Researchers at Stanford University have found a way to improve chip speeds by wrapping copper wires with a protective layer of graphene. This modest fix can lead to faster data processing and is especially beneficial as transistors continue to shrink in size.
A new imaging technique has been developed to determine the arrangement of atoms on surfaces at atomic resolution. The method could improve our understanding of corrosion and catalysis processes, leading to more efficient green energy production.
Researchers identified epigenetic alterations in CVID patients by comparing monozygotic twins. They found higher DNA methylation levels and impaired DNA demethylation in immunodeficient B cells, leading to reduced antibody production and altered cell maturation. These findings provide new insights into the diagnosis and treatment of CVID.
Researchers have discovered that the mantis shrimp's dactyl club can filter out certain frequencies of shear waves, making it an effective material for body armor and athletic gear. The study aims to develop synthetic materials with similar filtering properties for various industries, including aerospace and automotive.
Researchers have developed an imaging technology that can provide surgeons with a color-coded map of a patient's brain, distinguishing between cancerous and healthy tissue. This could potentially make brain tumor removal safer and more effective by allowing surgeons to visualize the area being operated on.
A graphic novel is being tested to educate Spanish-speaking agricultural workers about noise-induced hearing loss. The digital novella aims to improve knowledge and attitudes towards wearing hearing protection devices. The pilot study plans to assess the impact on 30-40 ag workers in Wyoming and Colorado.
Researchers identified two genes, ERCC1 and TS, that can predict positive response to chemotherapy and longer survival times in metastatic colorectal cancer patients. Low levels of these genes are associated with improved survival rates when treated with oxaliplatin, while high levels may require irinotecan as the first treatment choice.
A team of astronomers using the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope discovered the brightest galaxy yet found in the early universe. The galaxy, CR7, contains massive blue stars - the first generation of stars that forged the heavy elements necessary for life.
The consumption of raw human breast milk purchased online poses significant health risks due to the lack of pasteurization and testing. Experts warn that this can lead to bacterial food-borne illnesses such as hepatitis, HIV, and syphilis, which can be passed on through contaminated milk.
Pranesh Aswath, a renowned materials scientist at the University of Texas at Arlington, has been recognized as a Fellow by ASM International for his groundbreaking research in ceramics. His work on functional ceramic films and biological applications has resulted in over 150 publications and numerous patents.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have identified a new epigenomic block that could help stop the progression of many late-stage cancers. This discovery has the potential to improve diagnosis and treatment of advanced disease across various cancer types.
A new analytical method using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) has resolved the unique atomic structure at the surface of a material for the first time. This breakthrough enables direct information on both surface and bulk atoms, improving understanding of critical reactions such as catalysis and corrosion.
Researchers have pioneered a new technique to pinpoint enzyme activity, shedding light on their efficiency in speeding up chemical reactions. This breakthrough could lead to new candidates for biological applications and more environmentally friendly industrial processes.
A team of researchers found that the contractile function of fruit flies' hearts is improved when overexpressing vinculin, a protein that accumulates at higher levels in aging rats and humans. This improvement leads to longer lifespans in genetically modified flies.
A new study finds that Alaska's glaciers are losing mass exceptionally fast due to surface melting, overshadowing iceberg calving, and making climate-related melting the primary driver of global sea level change. This will have significant implications for future sea level projections and models.
Researchers found that exercising diabetic patients can improve glycemic control, waist circumference, and percentage of body fat, even for those who don't see cardiorespiratory benefits. The study suggests broadening the definition of 'non-responder' to include participants with limited improvement in exercise capacity.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles discovered two new locations in HIV's genetic code that affect the virus's ability to infect cells, influencing disease progression. The study found that slight genetic changes to the C2 region and bridging sheet of gp120 molecule can alter receptor usage.
A new study finds that the lag time between rock uplift and river erosion in the Tibetan Plateau was just 2 million years or so, making them relatively synchronous events. The researchers used fission track dating to determine the timing of these events and shed light on the geological history of the region.
A new treatment approach uses a non-narcotic inhibitor to reduce excessive BH4 production, leading to pain relief without addiction or tolerance. The research, led by Boston Children's Hospital, shows promise for treating conditions like diabetic peripheral neuropathy and rheumatoid arthritis.
Leading researchers from Canada and Israel are working together to uncover the molecular landscape of pancreatic cancer and develop new biomarkers for detection and diagnostics. The collaboration aims to improve patient outcomes by discovering targeted therapies.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have identified the mechanism and structure of enzymes that produce hydrocarbons from yeast moulds. This discovery provides a new route to producing alpha-olefins, a key intermediate in various industrial applications.
The percentage of patients with early-stage breast cancer undergoing breast-conserving therapy increased from 54.3% in 1998 to 60.1% in 2011, despite socioeconomic barriers persisting. The use of BCT was higher among patients with private insurance and those living closer to treatment facilities.
Researchers discovered a mechanism that allows plant cells to balance opposing signals from Stomagen and EPF2, competing for access to the same surface proteins. This finding sheds light on how plants coordinate cellular structures and make decisions on stomata placement.
A national study involving over 9 million Medicare patients found that patients rehospitalized with complications after major surgery are 26% more likely to survive if they return to the hospital where they had their operation. The researchers suggest maintaining continuity of care when readmissions occur is a key predictor of survival.
Researchers discovered that mutations in the AIRE gene can cause a milder form of Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type-1, affecting fewer organs and appearing later in life. This finding suggests that dominant AIRE-mutation autoimmune disease may be responsible for various autoimmune syndromes.
Researchers at UB investigated how humans and birds process overlapping sounds, discovering that timing and complexity play crucial roles in sound segregation. Their studies used both humans and budgerigars, showing similarities between species in processing auditory objects.
A Swedish study estimates the heritability of tic disorders at approximately 77%, suggesting a strong familial component. The study also reveals that risks are higher for full siblings, parents, and children of individuals with Tourette syndrome or chronic tic disorder.
Researchers have identified a new genetic immune disorder, DOCK2 deficiency, which causes debilitating infections and combined immunodeficiency in children. Early screening for the disease can prevent life-threatening infections, and understanding its role may inform the study of more common immune system disorders.
The Aquarius instrument successfully completed its primary three-year mission in November 2014, achieving its science objectives and providing valuable data on ocean dynamics and climate models. The loss of onboard power regulation and spacecraft attitude stabilization led to the end of operations.
A large study found no benefit in IVF from routinely freezing all embryos before transfer, even among normal responders. This challenges the move to adopt a freeze-all strategy in IVF.
Researchers discover fructose's role in heart failure, finding it efficiently converts to fat and stimulates glycolysis. Fructose also activates HIF, leading to increased KHK-C production and a vicious cycle of growth and damage.
A study by Montreal researchers found that the plasticizer DINCH's metabolite MINCH can act as a metabolic disrupter, affecting adipose tissue differentiation. The study suggests that DINCH exposure may pose a risk to human health and warrants further research.
A study surveyed patients about their knowledge of new sunscreen labels and found that most understood protection against sunburns but struggled with broad-spectrum protection. Fewer than half correctly identified terminology indicating skin cancer protection, leading to calls for improved labeling clarity.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have successfully printed and dried three-dimensional objects made entirely from cellulose for the first time, competing with fossil-based plastics and metals. The breakthrough uses a 3D bioprinter to create electrically conductive materials with carbon nanotubes.
Researchers find nucleoporins, proteins that guard the nucleus, also regulate gene expression and control stem cell differentiation into neurons. The discovery sheds new light on genetic diseases caused by mutations in these proteins.
The study found that nonprofit hospitals spent only a small fraction of their 'charity care and community benefit' on efforts aimed at improving the health of the communities they serve. In 2011, hospitals allocated less than 1% of total spending towards community health improvement.
A recent study published in Neuron reveals that the brain's visual cortex can differentiate between important and irrelevant images through practice. The researchers found that as mice learned to associate certain images with rewards, specific neurons in the brain became more responsive to those images.
Global health experts Lawrence O. Gostin and Daniel Lucey outline strategies for managing the MERS-CoV outbreak, focusing on transparency, trust, and infection control in healthcare settings. Key findings include training health workers and conducting diagnostic testing of travelers to limit quarantines.
The study found that out of 25 cities, five had the worst commutes in 2011, while cities like Omaha and Las Vegas had the shortest. The UC study also analyzed how commuting travel changed between 1990 and 2002 and from 2002 to 2011, providing new insights into the impact of planners' efforts on traffic congestion.
A recent study by Technical University of Munich found that ragweed pollen triggers a strong allergic response due to the presence of adenosine. The protein Amb a 1 alone did not induce such a reaction, but combining it with adenosine led to increased inflammation in lung tissue.
Pediatricians may do more harm than good by prescribing acid-reducing medications to children with non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms. The study found a seven-fold increase in C. diff. infection risk among children who used these drugs.
A new study identifies how specific patterns of cortisol activity may relate to the cognitive abilities of children in poverty. Children's cortisol levels remained relatively stable over three years, but exposure to family adversity predicted notable differences in cognitive functioning at age four.
Researchers have found that artificially reactivating positive memories can suppress the effects of stress-induced depression in mice. The study reveals how brain circuits interact with negative experiences and provides a potential target for therapeutic approaches.
Research published in BMC Evolutionary Biology found that male nightingales' songs contain specific features, such as repeated song sequences and varied song types, which signal their ability to care for offspring. These song features are linked to greater paternal efforts, including more frequent feeding and defense of the nest.
A study of 39 female shift-working nurses found that longer rest periods between shifts improved recovery from work, as measured by increased parasympathetic activation and decreased sympathetic activation during sleep. This suggests that a forward-rotating shift system can promote better coping and well-being at work.
A new study in Liberia will investigate the long-term health consequences of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in survivors, determining if they develop immunity that protects them from future infection. The study will also assess whether previously EVD-infected individuals can transmit infection to close contacts and sexual partners.
The detection of a supermassive black hole at the center of Messier 32, a satellite of the Andromeda Galaxy, reveals a 'quiescent' black hole with activity among the weakest yet found. The VLA's improved sensitivity allowed for the detection of radio emission from the black hole, which is roughly 90 times fainter than previous studies.
The article explores aperiodic crystals and their implications on our understanding of crystalline order. Recent research has shown that the current definition of crystals, based on point-like diffraction, may need revision as new materials with non-trivial point components in their diffraction are discovered.
A Vanderbilt-led study found a 28% decline in new prostate cancer diagnoses in the U.S. following the USPSTF's recommendation to discontinue routine PSA screenings. This decrease was observed mainly among low-risk cancers and men over age 70.
Researchers have created a way to combine cells with a special scaffold to produce living tissue in the laboratory, overcame oxygen limitation problems for larger dimensions. The technology has potential applications in replacing diseased parts of the body and repairing severe joint damage.
The Gulf of Mexico is forecasted to have a large 'dead zone' this year due to nutrient-rich runoff from farming states, with the predicted size ranging from 4,344 to 5,985 sq mi. The region's oxygen levels are expected to drop significantly, affecting commercial and sports fisheries.
Researchers at Mount Sinai discovered that high levels of protein H2A.Z.2 promote abnormal growth in melanoma cells, making it a potential target for cancer treatment. The study's findings suggest that blocking this protein could effectively block tumor growth and kill melanoma cells.
A new class of CGRP monoclonal antibodies is showing significant promise in treating high-frequency episodic migraine and chronic migraine. The drugs have been shown to reduce elevated levels of calcitonin gene-related peptide, a key driver of migraine pain.
A new study published in Animal Behaviour found that male mountain gorillas' relationships with infants are influenced by their social rank, not paternity. Dominant males tend to be more nurturing and have stronger relationships with infants in the troop.
The Harvard Medical School Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Training Program will provide specialized education and training in cancer research and treatment. The one-year, nonclinical blended-learning certificate program is designed to promote a deeper understanding of cancer biology, diagnosis, and personalized treatments.
Researchers created a simple computational fact-checker that assigns truth scores to statements, matching human assessments in multiple experiments. The algorithm leverages indirect connections between concepts to assess statement truthfulness, with positive correlations found when comparing to human fact-checkers.
Two doctors criticize Australia's Border Force Act 2015 for silencing healthcare professionals who report substandard medical care in detention centres. The law can lead to imprisonment for whistleblowers, violating their professional duty and international humanitarian obligations.
A new study found that people allocate medical resources equally across groups, but make more efficient decisions when presented with individual patient information. This bias towards equality can lead to suboptimal allocation decisions, but may also have positive outcomes in certain contexts.
Partnerships between multinational companies and child health programs can improve treatment rates and access to life-saving treatments, but also pose an ethical minefield. Critics argue that these connections can legitimize the sale of unhealthy products while diverting resources from public health measures.
Researchers Floris Roelofsen and Donka F. Farkas investigate the workings of 'yes' and 'no', finding that their interpretation is affected by intonation and sentence polarity. Their framework explains distribution and interpretation in English and predicts patterns across languages.