A new study reveals that divorce rates in sub-Saharan Africa have decreased over the past two decades, primarily due to older unions becoming more stable. The research found that as women enter into marriages at an older age, the likelihood of marriage breakdown decreases, resulting in fewer divorces.
A new University of Sydney study reveals that recreational drug use among young people is a significant harm with potentially lethal consequences. Males under 30 are at greatest risk, with stimulants being the most commonly linked substance to recreational poisonings.
Researchers at Oxford University are exploring the link between metabolism and inflammation in metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The projects aim to deliver effective treatments and prevention strategies, addressing a global health problem affecting over 400 million people worldwide.
A recent study at Houston Methodist Hospital showed that multiple small doses of highly focused radiation therapy is more effective and safer than a single larger dose in destroying pituitary gland tumors. The findings support the use of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) as a best practice for treating slow-growing pituitar...
Researchers successfully stabilized hydrogen in a high-temperature environment, revealing anomalies in its phase transition. This breakthrough may lead to a deeper understanding of gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn, as well as the potential synthesis of room-temperature superconductive materials.
Tropical Storm Melor weakened as it moved through the Philippines, with NASA's Aqua satellite capturing an image of the storm on Dec. 16. The storm's center was difficult to pinpoint due to strong wind shear, which affected its rotation and movement.
The UK and Singapore are collaborating on six joint research projects to develop new cybersecurity solutions, with a focus on enhancing system resilience. The projects aim to improve the detection of cyber threats and create more robust systems for critical infrastructure.
Researchers found that diet-induced obesity mice eating a low-fat diet for eight weeks followed by just one week of high-fat diet had improved sleep profiles compared to those maintaining the high-fat diet. The findings suggest that changes in weight are more important than body weight itself in regulating sleep.
Researchers found that children who experienced a mix of positive and negative events, but particularly those with strong familial support, aged more successfully. These 'cherished' children formed supportive relationships, had greater life satisfaction, and experienced better aging outcomes.
A Georgetown University Medical Center researcher is leading a multi-institutional effort to investigate the causes of rising drug-resistant malaria parasites. The study aims to understand molecular mechanisms responsible for this increasing resistance and develop new therapies.
Astronomers at the University of New South Wales have discovered three potentially habitable planets around a nearby red dwarf star called Wolf 1061. The middle planet, Wolf 1061c, is located within the Goldilocks zone and may be able to support liquid water and life.
Researchers at Rockefeller University found that mRNA components are expressed unevenly, with some regions carrying coding sequences and others not. This skewed expression may regulate protein production, particularly during embryonic development, and could provide new insights into gene function.
A study published in Pediatric Obesity found that waiting 30 seconds between bites of food can help children realize they're no longer hungry and prevent overeating. The slow eating approach resulted in significant weight loss among participants, with some students losing up to 5.7% of their initial weight after six months.
The special issue of Current Opinion in Neurobiology delves into various aspects of brain plasticity, from language development at birth to cognitive flexibility associated with bilingualism. The journal features expert reviews that connect different fields of research and explore the role of artificial intelligence.
A recent study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that levels of tooth loss are linearly associated with increasing death rates among coronary heart disease patients. Patients with no teeth had a nearly double risk of death compared to those with all their teeth.
A new study uses laser-based measurements to estimate carbon dioxide emissions from tropical peatland fires, revealing that the amount of CO2 released depends on previous fire history. The research provides valuable insights into the devastating impact of climate change on global warming.
The Quebec law allows medical aid in dying only for people at end-of-life, with a prognosis of six months or less left to the physician's judgment. Vulnerable groups, such as those with depression, may be disproportionately affected by this restrictive approach.
A study analyzing over 1,000 headshots of department leaders at top US medical institutions reveals women are underrepresented in leadership roles. Women make up only 13% of department leader positions, despite efforts to address gender disparities.
A new study by TSRI scientists suggests a potent new therapeutic approach for hard-to-treat breast cancers, targeting the enzyme casein kinase 1´ (CK1´), which is overexpressed in many breast cancer types. The study found that a highly selective and potent CK1´ inhibitor, SR-3029, triggers rapid tumor cell death.
Researchers have discovered that aphids deplete all the amino acids in sugary sap they consume and then break them down to build essential amino acids from scratch. This process allows the insects to survive on an unbalanced diet, similar to other animals with gut microbes or symbionts that provide additional nutrition.
Physicists at NIST have performed logic operations with two atoms of different elements, a hybrid design that could be an advantage in large computers and networks. The experiment demonstrates the feasibility of mixed-atom gates, which rely on entangling ions using custom traps and laser beams.
A new longitudinal study found that teaching soft skills to high-risk children significantly reduces criminal and delinquent problems later in life. The study, which followed 445 children over several years, found that training in self-control and social skills accounted for a significant portion of the program's long-term benefits.
UCSB researchers are working on developing next-generation materials and design systems with $6 million in National Science Foundation funding. They aim to create higher-performance aircraft engines and more efficient natural gas-based power plants.
Researchers have discovered six new African frog species and added back one previously lost, increasing the known number of clawed frog species from 22 to 29. The discovery highlights striking new characteristics and sheds light on evolution through DNA analysis.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University's Zuckerberg Institute found that treated greywater is safe for irrigation and does not pose a risk for gastrointestinal illness or water-related diseases. The study compared the health risks of greywater users to those using tap water, finding no significant differences.
Researchers found children with ADHD struggle to pay attention and make impulsive decisions while crossing roads on bicycles, putting them at risk of accidents. The study suggests teaching children to look for longer gaps between cars can help compensate for timing deficits.
A study found that women account for 13% of department leader positions, while moustachioed men account for 19%. The researchers suggest policies like family benefits and flexible scheduling to increase women in leadership without discriminating against men with facial hair.
A special collection examines the evolution and function of play using computational and mathematical models. The research reveals insights into factors predicting play dynamics, occurrence, and trajectory in animals.
Researchers developed molecular prosthetics that can detect complex signals in the immune system to suppress inflammatory responses. The prosthetics were implanted into mice and successfully treated psoriasis, providing a potential early-warning system for prevention.
A Scripps Research Institute scientist has been awarded $2 million to investigate the impact of aging on a unique type of nerve cell involved in memory. The study aims to understand how gene expression changes with age and may lead to the development of novel therapeutics for age-related diseases.
Using 20 years of fMRI data, researchers found that cognitive function and abstract thought exist as an agglomeration of many cortical sources. They developed a geometry-based method to analyze brain activity, revealing a hierarchy of abstraction related to the connectome structure of the whole human brain.
Researchers have developed a metamaterial that can more than double the resolution of acoustic imaging, focus acoustic waves, and control angles. This breakthrough has potential applications in medical diagnostics and structural integrity testing.
A new study by Stanford researchers suggests that earthquakes triggered by human activity follow several indicative patterns that could help scientists distinguish them from naturally occurring temblors. The likelihood of large-magnitude manmade, or "induced," earthquakes increases over time, independent of the previous seismicity rate.
A team from Osaka University successfully detected magnetic fluctuations using pure spin current, which can probe spin properties in a sensitive manner without net charge current. This discovery could lead to the development of more efficient and low-energy consumption electronic devices.
Research reveals that grassland soil microbial communities exhibit seasonal responses to temperature and precipitation changes, with warming treatments having a limited impact. The study highlights the importance of long-term research to understand the effects of climate change on these critical ecosystems.
Researchers found small, well-preserved seed embryos in fossil seeds dating back to the Early Cretaceous, supporting the idea that early angiosperms were small opportunistic colonizers. The tiny embryo size suggests that seed dormancy allowed these early plants to survive harsh conditions.
Epilepsy is responsible for more US deaths than sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or fires, with over 2,750 cases of sudden unexpected death due to epilepsy annually. The disorder affects individuals over 65 years old, with a significant risk of sudden death and underreporting on death certificates.
A study by Deakin University researchers found that little penguins associate with each other to hunt schooling prey, despite not being more successful individually. The birds may trade off solo hunting benefits for improved prey detection and avoidance of predation.
A recent study published in Oncogene reveals that alterations in an intermediate molecule called RNA can lead to protein mutations without DNA damage. This discovery highlights the importance of RNA editing enzyme ADAR1 in regulating gene expression and contributing to tumor growth.
A recent study published in Nature finds a sharp decline in the association of plant and animal species over the last 6,000 years. This shift is attributed to human population growth and agricultural practices, which have led to changes in ecological conditions.
Harvard Medical School scientists developed a computational technique to analyze mouse movements, organizing them into distinct pose sequences with their own syllables and grammar. This breakthrough solves the problem of objectively studying complex animal behavior without human observers.
Researchers from the University of Otago and Japan found that administering ghrelin daily improved blood flow in affected limbs, promoting new blood vessel growth and cell survival. This suggests a potential new treatment for critical limb ischemia, an advanced form of peripheral artery disease.
Researchers at USC Eye Institute and Viterbi School of Engineering developed a new method to create focused spots of light, improving vision quality for individuals with retinitis pigmentosa. Longer pulse durations allow patients to see sharper images, boosting their sense of independence and confidence.
A global challenge is launched to discover new carbon-bearing minerals, with an estimated 145 yet-to-be-described minerals waiting discovery. Researchers believe most of these minerals will be hydrous carbonates, potentially making them challenging for collectors to find.
A new study predicts that climate change will lead to a doubling of severe algal blooms in Lake Erie over the next 100 years. The study suggests that reducing nutrient inputs may not be enough to prevent these blooms, which could have devastating impacts on the region's drinking water and tourism industries.
The Deep Knowledge Life Sciences (DKLS) investment fund will invest in companies with breakthrough technologies, focusing on genetics of age-related diseases, oncology, and regenerative medicine. DKLS will combine AI insights from VITAL with top-level expertise to create analyses and treatments for diseases while de-risking investments.
A mathematical model developed by Duke researchers suggests that active surveillance could be a viable alternative to surgery and radiation for select patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The study found that older women and those with serious health problems may benefit from delayed treatment, while younger women may not. Th...
A team of scientists has discovered a mechanism by which tumor cells elevate levels of MDM4, a protein highly expressed in cancer cells. Targeting MDM4 abundance with antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) impairs tumour growth and increases cell death, offering a promising clinically-compatible therapeutic target for various cancers.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University found that habitat characteristics explain differences in immune defense traits of frogs between populations. Microbiome differences and altered natural peptide secretions may alter the amphibian's immune defense capabilities. The study suggests that land use changes can influence animal t...
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have identified the stem cells that develop into the blood vessels within the kidney, a critical step toward growing replacement kidneys. By understanding how these vessels form and function, scientists may be able to create functional organs for patients in need.
A new species of 'sail-backed' dinosaur, Morelladon beltrani, has been found in Spain with notable features such as tall neural spines on vertebrae. The discovery sheds light on the diverse iguanodontoid fauna of southern Europe during the late Barremian period.
New research suggests that low-dose aspirin should be given prophylactically to all women at high risk of preeclampsia, which affects 3-7% of births in the US. The approach could reduce morbidity, save lives and lower healthcare costs.
Recent studies conclude that people with epilepsy have a 27-fold greater risk of sudden death than those without the disorder. Improved cause-of-death reporting and public education could prevent thousands of deaths annually.
A study found that chronically lonely adolescents interpret social inclusion as coincidental and social exclusion as personal failure, leading to increased emotional distress. These self-defeating interpretations can perpetuate loneliness, making it harder for them to take advantage of opportunities for social inclusion.
Children who suffer from clinical depression as preschoolers have abnormally developed gray matter, affecting emotion regulation and brain maturation. The study found a steeper drop-off in gray matter volume and thickness with increasing depression severity.
Phytoplankton play a crucial role in the ocean's food web and contribute to climate change by removing carbon from the atmosphere. Research reveals complex patterns of response to changing variables like nutrients, light, and ocean stratification, with predictions that global phytoplankton production will decrease.
A longitudinal study in Norway found that children with ADHD exhibit poorer social functioning and are more likely to be rejected by peers. The study suggests a reciprocal relationship between ADHD symptoms and peer rejection, where both can influence each other's development. However, the effects of peer rejection on ADHD symptoms dec...
A team of scientists has discovered that strong medieval earthquakes in Nepal triggered massive debris flows that reshaped the landscape over a distance of more than 60 kilometers. The study used 14C radiocarbon dating to determine the timing of sediment deposits and found that they coincide with documented large earthquakes in the reg...
Five new research centres will explore how mathematics and statistics can help clinicians tackle serious health challenges. The centres will develop new tools from predictive mathematical models to enable earlier diagnosis of chronic diseases.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have discovered that plants can predict when they'll be infected with a fungal pathogen and increase their resistance levels accordingly. The key finding is a single protein called JAZ6, which connects the plant clock to its immune system.