Researchers have created synthetic analogs of biological membrane channels using carbon nanotubes, enabling precise control over ion transport and potential applications in drug delivery, biosensing, and synthetic cells. The discovery holds promise for targeted treatment and precise molecular transport.
Adults with eczema are more likely to experience accidental bone fractures and other injuries, according to a new Northwestern University study. The increased risk may be linked to the side effects of steroids and sedating antihistamines commonly prescribed for eczema.
A nationwide study reveals that adults with eczema are more likely to suffer from fractures and bone or joint injuries. The prevalence of such limitations was found to be twice as high in adults with eczema compared to those without the condition, suggesting a previously unrecognized risk factor for injury.
A review of research published by the American Academy of Neurology found that low-carb diets, such as the ketogenic diet, may reduce seizures in adults with tough-to-treat epilepsy. The diets were moderately to very effective, with a 50% or better reduction in seizures experienced by 32% of participants.
A new technique enables continuous ECG surveillance during marathon races, potentially saving lives. The system uses Bluetooth and mobile phone networks to transmit data in real-time, with rapid transfer times and high accuracy.
A multi-center trial found similar survival rates in children with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who received one or two units of partially matched cord blood. The study revealed improved recovery rates and lower risks of complications when using a double cord blood approach.
Researchers are analyzing the changing populations of bugs and bacteria at crime scenes to provide crucial details such as geographical location, gender, and socioeconomic relations. The approach aims to aid investigators in solving cold cases by creating a repository of microbial community data for future reference.
A study published in Current Biology found that the brain's response to disgusting images can reliably predict a person's political affiliation. The researchers used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to analyze brain activity while participants viewed neutral, pleasant, and disgusting images.
Researchers found that plants produce special molecules called sinapate esters to protect themselves from harsh ultraviolet-B radiation. These molecules appear to block UVB radiation from penetrating deeper into leaves, hindering plant growth. The study provides insight into the mechanics of how these natural plant sunscreens work.
A large national study comparing bariatric surgery procedures found that bypass resulted in greater weight loss, but more short-term complications than banding. Patients who underwent bypass also had a lower risk of reoperations over the long term.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed an iPhone app called BiliCam to determine the severity of jaundice in newborns without drawing blood. The app has the potential to improve healthcare in the US and save thousands of lives in low-resource countries.
A simplified frailty index based on the ACS NSQIP database can predict mortality and serious complications in older patients. Patients with high frailty scores had a significantly higher mortality rate and risk of postoperative complications.
A study found that heavy drinking in adolescence can lead to structural changes in the brain and memory deficits that persist into adulthood. Rats given daily access to alcohol during adolescence had reduced myelin levels and performed worse on a memory test later in life.
A CU Denver study reveals that upgrading bridges, roads and infrastructure can help mitigate flood damage. The researchers suggest using scour control methods and improving construction materials to increase resilience against future flooding.
Spices and herbs have been shown to reduce sodium intake by up to 966mg/day, increase satiety, and enhance energy metabolism. They also show promise in improving insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular health. A call to action is issued to bring flavor to the forefront of public health conversations.
Researchers used powerful lasers to create colliding jets of plasma, mimicking cosmic explosions and planetary cores. They also recreated a tiny laboratory version of solar flares and stellar explosions, creating a gigantic plasma tsunami in space.
Researchers developed a new way to calculate the electrical properties of individual components in composite materials, which could improve the energy efficiency of medical refrigerators, air-conditioned car seats, and other thermoelectric applications. The technique uses effective medium theory and allows for the separation of phase p...
A new study by NYU researchers reveals that individuals tend to prioritize restoring what they've lost rather than punishing an offender. When directly affected, people show a strong preference for compensation, whereas as third-party observers, they become more punitive.
A study of nearly 12,000 people in Belarus found that higher radiation doses were associated with more aggressive tumor features, such as spread to lymphatic vessels. The findings have implications for those exposed to radioactive iodine fallout from the Fukushima nuclear reactor incidents.
A new study found that children under 18 with appendicitis are more likely to experience a ruptured appendix if they live in areas with severe shortages of general surgeons. Younger children, especially those under 5, face the greatest risk due to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
A research team at UMass Amherst aims to understand the complex interactions between content providers, ISPs, and CDNs, with the goal of improving online video streaming quality. The researchers plan to apply interdisciplinary techniques from control theory and network algorithmics to develop new architectures for better coordination.
Researchers at Royal Holloway are working on a novel treatment for spinal cord injury, using an engineered form of chondroitinase to break down scar tissue and promote regeneration. The project aims to overcome the technical hurdle of delivering the protein to the injury site, a crucial step towards translating it into a clinical therapy.
Breeding salt-tolerant crops could be a game-changer in addressing soil salinity issues, threatening 3 hectares of usable land every minute. Researchers propose using 'salt bladders' to deposit excess salt, inspired by naturally salt-loving plants.
Researchers have successfully crystallized carbon monoxide bound to the FeMo-cofactor of nitrogenase, a long-sought structure that could reveal the enzyme's mechanism. The breakthrough, achieved by Thomas Spatzal and colleagues, uses optimized crystallization methods and tiny crystal seeds to accelerate growth.
Post-tropical cyclone Ana's remnant clouds are causing heavy rain and strong gusts in British Columbia, Canada. Environment Canada has issued wind warnings for several regions, with sustained winds near 21-29 mph (34-47 kph) reported at major airports.
Elderly men with self-reported sleep disturbances are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. A 40-year follow-up period revealed that late-life sleep disturbances significantly increase the risk. Regular good sleep habits may support brain health and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Research by Michigan State University scholars found that financial experts fail to consistently beat non-professional investors, suggesting average investors might handle their own portfolios for better results.
The NIH has awarded a $29 million cooperative agreement to investigate four rare disorders: Rett syndrome, MECP2 Duplications, CDKL5 disorder, and FOXG1 syndrome. The study aims to understand the core clinical features of each disorder and identify factors that can modify their severity.
The Lancet Commission argues that cultural understanding is crucial for advancing healthcare and prioritizing individual and community wellbeing. The commission highlights the need for greater recognition of cultural assumptions and biases among medical professionals.
Kokabee was imprisoned for refusing to contribute to weapons research in Iran and awarded the American Physical Society's Andrei Sakharov Prize for his courage. He continues to study from prison, teaching physics classes and promoting education among fellow inmates.
A recent study highlights the dangers of women delaying medical attention for heart symptoms, citing a higher likelihood of severe or advanced stage treatment options being limited. Women often attribute symptoms to other possibilities and exhibit an optimistic bias, waiting longer to seek care than men.
Canadian health organizations call on governments to implement policies that facilitate access to affordable healthy foods and beverages in workplaces, schools, and communities. This can help prevent diet-related diseases like obesity and hypertension, ultimately improving cardiovascular health.
Researchers at the DIII-D tokamak have demonstrated that lithium injections can transiently double temperature and pressure at the plasma edge, delaying instabilities. The results show a 60% increase in total energy-confinement time and improved performance of the plasma.
Scientists have created a voice recognition system that can identify subtle cues in speech to determine attitudes and opinions. The system, developed by researchers at the University of Washington, uses audio recordings to recognize patterns in speech, such as faster talking speeds and louder pitches when expressing strong opinions.
A pilot clinical trial at UTHealth Medical School found that AHCC increased the number and activity of Natural Killer cells, helping fight off infections and tumor growth. Five women achieved negative HPV test results after six months of treatment, with confirmed eradication in three.
Tea and citrus fruits/juices associated with reduced risk of developing ovarian cancer. Flavonols/flavanones found in foods high in these compounds significantly decrease ovarian cancer risk.
The VOICE trial found that regular use of tenofovir gel reduced the risk of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) acquisition by 46 percent. Women who used the gel regularly were 20.2 percent likely to acquire HSV-2 compared to 11.6 percent among those who didn
Susan R. Wessler, a world-renowned expert in transposable elements, has been awarded the McClintock Prize for her exceptional contributions to plant genome structure, function, and evolution. Her research on plant transposable elements has led to significant findings on the impact of these elements on plant genomes.
A recent study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev found that two-thirds of falls in basketball were intentional and 90% of the time no foul was awarded. The researchers believe that flopping does more harm than good from a team perspective, as it leaves teams with fewer defenders on the court.
Researchers at TUM developed a new process combining membrane separation processes to reduce energy consumption in powdered milk and whey production. By achieving higher dry matter concentrations, they can cut the energy consumed in subsequent evaporation and drying steps.
Researchers found that cautious fish are more vulnerable to fishing, while active exploratory behavior increases risk. Fish reared in enriched environments outperform those in traditional environments, showing improved survival rates in the wild.
Researchers are investigating the effects of aspirin and statins on preventing cardiovascular disease in people with long-term HIV infections. The study aims to reduce inflammation and improve blood vessel health in participants.
A recent study published in Geology reveals that harmonic tremor occurs within mountain glaciers and that individual icequakes can exhibit harmonic properties. This discovery suggests a complex network of fluid-induced fracture processes at the glacier base, which can lead to damaging floods in valleys below the glacier.
Researchers at CUORE collaboration achieve temperatures approaching absolute zero to study neutrinos, ghostlike particles crucial for matter's existence. The cooled chamber will house an ultra-sensitive detector for rare process called neutrinoless double-beta decay.
According to a new study, teenagers who live in California cities with strong social host laws are less likely to report drinking at parties. The researchers found a correlation between the laws and reduced underage drinking, but noted that more research is needed to determine the laws' effectiveness.
A new nanoparticle-based material developed by the University of California, San Diego, can absorb and convert over 90 percent of sunlight into heat. This breakthrough aims to improve concentrating solar power plants' efficiency, making them more competitive with traditional energy sources.
A simple awareness-raising campaign reduced distracted driving incidents by 50% among hospital staff. The intervention educated employees about the dangers of texting and cell phone use while driving, with significant long-term impact.
A new analysis of over 12,000 outbreaks affecting 44 million people worldwide reveals a rising trend in global infectious disease outbreaks, with 65% caused by zoonoses. Despite this increase, the impact of outbreaks is declining on a per capita basis.
A large analysis of over 40,000 individuals has identified two new genetic variants that influence how 'bad' cholesterol levels respond to statin therapy. The study found that these genetic variants collectively account for about 5% of the variation in inter-individual response to statins.
Researchers found that zebra finch pairs utilize their innate calls for bonding and cohesion, with brain activity correlating to these calls. This suggests an evolution of songbirds' brain regions from simple vocalization systems to specialized networks for learned songs.
A team of international researchers used DNA sequences to reconstruct the evolution of plants, revealing new insights into their relationships and adaptations. The study, part of the One Thousand Plants initiative, generated millions of gene sequences from diverse plant species.
Scientists have made groundbreaking discoveries about how space weather affects our planet, including the role of magnetic reconnection in accelerating solar wind particles. Researchers have also found significant differences in plasma density between the solar wind and magnetosphere, shedding light on this complex phenomenon.
Researchers have developed a technique that uses the bacteria's own CRISPR-Cas system to turn off specific genes or sets of genes, creating a powerful tool for future research on genetics. This approach allows researchers to better understand the role of individual genes and identify gene sets associated with problems such as multidrug...
A new ECG device, QTScreen, has the potential to identify infants at risk of long QT syndrome, a genetic heart condition that can be treated with medication. The device will be tested on 4,000 babies in Southern California and is designed to be easy to use for parents.
Radiologists in Singapore outline lessons learned from SARS to improve current Ebola outbreak response. The article highlights the importance of balancing clinical needs with patient and staff safety.
The JSA Initiatives Fund Program supports education, outreach, and career development initiatives at Jefferson Lab. The FY15 program includes new awards for 31 projects, with half supporting education and outreach programs.
Researchers found that Vitamin D-deficient asthmatics are at a higher risk of an asthma attack and that boosting levels may help manage acute episodes. The study analyzed medical records of nearly four million people and found significant immunomodulatory effects of Vitamin D on asthma.
Researchers propose that ancient cave paintings were inspired by the misinterpretation of sound waves as 'supernatural' echoes. The theory suggests that early humans may have made artwork in response to these echoes, which could have led to the depiction of mythical creatures on cave walls.
The project aims to make personalized medicine a reality for patients by using genetic information to guide drug therapy decisions. The UBC team will develop operating procedures for sample collection, processing, and sequencing, as well as training tools for patient awareness.
REACH ETHIOPIA, a collaboration between LSTM, has been awarded the 2014 Kochon Prize for its innovative community-based TB treatment approach. The project doubled TB case notification in a 3-million population and achieved a treatment success rate of 93%, demonstrating the effectiveness of bringing services closer to communities.