Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a system that converts speech input into passwords, reducing the risk of fraudsters obtaining voice biometric data. The system uses different mathematical functions to generate hundreds of alphanumeric strings, providing an additional level of security.
The NAVVIS positioning system relies on imaging data to determine exact position and direction indoors. It compares a user's photo with stored database images to reveal location, ideal for maze-like buildings like TUM's campus.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic discovered a new enzyme called BACE2 that destroys beta-amyloid, a toxic protein fragment associated with Alzheimer's disease. The discovery suggests that impairments in BACE2 may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease and could lead to gene therapy as a potential treatment.
A study by MIT estimates that tropical regions will see 10% heavier rainfall extremes with every 1 degree Celsius rise in temperature, posing significant risks for flooding. The research suggests a higher sensitivity of tropical extreme rainfall to global warming than previously thought.
Researchers at Oregon State University are developing a photosynthetic biorefinery to produce affordable products from diatoms. They aim to create a facility that can simultaneously produce semiconductors, biomedical products and biofuels using cheap materials like silicon and nitrates.
Researchers from Cardiff University found that the different tones of a dying black hole can provide insight into its mass and spin. By analyzing these tones, scientists may be able to weigh two black holes after they've collided and merged, potentially testing Einstein's general theory of relativity.
Researchers have found identical strains of antibiotic-resistant Campylobacter coli in both antibiotic-free and conventionally raised pigs. The study suggests that the environment plays a key role in the persistence of these resistant pathogens, regardless of antimicrobial usage by pork producers.
Researchers at Rice University and three other US institutions are embarking on a five-year study to uncover the causes of hemoglobin toxicity in blood plasma. The study aims to develop strategies to prevent, reduce or reverse acellular hemoglobin toxicity.
A team led by UC Riverside's John Trumble has been recognized for its research on zebra chip disease, which devastated the potato industry. The team developed new techniques to identify the pathogen and developed sustainable integrated pest management programs that enable growers to minimize potential negative effects on the environment.
A study of 12,700 children across eight European countries found that only children have a 50% higher risk of obesity compared to their peers. The research controlled for various factors, such as gender and parental weight, but still showed a strong correlation between singleton status and overweight.
A UK study published in The Lancet found that people who self-harm are more than three times as likely to die prematurely from natural causes, with deaths due to diseases of the digestive and circulatory systems being a major contributor. The risk is higher for individuals living in socially deprived areas.
Researchers at UC Irvine's Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center have identified a key genetic pathway responsible for melanoma cells' resistance to chemotherapy. Targeting this pathway could lead to the development of new treatments for the deadly skin cancer, which claims nearly 10,000 U.S. lives each year.
Tropical Storm Kristy weakened to a remnant low pressure area while Hurricane Lane strengthened into a hurricane, according to NASA's Terra satellite observations. Lane exhibited a tighter circulation than Kristy, prompting warnings of life-threatening surf and rip current conditions in southern and central Baja California.
US schools are not adequately prepared for pandemics due to a lack of written plans and coordination with local agencies. Researchers at SLU's Institute for Biosecurity surveyed over 2000 nurses and found that only 48% of schools address pandemic preparedness, emphasizing the need for annual reviews and nurse involvement.
Scientists at Duke University found that regions of the brain involved in planning and controlling complex vocal sequences are also necessary for memorizing sounds used in vocal imitation. This finding has broader implications for diagnosing and treating human developmental disorders.
Hospital-initiated transitional care strategies reduce unnecessary health services use and improve patient outcomes for adults with acute stroke or myocardial infarction. Electronic record use, medication reconciliation, and shared follow-up planning also enhance patient transition from hospital to primary care.
Typhoon Sanba made landfall in southern South Korea on Sept. 17, causing power outages, canceled flights, and ferries. The storm's extensive cloud cover stretched from South Korea to eastern Siberia, affecting over 67,000 homes in Japan.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College reveal that taxanes work by stopping protein movement in cancer cells, not just cell division. This understanding could lead to novel therapies and improved treatment outcomes for prostate cancer patients.
Cognitive training significantly reduces postoperative complications in coronary bypass surgery patients, improving attention and memory. Benefits are maintained over time, suggesting brain plasticity in older adults.
A study by Cornell Food & Brand Lab found that attractive names for vegetables, such as Power Punch Broccoli and X-Ray Vision Carrots, can increase consumption among elementary-aged children. The research suggests using attractive names is a low-cost solution to encourage kids to eat more nutritious foods.
A recent study published in CMAJ found that total sleep time and quality significantly predict fat loss in individuals enrolled in a weight loss program. Incorporating adequate sleep into lifestyle packages is now recognized as crucial for effective obesity management.
A study found sound levels around seriously ill patients in ICUs were significantly higher than WHO's recommended 30 dB. Patients experienced both positive and negative sounds, with uncontrollable alarms and treatments being most disturbing.
A Chinese research team found strong genetic evidence linking mevalonate kinase gene (MVK) mutations to disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP), a rare skin disorder. MVK mutations were not detected in other clinical subtypes of Porokeratosis, suggesting they may be specific to DSAP patients.
The Euro-26 study examined health, life expectancy, and lifestyles of 26 European cities, identifying major differences within individual urban areas. Key priority areas were found for each city, including depression and anxiety, cancer, and respiratory disease.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute and Sea Lane Biotechnologies discovered an unusual antibody, C05, that can neutralize various flu viruses by targeting the receptor binding site. The unique antibody uses only a single loop to grab this site, making it potentially useful for developing universal flu vaccines and therapies.
A new study published in Nature Climate Change warns that most coral reefs will be subject to severe degradation if global warming exceeds 2 degrees Celsius. Only a scenario with strong action on mitigating greenhouse-gas emissions and rapid coral adaptation could save two-thirds of coral reefs.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified a promising therapy for NRAS-mutant melanoma patients. By combining two drugs that inhibit proteins Mek and Cdk4, scientists found that the combination shrinks tumors in genetically engineered mouse models.
Wolfram syndrome is a rare disorder that causes diabetes, hearing and vision loss, nerve cell damage, and early death. Researchers have identified a mechanism related to mutations in the WFS1 gene that affects insulin-secreting beta cells, which could lead to new treatment targets for the disease.
Researchers found 155 regions of DNA with different tag patterns in bees, which were mostly regulatory genes known to affect other genes. The epigenetic marks were reversible and connected to the bees' behavior, with more than half of those regions already identified among the original 155 regions.
Researchers have developed a novel method to attach chemical probes to proteins, allowing them to study the biochemistry of naturally formed proteins. The technique enables scientists to understand the mechanisms behind creating better antibiotics, anti-cancer drugs, biofuels, and other natural products.
Nine Stanford researchers received seed grants to explore promising new technologies in clean energy and energy efficiency. These projects include the development of high-performance batteries, ultrathin solar cells, and methods for capturing atmospheric carbon dioxide. The research has the potential to impact energy production and use...
A pilot study found that breath testing can accurately discriminate between benign and malignant pulmonary nodules. The technique, using volatile organic compounds and chemical nanoarrays, identified 53 malignant and 19 benign nodules with high accuracy.
Researchers have identified a specially engineered steel surface that suppresses bubbling, reducing the risk of liquid explosions and fostering gentle heating. The textured surface maintains vapor layer stability, preventing boiling over and frost formation.
Researchers developed a theory of caregiving through the end of life, comparing it to a theory on bereavement. They found significant conceptual similarities between the two theories, validating both models. The study aims to help nurses provide timely support to family caregivers after a loved one's death.
Researchers at CAMH have identified 5-hmC, an epigenetic modification of DNA, as playing a key role in the brain's plasticity. The study found that 5-hmC is highly enriched in genes related to synapses, suggesting its involvement in learning and memory.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found that surgery itself has a profound impact on brain pathology and cognition in mice with human Alzheimer disease genes. Surgery causes a lasting increase in Alzheimer's pathology and significant cognitive impairment, primarily through inflammation.
NASA's TRMM satellite observed intense rain falling at 3 inches per hour around Super Typhoon Sanba, with powerful hot towering thunderstorms near its center. The storm is expected to make landfall on South Korea's south coast on September 17.
Scientists have identified the genetic building blocks behind the human heart's subtle control system, which shares similarities with birds and reptiles. The study reveals that a spongy inner tissue in fetal hearts stretches out to form a fine network of conductive tissue in adult animals.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute found a connection between the ghrelin peptide and brain cells involved in alcoholism. The study suggests that blocking ghrelin's activity could help dampen or turn off cravings in alcoholics, offering new possibilities for treating addiction.
Researchers at Texas A&M AgriLife Research have made significant breakthroughs in producing oil from algae, a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. The team aims to combine the slow-growing traits of Botryococcus braunii with faster-growing alga species to create a high-yielding oil producer.
Researchers found a single HPV protein necessary for cervical cancer and pre-cancer growths to survive. A gene-silencing technique may cripple the protein and eliminate cervical cancer and pre-cancerous growths in mice, offering a potential new treatment option.
A new X-ray study reveals that persister cells are regulated by toxins produced by the bacteria themselves, allowing them to enter a dormant state. This understanding can lead to the development of treatments that block toxin function and production, potentially improving outcomes in life-threatening diseases.
MIT engineers enhance skin permeability using ultrasound waves, enabling efficient transdermal drug delivery. The technology could pave the way for needle-free vaccinations and improve treatment of skin conditions like acne or psoriasis.
A recent study by University of Notre Dame researcher Timothy Judge found that genes play a significant role in job stress and health problems. He studied nearly 600 twins and discovered that shared genes were about four times more important than shared environments in shaping personality, stress, and health outcomes.
Researchers will analyze data from a unique NIH-funded repository to identify genetic variants associated with premature cardiovascular disease. The goal is to create new screening strategies and therapeutic targets to reduce the human and financial costs of cardiovascular disease.
A recent study found that symptoms of alcohol abuse, rather than dependence, are a better predictor of familial risk for alcohol use disorders. The researchers analyzed the clinical features of 1,120 twins and found that AUD-associated legal problems were the most consistent single predictor of familial risk.
A new study has outlined how interactions between genes, proteins and molecules direct the development of stem cells into mature heart cells. The research could help scientists better understand how genetic mutations lead to congenital heart defects and assist efforts to engineer artificial heart tissue.
A new study found that fetuses exposed to heavy maternal drinking required more trials to habituate and exhibited greater variability in test performance. This suggests that maternal drinking during pregnancy can damage the earliest fetal learning abilities, leading to impaired habituation and stability of performance.
Researchers at Oregon State University have confirmed the potential of zinc tin oxide for use in resistive random access memory (RRAM), a 'memristor' technology that could replace traditional flash memory. This new approach offers significant advantages, including smaller size, faster performance, and lower cost.
Researchers at University at Buffalo have discovered a novel set of genes essential for the growth of potentially lethal, drug-resistant bacteria A. baumannii. The study reveals multiple new drug targets for this human infection and suggests that laboratory conditions may not be ideal for identifying antimicrobial drug targets.
A new study suggests that a simple, structured risk assessment tool can improve the accuracy of clinicians in evaluating the risk of violence among patients with severe mental illnesses. The tool, called HRC-20-C, has been shown to be effective in reducing errors and improving safety for staff and patients in high-risk settings.
Dr. Lorne Parnes, a renowned Canadian otolaryngologist, has won the American Academy of Otolaryngology's Distinguished Service Award. He is recognized for his extensive contributions to the field, including pioneering treatments for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and direct drug delivery implementation.
Tropical Storm Kristy is weakening due to adverse atmospheric conditions and cooler waters, while another system is developing with a 50% chance of formation over the weekend. Environmental conditions are expected to improve for the second low-pressure area, but satellite data shows it has become disorganized.
The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) has awarded $19 million in grants to harness nanoscale technologies to dramatically reduce the cost of DNA sequencing. The goal is to address challenges such as speed, accuracy, and price, enabling widespread use of genomics in research and clinical care.
Researchers develop new silicon resonator for ultra-stable laser, enabling narrower optical absorption lines and better optical atomic clocks. The stability of the laser is critical for these applications.
23andMe is opening its API to third-party developers, enabling them to create new web-based interactive tools using the company's DNA data. Approved developers will receive an authentication key to access the platform.
Researchers at UMass Amherst investigate the value of preschool naps to understand their effects on memory, behavior, and emotions in young children. The study aims to determine if napping enhances physical and emotional learning, particularly for children who don't get optimal overnight sleep.
A Temple University study reveals that 45% of highly paid professionals who were laid off would consider returning to their previous employer, emphasizing the need for fair and transparent layoff decisions. The research also highlights the impact of layoffs on survivors' attitudes towards their former employer.
Researchers have created the first detailed 3D model of the PRC2 protein complex, shedding light on its role in embryonic development and cancer. The model reveals how PRC2 interacts with chromatin and other proteins to regulate gene expression.
Scientists at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility used X-ray analysis to identify a hitherto unknown degradation process at the interface between paint and varnish. The study found that the presence of lead-based siccative in the varnish led to the formation of anglesite, an opaque compound causing discoloration.