A recent study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that children's perception of trustworthiness is linked to attractiveness, with more attractive faces being deemed trustworthy. The ability to make this judgment develops with age, becoming more consistent as children approach adulthood.
A new PET study reveals that tau protein tangles in the brain may be driving the neurodegeneration behind Alzheimer's disease. The research found a significant correlation between increased tau and decreased metabolic activity in the brain, suggesting that tau imaging could be used to detect neuronal injury earlier than amyloid imaging.
Researchers used FDG-PET imaging to monitor atezolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, in NSCLC patients. The study found that higher baseline tumor volumes were predictive of reduced patient survival, and further increase in tumor volume after treatment was associated with decreased survival.
A new study by MIT researchers found that certain energy storage systems, such as pumped hydroelectric storage, can add significant value to solar and wind installations in various locations. The study demonstrated that despite regional variations in prices and demand fluctuations, the optimal storage technology is similar across locat...
A study found that breastfeeding for a long duration was associated with lower rates of postweaning antibiotic courses and decreased body mass index (BMI) in later childhood. The benefits may be attributed to the development of intestinal microbiota, which is dependent on an infant's diet.
The algorithm combines all published algae studies prior to February 2015 to rank genetic types' thermotolerance, helping identify colonies at risk from climate change. By pinpointing thermotolerant algae, conservationists can focus their efforts on preserving coral reefs.
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz developed a new capping strategy to stabilize perovskite nanocrystals, overcoming instability issues with organometal-halide materials. The approach uses unique branched ligands to control particle size and improve photoluminescence quantum yield.
Scientists at EPFL have discovered a material that can absorb nuclear waste gases more efficiently, cheaply and safely than current methods. The material, SBMOF-1, is a nanoporous crystal that can separate xenon and krypton at room temperature.
Scientists at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience found that dendrites play an active role in cortical processing and shape how neurons encode visual information. The arrangement of synaptic connections within the dendritic field supports this active role, enabling neurons to exhibit diverse selectivity.
The Education and Research Foundation for Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging honored Dr. H. William Strauss with the 2016 Benedict Cassen Prize for his seminal studies in cardiovascular nuclear medicine. This award recognizes his work that has greatly advanced nuclear medicine science and had a high clinical impact.
Researchers have found that Antarctic lakes are repositories for ancient soot from wildfires, dating back over 2,500 years. The study also indicates a more recent increase in dissolved black carbon from fossil fuel burning, which may be caused by helicopter emissions or long-range transport of carbon.
Researchers found that blocking PRMT5 forces resistant brain-tumor cells into senescence, slowing or stopping tumor growth. This approach may offer a new treatment option for patients with glioblastoma.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory discover a simple chemical treatment using hydrazine to dope electrons into semiconductors, creating one of the best hydrogen-evolution electrocatalysts. This breakthrough has wide potential applications in energy and electronics.
Researchers from Oak Crest Institute of Science have demonstrated that a combination of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and emtricitabine delivered via a sustained release intravaginal ring prevents HIV transmission for over four months. The study used a vaginal exposure model in macaques, showing complete protection against HIV infection.
New research from The University of Texas at Austin reveals that aerosol particles can increase the lifespan of large thunderstorm systems by as much as three to 24 hours, depending on regional meteorological conditions. This increase in lifespan allows storms to grow larger and produce more extreme storms when rain finally occurs.
The study suggests that low-energy electron and UV irradiation of methanol ices yield the same reaction products, with potential implications for the interstellar synthesis of prebiotic molecules. Future research will investigate this phenomenon further, potentially providing new insights into the origins of life.
The UPSC Berzelii Centre at Umea University has been granted a five-year extension of funding as a Vinnova Competence Centre. The centre's research groups have successfully collaborated with industrial partners to translate basic research into applications in the Swedish forest industry.
The revised UK Eatwell Guide lacks an evidence base and has been formulated by those with industry ties. Dr Zoe Harcombe argues that a high carb-low fat approach has contributed to rising obesity and diabetes rates in the UK.
A team of researchers has discovered a receptor on the legs of mosquitoes that, when activated, makes female mosquitoes fly away. This finding could lead to novel mosquito repellents and potentially disrupt the life cycle of disease-spreading mosquitoes.
A Yale team has developed a new waveguide system that harnesses the interaction of light and sound waves to boost light intensity on a silicon microchip, solving a long-standing problem in hybrid technologies. The breakthrough enables precise control over the interaction, leading to potential commercial applications in fiber-optic comm...
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that US hospitals have significantly varying rates of opioid prescribing, with some discharging up to 20% of patients with new prescriptions. Short-term prescriptions can lead to long-term use and potentially abuse.
Researchers have discovered a subgroup of neurons in the nasal cavity that express CD36, a lipid metabolism regulator, linking it to a preference for high-fat food and potentially odorant detection. The study suggests a possible role of CD36 in perception of smells and social interactions.
Researchers aim to develop strategies to protect the kidneys from permanent damage caused by cisplatin, a common chemotherapy agent used to treat various cancers. They investigate two pathways: p53 and PKCδ, which contribute to kidney cell death during treatment.
Scientists have discovered former subglacial lakes in Alberta, Canada, providing insights into lake formation and drainage beneath the ice sheets. The findings offer key constraints for modeling similar lake drainages beneath Antarctica and Greenland, crucial for understanding their impact on ice flow.
A new study found that only 2% of the eastern US provides climate connectivity, compared to 51% in western states. Creating climate-specific corridors could improve connectivity to 65%, boosting survival chances.
A large cohort of 29,908 patients with pathologic stage T2N0M0 NSCLC showed improved median overall survival and 5-year OS when receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. The study demonstrated a benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with completely resected stage T2N0M0 NSCLC regardless of tumor size.
A large clinical trial showed liraglutide safely and effectively decreases the overall risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death for people with type 2 diabetes. The study also found a reduction in kidney disease and death from all causes.
Astronomers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and San Diego State University have discovered a new planet, Kepler-1647b, which orbits two stars and is the largest transiting circumbinary planet ever found. The planet, with a mass and radius similar to that of Jupiter, takes 3 years to orbit its host stars.
A study by Children's Hospital Los Angeles found that common pediatric diseases impact the healthy intestinal microbiome, reducing bacterial diversity. The study suggests that prolonged antibiotic treatment and disease process are responsible for changes in intestinal flora.
Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine identified over 850 DNA mutations linked to cancer that may be responsive to existing drugs. The study provides a list of mutations and associated drugs that could benefit patients, expanding the number of cancer treatments available.
The MDI Biological Laboratory will host a lecture series on the science of aging, featuring leaders in the field who will discuss life-extending treatments and cellular recycling processes. The lectures will explore how these advances may lead to therapies that prolong healthy lifespan and address age-related diseases.
The SpecID system combines detection and identification into a single step, offering faster answers and streamlined workflow for clinical microbiology laboratories. The $2.8M award supports the development of quality and manufacturing systems required for regulatory clearance, bridging the gap between manufacture and clinical trials.
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) will establish 20 new Collaborative Research Centres (CRCs), receiving €174 million in funding. The CRCs will investigate various topics, including quantum systems and the adaptability of plants.
Researchers have discovered plant mimicry between Alseuosmia pusilla and Pseudowintera colorata, where the unprotected shrub mimics the chemically-defended tree. The study uses a novel approach to quantify leaf shape using morphometric methods, providing evidence of Batesian mimicry in vascular plants.
A study by Vanderbilt University neuroscientist Suzana Herculano-Houzel found that birds have more neurons packed into their small brains than mammals or primates. The avian brain's smaller and denser neurons enable complex cognitive behaviors, rivaling those of primates.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends specific sleep hours for children and teenagers to avoid health risks. Sleeping within recommended hours is associated with better health outcomes, while insufficient sleep increases risks of accidents, injuries, and mental health problems.
A new study from Rice University and Louisiana State University suggests that the early life experiences of individual animals can have wide-reaching impacts on entire species. The research, which examined whether past environments could affect species distribution, found that ignoring these carryover effects can result in incorrect as...
Scientists at the University of Delaware discovered a 23-million-year-old brown dwarf that can emit powerful flashes of light, stronger than the sun's. The ultracool brown dwarf, 2MASS 0335+23, has lots of flares as hot as or hotter than full-fledged stars.
Researchers have identified an 'inverted Cheerios effect' where liquid droplets interact on soft solid surfaces, allowing for control over interactions through substrate thickness and softness. This phenomenon has implications for designing fog-free car windows and improving heat management in conditioners and boilers.
Scientists discovered that regulatory T cells, which calm inflammatory responses, migrate into the gut lining and convert into anti-inflammatory CD4+ cells. The presence of microbes is necessary for this conversion.
A study by Australian National University has found that pythons and boas, two snake families, evolved independently to share similar traits due to living in the same habitat. This demonstrates the power of natural selection and adaptation in reptiles.
Researchers found that diverse land use can balance out uncertainties and provide optimal multitasking for ecosystem services. The area mosaic concept resulted in 46% forestry utilization with indigenous alders and exotic pines, balancing out 10% extensive pasture and 20% intensive pasture utilization.
New calculations suggest the six extreme trans-Neptunian objects, initially used to propose Planet Nine, would have unstable orbits if it exists. The orbits of these objects could escape the Solar System in less than 1.5 billion years.
A new study found that genetic variations of the COMT gene and white matter in the brain predict a student's performance in a second-language class, accounting for 46% of the variance. This research sheds light on why individuals learn differently and could lead to interventions that improve learning.
Research from Baylor College of Medicine found that Notch activation promotes metastasis in prostate cancer by upregulating FoxC2, a molecule important for metastatic potential. The study used a mouse model with prostate-specific loss-of-function Pten to demonstrate the role of Notch in prostate cancer progression.
A study analyzing over 34,000 lung cancer patients in England found that those aged 50-64 are more likely to be diagnosed at a late stage compared to older age groups. Younger patients in their 70s are more likely to be diagnosed with early-stage disease.
A study reveals that Botox toxin targets neurons through its affinity for glycans, and mutating a single amino acid can abolish toxicity. This mechanism also inspires the design of anti-toxin inhibitors.
A genetic blood test called NETest measures specific genes in the blood that define and predict responsiveness to PRRT. The test was found to be more than 90% accurate in predicting therapy response and non-response, with 73% of low-grade tumors responding to treatment.
The Diabetes Collaborative Registry has released baseline data showing clinicians adhere to 4 out of 7 diabetes quality metrics. The registry's first presented results highlight areas for improvement in chronic disease management, with low rates of performance on some measures attributed to lack of documentation or true gaps in care.
A quarter of COPD patients are frail but can respond favourably to exercise rehabilitation. Frail patients who completed the programme scored better in measures of breathlessness and exercise performance, with 61% no longer meeting frailty criteria after rehabilitation.
Researchers at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University have discovered a unique copper-silver nanoparticle structure resembling the Japanese glass fishing floats, known as ukidama. The 'ukidama' structure has properties that could be utilized in biomedical devices and nanotechnology.
A study by University of Arizona Health Sciences reveals the existence of 'T memory cells with naive phenotype' that accumulate with aging and respond to persistent viruses. These cells may hold the key to understanding and boosting immunity in older adults, who are vulnerable to infections due to weakened immune systems.
Ross McDougall, a renowned Stanford professor, has been honored with the 2016 Georg Charles de Hevesy Nuclear Pioneer Award for his groundbreaking work in nuclear medicine. With over 160 peer-reviewed publications and three textbooks on thyroid disease, he has made significant contributions to advancing the field of nuclear medicine.
A randomized Phase III study found nearly 81% of patients in the inotuzumab ozogamicin group achieved complete remission, compared to 31-41% with standard therapies. The drug enabled 41% of patients to proceed with stem cell transplants, increasing their chances of a curative treatment.
A recent study published in The Journal of Physiology found that stress during pregnancy and being born with low birth weight can lead to long-term health issues in mothers. The research, led by Jean Ni Cheong from the University of Melbourne, explored the effects of these factors on maternal health after pregnancy.
Peter S. Conti, MD, PhD, receives the prestigious Paul C. Aebersold Award for his groundbreaking work in developing novel diagnostic imaging agents for oncology applications. His research focuses on PET imaging and gene expression, advancing the field of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging.
A UCL-led team of researchers has developed a model that predicts outbreaks of zoonotic diseases like Ebola and Zika based on environmental changes. The model forecasts the number of people affected by Lassa fever to double from 195,125 to 406,725 by 2070 due to climate change and population growth.
Researchers developed PET tracers that can visualize inflammatory disease and evaluate next-generation MS therapies. The study found that the compounds could detect an increase in S1P1 expression in animals with an inflammatory response, suggesting a promising approach for imaging MS and other inflammatory diseases.
A recent study using PET/CT imaging found that the brains of recovering alcoholics have adapted to chemical dependency by significantly hindering metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5) receptors, reducing cravings. This discovery could lead to new targeted drugs to limit receptor activity in patients at risk of relapse.
Researchers developed pretargeted radioimmunotherapy, combining an anti-GPA33 antibody with radionuclide agents to deliver radiation directly to tumors. In mouse models, the technique achieved complete remission of colorectal cancer without collateral toxicity.