A large international randomized clinical trial found that cervical pessary insertion did not reduce spontaneous preterm births or neonatal complications in women with twins. The study, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, included 1,180 twin pregnancies and showed no significant differences between groups.
A new MIT study finds that large seasonal changes in desert dust can dramatically affect surface phytoplankton, which rely on iron as a main nutrient for growth. The team determined that iron has a very short residence time in ocean waters, lasting only six months before sinking into the deep ocean.
Tropical Storm Kilo has bands of thunderstorms wrapped more than halfway around the system, affecting Johnston Island and expected to bring 5-10 inches of rainfall. Sea surface temperatures are near 29C, promoting strengthening and potential hurricane formation after passing the island.
A new testing method developed to accurately detect PMS2 gene mutations has been shown to improve diagnosis and support genetic counseling and medical management for individuals with Lynch syndrome. The approach combines targeted capture next-generation sequencing, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, and long-range PCR fo...
A Swedish study found inadequate levels of iodine among pregnant women, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to optimize nutrition during pregnancy. The median urinary iodine concentration was significantly lower than recommended minimum levels.
A study found that climate change can rapidly alter plant genetic diversity, but also enable an 'evolutionary rescue' through increased adaptability. The research suggests that genetic diversity may buffer plants against harmful effects of climate change.
Research finds that fishermen in Turks and Caicos Islands are increasing the local prevalence of a disease affecting turtle populations worldwide by selectively harvesting healthy creatures and throwing back infected animals. The study, published in Frontiers in Marine Science, suggests that this practice has the opposite effect of cul...
Brain cells in Parkinson's disease are vulnerable due to high energy consumption, which can lead to exhaustion and cell death. This discovery may lead to new treatment strategies for reducing energy consumption or improving energy production in neurons.
A study of 44,044 Medicare patients with early-stage breast cancer found that the 21-gene recurrence score assay was associated with decreased chemotherapy use in high-risk patients and increased use in low-risk patients. The genetic test appeared to influence chemotherapy use regardless of age.
Researchers found a correlation between gene variants and aggression in children, particularly those who react strongly to negative experiences. The study supports the 'differential susceptibility' theory, suggesting some individuals are more susceptible to environmental conditions partly due to their genotype.
Researchers identified a new virus, AAV2, associated with rare liver cancer cases without cirrhosis or known risk factors. The virus targets genes involved in cell proliferation, leading to excessive expression and potentially favoring tumor development.
Tropical Storm Jimena strengthens with deep convection and banding around its circulation. The storm is forecast to become a hurricane on August 27, with rapid intensification possible within the next 24 hours.
Research reveals that cytoskeletal tension can alter the structural organisation of the nuclear envelope, affecting chromatin structure and gene reading. This complex process, known as mechanotransduction, has significant implications for understanding cellular differentiation and development.
A team of astronomers discovered 48 Dust Obscured Galaxies (DOGs) using the Hyper Suprime-Cam instrument on the Subaru Telescope. These rare galaxies are thought to harbor rapidly growing black holes, providing insights into the co-evolution of galaxies and supermassive black holes.
A Florida State University engineer has developed a highly efficient and low-cost LED technology using organic and inorganic materials. The new material requires only one layer to create the desired product or effect, making it simpler to manufacture than existing products.
Researchers found a clear transition in catches at depths of 600 to 800 meters, with significant increases in biodiversity and discarded biomass. The study suggests that a depth limit at around 600 meters could have specific conservation benefits.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have identified a critical difference in how cells respond to DNA breaks versus viral infections. The discovery reveals that cells can selectively neutralize viral DNA without triggering a global response, which could lead to the development of new cancer-selective viral therapies.
Teenagers who identify with the goth subculture are more likely to experience depression and self-harm, according to new research. The study found that young people who strongly identified as goths at age 15 were three times more likely to be clinically depressed by age 18.
A recent massive study, conducted by over 270 researchers on five continents, reported that independent researchers could replicate less than half of the original findings. This challenges the validity of some scientific findings and highlights the difficulty in achieving reproducible results.
A new study published in the Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that interrupting sedentary behavior with short walking breaks can improve children's blood sugar levels. This benefit was observed even after a sugary drink was consumed, suggesting potential long-term benefits for metabolic health.
Researchers elucidated dynamin's role in forming a screw-like structure to constrict and release vesicles. Specific mutations impairing dynamin function are linked to congenital muscle disorders.
Researchers have observed a massive transformation in galaxy structure, with disc-shaped galaxies becoming oval-shaped galaxies. The study provides the first direct evidence of this 'metamorphosis' and sheds light on the processes that caused it.
A new study found that people with Type 2 diabetes took more antibiotics in the years leading up to their diagnosis compared to healthy controls. Narrow-spectrum antibiotics like penicillin V were particularly associated with a higher risk of diabetes.
A new study from UEA reveals that high protein intake from plant-based sources is associated with lower blood pressure, while animal-derived amino acids are linked to reduced arterial stiffness. Increasing protein-rich food consumption could be a valuable way to reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
The University of Oklahoma is developing a faster, more advanced imaging radar to provide unprecedented resolution and flexibility in storm surveillance. The new system will enable scientists to study tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning, and other phenomena on an incredible time and spatial scale.
Scientists have identified 18 proteins crucial to the transformation of fungal spores into disease-causing yeast, offering hope for preventative treatments. By blocking these proteins, researchers aim to prevent the spread of meningitis and other fungal diseases.
Researchers found that HIV's cell-to-cell transmission is the primary mechanism for massive CD4 T cell death, leading to the progression from HIV to AIDS. Disrupting this transmission effectively stopped cell death.
A team from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine identified the molecular mechanisms behind resilience to tinnitus and a possible drug therapy that could reduce susceptibility. The study found that mice exposed to loud noise but not developing tinnitus show a transient reduction in KCNQ2/3 channel activity.
Daily changes in nuclear positioning of circadian genes regulate their activity with a 24-hour period. Researchers identified two proteins PARP1 and CTCF that bring genes to the periphery, promoting silent state.
Researchers investigate the effects of shock waves on the brain to design helmets that can withstand penetrating blasts from IEDs. The goal is to develop specifications guiding the development of new personal protection systems for soldiers.
A study on túngara frogs reveals the 'decoy' effect, where females choose less attractive mates over more appealing options when a third, inferior mate is introduced. This challenges rational choice models used in sexual selection theory and highlights the influence of context on mating decisions.
Researchers at RIKEN and Hiroshima University create technique to analyze metabolites, hormones, nutrients, and lipids in individual cells using nanospray tip and mass spectrometer. This breakthrough could speed up understanding of molecular distribution in time and space, transforming agricultural science.
A research team has discovered a mechanism to mimic a viral infection in colon cancer stem cells, which could potentially trigger an immune response to fight the disease. Decitabine, a chemotherapy drug, is identified as a potential target to induce viral mimicry and activate an anti-viral response.
Researchers at UNH have developed a new method to identify the nursery grounds of winter flounder using otoliths, revealing regional groupings for stocks from Cape Cod to New Jersey. This technology could help restore plummeting populations along the East Coast and protect essential habitats.
Protein misfolding diseases are rising in incidence and seeing increasing financial and healthcare burden. Recent advances in understanding these disorders provide fresh ideas for their future therapy.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found that mental focussing can improve tactile acuity by 17 percent after a four-day Zen-retreat. This improvement is comparable to those achieved through intense long-term training or physical stimulation, challenging the current understanding of neuroplasticity.
Researchers found that degenerating neurons in patients with Alzheimer's disease responded to gene therapy treatment by showing heightened growth, axonal sprouting, and activation of functional markers. The study suggests that nerve growth factor is safe over extended periods and merits continued testing as a potential AD treatment.
A new study maps potential wind-power sites and nesting patterns of golden eagles, revealing 'sweet spots' where wind power can coexist with eagle habitats. The research provides a framework for industry and managers to assess potential development and minimize bird deaths.
Research suggests tropical songbirds invest more resources in their offspring, leading to higher survival rates, whereas temperate species prioritize quantity over quality due to high mortality rates among young adults.
A new study by TUM scientists links climate change to declining crop yields and humus stocks in arable soils. The researchers found that the stagnation in yields coincides with a decline in organic matter input into the soil, leading to a depletion of humus.
A new study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience found that the Fair Trade logo increases consumer's willingness to pay by 30% on average. The study also discovered that the logo influences subjective evaluations of products and activates the brain's reward system.
Researchers successfully replicated 95 of the original experiments but could only reproduce results in under half of the cases. The study's findings suggest that initial evidence strength is a key predictor of replication success, and that surprising effects are generally harder to replicate.
Researchers create economic model to assess life expectancy, management of adverse effects, and quality of life for new oncology drugs like necitumumab. The study finds that the value-based price for necitumumab ranges between $563 and $1,309 per three-week cycle.
A CNIO team has identified the origin of damage to induced pluripotent stem cells and developed strategies to reduce it, resulting in cells with less damage to their genome. This breakthrough improves the safety of iPS cells for use in biomedicine, potentially treating cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders.
A Yale University study found that nearly one in four patients with chronic hepatitis C are denied initial approval for a drug therapy. The finding reveals factors beyond disease state and medical necessity affecting treatment access, including public insurance status and advanced liver disease.
Researchers have found evidence that melanosomes, which produce melanin pigment, are preserved in the fossil record of Anchiornis huxleyi, a bird-like dinosaur. The study uses electron microscopy and chemical analysis to demonstrate that the microbodies are indeed melanosomes, not microbes.
Researchers have improved Structured Illumination Microscopy (SIM) to achieve 62-nanometer resolution, reducing phototoxicity and improving imaging of proteins interacting. This breakthrough has provided new insights into cell processes, such as the role of actin in clathrin-mediated endocytosis.
Researchers found that Twitter users shared messages from people with different ideological views for non-political issues like sports events, but converged on similar ideologies for overtly political topics. The study also revealed dynamic shifts in polarization over time for certain issues, such as the Newtown school shooting.
Chapman University researchers found that older adults acquire skills prior to first reproduction and develop further to meet increasing demands. In a traditional society, older adults are often regarded as experts due to their complementary skills. They excel at planning, conflict negotiation, and delegation.
Researchers at the University of Basel have synthesized boron-doped graphene nanoribbons with controlled band gaps, enabling the development of highly sensitive gas sensors for nitrogen oxides. The material's chemical properties were characterized using atomic force microscopy, revealing high selectivity towards adsorption.
The GPM satellite captured intense rainfall rates of up to 52.8 mm per hour, with embedded convection necessary for storm strengthening, but displaced due to wind shear. The storm's low-level center was located northwest of the rain field, hindering intensification.
Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory found cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain that rapidly inform multiple subregions of surprising rewards or punishments. These neurons enable flexibility in neuronal connections, allowing for plasticity and learning.
A historic storm triggered widespread flooding in Colorado's Front Range, causing massive landslides and rapid debris flows that transported hundreds of years' worth of accumulated sediment. Researchers used high-resolution topographic maps to measure the effects of extreme weather on erosion rates.
A review of over 100 scientific studies found that natural gas mining operations release complex mixtures of endocrine disrupting chemicals, which could harm human development and reproduction. Researchers recommend a process to examine the total endocrine disrupting activity from exposure to these chemicals.
Researchers at Rockefeller University identified a protein that recognizes a chemical instruction tag on RNA molecules. This 'reader' molecule determines the fate of RNA by recognizing m6A tags, influencing gene expression and splicing processes.
Research analyzing 73,877 working women reveals that covert and overt sexism have similar negative impacts on individual health and work attitudes. Frequent sexist comments and office cultures can be just as detrimental as single instances of sexual coercion.
A new study published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology found that probiotics do not prevent or eliminate gastrointestinal colonization with drug-resistant organisms in critically ill patients. The research followed 70 patients and showed no significant difference in overall acquisition of any MRDOs between the two groups.
The September special issue of Optometry and Vision Science presents significant strides in managing patients with dry eye symptoms. Key findings include new treatments such as omega-3 supplements and heat therapy, as well as emerging approaches to diagnosis and management.
Florida State University researchers have identified a viral protein that inhibits the major DNA sensor, suggesting a new pathway for fighting infections, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. By manipulating this protein, scientists may be able to enhance or tune down the immune response.
Fossil skulls from 35 million year old sediments in Antarctica have shed light on the changes in penguin brains that accompanied their transition to water. The findings indicate that early penguins had many of the adaptations of living forms, while having a few unique traits not seen in modern ones.