A University of Houston researcher is working on developing plant-based plastics that can match the strength, flexibility, and durability of petroleum-based polymers. The goal is to create biodegradable materials with better mechanical properties and a reduced environmental impact.
A team of scientists at the University of Basel has elucidated a second information pathway taken by motor commands, revealing a complex network of communication between the spinal cord and brain. This dual information stream enables precise control of fine motor behavior, such as arm and hand movements.
The report estimates new cancer cases and deaths among children and adolescents in the US, summarizing data on incidence, mortality, and survival. Childhood cancers remain a significant cause of death, with many long-term health issues affecting survivors, and only a small percentage having known preventable causes.
Researchers at Linköping University have developed a method to emit polarized light directly from quantum dots, achieving an average polarization of 84%. This breakthrough enables the creation of more efficient polarized light-emitting diodes for LCD screens and wiretap-proof communications.
Researchers at Kessler Foundation found the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) to be a reliable predictor of employment status in people with MS, distinguishing employed from unemployed individuals. The study analyzed demographic and disease-related factors to identify predictors of employment status.
A study at Lund University Diabetes Centre found that gastric bypass surgery increases the number of beta cells and improves their function in pigs. The procedure raised blood sugar levels without weight loss or reduced food intake, contradicting previous assumptions.
Researchers discovered how the Phytophthora infestans pathogen adapted to spread between plant species by secreting specialized substances that shut down host defences. By understanding this process, scientists can develop proteases that detect and resist these stealthy molecular mechanisms.
Researchers found statistically significant reduction in water use only in the month of the workshop, but this impact is short-lived. To sustain reductions, reinforcement of educational messages is required.
A study found that invasive pests compromised the ability of native tree species to recover from tropical cyclone damage. The invasive insects caused stem decay and reduced the trees' tolerance to external forces, resulting in 100% mortality of snapped stems during Typhoon Chaba.
A study found that young adults who cared for animals reported feeling more connected to their communities and having empathy. The quality of the animal relationship was a key factor in developing positive youth development characteristics.
Researchers found that treating a peanut allergy with oral immunotherapy changes the DNA of immune cells, which could serve as a basis for a simple blood test to monitor long-term effectiveness. The study involved 20 peanut-allergic children and adults who completed two years of immunotherapy.
A new study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery found that football helmets with improved design can significantly reduce concussion risk. The research analyzed head impact data from eight collegiate teams and showed a 54% reduction in concussions for players wearing Riddell Revolution helmets compared to VSR4 helmets.
System 91S is experiencing strong wind shear, elongated circulation, and broken convection. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center expects the system to weaken as it moves south through the Mozambique Channel.
A new study by Case Western Reserve University neuroscientists found that autistic children's brains produce more information when not actively engaging with the world. This excess information generation may explain their characteristic withdrawal into self, or introspection.
A team of Canadian biologists developed a framework to protect fish and ecosystems, highlighting the importance of connecting waterways, protecting habitats, and adopting adaptive management strategies. The 9 guiding principles aim to promote sustainable fisheries and conserve biodiversity.
Researchers discovered that fruit flies' biochemical pathway to fight fungal infections is compromised after space flight, while bacterial infection defense remains intact. The study offers a promising lead in understanding the impact of microgravity on human immune systems, paving the way for future research with astronauts.
A crucial amino acid signal regulates centrosome duplication and its absence leads to pathologically altered cells found in people with microcephaly. This discovery sheds light on the development of this neurodevelopmental disorder.
A study by researchers in South Korea found that children engage in moderate- to high-intensity physical activities while gardening. The research informs the development of garden-based therapeutic interventions for youth and promotes healthy lifestyles.
Researchers found that citrus plants watered regularly in controlled environments exhibited reduced transpiration and stomatal closure when exposed to low temperatures. High soil moisture content was key to minimizing drought stress on the trees. The study's findings could impact commercial citrus growers' traditional irrigation methods.
LineUp is an open-source application that allows users to assign weights to different parameters and create a custom ranking. It introduces a dynamic element to static analysis, enabling side-by-side comparisons of alternative weighting systems.
A study published in Psychological Science found that infants can pick up on their mother's stress and show corresponding physiological changes. Infants of mothers who received negative feedback during an evaluation session showed significant increases in heart rate relative to baseline.
Researchers found that the current US Preventive Services Task Force strategy identifies only 34% of women in this age group with osteoporosis. This could lead to missed opportunities for fracture risk reduction among high-risk women.
Researchers at St. Michael's Hospital found that consuming fructose may increase total cholesterol and postprandial triglycerides, but not affect insulin production or markers of fatty liver disease more than glucose. Fructose showed potential benefits over glucose in some key risk factor categories.
A study involving 174 couples found that discussing five relationship movies over a month can reduce the three-year divorce rate for newlyweds in half. The inexpensive and fun movie-and-talk approach was found to be as effective as other more intensive therapist-led methods, with only an 11% divorce rate after three years.
Researchers found that retrieval practice (RP) significantly improved memory in individuals with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), particularly after short delays. RP was more effective than massed restudy (MR) or spaced restudy (SR) strategies, indicating its potential to improve real-life performance.
Researchers at Michigan State University have developed a new approach to assess the long-term impact of conservation efforts by considering human behavior and ecological gains. The study uses an agent-based modeling approach to simulate how conservation policies can affect outcomes over decades.
Dr. Ronald G. Crystal developed the first in vivo adenoviral gene delivery vector, accelerating gene therapy translation from lab to clinic. The Pioneer Award recognizes his seminal work on adenoviral vectors.
Tropical Depression Kajiki is bringing heavy rainfall to an already soggy area in the central Philippines. The depression was captured by NASA's Aqua satellite, showing powerful storms and high cloud tops, with winds sustained at 16 mph.
TRMM satellite data revealed moderate to heavy rainfall rates of over 31 mm/h as Tropical Storm Dylan approached the Australian coast. The storm made landfall on January 30 and was quickly weakening as it moved inland.
Researchers discover that Ataxin-7 anchors a key module in the SAGA complex, which regulates thousands of genes. Without Ataxin-7, this module becomes overactive, leading to misregulation of genes and neurodegeneration in fruit flies.
Three native Mediterranean plant species were found suitable for use in extensive green roof design. Locally produced grape marc compost promoted drought resistance without compromising plant growth. Substrate depth and irrigation frequency had varying effects on the plants' growth, but shallow compost-amended substrate with sparse irr...
A new X-ray method allows researchers to determine the atomic structure of material surfaces, enabling deeper understanding of catalytic behavior at the atomic level. The method reduces analysis time from ten hours to just ten minutes, paving the way for optimized catalyst design and improved reaction control.
A study published in Nature Neuroscience suggests that abnormal gene expression resulting from DNA relaxation can be detected in the brain and blood of Alzheimer's patients. The researchers propose that drugs modifying DNA structure may be beneficial for treating Alzheimer's disease, paving the way for epigenetic-based therapies.
Circumbinary planets are thought to have formed far from their binary star systems before migrating to their current location. Researchers used computer simulations to model the early stages of planet formation around Kepler-34(AB)b and found that the majority must have formed much further away.
Studies of adult twins and adolescents reveal a strong connection between short or long sleep durations and increased risk of depressive symptoms. Optimal sleep duration is essential for mental health, suggesting that prioritizing sleep may enhance treatment effectiveness for depression.
Researchers found that wolves can open a box using a method they observed a dog demonstrate, while dogs relied on random selection. The study suggests that wolves' superior problem-solving ability may stem from their reliance on cooperation with conspecifics.
Researchers found that dormant prostate cancer cells can be reactivated by factors produced in inflammatory cells, such as RANKL. This discovery may allow for the development of new interventions to prevent disease progression and prolong survival.
A recent study published in Science has discovered that vibrations can influence the circadian clock of a fruit fly, with exposure to 12-hour cycles of vibration and silence synchronising the fly's internal clock and corresponding daily locomotor activity.
Researchers identified a single gene, Ultrabithorax (Ubx), responsible for leg and wing development in honeybees. Ubx represses the development of bristles on hind legs, creating a smooth surface for packing pollen, which is absent in queens.
Researchers at Dartmouth have developed a protocol to harvest and culture mouse melanoma cells, which are rare in human form but prevalent in mice. This breakthrough allows for more accurate modeling of human melanoma, potentially leading to new treatments.
A study found that reducing nitrogen levels and using selected cultivars minimizes environmental impact in greenhouse pepper production. The research demonstrates how the environmental impact of intensive agriculture can be minimized without harming fruit yield or quality.
A new study found that lemur lovers mirror each other's scent-marking behavior and emit similar odors, possibly as a way to defend territory or advertise their relationship status. The study revealed that lemur couples with kids have more similar scents than those without offspring.