A study found that parvalbumin-interneurons in the amygdala regulate emotional reactivity by suppressing surrounding neurons. This inhibitory plasticity is a normal consequence of memory encoding, but dysregulation may lead to hyperexcitability and pathological fear expression.
A recent study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that team training can significantly improve healthcare outcomes, including reducing patient mortality by 15% and medical errors by 19%. Team training has been shown to enhance communication, cooperation, and problem-solving skills among healthcare staff.
A study by Brain State Technologies found that young athletes with long-term concussion symptoms showed significant improvements after using HIRREM neurotechnology. The athletes experienced durable changes in heart rate variability, suggesting enhanced capacity for rapid adaptive adjustments in their pumping function.
City Connects, a Boston College initiative, has received a $300k grant to expand its 'whole child' support services, addressing poverty's negative effects on education. Research shows the program improves student grades, test scores, and long-term academic success.
Researchers measured oxygen content in ancient atmosphere trapped in halite (rock salt) and found it to be a key component in determining the origin and evolution of higher life forms. The discovery has applications beyond origins of life, including tracking atmospheric changes and finding economic metal deposits.
Researchers found that pre-stroke risk factors, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking, significantly influence future stroke and dementia risk. After one year post-stroke, survivors retain a high risk of recurrent strokes or dementia for at least five years.
Researchers sequenced whole genomes and epigenomes of 1,001 Arabidopsis plants to illuminate evolutionary history and interaction between genetic and epigenetic variation. The study found that approximately 25% of genes exhibit diversity in their methylation state, with correlations to climate and geographic location.
Scientists sequenced DNA from early Neolithic skeletons and found a previously uncharacterized population in Iran's Zagros region. The Zargos-based farmers' genetic sequences resemble modern-day Pakistani and Afghan populations, suggesting they split from ancient Anatolian genomes over 40,000 years ago.
Researchers discovered that bacteria divide asymmetrically when exposed to stress, accumulating defects in some individuals while others remain young and healthy. This collective behavior allows the bacterial colony to stay young, produce more offspring, and maintain overall health.
Scientists use iDISCO clearing method to visualize brain tissue from deceased patients with Alzheimer's disease, exposing nonrandom structures of beta amyloid plaques. This breakthrough finding may lead to new targeted drugs and a better understanding of the relationship between plaque presence and disease severity.
Rochester Institute of Technology professors Carlos Lousto and Manuela Campanelli have won separate grants worth $600,000 and $435,000 to advance gravitational wave astronomy. The funding will support research on black hole mergers and develop software tools for computational astrophysics.
A study found that reintroducing cougars to the Eastern US could lower deer-vehicle collision rates by 22%, preventing five human fatalities and 680 injuries annually. This would also save $50 million in costs over 30 years, as large cats thin deer populations.
Scientists warn that tropical cyclones will become stronger as temperatures rise due to a decrease in aerosols. This trend has been masked by air pollution, but is expected to become apparent in the future. Computer models predict an increase in intense storms and coastal flooding.
A University of Washington study suggests that racially based fear plays a role in public support for policing reforms. Participants who viewed police officers as threatening were more likely to support reformed policing practices, while those who saw black men as threatening were less supportive.
A new study found that subjecting female soccer players to negative stereotypes about their abilities reduced their dribbling speed significantly. The researchers discovered no significant relationship between reading negative stereotypes and flow or worry, but found that girls who felt more worried spent less time on the task.
Ecologists have identified 21 bat species that are likeliest to harbor Ebola and other filoviruses, primarily found in Southeast Asia and Central and South America. The study suggests targeted disease surveillance efforts in these regions to prevent future outbreaks.
Researchers found that newly hatched ducklings can distinguish same and different objects without training, demonstrating relational concept learning. This ability to identify logical relationships increases a young duckling's chances of recognizing its mother and siblings in the wild.
The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology published a special issue commemorating the 25th anniversary of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) technology. OCT has revolutionized eye disease diagnosis and treatment, enabling early detection of devastating conditions like age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma.
A quantum-confined bandgap narrowing mechanism has been found to extend UV absorption into the visible light range, enabling design of high-efficiency paintable solar cells and water purification using sunlight. The researchers mixed TiO2 particles with graphene quantum dots, resulting in a composite that absorbs visible light.
A new streamlined approach to genetic testing for women with ovarian cancer allows for faster and more affordable testing, enabling personalized cancer management and cancer prevention strategies. The test has been widely adopted in the UK and internationally, with estimates suggesting it could save £2.6M per year.
A newly-discovered Patagonian allosaurid named Gualicho has short, two-fingered claws similar to those of T. rex, but its unique limbs evolved independently rather than arising from a common ancestor. The dinosaur's unusual features make it a 'mosaic dinosaur', with characteristics found in different kinds of theropods.
A new rat study suggests that a specific strain of gut microbiota may reduce colon cancer risk and increase survival rates. The research found that rats with LEW microbiota developed significantly fewer tumors than those with other strains, providing new insight into the role of gut microbiota in cancer development.
Researchers at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute have reported promising results from a Phase II clinical trial of pembrolizumab, a PD-1 antibody, in men with metastatic prostate cancer. Three out of ten participants showed significant responses to treatment, including rapid decreases in PSA levels and tumor shrinkage.
A new study has found a way to starve tumors of their blood supply by inhibiting the replenishment of an intracellular substrate needed for vascular endothelial cells to respond to pro-angiogenic signals. This approach limits the growth of new blood vessels and enhances the effectiveness of therapy.
The Moffitt Imaging Biomarker Validation Center will discover, develop and validate biomarkers for risk assessment, detection and molecular diagnosis of early cancer. The center is part of the National Cancer Institute's Early Detection Research Network.
Researchers found that High Intensity Focused Ultrasound can selectively target and destroy placental blood vessels, potentially enabling a non-invasive procedure to separate the placenta in TTTS. The technique could reduce chance of complications and improve outcomes for affected twins.
A review of existing research concludes that manipulating food product order or proximity can positively impact food choices. Healthy food nudging is promising, with 16 out of 18 studies showing a positive impact. The review suggests using placement of products to promote healthier options, such as vegetables being placed first in line.
Researchers have identified a possible target for a new therapy for children with primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs), the most aggressive type of brain cancer in kids. The study found that inhibiting MEK activity is essential for these tumors to grow, paving the way for potential new treatment options.
NASA's RapidScat instrument measured surface wind speeds exceeding 30 meters per second, while the GPM core satellite detected rainfall rates of up to 33 mm/h near Hurricane Celia's eye wall. The storm weakened to a tropical storm on July 13, with forecasted weakening continuing over the next 48 hours.
Scientists have created a detailed structural model of aerolysin, a bacterial toxin that causes gastroenteritis and sepsis. The high-resolution imaging reveals the toxin's mechanism of action, including its formation of a pore in target cells.
Johns Hopkins researchers track brain activity as participants make choices entirely on their own, pinpointing the parietal lobe's role in attention switching and frontal cortex involvement in deliberation. The findings shed light on the neural mechanisms underlying human volition and decision-making.
Researchers have fabricated dissolvable carbon steel structures using 3D printing technology that can provide temporary support for components of larger stainless steel structures. The new approach reduces post-processing needed for 3D-printed metal components.
SNMMI recognized Peter Herscovitch and Satoshi Minoshima for their contributions to the field of nuclear medicine through various awards. Dominique Delbeke received the Presidential Distinguished Educator Award for her work as editor of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.
A new study has revealed multiple leads for pursuing potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease by targeting a structural flaw in brain cells. The researchers found that the tau protein aggregates in the brains of patients disrupt the lamin nucleoskeleton, leading to DNA relaxation and gene activation.
Scientists have developed graphene-infused packaging that reduces water vapor permeability by a million fold, allowing for longer product lifespans. The material was shown to extend the lifetime of an organic light-emitting diode from less than 30 minutes to over 1 year.
Researchers found that networks based on affiliative behaviors, like preening and sharing food, play a major role in transmitting information among ravens. These social connections, especially between siblings, emphasize the importance of family ties in learning.
A systematic literature review by The Dartmouth Institute found that multicomponent strategies targeting both patient and clinician involvement are effective in reducing low-value care. These interventions include providing feedback to physicians and medical staff on their use of low-value services.
A study of 3.9 million adults found that obesity is associated with an increased risk of premature death, with the greatest effect in men. The risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, and cancer are all increased, resulting in a three-fold greater excess risk of premature death among men compared to women.
Researchers from MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory propose a theoretical framework for estimating population density in networks, which converges quickly and is more accurate than random sampling. This approach has practical applications in analyzing social networks, robot swarms, and ad hoc networks.
A study of 9,972 older surgical patients found that a decline in function or mobility after surgery was associated with an increased risk of hospital readmission and death. Postoperative complications were also a significant factor in readmission risk.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $30 million in annual funding to six international collaborations working on an HIV cure. The program aims to address the virus's ability to establish a reservoir in immune cells, making it challenging to develop a cure.
Researchers at UNC Chapel Hill will receive nearly $23 million over five years to study the 'kick and kill' strategy for eradicating HIV. The approach involves waking up latent viruses and boosting the immune system to recognize and clear them.
Researchers studied Euplotes focardii's genes and proteins for survival in cold, oxygen-rich waters. The organism produces protective proteins against oxidative stress and adapts quickly through flexible RNA decoding.
A landmark study published in the International Journal of Cardiology found that stand-up comedians are more likely to die prematurely compared to comedy actors and dramatic actors. The study revealed a pattern of premature mortality among elite stand-up comedians, with those at the top being more likely to die at a younger age.
A study by researchers at Georgia State University found that firms perform better when CEO leadership style differs from the organization's culture. CEOs who adopt a similar style as the culture have a negative impact on performance. Instead, companies benefit from having different leadership and cultural styles.
Scientists discover galectin-9 potently forces latent HIV out of hiding and poisons the virus, increasing APOBEC3G levels to destroy genetic code. This 'shock and kill' strategy holds promise for a cure, altering treatment approach to eliminate all viral traces from the body.
Researchers found that playing action video games for as little as 5 hours can improve essential visuomotor-control skills used for driving. Experienced players showed greater precision in steering a virtual vehicle down the lane, while those with no gaming experience improved their skills after training.
A study found that children with the epsilon-4 gene variant had differences in brain development compared to those with epsilon-2 and epsilon-3 variants, including smaller hippocampus size and lower test scores on memory and thinking skills. The findings suggest early indications of risk for dementia and potential prevention strategies.
Researchers use roundworms to identify chemicals that can delay aging effects across multiple organisms. Thioflavin T, a commonly used lab dye, is found to lengthen lifespan in various species.
Peidong Yang received the third Tsinghua University Press-Springer Nano Research Award for his pioneering work on artificial photosynthesis and nanowires. His invention of a fully integrated system for producing chemicals directly from CO2, H2O, and sunlight has been widely recognized as a major breakthrough in the field.
Astronomers have observed a water 'snowline' in a protoplanetary disk using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) telescope. The snowline marks the transition point where temperatures and pressures are low enough for water ice to form, and its distance from the star was found to be approximately 40 astronomical units.
Researchers analyzed firefly flash signals to understand how new mating signals arise through evolution. They found variations in luciferase and opsin genes didn't correlate with signal color changes, suggesting natural selection may be acting on unknown DNA sequences.
A team led by Lucas Cieza has made the first resolved observations of a water snow line in a protoplanetary disc using ALMA's long baselines. The discovery pushes the water snow line out to a distance of around 40 au, significantly impacting our understanding of planetary formation models.
Site-specific conjugation technologies have enabled the development of next-generation homogeneous antibody-drug conjugates with superior stability and therapeutic index. These advancements promote the use of ADCs as a new therapeutic option for cancer patients.
A new approach shields a toxic chemotherapeutic until it reaches the tumor site, leading to greater efficacy and fewer side effects. The treatment was successful in mice with sarcoma tumors and had fewer side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy.
Scientists at TUM develop a methodology to produce 2D quasicrystals from metal-organic networks, opening the door to new materials. They discovered a new set of building blocks for assembling various quasicrystalline structures.
The rise of OLED displays could lead to shatterproof phones. Researchers are working to overcome challenges such as image retention and high costs, but if successful, the technology could vastly improve image quality and open up new possibilities for electronics design.
A study of 3,302 women transitioning through menopause found associations between VMS patterns and demographic, reproductive hormone, and psychosocial factors. Women with early onset VMS were more likely to have elevated depressive symptoms and poorer health.
A new study published in Nature found that musical preferences depend on exposure to Western musical culture, not innate brain wiring. In a remote Amazonian tribe with limited exposure to Western music, dissonant chords were rated as likeable as consonant chords.
A study of 29 mother-child pairs found that mothers who were overweight or obese served larger portions to their children when they perceived their own hunger as higher. The researchers suggest that parents can intervene by providing objective guidelines and allowing children to have control over their portion sizes.