northwest towards Caribbean Tropical Storm Alex.
Researchers have discovered a strain of genetically defective mice that exhibit behavioral, hormonal, and neurochemical characteristics similar to those of human patients with drug-resistant depression. The mice respond to certain antidepressant drugs, offering a potential animal model for understanding human depression.
Researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics have made a breakthrough in developing diamond nitrogen vacancy materials for room-temperature quantum computing. The team's discovery could lead to significant advances in condensed matter physics, quantum information science, and diamond making technology.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center discovered that the cytokine interleukin-17 plays a significant role in disc disease and may lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches. Targeting this immune response could reduce painful inflammation and halt the evolution of arthritis.
A study found that US hospitals in disadvantaged areas lag behind in treating heart failure and heart attack, despite improvement over time. The pay-for-performance program may exacerbate existing inequalities in the healthcare system.
Researchers found desert-living bats have reduced cutaneous water loss compared to non-desert species, with a potential mechanism involving lipid composition adjustments. This adaptation could provide significant insight into how bats cope with future climate changes.
The authors propose a new paradigm for breast cancer screening, shifting focus from mammography to more effective early detection methods. Behavioral interventions appear to have limited impact on repeat screening rates, and media attention highlights the flaws of current technologies.
A researcher at the University of Illinois Chicago is using computer modeling to improve the durability of mud bricks and rammed earth structures. The project aims to provide insights into their structural behavior and design safer buildings.
Research from Queen's University Belfast suggests that Irish hare populations are declining due to changes in farming practices. Hares require a specific patchwork of grassland and tall vegetation for feeding and hiding, but silage fields are mistakenly identified as suitable habitats, leading to traps and population declines.
Children in Uganda have high levels of lead poisoning due to proximity to a landfill, with 20.5% of children having elevated blood lead levels, posing developmental risks.
A five-year pan-European research project is investigating whether working conditions in hospitals contribute to doctor 'burnout' and affect patient care. The study aims to identify issues within the workplace that lead to burnout and develop strategies to improve organisational culture, reduce stress, and enhance patient safety.
Researchers found that predator scent enhanced the ability of pond snails to form memory following training, while overcrowding and reduced calcium had a blocking effect. The scientists believe that the ability to remember unfamiliar environments, new predators and food sources is vital to the survival of the pond snail in the wild.
Researchers found that adding a continuous blood sugar sensor to an insulin pump improved blood sugar control, with significant decreases in A1c levels and no increase in severe hypoglycemia. The study's findings suggest that this technology can help patients of all ages manage their diabetes effectively.
Celia's remnant low pressure area shows maximum sustained winds of 20-25 knots with estimated minimum central pressure of 1007 millibars. The system is expected to gradually spin down and open into a trough by the end of the week.
New data demonstrate Vimpat (lacosamide) C-V's sustained efficacy in reducing seizure frequency and improving responder rates when added to a broad range of antiepileptic drugs. Long-term results show improved seizure control for up to 5 years, with median percent reductions in seizure frequency ranging from 45.5% to 71.8%.
The ACCORD Eye Study found that intensive blood sugar control and combination lipid therapy slowed diabetic retinopathy progression by about one-third. Combination therapy reduced disease progression compared to statin therapy alone.
A study published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that students who lived abroad showed more evidence of creativity than those who didn't. Multicultural learning is believed to be a critical component of the adaptation process, acting as a creativity catalyst.
A recent brain study published in the Journal of Neuroscience has found that increased levels of dopamine in the brain make individuals more likely to choose instant gratification over longer-term rewards. This is linked to conditions such as ADHD, where high dopamine levels contribute to impulsive behavior.
Researchers propose a mechanism for reducing 'roughening' in pSiCOH materials etched in fluorocarbon plasmas. The findings could help overcome scaling challenges in integrated circuit manufacturing.
The UCLA engineer's telemedicine invention uses a lensless cellphone microscope to detect sub-cellular elements and has the potential to revolutionize healthcare in developing countries. With its ability to be miniaturized, inexpensive, and easy to use, this technology aims to bridge the gaps left by inadequate healthcare infrastructure.
Researchers have developed a new method to manufacture highly stable glass films with properties equivalent to those of conventionally aged glasses. This breakthrough uses physical vapor deposition and alternating current nanocalorimetry, enabling the production of 'impossible materials' in a matter of minutes.
A study found that overweight and obese individuals from the Asia-Pacific region are significantly more likely to die from cancer compared to normal-weight individuals. The research highlights the urgent need for effective strategies to tackle the obesity epidemic in Asia, which is fuelled by lifestyle changes and fattier diets.
A recent study suggests the Arctic climate system may be more sensitive to greenhouse warming than previously thought. The researchers used three independent methods to measure Pliocene temperatures on Ellesmere Island, finding that CO2 levels of approximately 400 parts per million can produce mean annual temperatures in the High Arcti...
Researchers found that meniscal and cruciate ligament lesions increase the risk of developing specific types of knee osteoarthritis. Surgical therapy does not reduce this risk, according to a new study published in Radiology.
A recent study found that the original HIV strain still exists in the body months after initial infection, with immune cells degrading it at an accelerated rate. The research analyzed over 100,000 genetic snippets and revealed that the virus mutates rapidly to evade the immune system, but certain portions remain persistent.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have successfully tracked the progression of adult stem cells through live imaging, gaining insight into how they are reprogrammed and evolve over time. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and effective cell reprogramming techniques for treating diseases such as Parkinson's.
Researchers will investigate how methamphetamine use affects dental disease and develop targeted interventions for dentists to detect drug abuse in patients. The study aims to improve early detection and treatment of 'meth mouth', a uniquely accelerated form of extensive dental disease.
Researchers are harnessing local community champions to challenge smoking norms and encourage quitting in Aspley ward, where 53% of residents smoke. The two-year project will profile positive messages to smokers and enlist the help of community champions to raise awareness.
Researchers at NYU identified a key mechanism in the brain's computation of sound location, challenging existing theories. The study found that neurons respond to the rise time of synaptic inputs rather than their width.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered a way to create an organic framework that could lead to economical, flexible and versatile solar cells. The new method uses molecules typically used in blue jean and ink dyes, assembling them into a two-dimensional sheet with high surface area.
Danish scientists used MRI and CT to study internal organs in animals like alligators, snakes, and tarantulas. They found that snakes adapt their organs for big meals and digestion, allowing them to survive 'feast and famine' lifestyles.
A new study found that smoking bans in Minneapolis and St. Paul led to a 3-6% increase in bar employment and a 4% rise in restaurant employment, contradicting predictions of job losses. The research suggests that clean indoor air policies promote healthier workplaces for workers and patrons.
A study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases found that community-based education increased treatment compliance from 50% to 90% in Orissa State, India. The intervention combined timely educational programs with lymphedema management, reversing the trend and increasing drug compliance.
The study will test the effectiveness of an intervention called HOME Plus, which teaches families how to create nutritious meals and snacks together, reducing screen time for children. Participating families will learn nutrition education, cooking skills, and collaborate on meal preparation.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that individuals who used light rail transit (LRT) for commuting experienced increased physical activity and subsequent weight loss. LRT users were also 81% less likely to become obese over time.
Researchers developed a new easy-to-use table to quantify vehicle temperature changes, helping public officials and parents understand the deadly consequences of leaving children unattended in hot weather. The table provides clear warnings of the risks involved, shedding light on the dangers of hyperthermia in closed cars.
Tropical storm Alex is strengthening due to low wind shear and warm ocean surface temperatures, posing a threat of heavy rainfall, gusty winds, and storm surge to northeastern Mexico and southeastern Texas. The National Hurricane Center predicts the storm will make landfall on Wednesday, bringing potentially life-threatening conditions.
A team of researchers from Duke University and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies has identified a key intermediary between the light system for information and the light system that makes fuel in plants. The discovery, led by Meng Chen, could help increase agricultural yields or improve photosynthesis of biofuel crops.
Research found that mothers who drank 4.5 or more drinks a week during pregnancy had sons with lower sperm concentrations, averaging around 25 million per milliliter. The study also discovered an association between prenatal alcohol exposure and semen volume and total sperm count.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have successfully integrated a terahertz quantum-cascade laser and diode mixer into a compact, monolithic platform, reducing the need for precise optical alignment. This innovation could enable new applications in security, communications, and medical diagnostics.
The Ecological Society of America honors seven distinguished ecologists for their outstanding contributions to the field. The awards recognize achievements in ecological research, education, and sustainability, including Simon A. Levin's Eminent Ecologist Award and Martin Lindegren's Sustainability Science Award.
A recent meta-analysis found that there is no single best intervention for promoting repeat breast cancer screening with mammography. The studies were heterogeneous, differing in their conclusions about similar interventions due to a lack of standardization among interventions or different populations and settings.
A recent analysis of a large clinical trial found no increased rate of heart attack or death in patients taking rosiglitazone, despite previous concerns. The study compared patients treated with rosiglitazone to those not receiving any thiazolidinedione drug, showing a lower combined rate of death, heart attack, and stroke.
A study found that imaging-guided percutaneous needle biopsies increased by 67% between 1997 and 2008, while open biopsies decreased. The technique offers greater precision and lower complication rates, resulting in a modest growth rate of 3% overall.
Researchers found that only one side of the brain can be motivated at a time, with subliminal cues influencing hand grip strength. This unilateral effect challenges traditional views on motivation and its relationship to conscious awareness.
Key findings from a PLOS Medicine series highlight the need to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and policy-making in Africa. The authors emphasize developing innovative approaches and investing in local adaptation of global MNCH evidence to address regional constraints.