A blood test has been developed to predict impending preterm birth, distinguishing between true and false labor in 70% of cases. The new test outperforms existing methods by using a set of nine genes coupled with clinical data, allowing for all women to be screened as part of routine blood work.
Researchers developed a modified flour powder that triggers beneficial desensitization reactions without causing allergic responses in laboratory tests. The technique could be adapted for other food allergies, offering new hope for people suffering from life-threatening peanut and other food allergies.
Research suggests that preschool teacher depression is associated with behavioral problems in children, including aggression, anxiety, and sadness. The study found a direct relationship between teacher depression and internalizing problems in children, as well as a lower-quality child care atmosphere.
Two medications, acamprosate and oral naltrexone, have shown promise in reducing return to drinking and improving other drinking outcomes. The study provides additional options for clinicians to address alcohol use disorders, a global concern associated with many health problems.
Researchers identified a mutated enzyme called LovD9 that produces simvastatin 1,000 times more efficiently than the natural enzyme. The team used computer simulations and X-ray crystallography to determine the molecular structures of both enzymes, revealing subtle variations in their behavior when immersed in water.
Research found that eyewitness accuracy decreases by 0.55% per yard in correct identifications, while false alarms increase by 0.44% per yard. The study's findings have implications for the trustworthiness of eyewitness accounts used in criminal cases.
Researchers analyzed the 1918 pandemic in Labrador, Canada and Alaska, finding environmental, nutritional and economic factors influenced morbidity. Lessons learned from this study can aid in improving infectious disease response by evaluating healthcare access, housing conditions and contingency plans.
Researchers confirm existence of Efimov state, a bound state of three particles, at vast distances between particles. The state was previously elusive to prove experimentally.
A new species of sea bass was discovered off the coast of Curacao after DNA barcoding revealed a match between its larval stage and adult, previously unknown species. The discovery highlights the importance of exploring underexplored deep-reef ecosystems in the southern Caribbean.
A University of Strathclyde report suggests that EU's ban on ditching unwanted fish could have unintended consequences on wildlife and fail to improve fish stocks. Changing fishing practices to eliminate unwanted catches has dramatic effects on the entire food web, with major benefits for birds, mammals, and fish stocks.
A genome-wide association study has identified a genetic marker associated with OCD, which could lead to new drugs and treatments for the debilitating disorder. The findings suggest a link between OCD and learning and memory, as well as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
The Signal Fire in New Mexico is a rapidly spreading wildfire with 507 firefighters and resources from NASA. The fire's cause is believed to be human, with evacuations ordered for residents near the affected area.
A new study published in Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis found no association between multiple-measure teaching effectiveness ratings and the content of teachers' instruction. The researchers suggest that value-added models are not useful for evaluating teacher performance or shaping classroom instruction.
Research by Grand Valley State University researchers found a strong correlation between women's empowerment and international athletic success, including more medals won and increased participation. The study controlled for other factors like population and wealth to show that gender equality was key to Olympic success.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a method to create air-stable water droplet networks that can simulate cell membranes. The technique, which uses a superhydrophobic surface infused with oil, enables the formation of interconnected water droplets without coalescing.
Researchers have developed a new concept for simplifying ultrafast lasers, enabling control over multiple parameters and excellent performance potential. The 'frequency domain optical parametric amplification' (FOPA) approach supersedes traditional time domain amplification schemes.
Practitioners can use shared decision making and motivational interviewing to adapt approaches for different clinical situations.
Researchers found that TB lung infection triggers immune system signaling to the gut, decreasing bacterial diversity. This decrease was observed within six days after infection and was replicated using a different strain of the TB microbe.
A first-year Environmental Science student at the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus published a literature review on the Southeast Asian monsoon in Geoscience Frontiers. The study found that future climate warming could lead to a 15-day delay in the monsoon onset by the start of the next century.
Griffith University's Institute for Glycomics has partnered with Sugar Research Australia to develop technologies for the Australian sugar industry, focusing on improving raw sugar quality. The collaboration aims to apply glycoscience expertise in disease prevention and cure to help manage aspects of raw sugar quality.
Despite declining global biodiversity, a recent study found that many ecosystems have remained stable, with no significant decrease in species richness. Instead, researchers discovered substantial changes in species composition, averaging 10% change per decade.
A newly discovered fish, Kryptoglanis shajii, has a unique combination of characteristics that set it apart from other catfishes. The fish's bone structure shows modified shapes and changes in certain bones, giving it a bulldog-like snout and conical teeth.
Scientists have discovered a new drug that significantly improves the effectiveness of radiotherapy in stopping tumor growth and increasing long-term survival. The combination treatment reduces secondary lung tumors and demonstrates potential for improved cancer treatment.
Physicist Yutaka Shikano has observed the Aharonov-Bohm effect with quantum tunneling in a linear Paul trap for the first time. The experiment demonstrates the measurable impact of a magnetic field on charged particles, verifying a fundamental component of modern physics.
A study by Grand Valley State University researchers found that nations with greater women's empowerment tend to win more Olympic medals and participate in the games more, regardless of gender. The effect is strongest for female athletes, but also applies to men, with greater equality associated with better success.
Men released from prison are more than twice as likely to die prematurely compared to those who have not been incarcerated. The 'mortality penalty' of incarceration includes increased exposure to diseases like TB and HIV, prolonged stress, and disruptions in social bonds.
Patients with immunosuppressive conditions are at high risk of shingles but lack access to vaccination due to safety concerns. Alternative strategies must be developed to reduce shingles risk among these patient groups.
Dr. Kevin Conway and his team have made two groundbreaking discoveries in the study of Western Atlantic Clingfishes. The researchers identified a new species of clingfish less than an inch long and discovered a unique venom gland in a well-studied group of fish, highlighting the vast diversity and complexity of marine ecosystems.
Researchers found that a revised version of the Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire, shortened from 87 to 20 items, can also assess symptoms of depression and anxiety. The study's findings suggest that the questionnaire may be a useful tool for understanding mental health disorders beyond OCD.
The Protein Data Bank has surpassed 100,000 entries, providing a wealth of structural data for researchers to understand biological mechanisms and discover new medicines. The archive's growth is driven by the efforts of structural biologists worldwide, who continue to deposit new structures and improve the resource.
Researchers have discovered a gas giant exoplanet, GU Psc b, located 2,000 times closer to its star than Earth is to the Sun. The planet's massive size and distance from its star make it an ideal object for studying giant exoplanets.
A recent study assembled a large dataset using ancient moa DNA and found convincing evidence that tinamous are closely related to extinct moas, leading to independent loss of flight. Morphological characters of ratites were mostly convergent, evolving independently as adaptations to a cursorial lifestyle.
A study published in mBio reveals that humans and companion animals share the same types of MRSA infections, indicating a common population of bacteria. The research suggests that antibiotic usage in animal medicine is shaping the human pathogen, and healthy pets are not likely to pick up MRSA from their human companions.
Researchers used fossil beetles to determine winter temperatures in 50-million-year-old uplands of British Columbia and Washington, revealing mild, frost-free winters. This discovery may help scientists understand how natural communities are impacted by climate change.
A study by neuroscientists at the University of Pennsylvania found that stimulation of dopamine-containing neurons can modify human learning. When participants received a reward, they tended to repeat the button press that resulted in the reward, even when it was no longer associated with the action.
Researchers found that European birds are expanding their ranges into UK nature reserves, but non-native wetland birds such as the Black Swan and Egyptian Goose are also invading protected areas. The study highlights the importance of conservation efforts to tackle these invasions and protect native species.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles have discovered a novel target, B-cell activating receptor (BAFF-R), for chemotherapy-resistant leukemia cells. By targeting this receptor, the team was able to selectively kill cancer cells in mouse models and increase killing of leukemia cells by natural killer cells and macrophages.
Professional surfer Richie Lovett has made a full recovery from clear cell chondrosarcoma, an uncommon form of bone cancer, thanks to pioneering surgical procedures. The groundbreaking technique developed by Dr. Earl Warren Brien removed the tumor and damaged bone in its entirety, replacing it with a prosthetic implant.
Researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine report that people living with depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions are twice as likely to have tried e-cigarettes and three times as likely to be current users. They also face a higher risk of trying e-cigarettes in the future.
A 1993 trial found no survival advantage in second look surgery for colorectal cancer patients with high CEA levels. The new analysis confirms this finding, despite methodological changes over the past two decades.
Researchers found weak gravitational lensing in CMB polarization data, allowing detailed maps of the universe and constraining neutrino mass estimates. The discovery provides a firm test for general relativity on cosmological scales.
A Mayo Clinic review of 47 studies found that complex, patient-centered interventions can reduce 30-day readmissions by almost 40%. These interventions include in-person visits to patients' homes after discharge to assess their living environment and needs.
Scientists studied plant species Rumex hastatulus to understand the earliest stages of Y-chromosome degeneration. They found genes had already started to undergo genetic degeneration despite their recent origin, with degeneration depending on how long ago genes stopped recombining with each other.
A pre-treatment snack improved treatment uptake for schistosomiasis in Ugandan schoolchildren, with higher rates of drug adherence and lower infection rates. The study found that providing a snack before mass treatment increased uptake by 15.2% compared to schools without snacks.
Researchers developed a new, high-tech device for transferring DNA into cells with minimal stress, reducing cell death rates. The MEMS nanoinjector uses electrical forces to inject DNA into cells without using extra fluid.
A new paper in Physics of Fluids provides a more consistent way to describe the forces acting on waves and undertows. The researchers found that different approaches were due to incorrect handling of weak forces, not methodology. This advance enables better models for predicting beach erosion and can help preserve shorelines.
A study by UCLA researchers found that treating older men with early-stage prostate cancer who also have other serious underlying health problems with aggressive therapies does not help them live longer. In fact, it can be detrimental and result in additional health issues such as impotence, urinary incontinence, and bowel problems.
A study found that using positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography before surgery did not improve outcomes for patients with colorectal cancer and limited liver spread. The study suggests that PET-CT scans may not be necessary to change surgical management in these cases.
Experts argue that education policy should focus on promoting students' broader wellbeing and development to benefit their academic learning. Research suggests that schools neglecting students' health may be actively harming it, with negative impacts on mental health and overall student success.
A study published in JAMA found that further imaging using positron emission tomography (PET) scans before surgery did not significantly change the surgical treatment of colorectal cancer with liver metastases. The study enrolled 404 patients and involved 21 surgeons at nine hospitals in Ontario.
A Baylor University study reveals that making amends gives permission to let go of feelings of guilt and shame, allowing individuals to forgive themselves for past wrongs. The research also found that women are less self-forgiving than men and that the more serious the offense, the less likely one is to self-forgive.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) saw a significant increase in emergency department visits, with rates rising by 29% between 2006 and 2010. The majority of visits were for minor injuries, and most patients were discharged from the ED.
A recent review warns of the dangers of smart drugs on young people's developing brains, highlighting the potential for long-term impairments and decreased brain plasticity. Methylphenidate and modafinil, two popular smart drugs, have been found to cause these effects in young brains.
A new study by UTMB researchers discovered that exposure to oxidative stress, triggered by cigarette smoke, leads to premature aging of the placenta. This can result in preterm birth, a condition affecting millions worldwide. The findings suggest alternative strategies may be needed to prevent preterm births beyond current interventions.
Researchers have found that suppressing hyperactivity of calcium channels alleviated FAD-like symptoms in mice models, indicating a potential therapeutic target. The findings suggest that modulating calcium signaling could be explored as a new approach for treating familial Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers discovered that nimotuzumab promotes autophagic cell death, enhancing the antitumor effects of chemotherapy and radiation in ESCC cells with high EGFR expression. This finding suggests a potential strategy for improving therapeutic efficacy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.
A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences has found that most supposed impact indicators at 29 sites are too old or too young to be remnants of an ancient comet. The researchers tested existing stratigraphic and chronological data sets to determine if these markers dated to the onset of the Younger Dr...
Researchers at the Salk Institute used stem cells to study neural function in people with schizophrenia, finding unusual activity in early developmental stages that may lead to diagnostic tests. The study suggests that events during pregnancy could contribute to the disease.
A comprehensive analysis of over 120 studies reveals that medications like acamprosate and oral naltrexone show promise in decreasing alcohol consumption, with an average number needed to treat (NNT) of 12 for both. These findings highlight the potential benefits of medication-assisted treatment for adults with alcohol use disorders.
Two new genes, FOXM1 and CENPF, linked to more aggressive prostate cancer have been discovered. A new approach in the treatment of these patients is being developed using computer algorithms and biomarkers.