Tropical Cyclone Amos is affecting the Southwestern Pacific Islands, particularly Wallis and Futuna and American Samoa. The storm's maximum sustained winds have increased to 90 knots, with forecasters predicting intensification before a weakening trend begins.
Rheumatoid arthritis patients are at risk of developing hearing impairment due to various factors such as synovial destruction and environmental exposures. Regular audiometric tests and TEOAEs can detect early stages of the disease, and treatment options include oral steroids and intensifying Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs.
A mobility assessment tool may help predict early postoperative outcomes for older adults by identifying those at risk of complications. The study found that preoperative scores on the Mobility Assessment Tool: Short Form (MAT-sf) were predictive of early postoperative complications, longer hospital stays and discharges to nursing homes.
Researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School have derived a structural model of the Mfsd2a transporter, which could help treat neurological disorders like glioblastoma by bypassing the blood-brain barrier. The study identifies new binding features and provides insight into the transport mechanism of Mfsd2a.
A large trial of over 8000 participants found no significant increase in neuropsychiatric side effects with varenicline or bupropion. Varenicline was shown to be more effective in helping people stop smoking than other treatments, with similar efficacy across smokers with and without psychiatric disorders.
Researchers found that old-growth forests can reduce maximum spring and summer air temperatures by as much as 2.5 degrees Celsius compared to plantation forests. This cooling effect is due to the dense canopy and complex understory vegetation of old-growth forests, which create microclimates for temperature-sensitive species.
A team of researchers has developed a new technology that can stitch together DNA barcodes inside cells, allowing scientists to search amongst millions of protein pairs for protein interactions. This breakthrough increases the rate of discovery without increasing costs.
A new reef system has been found at the mouth of the Amazon River, providing scientists with a wider view of the reef community and its variation. The discovery offers insights into how the reef community changes as it moves north along the shelf break in response to seasonal light exposure.
Researchers at UNSW Australia have demonstrated that individual atoms placed precisely in silicon can act as a quantum simulator, mimicking the weird interactions of electrons in materials. The study allows for the simulation of complex quantum systems and has the potential to design new exotic materials and test fundamental aspects of...
The study found that Acropora corals, responsible for modern reef growth, are experiencing sharp declines in abundance worldwide. However, by managing local anthropogenic stressors such as pollution and over-fishing, it is possible to increase their resistance to climate change and preserve these corals.
Researchers found that orchestrated cell death mechanisms in pancreatic cancer can induce the growth of tumor cells by suppressing the immune system. Inhibiting these pathways may reverse immunosuppressive environments and enable T lymphocytes to attack tumors.
Researchers successfully killed and removed invasive plants using specific herbicides during late winter, allowing native plant species to regrow in southwestern Ohio. This approach has shown positive results in controlling aggressive invasive species such as Wintercreeper, English ivy, and lesser periwinkle.
Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have uncovered a crucial mechanism behind rich milk production in lactation. Breast cells develop two nuclei during pregnancy, allowing for optimal milk production, which is essential for newborn survival. This discovery sheds new light on the intricate processes involved in lactation.
Physicists at UTA are developing a global simulation model combining knowledge and experience from seven leading research universities to predict space weather effects with higher accuracy and detail. The project aims to reduce errors in GPS and communication systems by up to 30%.
A team of researchers from Drexel University and two Chinese universities discovered a way to grow thin sheets of conductive metal oxides using salt crystals as a template. This method produces larger and more chemically pure materials, which are better suited for storing energy in devices like batteries and capacitors.
A team of Danish investigators manipulated the metabolic properties of yogurt-producing bacteria to create a sweeter, less-sweetened yogurt. They achieved this by modifying the bacteria to consume galactose instead of glucose, resulting in a product with reduced lactose and increased natural sweetness.
Scientists at LMU and MPQ create a technique for controlling ultrafast electron pulses, enabling the visualization of atoms and electrons in motion. This breakthrough could lead to new photonic and electronic materials and devices.
Researchers identified specific measures of low blood oxygenation associated with impaired kidney function and diabetic nephropathy. The study highlights the association between sleep apnea and microvascular disease linked to diabetes.
Research published in Pediatrics found that a high body mass index (BMI) at 2 months is a strong predictor of obesity at age 2. The study, which analyzed nearly 74,000 infants, showed that BMI outperformed weight-for-length measurements in predicting early childhood obesity.
Researchers studied animal puncturing methods, including snakes' venom-injecting strikes, mantis shrimp's harpooning prey, and stinging sea creatures' microscopic nematocysts. The study found kinetic energy was the best predictor of penetration depth, with smaller animals often being faster to achieve this
Brain-region-specific organoids were used to model Zika virus exposure, showing the virus prefers to infect neural stem cells and causing cell death. The technology has potential as a preclinical testing ground for therapies against Zika.
The University of Houston has received a $386,000 grant from the Robert J. Kleberg Jr. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation to develop a model for studying traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Professor Amy Sater aims to create a system that can screen for possible drugs facilitating recovery from brain injury using Xenopus laevis tadpoles.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory discovered a new state of water molecules exhibiting quantum tunneling behavior under ultra-confinement. This phenomenon is unmatched by any known gas, liquid, or solid states, with implications for understanding thermodynamic properties and behavior in confined environments.
A report by Queen's University political researcher Nathan Andrews finds that EITI countries did not perform better than non-EITI countries, despite disclosure of tax and royalty payments. The researchers speculate that the initiative's limited scope and voluntary nature hindered its effectiveness in reversing the resource curse.
A large study published in The Lancet found that varenicline is more effective than bupropion or nicotine patch for quitting smoking. Compared to placebo, the medications showed no significant increase in moderate or severe neuropsychiatric events.
Researchers found that sleep loss reduces gene expression involved in cholesterol transport, leading to lower levels of good cholesterol. The study also discovered that sleep-deprived individuals have fewer high-density HDL lipoproteins, which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
A team at Northwestern University has created a device that can detect different infrared wavebands by varying the applied bias voltage. The breakthrough could enable applications such as three-color infrared imaging and infrared color televisions.
NASA tracks Tropical Cyclone Fantala's decreasing wind speeds and intensifying rainfall rates, with estimates suggesting maximum sustained winds of 105 knots (121 mph). The storm is expected to encounter adverse conditions that will prompt a weakening trend north of Madagascar as it continues to move west toward the African mainland.
A review of clinical evidence concludes that individualized preventive cardiovascular therapy is crucial for older adults, with cholesterol-lowering and blood pressure-controlling treatments being the most effective. The target systolic blood pressure should be individualized based on frailty and comorbidities.
The University of Texas at Arlington student team won the EPA Campus RainWorks Challenge with their innovative design, Eco-Flow: A Water-Sensitive Placemaking Response to Climate Change. The project aims to reduce stormwater runoff by increasing tree canopy and decreasing non-permeable surfaces.
The University of Texas at Arlington will develop an online portal for disability history resources with a $40,000 NEH grant. The portal will provide a single point of access to various collections from archives, museums, colleges, and universities featuring historical materials on disability history.
A new study found that organ recipients with a history of cancer are at a higher risk of dying from any cause, dying from cancer, or developing a new cancer. The association between these outcomes did not vary by the type of transplanted organ, according to researchers at St. Michael's Hospital.
The ACS-Military Health System Partnership is developing a pre-deployment course for military surgeons to prepare them for combat and disaster scenarios. The goal is to ensure the military's trauma system remains intact between conflicts, building on the successful Joint Trauma Theater System.
A Dartmouth-led study reveals that chimpanzees use advanced manual prehension to evaluate and select figs, demonstrating a significant foraging advantage over other primates. The findings provide new insight into the evolution of skilled forelimb movements and the ecological origins of human hands with fine motor control.
Researchers have confirmed Zika's toll on fetal cortex using lab-grown mini-brains that mimic human brain development. The study found that Zika infection occurs early in pregnancy leads to severe effects and can affect neurons later on.
Scientists discovered that Cpf1, a CRISPR-associated enzyme, can cut both RNA and DNA. This dual activity enables efficient targeting of multiple sites in parallel, or multiplexing, for sequence-specific genome engineering.
A review paper suggests that estrobolome disparities could help develop microbiome-based biomarkers for mitigating certain cancers. The gut bacterial genes capable of metabolizing estrogens play a crucial role in shaping systemic estrogen levels.
Crowd-sourced information on felt earthquakes is being integrated with data collected by seismometers, providing a more complete picture of an earthquake event. Citizen seismology offers a new window into the aftermath of earthquakes, including infrastructure damage and personal experiences.
A study by UCLA life scientists found that fructose damages brain genes, leading to diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, a diet rich in DHA reversed the harmful effects of fructose, suggesting a potential treatment for these conditions.
One third of global food is lost or wasted, causing environmental harm and contributing to global warming. Individual actions, such as checking fridge contents before shopping and adjusting consumer choices, can significantly impact sustainability.
A new Cornell University study reveals that monarch butterflies' population decline is driven by a lack of autumnal nectar sources, weather, and habitat fragmentation. Despite initial population bounce-backs, the scientists found consistent declines at Mexico's overwintering sites, which are six times larger than two years ago.
A study on live-bearing sea anemones found that offspring transition from using egg yolks to pre-natal and post-natal parental feeding during development. The researchers also discovered a possible link between size variation within the clutch and parent-offspring conflicts or sibling rivalry.
A recent study by Professor Jill Johnes suggests that mergers of Higher Education institutions are unlikely to result in significant cost savings. The research, presented at a US conference, found that the UK's higher education sector may be more efficient than previously thought.
Physicists have long struggled to reconcile classical physics and quantum mechanics. New research by Stefano Liberati and colleagues proposes a scenario that preserves special relativity while introducing non-local effects. The model suggests space-time becomes granular at tiny scales, allowing for experimental testing of its predictions.
A new smartphone application allows users to control a magnified screen projected onto Google Glass using head movements, improving navigation and orientation. The technology has shown a 28% reduction in trial time compared to conventional manual scrolling.
Researchers observed defects forming during CIGSe solar cell fabrication and found that excess copper helps reduce defects. The study suggests that the copper-rich phase plays a crucial role in eliminating defects, regardless of temperature.
Dairy fats found on ancient pottery sherds suggest high alpine dairying began at least 3000 years ago. The findings provide early evidence of nutritious resources being produced and exchanged for socioeconomic development.
A case-controlled study of 23 young people with type I diabetes found that those who cared for pets had well-controlled blood sugar levels, 2.5 times more likely than non-pet owners. The researchers suggest that factors like household routines and responsibility may also support self-management of the condition.
Melbourne researchers have identified the genes Hobit and Blimp1, which control a universal molecular program for placing immune cells at the front lines of the body to fight infection and cancer. This discovery has major implications for developing strategies to induce immune cells in tissues that protect against infectious diseases.
A research team at Stockholm University used NASA's Fermi satellite to study light from the Perseus galaxy cluster, finding no traces of axion-like particles. The observations excluded certain types of ALPs that could explain a small amount of dark matter, advancing sensitivity for future experiments.
Researchers have developed an oxygen-independent photo-switchable molecule that attacks tumor tissue without oxygen, reducing side effects of conventional photodynamic therapy. The molecule, GS-DProSw, has been tested successfully on animal models and shows promise as a potential anti-tumor agent.
Researchers at UMass Medical School identified a molecular pathway critical for maintaining smooth muscle tone, which may lead to new treatments for digestive disorders. The study found that genetic deletion of a specific enzyme led to loss of basal tone and fecal incontinence in mice.
A recent study by UMass Amherst researchers found that zinc deficiency is associated with chronic inflammation in HIV-positive individuals. Higher serum zinc concentrations were linked to lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a biomarker of inflammation.
A study published in the American Journal of Human Genetics reveals that PIGG gene mutations are the cause of intellectual disability with seizures and hypotonia. The discovery offers new insights into the development of cerebral nervous systems and provides a potential diagnostic tool for families affected by these disorders.
Current measurement methods may underestimate the amount of plastic in oceans due to turbulent mixing. Researchers found that surface heating and ocean currents mix plastics deeper into the water column.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have devised a new molecule-building method that allows chemists to construct complex molecules starting from carboxylic acids. The method enables the easy synthesis of biologically active compounds, including drugs like Lipitor and Lyrica.
The American Geosciences Institute has awarded diversity grants to seven geoscientists from diverse backgrounds, including the University of Tennessee Knoxville and Stanford University, to support their research on deep carbon. These grants aim to increase participation of underrepresented groups in DCO-affiliated research.
A study published in Tourism Management found that personal photos of Airbnb hosts are critical to their business success, affecting consumers' decisions and prices. The research suggests that the level of trust inferred from a host's photo has a stronger impact on consumer choice than reputation.
Researchers have found a decline in productivity in the Gulf of Maine due to increased amounts of dissolved organic carbon from rivers and the Scotia Shelf Current. This organic matter absorbs light necessary for photosynthetic organisms, influencing the ecology of the Gulf.
The Channel Island fox population has been found to have a surprising absence of genetic variation, with one population on San Nicolas Island showing an order of magnitude lower variation than any other known species. This near-absence of genetic variation poses a puzzle as to how the foxes have managed to thrive despite it.