Researchers at the Marcell Experimental Forest in Minnesota are conducting unprecedented whole-ecosystem manipulation to study peatlands' response to increased temperature and elevated carbon dioxide. The goal is to understand how peatlands react to various warming conditions and their impact on the global carbon cycle.
Scientists developed a novel treatment strategy for patients with severe intolerance to antihypertensive medication, involving fractional dosing and alternative formulations. Blood pressure was significantly reduced among patients after just six months on the new approach, without debilitating side effects.
Researchers have identified a condition called aphantasia, where individuals are born without the ability to visualize images. This affects not only memory but also sense perception, leading to difficulties in recalling experiences and emotions.
Researchers found that people with low self-esteem use various ways to avoid thinking about their own mortality, including writing less about themselves and increasing alcohol consumption. This study has implications for future public health policy decisions.
The study found that global life expectancy has increased by 6.2 years between 1990 and 2013, while healthy life expectancy rose by 5.4 years, indicating a growing gap between overall mortality rates and the impact of non-fatal conditions on quality of life.
A new study found that taking a gadget to bed can suppress melatonin production and disrupt sleep patterns in children aged 9-15, especially those in early puberty. The study also found that brighter screen lights have a greater impact on sleep, with 500 lux being the most effective at suppressing melatonin.
Scientists have created a sustainable and safe igniting fluid from waste paper, offering a potential solution for reducing harmful emissions from charcoal grills. The new compound, gamma-valerolactone (GVL), can safely start charcoal fires and light glass lamps without producing smoke or odors.
Studies found that cannabis use is associated with smaller left amygdala and right ventral striatum volumes, but no causal link was established. An editorial warns of potential risks for individuals with a genetic predisposition to schizophrenia, particularly women.
A study published in NPJ-Schizophrenia found that an automated speech analysis program accurately predicted psychosis onset in high-risk youths. The analysis, which measured semantic coherence and syntactic structure, correctly differentiated between individuals who developed psychosis and those who did not.
A large study of over 13,000 pairs of sisters found that firstborn women are significantly more likely to be overweight or obese than their second-born sisters. The researchers also noted a link between shrinking family size and an increase in adult body mass index (BMI) globally.
Researchers find siderocalin protein facilitates uptake of radioactive toxic metal ions in cells, opening new avenues for remedial action. The protein's structure has been characterized, revealing a possible target for treatment strategies.
A new self-healing material has been developed that can plug life-threatening holes in spacecraft, preventing structural penetration and catastrophic damage. The material, made by sandwiching a reactive liquid between two solid polymer layers, reacts with oxygen to form a solid plug in under a second.
The study reveals that the mutation disrupts normal cell function by interfering with RNA and protein movement into and out of the nucleus. This leads to neuronal deterioration and death in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of voluntary muscle movement, paralysis, and respiratory failure.
A study from University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine finds that Medicare patients with multiple observation stays face financial liability, with cumulative out-of-pocket costs exceeding the deductible for an inpatient hospital admission for over a quarter of beneficiaries
Researchers are exploring clinical trials on dogs with naturally occurring cancer to develop new treatments for humans. By studying the genetic basis of canine tumors, scientists hope to gain valuable insights into human cancer treatment.
Researchers found that primates, like humans, recover partial motor control within the first six months after a spinal cord injury, whereas rats show limited recovery. The primate-specific mechanism of recovery involves detour circuits around lesions, restoring communication between brain and spinal cords.
A new study found that childhood cancer survivors have double the risk of suffering a second stroke compared to non-cancer stroke survivors. Cranial radiation therapy, hypertension, and older age at first stroke are key predictors of recurrent stroke.
A new method for dealing with flight delays, proposed by MIT researchers, distributes delays among airlines more evenly while keeping system-wide delays virtually constant. The approach allows airlines to swap schedule slots with each other, resulting in a fairer distribution of delays.
Researchers at UCSF have developed a method to precisely control embryonic stem cell differentiation with beams of light, revealing an internal timer within stem cells that lets them tune out extraneous biological noise. The technique enables stem cells to transform into neurons in response to a precise external cue.
Researchers at UCSB have discovered a mechanism by which gram-negative bacteria deliver protein toxins to their neighbors, killing them. This finding could lead to the development of targeted antibiotics that leave beneficial bacteria in the gut intact.
The £5.4 million grant will support a multidisciplinary team at the University of Nottingham to develop bespoke materials for specific applications in targeted drug delivery, regenerative medicine, and advanced medical devices.
Scientists have identified a new family of copper storage proteins called Csp that are present in diverse bacteria, raising questions about how bacteria use copper ions. This discovery may help develop biotechnological applications to exploit methane and protect the environment from its potent greenhouse gas effects.
A Harvard University collaboration has developed a 3D model of solid tumors that reflects both their three-dimensional shape and genetic evolution. The model explains why cancer cells share an unusually high number of genetic mutations and how drug resistance evolves, shedding light on tumor growth and evolution.
A recent study highlights the risk of catastrophic complications from failure of modular head-neck prostheses in hip-replacement surgery. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery has issued a 'Watch' to raise awareness and encourage further research into this issue.
Tropical Storm Ignacio strengthened to a storm with heavy rain rates of over 74 mm per hour, posing no threat to land areas. Its westward motion is expected to continue, with an increased forward speed and potential turn toward the west-northwest.
The Harrington Discovery Institute has selected scholars to collaborate with R&D partners, including University of Oxford, Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation and Foundation Fighting Blindness. The program aims to bridge the 'Valley of Death' gap in bringing new medications from lab to market.
Research found that cannabis use by age 16 affects cortical maturation in male adolescents at high genetic risk for schizophrenia. This study suggests a link between cannabis exposure and lower cortical thickness in these individuals.
A study by the National Institutes of Health found that low-level arsenic exposure before birth is associated with early puberty and obesity in female mice. The researchers exposed pregnant mice to low levels of arsenic through drinking water and observed significant weight gain and premature onset of puberty in the offspring.
A study of over 5,000 people found that subtle elevations in cardiac troponin T levels can predict future hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. The test may help identify those at risk for hypertension and allow for earlier intervention with lifestyle changes or medication.
Researchers found that sediment-entombed marine archaea's growth varies based on changes in ocean oxygen levels, affecting the accuracy of past ocean temperatures. This discovery highlights the need to consider oxygen levels when interpreting the TEX-86 index, a popular method for measuring ancient ocean temperatures.
Researchers found a small molecule, amphotericin B, that can substitute for a protein and restore a key cellular function related to cystic fibrosis and similar conditions. This approach shows promise as a therapeutic strategy for addressing the root cause of the disease.
A new analysis found that global life expectancy has increased by six years since 1990, while healthy life expectancy grew by five years. However, the increase in healthy life expectancy has not been as dramatic, resulting in people living more years with illness and disability.
Astronomers discovered 'irregular heartbeats' in a dying star, caused by massive outbursts that break its regular pulse and heat up its surface. The phenomenon may reveal new physics behind stellar pulsations and could be triggered by resonance.
A Cornell study reveals that stiffer breast tissue in obese women promotes tumor growth, changing the extracellular matrix's consistency similar to tumors. This finding may require finer-scale imaging techniques in mammograms for early detection.
The study reveals that C9ORF72 mutations block the transfer of information between the nucleus and cytoplasm, leading to neuron deterioration. The research provides insight into developing targeted therapies for ALS and FTD.
Researchers from Bar-Ilan University and Harvard University reconstructed ancient stone tools to produce groat meals and fine flour from wild barley. They found that the technology advanced the establishment of agricultural societies and contributed to the development of bread.
A Boston University School of Medicine program educates clinicians on safe opioid prescribing, resulting in improved knowledge, attitudes, and clinical practice. The program has empowered clinicians to make informed decisions about opioids for chronic pain sufferers.
A Dutch study found that trained detectives are superior observers than ordinary civilians, reporting more details and information about a drug deal. This skill advantage likely stems from specialized training, leading to more reliable police reports in legal cases.
Researchers have identified spiky filaments within sperm that may play a key role in facilitating fertilization. The discovery, 14 years in the making, provides new insights into the fine dissection of the protein architecture of the sperm's acrosomal matrix.
A new species of lizard, Gueragama sulamericana, has been found in Southern Brazil, pushing back the known origin of acrodontan lizards to 80 million years ago. This discovery sheds light on the migration patterns of ancient species and challenges existing hypotheses on lizard evolution.
The James Webb Space Telescope's flight backplane has arrived at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, marking a significant step towards the telescope's 2018 launch. The backplane will hold the telescope's 18 hexagonal mirrors and instruments steady while observing deep space.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham found that drinking 500ml of water 30 minutes before main meals led to significant weight loss in obese adults. Participants who preloaded with water lost an average of 1.3kg over 12 weeks, compared to 0.8kg in those who did not.
A new study by Rice University and Australian National University found that employees who build nonredundant ties in their social networks are more creative. These ties connect to indirect networks beyond an individual's direct network, offering the greatest efficiency for gathering novel information.
A study of over 55,000 CABG patients found diabetics had more postoperative complications and decreased long-term survival. The proportion of diabetic patients undergoing CABG increased 5-fold between 1970-2010, driven by higher costs and clinical risks.
Computer models of developing cancers show that small cell movements can quickly alter tumor composition. The models suggest treatments targeting these movements could slow disease progress by preventing certain cells from flourishing.
A team of researchers found a massive slab of water ice on Mars, measuring 40 meters thick and covering an area equivalent to California and Texas combined. Meanwhile, scientists have long struggled to study the Earth's remote mantle using seismic wave analysis, but new research offers new insights into this complex process.
Daratumumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting CD38, showed significant promise against difficult-to-treat disease in patients with advanced multiple myeloma, achieving durable responses in 36% of patients, including complete remissions and very good partial responses.
Researchers tested a new liver transplantation procedure using multi-layered sheets of hepatocytes and fibroblasts, which improved liver function in test animals for at least two months. The method showed higher albumin expression levels and better survival rates compared to traditional methods.
The researchers have developed a dual catalyst system that directly installs alkyl groups onto heteroarenes using simple and abundant alcohols, offering a milder alternative to existing strategies. The new reaction has successfully used alcohols as reagents in the alkylation reaction for the first time.
Research reveals almost 100,000 tiny microbeads can be released with every application of certain facial scrubs, contaminating oceans. The study estimates up to 80 tonnes of unnecessary microplastic waste could enter the sea each year from UK cosmetic use.
Penn State researchers are developing new, ultra-high efficiency photovoltaic cells using a novel tracking system to concentrate sunlight 400 times over. The goal is to create standard rooftop solar panels with competitive manufacturing costs and double the efficiency of existing solar panels in sunny regions.
Scientists at the University of California, San Diego have developed a new method to build microscopic robots with complex shapes and functionalities. The researchers created microfish-shaped microrobots that can swim efficiently in liquids, are chemically powered by hydrogen peroxide, and magnetically controlled.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission saw intense rainfall near hurricane Loke's center, with measurements showing over 160 mm/h. The storm's top heights reached above 15.3 km, and it is forecast to accelerate toward the northwest before undergoing transition to an extra-tropical low.
Research finds that only one in five gay and bisexual teen boys have been tested for HIV due to fears of recognition and lack of knowledge on where to get tested. Testing in schools is proposed as a solution to normalize the process, making it easier for young men to receive lifesaving medical care.
Research reveals HIV testing trends among adults aged 50-64 are not sustaining gains after CDC's 2006 recommendation. Testing rates remain low at around 3.7% despite risk behaviors remaining constant, underscoring the importance of patient advocacy for older adults
A new study published in Neurology found that people who develop dementia experience a decline in awareness of their memory problems two to three years before the disease onset. The study also identified several dementia-related brain changes associated with this decline.
Researchers have discovered how a common gene mutation causes long strands of RNA to block pathways that move proteins into a cell's nucleus, leading to molecular traffic jams. Molecular therapy has been shown to reopen blocked pathways in human and fly cells, providing hope for treatments for ALS and dementia.
Researchers in Spain are developing hypoallergenic parks to combat seasonal allergies, which affect millions worldwide. The study found that common trees in green spaces can cause unhealthy air quality.
A team of Penn State researchers found that compounds in purple potatoes can suppress the growth of colon cancer tumors by targeting stem cells. The study suggests that eating a medium-sized purple potato per day may provide cancer prevention benefits.
Tropical Storm Erika is expected to produce 2-4 inches of rain and slow strengthening over the next 48 hours. The storm's center will move near or over parts of the Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico from August 26-28.