Researchers found that periphyton, a community of algae and bacteria, helps transform mercury pollution from a Superfund site along the Androscoggin River into a more toxic form of mercury. Lower-than-expected levels of methylmercury were also detected in crayfish and small fish downstream from the site.
The southern Atlantic Ocean's sub-tropical storm 90Q has fizzled out, marking the third such storm in the region since 2004. The storm formed on March 11 and was captured by NASA's Aqua satellite on March 12, showing a lack of convection and fragmented thunderstorms.
Researchers at York University found that Tup1 protein is regulated by Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier (SUMO) to prevent over-expression of active genes. This discovery may help understand the uncontrolled gene expression found in many cancers.
Researchers at RIKEN Brain Science Institute engineered fluorescent protein that rapidly assembles into large crystals in living cells. Cells actively targeted the crystals for degradation, a process known as autophagy, suggesting potential evolutionary pressure to discourage crystal formation.
Researchers have successfully treated dogs with hemophilia using a mutant human protein with unusually high blood-clotting power. The treatment eliminated pre-existing antibodies and reversed the bleeding disorder in two years without causing thrombosis or immune reactions.
Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology developed a novel negative electrode material for Li-ion batteries with improved high power and safety. Vacuum annealing enhances the electronic conductivity of Ti-Nb oxide, leading to better performance at high current rates.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology found that even mild stages of chronic kidney disease during pregnancy can increase risks of preterm delivery, neonatal intensive care, and hypertension. In contrast, risks of intrauterine death or fetal malformations were not significantly higher in women wi...
A team of physicists has successfully cooled highly-charged ions to sub-Kelvin temperatures, forming a Coulomb crystal that opens up new fields in laser spectroscopy. This breakthrough enables precision tests of quantum electrodynamics, measurement of nuclear properties, and laboratory astrophysics.
A study published in the International Journal of Health Services found that the Affordable Care Act's requirement to increase medical loss ratios had no significant impact on insurers' overhead spending. Insurers' financial filings show that the law did not lead to a greater share of premium dollars being channelled into actual patien...
A new study reveals that early modern humans relied heavily on the rainforest for their diet, contradicting the long-held assumption that they avoided tropical forests until around 12,000 years ago. The research analyzed teeth dating back 20,000 years and found that nearly all individuals had a diet sourced from the rainforest.
Researchers have developed new food prototypes using whey produced by cheese-making dairies, creating a commercial outlet for an organic product that was previously considered waste. The production of animal feed prototypes containing between 6% and 12% whey has also improved yield across various parameters.
The special section reviews current scientific research on loneliness, exploring its biological, genetic, social, and behavioral aspects. Studies demonstrate a link between social isolation, loneliness, and mortality, as well as the effectiveness of various interventions to prevent or mitigate loneliness.
Researchers at the University of Exeter discovered that bacteria can evolve a permanent immune response to phages, but also induce a temporary CRISPR response for low-risk conditions. This finding has implications for industrial bacterial cultures and could lead to more efficient and cost-effective methods.
Scientists at IRB Barcelona will study protein motions to identify new sites for drug targeting in prostate cancer. The project aims to unravel the connections between distant points of a protein, which could transform the field of drug discovery.
Researchers at Technical University of Munich develop methodology to speed up simulations of complex fluids, enabling more realistic medical diagnoses and spectacular effects in computer games. The approach leverages real-world observations to calculate fluid behavior, promising to accelerate calculations and improve various applications.
A special issue of Educational Researcher examines value-added measures, a contentious accountability tool used by over 30 states. Articles explore challenges in designing evaluation systems, the potential of value-added to improve teacher quality, and its impact on school policies.
Kentucky geologists are sounding the alarm on landslide risk as the Oso disaster anniversary approaches. They emphasize the need for improved communication and policy to protect communities at high hazard areas. The US Geological Survey reports that landslides cause $2-3 billion in damage annually, with 25-50 fatalities.
Researchers used super-resolution microscopy to visualize genome packaging and found that nucleosomes are assembled in irregular groups across the chromatin. This study reveals a link between genome packaging and cell pluripotency, with more pluripotent stem cells having less dense nucleosome clutches.
A global tobacco-free world is achievable in less than three decades with sufficient political support and stronger action against the tobacco industry. The Lancet experts call for a 'turbo-charged' effort to phase out tobacco sales by 2040, citing one billion expected deaths from smoking if efforts are not accelerated.
The TRMM satellite found heavy rain falling at over 1.4 inches per hour near the center of Tropical Storm Bavi, with moderate rainfall observed in a wide band of thunderstorms west of the center. The storm is currently located about 229 nautical miles east-southeast of Ujelang and is moving to the west-northwest towards Guam.
Researchers found that Puget Sound's water has an average pH of about 7.8, making it acidic for seawater, and is already higher in dissolved carbon dioxide than the Earth's atmosphere. The lab's unique location allows for studying adaptation to these changes.
A new study estimates that increasing screening rates to 80% in the US by 2018 would prevent 21,000 colorectal cancer deaths annually by 2030. The initiative aims to boost screening from 58% in 2013 to 80% in 2018.
A French team found a significant correlation between loyalty and infection risk by analyzing past contact data from livestock trade movements and time-stamped sexual encounters. This study can help guide the prioritization of interventional resources to control disease spread, applicable to various epidemic scenarios.
Lactating women are more likely to experience vaginal dryness and discomfort on sexual intercourse due to low estrogen levels. The study suggests that physicians should be aware of this issue and provide appropriate treatment, such as vaginal estrogen cream.
A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that high levels of blood lipids can prevent vitamin E from reaching body tissues. The research suggests that measuring only blood levels may be misleading and that past methods of estimating tissue levels are flawed.
Researchers Andrea Bowes and Albert Katz found that people are better able to infer the mental and emotional state of others after reading metaphors. This is because metaphors activate embodied social experiences, making it easier to understand others' emotions and mental states.
Researchers developed a multicolored CRISPR/Cas9 labeling system to precisely measure the distance between chromosomes and genetic elements. The system enabled scientists to map chromosomal loci in live human cells, revealing key insights into gene accessibility and expression.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has led to a decrease in emergency department (ED) visits among Medicare patients treated by patient-centered medical homes, with outpatient ED visits growing more slowly. However, there was no effect on rates of inpatient hospitalization, which is significantly more expensive.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have discovered a chain of events that cause healthy valves to become bone-like. They identified three key genes that are altered in calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) and found a potential therapeutic target by manipulating their activity, pointing to novel treatments for the condition.
Scientists have developed a single automated process to synthesize 14 distinct classes of small molecules from common building blocks. The approach enables the production of thousands of potentially useful molecules with a single machine, revolutionizing drug discovery and technology development.
Revolution Medicines has developed a unified 'building blocks' approach for synthesizing multiple classes of complex natural chemicals that could be valuable backbones for new medicines. The company's technology can produce a broad range of molecules, including those with diverse types of chemical bonds and highly complex cyclic struct...
Research shows that muscle metabolites released during exercise activate neural pathways in people with chronic fatigue syndrome, leading to excessive feelings of fatigue. The study suggests that peripheral tissues like muscles contribute to fatigue, providing new insights into the disease's mechanisms and potential treatment targets.
Researchers identified germline TP53 gene mutations in 1.3% of patients with early-onset colorectal cancer, comparable to the proportion attributed to APC gene mutations. The findings highlight the need for clinicians to counsel patients undergoing TP53 testing as part of multigene risk assessment.
Tropical Cyclone Olwyn is predicted to make landfall near Cape Cuvier, Western Australia, bringing sustained winds of 20-25 meters per second. The cyclone's maximum sustained winds were reported as 65 knots on March 12, making it a Category one hurricane.
Researchers found that e-cigarette advertising with vaping visuals increased tobacco cravings in daily and former smokers. The study suggests that unregulated e-cigarette ad spending could lead to increased exposure to smoking cues, posing a public health risk. The findings are significant, considering the growing e-cigarette ad industry.
A study published at the International Association for Dental Research found that dental pain relief is accompanied by reduced activity in the posterior insula and enhanced connectivity to the midbrain. This discovery provides new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying dental pain.
A study by Aksel Sundström reveals that bribery among South African government inspectors contributes to overfishing, allowing fishermen to break rules and exploit protected areas. The researchers found that inspectors are often bribed or blackmailed into ignoring regulations, putting marine resources at risk.
Tropical Cyclone Pam is intensifying as a Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 155.4 mph and extended hurricane-force winds 30 nautical miles from its center. NASA's Terra satellite captured an image of the storm's cloud-filled eye on March 11, showing powerful thunderstorms wrapped around it.
A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons found that liver-sparing operations, which remove less than a lobe of the liver, are linked to lower mortality and complication rates. This approach is associated with quicker recovery times and fewer complications compared to traditional major hepatectomies.
Researchers examined the effects of Amitriptyline, Gabapentin, and Carbamazepine on human skin keratinocyte and oral keratinocyte cells. The study found that lower concentrations of Amitriptyline were more cytotoxic to HaCat cells, while Gabapentin and Carbamazepine had less toxic effects.
A national survey found that one in three older Americans experience age-related discrimination, leading to new or worsened functional ailments. Healthcare providers can reduce this effect by treating patients with respect and dignity, regardless of age or socioeconomic status.
Lirong Xia receives $524,989 grant to investigate computational mechanisms that improve individual contributions to collective decision making processes, including crowd-sourcing and online 'noise answers'. His research focuses on improving social choice mechanisms to handle large numbers of alternatives.
Researchers found no correlation between hip width and efficient locomotion, debunking a long-held assumption that wider hips make women less efficient when walking and running. The study used biomechanical models to analyze the forces acting on the hips, revealing fundamental flaws in previous theories.
Researchers at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute developed a new genome-editing technology to target and kill blood cancer cells. The CRISPR/Cas9 system was used to delete an essential gene for cancer cell survival, showing promise for treating human diseases arising from genetic errors.
A study by Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research reveals that climate change is weakening summer storms in the Northern hemisphere mid-latitudes, resulting in more persistent heat extremes. This reduction in storm activity allows warm weather conditions to endure, leading to an increase in heat waves and droughts.
A Massachusetts General Hospital study found a correlation between hospitals' Facebook ratings and their performance on a widely-used measure of quality care. Hospitals with higher Facebook ratings had lower readmission rates within 30 days after discharge.
Tropical Cyclone Nathan's sustained winds reached over 30 meters per second, making it a strong tropical storm. The cyclone's center was near the Lockhart River south to Cape Flattery in the Coral Sea.
UCI psychologists found that liberals employ positive language in speech, smile more intensely, and genuinely, whereas conservatives do not. This contradicts previous self-reports suggesting conservatives are happier than liberals.
UTEP has secured a $5 million contract with NASA to explore space safety through collaborations with faculty and students. The partnership will focus on human space exploration and provide hands-on experiences for students.
A team of experts has published six natural science principles to ensure the success of Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) initiatives. The principles, designed to be scientifically robust yet practical, focus on understanding system dynamics, monitoring outcomes, and ensuring ecological sustainability.
Researchers have discovered that slow-growing brain cancer stem cells are resistant to treatment and can survive stress by producing a protein called Abcg1. The study suggests that using different drugs and higher dosages may be necessary to target these treatment-resistant stem cells.
Current statin guidelines may exclude middle-aged adults who could benefit from the drugs and over-prescribe in older adults. Researchers propose adjusting the guidelines to capture more middle-aged adults with premature heart disease and prevent unnecessary medication for many seniors.
A new biophysical model developed by Claire Paris reveals that tiny ocean organisms, known as foraminifera, can drift significantly before falling to the seafloor and being fossilized. This study aids in improving our understanding of past global climate conditions.
Researchers have successfully developed an atomic force microscopy system that can image structural dynamics of living neurons with high spatial and temporal resolution. The new system enables analysis of cell morphology changes with a resolution ~20-100 fold better than that of a standard light microscope.
A comprehensive review of 39 clinical trials found no evidence of increased risk of suicidal behavior, depression, or death in Varenicline users compared to placebo groups. The study also showed a 25% reduction in the risk of anxiety, likely attributed to the positive impact of quitting smoking on mental health.
Scientists confirm an underground saltwater ocean on Ganymede, estimated to be 60 miles thick and buried under a 95-mile crust of ice. This discovery could open up possibilities for life beyond Earth and is made possible by the unique capabilities of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.
Researchers created a flexible, thin material that can change color by flexing it, offering possibilities for new display technologies and sensors. The material uses 'structural color' to reflect specific wavelengths of light, reflecting up to 83% of incoming light.
Scientists have created nanoparticles loaded with clarithromycin, an antibiotic used in respiratory infections treatment, allowing better delivery of the drug to lung cells. This method enables direct access to bacterial biofilms or individual lung cells, reducing toxic effects and improving treatment efficacy.
Researchers discovered a mechanism by which plants regulate their vitamin C levels in response to environmental factors. This finding may help improve plant breeding programs and prevent iron deficiency anaemia worldwide.
A new study finds most hurricanes over the Atlantic originate as intense thunderstorms in Western Africa, with larger cloud coverage predicting higher hurricane intensity. Only 10% of African disturbances turn into hurricanes, but spatial coverage can foretell intensity a week later.