A new species of ichthyosaur from Iraq, named Malawania anachronus, has been discovered, contradicting previous theories on the evolution and extinction of these ancient marine reptiles. The discovery reveals that ichthyosaurs remained diverse during the early part of the Cretaceous period.
A new UCI study found that assessing comorbidities can help target prostate cancer patients who may not benefit from a biopsy, potentially reducing unnecessary procedures. The study identified 20% of men as high-risk due to existing health conditions, suggesting alternative care options.
A new study reveals a significant increase in US ICU admissions, rising from 2.79 million to 4.14 million over seven years, primarily due to an aging population. The study found that emergency department utilization of tests and services also increased, with CT and MRI tests provided on the way to the ICU jumping by 61%.
The UIC Center for Clinical and Translational Science has selected six research projects to receive $30,000 per year pilot grants. These grants aim to support the development of new ideas and generate preliminary data for applying for highly competitive grants from outside sources.
Research suggests fish oils can minimize the negative effects of junk food on brain function by stimulating areas that control feeding, learning, and memory. Omega-3s may also prevent refined sugars and saturated fats from inhibiting the brain's control over food intake.
Researchers at MIT have identified ALKBH7 as a key protein involved in programmed necrosis, a cell death pathway that can help prevent cancer cells from surviving DNA damage. By mimicking the effects of this protein, drugs may be able to induce necrosis in resistant cancer cells, providing a new potential target for cancer treatment.
A study of 1,089 nurses from diverse countries found that global views on end-of-life care preferences diverge between patients and themselves. Lack of knowledge about the patient's wishes and duty as a caregiver were key factors influencing these differences.
Researchers found that the banded mongoose in Botswana carries Leptospira interrogans, the pathogen that causes leptospirosis. The study highlights the widespread but neglected disease as a significant public health risk in Africa.
Researchers at EPFL discover that corals depend strongly on algae to extract nutrients from the water. The algae temporarily store nitrogen in the form of uric acid crystals, building up reserves for times when supplies run low. This symbiotic relationship is crucial for coral survival in nutrient-poor environments.
Researchers have found a way to modify the optical transparency of single-walled carbon nanotube films in a controlled pattern by adding an ionic liquid, enabling applications such as Smart Windows and more efficient electronics.
Research suggests that manufacturers are foolish to ignore the needs of senior citizens, who face physical and cognitive disabilities that benefit from accessible hardware and software. The study highlights the importance of addressing the needs of all society, not just younger generations.
Collaborative care models integrate NCD care and mental health services in primary care settings, strengthening healthcare systems and reducing costs. Implementation of these models requires investments in human resources and research to address the global burden of mental health and non-communicable diseases.
A new study found that consumers are more likely to endorse certain responses on agreement scales when labels are familiar to them. This can lead to biased survey results if the labels are not equivalent across languages. Researchers recommend paying closer attention to response category labels to avoid such biases.
A new osteoporosis treatment combination of denosumab and teriparatide was found to be more effective than individual therapies, increasing bone density in women with osteoporosis. The study showed significant improvements in BMD at the spine, hip, and femoral neck in women treated with the combination therapy.
The India-developed rotavirus vaccine ROTAVAC has demonstrated excellent safety and efficacy in a Phase III clinical trial, reducing severe rotavirus diarrhoea by over half. The vaccine's impact extends beyond rotavirus infections, also showing protection against severe diarrhoea of any cause.
Breast cancer survivors who underwent cognitive training showed significant improvement in executive function, verbal fluency, and processing speed. The study suggests online cognitive training as an intervention for cognitive difficulties in breast cancer survivors.
The University of Maryland Medical Center is now offering genetic testing to help doctors determine the best medication for each patient, based on their unique genetic makeup. This personalized medicine initiative aims to improve the quality of care provided to cardiac patients.
Researchers from Royal Holloway University found that white Caucasians who experienced an illusion of having dark skin had reduced racial bias. The study used the Rubber Hand Illusion to create this effect, which involved touching a fake hand while also being touched on their own hidden hand.
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a software algorithm that can detect compromised agents in distributed network control systems, allowing for isolation and protection of the entire system. This provides resilience and security advantages over traditional centralized systems.
Researchers have discovered that innate lymphoid cells and T cells follow a similar development pathway, involving the Notch protein pathway. This finding has implications for understanding inflammatory diseases and could lead to new treatments.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania used a fossil-based technique to study the 1700 Cascadia earthquake and its impact on coastal land levels. The study revealed that the rupture was heterogeneous, similar to recent major earthquakes in Japan, Chile, and Sumatra.
A combination of two FDA-approved osteoporosis drugs, denosumab and teriparatide, was found to increase bone density more effectively than single-drug therapy in a small clinical trial. The treatment produced significant improvements in bone mineral density at multiple measured sites, including the lumbar spine and hip.
Researchers Corsin Pfister and Stephanie Wehner discovered a new principle that rules out discrete theories incompatible with quantum physics. The principle assumes that measuring a system yields no information implies the system has not been disturbed.
A recent study published in JAMA found that dual-chamber implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are associated with more complications than single-chamber devices. The research, led by Pamela Peterson, MD, suggests that the added complexity of dual-chamber ICDs may outweigh any potential benefits.
Researchers from KU Leuven discovered how a bacterium produces substances that counteract the coffee ring effect at the microscopic level. The findings reveal that adding surfactants to materials can create a more uniform distribution of particles during evaporation.
A recent review article highlights the complex mechanisms underlying viral dsRNA sensing in animals, insects, and plants. Novel components of these antiviral recognition systems contribute to their effectiveness in protecting hosts against viral infection.
Researchers at UC Berkeley developed a device using wireless signals to diagnose brain swelling or bleeding in real-time. The technology was tested in a pilot study and showed promising results, potentially becoming a cost-effective tool for medical diagnostics.
Cyclists are vulnerable road users with head injuries accounting for 75% of cycling-related deaths. Researchers found helmet legislation has a minimal impact on reducing serious head injuries among all ages, with rates falling before implementation.
Kimball Milton, a University of Oklahoma physics professor, has been awarded a grant from the Simons Foundation Fellows Program in Theoretical Physics. He will explore the physics and applications of the quantum vacuum, including the Casimir effect and its potential for practical uses in nanoscale machines.
Synthetic silicate nanoplatelets induce stem cell differentiation into bone cells, providing a potential therapeutic tool for tissue repair and regeneration. The study's findings offer new insights into the use of bioactive materials in medicine and biotechnology.
A new species of green palm-pitviper was described from a cloud forest reserve in northern Honduras. Genetic analysis revealed that the closest relatives are found over 600 km away in Costa Rica, indicating a relict lineage.
Researchers analyzed the genome of C. botulinum bacteria to understand how they acquired their deadly neurotoxin gene cluster. The study found that the bacteria picked up the cluster in a single event and discovered fragments of other toxin genes, suggesting a 'hotspot' for gene transfer.
Glaciers in the Mount Everest region have shrunk by 13% in the last 50 years, with snowlines shifted upward by 180 meters. The researchers suspect human-generated greenhouse gases are causing climate change, but need to establish a firm connection.
Researchers from UPV/EHU and University of La Rioja implement a distance collaboration project to enhance student performance, transversal competences, and tool usage. The study reveals positive outcomes, including improved exam marks and increased team satisfaction.
Research by Kwanho Suk found that relying on general information about teams' performance improves prediction accuracy, while incorporating detailed information does not.
A new study identifies microRNA-155 as a potential treatment target and prognostic marker for patients with cytogenetically normal acute myeloid leukemia. High levels of miR-155 expression are associated with poorer patient outcomes, including lower complete remission rates and shorter overall survival.
Research estimates that CLABSI prevention strategies have prevented up to 200,000 central line-associated bloodstream infections among ICU patients in the US since 1990. New technologies and guidelines have improved central line insertion and maintenance practices, reducing healthcare-associated infections nationwide.
Noninvasive imaging tests like CT, MR, and PET may help evaluate and manage diabetes by assessing changes in fat composition and distribution. This can aid in early disease detection and identify functional abnormalities before symptoms appear.
Research from Monash University reveals that human hip evolution was simpler than previously thought, with key elements present in fish ancestors. The study found that major changes could be made in just a few evolutionary steps.
Controlled fires are deliberately set by fire officials to clean out dry underbrush and debris. This strategy helps prevent devastating bushfires from getting out of control, as evident in the NASA image of southern Australia showing well-planned and controlled burns.
Researchers from Arizona State University launch a crowdsourced 'game' called Ventus to quantify global power plant CO2 emissions, empowering citizen scientists to contribute valuable information for climate change solutions.
New York University physicists have found that energy is released and dispersed in magnetic materials through a process akin to forest fires. By manipulating magnetic fields, they were able to control the speed of this process and understand how energy is sustained and spreads.
Research shows disrupted brain gene activity in depressed brains, out of sync with the usual daily cycle, offering a new target for diagnosis and treatment. The findings also reveal a previously unknown daily rhythm to gene activity across many areas of the brain.
Kavitha Chinnaiyan, a Beaumont cardiologist, received the Frank J. McDevitt Award for Excellence in Health Policy Research for Physicians. Her research found that education of referring physicians improved the appropriate use of coronary CT scans in Michigan, resulting in a 60% decline in inappropriate use.
The May 12, 2013 solar flare was classified as an X1.7, making it the first X-class flare of 2013 and part of the sun's normal 11-year activity cycle. The flare was associated with a coronal mass ejection (CME) that sent solar material into space, but was not Earth-directed.
Chinese scientists investigated the origins of novel H7N9 influenza virus and found that viruses circulating among birds were responsible for human infections. The study recommends control measures, including shutting down live poultry markets and culling affected poultry, to prevent a possible pandemic.
A study published in JAMA Network found that creative arts therapies significantly improved anxiety, depression, and pain symptoms, as well as quality of life among cancer patients during treatment. However, the effects were reduced during follow-up.
Researchers at Dartmouth-Hitchcock's Norris Cotton Cancer Center have found an innovative drug combination that targets the stubborn CLL cells. The combination of gossypol and navitoclax has shown to be effective in killing CLL cells, offering a new hope for patients with this disease.
Researchers discovered that inhibiting powerful protein EZH2 with new agents may supply broad benefit for lymphoma patients. The study found that EZH2 is a key driver of cancer in B-cells, and its inhibition can help treat follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphomas.
Research from Durham University suggests that brain frontal lobes are not disproportionately enlarged relative to other areas in humans and other species. The study found that supposedly 'primitive' areas like the cerebellum played an equally important role in expanding the human brain.
Researchers develop new techniques to detect mass graves using geophysical methods. Their project aims to refine detection methods and provide critical evidence for convicting murderers. By studying simulated clandestine graves, they hope to improve the search for missing people and bring perpetrators to justice.
The grant aims to improve solar energy system efficiency and reduce costs in West Michigan. Researchers will collect data on residential and commercial solar installations to better understand the region's unique conditions.
Researchers developed a smart phone app to help users lose weight by carefully recording their food consumption. The app, tested with 12 overweight participants over four weeks, resulted in an average weight loss of 1.5kg. By monitoring food intake and mindful eating habits, the app aims to reduce excess calorie consumption.
A Canadian research project is testing the use of low-carbon fuels from construction and demolition waste, railway ties, and asphalt shingles to power cement plants. The goal is to reduce CO2 emissions, with the potential to decrease Canada's carbon footprint by up to 3%.
A recent study suggests the Makran subduction zone, beneath the Arabian Sea, has a higher potential for major earthquakes and tsunamis than previously thought. This could threaten the coastlines of Pakistan, Iran, Oman, and India.
A new study suggests that overgrazing and other factors increase the severity of cheatgrass invasion in sagebrush steppe ecosystems. Researchers propose minimizing cumulative impact of grazing through better management to promote a diverse ecosystem and conserve native plant and wildlife species.
A recent NIH-funded study found that pregnant mothers' exposure to the flu may quadruple their child's risk for developing bipolar disorder. The research suggests a potential shared underlying cause with schizophrenia, and emphasizes the importance of preventive measures such as flu vaccination.
Researchers analyzed Hawaiian petrel bones to determine the impact of industrial fishing on open-ocean food webs. They found a shift in diet from large prey to smaller fish and squid within a century, indicating profound changes in the Pacific's ecosystem.
A recent study suggests that empowering women farmers with knowledge of improved agricultural practices and modern storage methods can significantly increase food security in Sub-Saharan Africa. This approach has been shown to reduce poverty and post-harvest losses, leading to a more stable food supply.
A recent study by a team of researchers from Texas A&M University and Binghamton University has found that prehistoric ear bones could provide clues about human evolution. The discovery sheds new light on the development of modern humans and highlights the importance of studying ancient fossils.