A business-as-usual approach to satisfying food demand is not sustainable due to climate change. Plant science can bolster supply by increasing crop nutritional content, water efficiency, and resistance to pests and diseases.
Researchers at ORNL discovered a new mechanism for converting bio-based ethanol into hydrocarbon blend-stocks, eliminating an energy-consuming intermediary step. This breakthrough could support the economic viability of direct biofuel-to-hydrocarbon conversion technologies.
A University of Kent expert suggests that psychoactive drugs could be used to encourage sedentary people to exercise. By reducing the perception of effort required during physical activity, these drugs may help individuals with low motivation to engage in moderate-intensity exercises like walking.
A device that hijacks the mating signals of Asian citrus psyllids may help provide an environmentally friendly system for preventing citrus greening, a devastating disease that has cost the Florida citrus industry billions of dollars. The researchers' vibration trap uses acoustic methods to lure male psyllids into traps, where they are...
A recent study by Mayo Clinic reveals that only one in five US pancreatic cancer patients receive the CA 19-9 tumor marker test at diagnosis, which can help predict treatment outcomes and guide personalized treatment. The test eliminates negative effects on survival when chemotherapy is administered before surgery.
A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials found that endovascular therapy improved functional outcomes and higher rates of independence at 90 days, but no significant difference in symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage or all-cause mortality. The study included data from 8 trials involving 2,423 patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Hypersexuality correlated with sexual boredom and erectile dysfunction in a study of Croatian and German men. Therapies for hypersexual men may include sex therapy principles to enhance erectile functioning and address sexual boredom.
Researchers at Einstein and Berkeley will develop new instruments to image genes and proteins in living cells, enabling visualization of gene regulation processes. The grant aims to create powerful microscopes and fluorescent probes to reveal mechanisms controlling gene expression.
The new approach created flexible Fresnel zone plate microlenses with a wide field of view, enabling capture of broad perspectives at reduced size. The lenses are no larger than the head of a pin and can be freely reconfigured.
Researchers reveal that jellyfish and lampreys suck water towards themselves to move forward, contrary to previous assumptions. By studying the motion of these ancient creatures, scientists gain insights into fluid dynamics, potentially improving human-made technologies such as submarines and ships.
Researchers at Materialytics, LLC have developed a new testing method to identify the sources of diamonds with an average accuracy of 98%. The technique analyzes signals from the carbon itself, making it applicable to all diamonds and providing scientific verification for conflict-free trade.
A new study warns that wildfires may double soil erosion in some western US states by 2050, degrading water quality and affecting aquatic life. The increase in wildfires due to climate change is projected to cause at least a 100% increase in erosion in a quarter of western watersheds.
Researchers at TUM discovered that blood stem cells renew themselves through interaction with surrounding tissue cells, which influences the microenvironment. This feedback loop is essential for maintaining stem cell pool replenishment and has implications for treating leukemia.
A large-scale study published in Frontiers in Psychology found the NeuroCognitive Performance Test (NCPT) to be a reliable and valid measure of cognitive performance. The NCPT assesses various cognitive domains, including working memory, reasoning, and attention, with good test-retest reliability and sensitivity to age-related changes.
A study suggests that health campaigns tailored to teen subcultures can reduce risky behaviors such as smoking and drinking. The 'peer-crowd' campaign, which targets alternative youth, has shown promising results in preventing smoking from being seen as socially acceptable.
Researchers found strong associations between hunger and poor health, including birth defects, anemia, and behavioral problems. Doctors are recommended to ask about food security during regular office visits to identify patients at risk.
Dr. Aria Nosratinia is investigating ways to break wireless messages into microstreams, reducing interference, and developing methods to detect malicious hardware modifications known as hardware Trojans. His research could lead to better wireless communication and increased network capacity.
Researchers found that increased grey matter volume in the right hemisphere relates to better-than-expected speech abilities in stroke survivors. The study suggests a new direction in treatment for post-stroke language disorders.
A study found that switching to efavirenz-based therapy did not result in higher rates of viral rebound or failure in HIV-infected children with suppressed viral loads. This approach may offer advantages in these patients.
Researchers aim to conduct clinical trials on implantable, engineered organs in this decade. The device mimics human kidney functions and has shown encouraging early studies.
A new study finds that the APOE epsilon 4 allele is associated with an increased risk of late-life depression, even after controlling for Alzheimer's disease. The presence of this allele predicts future depression in older adults, highlighting its potential as a marker for prevention and early detection.
Fireworks can cause a 25% reduction in visibility due to atmospheric particulate matter, raising concerns for motorist and pedestrian safety. Improved forecasting of visibility degradation is expected thanks to the research.
A recent UK study found that around 1 in 100 patients are at risk of receiving an inappropriate prescription, highlighting the need for regular drug reviews. The study also emphasizes the importance of considering the risks of prescribing multiple drugs, particularly for older patients and those with multiple conditions.
A content analysis of nearly 500 anti-vaccination websites found that over two-thirds used misinformation and pseudoscience to claim vaccines are dangerous. The sites also promoted positive behaviors like eating healthy and breastfeeding, often using these tactics to sway vaccine-hesitant parents.
A recent study found nearly 18% of returning veterans experience sexual functioning difficulties, with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder being major contributing factors. The study's authors emphasize the need for easy access to effective care and open discussion of sexual health concerns among veterans.
Researchers investigated the impact of augmented reality on various end-users, highlighting issues such as surveillance, privacy, and potential discrimination. They developed recommendations for policymakers to inform the development of adaptable, secure systems.
The CU-Boulder study found that the ancient villagers of Ceren had significant interactions among families, village elders, craftspeople, and specialty maintenance workers. The village's high degree of preservation allowed researchers to see daily life in detail, with evidence of free market transactions and no control by elite royalty.
A NOAA-led team found that only 20% of pregnant dolphins in Barataria Bay gave birth to healthy calves, compared to an 83% success rate in a similar population. The study also revealed high rates of reproductive failure and death among dolphins exposed to oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill.
Researchers have found a link between the origins of hepatitis A virus (HAV) and small mammals, specifically bats and rodents. The study provides novel insight into the evolution of HAV and how it spread to humans, highlighting the importance of analyzing animal reservoirs for risk assessment of emerging viruses.
A study published in JAMA Network found a small increased risk of childhood-onset epilepsy among Danish children with hospital-diagnosed pertussis infections. Researchers identified 90 cases of epilepsy in the pertussis cohort, compared to 511 in the general population.
Researchers investigated how hypoglycemia affects cardiovascular autonomic control, finding a clear change in the body's responses to cardiovascular stress. The study suggests that hypoglycemia may compromise the heart's function.
The San Antonio 1000 Cancer Genomes Project has partnered with WuXi NextCODE to utilize its CLIA sequence laboratory and HIPAA-compliant secondary analysis solution. This partnership enables the project to link genetic alterations to detailed clinical outcomes, making data freely available worldwide.
A new theory suggests that mood can aid adaptation to environmental changes by reflecting recent changes in reward availability. This effect may help explain the causes of mood disorders and predispose individuals to conditions like bipolar disorder.
A national survey of 1,604 adult smartphone users found that 58% had downloaded a health-related mobile application, with 65% reporting improved health. However, concerns about cost, disinterest, and privacy barriers hinder wider adoption. More research is needed to maximize the impact of health apps on overall health.
Researchers have created a 3D printing technique that produces highly uniform 'blocks' of embryonic stem cells, which can be used as building blocks to construct tissue constructs, larger structures of tissues, and potentially even micro-organs. The method outperforms existing methods in terms of cell uniformity and homogenous prolifer...
Researchers found that banning affirmative action can lead to a decline in student body diversity and negatively impact students of color. The study examined the impact of Proposal 2 in Michigan, which prohibited considering race in college admissions, and found that administrators felt disempowered to support racial diversity on campus.
Researchers found that high-frequency activity in the hippocampus predicts behavioral performance and supports both recollection and familiarity components of recognition memory. The study used direct electrical recordings to test this link.
A $2.5 million federal grant is being used to examine the ACA's effect on working-age adults with disabilities, tracking changes in health insurance coverage, access, and cost. The study aims to ensure the legislation is meeting its promise and addresses potential challenges faced by this vulnerable population.
Researchers found that older people with an age-related loss of muscle mass and strength are at a greater risk of falling and bone fractures. The study identified the International Working Group on Sarcopenia (IWGS) definition as the most effective means of identifying individuals at risk of adverse musculoskeletal events.
Engineers at Oregon State University have developed a new approach for storing concentrated solar thermal energy, enabling more efficient and cost-effective use of this technology. The innovation uses thermochemical storage to hold heat, drive turbines, and reheat for continuous cycles.
Researchers at Yale University found that a large achievement gap between dyslexic and typical readers is already present in first grade. Early screening and reading interventions can help close this gap by implementing programs as early as kindergarten.
The Journal of Biomedical Optics special section honors Osamu Shimomura's work on green fluorescent protein, enabling researchers to observe molecular-level activity in live cells. Recent studies detail new applications of protein photonics, including multicolor imaging and monitoring cellular magnesium levels.
A new UCLA study found that having a routine place for well and sick care is the most reliable predictor of whether a child will be readmitted to hospital. The study also revealed that parents' confidence in their children's continued good health is closely correlated with fewer unplanned readmissions.
The study found little correlation between donor country aid and recipient country disease burdens, despite some years showing a direct link. This highlights the need for a discussion on how funds are being allocated, as bilateral aid may be driven by relationships between countries rather than actual health needs.
Researchers propose that Alzheimer's disease is a collection of diseases stemming from similar molecular mechanisms. They identified a key protein, cyclophilin B, responsible for its manifestation in distinct neurodegenerative disorders. This study aims to develop novel therapies tailored to individual disease subtypes.
Scientists have discovered that chemicals widely used as refrigerants can degrade in the atmosphere to form a potent greenhouse gas called carbon tetrafluoride (CF4), lasting up to 50,000 years. This finding highlights the need for understanding the chemistry of compounds used in industry to mitigate long-lived atmospheric effects.
Researchers find oil-based pesticides outperform water-based counterparts in killing contents of brown widow spider egg sacs. The silk layer's hydrophobic properties hindered water-based pesticide penetration, but oil-based aerosols effectively breached this barrier.
Experts warn that chemsex, involving psychoactive drugs for extended periods, poses significant health risks, including HIV and mental health problems. Limited data hinders advice from clinicians, and funding for specialized services is waning.
Researchers found that areas with previous strong earthquakes were more likely to produce landslides after a second earthquake hit. The study's findings could lead to improved predictive models considering historical occurrences of past earthquakes.
A team of researchers at Rice University and the University of Pennsylvania created an implant with a network of blood vessels using 3D printing. The study shows that blood flowed normally through test constructs connected to native blood vessels, overcoming a major challenge in regenerative medicine.
Researchers identified VRAC channels as responsible for half of anti-cancer drug uptake, with down-regulated subunits linked to therapy resistance and programmed cell death disturbances. The study's findings hold high clinical relevance and suggest potential new targets for overcoming cancer therapy resistance.
A study by researchers from the University of Georgia found that female monarch butterflies have thicker wings and lighter body mass relative to their wing size, making their flight more efficient. This advantage enables females to outperform males in flight and migration success.
Researchers identify genetic mutations common to blood cancers in patients with unexplained low blood counts and cytopenias. The condition, clonal cytopenias of undetermined significance (CCUS), may represent early stages of subsequent blood cancers.
Scientists at UVA Health System find a way to prompt red blood cell production through dendritic cells, which could benefit people with diabetes, kidney disease, and cancer. The approach may one day allow doctors to produce red blood cells on demand, benefiting those who cannot receive blood transfusions due to religious beliefs.
A team of international neuroscientists and engineers has been awarded a $5 million grant to unravel the mysteries of the brain and develop new technologies for better healthcare. The project aims to stimulate and sense brain activity at the single-neuron level, reconstructing neural circuits with computer simulations.
Researchers found that these animals move forward by sucking water towards them using low pressure, rather than pushing against it. This discovery has significant implications for our understanding of evolutionary adaptation, functional ecology, and bio-inspired design.
Researchers from IMIM and partner institutions developed a new integrated computational method to predict adverse drug reactions more reliably. The method combines structure-based detection of labile fragments with information on the mechanism of action of the drug, resulting in improved ability to foresee possible adverse effects.
Researchers at UCSB aim to develop large-scale millimeter wave wireless data networks that can operate at gigabit speeds. The new approach focuses on the millimeter wave band, which offers additional real estate on the electromagnetic spectrum and better efficiency due to its smaller coverage area.
Researchers found that individuals with depressed mood forgot more number strings when responding to negative information, highlighting the impact of depressive thoughts on memory. The study suggests that this phenomenon may contribute to depression's effects on daily life and cognitive function.
Researchers find that using kisspeptin instead of hCG during IVF treatment safely matures eggs and reduces the risk of ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome (OHSS), even in high-risk patients. The average live birth rate was 45% across all doses, rising to 62% for women given the best performing dose.