Harmful algal blooms are becoming a major threat to inland water quality, with increasing frequency and severity due to climate change and nutrient enrichment. Inland surface waters lack formal monitoring programs, hindering efforts to protect aquatic ecosystems and human health.
The Biophysical Society has announced the winners of its international travel grants to attend the 60th Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, California. The recipients are chosen based on scientific merit and their proposed presentation at the meeting.
The Jefferson Lab accelerator has successfully delivered full-energy electrons as part of its commissioning activities for the 12 GeV Upgrade project. This achievement enables scientists to probe deeper into the nucleus of atoms and study the fundamental building blocks of matter.
A new study published in EPJ Data Science found that exercising and spending time outside the home reduces participants' stress levels, while reduced working hours have a minimal effect. The research used data from the StudentLife project at Dartmouth College to validate this approach, which has great promise for future studies.
A new study by Cornell Food & Brand Lab found that nutritionally improved kid's meals at Disney World resulted in 48% of diners opting for the healthier option. The healthier alternatives reduced calories, fat, and sodium by 21.4%, 43.9%, and 43.4%, respectively.
A new analysis of genetic information from over 4,000 cancer cases reveals rare germline mutations in 114 genes associated with cancer. The study found varying frequencies of these mutations across 12 cancer types, including a surprising inherited component to stomach cancer.
A study published in the Journal of the American Society of Hematology found that women on blood thinners can take hormone-containing contraception or hormone replacement therapy without an increased risk of blood clots or uterine bleeding. The study analyzed data from 1,888 women and showed similar incidence rates of blood clots and a...
A 17-year-old woman contracted rat-bite fever from her pet rodents, a rare condition that can be treated. The case highlights the risk of infection from pet animals and the importance of proper hygiene.
A study by Charité researchers has identified a specific protein and its splice variant as crucial in the development of cardiac hypertrophy. Initial activation of this protein leads to an increase in production of proteins associated with early cardiac development, causing the abnormal thickening of heart muscle.
Researchers apply shape optimization methods to enhance electric motor performance, achieving a 27% decrease in cost functional. The approach identifies optimal motor geometries that cannot be imagined beforehand, resulting in smoother rotation patterns and improved overall efficiency.
Scientists have discovered a major metabolic pathway in cyanobacteria that can efficiently convert carbon dioxide into organic compounds. The pathway, led by NREL scientists, has the potential to produce chemicals and biofuels from CO2 or plant biomass, reducing reliance on natural gas.
A new model developed by UCL scientists predicts the 'shelf life' of library and archival collections, taking into account factors such as temperature, humidity, and handling. The model suggests that a hotter and more humid climate will accelerate degradation, but also provides strategies for mitigating damage and optimizing preservation.
Research suggests that genetic variation in the ZnT2 protein may be common in women and associated with abnormal zinc levels in breast milk. Women with this variation may have trouble breastfeeding and their milk may contain lower than normal amounts of zinc, posing a risk to exclusively breastfed infants.
A study found that NSAIDs and opiates had no significant difference in pain scores, but NSAID use was associated with more rescue medication. Smaller chest tubes reduced pain, but efficacy has not been proven.
Scientists at Augusta University found that YAP helps control astrocyte function, regulating the protective blood-brain barrier. Without YAP, astrocytes become hyper-reactive, leading to deadly inflammation and potential hydrocephalus.
A study found that women with breast cancer who received chemotherapy and triptorelin had a higher long-term probability of ovarian function recovery without affecting pregnancy rates or disease-free survival. The treatment showed modest benefits regarding potential prevention of treatment-associated infertility.
A meta-analysis of five RCTs found no significant differences between nalmefene and placebo in mortality, quality of life, or mental health outcomes. However, participants taking nalmefene had fewer heavy drinking days and lower total alcohol consumption compared to those on placebo.
Researchers captured footage of New Caledonian crows manufacturing and using hooked stick tools in the wild, demonstrating their sophisticated foraging behavior. The study found that crows value their tools and use them to probe for food in tree crevices and leaf litter.
The Biophysical Society has announced the winners of its Committee for Inclusion and Diversity Travel Awards, which aim to encourage participation by underrepresented students and postdoctoral fellows in biophysics. The 2016 recipients will be honored at a reception on February 27, and their research focuses on various aspects of bioph...
A longitudinal study of 3882 bariatric surgery patients found sustained weight loss for at least four years post-surgery. The study also revealed significant improvements in pre-existing type 2 diabetes and hypertension, as well as a reduced risk of obesity-related co-morbidities.
Researchers studying oxygen toxicity among Navy divers have found that exposure to high levels of oxygen can cause cardiovascular and muscular performance to deteriorate between dives. The study aims to identify a treatment for this condition, which could also benefit astronauts and aviators relying on breathing high-oxygen mixtures.
Researchers have discovered that boron nitride nanotubes can create even stronger and more stable materials when combined with lightweight polymers than previously thought. The unique properties of boron nitride nanotubes make them an attractive alternative to carbon nanotubes for aerospace and other industries.
A new study found that bariatric surgery can significantly improve type 2 diabetes and reduce high blood pressure. The procedure also prevents 80,000 cases of hypertension, 40,000 cases of type 2 diabetes, and 5,000 heart attacks over a four-year period.
Children under 5 living in economically disadvantaged rural areas have a higher risk of medication poisoning. The study found that these areas have lower household income, high unemployment, and fewer resources for child supervision.
A teenage girl's excessive codeine use led to a confusional state and loss of memory. Doctors warn that the lack of evidence supporting codeine's benefits in cough remedies makes its risks particularly unnecessary.
EPFL scientists found that chronic inflammation can lead to metaplasia, where regenerating cells grow into new, aberrant types. This can cause eye cells to turn into skin, resulting in blindness and disorders associated with chronic inflammation.
Benjamin Wolozin receives award for his research on Alzheimer's disease and neurodegenerative diseases. He has made significant contributions to the current field of understanding these conditions through publications and patents.
New research from Brigham and Women's Hospital found that nearly 40% of shift workers who participated in a test drive after a night shift were involved in a near-crash event. The study demonstrated an increased risk of drowsy driving related motor vehicle crashes, especially during the daytime commute.
A new open-source tool called NanoOK provides comprehensive alignment-based quality control and error profile analysis for the MinION platform. The tool is easily extensible through a Java programming interface and handles metagenomic sampling gracefully.
Researchers uncover the genetic mechanism behind the Dun pattern, a unique coat color variant that provides camouflage in wild horses. The study reveals a single gene, TBX3, determines Dun versus non-Dun color, with implications for understanding horse domestication and skin/hair development.
Researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center identified myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) as a key player in advanced prostate cancer progression. Depletion of MDSCs and blocking specific signaling pathways showed promise in suppressing tumor growth, paving the way for potential therapeutic opportunities.
Researchers identified 52 genetic variations associated with AMD across 34 gene regions, offering hope for developing diagnostic tests and therapeutics. The study also found rare genetic variations in one subtype of AMD, which could explain why anti-VEGF therapy is less effective in some patients.
Researchers found that a crackdown on pill mills in Florida led to an estimated 1,029 fewer opioid-related overdose deaths between 2003-2012. The state's increased oversight of pain clinics may have prevented new cases of heroin addiction from developing.
A new study reveals that freshwater rivers and streams transport or store more than 220 billion pounds of carbon each year. This finds that the actual carbon storage in forests is decreased by almost 30 percent once accounting for the leaking carbon into aquatic environments.
A recent study published in CMAJ found that planned home births among low-risk pregnant women do not increase the risk of stillbirth, neonatal death, or serious events. In fact, these women were more likely to have spontaneous vaginal births and breastfeed exclusively after delivery.
A Yale team discovered that a high-fat diet can disrupt pathways involved in synaptic plasticity and metabolism, leading to depression-like symptoms. Ketamine reverses these effects, suggesting a potential solution for treating depression associated with metabolic disorders.
Scientists have discovered two critically endangered species of sea snakes off the coast of Western Australia, including the short-nosed and leaf-scaled sea snakes. The discoveries were made in Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay, raising hopes for conservation efforts to protect these unique species.
Researchers discover a new treatment approach to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Huntington's and Parkinson's. A drug called rolipram boosts the activity of the proteasome, which clears out toxic proteins from the brain.
Researchers from Monash University have developed a new image modulation technique called SWIFT to study how the brain categorizes objects. The study found that SWIFT can stimulate specific neural activity patterns in the brain, enabling greater understanding of human visual processing and its potential applications.
A new neutron study at Oak Ridge National Laboratory reveals promising results that could drastically boost the performance of solid-state electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries, leading to safer and more efficient batteries. The study found a common rule governing how dopants redistribute vacancies in garnet structures, enabling materi...
Rice University researchers found that a master regulator's activity is determined by kinetics, not thermodynamics. The study revealed the 'molecular stripping' process, which quickly stops protein production.
The US has identified key agricultural regions at high risk for wild bee decline, which could destabilize crop production. The study suggests 39% of croplands face a pollinator shortage, with the Midwest's corn belt and California's Central Valley particularly affected.
A QUT study reveals that rumble strips are effective in alerting sleepy drivers to pull over, reducing the risk of fatal crashes. The research found that drivers hit a rumble strip after 20 minutes of driving and that taking breaks and using countermeasures like napping or caffeine can increase driver alertness.
A new study by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that more than half of patients who experience sudden cardiac arrest ignore key symptoms prior to the event. These symptoms often include chest pain, shortness of breath, and palpitations, occurring up to a month before the fatal heart rhythm malfunction.
Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered that hot charged particles gathering near-Earth space trigger the formation of auroral substorms and bright bursts. The study uses a supercomputer simulation to explain how the plasma rotates, creating an electrical current that discharges excess electricity.
Harvard experts advocate for banning models with low BMI (below 18) from fashion shows and photo shoots to prevent life-threatening starvation and associated health problems. The authors argue that such regulations would be necessary given the prevalence of extreme thinness in the industry.
A study by Michigan State University found that scheduling irrigation according to plants' daily water use can reduce water applications by 22-28% and runoff volume by 36-67%, while decreasing nutrient loads. The technique also shows no negative impact on plant growth, offering a sustainable solution for nursery producers.
Researchers found that transradial rescue PCI was used in only 15% of cases, and those who were most prone to bleeding were more likely to be treated with transfemoral access. The study highlights the 'risk-treatment paradox,' where patients at high risk for a condition are less likely to receive aggressive treatment.
Researchers and experts advocate for increased access to drug safety and effectiveness data from Health Canada to facilitate independent scrutiny of pharmaceuticals. This push aims to motivate institutional change and improve the overall quality of regulatory decisions.
Delays in restoring blood flow after a stroke were associated with decreased benefits of intra-arterial clot-busting treatment and reduced chances for a good outcome. The chances for a good outcome were reduced by 6 percent for every hour of reperfusion delay.
A new study finds that eyewitness confidence is a strong indicator of identification accuracy, contradicting earlier lab studies. High-confidence identifications are more likely to be correct, while low-confidence ones are more likely to be incorrect.
Researchers found that wasp larvae jump towards shaded areas to develop, with lower body mass individuals experiencing more jumps. The behavior helps them survive in unfavorable environments, but comes at a cost of increased energy use.
A Vanderbilt University Medical Center study found that 25% of emergency department visits involve patients with hypertension, with a 20% increase since 2006. Uncontrolled hypertension is a significant cause of death in the US, and lifestyle factors such as medication adherence and exercise can help manage the condition.
Researchers have identified a key brain circuit involved in ketamine's antidepressant effects, offering hope for the development of fast-acting and sustained treatments for depression. The discovery could potentially reduce the risk of suicide among patients and provide a safer alternative to current medications.
Scientists at University of California, San Diego discover protein Wnt5a stimulates CLL cell growth via ROR1 and ROR2 proteins. Experimental monoclonal antibody cirmtuzumab inhibits growth and spread of cancer cells.
Shelby Cole, a first-year pharmacy student, has been awarded an Undergraduate Diversity Student supplement to study dendritic cells and contribute to her professor's research team. The grant will support her individual research project and provide opportunities for mentorship and outreach.
Researchers found that vitamin A converts 'angry' immune cells into inflammation suppressors, reducing the severity of necrotizing enterocolitis in mice. This discovery adds to evidence of vitamin A's anti-inflammatory properties and could lead to new treatments for premature infants with severe bowel disease.
Researchers at Penn State University have developed a system to replicate the formation and dissolution of liquid organelles in a lab setting. By controlling the electrostatic charge of molecules, they were able to create synthetic liquid organelles that can assemble and disassemble in a biologically-reasonable way.
A study found that postmenopausal women with periodontal disease were more likely to develop breast cancer than those without the condition. The risk was particularly high among women who had quit smoking recently, suggesting a potential link between bacterial exposure and breast cancer risk.
Researchers used COMPADRE database to study 418 plant species, finding half of variation in life history is caused by growth rate and reproductive strategy. The study suggests understanding these patterns can help predict population persistence, extinction, and diversification.