Researchers examine the Loa River system and its impact on water scarcity, highlighting the need for sustainable long-term management. The study identifies areas where deeply buried aquifers exchange water with shallow ones or discharge to surface water systems.
The XENON100 detector achieved high sensitivity, challenging traditional dark matter models. The team recorded faint annual modulation signals in the data, raising questions about the nature of dark matter.
A new study published in AERA Open found a causal link between genetic predisposition and educational attainment, with higher polygenic scores associated with more years of schooling. The research controlled for external factors to isolate the role of genes in shaping educational outcomes.
Researchers from MSK Cancer Center announce results from the first published basket study, a clinical trial design that explores drug responses based on specific tumor mutations. The study found preliminary clinical efficacy of vemurafenib in multiple non-melanoma BRAFV600-mutated cancers.
A study published in Science reveals that humans exploit adult fish populations at 14 times the rate of marine predators and hunt large land carnivores nine times faster than their wild counterparts. This unprecedented level of predation highlights humanity's role as a 'super predator' driving widespread wildlife extinctions.
A substantial proportion of NHS hospital staff, including those in maternity services, encounter patients who have been trafficked, according to research published in BMJ Open. The study found that staff across various specialties lack knowledge on how best to respond to victims and feel inadequately prepared to provide appropriate care.
A collaboration between UK, Colombia and Kenya institutions aims to improve Brachiaria forage crops with drought and pest-resistance. The project uses genomic technologies to develop new varieties under physical stresses.
A UCI study found that acupuncture treatments significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressures in hypertensive patients. The treatment also lowered levels of norepinephrine and renin, which constrict blood vessels and increase blood pressure.
Researchers have developed a more affordable and eco-friendly white LED that can cut down the world's energy consumption. By using common earth-abundant metals and organic luminescent molecules, they created a controllable white light from LEDs, reducing costs by up to 90%.
Johns Hopkins University researchers identified the hippocampus region responsible for distinguishing between familiar and new memories. This finding validates theories about memory processing and may help explain memory impairments in diseases like Alzheimer's, potentially preserving people's memories as they age.
A QUT study found that solo travelers prioritize freedom, meeting new people, and self-discovery over having a companion. Despite challenges like extra costs and safety concerns, the positives outweigh the negatives, making solo travel an increasingly popular option.
The new technology uses a continuous flow chemical reactor and microwave heating to produce nanoparticles that emit light with precise color control. This could lead to improved LED lighting systems with reduced waste and toxicity, cutting the nation's lighting bill in half.
Researchers used computer models to simulate a tsunami generated by an earthquake in the Ventura basin, finding that it could inundate parts of the regional coastline several kilometers inland. The study highlights the potential for significant tsunami hazards in the area and emphasizes the need for full hazard assessments.
Researchers at the University of Missouri found that diaphragm muscle cells and limb skeletal muscle cells respond differently to exercise training in diabetic rats. This discovery could influence future research on respiratory failure in individuals with diabetes.
A new study by Duke University reveals that drought can cause trees to die years after the drought ends, with 72% of affected trees dead within a decade. Thinning out competing trees and monitoring tree growth rates can help prevent this decline.
A study of 109 clinicians found that older participants are more likely to believe playing video games leads to violent behavior, highlighting a generational effect. The researchers suggest that parents can help bridge this gap by engaging with their children and trying out the games themselves.
Researchers successfully transplanted mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) derived from human amniotic membranes into laboratory mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy, demonstrating the potential of MSCs to suppress causes of diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. The study found that AMSCs secrete growth factors that inhibit angiog...
Researchers at the NIH have successfully tested an experimental MERS vaccine in monkeys and camels, demonstrating broad protection against different strains of the virus. The vaccine uses a synthetic DNA sequence that combines elements of SARS and MERS-CoV proteins, inducing protective immunity in non-human primates.
The USDA Forest Service's online Waterviz tool will be strengthened by a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, enabling it to reach more students and educators. The tool, which combines environmental sensors, music, and digital art, aims to increase understanding of science and data literacy.
A recent study published in the International Journal of Cardiology found that home-based treatment (HBI) for chronic heart failure patients was more cost-effective than traditional clinic-based intervention. The study showed that HBI resulted in longer patient survival, reduced hospital stay duration, and lower healthcare costs
Working 55+ hours per week is associated with a 33% increased risk of stroke and a 13% increased risk of coronary heart disease. Longer working hours are linked to increased stress, physical inactivity, and high alcohol consumption, which may increase the risk of stroke.
New research has substantially reduced China's estimated carbon emissions from the past decade, suggesting that international agencies had overestimated its cumulative emissions by as much as 2.9 gigatons. The revised estimates were made possible by a more accurate understanding of fuel quality and emission factors.
A University of Kansas researcher's study found that compulsory schooling laws in Northern US states led to more people marrying those with the same education level and race, potentially contributing to economic inequality. The study suggests that regional differences in economic development may have influenced this outcome.
NASA's Aqua satellite provided visible and infrared data on Super Typhoon Atsani, revealing powerful thunderstorms around a wide-open eye. The storm's sea surface temperatures were warmer than 300 kelvin, supporting its intensification.
A study by Ben-Gurion University researchers highlights the importance of social media in emergency situations. The public is often the first to adopt social media platforms during emergencies, creating a self-regulating environment where users can correct misinformation and share relevant information.
A fossil monkey specimen representing the earliest baboon ever found has been discovered in South Africa, dated between 2-2.36 million years ago. The partial skull confirms earlier suggestions that the fossil baboon species is closely related to modern baboons and may be the earliest known members of the Papio hamadryas species.
A research team led by Alexander Mikheyev found a population of wild bees in Ithaca, New York, that has retained its strength despite the presence of Varroa destructor mites since the mid-1990s. The bees have developed genetic resistance to the disease.
A study by Iowa State University found that activity trackers are less accurate when measuring strength training, with some monitors overestimating calories burned. The BodyMedia Core was the most accurate tracker, while the Misfit Shine was the least, with error rates of 15.3% and 30.4%, respectively.
A new synthetic DNA vaccine has been developed to induce protective immunity against the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus in animals. The vaccine, administered six weeks prior to exposure, was found to fully protect rhesus macaques from disease and generate potentially protective antibodies in camels.
Mutations in genes involved in synaptic communication can drive neuropsychiatric and neurological diseases like autism spectrum disorder and Alzheimer's disease. Disruption of a new sorting pathway severely hampers neuron-neuron communication.
Dr. Martin Duncan's new model proposes that gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn formed through the accumulation of small 'pebbles', allowing cores to form rapidly enough to capture their atmosphere. The successful model predicts the formation of one to four gas giant planets, consistent with the observed outer solar system configuration.
A study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that eating instant oatmeal for breakfast significantly reduced food intake at lunch. The researchers attributed this effect to the higher molecular viscosity of beta-glucan in instant oatmeal, which enhanced satiety and feelings of fullness.
Recent studies have shown that thinking of plants and animals as autonomous individuals is a serious over-simplification. Microbiologists propose the concept of holobionts, which consists of visible hosts plus millions of invisible microbes that significantly affect development, diseases, behavior, and social interactions.
A study by Florida Atlantic University finds that black borrowers, especially low-income black women, pay significantly higher interest rates on home mortgages compared to their white counterparts. The rate difference can be substantial, resulting in additional monthly mortgage payments and lost wealth over time.
Economist Edward Barbier calls for international cooperation to protect the world's most at-risk nations from hurricane damage and long-term climate change impacts. He advocates for coastal protection plans, economic diversification, and restoration of natural barriers to safeguard vulnerable populations.
Researchers identified three distinct groups of asthma patients characterized by different genes in airways, with Th2 and Th17 pathways reciprocally regulated. Blocking both pathways simultaneously may demonstrate better efficacy than targeting either alone.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine deciphered the structure and unusual shape of bacterial protein IstB, which prepares segments of DNA for jumping genes. The clamshell shape bends DNA into a 180-degree U-turn, priming it for transposon insertion.
Researchers at VIB and KU Leuven found that inhibiting PHD1 prevents p53 activation, leading to improved response to chemotherapy in colorectal cancer cells. This discovery offers new therapeutic potential for increasing sensitivity to chemotherapeutic treatments.
A study by Concordia University found that exercising regularly can reduce body-related guilt in teen smokers, while non-active smokers experience higher levels of shame. The research suggests that physical activity may be a promising solution to prevention and cessation.
The new online-only journal focuses on interdisciplinary discussion and debate in reproductive biomedicine, including its societal and cultural implications. The first issue covers a symposium of research on the history of the first IVF births.
Researchers suggest planetary pebbles, icy objects about a foot in diameter, were the building blocks for Jupiter and Saturn. This new model improves solar system formation models, producing the observed structure of the solar system with two gas giants, two ice giants, and a pristine Kuiper belt.
A saliva test for stress hormone cortisol may identify healthy older adults at risk of cognitive decline, with higher evening cortisol levels linked to smaller brain volume and poor memory skills. The study suggests a potential link between cortisol's toxic effect on the hippocampus and dementia risk.
Researchers found that emails with 'black-sounding' names received a response 4% less often than those with 'white-sounding' names. This disparity was most pronounced in sheriffs' offices, where 'black-sounding' names were 7% less likely to receive a response.
New supercomputer models capture normal human heart valves' behavior and their replacements, helping doctors make more durable repairs. The models can simulate the effects of realistic blood flow on heart valve tissue, allowing for better understanding of valve failure mechanisms.
A systematic review found modafinil enhances cognition in non-sleep-deprived individuals, particularly on complex tasks. The drug improves decision-making, planning, and mood, while having minimal side effects.
Researchers have developed a new method for studying protein structure using nanoscopic pores, allowing for the analysis of individual proteins without modification. This technique enables the detection of protein aggregates, which are associated with diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Typhoon Goni, a Category 4 hurricane, was analyzed by NASA's Aqua satellite on August 19, 2015, revealing cloud top temperatures as cold as -63.1F/-81.6C surrounding its eye.
Engineers at the University of California, Riverside discovered that nearly 15% of baby spinach leaf surface area may reach concentrations as low as 1000 times that of bleach disinfectant, allowing bacteria to survive and spread. The study highlights the limitations of current disinfection methods in reducing cross-contamination.
The causes of stellar explosions known as Type Ia supernovae have been debated for decades. Recent studies suggest that either one or two white dwarfs can trigger these events, shedding light on the evolution of galaxies and dark energy. Understanding this phenomenon will inform our study of the universe's expansion.
A University of Queensland scientist cautions against shark culling, citing challenges in managing populations and predicting long-term ecological impact. The expert's research uses DNA analysis to estimate shark numbers and predict population trends.
Researchers found that increasing a man's height and masculinity while maintaining age at around 35 makes them appear more dominant. This study provides insight into casting choices made by film directors, who often choose actors with these characteristics for leading roles.
A study led by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and MIT reveals a genetic circuit controlling fat storage versus burning. The research identifies two key genes, IRX3 and IRX5, which are under the control of the FTO gene variant associated with obesity. Manipulating this pathway may offer a new treatment approach for obesity.
Research at the University of Surrey reveals peak concentrations of ultrafine particles reach up to 4000 times local background levels during building activities. Breathing these particles can lead to cardiovascular and respiratory system diseases.
A University of Kansas study reveals that physical activity is more beneficial for preventing and managing diabetes among college graduates than those with less education. Adults with a college degree who are physically active were 6% less likely to have pre-diabetic symptoms.
Researchers have developed a strategy for genome-wide annotation of primary miRNA transcripts, providing extensive new annotations in human and mouse. This study sheds light on the mechanisms of regulation of microRNA gene expression, including novel regulatory mechanisms and alternative promoters.
Researchers found a strong association between helium and groundwater, suggesting that large volumes of helium are being transported into natural gas fields. This discovery indicates that the existing helium reserves may be greater than initially thought.
Researchers have discovered promising new compounds that may reduce alcoholics' urge to drink by targeting the brain's pleasure centers. The compounds, known as beta-carbolines, appear to be less addictive and cause fewer side effects than current treatments.
Researchers have developed an easy-to-implement method to eliminate or reduce cross-contamination in commercial processing facilities that prepare leafy greens for the market. The new approach uses a photocatalyst to kill bacteria, particularly E. coli, which is responsible for many outbreaks.
Researchers developed a new process to improve the flavor of commercially sold tomatoes. By adding a hot water pre-treatment step, they found higher levels of flavor compounds and better taste. The approach is easy and inexpensive, and could be implemented in current commercial systems.
A recent study found that signaling to one another can be lost in populations, particularly if receiving the signal is not crucial for mating. This loss of signals can happen rapidly and may lead to extinction or hybridization with other species.