A new study reveals that tonsils can produce T lymphocytes, a critical type of immune cell, contradicting the long-held belief that they only develop in the thymus. The research found five distinct stages of T-cell development in the tonsil, similar to those in the thymus, but with some differences.
A new flexible pressure sensor was developed at the University of California, Davis, using a drop of liquid in a polydimethylsiloxane sandwich. The sensor successfully measured human pulse and has potential applications in smart gloves and contact lenses for biosensing and monitoring.
Sawfishes use their saws to impale prey on rostral teeth and detect electric fields, enabling agile hunting in murky waters. Their unique sensing abilities challenge traditional views of these critically endangered fish.
A Seminar published in The Lancet calls for improved long-term monitoring of knee replacement implant outcomes using national registries. This will provide patients and surgeons with high-quality evidence to assess different implants and techniques, ultimately enhancing clinical decision-making.
A new study shows that incorporating multiple stakeholder interests in comprehensive ocean planning reduces conflict and enhances cultural, conservation, and economic benefits. The study found that designing offshore wind farms with multiple ocean users in mind can prevent losses to incumbent fishery and whale watching sectors while ge...
A Phase I clinical study has confirmed that a new rectal formulation of tenofovir gel is safe and well-tolerated when used daily for one week. The gel, designed to reduce glycerin levels, showed promise in preventing HIV transmission from anal sex, with high adherence rates among participants.
Researchers found that only a few Canadian weather stations showed an earlier start date for the outdoor skating season, while most stations experienced a decrease in its length over the past half century. Climate change is projected to end outdoor skating in areas like British Columbia and Southern Alberta within decades.
Researchers used bovine collagen to enhance gum healing around exposed roots, resulting in thicker margins and complete coverage of roots in over half the cases. The study found that the collagen acted as a scaffold for the body's own cells to repair damage, making it a possible solution for patients with limited donor tissue.
Neuroscientists at UC Berkeley and Portugal's Champalimaud Center have demonstrated that the brain can be trained to perform tasks it normally doesn't, using plasticity to master purely mental tasks. This breakthrough advances work on brain-machine interfaces, potentially leading to prosthetic devices that feel like natural movement.
Researchers used X-rays to decipher how certain natural antibiotics defy chemical rules, unlocking a mechanism that could enable scientists to synthesize many important chemicals currently found only in nature. The discovery has broad implications, as the six-membered ring is a common structural feature found in hundreds of drug molecu...
A Canadian study finds that warming of at least 2 degrees Celsius will be unavoidable in mid-to-high latitude regions, including Canada. The research uses an earth system climate model to predict that even with zero greenhouse gas emissions, the world's temperature would continue to rise by about a quarter of a degree over a decade.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have discovered a way to increase hepatocyte cells, which detoxify the liver, by encouraging their production instead of bile duct cells. This breakthrough could help develop drugs to encourage liver self-repair and ease pressure on waiting lists for liver transplants.
A new mathematical model reveals that hosts can gain a unique evolutionary advantage when interacting with parasites through multiple traits. This discovery may help explain how humans, plants, and animals evolve to withstand parasite attacks.
A UK study of 40,000 households found that staying out late is linked to problem behaviors like smoking and drinking among 10-15 year olds. Regularly staying out late without parental knowledge is associated with family relationships and geographical location.
Researchers have discovered a way for soil bacteria to convert an epoxide into a six-membered cyclic ether, a common structural feature in hundreds of drug molecules. This breakthrough has implications for the development of new polyether drugs and potential biosynthesis strategies.
Researchers at University of Utah designed a new game controller that vibrates and stretches the thumb tips to simulate real-world sensations. The device delivers directional cues by stretching the skin of the thumb tips in different directions.
The Houston metropolitan area has become the most ethnically diverse large metropolitan area in the country, with a significant reduction in segregation over the past 20 years. The region's diversity is attributed to changes in immigration laws in 1965, which led to a substantial shift in the population's ethnic composition.
Researchers discovered that Hydra's stinging cells are linked to primitive light-responsive cells via a nervous system, enabling the animals to react to light. This finding reveals how Hydra can hunt during the day despite lacking eyes, and hints at a common ancestor with humans.
Researchers introduced a new method to design bicycle parameters according to a rider's body dimensions, improving comfort and performance. The method uses a double-crank-and-rocker mechanism to calculate the ideal crank length and seat height for each rider.
The National Sleep Foundation's 2012 poll found that 1 in 4 train operators and 23% of pilots admit to sleep-related job performance problems. Sleepiness has also been linked to safety issues, car accidents, and reduced workday sleep satisfaction.
The development of new technologies is crucial for transforming plant biology to meet human needs, according to Carnegie researchers David Ehrhardt and Wolf Frommer. Advanced imaging technologies and existing methods like DNA sequencing and mass spectroscopy will aid in understanding plant function and informing sustainable solutions.
Chimpanzee populations living in close proximity exhibit substantially more genetic diversity than humans on different continents. This study provides a valuable tool for chimpanzee conservation, enabling the identification of population origin and provenance.
Researchers have identified a mechanism by which cannabinoids in cannabis affect working memory, involving decreased neural connections in the hippocampus. Cannabinoid receptors, particularly those in astroglial cells, modulate synaptic plasticity and impair spatial working memory.
A study found that obstetricians' approaches to managing periviable deliveries vary widely, with many prioritizing patient preference over evidence-based guidelines. The authors recommend improving communication of uncertainty and managing patient expectations to provide more patient-centered care.
Astronomers have observed a clump of dark matter in the Abell 520 galaxy cluster, which contradicts current theories about its behavior. The team used the Hubble Space Telescope to map dark matter, revealing a core rich in dark matter but containing no luminous galaxies.
The US electric grid is complex and vulnerable to failure, particularly with aging EHV transformers. The new 'Recovery Transformer' program aims to develop a modular, smaller, and lighter alternative that can be easily transported and installed.
A University of Leicester study found that long periods of sitting increase the risk of type 2 diabetes in women, with higher levels of insulin and inflammatory chemicals detected in sedentary individuals. The research highlights the importance of reducing sitting time for women to prevent chronic disease.
Four new species of Panops spider flies have been described from Australia, characterized by their jewel-like appearance and ability to feed on nectar. The larvae of these flies are internal parasites that prolong the life of juvenile spiders by living inside them for years, ultimately leading to the spider's death.
Two research teams report new findings on the structure of enterovirus 71, a virus causing hand, foot and mouth disease and potentially fatal brain swelling. Researchers propose designs for antiviral drugs to treat the infection by targeting a unique 'pocket factor' exposed in EV71.
Researchers developed a new method using GIS to determine optimal emergency vehicle station locations, improving ambulance response time. The study found that distributing vehicles over 82 potential locations gave 87% of the population service in less than 8 minutes.
A new study identifies nearly 130 bird species at risk due to climate change, with 72% of threatened and endangered species projected to be further impacted. The research provides a comprehensive list of vulnerable species for conservation action, prioritizing wetland birds and those dependent on sea or near-shore habitats.
TRMM satellite reveals heavy rainfall and powerful thunderstorms near the storm's circulation. The storm's structure was analyzed using 3D images, showing towering thunderstorm towers and high radar reflectivity values.
Researchers are using cutting-edge DNA sequencing technology to study Fiji's living fossil trees and understand how biodiversity is generated. The project aims to predict how these rare species will adapt to climate change, enabling conservation efforts.
Scientists have discovered molecular oxygen ions in the upper atmosphere of Saturn's moon Dione, which could be a crucial ingredient for life. The detection was made possible by instruments aboard NASA's Cassini spacecraft and suggests that icy moons like Europa may produce oxygen through sputtering processes.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that squeezed polymers can generate significant amounts of energy for chemical reactions. However, they also found that certain polymer-based medical implants release harmful free radicals under moderate pressure, raising concerns about their safety.
Helen Genova, a researcher at Kessler Foundation, has received the Women of Excellence Award in Health Sciences for her groundbreaking studies on cognitive fatigue in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Her innovative approach using functional MRI aims to develop more effective strategies for maintaining cognition and quality of life.
Researchers at the National Physical Laboratory have developed a new model for piezoelectric energy harvesters that can convert up to 25% more energy from unwanted mechanical vibrations. The new design covers only two-thirds of the cantilever's length, reducing internal power loss and increasing overall efficiency.
A Northwestern University study found that maintaining a healthy lifestyle from young adulthood into middle age can significantly reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Those who adhered to five key lifestyle factors, including a balanced diet and regular physical activity, were more likely to maintain a low-risk profile in their 40s.
Researchers are deconstructing molecular and genetic rhythms to better understand biological timing mechanisms. By isolating genes and signals, they hope to control and repair broken clocks, leading to breakthroughs in fields like cancer research and communication signal improvement.
A cohort study and nested case-control study found a statistically significantly increased risk of lung cancer with increasing diesel exhaust exposure among workers and urban populations. Studies suggest stringent occupational and environmental standards are necessary to reduce the health burden of carcinogenic diesel exhaust.
Researchers used transcranial magnetic stimulation to measure brain activity in individuals with ASD and healthy controls, finding a blunted response to motor cortex stimulation. This suggests that deficits in the mirror neuron system contribute to social deficits in autism spectrum disorder.
Research suggests that T cells play a role in stress-dependent hypertension, and that medications targeting the immune system may also help control anxiety disorders. Mice studies found that T cell deficiency led to reduced blood pressure sensitivity to stress.
A research team at the University of Pittsburgh used the Sloan Digital Sky Survey to determine that the merger of double white dwarfs is a plausible explanation for Type Ia supernovae. The study found that one double white dwarf merger event occurs in the Milky Way about once a century, remarkably close to the rate of observed Type Ia ...
A powerful new imaging technique called High Definition Fiber Tracking (HDFT) has been developed to clearly see for the first time neural connections broken by traumatic brain injury. HDFT scans have identified disruptions in neural pathways, allowing researchers to pinpoint breaks in the cables and quantify the proportion of fibers lost.
BGI's single-cell sequencing technology enables researchers to analyze genetic characteristics of essential thrombocythemia and clear cell renal cell carcinoma. The method provides clearer intratumoral genetic pictures and developmental history than previous bulk tissue sequencing, opening new ways for the genetic study of tumors.
Researchers found at least 10 species of water fleas in northern lakes and ponds, including a new species from Alaska's Seward Peninsula. The discovery sheds light on the unique biodiversity of subarctic regions with vanishing waters.
A powerful weather system is moving through the central and eastern U.S., generating more severe weather and at least 12 tornadoes reported in three states. NASA's GOES-13 satellite captured the movement of the weather system, which pushed east as it generated severe weather in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia.
A study by Rémi Radel found that hungry participants saw food-related words as brighter and were better at identifying them, indicating an early change in visual perception. This suggests the brain can adjust its processing to prioritize information related to needs or desires.
A new UBC study analyzing 50 shark species reveals the average fin-to-body mass ratio is 3%, significantly lower than the 5% limit set by EU and other countries. This suggests that current laws may not prevent waste or overfishing, despite efforts to protect sharks.
A new UK study found that teenagers who engage in healthy behaviors such as regular exercise, eating fruits and vegetables, and not smoking are significantly happier than their peers. The research also showed that young people's participation in sports increases happiness levels.
A prenatal remediation strategy targeting homes of pregnant women significantly reduced childhood lead poisoning and lower blood lead levels in children. The study found that 62.5% of homes underwent remediation, compared to 28.2% in Philadelphia, where a similar program did not show the same results.
The new technology, AutoTutor and Affective AutoTutor, can gauge students' emotional states and adjust strategies to help them overcome frustration and boredom. Tested on over 1,000 students, the system produces significant learning gains, outperforming even expert human tutors.
Scientists discovered that ion channels can assemble in different combinations to detect a wide range of temperatures. Researchers found that combining specific subunits can create hybrid channels with enhanced sensitivity, allowing the body to adapt to temperature changes.
The study reveals that the REST molecule acts as an adapter for genetic switches, coupling molecular on-off switches with neural genes to regulate neuronal development. This mechanism is essential for proper brain function and may be linked to cancer and other diseases.
Research suggests that violent relationships during pregnancy can lead to poor co-parenting skills, with mothers being more likely to exhibit violence than fathers. Common couple violence, characterized by actions like shoving and hitting, can be detrimental to the development of a positive co-parenting relationship.
A consortium of federal agencies and organizations has published a report proposing common measures and data-collection methods for asthma clinical research. The proposed standardization aims to compare results more efficiently, leading to improvements in asthma management and treatment.
The US Department of Homeland Security's Container Security Test Bed allows for the rapid testing of novel detection technologies for explosives, drugs, and other illicit substances in cargo containers. This facility enables researchers to simulate real-world conditions and evaluate the effectiveness of different sensor systems.
Researchers at UC San Diego found that epicatechin-enriched cocoa improved mitochondrial structure in patients with advanced heart failure and type 2 diabetes. The study suggests that treatment with epicatechin-rich cocoa may improve exercise capacity in these patients.
Four UT Engineering faculty members received CAREER awards totaling nearly $1.4 million from the National Science Foundation to support their innovative research projects. The awards aim to foster outstanding research, education, and collaboration among junior faculty.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have designed a device that converts heartbeat vibrations into electricity to power pacemakers and defibrillators. The new energy harvester could save patients from repeated surgeries by reducing or eliminating the need for battery replacements.