The James Webb Space Telescope's primary mirror is the largest yet sent into space, made of 18 beryllium segments coated with a thin layer of gold. The telescope will study the formation of solar systems capable of supporting life on planets similar to Earth, as well as the evolution of our own solar system.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that sedentary behavior is associated with increased amounts of calcium deposits in heart arteries, leading to a higher risk of heart attack. Reducing daily sitting time by 1-2 hours can have a significant positive impact on future cardiovascular health.
Researchers exposed small worms to artificial climate change, finding that a half-degree warmer soil caused rapid genome changes. The study provides insight into evolution's ability to adapt to climate change, suggesting it may be more resilient than previously thought.
A new study by Ann Owens found that neighborhood income segregation is driven by increased income inequality and school district options among families with children. This trend has significant implications for low-income families and their educational outcomes.
Breast cancer cells challenged with a small-molecule inhibitor targeting specific invasive properties switch to an alternative mode-of-action, rendering them even more aggressive. The results suggest that inhibiting one pathway may not block all aggressiveness in breast cancer cells.
A unique study of 60,000 refugee immigrants in Sweden found that living in high-deprivation neighborhoods significantly increased the risk of developing type 2 diabetes over time. The study suggests a direct link between neighborhood deprivation and health, particularly for vulnerable populations.
A new study from Simon Fraser University's Beedie School of Business found that consumers earning moderate to high incomes are viewed as moral for purchasing ethical goods, while those on welfare are judged immoral. This disparity has implications for charitable organizations and the decisions made by individuals on financial aid.
According to a study published in The Journal of Pediatrics, nearly 1 in 4 babies in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) received acid-suppressing medications from 2006 to 2013. While the number has decreased since then, concerns remain about the medication's potential risks and effectiveness.
Scientists have identified hundreds of infected cells at different points of initial entry and developed a technology that lights up the location of first cells to be infected. This discovery will enable researchers to develop more effective vaccines against HIV by targeting the primary target of transmission, Th17 cell.
Researchers have created a new machine-learning algorithm that reduces timing uncertainties in changing events by up to 300 times, allowing for more accurate dating and analysis of past events. The tool has applications in various fields, including geology, metrology, chemistry, biology, and astronomy.
Researchers found that serotonin shortens apnoeic events by interacting with the 5-HT3 receptor, which is highly expressed in healthy babies. This discovery may provide a new lead in understanding and treating SIDS and asphyxia., Serotonin's role in promoting inspiration and stopping apnea could be key to preventing these infant deaths.
Researchers from Oregon State University found that coal-tar based sealcoats contain high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which can be toxic to humans and wildlife. Asphalt-based sealcoats, on the other hand, were found to be significantly less toxic.
A one-week language course improves attention levels in students of all ages. Regular practice maintains these benefits. The study found that acquiring a new language enhances cognitive functions, particularly for older adults.
Scientists created a dissolvable device component using egg proteins, magnesium, and tungsten, outperforming non-degradable memristors. The components worked reliably for over three months under dry conditions but dissolved in hours in water.
Scientists at UC Riverside discovered a strain of beneficial nitrogen-fixing bacteria that has spread across California, forming tumor-like nodules on plant roots. The epidemic strains were found to be highly successful in the soil and in competition to infect plants, explaining their persistence and dominance.
Researchers use machine learning to analyze factors influencing patient recruitment, predicting acceptance rates of up to 72% compared to traditional methods. The algorithm analyzes objective and subjective factors, including demographics, attitudes towards medical research, and health conditions.
A new study by Northwestern Medicine reveals that low-income families spend 2.5 times more on emergency department and hospitalization costs for children with food allergies, highlighting a significant gap in preventive care and access to special foods and epinephrine auto-injectors.
The study details the transmission of Zika virus through mosquitoes and human-to-human contact, as well as its association with neurological disorders and birth defects. Researchers emphasize the need for antiviral agents and vaccines to combat the outbreak.
A team of researchers has built a chip that generates multiple frequencies from a robust quantum system producing time-bin entangled photons. This feature can enable multiplexed and multi-channel quantum communications and increased quantum computation information capacity.
Research finds that intact coral reef areas with extensive live coral cover harbor the greatest amount of genetic diversity, supporting targeted protection of reefs throughout the Hawaiian Islands. Genetic diversity varies across the region, highlighting the need for diverse conservation approaches.
Researchers discovered that rainwater can channel up the Alpine Fault and overwhelm contributions from mantle-derived fluids, focusing it onto the fault. This finding sheds light on the trigger mechanisms for major seismic events and has implications for understanding catastrophic earthquakes.
A Polish Academy of Sciences team devised a chemical sensor to detect fungi in just a few minutes, reducing detection time from days to hours. The sensor uses D-arabitol, a compound indicating fungal presence, detected with high certainty even in the presence of interfering substances.
A recent study found that MOOC students are more engaged on Facebook groups than built-in course message boards and forums. The researchers suggest that social media tools can provide another communication channel for students, build a sense of community and trust, and offer better organization.
Katya Ravid, a Boston University professor, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholar Award to conduct innovative interdisciplinary research in hematopoiesis and megakaryocte/platelet biomedical research in France. She will serve as an advisor to ongoing institutional programs at the University of Strasbourg and INSERM.
A Duke University study found high levels of contaminants in brine-laden wastewater from fracking spills, exceeding federal drinking water guidelines. Soil samples contained higher levels of radioactivity downstream from spill sites, suggesting radium builds up in the environment.
Biologists at the University of Iowa have identified a group of genes, gamma-protocadherins, that regulate dendrite growth in neurons. These genes must be an exact match for each neuron to correctly grow dendrites.
A cancer drug has improved learning and memory in mice with fragile X syndrome by coaxes neural stem cells to generate neurons critical for cognitive function. The treatment targets the MDM2 enzyme, which is overactive in FMRP-deficient cells, leading to enhanced proliferation but reduced differentiation.
Scientists have identified 91 novel microRNAs in the dog genome, which can help understand their role in regulating gene expression and potentially lead to breakthroughs in human diseases. The discovery provides a significant opportunity for future studies on biomedicine, evolution, and animal domestication.
Researchers at the Center for BrainHealth will investigate how changes in brain blood flow affect cognition in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). They will use fMRI to examine cerebral blood flow and neural metabolic rate, aiming to pinpoint the brain systems responsible for cognitive slowing in MS.
Scientists at MPFI have discovered a simple rule that explains how neural circuits combine information supplied by different types of cells in the retina to build a coherent representation of visual information. The discovery reveals that fine-scale retinal spatial information is preserved by OFF response regions, while ON response reg...
A new method combines structured expert judgment and probabilistic inversion to provide a single, consistent set of probabilities for future sea-level rise. This approach aims to address the lack of formality in evaluating climate model uncertainty, which can impact policy and preparedness.
A computer algorithm can recognize human emotions with high accuracy, transferring players' emotions to avatars or communicating with other players. The emotion detector system uses mathematical processing to analyze eyebrow position, eye openness, and mouth shape to correlate with basic human emotions.
New research from Cornell Food & Brand Lab highlights the importance of leveraging inside sources for real consumer insights. By utilizing experts such as sales associates or food service workers, researchers can gain unexpected and notable observations about target population behavior.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have developed a computational model to discover new protein-protein interactions associated with schizophrenia. The study identified over 500 never-before-known PPIs, which could lead to greater understanding of the disease and its relation to other complex diseases.
QUT researchers are developing new technologies to turn sugarcane trash into renewable fuels for the sugar industry. The project aims to reduce or eliminate the use of fossil fuels in sugarcane production, resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions and cost savings.
A study published in Annals of Emergency Medicine found that dexamethasone was effective in treating mild to moderate asthma in ER patients with only slightly higher relapse rates compared to a 5-day course of prednisone. The single-dose medication eliminates prescription adherence barriers such as forgetfulness and cost.
A new membrane inspired by cacti can improve fuel cell efficiency by up to four times in hot and dry conditions. This technology could transform the electric vehicle industry by reducing water management issues and increasing performance.
Researchers discovered that Pseudomonas aeruginosa can multiply within human fluids from burn wounds, leading to increased virulence factors. Exudates from burns contain immune molecules and enzymes that favor P. aeruginosa growth, making it difficult to treat infections.
Researchers developed a genetically encoded chemical 'block' that can be removed from kinases, enabling the investigation of their activity in both lab dishes and whole animals. This breakthrough allows for a better understanding of kinase roles in disease processes.
Hot melt extrusion (HME) and injection moulding (IM) are becoming increasingly prevalent in the pharmaceutical industry due to their ability to increase solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs. HME-IM can manufacture a range of dosage forms, from oral tablets to implantable devices.
Scientists from ITMO University developed a new technique to create planar arrays of hybrid nanoantennas, enabling precise control over light manipulation at the nanoscale. The technology promises to increase data storage capacity and pave the way for high-throughput fabrication of optical nanodevices.
Researchers found that adding limonene accelerates cocoa butter crystallization at lower temperatures but inhibits it at higher temperatures. The study suggests using carefully chosen limonene concentrations and processing temperatures to achieve a smoother, more luxurious reduced-fat chocolate.
A study by Stephen Smith found that intellectual property protection encourages crop improvement, benefiting both breeders and society. The research linked optimal genetic innovation with increased economic welfare, health, and nutrition for consumers.
University of Illinois researchers have created a simple and scalable graphene patterning technique using stencil masks fabricated via a laser cutter. This approach enables rapid design iterations and pattern replications, promoting cleaner quality graphene patterns without polymeric transfer layers or organic solvents.
A study published in PLOS One found that men who view pornography featuring condom use are less likely to engage in condomless anal sex. The research suggests that sexually explicit media can encourage condom use and has important policy implications for the industry.
Recent research reveals that visual brain maps are dark-centric, with greater precision for darker stimuli. This dark-centric organization enables the brain to represent different positions of light spots as rotating around a dark anchor in visual space.
Researchers found that probiotics tighten gut permeability and dampen inflammatory signals that drive immune cells to break down bone. Probiotic supplements protected female mice from bone density loss after ovarian removal.
Scientists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory found that 3D printed foams have superior long-term stability and performance compared to traditional foams. The team used accelerated aging experiments and imaging techniques to study the properties of both types of materials.
Leading nutrition experts discuss the complexities of modern malnutrition, affecting vulnerable populations such as children, elderly, and sick individuals. The Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics explores various facets of malnutrition, including evidence-based practices, hospital malnutrition, and policy recommendations.
York University researchers have received a $1.7 million grant to develop a platform that rapidly determines detailed information about biologic drug candidates. The project aims to accelerate and improve the quality of pharmaceutical companies' drug discovery and development processes.
A new Canadian study finds that people recently released from correctional facilities have a risk of dying from a drug overdose 56 times greater than the general population. The life expectancy of this group is also significantly shorter, by 10.6 years for women and 4.2 years for men.
Two researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology suggest seven energy-intensive separation processes for low-energy purification technologies. These alternative processes could reduce energy use by $4 billion per year in the US, lower carbon dioxide emissions by 100 million tons, and open up new ways to obtain critical resources.
Researchers have found that single antibody infusions can protect monkeys against infection with an HIV-like virus for up to 23 weeks. The study used broadly neutralizing antibodies targeting a wide range of HIV strains and showed varying levels of protection depending on the antibody's potency and half-life.
A recent study found that veterans and their romantic partners who participated in an intensive retreat model showed a significant reduction in trauma symptoms. The retreat, which included therapeutic group and couple counseling, as well as relaxation activities, was effective in reducing both veteran and partner distress levels.
Researchers from Michigan State University and USGS have developed buoys that gather real-time data on water quality using statistical models. The technology provides instant feedback on water cleanliness, helping authorities make informed decisions about beach closures.
A consensus report from the International Osteoporosis Foundation Fracture Working Group recommends that patients with recent fractures should start osteoporosis medications as soon as possible. The panel agreed that anabolic agents like teriparatide may have a beneficial effect on fracture healing, while bisphosphonates may delay it.
A new study found that bi-dialectal children exhibited similar cognitive advantages as multilingual children, including improved memory, attention, and cognitive flexibility. The research suggests that the ability to switch between two dialects of the same language provides mental stimulation and leads to higher cognitive performance.
A study of 33,588 Danish twins found psoriasis associated with type 2 diabetes and obesity, with a possible common genetic cause. The prevalence of psoriasis was higher among individuals with obesity, suggesting a potential link between the two conditions.
Researchers at McMaster University found that a single minute of very intense exercise produces health benefits similar to longer endurance training. Brief bursts of intense exercise are remarkably effective in boosting cardiorespiratory fitness and insulin sensitivity.
A new study shows that Twitter can enhance middle school learning, with students reporting significant increases in exposure to reputable science leaders, broadening their audience, and connecting science to their lives. The research highlights the potential of open social networking tools like Twitter for personalizing education.