A new London NERC Doctoral Training Partnership will train next generation of environmental scientists, tackling global challenges with £100m investment. Royal Holloway University and partners will collaborate to provide necessary skills and training for academia and industry.
Researchers have developed a new smart-foam technology that can measure helmet impact and detect concussions in real-time. The piezoelectric foam is embedded in football helmets and generates electrical signals when compressed, providing coaches and trainers with instant data on player safety.
Research by Penn State University found that male fence lizards prefer females with less vibrant blue markings, suggesting an evolutionary advantage. These females laid smaller clutches and their offspring hatched later, potentially providing a survival edge.
A recent Canadian study found that transgender patients often avoid emergency department care due to perceptions of discrimination or poor treatment. Nearly three-quarters of those who needed care were able to access it in the ER, but nearly half reported negative experiences related to their trans status.
A new Clinical Practice Guideline recommends that all pregnant women with no prior diagnosis of diabetes be tested for the condition at their first prenatal visit. Early detection can help prevent complications and ensure a healthy pregnancy. The guideline also provides recommendations for testing, treatment, and follow-up care for wom...
Scientists have identified Lactobacillus brevis from a traditional Japanese pickle as having protective effects against influenza virus infection in mice. The bacteria's unique properties, including exopolysaccharides, are thought to enhance immune system function and eradicate virus-infected cells.
A new drug combination therapy developed at Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center effectively killed various types of cancer cells while having little effect on noncancerous cells. The results lay the foundation for a future phase 1 clinical trial to test the safety of the therapy in patients.
Researchers have developed a method to drastically reduce the dose of Amphotericin B used to treat leishmaniasis, a disease affecting over 12 million people worldwide. The new approach improves efficacy by 83%, reduces toxicity, and significantly shortens treatment duration.
Research shows that chronic stress alters gene expression in immune cells, making them pro-inflammatory and prone to excessive inflammation. This can lead to various health issues, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity.
A new study suggests that early life stress can lead to increased sensitivity to pain in adulthood, particularly if followed by later stress exposure. The study found that rats subjected to early-life maternal neglect showed enhanced muscle pain in response to mild stress as adults.
A new study published in mBio found that transferring gut microbes from mice with colon tumors increased the risk of tumors in germ-free mice. The research indicates that inflammation and interactions between gut microbiota play a critical role in tumor formation.
Research by Tel Aviv University researchers shows that torture survivors experience diminished pain inhibition and heightened pain excitation, leading to dysfunctional pain regulation. Non-physical forms of torture, such as psychological oppression and humiliation, may also contribute to chronic pain and poor pain regulation.
A study found that testosterone therapy was associated with a higher risk of adverse outcomes, including death, heart attack, or ischemic stroke, in men who underwent coronary angiography. The use of testosterone therapy was also linked to an increased risk of these events even among patients without underlying coronary artery disease.
Researchers found that Prevotella copri was more abundant in patients with newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis than healthy individuals or those with chronic, treated rheumatoid arthritis. The study suggests a possible link between the growth of this intestinal bacteria and the onset of autoimmune attacks on the joints.
A recent study published in the Journal of Neuroscience found that older adults who took music lessons as children have a faster brain response to a speech sound than those who never played an instrument. The study suggests that early musical training has a lasting, positive effect on how the brain processes sound.
A new combination pill of sofosbuvir and ledipasvir has been shown to be highly effective in treating genotype 1 hepatitis C, even in patients with cirrhosis or previous treatment failure. The study found a sustained virological response rate of nearly 97%, offering new hope for patients with currently untreatable virus.
The American Journal of Public Health special issue examines the complexities of including minority populations in research, discussing topics such as recruitment, community engagement, and training. Guest editors aim to shift the approach towards a more inclusive and protective research enterprise.
Researchers have identified areas in Antarctica where ancient ice cores could hold records of the past 1.5 million years, shedding light on Earth's climate history. The identified regions are near major domes in East Antarctica, offering a chance to drill into an ice core extending back that far.
Researchers found that pigeons can use changes in volatile organic compounds in the atmosphere to determine their direction and find their way home. By analyzing these chemical changes, pigeons can associate specific smells with particular wind directions, allowing them to navigate back to their lofts.
A study published in PLOS Medicine estimates depression as the second leading cause of global disability burden, ranking first in Central America and Southeast Asia. Disability from depression affects mostly people in their working years, with women more than men.
A NASA-funded project at UTSA aims to develop a 'lab on a robot' prototype that can analyze planetary composition without human exposure. The fourth prototype will utilize wireless technology and a chemical sensor to determine sample composition in minutes.
Researchers found autoantibodies in patients with primary Sjögren syndrome 18-7 years before symptoms appeared. The study's results suggest that autoantibody profiling may help identify individuals at risk of autoimmune disease years before symptom onset.
The researchers modified a Baxter robot to learn from humans and make adjustments while an action is in progress. The robot can associate different trajectories with each type of object and generalize its learning.
Scientists create a virtual reality environment to study how rats navigate and anticipate rewards. The results show that rats prefer to use visual cues for navigation, while their legs work in harmony with their anticipation of food. In contrast, auditory cues alone lead to confusion and random movement.
A three-day meeting of international experts highlighted the need for countries to develop relevant expertise in assessing biodiversity and ecosystem services. The UN's new IPBES platform aims to strengthen national capacities in this area, crucial for informed policy decisions.
Research suggests that fibromyalgia is associated with disrupted brain signals for reward and punishment, contributing to hyperalgesia. Fibromyalgia patients exhibit altered brain responses to pain anticipation and relief, which may explain the heightened sensitivity to pain and lack of effectiveness of pain medications.
A new study from Cornell University proposes that clay hydrogel could have confined and protected chemical processes that formed proteins, DNA, and eventually living cells. Researchers demonstrated protein synthesis in a clay hydrogel, which enhances protein production and offers a promising possibility for producing large quantities o...
A new study by Indiana University researchers found that access to healthcare in counties with more dentists and pharmacists is associated with higher rates of opioid abuse. The study concludes that the structure of local healthcare systems plays a key role in determining community-level access to opioids.
Researchers in China are exploring a method to extract uranium from seawater, a potential solution to ensure reliable supplies of the fuel. Despite the challenge of extracting uranium from seawater at economic viability, progress has been made, including successful experiments by Japan and the US.
A new study from the University of Iowa found that affluent girls in two-parent homes are less likely to be sexually assaulted. The research revealed a decline in risk once family income reaches 400% of the poverty threshold, with girls aged 4-17 experiencing a significant reduction in assault risk.
A study by Penn State researchers found that US citizenship increases a woman's likelihood of receiving mammograms and cancer tests. Foreign-born non-citizens have significantly lower odds of being screened for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers compared to U.S.-born citizens.
A recent study published in PLOS Biology reveals that a majority of rhythmic proteins are produced during two intervals of the circadian cycle, with proteins required for metabolism showing peak production during the day and those required for cell growth at night. This discovery provides new insights into the regulation of protein pro...
A University of Michigan researcher is using neurogenetics and behavioral studies to understand the development and treatment of antisocial behavior in boys. The study found that environment, including social support, moderates the link between over-reactive amygdala responses and anxious behavior.
Ecuador laurel trees support more scale insects, which produce honeydew for Azteca ants, boosting their numbers and defending the foliage. The tree-ant mutualism is stronger under resource-poor conditions, with trees paying carbon to ants in exchange for guard duty.
Researchers at Vienna University of Technology develop a single-atom light switch that can redirect light between two fibre optic cables. The system utilizes a Rubidium atom to act as a switch, allowing for the manipulation of light and enabling quantum phenomena for information and communication technology.
Researchers have found that miR-137 is downregulated in the brains and peripheral blood of post-stroke depression patients. Injection of a miR-137 antagonist into the brain ventricles of post-stroke depression rats improved behavioral changes, suggesting that miR-137 suppresses Grin2A protein expression through binding to its mRNA.
A Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center-led study has found a link between two organochlorine pesticides and an increased risk of endometriosis. Women with higher exposures to these pesticides had a 30- to 70-percent increase in endometriosis risk, according to the study.
A new multi-terminal multi-junction architecture for inexpensive PV electricity generation has been proposed by Clemson University researchers. This design aims to exceed current efficiency limitations of 25% using silicon solar cells and thin-film materials abundant in Earth's crust.
A study by Griffith University found that smart water meters can reduce post-meter water loss in households by up to 91% by identifying leaks and repairing them. The project identified 4% of households with suspected leaks, leading to cost savings for customers.
Typhoon Haiyan is intensifying quickly as it moves through the Philippine Sea, with rainfall rates reaching up to 50-60 mm/hour near the center. NASA's TRMM satellite provided data on the storm's northeastern quadrant, revealing some thunderstorms reached heights of over 10 km.
A new study finds that emissions pricing revenues could be at least twice as high as the estimated profit losses for fossil fuel owners. Climate policies would reduce demand and lower prices, generating strong incentives to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.
A University of Cincinnati study found that web-based programs for mothers can improve children's fruit and vegetable intake and reduce screen time. The program, called EMPOWER, also increased physical activity and reduced sugary beverage consumption among participating families.
A new study found that an interactive computer program increased help for those who needed it most without overtreating. Patients using the program were nearly twice as likely to ask about depression and receive treatment recommendations from their physician.
Residents in a low-income urban neighborhood on Indy's east side have higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease compared to other areas. The study suggests that limited access to healthy food contributes to these health disparities.
A study published in Neural Regeneration Research found that Parkinson's patients with psychosis had greater white-matter fiber injury than those without psychosis. This difference may explain why psychosis often occurs in Parkinson's disease patients.
Researchers found no association between surgeon sleep deprivation and increased risk of complications, conversions to open operations, iatrogenic injuries, or patient death. The study suggests that surgeons can perform elective operations without compromising patient safety, even after operating the night before.
In dry conditions, Ecuador laurel trees invest more in honeydew production for ants, which strengthens their defensive mutualism. The study suggests that trees may 'buy insurance' for their leaves with carbon-rich sap, paid to ants in exchange for protection.
Researchers at KU Leuven discover a previously unknown ligament in the human knee called the anterolateral ligament (ALL), present in 97% of human knees. The ALL ligament is implicated in pivot shift episodes, a common issue for patients with ACL tears.
The SwRI-led ISET team will study the origin, evolution, and physical properties of near-Earth asteroids and their moons, aiming to better understand their potential for cost-effective human exploration. The research will also investigate minimoons, small bodies with the potential to provide insights into the history of the Solar System.
A traditional Chinese medicine, Buyang Huanwu Decoction, has been shown to improve neurological function in patients with stroke. The decoction increases the number of cells positive for markers of neuronal differentiation and synaptic plasticity in ischemic rat cerebral regions.
Gambling addiction is linked to distinct brain function abnormalities that impair decision-making, unlike cocaine addiction which affects areas responsible for impulse control. The study highlights the need for specialized treatment addressing emotional issues and loss evaluation in severe cases.
NASA's Aqua satellite detected multiple bushfires in Wollemi National Park, located northwest of Sydney, on November 4. The MODIS instrument captured images showing a large area of smoke and heat from the fires.
HS-AGING affects older adults, causing cognitive decline and memory impairment. Recent studies reveal around 20% of dementia cases are misdiagnosed as HS-Aging, highlighting the need for accurate diagnosis and exploration of new therapeutic targets to alter disease progression.
A new study reveals a 160% increase in street robberies in London at night compared to daytime. Researchers found that darkness significantly associated with an increase in street robberies, particularly in areas with limited street lighting.
NASA's Aqua satellite detected warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear, allowing Tropical Depression 30W to intensify into a tropical storm. The storm's maximum sustained winds reached 35 knots/40 mph on November 5.
A study by Laura Nabors at the University of Cincinnati found that chronically ill children use imaginative play to work through fears and express a full recovery. Play also helps siblings cope with their child's illness, highlighting the importance of parental support.
Researchers have created a new world map of land use systems, identifying 12 global archetypes that reveal the complexity of land use. The study provides new insights into the environmental impact of land use and suggests opportunities for improving agricultural yields without harming the environment.
Scientists at Empa have developed a new manufacturing technique for high-efficiency CIGS solar cells, achieving a record-breaking energy conversion rate of 20.4%. This improvement enables CIGS cells to compete with polycrystalline silicon cells, marking a significant advancement in the field.
Researchers have developed a new method to refine low-resolution X-ray crystallography data for biomolecules, combining PHENIX and Rosetta software. The new approach can aggressively optimize models to fit the data while presenting realistic geometry.
The AGA Clinical Decision Tool for the Screening and Evaluation of Hepatitis C will aid gastroenterologists in managing HCV-positive patients. The tool provides an evidence-based approach to initial evaluation of HCV-positive patients, helping to address the growing burden of chronic HCV infection.