A multi-institutional study recommends cutting inpatient mortality for pediatric cardiac surgery patients by limiting clinical experience to less than two years. Nurse education preparation at the baccalaureate level or higher also improved mortality rates.
Scientists have used genetics to analyze DNA and discover an influx of European genes into Caribbean populations after Columbus' arrival. The results demonstrate how deciphering genetic echoes can illuminate human history, highlighting differences in susceptibility to diseases among populations.
Researchers used genetic engineering to precisely study a key protein's role in familial Alzheimer's disease, discovering that simple loss-of-function doesn't contribute to the inherited form. The findings could help elucidate Alzheimer's mechanisms and inform drug development.
Washington State University researchers discovered a 400-fold increase in electrical conductivity of strontium titanate when exposed to light. This phenomenon, known as persistent photoconductivity, could lead to significant improvements in electronic device performance and capacity, especially with the development of holographic memory.
A team has achieved a world record 39 minutes for a fragile quantum state to survive at room temperature, paving the way for ultrafast quantum computers. The discovery demonstrates robust and long-lived qubits that could enable efficient quantum calculations.
Researchers at NC State University developed a new technology to transmit power wirelessly from a stationary source to a mobile receiver, overcoming previous limitations in efficiency and safety. The system can now efficiently recharge electric vehicles as they drive by, with the goal of increasing power transmission to 50 kW.
Two new studies reveal that location plays a significant role in determining drowning survival rates, with rural residents facing a higher risk of drowning. The research emphasizes the need for improved water safety measures and CPR training to reduce drowning incidents.
Researchers have identified a novel toxin produced by bacteria that can inhibit bacterial growth by blocking DNA replication machinery, providing new therapeutic avenues for developing next-generation antibiotics.
A new sequencing method identified a set of genes used by microglia to sense their environment, called the 'sensome'. As aging increases, microglia's expression of neuroprotective genes becomes more active while toxic actions are downregulated. This discovery may lead to better understanding and treatments for neurodegenerative disorders.
A new study from The Miriam Hospital found a negative association between alcohol consumption and condom use among college women. Women who smoked marijuana with established romantic partners also used condoms less often, highlighting the importance of understanding factors predicting condom use.
Researchers argue that separate targets for gross deforestation and reforestation would increase progress toward forest conservation and climate change goals. Monitoring changes in forest cover using satellite data is now technically feasible, but resource allocation remains a challenge.
Ancient European wolves are genetically linked to modern dogs, contradicting earlier research suggesting a Middle Eastern origin. Dogs derived from wolves that inhabited Europe and are now extinct.
Researchers at UT Austin have grown centimeter-size single graphene crystals on copper using surface oxygen, increasing crystal size by 10,000 times. The crystals exhibit exceptional electrical properties, including high carrier mobility, which is crucial for electronic devices.
Researchers from ETH Zürich and University of Calgary demonstrated the sharing of light between two artificial atoms in a one-dimensional system. This effect has significant implications for future applications in advanced quantum devices.
Researchers develop a silicon-based water splitter coated with an ultrathin layer of nickel, achieving stability for over 80 hours without corrosion. The innovative device uses light to split water into oxygen and hydrogen, offering a sustainable alternative for clean energy production.
A team of researchers identified the TBC1D20 gene as responsible for Warburg Micro syndrome, a rare genetic disorder characterized by severe physical and mental impairments. The study found that five distinct mutations in the gene cause the disease, with implications for understanding human development and related disorders.
Researchers are creating new statistical tools to analyze massive amounts of cancer data and identify hidden relationships between biomarkers. The goal is to develop a framework that can combine continuous and noncontinuous variables, allowing for more accurate insights into the complex nature of cancer.
Researchers found that lower doses of primaquine are as effective as higher doses in reducing malaria transmission, and may play a crucial role in malaria elimination. The study suggests that low-dose primaquine is safe in G6PD-normal individuals and could be used to block malaria transmission.
A groundbreaking global study on preterm birth and disability has found baby boys are at a higher risk of death and disability due to preterm birth than baby girls. The study reveals that boys are 14% more likely to be born preterm than girls, with disabilities ranging from learning problems and blindness to deafness and motor problems.
Danish researchers have identified a clear link between narrowed heart valves and high levels of lipoprotein(a) in the blood, which may help prevent valvular heart disease. The study found that people with very high levels of lipoprotein(a) are two to three times more likely to develop aortic stenosis.
Researchers study stingray movement to develop more efficient unmanned underwater vehicles, allowing for deeper ocean exploration and rescue efforts. The unique swimming style of stingrays may lead to breakthroughs in submarine design, inspired by nature's optimal swimming gait.
Researchers found that queen bees signal detailed information about their mating state and reproductive quality to workers, influencing colony dynamics. This honest communication may help explain the rapid rates of queen loss and turnover reported by beekeepers.
The number of diving ducks migrating to Lough Neagh for winter has dropped from 100,000 to less than 21,000 over a decade. The lake's ecosystem has changed dramatically since 2000/01, leading to a decline in insects and snails, which are essential food sources for water birds.
A joint experiment between Chinese and American scientists successfully demonstrated a tokamak fusion reactor's ability to maintain high fusion performance for extended periods. The experiment exploited plasma self-generations of electrical current, reducing the need for external coils and increasing cost-effectiveness.
A new study on cocaine has found a way the drug breaks down proteins in the body, which could be used to detect it in biofluids for weeks or months. The research contributes to a more comprehensive picture of cocaine's toxic effects and may lead to improved tests for its detection.
A recent study published in Environmental Science and Technology found that competitive gymnasts have a higher exposure to potentially harmful flame-retardants than the general population. The average concentration of PentaBDE in gymnasts' blood sera was 4-6.5 times higher than in general U.S. population groups.
Researchers found that brainwaves indicate the brain processes and understands hidden objects in everyday life, despite the subjects not consciously perceiving them. The study challenges existing models of how the brain processes visual information, suggesting a more complex role for the brain in interpreting visual input.
A small proof-of-concept study found that intranasal insulin can improve cognitive function in patients with type 2 diabetes. The treatment worked by improving vascular functions and regulating signaling among neurons, leading to better learning and memory performance.
Researchers have developed phononic properties to control sound and heat, leading to innovative technologies such as acoustic cloaking, thermoelectrics and thermocrystals. These advancements hold promise for reducing energy consumption, environmental noise and transforming waste heat into electricity.
A study analyzing over 1 million hospital admissions found that over 50% of nonsurgical patients were prescribed opioids, with high doses and late discharge increasing the risk of adverse events. Regional variation in prescribing rates was also observed, with a 37% difference between the highest and lowest regions.
Researchers at KU Leuven developed a new protein fusion that combines HIV and MLV replication proteins to create a safer viral vector for gene therapy. This fusion protein reduces the risk of cancer-causing mutations when integrated into human cells, paving the way for more effective treatments for blood diseases.
Researchers at Brown University have identified a small molecule compound called Retro-2 that successfully controls the spread of three polyomaviruses in human cell cultures. The compound protects up to 90.5% of cells from infection, offering new hope for treatment options.
Researchers found that simple compression bandages are as effective as expensive daily lymphatic massages in treating breast cancer-related arm swelling, known as lymphedema. The study followed over 100 women with breast cancer and found no difference between the two treatments.
A recent study found that feral cats in urban areas tend to avoid core activity areas of urban coyotes, which can be up to 40% of their home range. This avoidance is likely due to the threat posed by coyotes, leading to a reduced impact on wildlife in urban green spaces.
Researchers at the University of Washington have found that tree cover causes snow to melt more quickly in warm climates. In contrast, open areas tend to keep snow on the ground longer into the spring and summer. The study used temperature data from around the world to support its findings.
Physicists at the University of Warsaw and Hanover demonstrate that experimentally available squeezed states are optimal for improving the precision of measurements in gravitational wave detectors. This breakthrough improves sensitivity by up to 30%, allowing for more accurate detection of subtle spacetime vibrations.
A UT Arlington professor will use a $450,000 NSF grant to study the interaction between metals and organic compounds, aiming to create more energy-efficient and sustainable chemical reactions. The research may lead to new technologies for producing valuable industrial chemicals such as ethylene oxide and alcohols.
A rainforest microbe, Enterobacter lignolyticus SCF1, breaks down lignin by breathing it, potentially improving biofuel production. The microbe's enzymes degrade 56% of lignin in 48 hours, opening up new possibilities for efficient and sustainable biofuels.
Researchers at the National Spherical Torus Experiment have successfully created giant plasma bubbles using a method called Coaxial Helicity Injection, which harnesses the power of magnetic reconnection. The simulation results shed light on the complex mechanisms behind this phenomenon, revealing how forces and currents interact to gen...
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have developed a method to isolate and expand antitumor T cells from human tumor tissue. These T cells recognize specific proteins on cancer cells, making them potential candidates for targeted immunotherapy.
Researchers found that deleting a single gene in yeast cells leads to compensatory mutations in another gene, which could affect genetic analysis in cancer and other fields. This discovery suggests that genomes are highly interconnected and that removing one part can cause another part to warp elsewhere.
Researchers found precolonial eastern forests, dominated by American beech, red oak and sweet birch, using 300-year-old leaves buried behind milldams. This knowledge can inform successful stream restoration approaches that consider the past forest makeup.
Researchers explore genetic and epigenetic factors contributing to racial disparities in prostate cancer risk and progression, focusing on MicroRNAs as potential biomarkers.
Scientists have developed a new technique to optimize the transport barrier in fusion plasmas, which is crucial for increasing future fusion power performance. By understanding the pedestal's behavior and its limitations, researchers can predict and improve its pressure and width, leading to enhanced fusion power production.
Researchers have found that the bioluminescent display of a marine worm produces a long-lasting blue glow through a slimy mucus secreted from its body. The mucus contains riboflavin, vitamin B2, which is acquired by the worm through its diet or symbiotic bacteria.
The buffaloberry contains high amounts of lycopene and methyl-lycopenoate, making it an excellent source of antioxidants and nutrients. The fruit is also being considered as a natural food colorant and has potential applications in commercial wine production.
Scientists at DIII-D National Fusion Facility shed light on mechanisms that eject fast ions from plasma, enabling detailed tests of models predicting these effects in future reactors. By analyzing particle interactions with multiple waves, researchers gain unprecedented insight into fundamental wave-particle physics.
Research tracked almost 23,000 UK children's pulse rates from 1980-2008, finding a consistent rise of 0.04 bpm per year, more pronounced in boys. The increase suggests higher risks of diabetes and heart disease in later life.
Researchers have discovered a novel liquid that can dissolve nine types of key semiconductors at room temperature and normal air pressure. The finding holds promise for improving electronic applications such as solar cells by creating low-cost, semiconducting thin films.
Researchers are using past natural disasters to develop models of potential future events, highlighting the importance of local community resilience. By analyzing geological and social parameters, scientists aim to create a more robust framework for disaster preparedness.
Research led by Michigan State University found that schools offering healthful snack options can significantly improve students' diets. By implementing Smart Snacks nutrition standards, schools can boost daily consumption of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, leading to improved overall nutrition.
Research predicts that climate change will lead to the immersion of large proportions of islands, wiping out self-contained ecosystems and their inhabitants. The study highlights the importance of prioritizing island conservation in light of sea level rise.
Researchers identified a novel avian-origin H6N1 virus that closely resembles chicken H6N1 viruses circulating in Taiwan since 1972. The virus has a mutation that could increase its preference for human SAα-2,6 receptors, making it more infectious to humans.
In response to economic downturns, large chemical firms are reorganizing by acquiring specialty companies with high market potential. DuPont's Danisco acquisition and Dow's Rohm and Haas purchase have proven successful in shedding underperforming businesses.
Researchers found that geranylgeraniol suppressed human DU145 prostate carcinoma cell viability via cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase and apoptosis initiation. The compound also down-regulated HMG CoA reductase, a key enzyme in the mevalonate pathway.
Researchers from the University of Helsinki have developed a method to extract information about vehicular movement patterns from smartphone accelerometer measurements. The technique can detect most common public transportation types with over 80% accuracy, making it suitable for daily monitoring and fine-grained modeling of human tran...
A team of researchers has discovered the oldest known big cat fossil, a 4-million-year-old skull of a new species called Panthera blytheae. The find challenges previous assumptions about the evolution of big cats and suggests they evolved in central Asia before spreading to other regions.
Researchers discovered a disease mechanism in type 1 diabetes that can be targeted using simple, naturally occurring molecules like TUDCA. The study highlights the potential for improving ER function and reducing the incidence of T1D in high-risk populations.
Fruit juices could serve as carriers for probiotics, offering a dairy-free alternative. The study found that certain strains are stable in fruit juice without affecting sensory scores.
Recent experiments have found that lithium bound to carbon walls in fusion devices plays a key role in improving plasma performance. The combination of lithium, oxygen, and carbon improves deuterium retention and reduces recycling, leading to enhanced energy confinement and reduced edge plasma instabilities.