Researchers have discovered that swordfish use a large oil gland at the base of their bill to reduce drag and achieve super-fast speeds. This gland produces a surface that is super water-repellent, reducing drag by over 20%.
A new Duke University study examines how early childhood characteristics affect academic performance, finding that children with attention problems were 40% less likely to graduate from high school. Social acceptance by peers also predicted grades in fifth grade.
Early life forms on Earth are likely to have mutated and evolved at much higher rates than they do today, thanks to a hotter planet billions of years ago. The rate of spontaneous DNA mutation was at least 4,000 times higher than it is now, according to a new analysis from the University of North Carolina.
A study published in July Health Affairs found increased out-of-pocket expenditures among people aged fifty and older in eleven European countries between 2006-07 and 2013. The study revealed that those in lower income quintiles incurred less out-of-pocket expenditure compared to higher-income populations.
Researchers at the Buck Institute discover metformin reduces toxic acid levels associated with Maple Syrup Urine Disease, a disorder identified 1 in 180,000 births. Metformin treatment significantly reduced ketoacid buildup in skeletal muscle of mice and toxic acid levels in human skin cells.
The NY State Dept of Health AIDS Institute has funded $3.75 million in grants to support HIV/AIDS prevention among at-risk youth in NYC. Project STAY, a comprehensive health program, aims to provide education, screenings, and linkages to care for young people engaged in risk-taking behaviors.
A study by Jennifer Estall and Aurèle Besse-Patin explores how female mice respond to FGF21, a hormone that improves metabolism and insulin sensitivity. The researchers aim to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the effect of sex on drug treatment for metabolic diseases.
Researchers from the University of Exeter and Bath investigated noise in Falmouth Bay for 14 months, finding varied noise levels affected by natural conditions. This study highlights the need for long-term monitoring to understand human impact on marine environments.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland has developed a computational model that can predict the onset and progression of knee osteoarthritis in overweight people. The model analyzes the degradation of the collagen fibril network in articular cartilage and simulates the effect of various loadings on cartilage cells.
A study of wild female bonobos found that their sexual swellings are unreliable signals of fertility, allowing females to manipulate mate choice. The findings suggest that male bonobos may not be able to successfully compete over females due to the variability in swelling patterns.
The domesticated yeast that makes cold-brewed lager beer is a complex mix of two species, with scientists discovering new strains in Europe and the Americas. Genetic analysis reveals the organism's origins are more geographically diverse than initially thought.
A study found that about 15% of complex postoperative pain patients develop moderate to severe chronic pain, consuming 90% of healthcare's pain-related resources. The annual projected total cost linked to TGH surgical patients who develop moderate-to-severe chronic post-surgical pain could range from $2.5 million up to a possible $4.1 ...
Researchers have developed a systematic approach to studying monkey morphology, syntax, and semantics using methods from theoretical titi monkeys linguistics. This allows them to compare one monkey species to another and analyze the meanings of their calls in detail, revealing complex formal properties and syntax.
A phase II study evaluates the safety of palbociclib in African American patients, including those with benign ethnic neutropenia. The study aims to determine if these patients can safely use the drug, which was previously excluded due to risk of infection.
A new study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers found that Medicaid status has little effect on inpatient costs, length of stay, and use of intensive care units for children hospitalized for asthma. The study analyzed over 17,000 pairs of pediatric asthma patients from 40 major US children's hospitals.
A recent study by researchers at the Universities of Exeter and Leeds found that a drought completely shut down the Amazon Basin's carbon sink, killing trees and slowing their growth. The study used long-term measurements from the RAINFOR network to examine tree responses during two large-scale droughts occurring in 2005 and 2010.
A recent special issue of Future Oncology examines the field of oncofertility, highlighting its importance in cancer survivors' well-being. The focus on preserving fertility in cancer patients has revolutionized reproductive medicine and biology, with direct impact on oncology.
A study found that women with early-stage breast cancer prioritize their own judgments over surgeon and partner input when making surgical decisions. The majority of women with mastectomies identified themselves as the most influential factor in their decision, while those with lumpectomies prioritized surgeons.
A Kyoto University study shows tsunami-borne EM fields can extract key information about earthquake hypocenters, including fault dip direction, which helps with early warning systems. This discovery could lead to improved tsunami forecasting and timely evacuations.
A recent study reveals that nearly 60 percent of people have preclinical heart failure stages A and B, with stage B individuals at increased risk for death. The findings highlight the importance of targeting prevention efforts at the earliest HF stages to avoid death, particularly among men and older adults.
A QUT study of over 1000 Australian women found younger and more educated sperm donors are preferred, despite women having more freedom to choose. This suggests that resources and financial stability remain important considerations in reproductive decisions.
Researchers are seeking to understand why African-American women die at a higher rate and experience more aggressive breast tumors than white women. The new study aims to identify genetic variants related to breast cancer in African-American women, which may lead to better treatments and prevention.
Researchers discovered that cells can pack and release ephrins and Eph receptors through extracellular vesicles, allowing them to transmit signals over a distance. This discovery has significant implications for understanding cell communication and developing new treatments for diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers have selectively bred domesticated rat strains to exhibit tame behavior, with no instances of biting reported. The study also reveals hormonal responses and sex differences in aggression between male and female rats, shedding light on the physiological changes during domestication.
A recent Michigan State University study found that stressed dairy cattle are more likely to shed deadly Shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria, which can cause serious illnesses in humans.
Researchers have discovered a chemical trail on Saturn's moon Titan that could indicate the presence of prebiotic conditions. The trail was found in the form of hydrogen cyanide, an organic chemical that can react with itself or other molecules to form long chains called polyimine.
Scientists at Salk Institute discovered that microRNA miR-19 regulates new neuron placement in adult brains and is disrupted in schizophrenia patients. The study paves the way for understanding how adult brains control new neuron growth and its potential link to neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia.
Researchers found poor standing balance and 4-meter walk test performances strongly associated with late-age dementia. The study suggests that impaired physical performance may be an early sign of developing late-age dementia.
A recent survey led by UMass Amherst researcher Zulmai Moheb confirms the existence of a small population of Bactrian deer in northern Afghanistan, a sub-species believed to have been extinct since the 1970s. The animals urgently need conservation due to habitat loss and hunting pressure.
Two researchers have discovered a single-step chemical process that creates both alcohols and esters without generating any waste or using harmful reagents. The process is more straightforward and simpler than existing methods, offering an economical and sustainable alternative for industrial applications.
A new meta-analysis in Biological Psychiatry reports associations between sleep disturbances and long sleep duration with increased levels of inflammatory markers. Treatments targeting sleep behavior may be a strategy for reversing inflammation and reducing risk of inflammatory illnesses.
A study analyzing hip fracture patients found a nearly 15% increase in anti-osteoporosis medication prescriptions and a 14% decline in subsequent fractures after the introduction of generic alendronic acid. Notably, this was accompanied by a 22% reduction in hip fractures.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have created light-powered molecular motors that repetitively bend and unbend, bringing us closer to molecular robots. The development enables complex tasks and autonomous chemical reactions, which may lead to applications in medicine and other fields.
A recent study found that parental diet quality has a significant impact on children's diet quality, with too few vegetables and empty calories being major contributors. Researchers analyzed data from over 600 parent-child duos and found that parents had better diet scores than kids, but only by a small margin.
A new study by Yale University researchers found that high tobacco surcharges under the Affordable Care Act reduced smokers' insurance enrollment rates, contrary to the ACA's goal of universal coverage. The study also showed no increase in smoking cessation among smokers facing these surcharges.
A recent study found that adults released from provincial correctional facilities have a 9% overdose death rate in the first two days and 20% within the first week. The majority of these deaths involve opioids and can be prevented with education and access to naloxone, according to researchers.
Global Aerospace Corporation and Northrop Grumman will develop a new exploration vehicle for Saturn's moon Titan, addressing technical challenges with innovative engineering approaches. The Titan Winged Aerobot concept incorporates ultra-low power requirements and extended vertical range, enabling long-lived flight at low altitudes.
Jonathan Karn, PhD, an HIV/AIDS expert, has received two Innovation research grants to better understand and ultimately curtail HIV's ability to remain in the body as a persistent viral reservoir. The goal is to shrink the size of, and eventually eliminate the reservoir using hormone therapies.
PhD student Wang Yueyun and Dr Li Xinzheng discover two new species and a new genus of bamboo worms in the open access journal ZooKeys. The new genus is characterized by a unique collar-like glandular band on its sixth chaetiger, setting it apart from other Maldaninae subfamily members.
A recent study by LSU Economics and Policy Research Group Director Stephen Barnes explores the determination of state Medicaid provision in the US, finding that federal subsidization leads to a decline in Medicaid coverage. The study also reveals a positive relationship between progressivity of tax structure and Medicaid coverage.
The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) has secured additional funding of EUR 36.4 million over four years, a 32% increase from the first period. This will enable iDiv scientists to investigate biodiversity using various methods and increase their activities.
A Harvard study reveals that wealthier Americans are getting significantly more healthcare than middle-class and poor individuals, reversing a long-term trend of increased equality. The wealthiest fifth of Americans now consume 43% more healthcare than the poorest fifth, while middle-income people receive 23% less care.
A study found that over 10% of men with metastatic prostate cancer have inherited mutations in DNA repair genes, more than four times the general population rate. These mutations could benefit from targeted treatment already approved for ovarian cancer patients.
A recent study in rats suggests that acoustic shock waves can accelerate muscle healing by increasing chemical signaling factors and waking up satellite progenitor cells. This technique, called Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT), has promising potential as a non-invasive therapy complementing existing recovery regimes.
Research reveals that king penguins can distinguish between dangerous and benign sounds while sleeping on the beach. They react with alarm to predator calls, but not to unfamiliar sounds like a dog's growl.
Researchers analyzed fossil records and ostrich eggshell stable isotope measurements from two Middle Stone Age sites, finding no correlation between climate shifts and technological or cultural innovations. The study challenges the idea that climate change drove early human experimentation.
A Northwestern University study found that 40% of top-selling sunscreens on Amazon.com fail to meet water or sweat resistance standards. Consumers spend up to 3,000% more for similar products, highlighting a need for affordable and effective options.
A recent study found that Japanese quail grown in green and red light exhibit higher body weights and reproductive development compared to white and blue light. This surprising discovery has potential applications across various fields, including poultry production, cancer research, and endocrine studies.
A University of Georgia study found that medical marijuana leads to lower prescription drug use, particularly for conditions like glaucoma and pain. The study estimated savings of $468 million if all states had implemented medical marijuana laws.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have discovered a new potential avenue for controlling severe bacterial infections and sepsis. The study reveals that a protein fragment called gasdermin-D-NT can kill both bacteria and infected cells, offering a defense against antibiotic-resistant infections.
Research found that 40% of top-rated sunscreens on Amazon don't adhere to AAD standards due to lack of water resistance. Consumers prioritize cosmetic aspects over photoprotection, highlighting the need for healthcare professionals to educate patients about sunscreen options.
Agroforestry allows farmers to balance biomass trees with crops, capturing more carbon, filtering nutrients, and stabilizing soil. The practice offers greater economic security and long-term benefits for farmers.
The NCI's largest-ever study of breast cancer genetics in black women aims to identify genetic factors contributing to racial disparities in breast cancer. The study will investigate inherited genetic variations and gene expression in tumor samples.
A population-based register study in Sweden found that lower socioeconomic status increases the risk of advanced-stage penile cancer. Management of the disease does not differ between social groups, according to the findings published in BJU International.
A study found that 22.5% of Malaysian children with epilepsy have vitamin D deficiency, while 19.7% have insufficiency. Children taking multiple medications, having Indian ethnicity or being female are more susceptible to this issue.
Researchers from Binghamton University and Stevens Institute of Technology found that smartwatches can crack private PINs with 80-percent accuracy on the first try. The study used data from embedded sensors in wearable devices to break codes without contextual information, highlighting security vulnerabilities in these devices.
A new method to increase the robustness and energy storage capability of lithium-rich cathode materials has been discovered. Researchers found that introducing oxygen vacancies at the surface of the material using a carbon dioxide-based gas mixture improved its performance, particularly in high-energy applications like electric vehicles.
A significant proportion of men with advanced prostate cancer have inherited mutations in DNA repair genes, making them eligible for precision treatments such as PARP inhibitors. Genetic testing could help identify these patients and offer targeted therapies to improve their treatment outcomes.
A new study has found that smaller-scale processes in the Earth's mantle have a more significant impact on plate tectonics than previously thought. The research used high-resolution imaging to map the flow of the mantle beneath the ocean's tectonic plates, revealing that convection channels play a crucial role in driving plate movement.
The Scripps Research Institute has received a $20 million award to support a national precision medicine initiative, enrolling 350,000 participant-volunteers. The program aims to engage one million or more U.S. participants to improve disease prevention and treatment based on individual differences in lifestyle, environment, and genetics.