A new study finds that palm oil production is driving deforestation in Africa, South America, Southeast Asia, and Mesoamerica, posing significant threats to biodiversity. Conservation efforts will need to be tailored to each region's unique challenges to protect at-risk species.
Researchers used electron backscatter diffraction to unravel the transformations involved in creating granular zircon. The results show that making granular zircon first involves forming twins and transforming into reidite under extreme pressure and temperature conditions.
Researchers found similar brain impairments in children with autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The study linked these impairments to symptoms that occur across different conditions.
A new ecotoxicological field test was successfully conducted to verify the toxicity of livestock medications, finding that earthworms can compensate for the loss of other organisms. The study provides important insights into minimizing the risks of drug residues in nature.
Researchers found a correspondence between a patient's ability to generate an EEG marker of attention and their ability to produce the critical clinical marker of awareness. This relationship existed for patients who could only follow commands with fMRI, making EEG a potential diagnostic tool for disorders of consciousness.
Research by Princeton University found that ADHD medication can reduce risks such as sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse, and injuries in children and teens. The study analyzed Medicaid claims of nearly 150,000 children with ADHD in South Carolina between 2003 and 2013.
A new molecular model of lithium's bioactive form suggests the drug works by forming an 'intimate association' with magnesium and phosphates in the brain. This interaction may prolong signaling pathways in neurons, contributing to its mood-stabilizing effects.
A Canadian study discovered that a specific kind of bile acid can prevent cardiac fibrosis, a condition leading to heart failure. Researchers are now exploring the therapeutic effect in humans and aiming to understand the molecular mechanisms behind this breakthrough.
Released green and golden bell frogs in created ponds experienced lower vegetation diversity, resulting in reduced nutritional resources. The frogs also had a higher proportion of chytrid fungus, a pathogen affecting reproductive function.
A low-intensity type of laser treatment has been shown to increase platelet production in animals with thrombocytopenia, a potentially life-threatening shortage of blood cells. The therapy also restored platelet levels in mice with autoimmune disorders and chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia.
A ketone drink developed for soldiers improved endurance performance in highly trained cyclists, enabling them to cover an additional 400 meters. The supplement works by temporarily switching the primary source of cellular energy from glucose or fat to ketones, reducing lactic acid production and muscle fatigue.
A new gene therapy approach has shown promising results in treating hereditary tyrosinemia type 1 (HT1), a metabolic disorder characterized by progressive liver disease. The treatment involves transplanting corrected liver cells into the diseased liver, resulting in enzyme production and preventing liver failure.
A DNA study of New Zealand's acanthisittid wrens has provided evidence that the country was not completely submerged under the ocean around 21 to 25 million years ago. The research found divergences among the species, suggesting they have been resident in New Zealand for over 25 million years.
Engineers from the University of Utah and Minnesota have discovered that interfacing two oxide compounds makes them highly conductive, producing a hundred times more free electrons than semiconductors. This innovation could lead to smaller power supplies and devices with reduced energy consumption, such as laptops and home appliances.
Biological engineers at Cornell University have discovered a way to ferment carbon monoxide into ethanol using an anaerobic microbe. The process is controlled by thermodynamics rather than enzyme expression, making it a potential solution for producing biofuel from industrial waste gases.
Researchers from GEOMAR found a direct relationship between decadal variations in Pacific Ocean temperatures and the tropical tropopause, which regulates water vapor content. This discovery contradicts earlier hypotheses that human influences dominate climate variability.
A University of Maryland research team has discovered a regulatory protein named ERI-1 that helps ensure all cells in a tissue remain identical to one another. The finding could bring biologists closer to understanding some cancers and other age-related diseases.
A study found that Medicaid expansion led to a significant increase in Medicaid enrollment among patients who received liver transplants funded by commercial insurance. The expansion resulted in a 50% increase in enrolling in Medicaid after 2014, while there was no impact on uninsured care usage.
The USPSTF found insufficient evidence to recommend visual skin examination by clinicians for skin cancer screening in asymptomatic adults. The balance of benefits and harms cannot be determined due to limited direct evidence on effectiveness and potential harms, including unnecessary biopsies and overdiagnosis.
A Yale research team designed a system to modify multiple genes in the genome simultaneously, reducing unintended effects. The gene-editing 'toolbox' provides a user-friendly solution for studying cancer and other diseases.
A novel gene therapeutic approach has been developed by WSU researchers to combat muscle wasting disease, which affects millions worldwide. The treatment, targeting a specific hormone, aims to prevent muscle loss and improve cancer patient survival rates.
The researchers successfully created dye-sensitized solar cells with inkjet-printed photovoltaic dyes, achieving efficiency and durability comparable to traditional methods. The printed solar cells endured over 1,000 hours of continuous light and heat stress without degradation.
The study found significant growth in CTA exams per 1,000 Medicare enrollees, increasing from 2.1 in 2001 to 47.6 in 2013, with chest CTA utilization rising the most. CTA services grew most rapidly in ED settings, with the percentage of studies performed annually in EDs increasing from 11% in 2001 to 28% in 2014.
A study published in PNAS reveals that cysteine deficiency contributes to oxidative stress and nerve cell damage in Huntington's disease. Cysteine levels affect the activity of ATF4, a protein involved in antioxidant defenses.
Researchers developed a new statistical model that accurately predicts tree growth from the moment they're planted to when they reach crown closure. This allows forest managers to better identify which trees will survive and make informed decisions about forest management, increasing efficiency and effectiveness.
NASA's Aqua satellite and RapidScat instrument captured data on Tropical Storm Darby's winds and cloud top temperatures before it weakened to a remnant low-pressure system. The strongest winds were found north of the storm's center, with coldest cloud top temperatures exceeding -63 degrees Fahrenheit.
Vincent Mor, PhD, of Brown University, received the 2016 Robert W. Kleemeier Award for his outstanding research on aging and care quality. He has conducted extensive work on hospice and palliative care, including a study on National Hospice Study's effect on patients' quality of life.
Researchers studied 7th-century A.D. temples in northwest India to reconstruct historic earthquakes, finding evidence of damage from magnitude 7.8 and 7.6 quakes. The study extended rupture zones for two major earthquakes, suggesting the region is prone to powerful earthquakes.
A study of 250 transgender people in Mexico City found that distress and dysfunction were more strongly predicted by experiences of social rejection and violence than by gender incongruence itself. The researchers suggest that removing the diagnosis of transgender identity from mental disorders classification could improve health care ...
A study identified two genetic variants associated with an increased risk of radiotherapy side-effects in prostate cancer patients, including rectal bleeding and urinary frequency. The findings suggest that these variants are located in genes expressed in tissues exposed to radiation.
Researchers have uncovered evidence of ancient rice DNA, shedding light on the origins of domesticated rice species japonica and indica. The study suggests that indica rice was historically cultivated in East Asia or imported to the region, contradicting traditional assumptions about its exclusive presence in northern parts of East Asia.
A new web-based software program helps reduce ADHD behavioral symptoms in children by coordinating care and ensuring patients get effective ADHD medications. This improvement leads to better treatment outcomes, with children treated by pediatricians using the technology experiencing significantly less ADHD symptoms than those without it.
A universal one-time HCV screening based on age can bypass discomfort and democratize preventive care, increasing screenings among all demographics. The screening test detects the virus antibody, with fewer than 1% of targeted baby boomers testing positive, yet helping identify those who benefit from curative treatment.
Dr. Julie Locher receives the 2016 M. Powell Lawton Award from the Gerontological Society of America for her innovative work in gerontological treatment and service. Her research focuses on social and environmental factors affecting eating behaviors and nutrition-related health outcomes in older adults.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center found a biological explanation for wheat sensitivity, which is not related to celiac disease. People with non-celiac gluten or wheat sensitivity have a weakened intestinal barrier that leads to a body-wide inflammatory immune response.
A study suggests that stem cell infusion could help restore the trabecular meshwork, which drains fluid from the eye and prevents glaucoma. Researchers are confident that this approach may hold promise for primary open angle glaucoma, but further studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness.
Researchers have discovered six new infestations of the invasive Lasius neglectus ant in the UK, which are capable of dramatically altering ecosystems and driving native species to extinction. The ants pose no threat to humans but can out-compete native ants for resources, highlighting the need for management on a national scale.
Researchers have detected spiraling plasma around a magnetic field in the active nucleus of galaxy Cygnus A, providing insights into the cosmic monster's influence on its surroundings. The observations also confirm that the plasma is highly confined by the effect of the magnetic field.
The yellow fever virus, transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, is a significant public health threat to the Americas. The recent resurgence of YFV in Africa and Asia, combined with vaccine shortages, highlights the need for urgent measures to prevent infection and control its spread.
A Pew Research Center survey found that a majority of Americans are worried about the potential use of gene editing, brain chip implants, and synthetic blood to 'enhance' human abilities. The survey reveals concerns about unequal access and moral acceptability, with more people expecting downsides than benefits.
MSU researchers will study plant stomata to understand how plants battle diseases and respond to environmental changes. They aim to uncover mechanisms that enable plants to survive and thrive in changing climate conditions.
The university has grown its research funding by nearly $40 million over the past two years, with federal agency funding increasing by 30 percent. Georgia State now ranks among the nation's premier urban public research universities, with a 'very high research activity' designation from the Carnegie Foundation.
Gasotransmitters, such as hydrogen sulfide and ammonia, play a crucial role in regulating human behavior, neurophysiological processes, and mental disorders. These gaseous substances are produced by both the host cells and gut microorganisms, influencing energy metabolism, immune function, and cognitive activities.
Researchers used the Gran Telescopio CANARIAS to observe a superluminous supernova almost from its occurrence, revealing surprising behavior including an initial increase in brightness followed by a decline and later stronger increase. The study sheds new light on these rare events, which are up to 100 times more energetic than Type 1a's.
Some frog species have moved to land to secure mating opportunities away from rival males. This strategy allows males to protect their genetic legacy, as found in tropical frog species that hide while breeding.
According to a study published in JAMA, children with trisomy 13 and 18 showed significant improvement in survival rates after undergoing surgical interventions. The study found that one-year survival for these children was around 20-30%, with some even surviving up to 10 years.
A new study by University of Stirling researchers found that early-life exposure to infections does not lead to increased risk of death in adulthood. Contrary to previous theories on long-lasting inflammation, the study suggests improved adult conditions such as healthcare and diet are responsible for recent increases in lifespan.
Researchers from Tianjin University and Nankai University have unraveled the puzzle of how Zika virus replicates. They discovered a tunnel in the enzyme that holds viral RNA, allowing it to unwind its genetic material. This breakthrough could lead to the development of antiretroviral drugs against this spreading disease.
A novel mid-wavelength infrared phototransistor device has the potential to replace traditional radio-frequency wireless data links. This technology uses low-power and low-cost alternative to FSO communications, providing high-speed data links with reduced limitations.
A NASA team is testing a photon sieve optic for improved UV resolution, which could help answer a 50-year-old question about the sun's corona. The new technology has already achieved success in its initial testing phase.
Researchers found that community-based behavioral lifestyle intervention programs improve health-related quality of life by nearly 10% among participants. Those with lower baseline quality of life showed the greatest improvement, with scores increasing from 61.8 to 74 after completing the year-long program.
A University of South Florida study found that placental syndromes increase women's short-term risk for cardiovascular diseases. Women with placental syndromes and poor fetal outcomes have a 45% higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease within five years of their first pregnancy.
A recent study published in PLOS Medicine found that regular exercise can significantly reduce the risk of gestational diabetes in obese pregnant women. The study involved 91 women who were divided into an exercise group or control group, with the exercise group experiencing a significant drop in diabetes rates and lower blood pressure.
University of Pennsylvania researchers have created nanoparticles that use the acidity of tooth decay to kill bacteria in dental plaque and prevent cavities. The treatment, which combines hydrogen peroxide with acid-sensitive nanoparticles, was shown to be highly effective at disrupting biofilms and killing bacteria.
Researchers at Vienna University of Technology observe how carbon monoxide enables single platinum atoms to move and form clusters, breaking the grip of the magnetite surface. This process has significant implications for chemical catalysis, as it opens up a strategy to turn clusters into single atoms.
Researchers discovered that some frog species hide eggs on land to reduce competition from other males, leading to smaller testes in males with terrestrial reproductive modes. This finding sheds light on evolutionary forces driving diversity and provides insights for conservationists.
A SwRI-led study found that Ceres' surface lacks large impact craters, contrary to predictions. The team suggests a deep subsurface ice-rich layer or cryolava may have erased the craters over time.
A four-year NSF grant supports Elizabeth Ostrowski's research on the evolution of social cooperation in Dicty amoebae. The study explores how organisms can work together despite individual benefits from cooperation, and how this cooperation is influenced by evolutionary pressures.
Air plasma technology has been shown to effectively kill bacteria and biofilms on the surfaces of perishable fruits, significantly extending their shelf life. The reactive species generated by plasma can penetrate into the cavity of the biofilm, causing damage and killing the bacteria within.
A recent research report reveals that water and solutes flowing into the Salar de Atacama salt flat originate from an unexpectedly large portion of the Andean Plateau. The deposit, 3,900 feet thick, drains an area four or five times larger than the topographic watershed, posing fundamental questions about hydrologic and solute budgets.