Researchers at Northwestern University have created a new set of building blocks for materials science using nanoparticles and DNA, enabling programmable control over material properties. The new approach allows for the creation of novel crystal structures with tailored physical properties.
Researchers at EPFL have successfully developed a neuroprosthetic system that enables completely paralyzed rats to walk and run again after just weeks of treatment. The technology uses stretchable spinal electrode arrays controlled by smart stimulation algorithms, combined with novel robotic rehabilitation. With the goal of restoring v...
Researchers found a positive correlation between out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and exposure to both fine particulate matter and ozone in Houston. Daily average increases in particulate matter raised OHCA risk by 4.6 percent, while short-term increases in ozone level increased risk by 4.4 percent.
Scientists at EPFL have made significant progress in developing prosthetic limbs that can be controlled by the nervous system, paving the way for more realistic sensory feedback and improved function. The new technology has already shown promising results in clinical trials, with potential to restore dexterity and sensation to amputees.
The University of New Hampshire professor Paul Kirshen will discuss the need for cities to adapt to changing climates. He'll present a case study of East Boston's coastal vulnerability and stress the importance of taking steps today to prepare for future events.
Researchers have designed a special material interface that enhances the functionality of non-silicon-based electronic devices, such as RAM and nanoelectronic components. The new method combines ferroelectric tunneling with magnetic tunnel junctions, resulting in a quaternary-state device with improved switching and storage power.
Researchers analyze air pollution levels and health effects, identifying communities at higher risk for respiratory diseases. The study aims to improve understanding of cause-and-effect relationships between pollution and health outcomes.
The Diamond Light Source facility has been upgraded to analyze pathogens requiring Containment Level 3, including serious viruses responsible for AIDS, Hepatitis, and flu. This capability enables scientists to study virus structures in detail, opening up new paths for therapeutic treatments and vaccines.
A food science expert argues that genetically modified foods pose no special risks to consumers or the environment. The overregulation of GM crops wastes resources and diverts attention from real food safety issues.
Research suggests that groundwater acts as a natural water filtration and purification system, removing excess nutrients and impurities from the earth's surface. The study highlights the need for better management of this critical resource to ensure clean drinking water and sustainable ecosystems.
Removing top predators from freshwater ecosystems leads to a significant increase in carbon dioxide emissions, highlighting the crucial role of apex animals in regulating climate change. This study suggests that predator decline is having global implications for greenhouse gases and climate.
Researchers have discovered significant amounts of water in Apollo samples, indicating the early Moon was wet and the water wasn't substantially lost during formation. The detection of hydroxyl groups suggests a prolonged solidification of the lunar magma ocean.
New materials mimic mussel adhesive proteins to deliver self-setting antibacterial hydrogels, seal fetal membrane defects, and target cancer cells with precision. Researchers collaborate on in-vivo testing of these innovative biomedical applications.
Researchers face challenges in engaging the public in their work due to institutional barriers and limited training. Leah Gerber recommends developing new incentives, communications training, and boundaries for scientists to prioritize public engagement.
Researchers studying ice sheet movement in Greenland and Antarctica have found that warming temperatures cause sea levels to rise. The speed of ice shelf movement has nearly doubled in recent years, leading to increased sea level rises and uncertainty about future projections.
Researchers found that warmer ocean temperatures weaken mussels' fibrous threads, making them more prone to detachment. This can have cascading effects on the marine food web and commercial mussel farming.
The symposium explores the leading edge of interdisciplinary collaboration in microscopy, featuring experts who are developing new techniques to visualize life processes at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. The goal is to advance the visualization of life from the scale of a single molecule to the whole organism., Research...
Efforts to reduce lead pollution have been largely successful, but the problem persists due to new industrial inputs and consumer product contamination. Blood lead levels remain high, with no known threshold for toxicity, posing ongoing health risks to people and animals worldwide.
Mentoring models can significantly improve diversity in STEM, according to Arizona State University's executive director, who will share concrete strategies at the AAAS annual meeting. The institute has developed successful programs that have contributed to over 89 PhDs and 59 underrepresented minorities since 2005.
Researchers propose bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) and biochar as solutions to achieve net-negative emissions. BECCS captures CO2 emissions from power plants, while biochar uses pyrolysis to produce a fertilizer that absorbs atmospheric CO2.
Climate change is projected to increase the risk of heat waves, heavy rains, and droughts. Preparing resilient communities with disaster preparations, early warning systems, and well-built infrastructure can help mitigate these impacts.
Early humans lost hair to efficiently sweat away heat, later using decorative methods like tattooing and makeup to increase attractiveness. Researchers found evidence of early skin decoration through fossil records and molecular genetics.
Researchers at Northwestern University have made significant breakthroughs in understanding the effects of brain damage on language processing and recovery. Studies have shown that with targeted training, patients can regain speech abilities years after a stroke.
Dr. Bruce J. Peterson has made seminal contributions in oceanography, limnology, biogeochemistry, ecology, and hydrology through his use of new methods and scientific publications. His research on the freshwater cycle of the Arctic has made fundamental advances in understanding land-ocean interactions.
A research project in Malawi has led to significant increases in crop yields, with corn production rising by 200% through crop rotation. Meanwhile, children's weight and height have improved, meeting international norms for healthy children. The program's success is attributed to the adoption of bushy legumes and diverse crop rotations.
Aerobic exercise increases critical brain structures and improves cognition in children and older adults. Physical activity also reduces susceptibility to diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
Aphasia affects 80,000 people annually in the US, causing difficulty speaking and understanding language. Researchers at Brown University have developed a therapy to strengthen speech networks using guided speech and repetition exercises. Early testing with four patients showed improved precision and reduced errors.
Researchers worldwide are embarking on DEMO projects to demonstrate fusion energy production, following the construction of ITER in France. The challenges ahead include finding solutions to well-known scientific and technical issues.
A study by Northwestern University's Noshir Contractor aims to enhance cross-cultural mentoring among women in sustainable development. The researcher has created a social media recommender system that connects mentors and mentees across different regions and cultures.
As people move more often and become more urbanized, their skin color may lose its evolutionary advantage. With limited exposure to sunlight in cities, many people are at risk of a vitamin D catastrophe. Using vitamin D supplements is the safest way to address this issue.
Nicole Calakos studies synaptic defects in the basal ganglia that underlie compulsive behavior, including Huntington's and Parkinson's diseases. Mice with overactive metabotropic glutamate receptors exhibit impaired synaptic plasticity, leading to obsessive-like behaviors.
A computational model developed by Northwestern University's Dirk Brockmann can pinpoint the source of an outbreak and predict disease spread using transportation data. The model generates accurate findings on origin and predicted arrival times, providing a lifesaving advantage in responding to diseases.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a brain prosthetic that allows rats to sense infrared light as a tactile sensation, enabling them to navigate virtual environments and recognize textures. This breakthrough could lead to the development of neural prosthetics for quadriplegics to regain sensory perception.
Research by Brown University professor Rose McDermott suggests a significant genetic component in shaping political preferences, particularly along the conservative-liberal spectrum. This finding could have implications for policy decisions and targeted interventions.
A Michigan State University research team begins a groundbreaking clinical drug trial to control seizures caused by cerebral malaria, which affects brain function in three million children. The trial aims to improve seizure control and potentially prevent epilepsy.
Researchers are developing artificial blood platelets laced with regulatory chemicals that can be injected into the bloodstream to control bleeding and promote healing. The synthetic platelets have shown promise in animal models, reducing clotting time by approximately 30 percent.
The American Chemical Society's report emphasizes the need for updated graduate education to prepare scientists for a rapidly changing world. Key findings include inadequate preparation for post-graduation careers and lack of diversity in the scientific community.
Chemists at the University of Liverpool created organic molecular crystals that can separate aromatic molecules by shape. This new technique uses less energy and could revolutionize petrochemical and chemical industries.
Researchers discover that neuronal activity induces tau release from healthy neurons, suggesting a physiological process that can be regulated by neural activity. The study suggests that altered tau release may occur in response to changes in neuronal excitability in the Alzheimer's brain.
Researchers at Northwestern University develop spherical nucleic acids (SNAs) for biomedical applications, offering improved delivery and targeting of therapeutics. SNAs show promise in treating genetic diseases and neurological disorders, including glioblastoma and Alzheimer's disease.
A UPNA researcher has developed 3D reconstruction algorithms that are on par with the best available techniques, but can be executed more rapidly on a computer. These algorithms use stereoscopic vision to capture depth and can be implemented in real-time using standard graphics cards.
Scientific evidence supports early education's lasting impact on children's lives and society as a whole. Research from the Abecedarian Project shows that well-prepared children are more likely to be consistently employed and less reliant on public assistance.
A genetic mutation causing Pompe disease has been found in both humans and dogs. A genetic test can now diagnose canine Pompe disease, allowing for the identification of affected individuals and their breeding lines. This breakthrough could lead to improved treatment options and disease management.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo's Institute for Quantum Computing have proposed a new model for universal computation using multi-particle quantum walks, which could lead to significant quantum speedup and pave the way for scalable future experiments. The model has potential for natural realization in various systems.
Climate change is a range of possible events with varying likelihoods, and moderate actions today can reduce negative impacts. Experts like Mark Berliner emphasize the need to understand this spectrum of possibilities rather than adopting an all-or-nothing approach.
Study highlights importance of analyzing ancestral molecules in understanding adaptive evolution and natural selection. By examining changes in visual pigments over time, researchers can gain insights into how environmental factors drive vision adaptations.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati developed a new method to identify 'food deserts' by analyzing commuting patterns. They found that residents in certain zones had better access to supermarkets due to their daily commutes. This study aims to provide new insights for public and transportation policy makers
A collection of studies from Salud America! presents promising approaches to prevent Latino childhood obesity, including guided grocery store trips, community gardens, and video-game-based exercise programs. These culturally appropriate strategies aim to address the root causes of obesity among Latino children and families.
Researchers examine how our evolutionary history contributes to current health problems, such as obesity and childbirth complications. They suggest that understanding our past can help us better address these issues with alternative solutions like doula support during birth.
To feed the world, Paul Ehrlich advocates for a bottom-up movement focusing on agricultural and demographic planning to address overpopulation and overconsumption. Giving women equal rights is a crucial first step in this effort.
A recent study found that 25% of hospital readmissions for spine surgery patients were not due to true quality-of-care issues. Planned readmissions, unrelated surgeries, and rescheduled procedures were among the cases not counted against hospitals. The study suggests modifying the calculation method to make it more clinically relevant.
A new open-source model, InVEST, provides spatially explicit information on offshore wind energy, helping decision makers quantify tradeoffs between energy, transportation, and fishing. The tool is significant for integrated marine spatial planning, enabling informed decisions on wind turbine placement.
Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital have developed a shorter version of the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) tool to screen cancer patients for malnutrition. The abPG-SGA tool was found to be effective in identifying malnourished patients and improving patient outcomes.
A study by William Leonard examines the roles of diet and energy expenditure in contributing to obesity. The research shows that human dietary patterns have evolved over time, with a shift from subsistence to modern lifestyles leading to increased energy imbalances.
Researchers at the University of York have established a link between Parkinson's and visual problems in an animal model. A study found that a common genetic mutation triggering Parkinson's affects eye nerve cell function, leading to gradual loss of vision.
Researchers are using statistical approaches to analyze climate change risks, including the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation. Bayesian statistics is a key tool in quantifying uncertainty and predicting future events. Collaboration between disciplines is essential for advancing climate science and risk management.
Researchers have identified novel gene variants linked to Behçet's disease, a chronic condition causing painful ulcers and brain inflammation. The study also reveals multiple independent genetic risk regions within the HLA region, which could lead to better understanding and treatment options for this devastating illness.
Researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center have identified IKBKE kinase as a potential targeted therapy for patients with tobacco-associated non-small cell lung cancer. The study suggests that IKBKE overexpression is induced by tobacco smoke and can be targeted to reduce cancer progression.
Researchers found that wild plants with multiple viral infections remained healthy, suggesting a cooperative role for the microbe. The viruses were passed from plants to their offspring through seeds and may play a beneficial role in plant life, making them more resilient to extreme temperatures and drought.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have identified a mechanism controlling tumor aggressiveness and developed a simple treatment that inhibits cancer progression. In mice, the treatment prolongs life when tested with drugs already used for other conditions.