Computer scientists developed a new method combining computer vision algorithms and brain-computer interface to detect mines in sonar images, outperforming existing methods. The system uses classifiers to capture changes in pixel intensity and improves accuracy by detecting 99.5% of true positives and reducing false positives.
A closer look at the DNA surrounding the Huntington's disease (HD) gene reveals critical regions controlling its expression. Changes in these regions can delay or accelerate the disease, with some individuals receiving protection from the mutant gene.
Researchers estimate that fjords bury about 18 million tonnes of organic carbon annually, equivalent to 11% of global marine carbon burial. Fjords are 'hotspots' for carbon burial due to their deep and stable environments.
A new technique called Promoter Capture Hi-C was used to connect regulatory elements in the mouse and human genomes, providing insight into how genes are regulated. The analysis identified long-range interactions between promoters and enhancers, shedding light on the genetic basis of disease.
Researchers discovered a key gene that shields us from fungal and bacterial infections, and found it affects two crucial cell types involved in our immune response. STAT3 helps regulate the development and function of natural killer T and mucosal-associated invariant T cells, which play a vital role in fighting off pathogens.
A study found that over 60% of children developed sleepwalking when both parents were sleepwalkers, highlighting a strong genetic influence on the disorder. The research also showed that parental history of sleepwalking is a significant risk factor for children to develop sleepwalking.
A team of University of Houston researchers has developed a lens that turns smartphones into microscopes, achieving 120x magnification at an affordable cost. The lens uses a polydimethylsiloxane material and can be attached directly to the smartphone camera, making it ideal for educational purposes.
A new screening method can detect twice as many women with ovarian cancer as conventional strategies, according to the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS). The method uses a statistical calculation to interpret changing CA125 levels in women's blood, providing a more accurate prediction of individual risk.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill use exosomes to deliver catalase, a potent antioxidant that counters neuron-killing inflammation, to the brain. This delivery method bypasses the blood-brain barrier and avoids immune detection.
A new study by King's College London found that premature birth alters the connections between key areas of the brain. This can lead to difficulties in learning, concentration, and social skills later in childhood.
Carnegie Mellon University's Krzysztof Matyjaszewski has won the 2015 Dreyfus Prize in Chemical Sciences for his pioneering work in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), a process that enables precise control over polymer size and architecture. This breakthrough has led to the creation of thousands of new materials, valued at ov...
Climate model projections show that conditions are likely to increase the frequency and severity of coral disease outbreaks. The research team also compares their model outputs with expected future changes in the more widely publicized impact of coral bleaching.
A systematic review of over 320,000 patients found digoxin associated with a 21% increased risk of death from any cause. High levels of digoxin in the blood correlate with an increased death rate in patients. The authors call for randomized controlled trials to confirm these findings.
A recent study found that the Ga-68-PSMA-ligand PET/CT detected a large number of positive findings in patients with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy, particularly at low PSA-values. The tracer's higher detection rates compared to other imaging methods suggest an early detection advantage for further clinical management.
Scientists have discovered chemical compounds, including 2-BE and organic contaminants, in the drinking water of three Pennsylvania homes near a reported well-pad leak. The new technique, GCxGC-TOFMS, was used to characterize the contamination, which is believed to have originated from fracking fluids or drilling additives.
Researchers found major search engines provide irrelevant information for online health diagnosis, leading to incorrect self-treatment and potential harm. The study suggests improving search engines to promote more effective results is crucial to prevent cyberchondria.
Researchers have found a possible treatment for diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG), a lethal form of pediatric brain cancer. Panobinostat, an epigenetic drug, may slow DIPG growth and extend survival rates in patients.
Researchers have reconciled three unrelated hypotheses about schizophrenia's causes by studying mice with a genetic deletion. The findings suggest that faulty neural connections, excess dopamine, and brain pruning are linked to the disease. The study aims to develop treatment strategies targeting these underlying causes.
Researchers discovered that damaged DNA with expanded CAG repeats relocate to the periphery of the cell nucleus for repair. This shift is crucial in preventing repeat instability and genetic disease.
A study by researchers at the University of Cincinnati has found that generic formulations of tacrolimus are bioequivalent to the name-brand version, suggesting they can be used interchangeably post-transplant. The findings have important implications for immunosuppressant drug management and patient care.
Gene therapy for Leber congenital amaurosis improves vision and retina sensitivity within weeks of treatment, with peak benefits after one to three years. However, these gains diminish over six years, revealing the need for further research to sustain restored vision.
A new test has been developed to predict sudden cardiac death in hemodialysis patients, combining nuclear medicine, C-reactive protein, and electrocardiogram (ECG). Patients with 2 or 3 abnormal measures were at a significantly increased risk of cardiac death.
A new standard for open and reproducible research has been set by a group of Cambridge researchers, sharing over 200GB of data and 20,000 lines of code. This move aims to increase the reliability of research results, particularly in publicly funded work.
A new study demonstrates that gene therapy for Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) improves vision in patients within weeks of treatment, with benefits peaking at one to three years after treatment. However, the visual gain eventually declines, highlighting the need for future therapeutic strategies to sustain restored vision.
A study by Dr. Lucy Betts and Sondos Metwally found that young people perceive others as being more vulnerable to cyberbullying than themselves. Young women and younger students are especially at risk, with a higher perception of the risks associated with cyberbullying.
Researchers found that bats use a unique array of sensory receptors in their wings to provide feedback during flight. The bat wing's distinct sensory circuitry allows for rapid adjustments in wing position, optimizing flight control.
Using synchotron X-rays, scientists visualize the dynamics of explosions within a bombardier beetle's body, discovering a self-repairing valve that saves energy. This breakthrough could provide new design principles for technologies related to blast mitigation and propulsion.
A 24-week parent training program improved behavioral problems such as irritability and non-compliance in young children with ASD. The study showed that parent training was superior to parent education in reducing disruptive behavior.
Scientists have created microbe-sized beads that can sense their environment and move upstream through purely physical means. The beads meet two essential requirements of life: metabolism and mobility. This discovery is an important step toward developing biomimetic microsystems that can respond to environmental changes.
A statistical analysis of data from 20 industrial countries reveals that housing market pricing cycles have become longer over the last four decades. Longer down phases can lead to dire consequences on national and international economies.
Five teenagers with Type 1 diabetes will participate in a four-day study to test an 'artificial pancreas,' which automatically monitors and adjusts insulin delivery. The device has the potential to transform diabetes treatment by providing continuous glucose control, reducing anxiety for patients and parents.
Adding physical stores to online retailers led to a net revenue increase of 20% and more frequent purchases, according to recent research. Consumers made more frequent contact with the firm, resulting in improved customer retention.
A joint study reveals the power of citizen science in predicting the emergence and spread of sudden oak death, a fungus-like disease that has felled hundreds of thousands of trees in California. The SOD Blitz model, created using crowdsourced data, correctly predicts the presence of the pathogen 74% of the time.
Researchers found that teens aged 15-17 who mixed energy drinks with alcohol were four times more likely to meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder. The study highlights the potential risks of combining these substances, particularly among adolescents.
BMJ has opened its online resources, including The BMJ and BMJ Journals, decision support tools from BMJ Best Practice, and learning resources from BMJ Learning, to support doctors and healthcare institutions in Nepal. Free access is available for three months for anyone with an IP range originating in Nepal.
Scientists at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine demonstrate ability to reprogram large parts of a cell's signaling network by manipulating key hub in communication networks. This approach shows potential to slow or reverse disease progression, including cancer driven by abnormal cell signaling.
The world's largest herbivores are declining due to habitat change and hunting, leading to a 'empty landscape' in diverse ecosystems. This loss of species poses significant ecological, social, and economic costs, including reduced food for large carnivores and altered nutrient cycles.
A new study published in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association found that lymphatic pump treatment (LPT) significantly improves treatment outcomes for pneumonia when combined with antibiotics. LPT removes bacteria from the lungs and enhances the efficacy of antibiotics, leading to a 60% success rate among infected rats.
Researchers at the University of Leicester and American University of Beirut investigate a Graeco-Roman temple in Lebanon, uncovering valuable information from a site devastated by conflict. The study reveals that even badly damaged sites can provide important historical insights, challenging the notion that they are irreparably lost.
Researchers found that thinking of the future as now can motivate individuals to accomplish their goals. By considering deadlines in days instead of months or years, people are more likely to start working on their objectives. This shift in time metrics reduces procrastination and increases willingness to save for long-term goals.
A first-year undergraduate at the University of Chicago discovered a significant decrease in coronary revascularization interventions following the implementation of AUC, resulting in potential cost savings of over $2.3 billion nationwide. The study suggests that informed decision-making among physicians can lead to decreased costs whi...
The National Eye Institute is committing $20.7 million to five bold projects that will develop new technology to image cells of the eye in unprecedented detail. The goal is to restore vision by regenerating neurons and neural connections in the eye and visual system.
A Rochester team is designing an optical system to image responses of individual cells in the retina, aiming to accelerate vision restoration technologies. The team will collaborate with investigators exploring gene therapy, stem cell replacement, and genetic re-engineering to restore vision.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have created a method to find where DNA repair happens throughout the entire human genome. This breakthrough could lead to better and more effective cancer drugs or improvements in existing ones.
Using disinfectant wipes after preparing poultry reduces the risk of Campylobacter food poisoning by up to 99.2%. The antibacterial solution left behind on surfaces continues to disinfect over time, protecting against bacterial transfer and illness.
Researchers report a rare case of a patient with HIV/AIDS who developed cerebral vasculitis and hemorrhagic stroke due to reactivated varicella-zoster virus. This highlights the need for healthcare providers to consider this potential complication in patients with compromised immune systems.
A new bird species, the Sichuan bush warbler, has been discovered in central China by an international team of scientists. The bird is characterized by its distinctive low-pitched drawn-out buzz and shorter click song, and can be found in dense brush and tea plantations at lower elevations.
A novel, truly biocompatible alginate hydrogel has been developed using 'click chemistry' that can be synthesized quickly and reliably. The gel is designed to release drugs or cells in a controlled manner, making it suitable for applications such as wound healing and tumor treatment.
New research reveals that minor changes in environment can trigger dramatic shifts in evolutionary strategy as a generalist species disperses into a heterogeneous landscape. This can lead to a positive feedback loop where reduced dispersal triggers further specialization.
A study published in Cancer Epidemiology & Biomarkers & Prevention found that prolonged statin use after a lung cancer diagnosis was associated with a reduced risk of dying from lung cancer. Patients who used at least 12 prescriptions of statins had a 19% lower risk of lung cancer-specific deaths.
A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that ocean fronts increase total ecosystem biomass and fisheries production. By incorporating front dynamics into current climate models, researchers found that these regions can aggregate food and resources, leading to higher productivity in the ocean.
The five-year research project will train underrepresented minority students in STEM fields to address a critical shortfall in the workforce essential for future NASA missions. The project will include undergraduate training, research, and doctoral studies, aiming to develop new approaches to visualize and analyze massive data sets.
Fraser River sockeye salmon infected with sea lice are less successful at consuming food than their lightly infected counterparts, according to a recent study. The research suggests that sea lice may indirectly affect the survival of juvenile sockeye through reduced foraging success.
Researchers found that education reform in New Orleans exacerbated economic and cultural inequities for black students, parents, and educators. The takeover of public schools by charter operators led to the loss of beloved neighborhood schools, jobs, and a black veteran teacher at one school.
Researchers found that patients with GIST are at higher risk of developing other sarcomas, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, carcinoid tumors, melanoma, and various types of colorectal, esophageal, pancreatic, and renal cell cancers. This association was particularly notable in smaller tumor sizes.
The study provides a comprehensive look at glioblastoma treatments, reviewing challenges faced by researchers and clinicians. It presents hope for better treatments through harnessing the power of the human genome.
Researchers developed guidelines for managing food safety risks in school and community gardens. A pilot study shows that the guidelines lead to significant improvements in handwashing, water supply safety, and hazard assessment. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of simple yet crucial measures in reducing foodborne illness risk.
Clinics across the US are advertising stem cell treatments with claims of regulatory compliance, despite lacking proper oversight from the FDA. Proponents charge thousands for cosmetic and disease treatments, despite little evidence of safety and efficacy.
Researchers have developed a new variety of low-allergenic soybean that lacks key allergenic and anti-nutritional proteins, making it suitable for use in infant formulas, livestock feed, and aquaculture. The 'Triple Null' soybean has the potential to reduce processing costs and make animal feed production more efficient.
Tropical Cyclone Quang made landfall near Learmonth, Western Australia, as observed by NASA's Aqua satellite. The cyclone exhibited weakening trends due to increased vertical wind shear and interaction with the region's topography, leading to its expected dissipation within a day.