Researchers discovered that Amazon forests' annual increase in photosynthesis is caused by synchronization of old leaf loss and new leaf growth, contradicting assumptions about constant canopy greenness. This finding will help improve predictions of forest responses to climate change.
A clinical trial found that paroxetine modestly improves decision-making and reaction time, and suppresses inflammation in people with HIV-associated cognitive impairment. This is the first time a SSRI has been shown to improve key measures of cognition in people with HIV in a controlled study.
A study published in Current Biology found that the gene responsible for twisted snails' shells is linked to internal asymmetry in frogs. This suggests that body asymmetry may be an evolutionarily ancient characteristic of animal development.
Heavy rainfall causes gullies to expand rapidly, with predicted climate change increasing rates up to three times faster. Researchers have developed a model to predict gully expansion and warn of devastating consequences for agriculture, water quality, and infrastructure.
A team of Cornell researchers has developed two-dimensional superstructures out of single-crystal building blocks, showcasing atomic coherence and superior electrical properties. The discovery has potential applications in energy absorption and light emission, but challenges remain to further improve the results.
A new Australian bush tomato species, Solanum watneyi, has been discovered and named after the botanist character in the book and film adaptation of The Martian. The plant was identified as a relative of the potato and its discovery has sparked recognition from the botanical community.
A recent study found that ocean acidification is already affecting coral reefs, causing them to grow slower than they did in preindustrial conditions. The research, published in Nature, manipulated seawater chemistry in a natural coral-reef community to determine the impact of excess carbon dioxide on coral reef growth.
A recent study published in Science reveals that the Aliso Canyon natural gas well blowout released over 100,000 tons of methane, doubling the rate of emissions from the entire Los Angeles basin. The disaster created the largest known human-caused point source of methane in the US.
Researchers found a significant reduction in emergency department visits and hospitalizations for heart failure exacerbation after bariatric surgery. Patients who underwent the procedure experienced a 40% decrease in these events, suggesting substantial weight loss can help prevent heart-failure-related adverse events.
A team of scientists, led by Bailong Xiao, has discovered the molecular mechanisms underlying mechanotransduction in Piezo proteins. They found that these proteins form a novel class of ion channels with distinct modules responsible for ion conduction and mechanical force sensing.
Archaeologists have uncovered an 11,000-year-old engraved shale pendant at the Early Mesolithic site of Star Carr in North Yorkshire. The subtriangular artifact contains series of lines that may represent a tree or tally marks, and is the earliest known Mesolithic art in Britain.
Researchers successfully generated functioning sperm-like cells from mouse embryonic stem cells and produced fertile offspring, providing a potential platform for treating male infertility. The breakthrough overcomes major obstacles to producing functional sperm and egg cells in a dish.
Research found that heme oxygenase-1 overexpression in mice protected against dilated cardiomyopathy, reduced mitochondrial fragmentation and promoted new mitochondria generation. This study demonstrates the importance of heme oxygenase-1 in controlling mitochondrial dynamics in the heart.
A recent US study of over 3,000 adolescent girls found that nearly a fifth of lesbian and four-fifths of bisexual teens had a male sex partner recently. The study highlights the importance of comprehensive sexual health education for all youth, including those who identify as lesbian or bisexual.
A study published in Nature Communications has discovered that genes can move from chlamydia strains in the eye to sexually transmitted strains, allowing them to infect the eye and cause Trachoma. This revelation challenges previous beliefs about Chlamydia evolution and highlights the potential for new variant Trachoma strains to emerge.
Researchers found that 70% of Ebola survivors reported musculoskeletal pain, while 48% experienced headaches and 14% had vision problems. The study highlights the need for further research into Post-Ebola Syndrome to understand its causes and consequences.
A study of US patients on dialysis from 2005 to 2012 found declining ESA use and hemoglobin concentrations, resulting in increased transfusions. However, rates of death and cardiovascular events decreased during this period, suggesting a possible beneficial effect of recent trends in anemia drug use.
Researchers from MIPT have experimentally demonstrated that copper nanophotonic components can operate successfully in photonic devices, outperforming gold-based components. The discovery enables the development of energy-efficient light sources, ultra-sensitive sensors, and high-performance optoelectronic processors.
A recent study published in PLOS Pathogens found that nitric oxide plays a protective role in the blood-brain barrier, reducing parasite invasion and inflammation. The researchers discovered that NO inhibits inflammatory molecules, such as TNF and MMP-9, which can lead to BBB damage.
NASA has visualized rainfall data to show the changes in US precipitation during El Niño, with areas like California and East Coast experiencing wet conditions. However, other parts of the country faced droughts and floods due to shifts in precipitation patterns.
Researchers discovered two potent Ebola antibodies that eliminate symptoms in just five days after infection. The monoclonal antibodies target different regions of the virus's glycoprotein and work by interfering with its entry into host cells.
A team of scientists tracked radio-tagged coconut rhinoceros beetles on Guam to locate hidden breeding sites. The study found that the beetles often congregated around damaged palm trees, suggesting thousands of new breeding sites may exist in the islands' jungles.
The BENEFIT trial suggests that treating Chagas disease earlier is crucial, as it did not show incremental benefits in cardiac outcome. The study found that 17-18% of patients died over a period of five years, with the number comparable to breast cancer mortality.
A new study from UMass Amherst found that older adults report feeling more serenity and having a richer concept of what it means to feel serene. They also exhibit fewer depressive symptoms and less shame associated with negative emotions compared to younger adults.
Scientists at Yerkes National Primate Research Center have successfully tested an immunotherapy agent that can push SIV out of its hideouts in infected monkeys. The treatment, which combines PD-1 blockade with antiretroviral therapy, resulted in more rapid viral suppression and active antiviral T cells.
A new study highlights the potential consequences of reintroducing genetically distinct subspecies into wild populations, particularly in endangered species. Researchers found that hybridization between non-native and local orangutan subspecies can lead to health problems and reduced reproductive success in offspring.
A Brazilian woman infected with Zika virus had a stillborn baby with severe tissue swelling and central nervous system defects, suggesting the virus may cause damage outside the CNS. The case raises concerns about the risk of stillbirths and other adverse outcomes in pregnant women exposed to the virus.
A study from the University of Eastern Finland found that balloon angioplasty can successfully treat acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI), a condition often misdiagnosed in older patients. The procedure led to a significant improvement in mortality rates compared to earlier treatments.
Researchers from Swiss and German institutions analyzed truffle samples for radioactivity 30 years after Chernobyl. The study found negligible amounts of radioactive caesium in Burgundy truffles, making them safe for consumption. The results suggest that the unique nutrient uptake mechanism of Tuber aestivum may be responsible for this...
Researchers are collecting measurements of plant mass, tree distribution and diversity of species from Gabon's rainforest, wetlands and savanna. The data will help prepare for upcoming spaceborne missions to better gauge the role of forests in Earth's carbon cycle.
A research team at the University of Tokyo has identified an enzyme called Trimmer, which trims the tails of small RNAs called piRNAs. This process helps regulate jumping genes, or transposons, that can disrupt host genes and contribute to diseases like cancer.
Researchers detect cryptochrome 1 in photoreceptors of dog-like carnivores and primates, hinting at a magnetic sense linked to the visual system. The molecule's presence suggests that these animals may use it to perceive the Earth's magnetic field.
Research identifies distinct geographical patterns of fatal unintentional firearm injuries in seven Appalachian states with lax child access laws. Five Western coastal states show high rates of 'legal intervention' deaths due to police actions or officer fatalities.
Rutgers University students Jason Kim and Professor Howon Lee created 3D Braille maps for the Joseph Kohn Training Center using a high-tech 3D printer. The goal is to help blind and visually impaired individuals navigate their surroundings with ease.
Sub-tropical Storm Winston was weakening in the South Pacific when NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite passed over it on Feb. 25. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued its final bulletin, stating that Winston was threatening Norfolk Island with tropical-storm-force winds.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) will lead the Direct Volunteers Pilot Studies under the first grant awarded in the federal Precision Medicine Initiative Cohort Program. The program aims to engage 1 million or more U.S. volunteers, providing a platform for expanding precision medicine approaches.
Researchers have discovered graphene's exceptional lubricity, which could drastically reduce energy loss in machines when used as a coating. The material's ability to slide smoothly across gold surfaces has significant implications for improving energy efficiency and extending equipment lifespan.
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have identified ARGK-1 as a protein that can extend the natural lifespan of C. elegans by increasing energy regulation within cells. This finding may lead to new avenues for delaying human age-related diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
A single monoclonal antibody isolated from a human Ebola survivor has been shown to completely protect monkeys from lethal infection with the virus. The antibody, known as mAb114, was effective even when given five days after exposure, suggesting it could be used as a potential treatment for human cases.
Researchers studied brain activity in patients with severe epilepsy while navigating virtual landscapes on a computer screen. The results show that brain oscillations are driven entirely by internal processes, carrying information about speed and distance travelled during teleportation.
Researchers found bacteria can recognize and disrupt viruses using a novel RNA-based defense mechanism. This discovery could lead to improved ways to prevent crop diseases and dairy industry infections, and may inspire new gene-editing techniques.
Researchers used advanced calcium imaging to monitor neural activity in zebrafish brains, showing the tectum responds to multiple stimuli like sight, sound, and water flow. This discovery suggests a unified sensory view for both humans and fish, improving understanding of human sensory perception.
Researchers at University of Notre Dame develop new triple combination formulation to deliver HDACi across blood-brain barrier, improving brain function and prolonging mouse survival. The finding suggests potential therapy for NPC and other neurological diseases.
Researchers compared human male- and female-line genealogies with those of our closest animal relatives. Human 'Adam' is about 200,000 years old, while chimpanzee 'Adam' is over 1 million years old.
Researchers at Newcastle University have identified a significant decrease in mitochondrial complex II activity with age in human skin cells, offering a new pathway for anti-aging treatments. The discovery may also lead to a greater understanding of other organs' aging processes and potential drug developments for age-related diseases.
The ORFeome Collaboration has created a comprehensive library of open-reading frames, comprising 17,154 clones that code for full-length proteins. This resource allows researchers to express virtually any cell protein, enabling large-scale mapping of protein-protein interactions and functional screening.
A new study estimates methane leak rates from a 2015 California well blowout, which temporarily doubled Los Angeles' combined emissions. The research used airborne and surface measurements to quantify gas releases, highlighting the impact of single infrastructure vulnerabilities on climate policies.
A recent study by Hiroshima University has identified a key protein responsible for burning excess energy in the body, UCP1, found in brown fat cells. Increasing UCP1 levels can lead to a higher metabolism and less weight gain.
Pittsburgh researchers utilize enzymes to trigger mechanical movement in fluidic devices, showcasing a novel approach for self-powered systems. The studies reveal complex, time-dependent flows driven by simple enzymatic reactions.
Researchers used X-ray micro-computed tomography to study the microstructure of fried potato disks and observed how oil content and pathway networks change with frying time. The findings can be applied to other fried foods, revealing a correlation between pore size and oil uptake.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University found that giving people time to learn what's possible to ignore improves visual search performance. Participants who were told to ignore distracting colors on a computer screen found the target letters faster and more efficiently over time.
ESTEVE has developed two new investigational gene therapies, EGT-201 and EGT-301, to treat Sanfilippo B syndrome and Hunter syndrome. The treatments join a promising gene therapy platform aimed at restoring enzyme function in patients with severe and debilitating rare diseases.
A Penn study found that using machine learning forecasts at arraignments can dramatically reduce subsequent domestic violence arrests. Machine learning analyzes data points like age, gender, and prior warrants to determine risk, offering extra information to courts.
A study by Penn State and Columbia University found that individuals who experience more negative emotions and perceive stressful events as more stressful have lower heart rate variability, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This suggests that reaction to stress is more important than its frequency in determining health risks.
Researchers develop new method to visualize intrathecal drug delivery using SPECT-CT imaging, revealing dynamics of cerebrospinal fluid movement and injection location. This technique may help optimize therapeutic options for neurological disorders.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a technology that accelerates scarring and prevents bacterial growth, aiming to reduce the death rate among victims of serious burns. The new bandage combines biological bandages with dendrimers to destroy microbes and prevent infections.
A recent study identified transthyretin (TTR) as an antigen that stimulates B and T cell immune responses in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Elevated levels of TTR in synovial joint fluid were found in some patients, leading to increased TTR autoantibodies.
A new study suggests that individual differences in brain structure and function affect both anatomical and cognitive factors, such as intelligence and memory. The researchers identified four unique traits that explained most of the differences in brain anatomy, with the remaining differences accounting for individual differences in in...
Researchers recommend reducing water usage for agriculture, using less road salt, and routing urban salt discharges to minimize freshwater damage. High salt levels can be toxic to aquatic organisms and kill fish and other food sources.
The University of Kentucky researcher has helped draft a comprehensive position paper on nutrition and athletic performance, synthesizing over eight years of research to provide evidence-based recommendations for athletes. The paper emphasizes the need for individualized nutrition plans that account for various factors affecting athlet...