Probiotic bacteria have limitations in conventional production processes. Researchers at TUM developed a gentle method using low-temperature vacuum drying, which is energy and cost-efficient. This process improves storage stability, allowing more active bacteria to remain in products until consumption.
Flood warnings remain in effect along the Iowa/Nebraska border as Missouri River waters continue to rise near Omaha. NASA's Landsat 5 satellite captured an image of the affected area, showing the Interstate cut off by floodwaters just south of Missouri Valley, Iowa.
A USC researcher found that the human brain can simulate physical sensations in response to emotional stories, leading to increased moral behavior and motivation to help others. This phenomenon is detected using brain scans and may be an evolutionary mechanism for promoting social behavior.
The Cancer Risk Management model uses dynamic simulations to project realistic Canadian populations, offering insights into screening, prevention, and treatment changes. By reducing smoking rates, the model predicts a decrease in lung cancer incidence and cumulative savings in direct treatment costs.
A study found that most US patients with celiac disease have insufficient small intestine biopsy samples, affecting diagnosis. The research suggests that taking more than two biopsy samples can increase the correct diagnosis rate sevenfold.
A recent study has found that quitting smoking during pregnancy can have a positive effect on birth outcomes. Women who gave up smoking in the periconceptional period had babies with significantly higher birthweight, similar to those born to non-smoking mothers. Stopping smoking before conception may also improve fertility outcomes.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that cardiac valve procedure patients' outcomes are influenced by their primary insurance type. Uninsured and Medicaid patients experienced higher risks of mortality, longer hospital stays, and increased total costs compared to those with private insurance.
New research from the American Academy of Neurology found that breastfeeding does not have a protective effect on multiple sclerosis relapses. In fact, women with high disease activity and high risk of postpartum relapses may need to resume MS treatment after giving birth.
A special issue of Memory Studies explores how mass-mediated commemoration affects the London bombings, highlighting shifts between social engagement and memorialization. Researchers analyzed media coverage and personal memories to understand the complexities of remembrance and trauma.
A future climate is likely to lead to an increase in the frequency and intensity of wildfires, according to CSIRO's Dr Melita Keywood. The complex relationship between fire and climate change requires closer scientific attention to predict fire occurrence and understand its impacts on atmospheric chemistry.
Researchers have discovered potential regulatory networks in glioblastoma using microRNAs and transcription factors. The study identified 54 feed-forward loops with functions important to carcinogenesis and unique functions specific to each FFL.
Texas researchers are studying microalgae's benefits, including its use as a sustainable source of fuels, animal feed and fertilizer. The microscopic algae thrive in freshwater and marine systems and have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A study by UT Southwestern Medical Center found that most bariatric surgery patients can perform large amounts of exercise and improve their physical fitness levels. The study participants who exercised for at least five days a week lost an average of 10 pounds and increased their daily step count significantly.
Researchers at NIST have developed a technique to calm the vibrations of a microscopic aluminum drum to the quantum ground state, allowing for longer storage of individual packets of energy. The drum's motion is slowed by applying microwave light, enabling applications in quantum computing and testing of quantum theory.
The study found that trusts with more pure thoracic surgeons saw a significant increase in lung cancer resection rates. In 2009, the overall resection rate rose by 46% due to increased investment in thoracic surgical expertise.
A new study found that high levels of urinary eosinophil protein-X (u-EPX) in newborn babies are linked to a higher risk of developing allergic symptoms and eczema by six years. Elevated u-EPX was associated with an increased risk of allergic sensitization, nasal eosinophilia, and eczema.
Researchers found that exposure to large amounts of alcohol interferes with key receptors in the brain, inhibiting long-term potentiation and memory formation. The steroids manufactured by neurons inhibit synaptic plasticity, causing amnesia.
Researchers found that the medial orbito-frontal cortex is activated when people experience beauty, supporting the idea that beauty lies in the beholder. The study also found that this region was active for both visual and auditory beauty, suggesting an abstract concept of beauty within the brain.
A new study found that ivermectin dramatically reduces malaria transmission among people living in Senegalese villages. Ivermectin was administered as part of a campaign to fight onchocerciasis and appeared to kill malaria-carrying mosquitoes, resulting in a 79% decline in mosquitoes carrying Plasmodium falciparum.
A study suggests gray whales thrived during glacial periods with diverse food sources, supporting higher population estimates than today. Researchers analyzed California gray whale responses to climate change over 120,000 years.
Decreasing autumn and winter rainfall over southern Australia is attributed to a 50-year decrease in storm intensity. The trend is linked to reductions in the strength of the mid-latitude jet stream and changes in atmospheric temperatures.
A new study reveals that several unhealthy lifestyle factors, including weight problems, physical inactivity, and hard drug use, are associated with an increased risk of sexual dysfunctions in both men and women. The study found that up to 91% of women and 78% of men without a partner-related sex life had unhealthy lifestyles.
A new study suggests that vertebrate jaws evolved relatively early, around 420 million years ago, and that the diversity of feeding mechanisms in these early animals had little impact on jawless fishes. The researchers used physics and engineering concepts to analyze the potential feeding functions of early vertebrate jaw designs.
The NC State research team will develop a narrative video game to help middle school students improve their reading skills, particularly in scientific and technical language. The goal is to create an engaging educational experience for students of all backgrounds.
A recent study suggests that romantic fiction continues to shape women's perceptions of idealized love and sex, potentially influencing negative attitudes towards condom use and non-consensual sex. The author argues that the genre can perpetuate unrealistic expectations and escapism, running counter to real-life health messages.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have designed a unique gel capsule structure that can co-deliver distinct drugs. The microcapsule's spatially-segregated compartments make it suitable for multi-drug encapsulation and release strategies, offering potential advantages such as synergistic effects and suppressed drug resistance.
A new University of Minnesota project aims to refine successful farming techniques for corn and soybeans in anticipation of climate change. Scientists will investigate the benefits of precision zonal management, which enables crops to receive optimal nutrients while soil-building processes occur between rows.
A study by North Carolina State University found that organized sports can bring people together and provide hope in the wake of disasters like Hurricane Katrina. The research highlighted both the positive and negative impacts of sports on community recovery.
A new study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that fat in pistachios may not be completely absorbed by the body, leading to a lower calorie count. The research, conducted by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the USDA, measured energy value and found a 5.9% reduction in calories per serving.
A review of 4,431 patients from six countries found that older adults with cognitive impairment often face challenges in emergency departments due to lack of assessment tools and inadequate care. The authors highlight the need for more research and development of a clinically relevant screening tool to address these issues.
Researchers from RUB-Department of Biophysics elucidated the proton pump mechanism of a cell-membrane protein in atomic detail, revealing that protein-bound water molecules play a decisive role. A chain of only three water molecules is formed for just a few thousandths of a second to transfer protons into the interior of the protein.
A recent study found that celecoxib reduced the Ki-67 labeling index by 34% in former smokers, indicating a potential chemopreventive effect against lung cancer. The medication was also linked to a reduction in lung nodules, a precursor to cancer.
Research from the University of Minnesota finds that people who grew up poor are more likely to take risks for immediate rewards when feeling threatened. In contrast, those raised in a more predictable environment respond by becoming more cautious.
The GigaScience journal and database launch provides a platform for the open release of large-scale biological datasets, including those from the deadly E. coli O104 outbreak and endangered species like polar bears. This initiative aims to accelerate scientific discovery by enabling rapid data sharing and reuse.
A new study by Katy Prentice shows that pterosaurs evolved in a unique way, specializing over 160 million years. The research found that pterosaurs remained conservative for 70 million years before experimenting with new modes of life, adapting to feed on different food sources and becoming larger.
A rare bioluminescent fungus has been rediscovered in Brazil, shedding new light on its unique glowing properties. The fungus, previously seen since 1840, was reclassified and found to have a different bioluminescent mechanism than other fungi.
A University of Alberta study found that climate change has pushed the province's native wildflowers and trees into earlier blooming times, making them more vulnerable to frost damage. The average winter monthly temperature increased by 5.3 degrees Celsius over 70 years, with bloom dates advancing two weeks for early spring species
Independent reviews report that many new drugs offer few advantages over existing ones, with median development costs ranging from $13 million to $333 million. This challenges the oft-quoted cost of bringing a new drug to market as high as $1.32 billion.
In June 2010, Berkeley Lab scientists quickly developed a simplified conceptual model and a coupled numerical model to estimate oil flow from the damaged wellhead. Their simulations predicted an oil flow rate of 60,000 to 100,000 barrels per day, which was later confirmed by a final estimate in August 2010.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed a portable system for highly sensitive multi-dimensional chemical analysis by pairing NMR/MRI technology with microfluidic chromatography. This breakthrough enables real-time peak detection and chemical shift information for small molecules, demonstrating the unique power of magnetic resonance...
A recent study suggests that black-legged kittiwakes use body odor to determine genetic compatibility in potential partners. The research found distinct signatures of individual and sex-specific odors, which may play a role in mate choice.
Research reveals disparities in trial populations reflecting U.S. demographics, with women and older patients under-enrolled. Minority groups also show significant underrepresentation, highlighting concerns about toxicity and treatment efficacy.
A team of experts developed a high-tech, portable device to test soil for carcinogenic pollutants, providing fast and accurate results. The Safe Soil Tester can detect toxins in as little as 12 minutes, offering significant cost savings over traditional lab testing.
Gray's research focuses on cognitive strategies and decision-making under uncertainty. He will spend six months at the Max Planck Institute Center for Adaptive Behavior and Cognition (ABC) in Berlin to advance his work on heuristics and cognitive control.
Researchers at Harvard University developed a coating that improves nanowire efficiency and sensitivity for photodetectors and energy harvesting applications. The coated wires showed a 90-fold increase in photosensitivity, reducing surface recombination nearly two orders of magnitude.
Researchers found that practitioners' judgments of patients with Parkinson's disease were influenced by cultural and gender stereotypes, leading to inequitable healthcare. Facial masking, a condition where faces lose expression, was particularly stigmatizing for women and men from different ethnic backgrounds.
Using a dataset of 873 children's heart rate, temperature, and oxygen saturation measurements, researchers developed data fusion models that predicted the severity of their illness with moderate accuracy. The best-performing model had a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 75.8%, outperforming existing scoring systems.
The number of elderly cancer patients taking multiple medications is increasing, posing a significant risk of adverse drug reactions and interactions. Research suggests that polypharmacy is becoming more frequent in older adults due to the increasing number of drugs used to prevent or treat medical problems.
A new UT Dallas study is investigating whether a rise in female executives spurs greater gender diversity across all company ranks. Researchers are looking at the 'trickle-down effect' of women breaking through into executive roles and joining boards, with hopes to inform management strategies for expanding women's roles.
A Nordic study of 60,650 singletons from ART registers found a marginal increase in the risk of stillbirth in ART children compared to naturally conceived peers. The overall risk remains low, however.
A global study has identified five key grand challenges in mental health, focusing on integrating screening into primary care, improving medication access, and strengthening training for healthcare personnel. The study aims to guide research funding agencies and clinicians in tackling mental illness worldwide.
The Entomological Society of America has elected 10 new Fellows for 2011, recognizing their outstanding contributions to entomology. Dr. Susan J. Brown is a leading geneticist who established Tribolium as a model organism for insect development research, while Dr. James Carey is an authority on arthropod demography and invasion biology.
The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has awarded prestigious fellowships to 18 outstanding postdoctoral scientists, providing them with independent funding to pursue novel ideas in cancer research. The fellowships will support research into various aspects of cancer, including gene expression, cell growth, and tumor development.
A study will test a novel therapy to increase bone mass in mice flown in space, which may also provide insights into preventing skeletal fragility among patients on earth. The therapy aims to counteract the effects of microgravity on bones.
Researchers at King's College London have discovered a molecule called CXCL5 that controls sensitivity to UVB irradiation-induced pain, providing a potential new target for medicines. The findings also suggest the possibility of developing new analgesics for conditions like arthritis and cystitis.
The Cornell-developed Planar Fourier Capture Array (PFCA) is a pinhead-size, lens-free camera that can resolve images about 20 pixels across. It uses the principles of the Fourier transform to capture multiple angles of light and has numerous applications in science, including surgery and robotics.
A study by Johns Hopkins University researchers found that Twitter posts can be a useful source of public health information, revealing patterns about various ailments. The study uncovered interesting findings on allergies, flu cases, insomnia, cancer, obesity, depression, pain, and other health issues.
A USGS-led study found that the population health of the red knot is directly tied to the number of egg-laying horseshoe crabs in Delaware Bay during the red knot's northward migration each spring. The research suggests that managing horseshoe crab populations and their harvest may help conserve red knots.
A new PET imaging technique using [11C]erlotinib may help doctors identify lung cancers that respond well to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), enabling personalized therapy. The test showed significantly higher tracer uptake in tumors with activating EGFR mutations, indicating a potential non-invasive predictive marker.
Researchers at the University of Manchester showcase graphene's remarkable story and potential applications. Visitors can interact with a virtual microscope, see real images of graphene, and learn about its unique properties, including superconductivity, transparency, and high strength.