A study by Eric Maskin and Michael Kremer finds that globalization has increased income inequality in poor countries by widening the gap between low- and high-skilled workers. Increasing education levels of low-skilled workers is proposed as a solution to address this issue.
Researchers have found a way to mobilize immune cells to attack and destroy malignant tumors by using a cell surface receptor called GITR. This protein can switch immature T-cells from becoming regulatory T-cells to tumor killers called Th9 cells, which produce the cancer-fighting protein interleukin 9.
An international research team has identified a novel gene, EN1, associated with osteoporosis and bone mineral density. The study used extensive genetic data from the UK10K project to uncover a genetic variant near EN1 with the strongest effect on BMD and fracture.
A new project promotes agroforestry in Myanmar's uplands as a sustainable alternative to shifting cultivation, which harms livelihoods and ecosystems. The project aims to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides while boosting yields and diversifying income sources.
Researchers found that Asian elephants born during stressful periods produce significantly fewer offspring despite higher reproduction rates at an early age. The decline in reproductive rate accelerates with age, decades later.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University's Simon Initiative shows that MOOCs are ineffective and that interactive approaches improve learning outcomes. Students who completed combined courses with OLI learned 66% on a final exam, compared to 57% for those in MOOC-only courses.
Scientists from KU Leuven discovered that two of three possible climates on rocky exoplanets are potentially habitable. The 'air conditioning system' keeps surface temperatures within the habitable range, despite permanent day and night sides. This finding provides valuable input for future space missions.
A new treatment protocol has been shown to improve outcomes for infants born in withdrawal from drugs, resulting in shorter hospital stays and reduced opioid treatment durations. The protocol, developed by the Ohio Children's Hospital Neonatal Research Consortium, increased adherence rates and improved overall patient care.
Scientists have identified a FOXC1 gene that causes more aggressive cancer in AML patients. When switched on in blood cell tissue, it stunts the development of blood cells and stops them maturing into normal specialized blood cells, leading to faster cancer growth.
Researchers at INRS have developed an optical chip that can generate cross-polarized photon pairs, paving the way for more efficient and low-cost telecommunication networks. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize optical communication and applications such as signal processing and spectroscopy.
BACE1 and APH1B-y-secretase control axonal guidance by regulating growth cone collapse and restoration. Inhibition of these proteases may have physiologically opposite effects, suggesting cautious combination therapies to mitigate side effects.
Single grandparents caring for grandchildren are at a higher risk of poor physical and mental health compared to single parents. The study found that solo grandparents fare worse in four critical health areas: physical health, mental health, functional limitations, and health behaviors.
Researchers find PCMH costs per physician FTE were $7,691 in Utah and $9,658 in Colorado. Family physicians with high HIV experience are more likely to adhere to antiretroviral therapy protocols. Adequate compensation is critical for practices to sustain medical home services.
The National Science Foundation has invested $10 million in smart service systems that learn from data to center on people through individual feedback and input. These adaptive and individualized interactions create more value.
A 20-year follow-up of the EORTC boost no-boost trial found that young age, high-grade invasive tumor, and ductal carcinoma in situ were associated with increased local recurrence rates. The study showed substantial benefits from academic clinical research, enabling long-term follow-up and analysis.
The new guideline focuses on preventing fractures among frail seniors, highlighting the importance of nutrition, exercise, and medication adherence. It also emphasizes the need for individually tailored interventions to reduce falls and promotes safe living environments.
A study of 350,000 patients with type 2 diabetes found those with poor blood sugar control have a 50% higher risk of being admitted to hospital for dementia compared to those with good control. Improved blood sugar control may prevent many cases of dementia in these patients.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that many obese people are malnourished before weight loss surgery. The research highlights the importance of addressing nutritional deficiencies to reduce surgical complications and improve overall health after the procedure.
A new classification system for gout has been developed to standardize its diagnosis and treatment. The system uses evidence-based criteria and has been validated by comparing it to existing published criteria, outperforming them in performance.
Researchers at RIKEN Brain Science Institute developed a new optical clearing technique called Sca l eS, enabling the creation of transparent brain samples for detailed analysis. The technique has provided new insights into Alzheimer's disease pathology and revealed associations between amyloid beta plaques and microglial cells.
Researchers discovered that the amount of gas produced in small underground chemical explosions can affect seismic wave patterns, particularly low-frequency P waves. This finding may improve the use of these explosions to study nuclear detonations and detect gas releases in explosion.
The National Science Foundation is awarding nearly $12 million to US Ignite to support the development of innovative gigabit application prototypes with significant societal impact. These prototypes will be tested in various US cities and communities, enabling the sharing of gigabit application prototypes across community boundaries.
The International Year of Global Understanding aims to foster smart policies by promoting better understanding of local impacts on the global. Activities include research projects, educational programmes, and information campaigns to translate scientific insight into sustainable lifestyles.
Researchers at UMass Amherst are developing smart energy services that use data from Holyoke Gas & Electric Co.'s smart meters to reduce peak demand, promote local renewable energy and save customers money. The services will also provide real-time notifications for unusual energy usage and suggested conservation tips.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 million patients found that diabetic women are 40% more likely to suffer acute coronary syndromes than diabetic men. The study highlights the need for comprehensive risk control and early diagnosis in female patients with diabetes.
A new study found that viruses flourish in the guts of healthy infants, with diverse viral strains and a dynamic ecosystem of interacting organisms. The researchers discovered viral strains that exclusively kill bacteria, which declines as the babies grow older.
A new review from the University of Cambridge found that larger portions and tableware increase food and drink consumption, with eliminating large portions reducing energy intake by up to 29% among US adults. Reducing portion size is a promising strategy to combat overeating and related health risks.
Wladek Minor is rescuing vital submicroscopic data with a $20,000 grant, making it accessible for scientists and industry. His online search engine simplifies data access, speeding up research and potentially leading to new treatments.
Hispanics struggle with depression, but cultural concerns and stigma hinder seeking care. A new project uses a culturally sensitive comic-book style education tool to overcome barriers and encourage treatment.
The symposium will cover the entire food supply chain, from input companies to consumers, and feature representatives from major food companies, including American Crystal Sugar and General Mills. Sustainability will be a key focus of the event, with panel discussions from industry experts.
A new study by the American Heart Association reveals that black patients and those with low socioeconomic status have shorter life expectancies after a heart attack. Life expectancy gaps are largest among black patients with higher socioeconomic status, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address these disparities.
A five-year programme will focus on developing miniscule technology to deliver drugs directly to cancer sites, improving chemotherapy effectiveness. The project tackles an important area around drug delivery in pancreatic cancer, which is the fifth most common cause of cancer deaths in the UK.
A new strategy using porous, transplantable hydrogels has experimentally improved bone repair by boosting the survival rate of transplanted stem cells and influencing their cell differentiation. This breakthrough could lead to enhanced regenerative therapies for various tissues and organs.
Emergency services clinicians face a 60% heightened risk of injury and illness when working shifts of 16-24 hours. Prolonged work hours compromise physical strength, mental focus, and alertness, increasing the risk of accidents.
The University of Iowa has received a $10.67 million SPORE grant to research neuroendocrine tumors, which have seen a five-fold increase in incidence over three decades. The grant aims to develop new diagnostic and treatment approaches through analyzing gene expression profiles and identifying important mutations.
A new comprehensive guide, MAGIC, offers a framework for clinicians to pick the right device for each adult patient, reducing complications and improving safety. The guide provides color-coded charts and algorithms to indicate appropriate or inappropriate use of IV devices.
A recent study found that larger and private colleges are more likely to have hookah cafes and lounges nearby, despite smoke-free policies decreasing these chances. The study suggests that economic factors may play a role in the increased odds of hookah establishments near private institutions.
Researchers from Brown University have developed a system for multiplexing terahertz waves, which enables separate streams of data to travel through a single medium. This technology has the potential to support terahertz wireless systems that can deliver data at much higher speeds than current cellular or Wi-Fi networks.
Researchers discovered a potential mechanism for neurodegenerative diseases, suggesting that HSD10 reduces oxidative stress and promotes cell repair in humans. This breakthrough provides a fresh perspective on Alzheimer's disease etiology and could inform novel drug strategies.
Researchers at University of California, Irvine discovered that valproic acid preserves the M-current during seizures, which contributes to neuronal hyperexcitability. This finding points to new drug discovery approaches with fewer side effects.
Researchers found that impairments in mitochondria can deplete cellular energy levels and cause neuronal dysfunction in a model of neurodegenerative disease. The study revealed the energy threshold needed to support synaptic vesicle cycling, highlighting the importance of mitochondrial function in brain cells.
A study published in JAMA Neurology found that people with low vitamin D levels experience rapid cognitive decline over time compared to those with adequate levels. Researchers recommend daily vitamin D supplements for individuals 60-plus due to the association between low vitamin D and faster cognitive decline.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $2.5 million to support research projects developing novel approaches to integrate networked computer systems and physical devices for smart city applications. The projects aim to improve public safety, transportation, and health in cities across the US and globally.
A study found that vitamin D insufficiency was associated with a faster decline in cognitive functions among older adults. The research, published in JAMA Neurology, revealed that African American and Hispanic individuals were more likely to have vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency. Participants with inadequate vitamin D levels exper...
A new study reveals that smokers are up to 3.6 times more likely to lose their teeth, with male smokers being the most affected. Quitting smoking can reduce this risk, although it may take over a decade for ex-smokers to regain the same level of dental health as non-smokers.
Oriol Romero-Isart receives Euro 4,000 award for seminal contributions to quantum physics topics including degenerate gases and nanooptics.
The first global permafrost database has been launched, offering a comprehensive dataset on permafrost temperature and active layer thickness. The GTN-P database, compiled by an international team of researchers from 25 countries, will help scientists better understand the extent to which climate change is causing permafrost thawing.
A new model proposes that Darwinius, the famous primate fossil, shares more in common with modern lemurs than previously thought. The study re-examined the interpretation of Darwinius based on its dental eruption sequence, finding it had a similar pattern to that of lemurs.
Researchers use the Very Large Telescope Interferometer to study a young star with a large proto-planetary disk. They find a significant gap in the inner regions, suggesting a gravitational influence from forming planets.
Researchers found that current and former marijuana users are more likely to have prediabetes, but not type 2 diabetes, compared to never users. Marijuana use was associated with a higher risk of developing prediabetes in middle adulthood, particularly among those who used the drug excessively.
Researchers at Caltech have identified a broadly neutralizing antibody that can recognize HIV's envelope spike in different conformations, making it easier to detect and neutralize the virus. This discovery could lead to the development of combination therapies to fight HIV, which is currently evolving rapidly.
The remnants of Tropical Storm Linda are spreading northward into northern Baja California and parts of the southwestern US, triggering shower and thunderstorm activity. Moisture from the remnant low is expected to bring increased risk of rip currents and dangerous high surf to Southern California coastline.
Researchers from the University of Miami propose a 'diagonal approach' to manage health care, focusing on integrating services across the life span of a person. The approach suggests a need for legislation, access to cost-effective services, financial protection, and integration of services.
Researchers at Disney Research have developed a networking technology that enables LED lights to communicate with each other and the Internet using visible light signals. The technology has the potential to create smart environments and enable IoT applications, such as remote monitoring of objects.
Tropical Storm Kilo was spotted brushing northern Japan's eastern side as it transitioned to an extra-tropical storm. Sea surface temperatures were dropping rapidly, helping the system lose its tropical characteristics.
A PhD candidate at Queen's University has made a groundbreaking discovery of the first massive binary star with magnetic fields. The research provides new insights into the origin of magnetism in massive stars and may help explain why only 10% of these stars have strong magnetic fields.
A new study proposes open source tools can reduce research costs by redirecting funding to upgradeable equipment, improving performance and grant competition outcomes. The technology has already shown promise with customizable syringe pumps that match high-end performance, potentially yielding significant returns on investment.
Genetic mutations in Ebola virus appear to block antibody-based treatments from warding off infection. The mutations, or 'escape variants,' have implications for the continued development of therapeutics to treat Ebola virus disease, which has claimed over 11,000 lives in West Africa.
Researchers identified associations between genetic variants and differential drug response in patients of Hispanic and Caucasian ethnicity. The study found that genetic ancestry strongly influences a person's response to anticancer drug treatments, with notable associations for drugs like temozolomide and etoposide.
A team of researchers has developed a novel optical technique to resolve individual components of spindle pole body (SPB) duplication in living yeast cells, uncovering surprising facts about this nanoscale process. The study reveals that SPB duplication begins near the end of mitosis and forms structures not previously seen.