A new study by researchers at the University of Washington and in Indonesia has found that the population of critically endangered Sulawesi black macaques has stabilized over the past decade. The long-term survey, which began in 1999, shows a gradual increase in the number of groups and individuals per square kilometer, with the popula...
Research finds widening gap in obesity estimates attributed to biased self-reports of weight. Increasing bias in self-reported weight contributes to underestimation of clinically measured BMIs.
A new study using a 2,540-metre long Greenland ice core has reconstructed the island's temperature and ice sheet extent during the last interglacial period, known as the Eemian period. The research found that the warmest temperatures were about 8°C degrees warmer than average over the past 1,000 years.
Researchers at Tufts University have found that astrocytes regulate a neurotransmitter involved in sleep, which may lead to the development of effective and fast-acting antidepressant drugs. The study suggests that mimicking sleep deprivation in mice by manipulating astrocytes can rapidly improve depressive-like symptoms.
The Chromosome-Centric Human Proteome Project (C-HPP) is a 10-year effort to map and describe human proteins. The project aims to provide a full catalogue of proteins with practical applications in novel drug targets, diagnostic biomarkers, and understanding cellular regulators.
The special issue covers 17 review articles on various spintronics topics, including magneto-electronics and semiconductor spintronics. It aims to introduce the framework of spintronics and stimulate new ideas by showcasing domestic research results.
University of Alberta researchers identified 23 species of small meat-eating dinosaurs with fossilized teeth, revealing multiple short-lived species instead of a few long-lived ones. The findings suggest that these tiny predators roamed the region for distinct geographic areas and time periods.
Tropical Storm Peta formed off the coast of Port Hedland, Australia on January 22, 2013, with rain rates reaching up to 94 mm per hour. The storm strengthened into a tropical depression before making landfall and dissipating over land, weakening its structure.
A novel aptamer has been developed that specifically targets and stimulates human immune cells, significantly increasing the effectiveness of immunotherapeutic drugs. The aptamer enhances the ability of activated T cells to proliferate and produce immunostimulatory cytokines.
A new study by Cornell University sociologist Sharon Sassler found that cohabiting women tend to take on a disproportionate share of household chores, even when the women work and the men don't. Despite expecting more equal partnerships, most women retain accountability for the performance of their partners' chores.
A study found that revealing the costs of expensive medical tests like MRIs up front had no impact on the number of tests doctors ordered. Doctors have already decided they need to know the information, regardless of the cost.
Researchers at MIT have created a device that can deliver RNA, proteins and nanoparticles through cell membranes by deforming cells. The technique has shown success in delivering reprogramming proteins and generating induced pluripotent stem cells with improved efficiency compared to existing methods.
Researchers identify normalizing p62 levels in immune system cells as a strategy to clear an infection that is deadly to patients with cystic fibrosis. This approach enables the natural cellular process of autophagy, which helps digest pathogens and clear them away, thereby controlling inflammation and saving patients from death.
Researchers found that teaching high-risk adolescents how to manage their personality traits can reduce problem drinking and postpone its onset. This approach also reduces the influence of peer pressure within their social networks, creating group immunity among low-risk youth.
Researchers found a rich diversity of microbial life and chemicals in hailstones from a storm cloud, suggesting specific processes during cloud lifetime impact bacterial distribution. The study suggests that these processes could affect long-distance transport and geographical distribution of microbes on Earth.
Researchers have developed a new method to produce molecular magnets, which could lead to the creation of smaller, more efficient storage media and processors. The new system exploits the interactions between molecules and their substrate, enabling magnetic states to be selectively switched on and off using magnetic fields.
Recent immigrants to Canada often over-qualified for their jobs due to language barriers and lack of work experience. However, increased proficiency in English or French, combined with post-immigration education and training, can significantly improve job matching.
A new study found that invasive plant species decrease biodiversity at small scales due to reduced light and nutrient availability, but have minimal impact at larger scales. This scale-dependent effect can lead to conflicting results in scientific research, highlighting the importance of considering local battles against invasive species.
A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that targeted psychological interventions significantly reduced drinking behavior among high-risk teenagers. The 'Adventure Trial' intervention showed a 29% reduced risk of problem drinking and delayed risky drinking behavior over two years.
The system uses a novel real-time method to obtain information on road conditions, providing direct warnings to drivers before they notice changes in the road. By transmitting observations from multiple vehicles and sensors, the system can create a real-time slipperiness map, making it safer for all users.
Researchers discovered stable epigenetic marks across all metastatic tumors in each patient, defying the idea that these marks vary greatly within individuals. These consistent methylation changes appear to represent driver changes critical to cancer development and could be targets for treatment.
A cohort study found that patients admitted as emergencies on public holidays are more likely to die than those admitted on other days of the week. The death rate is significantly higher for public holiday admissions, with a 48% increase in 7-day deaths and a 27% increase in 30-day deaths.
Research shows that children's executive function and vocabulary development play a crucial role in the formation of complex thinking skills as young as age 4.5. High executive function skills at school entry are related to higher reasoning skills in adolescence.
Scientists at Michigan State University and other institutions have found that marginal lands can produce substantial amounts of cellulosic biomass, which could provide up to 215 gallons of ethanol per acre. This study provides an estimate of greenhouse gas benefits from using these lands for biofuel production.
Researchers discovered that brain connections in the vision-processing center can be strengthened by acetylcholine, allowing animals to associate visual cues with rewards. The study found that nerve cells in the primary visual cortex develop molecular memories, enabling animals to predict rewarding outcomes.
Joerg Schmiedmayer's work focuses on ultra cold atom clouds with high order, approaching a disordered thermal equilibrium. His new ERC Grant will investigate relaxation and non-equilibrium dynamics in quantum systems.
Breast cancer cells use pro-inflammatory signaling molecules to adhere to blood vessel surfaces, promoting metastasis. The Cornell researchers found that these cells are unable to interact with selectins, a key step in the process, and that inflammatory molecules enable them to adhere.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed a four-wheel independently actuated (FIWA) electric car with exceptional traction and motion control, keeping its four wheels and four motors on the road. The system enables enhanced maneuverability and control without emissions.
Research by USDA scientist Eton Codling shows that treated wastewater solids called biosolids can increase soil phosphorus levels for years. The study found that soluble phosphorus levels in biosolid-amended soils exceeded typical plant requirements after application.
A new poll from the University of Michigan found that only 35% of parents are very concerned about misuse of narcotic pain medicines by children and teens. Despite rising rates of abuse and overdoses, most parents do not support policies to discourage misuse or return unused medications.
A team of researchers from Australia and France has developed a novel manufacturing technique to create uniform silica wires through self-assembly. The technique enables the combination of silica with any material, paving the way for new applications in sensing, photovoltaics, optical switches, and photon sources.
A new study analyzing ice cores from the Greenland ice sheet found that between 130,000 and 115,000 years ago, the climate rose to about 14 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than today. This past warm period may serve as a 'road map' for future warming due to increasing greenhouse gases.
Infectious disease experts call for novel approaches to end the growing scourge of 'superbugs,' citing 2 million annual infections and 100,000 deaths. The authors recommend new strategies to prevent infections, encourage economic investment in anti-infective treatments, and alter host-microbe interactions.
Researchers found that women with ovarian cancer had higher blood calcium levels than those without the disease. The study suggests that high calcium levels may be a biomarker for early detection of ovarian cancer.
The global goat population is under threat due to intensive animal husbandry systems that use a limited number of breeds. Poor handling of grazing has led to damaging environmental effects, including overloading ecosystems and threatening biodiversity.
EMBL-EBI researchers develop a DNA storage method that stores at least 100 million hours of high-definition video in about a cup of DNA, overcoming challenges of writing and reading DNA. The new method uses short strings of DNA and error-tolerant coding to ensure data retrieval without errors.
Researchers found that managers tend to opt for higher-risk options when forced to choose, but reflect more and make less risky decisions without constraints. The study highlights the importance of offering alternatives to combat high-risk or unethical decision-making.
Climate change in Madagascar could fuel the spread of lemur parasites, carrying diseases like plague and typhus. The team created probability maps of likely parasite distributions today and estimated future expansions by up to 60%.
Scientists have developed a test to detect smoke taint in grapes and wines, which can be used to manage the production of smoky-tasting wines. The test uses laboratory tests to identify substances formed in grapes after exposure to smoke.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy significantly resuscitated activity in damaged brains, even years after initial injury. The treatment increased oxygen levels in the body, supplying energy for rebuilding neuronal connections and stimulating inactive neurons.
A Phase I clinical trial of a tetravalent candidate dengue vaccine found it induced a balanced antibody response against all four dengue viruses in most recipients. The vaccine was safe, and its development is promising for preventing severe dengue disease.
Smokers who quit between ages 35 and 44 regained about nine years of life, while those who quit between ages 45-54 and 55-64 gained six and four years, respectively. Women who smoke like men also die like men.
Researchers, led by Chris Goldfinger, admit that existing predictive models are no longer valid due to limited historical records. Paleoseismic evidence suggests that several regions previously thought incapable of producing megathrust earthquakes may be due for reconsideration.
Scientists at KIT and Rice University successfully dug the world's smallest tunnels into graphite samples, opening doors to structuring of materials on a nanometer scale. The creation of porous graphite with tailored pore sizes could enhance lithium-ion battery performance and enable long-term drug delivery in medicine.
A study found that smoke-free legislation implemented in 2006 led to a 11% decrease in acute myocardial infarctions, mainly among non-smokers and older adults. The reduction is attributed to decreased passive exposure to tobacco smoke.
Socially isolated rats are more susceptible to addiction to amphetamine and alcohol due to enhanced reward sensitivity. They exhibit quicker preference formation for environmental cues associated with the rewarding substance, making extinction harder to achieve.
A University of Colorado study reveals that lung and GI cancer patients are more prone to E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae infections, particularly after aminopenicillin treatment. This knowledge can inform targeted antibiotic therapy before complications arise.
A University of Utah study found that people who multitask the most, including those talking on cell phones while driving, are actually least capable of doing so. This is because they often lack the ability to focus attention on a singular task and tend to be impulsive and sensation-seeking.
A UT Arlington bioengineering researcher, Kytai Nguyen, is working on a drug-delivery portion of a project to develop nanoparticles that will stimulate lung growth and remodeling. The project aims to help patients with destructive lung diseases by introducing drugs through inhaled nanoparticles.
A study predicts that climate change could cause financial losses of up to 50 million euros for Andorran ski resorts, mainly due to shortened seasons and reduced snow production. The study analyzed three ski resorts in the Pyrenees and found that lower altitude areas would be most affected by warmer temperatures.
A new study published in Psychological Science suggests that color-grapheme synesthesia is linked to childhood exposure to magnetic colored letters, which triggered the formation of specific, automatic color-letter pairings. These findings indicate that learning and memory play a central role in the development of true synesthesia.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a new brain circuit controlling whisker movements in newborn mice. The circuit reveals how motor neurons integrate inputs from the LPGi region of the brainstem to enable voluntary whisking behaviors, shedding light on neural control of finger movements in humans.
Researchers at Syracuse University studied nanoparticle toxicity, finding that shape and charge modifications can alter chemical interactions with cell membranes. The study highlights the need for safe handling procedures in nanomanufacturing and nano-biotechnology.
Researchers at the University of Witwatersrand and University of Johannesburg have discovered a new species of ancient fox, Vulpes Skinneri, from the Malapa site. The fossils, which date back two million years, show distinct differences from existing fox species and provide insight into the evolution of modern African mammals.
The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) has launched two new schemes to support industrial biotechnology and bioenergy research in the UK. The funding will create networks and collaborative research between academia and industry, fostering sustainable economic growth and new 'green collar' jobs.
A team of scientists has discovered that magma can form at depths of up to 250 kilometers in the Earth's mantle, a finding that challenges existing theories and sheds new light on the planet's inner workings. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the Earth's geophysical and geochemical properties.
Researchers found that estrogen levels can affect infection susceptibility, bladder health and the inflammatory response to infection in mice with simulated menopause. Boosting estrogen levels may get a second look as an approach for reducing urinary tract infections in menopausal women.
A study by CNIO researchers discovered that caloric restriction increases telomere length in adult mice, leading to a lower incidence of cancer and age-related illnesses. The study also found that mice on reduced diets lived up to 20% longer than those with normal diets.
A study reveals that radiotherapy services are insufficiently equipped in 10 European countries to meet the growing demand for treatment, with Nordic countries and Belgium being well-equipped. The authors suggest further investigation into optimizing efficiency to address fragmentation of radiotherapy services.
Women with NTM infections show a weaker immune response linked to their body fat levels. The study also found that tall and thin individuals share characteristics with Marfan syndrome, suggesting a genetic link to increased susceptibility.
Tropical Storm Oswald brought extreme rainfall to northern Queensland, with NASA's TRMM satellite measuring over 600mm of rain in some areas. The storm caused severe flooding, cutting off communities and forcing travelers to cancel plans.
A study by Kevin D. Bradford and his team examined 28 thousand pages of court documents to understand how guns move from legal channels into the hands of criminals. They found that one percent of gun dealers are responsible for 45 to 60 percent of guns involved in crimes, highlighting the need for more vigilance over gun distribution.
A recent study found that free clinics significantly reduced non-emergency emergency department visits among uninsured patients. The research, conducted in Virginia, analyzed records of 52,010 individual uninsured patients who visited five hospitals' emergency departments over three years.
The Solar Coronal Imager (Hi-C) has provided a major piece of the solar corona puzzle by capturing images of magnetic reconnection. This complex process heats the corona to temperatures up to 7 million degrees F, powered by magnetic fields that constantly warp and collide in bursts of energy.
The CSIC has reconstructed the brain of an ampelosaur in 3D using its fossilized skull, showing a small brain and inner ear. The research suggests that sauropods may not have favored increased brain size during evolution.
The NIH panel suggests renaming PCOS due to its association with ovarian cysts, which is neither necessary nor sufficient to diagnose the condition. The new name will enhance recognition of the disorder and facilitate expansion of research support.
Researchers at Duke University developed a method to control the crumpling and unfolding of large-area graphene films, enabling the creation of artificial muscles with unprecedented properties. The controlled crumpling allows for tunable transparency and opacity, as well as contraction and relaxation on demand.
Scientists at ORNL developed a high-performance, nanostructured solid electrolyte for more energy-dense lithium ion batteries, overcoming safety concerns and size constraints. The ability to use pure lithium metal as an anode could yield batteries five to ten times more powerful than current versions.
Researchers have identified a link between SNPs associated with breast cancer risk and the binding affinity of pioneer factor FOXA1. The study found that most risk-associated SNPs modulate FOXA1 binding, which is crucial for chromatin opening and transcription factor recruitment.
An Arizona State University graduate student is building an infrared and visible light camera system for a nanosatellite. The camera will guide the satellite's trajectory during its flight in low-Earth orbit.
A new USC study found that the brain works hard to understand those with different bodies when watching them in action. Increased visual exposure improves understanding and can alleviate stigma. Individuals with higher empathy levels showed more activity in motor regions when observing actions made by residual limbs.
A team of researchers found that an inner layer of tissue in the branching roots is sensitive to salt and activates Abscisic Acid, which stops root growth. This study provides new insights into how plants cope with stressful environments and could lead to the development of salt-resistant crops.
A study suggests that plain packaging of tobacco products could lead to a decline in smoking rates, with estimates indicating a reduction of one percentage point among adults and three percentage points among children. The researchers relied on the expertise of international tobacco control specialists to predict the impact of generic ...
A UK study found that attitudes towards speed among learner drivers are a significant predictor of unsafe driving behavior once they become licensed. The research suggests that focusing on technical skills alone may not be enough to ensure road safety, and instead, efforts should be made to develop safer driving attitudes from the begi...
A Kansas State University doctoral student has received a USDA grant to research the relationship between the tomato spotted wilt virus and its vector, the western flower thrip. The goal is to develop a genetic tool to silence the thrip's protective genes, potentially stopping the disease's transmission.
A recent study found that only 22% of participants who reported certain triggers developed a migraine attack after exposure. The research suggests that people may no longer need to avoid suspected triggers if they don't experience a headache episode within three months.
Researchers identified several inherited mutations in genes linked to severe syndromes that also cause autism, including AMT, PEX7, and SYNE1. These milder mutations seemed to cause brain-specific disease, offering new insights into the genetic causes of autism.
Research at the University of Missouri found that certain exercises benefit obese men but not women with Type 2 diabetes. Obese women may require longer or higher-intensity exercise programs to see similar improvements in cardiovascular function.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that taking smaller bites outweighs the tendency to eat more when distracted. Researchers discovered that participants who ate pre-specified small sips of soup consumed about 30% less soup than those who didn't have a set size limit.
Researchers developed a new method to predict individual patient's brain tumor growth, enabling physicians to rapidly identify effective therapies. The approach accounts for tumor features such as shape, density, and growth rate, allowing clinicians to distinguish between patients with different tumor characteristics.
Researchers found that lung and head and neck cancer patients who quit smoking before surgery had significantly lower relapse rates compared to those who smoked during the week prior to surgery. The study also identified factors such as high fears regarding cancer recurrence, depression, and low belief in quitting abilities as predicto...
A new study led by Robert G. Hawley may help predict which patients with multiple myeloma will respond better to certain treatments. The researchers discovered a test that can detect tumor-propagating cells, which are responsible for disease relapse.
New research from the NEEM project in Greenland reveals that the Eemian period was around 8 degrees C warmer than today, with global sea levels four to eight meters higher. The ice sheet was less than half the total sea-level rise during this period.
Scientists used a robotic device to gather samples of 1 billion microbes every four hours, creating a time-lapse montage of their daily labors over two days. The study reveals synchronized metabolic gene expression among nonphotosynthetic microbes in response to environmental changes.
A clinical trial to evaluate cyclodextrin as a potential treatment for Niemann-Pick disease type C1 has begun at the NIH Clinical Center. The disease, caused by cholesterol accumulation in cells, leads to progressive impairment of motor and intellectual function.
Researchers at University of California - San Diego discover that blocking digestive enzymes can reverse shock, reduce organ damage, and increase survival rates in animals. The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, provides novel insights into the mechanism of multiorgan failure and death.
Researchers found that combining PI3K inhibitors with anti-HER2 therapy can prolong treatment effectiveness by targeting the PI3K pathway, which activates anti-death protein survivin. High levels of survivin correlate with resistance to therapy, suggesting its measurement could predict treatment outcomes.
The researchers developed elastic, self-healing wires with a liquid-metal core and polymer sheath that reconnect at the molecular level after being severed. This technology has potential for use in technologies exposed to high-stress environments, such as reconfigurable circuit wiring and 3D microfluidics.
Two new studies identify inherited genetic mutations linked to autism spectrum disorders, suggesting that 5% of autism risk is due to complete gene function disruption. Researchers also found partial loss of gene function and variability in autism severity despite similar genetic mutations.
Scientists have developed a new and more efficient way to make paliperidone, a widely used medication for severe mental illness, reducing solvent use and increasing yield.
A new study found that doctors' judgments alone are insufficient to accurately diagnose cases of pneumonia. The researchers analyzed 2,810 patients and concluded that a majority of radiographically confirmed cases were not identified through initial assessments.
The incidence of type 1 diabetes in Philadelphia children has increased by 29 percent over the past two decades, with black children ages 0-4 years at highest risk. The rapidly rising risk requires immediate attention due to often-delayed diagnosis and high mortality rates.
Research published in the Journal of Dental Research shows that beta-catenin is crucial for odontoblast cell differentiation and root development. Tissue-specific inactivation of beta-catenin in developing odontoblasts resulted in molars lacking roots and thin incisors.
A new study from the University of Otago found that consuming seven to eight servings of fruits and vegetables per day can improve mood and overall wellbeing in young adults. The research suggests a strong relationship between positive emotions and higher fruit and vegetable consumption, with no significant impact on other foods.
Researchers found carbon dioxide to be an effective tool in repelling fish from an area, with all four species tested showing the same response. This non-physical barrier could complement electric fences and increase the likelihood of stopping invasive Asian carp from entering Lake Michigan.
A new biometric approach using kneecap scans could identify individuals with accuracy of up to 93%. This method avoids health risks and privacy issues associated with other biometrics.
A new study by the University of Pennsylvania has found that owl monkeys who stay with one partner produce 25% more offspring per decade than those who switch partners. This finding suggests that long-term monogamy and pair-bonding can improve reproductive fitness in certain individuals.
Corals produce pigments that act as sunscreens for their symbiotic algae, removing harmful light and allowing the algae to photosynthesize. This mechanism helps corals survive in shallow water where sunlight can be detrimental to algae and hosts alike.
A new study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found that sex is rated as highly arousing and pleasurable regardless of condom and lubricant use. The research, led by Debby Herbenick, PhD, MPH, reveals few differences between men and women in their ratings of sexual quality with or without these products.
Scientists recommend measures to adapt Santiago to climate change, including a monitoring system, green areas, and cooling roofs for low-income households. The city is expected to experience an increase in extreme heat and floods by 2050 due to rising temperatures and decreased precipitation.
A study by UMass Chan Medical School scientists has discovered that the retrovirus HERV-H is extremely active in human embryonic stem cells, making up to 2% of total RNA. This finding may aid in the development of induced pluripotent stem cell technology and transform current stem cell therapies.
A new ethical framework is needed to balance patient protection with data collection for learning health care systems, say experts. The proposed framework outlines seven obligations to ensure patients' rights and dignity while fostering clinical learning.
Research highlights the adverse effects of plastics on human health, including endocrine-disrupting properties of BPA and DEHP. Biodegradable plastics are not without risk, while recycling poses environmental challenges.
The new book, Navigating Life with a Brain Tumor, offers comprehensive guidance on managing brain tumors, including treatment options, side effects, and coping strategies. Written by neuro-oncologists from Mayo Clinic and Tufts Medical Center, the book aims to empower patients to be active participants in their care.
Modified Nutrition Facts labels can improve accuracy in measuring calories and nutrient content, especially for products with two servings per container. Dual-column and single-large serving formats showed significant improvements in consumers' ability to assess nutrition information.
Female smokers have seen a significant rise in the risk of death from lung cancer and chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) in recent years, with a 25.7 times higher risk than never-smokers. This increase is largely attributed to changing smoking patterns, where women now smoke more like men, starting earlier and consuming more cigar...