Researchers at the University of Maryland have invented a single structure that combines all components of a battery, enabling miniaturization of energy storage. The tiny battery can be fully charged in 12 minutes and recharged thousands of times, making it a promising innovation for future devices.
The Chicago Biomedical Consortium is launching a $3 million Infrastructure Initiative to promote investment in high-impact scientific equipment at its member universities. The initiative aims to make modern instrumentation available to the CBC research community, enabling them to stay at the forefront of biomedical discovery.
A new drug combination for rheumatoid arthritis treats the disease just as well as other intensive treatment strategies but with less medication and fewer side effects. The COBRA Slim strategy, which calls for the least amount of medication, had half as many side effects as the two other strategies and was just as effective.
A University of Illinois study found that couples in trouble with their relationship tend to distort their memories, whereas those moving toward marriage remember their journey accurately. This distortion helps them cope with the psychological implications of staying in a stagnant relationship.
The University of Michigan student researchers compiled a comprehensive citywide greenhouse gas inventory for Detroit, highlighting key emission sources and areas for improvement. The report shows that energy use in buildings accounts for nearly two-thirds of the city's emissions, with exhaust from cars contributing to about 30%.
A researcher at the University of Kansas is exploring a new way to cool power plants using laptop-cooling technology, which could save freshwater and reduce costs. The approach involves using closed thermosyphons, which are commonly used in laptop computers to keep them cool, but have not been scaled up for use in power generation.
A new study by American Cancer Society researchers found that more preventable deaths from colorectal cancer occur in southern states due to socioeconomic inequalities. The report highlights the importance of addressing disparities in education, income, and access to screening and treatment services.
A University of Texas at Arlington computer scientist is studying smarter route selection and adaptive cover traffic to protect online privacy. The research aims to route traffic around powerful eavesdroppers and add noise to confuse adversaries.
Research suggests that hospital interventions can significantly reduce smoking rates, with around 14.5% of hospital admissions being smokers. Implementing routine smoking cessation support could prevent hundreds of thousands of premature deaths.
A pooled analysis of five cohort studies found that smoking before first cancer diagnosis increases risk of developing a second smoking-related cancer. Smoking survivors have up to a 5-fold higher risk of developing a second primary smoking-associated cancer compared to non-smokers.
Researchers at University of California, San Diego, have removed the brain area responsible for spatial navigation in rats, showing that other memory abilities remain intact. The study provides insights into Alzheimer's disease and stroke effects on the brain's navigational system.
Researchers discovered that statins can reverse the learning deficits caused by Noonan syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting 1 in 2,000 people. The treatment works by reducing Ras activity, allowing brain cells to communicate properly and enabling normal learning to take place.
Researchers found that hospital workers washed their hands less frequently towards the end of their shifts, with compliance rates dropping by an average of 8.7 percentage points. This decline was attributed to mental fatigue, leading to a decrease in self-regulatory capacity and prioritization of tasks.
A new study from Dartmouth researchers suggests that lung cancer screening using annual low-dose CT scans can be done in a cost-effective manner, particularly for adults aged 65-75. The study found that the screening test produces $81,000 in quality-adjusted life years per dollar spent.
Researchers at RIKEN developed a new technique to analyze protein structures by suspending crystals in a greasy substance, enabling the use of smaller samples and faster data collection. This breakthrough could lead to improved understanding of dangerous proteins, such as those containing mercury.
A team of researchers has discovered a novel digestive strategy in shipworms, which could be a game-changer for the industrial production of clean biofuels. The study found that shipworms use enzymes made by symbiotic bacteria stored in their gills to break down wood for nutrition.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have created a radically smaller, more efficient radio wave circulator that could double useful bandwidth in wireless communications. The new circulator enables full-duplex functionality, allowing devices to transmit and receive signals on the same frequency band simultaneously.
A recent study suggests that genes and regulatory elements share a common architecture in their reading processes, with the main differences occurring after the initial step. This unified model could provide insight into how genes evolve and shed light on the evolutionary origins of new genes.
A team of engineers and scientists has identified a source of electronic noise that could impact the functioning of instruments operating at very low temperatures. At around 20 kelvins, phonon modes become deactivated, allowing high-energy phonons to carry away heat and causing devices to heat up.
A new UCSB study reveals that a fungal pathogen in amphibians disrupts the skin microbiome, leading to dramatic changes in bacterial communities. The research has significant implications for understanding infectious disease dynamics and developing responses to diseases causing amphibian extinction.
A new climate model simulates global carbon cycle interactions between plants and microbes, revealing a loss of soil carbon stocks in temperate regions due to increased microbial activity. The CORPSE model predicts gains in soil carbon capture in boreal regions and tropical South America.
A transgenic mouse with a rare human genetic variation in the dopamine transporter protein may lead to improvements in ADHD, autism and bipolar disorder diagnosis and treatment. The mice exhibit unusual "darting behavior," which could be related to impulsivity and abnormal dopamine release.
The University of Huddersfield is a key centre for research and teaching on spirituality in healthcare, with a focus on its practical application. Research has shown that spirituality can improve resilience, patient experience, and recovery outcomes in healthcare.
A new study found that anxiety symptoms in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) increase the risk of a faster decline in cognitive functions and accelerate brain damage, independent of depression. MCI patients with moderate or severe anxiety had a 33%, 78%, and 135% increased risk of Alzheimer's, respectively.
A study of the volunteer advocate program found that it provided comprehensive care to incapacitated patients, including end-of-life decisions and Medicaid applications. The program's success demonstrates a viable alternative to overwhelmed state agencies and provides hope for vulnerable individuals without surrogates.
Lori O'Brien, a USC postdoctoral research associate, has received the first Broad Fellowship to investigate how epigenetic regulation affects kidney stem cells. The fellowship will support her research on Phf19, an epigenetic regulator that encourages embryonic stem cell self-renewal.
Researchers found significant safety flaws in popular flight tracking systems, including firmware manipulation and tampering with real-time information. The team recommends securing communication, pairing devices properly, signing firmware updates, and using HTTPS or digitally signed data.
Scientists have identified a new therapeutic target, Mpl, which could lead to the development of novel treatments for myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). The study found that reducing the expression of Mpl in laboratory models can prevent the development of mutant JAK2 disease.
The Seattle Singing Accuracy Protocol (SSAP) measures how well people handle the translation from listening to singing. The program assesses individual singers' ability to match specific tones and melodies, providing a tool for early music education programs and researchers studying musical ability.
A study found that prescription opioids were involved in 67.8% of emergency department visits in 2010, highlighting the need for cautious prescribing practices among patients with pre-existing medical conditions. The study also showed that acute benzodiazepine intoxication was recorded in 22.2% of overdose patients.
Cartilage cells have multiple sensory systems that respond to mechanical strain, leading to cell death. Researchers found two ion channels, Piezo1 and Piezo2, that are critical for sensing forceful injury, and a substance from tarantula venom extract can block these channels, preventing cell death.
Researchers have used radio telescopes in Australia and Chile to observe the remnant of Supernova 1987A, providing insights into the explosion's aftermath. The team has also developed a three-dimensional simulation that reproduces observed features, including the persistent one-sidedness in radio images.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory quantify thermodynamic forces driving metal-insulator transition in vanadium dioxide, finding phonons and atomic vibrations control phase stability. The discovery has implications for multifunctional materials, including colossal magnetoresistors, superconductors, and ferroelectrics.
A new species of nocturnal gecko, Paroedura hordiesi, has been discovered in northern Madagascar with a unique camouflage pattern to blend into its environment. The species is classified as Critically Endangered due to habitat loss and degradation.
Researchers found that elderly men with low DHEA levels were at a greater risk of developing coronary heart disease events over a five-year period. The study suggests that high DHEA levels may be a biomarker of good health in elderly men.
Researchers have defined riskier mutations in neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer, which could help match patients with optimal treatment using ALK inhibitors. The study, published in Cancer Cell, analyzed DNA from nearly 1,600 patients and discovered ALK mutations in 8% of tumors.
A new study led by Harvard School of Public Health found that the use of antiretroviral medications during early pregnancy does not significantly increase the risk of birth defects in infants. However, one specific ARV drug, atazanavir, was associated with a higher risk of birth defects, particularly musculoskeletal and skin anomalies.
A Queensland University of Technology study found that over 70% of people in two Chinese cities are unaware of the blood alcohol limits for driving. The new laws have led to a drop in alcohol-related crashes, but limited awareness may contribute to offending rates.
A new study from NESCent suggests that societies with less access to food and water are more likely to believe in moralizing, high gods. Belief in these types of deities is strongly associated with political complexity and the practice of animal husbandry.
A molecular breakthrough has identified a compound that can inhibit the activity of SRPK1, a molecule key to tumor formation and blood vessel creation. This process is essential for cancer cell survival and multiplication.
Researchers have discovered two young stars with analogues to our solar system's asteroid and Kuiper belts, surrounded by a large dust halo. These findings suggest a common model for planetary formation and evolution, providing insight into the early stages of star formation and planet creation.
Researchers have found that temperature-controlled aggregation in new semi-conducting polymers enables high-efficiency organic solar cells with efficiencies up to 10.8%, paving the way for mass production and a commercially viable alternative source of energy.
A new study found that laundry detergent pods pose a significant risk to young children, with 17,230 cases reported between 2012 and 2013. Children under 6 years old accounted for nearly two-thirds of cases, with nearly half experiencing vomiting after exposure.
Asteroid Patroclus-Menoetius has been found to have a non-spherical shape, with axial ratios indicating a mostly oblate shape. The team's analysis also revealed the asteroid pair's spins were faster when they formed, currently in a doubly synchronous state.
Researchers found that 85% of antibiotic prescriptions were made empirically without culture data, leading to 65% being inappropriate treatments. Wider use of antibiograms improved prescribing by 40%, but addressing the issue requires combined efforts with better monitoring and limiting certain drug usage.
A new study has identified genetic material that recognizes early stages of infection in patients with hemorrhagic fevers, such as Lassa and Marburg viruses. This discovery could lead to the development of better diagnostics and improved treatment outcomes.
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation found that tumor-associated neutrophils stimulate T cell responses in early-stage human lung cancer. These cells produce molecules promoting inflammation, and their role is crucial for bolstering anti-tumor immune responses.
Researchers have discovered a new target for treating kidney cancer by targeting the Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 3 channel. This channel promotes tumor growth and stimulates autophagy in cancer cells.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have identified key molecular steps in the formation of pancreatic cancer, suggesting new preventive strategies. The study found that Kras mutations can induce inflammatory macrophages, which loosen cell structure and lead to precancerous lesions.
Researchers have found a novel link between magnetism and electricity, enabling the generation of high-frequency alternating currents. This breakthrough could lead to new detection techniques for magnetic information and improve spintronics technology.
Researchers found that pretreatment interstitial lung disease significantly increases the risk of developing symptomatic and severe radiation pneumonitis in stage I non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy. The study's results suggest that clinicians should be cautious when considering SBRT f...
The HIP HOP PSYCH initiative aims to use hip-hop lyrics and music to improve people's mental health, address stigma towards mental illness, and increase diversity within the psychiatric profession. By integrating hip-hop into psychotherapies, psychologists can refine their tools to make therapies more relevant to specific populations.
A case study published in AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses suggests that HIV transmission via shared manicure instruments is possible. Genetic analysis indicates a common viral ancestor between two patients, supporting the theory of transmission through infected equipment.
A new University of Michigan study finds that children born to mothers with higher education levels tend to excel academically in reading and math. The research suggests that the educational attainment of adolescent mothers has a lasting impact on their children's academic achievement, particularly if birth occurs later in life.
A five-year, $750,000 grant will be used to prepare rehabilitation counselors at Georgia State University to work with people with mental illness and psychiatric disabilities. The program aims to address diverse populations and provide innovative training and practice-related needs for the profession of rehabilitation counseling.
Researchers develop two swallowing techniques to ease pill swallowing in patients with and without difficulties. Continuity of care is associated with reduced mortality, morbidity, and healthcare expenses in patients with chronic conditions.
Ocean acidity levels vary across the world's oceans, with the northern Indian Ocean being at least 10 percent more acidic than other regions. Ocean acidification could harm marine life and ecosystems, particularly coral reefs, if left unchecked.
A new study demonstrates that people with multiple sclerosis often have trouble recognizing emotions conveyed by facial expressions, and now shows similar difficulties with emotions expressed through body posture. The research suggests that this difficulty is unrelated to identifying one's own emotions, a disorder known as alexithymia.
Researchers have created a theoretical model to tune the conductivity of graphene zigzag nanoribbons by applying periodic ultra-short pulses. This could lead to the development of ultrafast electronic switches and graphene-based devices that only conduct electricity when an external pulse is applied.
Two design competition winners, Intuitive Company and Georgia Tech Student Chapter, received recognition for their innovative solutions to improve the voting process. Their prototypes include smartphone apps to inform voters and train election volunteers, as well as a web-based platform to streamline the voting experience.