Common Parkinson's disease medications can cause impulse control disorders such as pathological gambling, compulsive buying and binge eating in some patients. Alternative treatment strategies include adjusting medications, deep brain stimulation and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Researchers at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) have developed a cost-effective method for producing high-purity silicon nanosheets, which are essential for the mass production of hydrogen. The new technique uses natural clay and salt to synthesize these nanosheets, significantly reducing production costs.
A recent case report found that a patient's activity tracker and smartphone helped identify the onset time of his atrial fibrillation, allowing for timely electrical cardioversion. The device provided critical information to medical providers, enabling more effective treatment decisions.
A new study found that corals preconditioned to high CO2 levels before increased temperatures showed 44% lower growth rates compared to unconditioned corals. This suggests that elevated CO2 worsens coral response to thermal stress, potentially exacerbating climate change impacts on coral reefs.
Researchers discovered that all four parts of the IP3 receptor must be activated for calcium to increase and initiate fluid secretion. This finding has broad implications for understanding human secretory disorders like Sjögren's syndrome, which causes dry mouth and affects quality of life.
Biologist Anthony Gitter is using a $900,000 NSF CAREER award to develop new methods for analyzing complex biological data. He hopes to create more accurate models of gene and protein interactions by mapping out dynamic processes like the immune response.
A study of young, light-use waterpipe smokers found marked changes in airway cells and increased particles shed by endothelial cells. These biological changes indicate early lung damage, highlighting the need for large epidemiologic studies to assess the harmful effects of waterpipe smoking.
General practice workloads in England have increased by 16% over seven years, with more frequent and longer consultations, according to a large-scale analysis. The study's findings suggest the system is approaching saturation point due to low recruitment rates and an ageing population with complex needs.
A new study found that bone fracture rates differ significantly across the UK, with Scotland and Northern Ireland having the highest rates. The risk is also influenced by age, sex, ethnicity and socioeconomic status.
The Solar Wind Around Pluto (SWAP) instrument collected three years' worth of measurements before the July 15 Pluto flyby. Data showed that the solar wind's tumultuous flow becomes more uniform by the time it reaches Pluto's orbit.
A study by Children's Hospital Los Angeles researchers found that epidermal growth factor (EGF) negatively regulates epithelial cell shedding in the intestine through a selective MAPK-dependent signaling pathway. This insight could identify potential targets for correcting pathological shedding in diseases like IBD.
A group of UK researchers discovered a new type of optical activity by breaking the symmetry of metamaterials with reflected light. This enables novel applications such as polarization rotating and circularly polarizing beam splitters and mirrors, as well as optical isolators for circularly polarized light.
Researchers have established a mouse model that mimics aspects of Zika virus infection in humans, allowing for the testing of vaccines and therapeutics. The model shows high levels of the virus in the brain, spinal cord, and testes of male mice, supporting clinical data on sexual transmission.
Researchers assess impact of past land use change on current biodiversity by analyzing woodlands planted over 160 years. The project provides a unique opportunity to study the effects of historical land use on modern ecosystems.
A new global database allows scientists to quickly address unresolved questions about coral reefs. The Coral Trait Database houses physiological, morphological, ecological, phylogenetic, and biogeographic trait information.
Scientists have discovered a new way to inhibit the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by using modified cholesterol as an energy source. This breakthrough holds promise for the development of new treatments for tuberculosis, a highly infectious lung disease that kills one person every 21 seconds.
Researchers have developed a new method to overcome issues in implementing quantum cryptography, enabling 'unbreakable' encryption at rates of up to 1 megabit per second. This breakthrough promises faster and more secure data transmission, with potential applications in sensitive information sharing.
A significant association has been found between HLA-B*59:01 and Clozapine-induced agranulocytosis and granulocytopenia, suggesting the allele may serve as a marker for prioritizing patients at low risk of developing these severe side effects. Further analysis is needed to clarify the mechanism behind this association.
New Horizons provided three years of measurements of the solar wind, filling a crucial gap between what other missions see closer to the sun and what Voyager spacecraft see further out. The data helps round out our picture of the sun's influence on space, including the origins of radiation hazards for astronauts.
Tropical Cyclone 18P formed west of Vanuatu on April 5, with strong thunderstorms and a thick band wrapping into the center from the south. The storm is expected to move east-southeast, cross Vanuatu, and track just south of Fiji before weakening.
Scientists studying ancient mammal relatives known as therapsids found that they had shorter life expectancies and bred at younger ages to survive the drastic climate change. This adaptation allowed them to thrive in the aftermath of the Permo-Triassic Mass Extinction, which pushed billions of tons of carbon into the atmosphere.
Researchers developed a novel 3D imaging technique that provides accurate detection of advanced fibrosis in liver disease. The technology outperforms current methods, offering improved accuracy and reduced invasiveness.
A study published in Health Affairs found that one-sided comments on online news articles can shape readers' opinions on health topics. The researchers discovered that participants who viewed balanced comments or no comments expressed a neutral opinion, while those exposed to polarized comments held extreme views.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin developed a new system to predict floods in real-time using advanced computing resources. With the National Flood Interoperability Experiment (NFIE), they can forecast floods continually, improving the accuracy and speed of flood warnings for communities nationwide.
A new RAND Corporation report calls for trimming the US national security decision-making system to improve effectiveness and efficiency. The study recommends downsizing the National Security Council staff, improving intelligence integration, and assigning senior officials across agencies to ensure coherence in decision-making.
A study of 71 young men and women aged 16-18 found that despite discussing an equal give-and-take ethic, they often described performing oral sex on women as more distasteful and receiving as easier. This suggests a need for explicit focus on gender dynamics in sex education programming.
A recent study found that maternal smoking during pregnancy causes epigenetic changes in enhancer regions of the genome, affecting gene regulation and increasing the risk of diseases such as lung disease. The researchers also discovered that these changes can persist for several years after birth.
Male fiddler crabs use deception to their favour by blurring the line between original and regrown claws. They adapt their combat strategies based on claw strength, opting for smaller opponents with weakened regrown claws to avoid injury.
Researchers discovered a new fish virus, Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV), causing mass die-offs in Ecuador and Israel, affecting wild and farmed tilapia populations. The team identified the virus's genetic sequence and showed it replicates in fish cells, providing a foundation for developing a vaccine.
Researchers discovered that breast cancer cells require fatty acids from the extracellular environment to proliferate. LIPG enzyme is crucial for tumor growth, and its inhibition may lead to more efficient chemotherapy treatments.
New research on Asilisaurus fossils reveals that early dinosaurs grew at a faster rate than previously thought and didn't follow the expected pattern of size being a predictor of maturity. The study found that muscle scars on fossil bones were more related to growth patterns than sex differences.
Human placental trophoblasts resistant to Zika virus proliferation and release an antiviral molecule called type III interferon to stop viral replication. Mouse models show high virus levels in brain, spinal cord, and testes after inoculation through skin.
A team of Russian scientists has measured the temperature dependences of two energetic gaps in iron-based superconductors, a breakthrough that could help solve questions about their appearance. The discovery confirms the existence of two-gap superconductivity, which was previously doubted, and highlights the complexity of this phenomenon.
A recent study by Rutgers University researchers found that approximately 12% of apartments had bed bug infestations, with higher rates in African American homes. Women were more likely to report symptoms and express concern upon learning of infestations.
Financial incentives have been shown to be highly effective in aiding smoking cessation among pregnant and post-partum women, especially those economically disadvantaged. According to Stephen T. Higgins, Ph.D., financial incentives in the form of vouchers for retail goods are a cost-effective alternative.
Researchers found abnormalities in white matter tracts of patients with insomnia, affecting sleep regulation and cognitive function. The thalamus, which regulates consciousness and sleep, was particularly affected.
The study suggests that population approaches requiring less individual agency, such as reducing salt in processed food, may be more effective and equitable in addressing diet-related obesity. These interventions can benefit a larger population without relying on individuals' personal and psychological resources.
A study of 2,221 patients found that most experienced improvements in pain and walking ability after bariatric surgery, particularly in those with significant weight loss. Patients with pre-existing medical conditions or depressive symptoms were less likely to see improvements in pain and mobility.
A biomechanics team at Trinity College Dublin discovered how insects construct internal bandages to mend damaged limbs, restoring approximately two-thirds of their original strength. This innovative repair mechanism allows insects to function almost normally after a cut, promoting survival in the wild.
Darrian Mills, a freshman physics and computer science student at Louisiana Tech University, has been awarded a Minority Research Scholars fellowship with NASA. He will work with Dr. Chester Wilson and Dr. William Clower to develop an inexpensive nanostructured material for radar imagery in space.
Researchers are testing blood samples from patients with myasthenia gravis to determine the presence of two new antibodies, agrin and LRP4. The study aims to characterize their clinical symptoms and develop treatment strategies for double-negative patients.
A study of 2,221 adults with severe obesity who underwent bariatric surgery found that approximately 50-70% experienced clinically significant improvements in pain and physical function over 3 years. Younger age, male sex, and weight loss were associated with greater improvements.
Researchers found that plant gases released in response to climate changes can form clouds that reflect incoming solar radiation, cooling the ground and mitigating temperature rises. This effect is more sensitive than CO2 release through plant respiration, with a 20-fold increase in sensitivity to temperature rise.
Competition fuels innovation in interventional radiology, leading to improved patient care and outcomes. Scott Trerotola's research and publications have advanced the field, developing new techniques and device patents.
Researchers found that meltwater streams on Greenland's ice sheet erode channels at a rate of up to 10 centimeters daily, similar to river erosion patterns. This discovery provides a new tool for studying melt rates and glacial response to climate change.
Scientists successfully shifted the frequency of a single photon, opening up new possibilities for wavelength division multiplexing in optical quantum communication. The breakthrough uses a room-temperature diamond quantum memory to manipulate light at extremely short pulse lengths.
Only 15% of children met the daily recommendation for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and girls were even less likely to meet the guideline. Overweight and obese children were also less active overall and achieved fewer minutes of MVPA during school, out-of-school, and on weekends.
Researchers suggest targeting over-exploitation of resources like forests and fisheries by partitioning ecosystems into specialized harvesting niches. This approach could lead to higher sustainable quotas and productive industrial systems.
Researchers found that electron diffusivity plays a crucial role in harnessing thermoelectric power from waste heat. The study sheds light on the fundamental physical process behind this phenomenon.
Researchers create thin films of a copper-oxide compound to study its electronic behavior at near absolute zero. They find that decreasing doping levels or increasing magnetic fields suppresses superconductivity, while Hall resistivity measurements reveal quantum fluctuations and electronic memory.
The Hastings Center Report explores bioethics' racial dimensions, including medical racism and conscientious care. The article discusses approaches to mitigate the effects of laws that raise moral conflicts, such as abortion regulations in North Carolina. Two 'Other Voices' essays also examine the role of conscience in healthcare.
A novel virus, Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV), has been identified as the cause of massive tilapia die-offs in Israel and Ecuador, with significant implications for the global aquaculture industry. The discovery provides critical genomic and protein sequences necessary for disease detection, containment, and vaccine development.
Research links cannabis use during pregnancy to increased risk of low birthweight and need for intensive care. Infants exposed to cannabis in the womb are 77% more likely to be underweight at birth.
Researchers found that ancient mammal relatives, therapsids, had shorter life expectancies and bred at younger ages after a mass extinction event. This adaptation allowed them to survive and thrive in the new environment, with simulations showing a 40% increase in survival chances.
Researchers at Stanford University discovered that touching a robot's intimate areas triggers physiological arousal in humans. The experiment used Aldebaran Robotics' NAO human-shaped robot and measured skin conductance and reaction time.
Researchers found that part of the liver vasculature is derived from the endocardium in the developing heart, with endocardial VEGF/VEGFR2 signaling playing a crucial role in liver angiogenesis and organogenesis. The discovery provides new insights into liver development and regeneration.
A new study in patients with methylmalonic acidemia found lower than expected levels of antibodies against adeno-associated viral vectors, suggesting encouraging implications for gene delivery as a treatment. The absence of AAV antibodies in most patients who lack the deficient enzyme has promising results for gene therapy.
A new approach detects shifts in genetic diversity when crops hybridize with wild plants, highlighting the risk of losing rare alleles and altering evolutionary trajectories. This method could improve conservation efforts by identifying areas where crop gene escape is most prevalent.
The Autism Science Foundation has awarded $2.3 million in grants to support innovative autism research and training programs. The funding will go towards pre- and post-doctoral fellowships, undergraduate summer research grants, and other initiatives aimed at improving our understanding of autism and developing effective treatments.
Researchers at NREL and SLAC pinpoint the chemical and physical changes that occur during the firing step in silicon solar cell manufacturing. They found that between 500-650 degrees Celsius, lead oxide etches the antireflective coating on the solar cell, while above 650 degrees, silver dissolves into the molten glass frit.