Scientists have identified a novel transposon in listeria bacteria responsible for tolerance to benzalkonium chloride. The discovery highlights the importance of thorough disinfection in food-processing facilities to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found that psychological and health promotion interventions by non-mental health specialists improved symptoms in women during the perinatal period. The study, conducted in middle-income countries, suggests promise for psychosocial interventions in low- and middle-income settings.
Researchers found that patients with primary immunodeficiencies had altered skin microbiomes, with specific sites showing reduced microbial diversity. The study suggests that correcting the diversity of microbes on the skin may aid in disease treatment.
The October issue of Educational Researcher explores the role of sorting between boys and girls across public U.S. high schools in explaining the gender gap in college enrollment, particularly for black and Hispanic students. The study reveals that even modest amounts of gender sorting contribute to gender inequality in college entry.
A new University of Michigan study finds that 10.4% of teens and young adults treated in the emergency room admitted to misusing prescription painkillers or sedatives at least once in the last year. The study suggests that emergency departments could be an effective setting for screening and intervening early before problems arise.
A researcher at Miriam Hospital has been awarded a $2.9 million NIH grant to investigate the physiological impact of maternal smoking on fetal development. The study will use ultrasound technology to identify real-time fetal markers of risk among pregnant smokers, with the goal of predicting infant neurobehavioral deficits.
Researchers found that bats and toothed whales produce similar sounds for echolocation in the frequency range of 10-200 kHz. This convergent evolution helps them navigate and catch prey in their respective environments. The study reveals surprising similarities between these species, challenging traditional notions of adaptation.
A team led by Professor Simon Keay will study 31 Roman ports across nine countries using geophysical surveys, satellite imagery, and ancient texts. The project aims to gather knowledge about how these ports integrated into vast trading networks across the Roman Empire.
A new MBL zebrafish study elucidates the importance of calcium signaling in wound healing by identifying key membrane proteins that trigger cellular migration. The research reveals a graded calcium signal surrounding wounds, guiding skin cells to migrate toward the center and regenerate new skin.
Researchers developed a method to analyze redwood cores for climate reconstruction, revealing 50-year coastal conditions. The technique uses oxygen isotopes to detect fog and rainfall, providing insights into ocean temperatures and long-term climate change.
Researchers from Nanjing Normal University and BGI report their original genomic research on the Yangtze River dolphin, providing valuable resources for conservation. The study reveals genetic and evolutionary adaptations, including accelerated evolution of genes involved in oxygen carrying and sensing.
A recent study found that African-American women and non-white women have lower knowledge about urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse compared to white women. The study suggests that culturally sensitive educational interventions are urgently needed to address these disparities.
A new €6 million global research program, CF Matters, aims to develop personalized antibiotic treatments for Cystic Fibrosis patients. The study will use molecular next-generation DNA sequencing methods to detect bacteria present in patients' sputum and determine the most effective antibiotic treatment.
According to the USC CTM report, Americans' media consumption has increased significantly between 2008 and 2015, with average daily consumption expected to reach 15.5 hours by 2015. The total amount of data delivered will exceed 8.75 zettabytes annually, representing a year-over-year growth rate of 25%.
A new mixing strategy using synchronized flows of jets has been developed to optimize mixers in industrial products. The 'cat's eyes flip flow' is a promising solution that increases performance while reducing energy consumption, making the process more environmentally friendly.
Men who spend more than 11.38 hours a day engaged in sedentary behaviors are 45% more likely to experience colorectal adenoma recurrence compared to those who spend fewer than 6.90 hours. The study found that sedentary behavior independently contributes to increased cancer risk beyond the accompanying reduction in physical activity.
Researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital have found a way to overcome the immune system's attack on gene therapy viruses. By using plasmapheresis, a process that temporarily removes antibodies from the body, they were able to increase gene expression in animals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy by 500 percent.
A Kaiser Permanente study found that men diagnosed with prostate cancer who were overweight or obese at diagnosis were more likely to die from the disease. Men with high Gleason scores had the strongest correlation between body mass index and death, suggesting weight loss could prolong survival.
Researchers have found that El Nino events have been more active and intense over the past 30 years than at any time in the past 600 years. As global average temperatures increase, these extreme events are expected to become even more frequent and severe.
Researchers studied coral skeletons at the nanoscale, revealing three distinct regions formed daily. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for protecting coral reefs from acidification and rising temperatures.
A Stanford-led study of pesticide exposure and hypospadias in male infants found only weak evidence of an association. The researchers analyzed thousands of birth records and commercial pesticide application records for eight counties in California's Central Valley, identifying 15 chemicals with possible associations with the condition.
Researchers discovered how Brachyury regulates the timing of gene expression in the notochord, a precursor to the backbone, and found that certain mutations can delay or alter this process, potentially leading to birth defects and cancer. The study sheds light on a crucial regulatory mechanism in embryonic development.
A team of researchers has identified a new species of humpback dolphin swimming in the waters off northern Australia. The study, published in Molecular Ecology, analyzed physical features and genetic data to determine that the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin includes at least four member species, one of which is completely new to science.
Researchers are studying the molecular interactions between CFTR and SLC5A8 transport proteins in the thyroid gland, which may play a role in moving iodide into follicular lumens.
A study by University of California, Riverside psychologists found that people who are unrealistically optimistic about their health risks take preventive action when faced with worse-than-expected news, but those with pessimistic views do not change their behavior after receiving better-than-expected feedback. This poses a dilemma for...
Researchers correctly identified the brains of mathematician Carl Friedrich Gauss and medical scholar Conrad Heinrich Fuchs using MRI scans, revealing they were switched over 150 years ago. The discovery highlights the importance of historic collections for modern-day research.
A voting joystick created at Michigan State University has shown promise in user testing, enabling users with dexterity impairments to vote independently. The device, comparable to a joystick used for motorized wheelchairs, could greatly improve accessibility for millions of Americans.
The SAFE-PCI for Women trial found that radial access reduced bleeding and complication rates compared to femoral access, with a significant benefit seen in the overall cohort. The study's findings suggest that radial access is a reasonable strategy for women undergoing cardiac catheterization.
A new study found that pregnant rats exposed to an obesity-linked hormone during pregnancy lost their reduced breast cancer risk after birth. Researchers believe this may be related to gene changes in healthy breast cells.
Researchers have found a potential new class of fast-acting antidepressants that could alleviate symptoms in as little as five days, offering a safer alternative to existing treatments.
NASA's infrared imagery reveals signs of organization and strengthening in Tropical Depression 29W over the Philippine Sea. The system is expected to move west and cross over Luzon as a tropical storm on October 31, potentially intensifying into a typhoon in the South China Sea.
Research found that people are rated as more attractive when part of a group, with average faces being perceived as more attractive due to the averaging out of idiosyncrasies. The study suggests that being in a group confers an attractiveness benefit, roughly bumping someone from the 49th percentile to the 51st percentile.
Research suggests that older children with HIV may need to start antiretroviral therapy (ART) earlier to achieve high CD4 counts in later life. The recommended CD4 count thresholds for ART initiation are unlikely to maximize immunological health in children who have never received ART before the age of 10 years.
A new study suggests that coral reefs can adapt to moderate climate warming if there are significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. The research found that corals have already adapted to part of the warming that has occurred over the past 40 to 60 years, and could potentially reduce bleaching by 20-80% through genetic adaptation.
A Sandia-led team has created a tunable plasmonic crystal that can transmit terahertz light at varying frequencies, increasing bandwidth in high-speed communication networks. The crystal's ability to direct light like a photonic crystal, combined with its sub-wavelength size, hybridizes the two concepts.
Researchers found that reindeer eyes change color in response to seasonal changes in light levels, from gold in summer to blue in winter. This adaptation helps them see better in the limited light of winter, increasing their sensitivity to detect moving predators.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $14.5 million to develop a data and knowledge management system for geosciences, fostering greater data accessibility and research collaboration. The EarthCube framework aims to connect geo-, bio- and cyberscientists to advance the understanding and prediction of the Earth system.
Researchers developed a new forensic technique to identify textile materials based on surface chemistry, bypassing visual characteristics. The method uses X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) with argon-ion cluster beam technology to analyze surface layers, enabling the identification of fabrics and distinguishing treated fibers.
Eating together as a family can help prevent childhood obesity, according to researchers from the Cornell Food & Brand Lab. Families who prioritize meaningful socialization during meals and avoid screens tend to have lower BMI levels in both children and adults.
Low birth weight infants exhibit microbiome differentiation in their mouths, gut, and skin by day 15 after birth. The gut microbiome plays a significant role in this process, with changes driven by bacterial types associated with newborn infections and necrotizing enterocolitis.
Researchers have identified a molecular mechanism behind hyperphagia in obese patients, where specific antibodies stabilize ghrelin, leading to increased appetite. This discovery opens new opportunities for designing treatments targeting this mechanism to reduce excessive food intake.
The DOE JGI 2014 Community Science Program portfolio explores functional information from complex ecosystems, addressing energy and environmental challenges. The inaugural round of eight accepted proposals focus on carbon cycling and biofuels production.
A pilot initiative at Mount Sinai Hospital shows that establishing standardized criteria for calling a palliative care consultation improves the quality of care for patients hospitalized with advanced cancer. This led to increased use of hospice services, lower in-hospital mortality and hospital readmission rates.
A new study predicts that the Affordable Care Act will increase emergency department reimbursements by 17% for uninsured patients on Medicaid and 39% for those switching to private insurance. This could help reverse a decades-long trend of uncompensated care in ERs.
NREL will develop a new low-cost flow battery using organic energy storage materials to overcome limitations of current flow batteries. The goal is to increase energy density and reduce cost, enabling widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
A survey of 71 hospitals found that most had policies in place for device use, surgery, and hand hygiene, but fewer had policies on antimicrobial stewardship. Practices to reduce device risk varied between hospitals, with some using bladder scanners and others lacking proper training on urinary catheter placement.
Research published in Hepatology suggests that estrogen has a protective effect against the development of severe liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The study found that men and post-menopausal women have similar risks of developing severe fibrosis compared to pre-menopausal women.
A new study conducted by Portuguese urologists found enterocystoplasty to be a safe and effective surgical option for children with developmental abnormalities of the genitourinary system. The procedure showed low rates of severe complications, including successful bladder function improvement in 24 patients.
The SORT-OUT VI trial found that both zotarolimus-eluting and biolimus-eluting stents were associated with low major adverse cardiac events. The study demonstrated the non-inferiority of biocompatible polymer stents compared to biodegradable polymer-coated stents in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention.
Researchers found that brain-derived neurotrophic factor suppressed glucose intolerance by improving insulin receptor expression and inhibiting gluconeogenesis in the liver. This suggests a potential therapeutic hypothesis for treating glucose intolerance after cerebral ischemia.
Researchers used eyetracking technology to map visual behavior of both men and women as they viewed images of different females with different body types. Women were found to objectify other women more often for social comparison purposes.
Scientists have identified promising new materials that can encase uranium-bearing fuel, reducing the risk of high-temperature oxidation and failure. These materials may eventually replace traditional zirconium alloys, which have been used for 50 years, if they prove safer in the event of a nuclear disaster.
Exercise programs designed for older adults appear to reduce the risk of injuries caused by falls, including fractures and other serious injuries. The review of 17 trials found that these programs can significantly decrease the rate of falls resulting in medical care, serious injuries, and fractures.
A Rhode Island Hospital study observed staff on 161,526 occasions and found that hand hygiene compliance improved from 60% to 89% between July 2008 and December 2012. The investigators noted increased compliance when healthcare workers were leaving patient rooms or caring for patients during the evening shift.
A new dual-band infrared remote sensing system has been developed by Chinese researchers, allowing for the simultaneous detection and identification of thermal infrared signatures. This innovation enables higher sensitivity for measuring IR spectra than existing combined imaging and spectral-analysis devices.
A team of bat biologists has reclassified the Mortlock Islands flying fox as Pteropus pelagicus, correcting a naming error made in 1882. The study also found that the species is part of a wider geographic distribution than previously thought, and its conservation status is uncertain due to rising sea levels and climate change.
Santiago Grijalva, NREL's new director of the Power Systems Engineering Center, will establish and direct the NREL's grid research portfolio at ESIF. He champions an Internet of the Grid, envisioning millions of decision-makers managing the electric grid.
Researchers from Albert Einstein College of Medicine are leading panels on various aspects of geroscience at the NIH symposium. The event aims to understand the biological processes underlying aging and its impact on chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
Researchers found that certain mice develop IRG proteins, a resistance mechanism that prevents the parasites from killing them. This balance between parasite virulence and host resistance allows the infected mice to survive long enough for the parasites to complete their cycle.
Lurie Children's is receiving funding to study ways to improve communication and care coordination in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). The project aims to enable parents to make informed decisions about their child's care, given the high-stakes environment of PICUs.