Researchers use firefly swarm approach to predict user loyalty in social networks, analyzing connections and community structure. The algorithm offers a probability of staying in a given network, providing valuable insights for service providers.
Toxic cyanobacteria blooms pose a growing risk to US drinking and recreational water quality, with many rivers, lakes, and reservoirs already contaminated. The issue is complex, but modern water treatment can mitigate risks, emphasizing the need for increased monitoring and regulation.
Research by Umeå University reveals that streams and rivers release notable amounts of carbon dioxide from organisms' respiratory processes. This finding highlights the importance of understanding these mechanisms in predicting the impact of climate change on greenhouse gas concentrations.
The Suomi NPP satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Storm Molave, revealing strong winds and clouds southeast of the storm's center. The satellite data showed that the strongest winds were in this quadrant, with forecasters predicting intensification over warm sea surface temperatures.
A new study found that GeneSight CPGx precision medicine testing improves medication adherence and reduces polypharmacy in patients treated with antidepressants and antipsychotics. The test resulted in substantial cost savings of $1,036 per year per patient.
A new study finds that EU consumers waste an average of 123 kg per capita annually, equivalent to 16% of consumed food. The majority of this waste is avoidable, with vegetables, fruit, and cereals being the most wasted due to shorter shelf-life and over-purchasing.
The installed price of US distributed solar PV systems fell 10-20% in 2014 and 6-13% in early 2015, with significant reductions attributed to decreases in solar soft costs. The 'Tracking the Sun' report highlights progress in lowering solar system prices, with substantial variability observed across different market segments.
Experts discuss the use of value-added models (VAMs) to evaluate teacher performance, with some arguing they are not effective and others defending their usefulness. The panel discussion highlighted the importance of accurate data systems and long-term approaches to estimating educational effects.
Rice University bioengineers have developed a technique called progeny clustering that clarifies big data clusters, enabling doctors to design personalized treatments. The algorithm increases the size of data sets and reveals distinct patterns, allowing for more accurate cluster grouping.
Scientists have identified a uterine trigger called hypoxia-induced force increase (HIFI) that allows muscle cells to adapt to low oxygen levels, leading to stronger contractions in labor. This discovery could help resolve issues of prolonged labor and emergency cesareans.
Researchers found small clusters of cells with genetic mutations that can lead to primary aldosteronism, a form of hypertension. The study suggests most people have these origins of the condition already, and further research could improve diagnosis and treatment.
A comprehensive review of 7000 patients found that listening to music significantly reduces pain medication use and reports more satisfaction after surgery. Patients who selected their own music experienced a slight but non-significant reduction in pain, highlighting the importance of patient choice.
Innovative healthcare approaches test many new ideas quickly and cheaply to promote better patient care. Techniques like 'vapor tests,' 'fake front ends,' and 'fake back ends' are used to validate ideas in real-world contexts, preserving patient safety and improving outcomes.
Scientists at McGill University have made a breakthrough in understanding the role of Netrin1, a protein that brings cells together and maintains their healthy relationships. The study used genetic technology to remove all Netrin1 from mouse embryos, revealing a greater disruption of the nervous system than previously thought.
A new study documents a substantial increase in US children's pulmonary hypertension hospitalizations over 15 years, resulting in significant cost increases. The study also found that hospitalizations are now more common among children without congenital heart disease.
Researchers at Bielefeld University discovered that Antarctic fur seals have a unique 'scent profile' that enables them to identify their offspring and family members. This finding suggests that scent plays a crucial role in the animals' social behavior, particularly in recognizing kin and selecting mates.
Researchers at NIH's NINDS have discovered a critical transport defect in motor neurons with SOD1 mutations, which causes cells to accumulate damaged materials. Increasing snapin levels during early stages of the disease can correct the problem and improve motor neuron survival.
Researchers developed a new biomarker that uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect micrometastases, tiny tumor cells with the potential to develop into secondary breast cancer tumors. This approach may offer an improved way to detect early recurrence of breast cancer in women and men.
Researchers develop a targeted hydrogel that binds to inflamed tissue, releasing medicine slowly over time. The gel reduces inflammation and minimizes systemic side effects in preclinical models of IBD.
Researchers from Tel Aviv University and UCLA found that rapid eye movements during REM sleep reflect brain activity patterns associated with new images. This study, published in Nature Communications, suggests that eye movements during REM sleep are responsible for resetting our dream 'snapshots'.
The RIKEN collaboration has confirmed proton-antiproton symmetry through a high-precision experiment testing CPT invariance. The results show that charge-to-mass ratios are identical within 69 parts per trillion, constraining violations of the standard model and informing future research on antimatter and dark matter.
Studies show that patients who access their clinician's visit notes experience improved health outcomes, better medication adherence, and reduced diagnostic delays. The practice of sharing visit notes has the potential to enhance patient-clinician communication and improve safety.
The Massachusetts Rett Syndrome Association and Rettsyndrome.org are partnering to support a Phase 2b clinical trial of IGF-1 for the treatment of Rett syndrome. The trial, funded by a $439,000 grant from Rettsyndrome.org, aims to develop new biomarkers and treatments for the condition.
A study published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society found that chemotherapy's effectiveness in prolonging life for older adults with most types of cancer is reduced for women over 80 with breast cancer. However, combining chemotherapy with another treatment may improve mortality risk reduction for this age group.
Researchers at MIT have developed paraffin-based capsules that can enclose multiple reagents and catalysts, simplifying chemical synthesis. The capsules can protect water-sensitive compounds for extended periods, extending the shelf life of common commodity chemicals.
Participants with late-stage retinitis pigmentosa are being enrolled in the clinical trial to test the safety of retinal progenitor cells. The open-label phase I/IIa trial aims to evaluate the treatment's efficacy in preserving vision by protecting and potentially reactivating degenerating photoreceptors.
Scientists observed a rare Pacific striped octopus species exhibiting unusual cohabitation, hunting, and mating behaviors. The species challenges conventional understanding of octopus reproduction, displaying intimate beak-to-beak interactions during mating.
Research published in Diabetologia found that insulin resistance is associated with poorer verbal fluency in women, a sign of cognitive decline. The study also discovered that higher insulin resistance is linked to slower reaction times and increased risk for Alzheimer's disease in this demographic.
A comprehensive review of available evidence confirmed that listening to music before, during, and after surgery reduces postoperative pain, anxiety, and the need for painkillers. The study involved nearly 7,000 patients and found music to be effective even when patients were under general anaesthetic.
The California two-spot octopus genome was fully sequenced, revealing widespread genomic rearrangements and a dramatic expansion of genes involved in neuronal development. The findings provide an important foundation for evolutionary studies and deeper investigations into the genetic mechanisms underlying cephalopod-specific traits.
Researchers identified a pathway that leads to atypical blood vessel formation in age-related macular degeneration. Inhibiting this pathway may halt or restore sight in people with the disease.
A new Johns Hopkins study finds that people infected with hepatitis C virus are at increased risk of cardiovascular damage, independent of HIV. Chronic infection leads to abnormal fat-and-calcium plaques in arteries, a common precursor to heart attacks and strokes.
New research links mGluR5 receptor loss in parvalbumin-positive interneurons to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and schizophrenia. The study suggests that alteration of these receptors may be a critical step in the formation of some neurodevelopmental disorders, with potential for reversal.
University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers have discovered a way to grow graphene nanoribbons directly on germanium semiconductor wafers, overcoming precision and edge quality issues. The technique enables the mass production of nanoribbons with desirable semiconducting properties for high-performance electronics.
A study published in JAMA found that using frozen donor eggs for IVF is linked to lower live birth rates compared to fresh eggs. The study analyzed data from over 11,000 cycles and found that per started cycle, the live birth rate was 43% with frozen eggs vs 50% with fresh eggs.
Researchers have discovered a way to trigger a preventive response to flu infections by boosting the level of IFITM3 protein in cells, preventing cell infection. The method involves inhibiting NEDD4 enzyme, which degrades IFITM3, allowing for sustained production and enhanced resistance to flu viruses.
A three-year study led by QUT found that controlling feral pigs is the most cost-effective strategy to conserve 148 endangered plant and animal species in the Lake Eyre Basin. Implementing these strategies could increase food production by up to 10% and save the Australian economy $5 billion annually.
Researchers investigated dog food processing methods to combat pet obesity, finding that particle size affects digestibility. Maize and sorghum-based diets required coarser grinding for optimal gelatinization, whereas rice-based diets were more easily digested regardless of particle size.
Researchers found that a slight deflection in natural gravity at Greenwich causes the offset. The study's findings confirm that newer technologies like GPS have replaced traditional methods of determining longitude.
A team of Vanderbilt investigators has discovered that fibrin breakdown is essential for fracture healing, contradicting previous assumptions. The findings have significant implications for efforts to promote fracture repair and may lead to new treatments by reducing or enhancing fibrin levels.
EPFL scientists have developed a new method called cryofixation to preserve the brain's true structure, overcoming distortion caused by traditional fixation methods. This breakthrough allows for unprecedented detail in brain imaging and has significant implications for understanding brain anatomy and function.
A study published in The BMJ found that trans fats are associated with a greater risk of death and coronary heart disease, but saturated fats are not. The study suggests that industrial trans fats may increase the risk of coronary heart disease and calls for a review of dietary guidelines.
BioWardrobe, a user-friendly platform, enables researchers to analyze large transcriptomic and epigenomic datasets without programming expertise. The platform was developed to bridge the gap between data and knowledge, facilitating research on basic biology and disease.
Researchers from MDC and Charité elucidate the process of skeletal muscle atrophy in patients with congestive heart failure, identifying a new regulator and signaling pathway. The study reveals that angiotensin II induces muscle atrophy through the activation of MuRF1, but also highlights potential therapeutic targets to prevent furthe...
Johns Hopkins and Mayo experts suggest upgrades to current heart disease prevention guideline, focusing on improved risk prediction and personalized treatment. The new guidelines aim to clarify key points of confusion related to risk prediction and treatment of heart attacks and strokes, promoting more precise and tailored care.
A study published in the British Medical Journal found that insulin pump users had a substantially lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease than those using multiple daily injections. The researchers believe more frequent monitoring and training may be key to the therapy's benefits.
A new study found that only one in four patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Georgia was referred to a transplant center for evaluation within one year of starting dialysis. The study also revealed substantial variation in referral rates among dialysis facilities.
Researchers used satellite observations and atmospheric modeling to calculate the impact of fires from industrial concessions on air quality. The study found that these fires contribute significantly to air pollution, particularly in regions with degraded peatlands and deforested areas.
A recent study by University of California, Riverside researchers found that men and women use social media and online health forums differently. Women primarily use these platforms to discuss specific health conditions, whereas men focus on health news and healthcare policy. This research can help public health officers target underre...
The UK is the worst offender in European avoidable food waste, with nearly 80% of all food waste being avoidable. The study found that vegetables, fruit and cereals contribute most to lost resources, while meat production uses more resources in the first place.
A team of scientists resolved a discrepancy in the decay energy of Holmium-163, paving the way for measuring the neutrino mass. The research used the Penning-trap mass spectrometer SHIPTRAP and confirmed a decay energy of 2,833 eV with high precision.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that exercise can help alleviate excessive daytime sleepiness in depressed individuals by reducing two biological markers associated with hypersomnia. The study identified the biomarkers and showed that exercise reduced their levels, resulting in improved symptoms.
Scientists successfully induced colossal magnetoresistance in pure lanthanum manganite for the first time using high-pressure conditions. The phenomenon occurs when the competition between two phases is at its maximum, driving the transition from an insulator to a metal. This breakthrough has significant implications for harnessing col...
A new study highlights the unique challenges of adolescent sibling stem cell donation, including health risks, pain, and psychological burdens. The authors argue that the role of siblings in providing life-sustaining stem cells has been taken for granted.
The new journal aims to publish current research on scars, burns, and healing from a range of clinical and academic authors. The partnership between SAGE and The Katie Piper Foundation seeks to improve the delivery of burns rehabilitation and scar management.
Typhoon Soudelor produced over two feet of rainfall when it made landfall in China and Taiwan, with the rugged terrain amplifying totals to 1320 mm (52 inches) in Taiwan. NASA estimated the rainfall using data from its Global Precipitation Measurement mission.
A study published in the British Medical Journal found that trans fats are associated with a 34% increase in death for any reason, while saturated fats showed no clear association with an increased risk of death or heart disease. However, researchers recommend replacing high-fat foods with vegetable oils, nuts, and whole grains.
Keystone Symposia has received a five-year, $2.25 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support Global Health Series meetings and Travel Awards for scientific investigators and clinicians from low and middle-income countries.
A study found that only about one in four patients with end-stage renal disease in Georgia were referred for kidney transplant evaluation within a year of starting dialysis. The study suggests that standardized guidelines are needed to improve access to kidney transplantation.
A new Penn study found that hydrogen sulfide regulates Treg cells by modifying a transcription factor called NFYB, leading to improved function and development of these regulatory cells. The study suggests potential therapeutic interventions for autoimmune diseases, cancer, and hypertension.