A study found that cell free DNA analysis is less effective than sequential screening for detecting all fetal chromosomal abnormalities. Sequential screening detected an 81.6% success rate and a 4.11% false positive rate, while cell free DNA detection had a lower 68% success rate at a one percent screen positive rate.
Agricultural fires in Indochina were detected by NASA's MODIS instrument, revealing the region's reliance on deliberate burning for land management. The practice helps enhance crops and grasses but also degrades air quality through smoke production.
A team of MIT mathematicians developed a theory predicting wrinkled patterns on curved surfaces, confirmed through experiments. The theory states that curvature is the main parameter determining pattern formation, with thicker shells forming hexagonal patterns and thinner shells resulting in labyrinthine configurations.
A new TSRI study explains how booster shots prompt immune memory to improve, a crucial step toward longer-lasting vaccines. The research demonstrates how immune cells evolve and adapt to recognize viruses, leading to more diverse and effective antibody responses.
Tropical Cyclone Ola's elongated shape was caused by northeasterly wind shear pushing clouds southwest of the center. The storm is expected to dissipate over the next 48 hours due to decreasing ocean heat content.
Researchers estimate that only one-fifth of terrestrial rainfall enters the ocean through overland channels, while a vast amount flows directly from the ocean. A subterranean estuary, which Moore has termed, plays a crucial role in exchanging water and nutrients between the ocean and land.
A new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research suggests that supporting clean technologies like renewables and carbon capture can help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions even with weak CO2 pricing. The researchers used a state-of-the-art computer model to analyze different policy instruments and their interactions.
Mercury contamination is affecting fish populations worldwide, with yellowfin tuna concentrations doubling by 2050 if emissions continue to rise. Human activity is driving the increase in mercury levels, highlighting the need for urgent action to reduce pollution.
A recent study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that spiny lobsters are abundant and support local fisheries. The study recommends increasing the size limit to make the fishery more sustainable.
Researchers at Oregon Health & Sciences University successfully tested a peptide developed by Case Western Reserve neurosciences professor Jerry Silver, PhD, which showed 100% success in animal models, regenerating nerves into heart attack scar tissue and preventing arrhythmia.
Researchers discovered a new way to shrink ovarian cancer tumors by inhibiting abnormal angiogenesis. Using a naturally occurring protein inhibitor called 3TSR, the approach improved chemotherapy drug delivery and resulted in significant tumor regression and survival.
A meta-analysis of 14 studies suggests that non-medication interventions can significantly reduce the risk of delirium and falls among older patients. These interventions include nutrition and hydration improvement, exercise, therapeutic activities, and re-orientation strategies.
The Asian citrus psyllid can travel at least two kilometers in a twelve-day period, infesting neighboring groves and exacerbating citrus greening disease. Area-wide management practices are recommended to control the insect and prevent further losses.
Recent study finds that the global warming slowdown is due to random fluctuations, not systematic errors in climate models. The simulations of climate trends agree well with observations, suggesting that the models are reliable and accurate.
A Rice University study uses the lowly roundworm to measure the effects of various nanoparticles on individual organisms and entire populations. The researchers found that five types of nanoparticles showed little to no toxicity, while others were moderately or highly toxic to the worm population.
Research published in The FASEB Journal suggests that spaceflight conditions can induce changes in B lymphocyte production in bone marrow, leading to premature aging of the immune system. A ground-based model simulating low-gravity conditions found similar effects in mice as those observed in elderly mice on Earth.
Scientists at the University of Utah and Georgia have discovered a pharmacological target that could enable development of novel drugs against antibiotic-resistant pathogens, including MRSA. The target is based on a unique pathway for making heme, an essential iron-carrying molecule specific to Gram-positive bacteria.
The Fraunhofer Institute is developing a platform to interconnect various IT systems in rural areas, enabling secure real-time communication and optimizing transportation systems. This technology will be presented at CeBIT, allowing people to test business models for rural areas with a real-life simulation.
Researchers found high TNF alpha levels in tumor tissue correlate with increased numbers of activated killer cells and a favorable course of the disease. The study suggests that TNF alpha could serve as an independent biomarker for disease prognosis.
Researchers analyzed sediments from Lake Bosumtwi, Ghana, to reconstruct precipitation patterns in West Africa over the past 20,000 years. The study suggests that the African monsoon's response to climate forcing is more complex than previously understood, with a gradual decrease and southward migration over several thousand years.
A meta-analysis of multicomponent nonpharmacological interventions found significant reductions in delirium incidence and falls among hospitalized older patients. These strategies also trended toward decreases in length of hospital stay and institutionalization, suggesting a potential cost savings of over $16 billion annually.
A study in Albania found that traditional communities' understanding of local plants is crucial for their well-being. The researchers recorded 418 plant uses, highlighting the overlap between cultures and the importance of preserving this knowledge for science and community improvement.
A recent study confirms that galactic contaminants are too intense to distinguish cosmological gravitational waves, casting doubt on the detection. The Planck-BICEP2 collaboration used multiple instruments to rule out contamination, but acknowledge the need for sharper eyes to detect the signal.
The Hastings Center Report explores the controversy surrounding the Surfactant, Positive Pressure, and Oxygenation Randomized Trial (SUPPORT), a study that gauged risks and benefits of blood oxygen levels in premature infants. The debate highlights concerns over informed consent and the ethics of comparative effectiveness research.
A study documents the disappearance of pikas from low-elevation sites in California's mountains, primarily due to climate change. The researchers predict that by 2070, pikas may disappear from up to 75% of their historical range, depending on greenhouse gas emissions levels.
A large study published in BMJ Open found that teens who spend more than 2 hours on screens after school are strongly linked to longer sleep onset latency and shorter sleep duration. The research suggests that screen time may replace sleeping time or interfere with sleep by stimulating the nervous system.
Researchers found that self-affirmation increases activity in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, leading to a steeper decline in sedentary behaviors. The study showed that people who were affirmed before receiving health advice demonstrated higher brain activity and improved behavior change.
A retrospective cohort study found that metformin use was associated with a decreased risk of lung cancer in diabetic patients who had never smoked. Nonsmokers taking metformin for five years or longer showed a 52% reduction in lung cancer risk, but this finding was not statistically significant.
A new study found a significant link between austerity measures and sharp increases in Greek suicides, particularly among men. The analysis, which covered the period from 1983 to 2012, showed that men experienced a sustained 13% increase in suicide beginning in October 2008.
Recent studies of Mesozoic mammals in China reveal a diverse range of species, with many exhibiting mammalian characteristics. The findings provide insights into the evolution of the mammalian middle ear and the origin of mammals, with implications for our understanding of vertebrate biology.
A large Canadian Medical Association Journal study found that combining trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole with spironolactone more than doubles the risk of sudden death in older patients. The study suggests that physicians should consider alternative antibiotics for patients on spironolactone to reduce this risk.
A new study by scientists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution reveals that the deep ocean is a major source of dissolved iron in the central Pacific Ocean. The research found that hydrothermal vents and sediments thousands of meters below the sea surface are the primary sources of iron, contradicting previous assumptions.
A new study by Oxford University scientists reveals that migrating birds 'share the pain' of leading a v-formation, allowing them to take turns saving energy. The research found that individual birds spend an average of 32% of their time benefiting from flying in the updraft produced by another bird's flapping wings.
A UCI study reveals that conifer tree species drive different types of fires in North America and Eurasia, with varying climate effects. These patterns have large-scale implications for fire ecology, climate modeling, and forest management.
A team of researchers from UCLA and Columbia University has made a breakthrough in controlling light on a nanoscale by using random crystal lattice structures. This discovery could lead to more precise data transfer in computer chips and the development of new optical materials for laser emission.
Researchers discovered that trap-jaw ants can tell who belongs in the nest and who doesn't by recognizing the distinctive blend of odors. The ants use chemical context to assess an individual's status, a hierarchical system that is fundamental to their social structure.
A study by Nova Southeastern University researchers found that Valsartan and Candesartan are more effective in preventing aldosterone production, which can lead to heart failure. This discovery may help cardiologists choose the best ARB drug for treating heart failure patients.
Researchers are developing a stress-eating smartphone app called RELAX, which will track daily activities, eating patterns, and stress levels. The app aims to provide coaching for dietary choices and guided stress-reduction exercises to help users better understand their emotional eating habits.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health have discovered a new pathway to slow down tumor growth in cancers with BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations. By inhibiting the action of polymerase theta enzyme, cancer cell growth can be cut by more than half.
Researchers have discovered that water helps melt rock and speed up the transport of magma to the surface. The Lau Basin in the South Pacific, where water content is highest, surprisingly shows less magma than expected.
Researchers discovered a type of sulfur bacteria preserved in rocks over 1.8 billion years old, which remain unchanged and indistinguishable from modern bacteria found in the same region. This finding supports Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by suggesting that evolution occurs only when environmental conditions change.
A new study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Waisman Center has made significant progress in understanding the role of human astrocytes in neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and spinal cord injuries. Astrocytes, a type of glial cell, have been found to play a crucial role in neuronal survival and proper nervous system signaling.
A study has found that certain genetic variants in a baby's DNA may increase the risk of preterm birth. The researchers analyzed the DNA of hundreds of babies and their mothers, finding a link between duplicated or deleted genes in the babies and an increased risk of early birth.
New research suggests that sinuous grain boundaries in graphene can relieve stress, resulting in enhanced mechanical strength and predictable electronic transport gaps. This discovery may lead to the development of polycrystalline graphene with precise misalignment of components, enabling the control of semiconducting characteristics.
Undergraduates at Wake Forest University will conduct original mathematical research under the guidance of Assistant Professor Jeremy Rouse and Visiting Assistant Professor Katherine Thompson. The program, WADE INTO Research, aims to develop students' skills in mathematics and prepare them for future careers.
A new study found that climate change sceptics and believers share integrated expressions of self, forming specific social identities. The researchers suggest building support for mitigation policies requires approaches beyond science education, focusing on changing relationships between groups.
A study by Ohio State University suggests that confidence in government is a key factor in public willingness to vaccinate. People with high trust in the government were more likely to take the swine flu vaccine, while those with low trust had lower vaccination rates. The research also found that individuals who watched more news and h...
A new review highlights techniques to provide optimal dosing recommendations for patients with kidney disease. Mathematical modeling tools can help analyze clinical program level data to inform dosing decisions.
Fistulifera solaris, a diatom microalga, is found to grow quickly and produce high levels of oils simultaneously. Its genome and transcriptome analyses provide insights into its characteristics, making it an excellent candidate for batch culture biofuel production.
Researchers found that smoke from spring fires in Central America intensified conditions leading to severe tornadoes in the US. The study's results suggest a novel mechanism by which smoke affects tornado severity, and highlight the importance of considering atmospheric particles in weather prediction models.
Researchers found that aphids which consistently display risk-averse or risk-prone behavior tend to thrive better than those that exhibit mixed strategies, especially when faced with predators. The study suggests that committing to a consistent behavioral type can be key to achieving overall fitness and reproductive success.
The AAO-HNSF clinical practice guideline for allergic rhinitis aims to improve diagnosis and treatment, addressing quality improvement opportunities and reducing harmful variations in care. It affects about 1 in every 6 Americans, generating an estimated $2 to $5 billion in expenditures each year.
University of Groningen scientists have created a molecular sensor to measure crowding in living cells, allowing for the quantification of macromolecule concentrations. The sensor uses Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to detect changes in protein-protein interactions and provides valuable insights into cellular function.
Researchers have developed a new technique to capture real-time 3D images of living organisms, such as zebrafish and fruit flies, allowing for the visualization of their anatomy and functions. This breakthrough uses Optical Projection Tomography, enabling the creation of three-dimensional images up to three millimeters long.
A Yale-led study found that 11% of hospitalized heart failure patients received intravenous fluids in addition to diuretics. Patients given both therapies were more likely to suffer adverse consequences, such as higher rates of critical care admission and even death.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University developed a technique to visualize AMPA receptors in live mice, revealing that tickling increases receptor levels and strengthens synapses. This discovery has broad applications for studying learning and neurological disorders like autism, Alzheimer's disease, and schizophrenia.
Researchers at Dartmouth's Norris Cotton Cancer Center have identified ERBB4 as a driver protein in breast cancers that have developed resistance to HER2 targeted therapies. The discovery suggests that anti-ERBB4 drugs could be highly beneficial for patients who no longer respond to first or second-line treatments.
A new study identifies the top 10 challenges facing global pharmaceutical supply chains, including lack of coordination, inventory management, and human resource dependency. The research highlights the need for strengthened pharmaceutical delivery systems to improve health outcomes in developing regions.
The Fraunhofer Institute's IT Security Laboratory provides a secured test environment to assess the security of industrial automation systems and develop new defense strategies. Real-time requirements in production facilities necessitate unique IT security measures.
Researchers analyzed data from Medicare and VA patients, revealing that physicians' prescribing decisions are influenced by multiple factors, including patient costs and regional variations. The study highlights the need for improvement in healthcare systems to optimize treatment selection and reduce costs.