Researchers at Caltech developed a novel technique called TRUME that utilizes microbubbles to focus light inside biological tissue. The technique can be used as an effective 'guidestar' to target specific locations in tissues, enabling minimally invasive treatments such as tumor destruction and diagnostic imaging. This innovation has t...
A new antibody treatment has shown promise in blocking the process of bone degradation caused by osteosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer. The treatment reduced bone degradation by up to 80% in a cancer mouse model, offering hope for reducing amputations among young patients.
Researchers have discovered a multifractal spatial structure in disordered materials that can turn them from conductors to insulators. This finding has significant implications for understanding the behavior of disordered materials, which are found in amorphous solids like glass and biological tissue.
A 30-year analysis suggests that safer sleep environments are one of several factors behind the decline in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) rates. Improved prenatal and neonatal care, reduced maternal smoking, increased breast feeding, and declines in teen pregnancy also contribute to the trend.
A new study estimates that up to 50% of children in Lesotho live in households with someone infected or are orphaned due to HIV/AIDS. The research highlights the substantial number of children affected by HIV-infected adults, often living with parents who are infected, and emphasizes the need for distinct care and outreach efforts.
A study found that prolonged hypobaria from air evacuation worsened long-term cognitive outcomes in rats with TBI. Researchers suggest approaches to limit negative effects, including delaying transport or increasing cabin pressurization.
Researchers found that an impaired immune system alters the composition of gut bacteria and affects its evolutionary pace. The study suggests personalized therapies based on individual gut bacteria composition may be more effective than generalist treatments for inflammatory bowel disease.
A Canadian research team developed a device to detect social wasp alarm pheromones, revealing three species have similar chemical messages. This discovery highlights the insects' ability to recognize and respond to other species' alarm pheromones.
A new study published in PLOS ONE reveals that vessel speed is the most influential factor in how much noise from boats reaches endangered killer whales. The research used digital acoustic recording tags and laser positioning system to track boat noise levels and found that speed was the main contributor.
A study of over 20,000 women with stage IV breast cancer found improved survival rates, especially among those who received initial breast surgery. The median survival increased from 20 to 26 months, and age, tumor size, hormone receptor status, and year of diagnosis were associated with prolonged survival.
Researchers discovered the majority of missing ordinary matter in the universe, found in hot gas associated with intergalactic filaments. The study validates models of galaxy formation and could lead to a better understanding of heavy elements formed by stars since the beginning of the universe.
Researchers found that investors who experienced intense positive emotions before trading were more aggressive and pushed prices up, while those with negative emotions proceeded cautiously. This study increases understanding of how bubbles work and highlights the importance of considering emotional triggers in asset price inflation.
Researchers analyzed 700 hours of archival data to discover a burst of radio waves from six billion light years away. The region of space it came from was highly magnetized, suggesting it could be related to a supernova or nebula forming new stars.
Helminck is honored for increasing the diversity of the mathematical research community through his work at North Carolina State University. He has successfully recruited and retained doctoral students from underrepresented groups, as well as directed programs to foster diversity in mathematics education.
Researchers have developed a class of compounds that inhibit acid ceramidase, an enzyme that accelerates tumor growth in melanoma. These compounds enhance the effect of anti-tumor drugs by making melanoma cells more prone to apoptosis.
Researchers identify five chemicals that trigger rice plants to fend off white-backed planthoppers, reducing the need for pesticides. The chemicals, phenoxyalkanoic acid derivatives, have shown potential in controlling insect pests and protecting ecosystems.
Adult stem cells adjust proliferative activity in response to various signals through intracellular calcium signaling, revealing a master regulator of stem cell activity. Elevated Ca2+ levels regulate stem cell division and growth in response to L-glutamate, infection, and tissue damage.
A University at Buffalo study uses Twitter data to enhance computer models guiding traffic during snowstorms and adverse weather. By analyzing over 360,000 tweets, researchers found that including such data improves the accuracy of models, particularly during peak tweeting hours and in densely populated areas.
Research suggests that mitochondrial function affects hormonal, metabolic, and behavioral systems in response to mild stress. This discovery has implications for understanding the genetic basis of neuropsychiatric diseases and the role of stress in human health.
A study at Thomas Jefferson University has successfully increased the production of GM1 ganglioside in mice with Parkinson's disease. The researchers used an enzyme to convert naturally occurring ganglioside molecules into GM1, providing neuronal protection similar to direct GM1 injection.
Researchers develop methods to accurately simulate methane adsorption and desorption in porous carbon, relevant for energy research and climate change mitigation. The study used computational methods to analyze molecular interactions between methane and activated carbon, providing insights into preventing gas adsorption.
The US hemp industry is expected to grow as the country's demand for healthful foods increases, thanks to the nutritional profile of hemp. The crop contains all nine essential amino acids, omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, and has been shown to have potential health benefits.
A Loyola University Medical Center study found that antidepressant escitalopram reduces levels of two neurotoxic compounds associated with memory loss and dementia in severely depressed patients. The study suggests a potential link between depression and increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
A study published in Journal of Communication found that 16% of Jewish Israeli Facebook users unfriended friends during the Israel-Gaza conflict due to political comments. Users who unfriended were more likely to be ideologically extreme and less supportive of free speech.
Researchers at Kobe University and AIST in Japan developed a technology to select high-affinity proteins that bind with membrane proteins, a key feature in controlling physiological functions. This discovery has potential applications in the development of new biopharmaceuticals for various drug targets, including cancer treatment.
A European study reveals alcohol-related conditions significantly contribute to socioeconomic inequality in total mortality among men in some countries. Rates of alcohol-related mortality are highest in individuals with less education or manual occupations across 17 European countries. The disparities are particularly pronounced in Eas...
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University are building a wearable cognitive assistance system called Gabriel that provides instructions for tasks like repairing equipment or assembling furniture. The system uses a wearable vision system and taps into cloud computing via 'cloudlets' to enable real-time guidance.
The University of Illinois aims to increase the water use efficiency of sorghum by reducing transpiration through stomata and shifting photosynthetic activity. The project predicts a 40% improvement in water use efficiency, unlocking over 9 million new acres for energy crop production.
Researchers from the University of Virginia have received the 2015 Robert W. Cahn Best Paper Prize from Springer's Journal of Materials Science for their work on ytterbium silicate protective coatings. The study optimizes the deposition process for these coatings, which are crucial for advanced gas turbine engines.
A new study found that as country-level C-section rates increase up to 19%, maternal and neonatal mortality rates decline, while rates above 19% show no further improvement. The World Health Organization's recommended rate of 10-15% may be too low.
A recent study published in JAMA Network reveals that adults with cerebral palsy (CP) are more likely to develop chronic health conditions such as asthma, hypertension, and arthritis. The study found significant differences in age-adjusted prevalence rates of these conditions between adults with CP and those without CP.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have successfully engineered new diaphragm tissue in rats using stem cells and 3D scaffolds, which can regrow with the same complex mechanical properties as natural diaphragm muscle. The technique offers hope for a cure for congenital diaphragm malformations and possible future heart muscle repairs.
Researchers propose that plants 'decide' to thrive in certain environments, influencing biome productivity and composition. Nitrogen-fixing trees, which produce their own fertilizer, flourish in tropical zones but struggle in temperate forests, highlighting the importance of plant strategy in ecosystem evolution.
Chapman University has been awarded a $4 million U.S. Army Research Office grant to develop advanced methods for extracting information from continuous microwave signals. The project, led by Dr. Justin Dressel, aims to improve upon existing error correction methods using superconducting quantum bits.
By exploiting polarization of light, MIT researchers have developed a system that can increase the resolution of conventional 3D imaging devices up to 1,000 times. The technique uses coarse depth estimates and real-time calculations to provide high-quality 3D images.
A new study published in The FASEB Journal suggests that low doses of abscisic acid can reduce glycemia and insulinemia in both rats and humans. This finding has implications for developing new pharmacologic approaches to prevent or treat diabetes.
Researchers created a one-dimensional model of thrombus formation, similar to Tetris, and later expanded to a two-dimensional model. This allows them to study the dynamics of thrombus growth under various conditions, including damage to the vascular wall.
Researchers found a strong association between negative news stories about statins and early discontinuation, increasing the risk of heart attacks and cardiovascular mortality. The study suggests that exposure to negative news can play a role in patients' decisions to stop taking their medication.
A new study found that higher cigarette taxes are strongly associated with lower infant mortality rates in the US. The association is stronger for African American infants than non-Hispanic white infants, which has implications for reducing disparities in infant mortality between the two groups.
Russian scientists have predicted a decrease in solar magnetic activity, which could lead to cooler temperatures in Europe. The researchers used analysis of solar radiation and isotopes to create a model that predicts the Sun's behavior over the next thousand years.
A study found that taking Truvada 'as needed' around periods of sexual activity reduced the risk of HIV transmission amongst men and transgender women at high-risk by 86%. The researchers suggest this approach can increase adherence to medication regimes, leading to improved prevention outcomes.
A randomized trial shows that cognitive-behavioral stress management improves survival and lengthens time to recurrence in women diagnosed with breast cancer. Women who received stress management training experienced greater length of survival and longer time till disease recurrence over eight to 15 years after diagnosis.
Researchers from Uppsala University implemented a Turing test to assess how good their mathematical models were at reproducing collective motion of real fish schools. Despite matching statistical properties, experts and public players could differentiate between simulated and real schools, highlighting areas for improvement.
A UCLA study found that less than 5% of men with low-risk prostate cancer undergoing active surveillance receive regular monitoring, putting them at risk of cancer progression. The study suggests that patients and doctors should agree on a follow-up schedule to closely monitor the cancer.
Researchers at National Research Tomsk State University found that neoadjuvant chemotherapy can stimulate evolution of the tumor, leading to resistance and metastasis. The study analyzed biopsies from women with breast cancer before and after surgery, revealing a 23% increase in new tumor formation.
New tools, MEGENA and SuperExactTest, help genomics researchers study hierarchical organization patterns in complex networks and compare large sets of data. These tools were published in PLoS Computational Biology and Scientific Reports.
Researchers discovered that antiretroviral therapies can interfere with myelin production in the brain, leading to cognitive impairments. The study suggests a need for rethinking HIV drug design and prescription, particularly for children, to improve patient outcomes.
Researchers studied the life cycle of Paracyphononyx scapulatus, a spider parasite that grows on a paralyzed host before killing it to feed. The study found that despite manipulating the host's behavior, the larva still killed its host and consumed it within 48 hours.
Cuttlefish use electrical fields to mask their presence from sharks, reducing the bioelectric field by up to 89% when arms are over siphons. This technology is used in combination with visual camouflage to protect against predation.
Hiroshima University researchers develop a new technique to prevent 'springback' in press-forming high-strength steel, a common problem that causes defects and environmental concerns. By eliminating this issue, they enable the mass production of lightweight cars with reduced emissions.
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered a fundamental flaw in the physics of photonic sintering, leading to improved product quality and process efficiency. The new understanding allows for high-quality products to be created at much lower temperatures, twice as fast and with 10 times more energy efficiency.
A polypill combining three cardio-protective medicines has been approved in 15 European countries and is being commercialized across Europe. The innovative approach aims to reduce societal burden and improve patient treatment, with the focus on increasing adherence to prescribed medication.
The global diet is getting sweeter, particularly when it comes to beverages, with many packaged foods containing caloric sweeteners. The World Health Organization promotes initiatives to reduce intake, but policies face challenges such as a lack of consensus on low-calorie sweetener substitutes.
A recent study reveals that poor countries are exposed to more aggressive tobacco marketing than affluent nations, with the majority of sales in low-income countries occurring through single cigarettes. This intense marketing can lead to a higher likelihood of young people starting to smoke and becoming lifelong smokers.
A recent study by an international group of evolutionary biologists has convincingly refuted the proposition that comb jellies are the phylogenetically oldest extant metazoan group. Sponges are now reaffirmed as the first phylum to diverge from the common ancestor of metazoans, restoring the classical view of early animal evolution.
Researchers found that magnesium-L-threonate alleviated cognitive decline in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease by suppressing Aβ deposition. The study suggests that magnesium ions target APH-1α/1β, inhibiting the aggregation of β-amyloid protein and resulting in improved cognitive function.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have developed a new approach to imaging patients using Xbox gaming technology, which measures body-part thickness and checks for motion before taking X-rays. The technology aims to produce high-quality X-ray images at low radiation doses without repeating images.
A randomized trial found that metformin did not improve glycemic control after 6 months, despite reducing weight gain and insulin doses. The study included 140 adolescents with type 1 diabetes, aged 12-19 years, and was conducted at 26 pediatric endocrinology clinics.
Researchers at Ghent University found a worm globin protein that generates free radical signals, which are essential for reproductive cell generation and regulation of hydrogen peroxide concentrations. Genetic knockdown of the new globin results in sterility, suggesting a crucial role for this signaling process in biology.
Researchers have identified a new way in which methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) exploits the body's own immune system to persist in infected tissues. By understanding this process, new treatments may be developed to reduce complications from infection after prosthetic surgery.