A team of astronomers has solved the long-standing mystery of missing water in hot Jupiter-sized exoplanets by analyzing atmospheric data from NASA's Hubble and Spitzer space telescopes. The study found that cloudy atmospheres are responsible for hiding water, ruling out dry hot Jupiters.
High-resolution satellite maps track air pollution trends over the last decade, revealing a human fingerprint on global air quality. Nitrogen dioxide levels have decreased significantly in the US and Western Europe due to environmental regulations, while China saw an increase in emissions.
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that while specialty prescribers concentrated opioid prescriptions, general practitioners wrote the most total prescriptions among Medicare prescribers. The authors analyzed 2013 Medicare data and focused on opioid prescriptions containing over 20 different opioids.
Cycling World champions experience a dip in performance while wearing the champion's stripes due to regression to the mean. Dr Thomas Perneger's study analyzes racing results from 1965 to 2013, finding no significant difference between seasons with and without the rainbow jersey.
Recent studies show a connection between the Earth's tilt and the movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone, the world's heaviest rainbelt. This new information enables climate scientists to better predict extreme weather events and has implications for global climate and sustainable human socioeconomic development.
Researchers analyzed brain scans and behavioral tests of stranded sea lions to find correlations between brain damage and specific behavioral impairments. They discovered damage to the hippocampus, a key region for memory processes, and effects on interactions with other brain structures.
A study found that politicians elected as heads of government face a higher risk of early death compared to runner-up candidates. In contrast, the general population in the UK has seen a 37% lower mortality rate over the past 65 years.
A recent study found that early childhood exposure to farm animals modifies immunological responses, particularly in dendritic cells and cytokine production. Farm exposures were associated with lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines and increased production of non-allergic Th1-associated cytokines.
Eating lettuce is over three times worse in greenhouse gas emissions than eating bacon, according to a Carnegie Mellon University study. A vegetarian diet with recommended 'healthier' foods increases energy use, water use, and GHG emissions by 38%, 10% and 6% respectively.
A study found that chronic exposure to domoic acid causes significant deficits in spatial memory and brain damage in California sea lions. The research documented impaired performance on short- and long-term spatial memory tasks and linked the extent of hippocampal damage to specific behavioral impairments.
A new study found that women who had their first child in their early 20s didn't report better health at midlife than those who waited until they were over 24. In fact, single black women who had a child and later married reported worse health at midlife compared to those who stayed single.
Researchers discovered that guest molecules in host structures of oligothiophene and polythiophene form crystalline phases, controlling electrical conductivity. Precise control over these materials' properties is crucial for successful organic electronics applications.
The Global Health Impact Index ranks pharmaceutical companies based on the impact of their drugs on global health, with Sanofi, Novartis, and Pfizer leading the list. The index considers factors such as drug effectiveness and access, aiming to incentivize companies to focus on impact and save millions of lives
Researchers discovered that Australian blue-banded bees use high-speed headbanging to pollinate flowers, releasing pollen into the air similar to a salt and pepper shaker. This technique allows for more efficient pollination, with the bee vibrating the flower up to 350 times per second.
A study by Michael Platt at the University of Pennsylvania found that the amygdala influences positive social functions like kindness and charitable giving in humans. Rhesus macaques showed a neural response to recipient rewards, which was correlated with prosocial behavior.
Engineers at MIT have designed an atomic force microscope that scans images 2,000 times faster than existing models, capturing chemical processes taking place at the nanoscale in near-real time. The instrument produces high-resolution 'movies' of condensation, nucleation, dissolution, and deposition of material.
EPFL scientists have identified a new class of topological insulators, with bismuth iodide as the first representative material. Its atomic structure is unique and has fewer natural defects than previously known materials.
Scientists from PNNL will discuss the Madden-Julian Oscillation, a weather phenomenon that influences tropical cyclones and climate change. The team used computer simulations to explore how daily pulses of clouds over islands affect the MJO's movement.
Researchers at KAUST developed a block copolymer membrane with nanoscale holes, demonstrating molecular selectivity and increased water flux. The new method overcomes practical challenges in fabricating porous membranes, enabling efficient filtration of pollutants from liquids.
Research at the Society of Marine Mammalogy's Biennial Conference highlights how climate change is affecting marine mammals globally, introducing new interactions and shifting habitats. Marine mammals, especially in the Arctic, serve as sentinel species reflecting environmental changes.
A study from the University of Pennsylvania found that the CAP2 gene is responsible for cardiac conduction disease in mice, leading to sudden cardiac death. The researchers also discovered that the gene's absence affects the heart's ability to contract and regulate blood flow.
Scientists have developed a human-gut-on-a-chip model that allows them to analyze the interactions between normal gut microbes and pathogenic bacteria, providing new insights into inflammatory bowel diseases. The technology has revealed four small proteins that stimulate inflammation, opening up a potential therapeutic pathway for trea...
A US expert is urging a unified global response to the growing threat of zombie infections. Emerging outbreaks have been identified worldwide, with a range of potential causes including viruses and fungi.
Academic medical centers that partner with community organizations to form accountable care organizations (ACOs) face various challenges, according to a recent study published in Academic Medicine. The authors report on the startup experience of Johns Hopkins Medicine Alliance for Patients (JMAP), an ACO formed after 22 months, and hig...
Researchers found that high-volume centers had significantly better outcomes, including lower rates of recurrence and mortality, after 30 days and 2 years. Patients also had superior blood pressure and cholesterol control at these centers.
A recent study published in Endocrinology Today holds promise for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to protect their fertility and defense systems. Researchers found that the potent humanin analogue (HNG) protected male germ cells and white blood cells, reducing infertility and infection susceptibility.
A University of Iowa study found that changes in the gut microbiome can cause obesity by reducing the resting metabolic rate, leading to weight gain. The researchers discovered a significant decrease in non-aerobic resting metabolic rate sufficient to account for the animals' weight gain.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School found that elected leaders live 2.7 years less and face a 23% greater risk of death compared to runners-up. This suggests the stress of governing accelerates mortality for politicians.
Active individuals participating in high-impact activities may need higher vitamin D levels to reduce stress fracture risk, according to recent study findings. The researchers recommend maintaining serum vitamin D levels of at least 40 ng/mL to protect against stress fractures.
Researchers from the University of Southampton used EDIC microscopy to study catheter biofilm development, revealing four distinct stages and a key role for the Proteus mirabilis bacterium. The findings challenge traditional theories and provide new insights into preventing catheter blockages and urinary tract infections.
A study found that Bob Dylan's lyrics are increasingly cited in biomedical papers, with 213 references identified. The most cited songs are 'The Times They Are A-Changin'' and 'Blowin'' In The Wind'', sparking interest among medical professionals.
A study published in JNCI Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that continuous joint use of estrogen and progestin reduces the risk of endometrial cancer by 35% in postmenopausal women. The study analyzed data from 16,608 women aged 50-79 with normal uteri, who were randomly assigned to daily estrogen plus progestin or placebo.
The AXA Research Fund has awarded a Chair to ICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences to focus on risks associated with data privacy and develop 100% secure data communications using quantum devices. The chair holder, Professor Antonio Acín, aims to obtain high-impact results for the future of society.
A team from Disney Research and ETH Zurich has developed a system that can transform existing stereoscopic content into multiview content in real-time, enabling the use of glasses-less 3-D displays. The system uses image domain warping to synthesize eight new views in high definition.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have identified a gene, CAF1, that erases a cell's memory, making it more susceptible to reprogramming and making the process quicker and more efficient. This discovery enables the production of stem cells and may provide a general key to facilitate cellular reprogramming.
A new study reveals that Latinos from Mexico have the lowest chance of getting colorectal cancer, while those from Central or South America are diagnosed with the disease before age 50 at a higher rate. The research aims to pave the way for personalized cancer care and reduce disparities in treatment
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that women who had their first child in early adulthood tend to report worse health at midlife than those who waited until they were older. Single black women, in particular, face worse health if they get married after having a child outside of marriage.
Scientists have finally shed light on the atmospheres of a group of planets orbiting stars outside our solar system. A team of experts analyzed observations from NASA and ESA telescopes, revealing that water was hidden by haze and cloud on some hot-Jupiter exoplanets.
Researchers found that both greenhouse and field bed production environments can produce marketable stems with varying stem length and caliper. The study recommends optimal conditions for bulb storage, forcing temperatures, and planting densities to maximize productivity and quality of cut pineapple lily stems.
Researchers use antibiotic resistance to identify chemicals blocking amyloid formation, providing a new approach to combat these intractable diseases. The study identifies a chemical that blocks amyloid deposits forming from sequences associated with type II diabetes.
New research reveals how mountain ranges on New Zealand's South Island directly impacted the evolution of diverse freshwater fish species. The study shows that the island's landscape developed in six main tectonic zones, each with distinct river drainage catchments, which led to divergent fish DNA sequences over time.
Researchers have discovered two new genes, Aip1 and AncA, that protect human airway cells from damage caused by cigarette smoke. These findings provide a promising approach to developing new treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Anne Thompson has received the 2015 Roger Revelle Medal for her groundbreaking research on ozone and other trace gases in the troposphere and stratosphere. Her work, conducted in the 1980s and early 1990s, established a link between chemical changes, climate forcings, and the earth's oxidizing capacity.
A new study reveals that people from different regions host different mite lineages, supporting the 'Out of Africa' theory. The study found that mites follow families through generations and are not easily transferred between humans.
NASA's RapidScat instrument identified the storm's strongest winds north of the center, which were near 36 meters per second/80.5 mph/129.6 kph on Dec. 13, 2015. The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) captured a visible image of Typhoon Melor as it made landfall in eastern Visayas and Bicol regions.
Researchers at VCU Massey Cancer Center describe how p53 gene mutations activate mTORC1, leading to abnormal cell proliferation. The study identifies a potential target for existing drug pemetrexed, which may have greater clinical utility against cancers with p53 dysfunction.
A collaboration between computer scientists and geneticists at Stanford University has produced a novel technique for mapping the diversity of bacteria living in the human gut. The new approach revealed a far more diverse community than the researchers had anticipated, with many different strains of the same species identified.
Researchers have found that tumors driven by IDH1 mutations are vulnerable to depletion of metabolite NAD+, which supports the development of new treatments. Inhibiting NAD+ levels can induce the death of IDH1-mutant tumor cells and inhibit tumor growth in animal models.
Researchers found genetic changes in threespine stickleback that occurred in less than 50 years, suggesting rapid adaptation to freshwater environments. The study uses genomic technology developed at the University of Oregon and provides insights into the impact of sudden environmental change on organisms.
A new study by geologist Christoph Korte elucidated a previously unknown major temperature change during the Jurassic period. The researchers found that changes in ocean currents, particularly the uplift of the North Sea Dome, led to reduced heat transport to the Arctic region and altered local fauna distribution.
A new study reveals that people with lower tinnitus distress use different brain regions when processing emotional information. Patients who have adapted to their symptoms use more of the frontal lobe, a region critical for attention and impulse control.
A team of researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has devised a method to inhibit nonsense-mediated decay, a cellular process that detects errors in protein synthesis. This allows for the therapeutic restoration of protein manufacture, even when resulting proteins are truncated or partially functional.
New research finds that gut damage from infection is the primary cause of malnutrition and vaccine failure in infants. The study suggests that prevention measures such as improved sanitation, targeted vaccination, or treatment of infections can help combat malnutrition.
A study published in Journal of Retailing found that luxury brands can increase sales by highlighting partnerships with charity at the point of sale. Consumers feel less guilty about purchasing luxury items when associated with a good cause.
A Northwestern University study finds that universities' messages about socioeconomic diversity can affect academic confidence and sense of self-worth in students from low-income backgrounds. Students perceived as 'warm' versus 'chilly' towards socioeconomic diversity reported different levels of academic confidence and expectations.
The study, conducted in Sunshine County, surveyed leadership positions on their attitudes toward body-worn cameras. Most departments were neutral or supportive of the cameras' use, with concerns over privacy issues and public disclosure.
Researchers reveal brain cancer's highly organized structure, with glioma cells forming streams, swirls, and spheres to protect and spread tumor growth. These structures are not related to specific cancer mutations and can be targeted for treatment.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that antidepressants used during the final two trimesters of pregnancy were associated with an increased risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children. The study, which analyzed data on over 145,000 pregnancies and infants, found a significant increase in ASD diagnoses among children exp...
A social and emotional skills intervention, developed to help children recover from disaster trauma, is being pilot-tested with at-risk youth in the US. The program has served 80,000 children worldwide and could be adapted for young refugees.
A Clemson University team will study the effects of conservation easements on land-use patterns, public participation, and ecosystem integrity. They will compare outcomes for easements with differing purposes and levels of public oversight.