A team of researchers has devised a method to rapidly test the structural materials used in nuclear reactors, closely replicating damage caused by high-energy neutrons. The technique uses high-energy ion beams to damage samples of ferritic-martensitic steel, allowing for the development of more resilient components for advanced reactors.
A new study by the University of Sydney reveals that emergency department nurses are more extroverted and agreeable than the general population. This is due to their ability to develop strong relationships with patients from diverse backgrounds, making them essential for high-stress work environments.
A new online tool will help doctors predict which patients are most likely to develop diabetes based on age, sex, and blood sugar levels. The calculator will enable doctors to identify high-risk patients for testing and offer lifestyle advice.
A survey of U.S. veterans receiving mental health services from the Veterans Health Administration finds general satisfaction, but also significant room for improvement among all areas studied. Patients who received treatment for substance use disorder were less satisfied and less likely to report symptom improvement.
Researchers discovered that water formation in biofuel conversion slows key chemical reactions, forming an impurity that disrupts the process. The study provides scientific principles to speed up biofuel development, benefiting processes that produce biofuels from plants.
Researchers found that post-menopausal women with higher levels of physical activity had a lower risk of developing atrial fibrillation, regardless of their weight status. The study's lead author notes that more physically active women were less likely to develop the condition.
A new study by Queensland University of Technology found that mothers trust the opinions of other mothers when recommending products, making online communities a powerful marketing tool. The study suggests that fostering word-of-mouth in these environments is crucial for businesses looking to increase sales.
Deforestation in Brazil has been linked to roads built across forests and agricultural expansion, particularly in states of Mato Grosso and Pará. The removal of forestland is converted to farms, ranches, or urban use, with the Brazilian national motorway BR 163 contributing to deforestation.
X-ray crystallography has revolutionized our understanding of molecular structures and their influence on various scientific fields. The technique's future holds intriguing possibilities, including potential transformations beyond its current form.
A study has restored a missing repair protein in skeletal muscle of patients with muscular dystrophy. Proteasome inhibitors enabled mutated dysferlin proteins to regain function and repair damaged muscle membranes.
Researchers at Norwegian University of Science and Technology discovered that eliminating nerve signals sent to cancer stem cells can suppress gastric tumor growth. Botox, commonly used for beauty treatments, was found to be highly effective in treating stomach cancer.
Two experts denounce clinical trials of highly implausible treatments, citing dubious science and lack of evidence. They advocate for science-based medicine, urging patients to exercise critical thinking when evaluating treatment options.
A team of researchers found significant security vulnerabilities in full-body backscatter X-ray scanners used at US airports between 2009 and 2013. They demonstrated how attackers could conceal firearms and explosives using low-tech techniques, showcasing the need for rigorous testing and independent evaluation.
A new study reveals that better communication of basic research results during the discovery stage can lead to faster commercialization. Biotech firms often give up on inventions and transfer technology to other firms for repurposing in a new disease category, causing time losses earlier in the pathway.
Researchers developed a chemically extracted acellular allogeneic nerve graft that combines with ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) to promote sciatic nerve repair. The study found this method to be superior to bridging alone, but inferior to autologous nerve anastomosis.
A team led by Jill Mikucki finds microbial ecosystems in Subglacial Lake Whillans, supporting a diverse ecosystem that functions in the dark at subzero temperatures. The discovery has implications for life in extreme environments on Earth and in the solar system.
A randomized clinical trial found that patients with severe, nonchronic depression had better recovery rates when treated with combined therapy of cognitive therapy and antidepressant medication compared to antidepressant medication alone. Patients who received combined treatment also reported fewer serious adverse events.
A recent study found that minor infections like colds can increase the risk of stroke in children within a three-day time frame. The research, which reviewed a Kaiser Permanente database of 2.5 million children, suggests that infection has a strong but short-lived effect on stroke risk.
A new trial suggests that regular blood transfusion therapy can significantly reduce the recurrence of silent strokes and overt strokes in children with sickle cell anemia. The study found that monthly blood transfusions reduced repeat cerebral infarcts by 58% in children with pre-existing silent strokes.
Researchers found evidence that Mycobacterial tuberculosis genomes in Peru's human skeletons match animal lineages from seals and sea lions. This suggests marine mammals brought the disease to South America before European arrival. The study provides strong evidence for a complex history of tuberculosis transmission in the Americas.
A NIH-funded study found that regular monthly blood transfusions prevented recurrent brain blood vessel blockage in children with sickle cell anemia, reducing the risk of long-term cognitive problems and poor academic performance. The study suggests early screening for silent strokes can help manage the disease and prevent complications.
The 5th Lindau Meeting on Economic Sciences was opened by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who stressed the importance of policy counselling by scientific experts. The meeting brings together Nobel Laureates and young economic scientists from over 80 countries to discuss future orientation of the discipline.
The study found that Shuganjieyu capsule increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor and phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein expression levels, reversing depressive-like behaviors. This increase may be one of the anti-depressant mechanisms of Shuganjieyu capsule.
Researchers have developed a recombinant adenovirus expressing Aβ-ABAD decoy peptide, which increases superoxide dismutase activity and decreases oxidative stress markers in PC12 cells. This study suggests that rAAV/ABAD-DP-6His may be a potential therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease.
The number of people from Germany and the UK opting for assisted suicide in Switzerland has more than doubled between 2008 and 2012. Neurological conditions such as paralysis and Parkinson's disease account for nearly half of all cases, with women being 40% more likely to choose this option.
Research reveals that being obese in one's 30s triples the risk of developing dementia later in life. The study found an incremental decrease in dementia risk with age, suggesting that weight loss or delayed onset of obesity may lower the risk of dementia.
A new study suggests that minor infections like colds and flu can increase short-lived stroke risk in vulnerable children. The study found that the risk of stroke was highest within a three-day period after an infection, highlighting the need for infection prevention and vaccination to protect at-risk kids.
The study found that gram-positive bacteria, including staph and strep infections, accounted for 95 percent of endophthalmitis cases. The findings suggest better treatment with targeted antibiotics, but also highlight increasing resistance to certain antibiotics.
A new study finds that ticks carrying Lyme disease are active throughout the year in Northwest California, posing a constant threat. The researchers' findings suggest that residents should take precautions year-round and know the symptoms of the disease.
Monthly blood transfusions significantly lower the risk of recurrent strokes in children with sickle cell disease who have already suffered a silent stroke. Children receiving regular transfusions had a 58% lower risk of suffering repeat silent or overt strokes compared to those without treatment.
Researchers at UMass Amherst are part of a six-institution consortium creating CloudLab, a new instrument allowing scientists to run huge or very complex experiments on an enormous and flexible shared network of reliable, secure and fast computers. The project will distribute $10 million in funding among partner institutions.
Acral melanomas, which affect the hands and feet, have unique DNA damage patterns not caused by UV radiation. Researchers sequenced tumor samples and found distinct genetic faults driving this rare skin cancer. Understanding these faults may lead to better treatments for acral melanoma.
Scientists have developed a new gene technique to find disease-causing mutations in patients with brain malformations. The technique uses next-generation sequencing technology to sequence hundreds of copies of genes in a panel of candidate genes, identifying somatic mutations that were previously undetectable.
Researchers have mapped elevation changes in both Greenland and Antarctica using satellite data, revealing the ice sheets are losing volume at an unprecedented rate. The study shows that the two ice sheets combined are thinning at a rate of 500 cubic kilometres per year, contributing significantly to sea level rise.
Dallas high school students Dominik Fritz and Jason Barton discovered five new variable stars as part of the SMU QuarkNet program, analyzing data from a telescope in New Mexico. The discoveries have been accepted into the VSX catalog and will be forever linked with their students' names.
Scientists developed a new compound that targets the 'receptor' responsible for pain caused by chili peppers. The compound, tested in clinical trials, has shown promise in treating various types of pain.
A study found that orb-weaving spiders living in urban areas tend to have larger bodies and increased reproductive abilities compared to those in natural environments. The spiders' size is associated with the level of urbanization, with larger bodies found in areas with more hard surfaces.
Tropical Storm Karina is being affected by the larger circulation of Tropical Storm Lowell. As a result, it is expected to drift eastward and then northeastward with an increase in forward speed around the south and east sides of Lowell.
Researchers developed a modification to the core Android operating system that allows developers and users to plug in new security enhancements. The ASM framework enables custom security control modules to protect phones and enhance consumer privacy.
A study published in JAMA Surgery found that only 24.8% of women who underwent mastectomy in the US had breast reconstruction, with factors including race, education level, and age being significant predictors. The main reasons for not undergoing reconstruction were avoiding additional surgery or feeling reconstruction was not important.
Researchers at MIT developed a model to evaluate the performance of large PRO systems, finding that membrane size affects power generation. The team found that up to 95% of maximum power output can be generated using half or less of the maximum membrane area, reducing upfront costs.
A nationwide population-based study in Sweden found that six percent of men filled a prescription for antibiotics within 30 days after having a prostate biopsy, with a twofold increase in hospital admissions over five years. Men with prior infections or significant comorbidities were at highest risk.
Scientists have identified Mycobacterium pinnipedii in Peru skeletons dating back at least 1000 years, revealing seals as a source of pre-Columbian tuberculosis. This finding sheds new light on the history of the disease in the Americas and has implications for future vaccine development.
A new study by York University researchers found that juvenile songbirds, like wood thrushes, travel longer routes and take more frequent stopovers during their first migration than experienced adults. This delay may help young birds avoid intense competition for breeding sites.
Two commentaries in Annals of Internal Medicine emphasize the need for immediate Ebola vaccine deployment and cautious approach to containment plans. The authors argue that safety risks from vaccines are negligible compared to healthcare worker risks, while excessive measures can foster mistrust and increase risk.
Scientists have mapped the elevation changes of Greenlandic and Antarctic glaciers, revealing a record decline in ice sheet volumes. The study shows that Greenland is losing around 375 cubic kilometers of ice per year, while the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is thinning at a rate of 500 cubic kilometers per year.
Scientists detected unexpectedly high emissions of CCl4, a banned ozone-depleting compound, averaging 39 kilotons per year. This finding suggests unidentified industrial leakages or unknown sources contributing to the compound's persistence in the atmosphere.
Scientists have discovered that blocking nerve signals using surgery or Botox can slow stomach cancer growth and increase survival rates in mice. This finding offers a promising new treatment approach for this devastating disease, which affects over 2 million people worldwide.
The study reveals a higher incidence of SCID in newborns, with survival rates significantly improved through early detection and treatment. The expansion of newborn screening programs has led to better outcomes for affected infants.
A study at Huntsman Cancer Institute found compound mutations containing T315I confer complete resistance to all available TKIs, highlighting the need for new treatment options. Researchers have created a dataset that can help clinicians decide which drug will be most effective for each mutation combination.
A new commentary suggests China's high caesarean section rate is driven by factors such as provider incentives, cultural preferences, and the healthcare system's structure. The current rate of over 50% may be revised with the relaxation of the One Child Policy and an increase in repeat caesarean sections.
A new deep sequencing approach has identified subtle somatic mutations in patients with brain disorders, revealing previously missed genetic causes. The technique complements whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing, enabling the detection of mutations in as few as 10% of patients' blood cells.
The San Antonio Life Sciences Institute has awarded over $750,000 in grants to researchers studying the intersection of immunity, microorganisms, and cancer. These collaborations aim to address public health issues and diseases with global impact, such as diabetes and cancer.
A new University of Akron study reveals that increased workloads and less satisfying job duties during the Great Recession had little direct effect on the health of workers who survived job cuts. Instead, these workers were already accustomed to coping with stressful environments.
A study by UCLA and RAND Health found that providing futile treatment in the ICU sets off a chain reaction, delaying critical care for other ill patients. The study shows that on 16% of days when ICUs were full, one patient received futile treatment, causing others to wait longer for admission.
A new variety of Philippine tarsier has been genetically confirmed, shedding light on the species' taxonomic diversity and distribution. The discovery highlights the need for targeted conservation efforts to protect the critically endangered primate's genetic diversity and habitats.
Tropical Storm Lowell has strengthened in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, with powerful thunderstorms surrounding its center and cloud top temperatures near -63F. The storm is expected to continue strengthening due to moderate shear, high moisture, and warm water conditions.
NASA's TRMM satellite detected an isolated area of heavy rain remaining in Tropical Storm Karina, indicating a weakening uplift in the storm. The storm is forecast to turn westward and slow down soon, with two computer models predicting it will weaken to a tropical depression in about 72 hours.
According to a Penn State Abington sociologist, most women believe love is necessary for maximum sexual satisfaction in both relationships and marriage. The study found that love makes sex physically more pleasurable and increases feelings of trust and agency.
Scientists identify a molecule that blocks the effect of jasmonic acid, a plant hormone involved in flower formation, root growth and defence against herbivores. The discovery was made using a biological selection process involving intact plants.