An interdisciplinary team proposes a thought-provoking answer to how plants and animals evolved different forms in response to the same mathematical and physical principles. By applying a famous mathematical formula, the team explains decades worth of real-world observations, revealing why plants and animals have similar energy efficie...
A new study from Cornell University researchers challenges the notion that momentum plays a significant role in sports performance. Despite appearances, winning streaks have little to do with momentum. Winning the first game of a weekend series does not impact the probability of winning the second, according to the study.
A study led by University of British Columbia researchers reveals how the fatal neurodegenerative disease ALS is transmitted from cell to cell. The research shows that misfolded non-mutant SOD1 can be transmitted regionally in the nervous system, offering a molecular explanation for ALS progression.
The 1932 Lake Placid Winter Olympics were shaped by the need for a world-class bobsled facility after eight crashes marred practice runs. The site's design, including unique drops and upward slopes, has influenced Sochi's slide, highlighting the Olympic Games' ongoing struggle with safety and environmental concerns.
A new study utilizing archaeological reports of over half a million fish bones from Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington State found that long-ago herring populations were consistently abundant and widespread for thousands of years. This contrasts with today's dwindling and erratic herring numbers.
Research by T. Brad Harris and colleagues found that perceived job insecurity is linked to lower use of workplace support programs, increased work-life conflict, and emotional exhaustion. To address this issue, organizations should communicate the value of these programs and help employees recognize their worth.
In 1917 Einstein applied general relativity to a static universe, introducing the cosmological constant to address gravitational collapse. He resisted expanding universe views despite contemporary suggestions from astrophysicists Alexander Friedman and Georges Lemaître.
The Center will conduct high-quality research on patient-centered outcomes and comparative-effectiveness research, focusing on underserved populations. It aims to inform decision-making by assessing the benefits and harms of different interventions.
A researcher analyzes the necessary conditions for a society to become a democracy, highlighting the importance of social protest and the role of institutions. The study suggests that a dynamic between state institutions and Basque society is crucial for enabling democratic processes.
Researchers have identified a biological marker for major depression in teenage boys, combining elevated cortisol levels with depressive symptoms. The study found that these individuals are up to fourteen times more likely to develop major depression than those without these traits.
A Vanderbilt study finds that premature babies who receive a combination of their mother's voice and a pacifier-activated music player learn to eat more efficiently and have their feeding tubes removed sooner. The intervention also reduces stress and shortens hospitalization times.
Geophysicist Seth Stein warns that humans are often outsmarted by nature during disasters, causing unnecessary damage despite expensive mitigation measures. Stein advocates for a thoughtful approach to disaster preparedness, integrating science, economics, and policy formulation to make informed decisions.
High-resolution CT scans can detect IPF by identifying a characteristic honeycombing pattern in lung scarring. This non-invasive method may replace surgical lung biopsies in some cases, reducing substantial risks associated with the procedure.
A study of a sea sponge reveals that complex life can survive with extremely low oxygen levels, challenging the long-held theory that high oxygen levels were necessary for animal evolution. This finding suggests alternative ecological and evolutionary mechanisms may have played a role in the origin of animals.
A longitudinal study by Boston Children's Hospital reveals that the negative effects of bullying can accumulate and worsen over time. The study found that children who experienced chronic bullying reported poor mental and physical health, including depressive symptoms and difficulties engaging in physical activities.
Recent advances in data analysis technology have given federal controllers new weapons in the fight against Medicare and Medicaid fraud. Researchers found that for every dollar spent on fraud control, $7 was returned, with significant recoveries made in fiscal years 2011 and 2012.
A study from Michigan Medicine and Georgia Regents University identified a protein that increases cancer stem cells in triple-negative breast cancer. The researchers found that blocking this inflammatory pathway with the drug bortezomib may reduce cancer stem cells and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers analyzed T cell receptor sequences to understand immune system reconstitution following high-dose immunosuppression. CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes exhibit different reconstitution patterns, with dominant clones expanded or undetectable at 12 months post-transplant.
The Yale School of Environment journal examines the benefits and limitations of environmental footprinting, a concept that summarizes human impact on the planet. The field continues to evolve, offering new opportunities for collaboration and precision in assessing sustainability.
A team of Leeds researchers has built the world's most powerful terahertz laser chip, more than doubling previous records. The achievement showcases the expertise developed at Leeds in fabricating layered semiconductors and engineering them into powerful laser devices.
Researchers have developed a new device that detects atrial fibrillation in 30% of cryptogenic stroke patients, allowing for improved prevention of future strokes. The device uses a tiny implantable cardiac monitor to capture abnormal ECG activity and has been shown to be more effective than standard tests.
Researchers found that sweet taste receptors on solitary chemosensory cells control the release of AMPs, which kill bacteria and viruses. This discovery may lead to new treatments for chronic sinusitis and other respiratory infections.
A commonly-used HIV drug has been shown to kill-off the human papilloma virus (HPV) that leads to cervical cancer. The study found a high proportion of women diagnosed with HPV positive high-grade disease returned to normal following a short course of the new treatment.
A new method for purifying peptide-based drugs has been developed by a chemist at Michigan Technological University, separating perfect peptides from those that don't make the grade in just two hours. The process reduces waste and is cheaper than existing methods, offering a promising alternative for treating diseases like cancer and HIV.
Kidney cancer cells exhibit distinct metabolic differences compared to other cancers, providing a potential weak link for diagnosis and treatment. This discovery opens the door to new biomarkers and therapeutic approaches for detecting kidney cancer at an early stage.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have developed high-temperature piezoelectric materials, allowing for electronic monitoring in extreme environments. The new materials, compatible with existing manufacturing methods, have vast potential applications in industries such as aerospace, oil and gas, and nuclear power.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have identified a new way psoralen works to kill tumor cells, including a direct anti-tumor effect on HER2 overexpressing breast cancer cells. Psoralen blocks the signaling pathway of the HER2 receptor, shutting down uncontrolled cell growth and leading to aggressive cancer.
Researchers found that specific small non-coding RNAs near gene start sites can distinguish between cancerous and non-cancerous tissues. These RNA molecules may also predict cancer survival outcomes and have potential as diagnostic tools.
Researchers at the University of Kent have discovered a new strategy for controlling brown rot disease, a major problem for the UK's stone fruit producers. Biological control agents derived from UK cherries and plums show promise in preventing the disease in controlled conditions.
A pre-clinical study suggests that dinaciclib, a CDK inhibitor, can improve the effectiveness of certain therapies for multiple myeloma and myeloid leukemia by disrupting the unfolded protein response (UPR) in cancer cells. The UPR is a cell survival mechanism that allows cancer cells to combat damage caused by anti-cancer agents.
A survey of American views on religion and science found that only 27% of respondents believed in conflict between the two, while nearly half of evangelicals saw a collaborative relationship. Evangelicals were also more likely to turn to religious leaders for scientific questions.
A recent survey found that 64% of small businesses experience employee theft, but only 16% report it to the police. The most common items stolen were cash and products sold by the business. Employees most likely to steal are general or first-line employees, often due to lack of trust and opportunities for easy theft.
Researchers developed a new form of soft matter that moves and reshapes itself in response to external stimuli, storing energy like living organisms. This 'living liquid crystal' holds promise for improving early disease detection, monitoring biological processes, and creating microfluidic biological sensors.
A new study by the American Academy of Neurology found that football helmets on average reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury by only 20 percent compared to not wearing a helmet. The study also showed that some helmet brands, such as the Adams a2000, provide better protection against concussion and closed head injury than others.
A recent study has found that European beavers have low genetic diversity due to human hunting. The research, led by University of York Professor Michi Hofreiter, analyzed ancient and modern DNA to show that the beaver population was heavily impacted by expanding human populations over thousands of years.
Researchers at KAIST developed K-Glass, a wearable HMD with an augmented reality (AR) processor that works like human vision, improving power efficiency and speed. The processor enables efficient AR experiences in various environments, including outdoor spaces without barcodes or markers.
The new vaccine technology uses reengineered salmonella to deliver protective immunity against various infections. The study demonstrates a 10-fold improvement in salmonella survivability in a mouse model, modified to mimic human stomach acid conditions, offering hope for safe and effective oral vaccines.
Studies reveal that infants with a heartier appetite grow more rapidly, potentially putting them at increased risk for obesity. Additionally, children with lower satiety responsiveness are more likely to have genetic predisposition to obesity, highlighting potential targets for pharmacological and behavioral interventions.
Boundary organizations facilitate communication between scientists, stakeholders, and policymakers to address pressing environmental challenges like water availability and species decline. Effective collaboration requires integrating diverse perspectives and knowledge in a neutral environment to inform environmental decisions.
A new study published in IOP Publishing's journal Environmental Research Letters warns that abrupt stopping of the geoengineering method could lead to rapid and extensive warming. The researchers found that global temperatures could more than double if the method is implemented for a multi-decadal period and then suddenly stopped.
Rice University researchers conducted a two-year census of 4,500 possible cap formations for nanotubes, finding that the elastic energy landscapes involved in cap formation do not dictate the nanotube's chirality. Instead, other factors such as catalyst interaction and energy landscape play a crucial role.
Research found that boys are at greater risk for delayed language development than girls, with family reading and writing difficulties increasing the risk. The study also highlights the importance of early identification and enabling language environments to support children with delayed language development.
Researchers found that a 25-minute daily visual training program improved the players' acuity and peripheral vision. This resulted in better on-field performance, including reduced strikeout rates and increased runs scored.
Researchers have identified how dengue virus enters cells using the DC-SIGN protein. Strong neutralization antibodies block this process, offering hope for vaccine development to combat the global mosquito-borne disease. The study's findings could lead to improved prevention and treatment of dengue fever.
Researchers from NUS have discovered laminin-5 gamma-2 as a potential target for treating anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC), a highly aggressive and untreatable form of cancer. The protein's silencing inhibited tumour growth, cell migration, and invasion in ATC cells.
Aortic valve replacement improves symptoms but may not improve overall quality of life for high-risk patients. Researchers found rituximab to be ineffective in treating primary Sjögren's syndrome, while microsporidiosis should be considered in febrile transplant patients, especially those with unexplained illnesses.
Novel emerging pathogens often have significant impacts on human health, with RNA viruses being a major cause of these infections. Early detection and response are crucial for effective disease containment or mitigation, using tools like bio-surveillance, molecular diagnostics, and Next Gen sequencing.
Researchers are exploring the properties of amyloid beta peptides, implicated in Alzheimer's disease. By understanding their behavior, they hope to identify structures that lead to toxic aggregates and develop treatments.
Scientists propose that conventional steroid treatments deliver medication in a way that disrupts the body's natural hormone release patterns, leading to debilitating side effects. The report recommends developing novel techniques to mimic these natural cycles, which could alleviate suffering for patients.
Researchers found that high dream recallers show stronger brain activity in areas involved in attention and memory, suggesting increased ability to encode dreams in memory. This study provides insights into the neural mechanisms behind dream recall and has implications for understanding the mysteries of dreaming.
A study published at University of Cambridge finds that high cortisol levels can lead to risk aversion among traders, contributing to market instability. The research suggests that chronically raised cortisol levels can decrease willingness to take risks, even when markets are crashing.
Researchers found that judges are more likely to side with public majority sentiment on the death penalty after being targeted by moneyed interest groups. The study used a large dataset of over 12,000 votes from 27 years and found that judicial behaviors changed with the rise of new-style campaigns.
Mosaic, a new digital publication, will explore the science of life through long-form features, articles, and films. The Wellcome Trust-backed platform aims to explain scientific developments in context, making it accessible to all curious about science.
A neurotensin conjugate has shown effective transportation across the blood brain barrier and dose-dependent pain relief in animal models. In contrast, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been found to impact T cell repertoire in multiple sclerosis patients, with diverse repertoires associated with better treatment responses.
Researchers from Ben-Gurion University found that liquid fertilizing techniques through drip irrigation result in lower groundwater pollution rates compared to intensive organic farming. High nitrate concentrations in aquifer water lead to drinking-water well shutdowns due to down leaching of nitrates under intensive organic farming.
Climate change is expected to increase heat waves in the Midwest, claiming hundreds of lives annually. A model developed by MSU systems ecologist Laura Schmitt-Olabisi reveals limitations of previous approaches to reducing deaths and hospitalizations caused by extreme heat.