A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology identified risk factors for ophthalmoscopic findings in infants born with microcephaly and presumed Zika virus infection. Infants with smaller head diameters at birth and those whose mothers reported symptoms during the first trimester were more likely to have ocular involvement.
Researchers found that stimulation from outside world guides neurons' early development, leading to two different types of inhibitory neurons. This adds complexity and regulation to brain circuitry, with implications for treating neurological disorders like autism, schizophrenia, and depression.
A study published in PLOS ONE reveals that maize is more vulnerable to drought than previously thought, with a 39.3% yield reduction at 40% water reduction compared to wheat's 20.6%. Maize sensitivity varies by region and soil texture, but overall findings can inform model interactions, productivity gains, and irrigation scheduling.
Scientists at MIT and HHMI use a new imaging technique to observe short-lived enzyme clusters that play a central role in triggering mRNA production and controlling gene transcription. These clusters, which remain stable for up to 24 seconds, can significantly impact gene expression.
Biologists have uncovered a key protein in the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum that enables it to home in on bacteria, similar to human white blood cells. This discovery provides new insights into immune cell directionality and may lead to effective treatments for cancer and other diseases.
Researchers are exploring whether deep brain stimulation (DBS) can provide relief for patients with bipolar disorder who do not respond to medications. The study aims to identify structural targets in the brain that may be involved in the disorder and potentially treat it through DBS.
A study of over 6,000 Antarctic marine fossils reveals a dramatic 65-70% reduction in species 66 million years ago, coinciding with the end of the Cretaceous Period and the extinction of dinosaurs. The research suggests that the mass extinction event was just as rapid and severe in polar regions as elsewhere on Earth.
Optical atomic clocks have shown improved accuracy and stability compared to traditional microwave clocks, making them suitable for global timekeeping. By combining optical clocks with masers, researchers achieved a time error of less than 0.20 nanoseconds over 25 days.
Researchers developed an algorithm using submarine and guided missile technology to measure intensity of effort in cricketers. The 'torpedo technology' wearables provide a stable measure of bowling load across repeated spells, helping coaches identify fatigue and optimize preparation.
In a study published in Nature, researchers found that subordinate female meerkats track the growth of potential competitors and adjust their own weight gain to stay ahead. The results suggest that competitive growth is a key strategy for social mammals to maintain dominance.
Severe air quality issues persist in Fort McMurray due to ongoing wildfires, with a Health Quality Index of 10+ reported in the region. The fire, covering over 522,892 hectares, remains out of control, prompting evacuation orders for multiple communities.
A new study found that each additional residential move is associated with a decline in reading and math scores, as well as less positive social skills and higher rates of emotional and behavioral problems. Moving during early childhood had the most detrimental effects on children's cognitive skills.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology are developing a self-driving truck that uses animal-inspired behavior to improve safety and adaptability. The truck's software, OpenDLV, is designed to react to unexpected situations by mimicking the way animals respond to their environment.
The study, published in the American Society of Neuroradiology's annual meeting, found that younger patients, African-Americans, and those seen by a stroke team received more advanced imaging, including MRI and MR angiogram. The findings highlight disparities in neuroimaging use for different patient groups.
A Norwegian study found workaholics scored higher on psychiatric symptoms than non-workaholics, with 32.7% meeting ADHD criteria and 25.6% having OCD. The research highlights the need for further investigation into neurobiological deviations related to workaholic behavior.
Researchers at OIST Graduate University discovered how E. coli bacteria disassemble their protein complex after cell division, finding a controlled order similar to assembly, and identifying an inner and outer ring of proteins with unique interactions.
Researchers found that celecoxib, a widely prescribed pain and anti-inflammatory drug, slows the growth rate of neurofibromatosis type II (NF2) tumors in animal models. The study suggests that COX-2 inhibitors may have an impact on tumor formation and inflammatory responses.
Researchers developed a portable, disposable sunburn sensor made from safe and benign materials that can be easily calibrated for different skin tones and sunscreen levels.
Researchers create Quantitative Input Influence (QII) measures to provide insights into AI decision-making processes. The approach accounts for correlated inputs and quantifies the joint influence of multiple factors on outcomes.
A study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that economic crises are associated with increased mortality from treatable cancers, especially in countries without universal healthcare coverage. In contrast, countries with UHC and increased public health spending on care had lower excess cancer deaths.
A multi-institutional team has completed the first large-scale proteogenomic study of breast cancer, linking DNA mutations to protein signaling and identifying genes that drive cancer. The study highlights the power of integrating genomic and proteomic data to yield a more complete picture of cancer biology.
Current simulation models consistently underestimate black carbon aerosols in Arctic air, but fine-grained simulations using powerful supercomputers can mitigate this underestimation. The research found that more realistic modeling of weather and climate patterns is possible with finer grids and larger computational power.
Researchers discovered a connection between pulmonary function and vocal fatigue complaints among female teachers, highlighting the importance of respiratory health for voice health. The study used spirometry measures to assess lung function and found that reduced pulmonary function was associated with increased vocal fatigue symptoms.
The NIH has partnered with EPA to fund five new research centers studying environmental health disparities, including air and water pollution, housing conditions, and diet. The centers will work with community organizations to develop culturally appropriate strategies to reduce exposure to harmful environmental conditions.
A new study found that Mexican-American adolescents who experience their parents' ethnic discrimination have lower self-esteem and more emotional problems. Parents' discussions about culture, race, and ethnicity with their teens can positively impact their psychological adjustment.
The Genome Analysis Centre (TGAC) is training the next generation of rice breeders in Vietnam in advanced bioinformatics and genomics. The programme aims to characterise genetic diversity in Vietnamese native rice lines to accelerate crop breeding and improve yields, addressing climate change threats such as drought and rising sea levels
Scientists studying climate change's impact on underwater sound propagation and sonar transmission. Warmer oceans increase sound speed, making detection of submarines more challenging.
Penn State researchers found that incorporating 'hurricane hunter' data into weather prediction models can reduce forecast errors for wind speed and sea level pressure. This improvement can lead to billions of dollars in savings and provide more notice to people in the path of a storm.
A study by Queensland University of Technology found that drivers can see trains from a distance, but struggle to estimate their speed. On average, drivers overestimated the train's speed by 36% at 750m away and 29% at 350m away.
A study by MIT neuroscientists reveals that the Shank gene plays a crucial role in the formation and maturation of synapses. In fruit flies lacking this gene, researchers found reduced functional synapses and improper development, which could impair neural circuit development and contribute to autism symptoms.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have identified a new regulator of immune responses, PSGL-1, which acts as a negative regulator of T cell function. The study found that PSGL-1 is required to increase levels of immune checkpoints, allowing T cells to remain active longer than normal.
A Ben-Gurion University study found that most seniors use mobile phones for basic functions like calling and texting, but struggle with more advanced features. Researchers suggest improving mobile literacy can help older adults reap the benefits of mobile technology for better mental and physical health.
Archaeologists have published scans of prehistoric animal paintings from Abri Faravel in the Southern French Alps. The site's rock shelter has seen human activity from Mesolithic to medieval periods, featuring unique high-altitude Bronze Age structures and artefacts.
Researchers found that low-income entrepreneurs in Panama start early-stage businesses with new products, but struggle to sustain them due to financial constraints and customer adoption rates. Business incubation centers and cash grants can help these entrepreneurs overcome the start-up hurdle.
A study found that antiretroviral therapy alone is not enough to reduce HIV-associated arterial inflammation, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Additional immune-system-modulatory approaches are needed to address this issue.
A study from the University of Utah finds that older Americans with hearing loss have more trouble understanding British accents when there is background noise. The study also explores how transgender women can adopt a clearer speaking style to sound more feminine and how fast-talking affects speech intelligibility.
Researchers from OIST have created a new method to build sensitive CO sensors using copper oxide nanowires integrated with micro-hotplates. The approach enables controlled growth, integration, and measurement of CO concentrations, overcoming previous challenges in sensor production.
New research from Texas A&M University finds that standing desks can increase productivity in adults by 46%, with workers completing more successful calls per hour. Standing for shorter periods also reduces body discomfort and improves cognitive functioning.
A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found that urban heat islands accelerate the growing season, with potential consequences for native and migratory birds and bugs. Urban parks can provide "cool island" refuges for wildlife.
A study evaluated 20 popular web apps for collaboration, ranking them based on usability. The top-rated apps include Google Drive, Skype, and Doodle Poll, which excelled in user control, error prevention, and aesthetics.
A new concept in liquid battery design uses a passive, gravity-fed arrangement to eliminate the need for complex plumbing systems, reducing cost and increasing simplicity. The system can be adjusted by changing the angle of the device, allowing for faster or slower energy production.
A new study finds that human amyloid-beta is protective against infections in mice and roundworms, and may lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's disease. The protein's oligomeric form appears to entrap microbes, providing a natural defense mechanism.
Researchers have identified a group of immune system genes associated with glioblastoma multiforme survival. The eight-gene signature is linked to shorter survival times and more rapid disease progression, but may also identify potential targets for treatment.
Researchers at a high-altitude research station in Switzerland used state-of-the-art instruments to study new particle formation and its role as cloud condensation nuclei. They found that highly oxygenated organic compounds contribute to nucleation for a short window after vertical transport from the planetary boundary layer.
Researchers have found that anemia can negatively impact patients with traumatic brain injuries, leading to poorer outcomes. For each increase in hemoglobin levels, the likelihood of a good outcome increased by 33 percent.
A recent study by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev found that obese air passengers experience shame and humiliation due to stares, not just confined spaces. Researchers recommend alternative accommodations and approaches to make flights more comfortable for extra-large passengers.
A recent study found that mothers who consumed more fruit during pregnancy gave birth to children with better cognitive development. The study, led by University of Alberta researcher Piush Mandhane, discovered that increased prenatal fruit intake was associated with higher IQ scores in one-year-old infants.
Researchers have identified a molecular key that allows breast cancer cells to invade bone marrow in mice, where they may be protected from chemotherapy or hormonal therapies. The study found ways to outmaneuver this tactic by preventing cancer cells from entering the bone marrow and flushing them into the bloodstream for destruction.
Research at Arizona State University suggests that symptom expression can be used to signal for aid, prevent exploitation, or attract potential mates. The study provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the role of symptoms in communication.
A team of scientists at Argonne National Laboratory created a new material called rewritable magnetic charge ice, allowing unprecedented control over local magnetic fields. This innovation could pave the way for smaller and more powerful computers or even play a role in quantum computing.
A study of nearly 35,000 women found that those developing new-onset atrial fibrillation had an increased risk of cancer over a 20-year period. The risk was highest for colon cancer and persisted even after adjusting for other factors.
The HAMMER project aims to identify host features associated with malaria resilience and develop interventions to enhance it. By studying the malaria parasite Plasmodium knowlesi in humans and non-human primates, researchers hope to create new therapeutic strategies for severe malaria cases.
Researchers developed a single device that harnesses both solar and wind energy to generate electrical output. The hybrid system delivers up to 34 milliWatts of power, enough to turn on LEDs and power temperature-humidity sensors in smart cities.
University of Utah researchers explore gender perception via speech, finding that adopting a clear speaking style can increase perceived femininity. However, the effect is small and variable, with male talkers showing larger changes in femininity ratings.
A recent study published in The Lancet found that the global economic crisis was associated with an increase in cancer mortality, particularly among treatable cancers. Universal health care coverage may protect patients from the health consequences of rising unemployment and reduced public-sector healthcare spending.
A new study in Nature found that fruit fly sperm tails are the most extreme ornament, with lengths of up to 6 cm, due to female preference for longer sperm. This preference is linked to genetic correlations between female reproductive tracts and male sperm length, as well as a trade-off between sperm length and number.
A new class of galaxies called 'red geysers' has been discovered, hosting low-energy supermassive black holes that drive intense interstellar winds. These winds suppress star formation by heating up the ambient gas in galaxies and preventing it from cooling and condensing into stars.
A study by Concordia University researchers found that cues associated with alcohol can trigger behaviors leading to addiction. The study used lab rats conditioned to associate a visual cue with ethanol, showing the rats began interacting with the cue rather than waiting for the reward.
Severely obese children are more likely to be ostracized and show signs of depression in first grade, according to a new study. The research found that these children were frequently teased and rejected by peers, leading to emotional health issues.
A new study found that the dose of transplanted bone marrow affects hematopoietic stem cell behavior, impacting their ability to produce specialized blood cells. Only 20-30% of these cells took on a generalist role, producing most abundant types of white blood cells.