The median installed price of solar in the US fell by 5-12% in 2015, with residential systems declining 5% and utility-scale projects falling 12%, according to two new studies from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The report attributes recent system price declines to reductions in hardware costs and 'solar soft' costs.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission captured data on Tropical Depression Kay's remaining rainfall, which was limited to a small area. The storm had been devoid of deep convection and thunderstorms for about 12 hours when it faded from the record.
Researchers found a mixture of HER2-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer cells in patients' blood samples, which can lead to tumor progression and resistance to treatment. Combining therapies targeting both populations may be effective in eliminating these cells.
The Permian-Triassic extinction event saw 96% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial life die off due to explosive volcanic eruptions in Siberia. The Arctic region reveals clues about the delayed recovery, with evidence of a significant nutrient gap during this period.
A Northwestern University team has developed a nanomaterial that can store large amounts of electrical energy like a battery and charge rapidly like a supercapacitor, promising to improve electric car efficiency. The material's stability allows for 10,000 charge/discharge cycles, making it suitable for commercial applications.
A new study led by Lisa Feldman Barrett found that people's beliefs about how farm animals are raised can shape their meat-eating experience. Participants rated factory-farmed meat as less pleasant and consumed less of it than humane-farmed meat, suggesting that beliefs can influence eating behavior.
Scientists have identified a brain circuit in fruit flies that enables them to ignore protein deficiencies and transition into the pupal stage despite nutritional stress. This discovery has implications for understanding developmental regulation in insects and potential applications to mammalian physiology.
Researchers found that mycobacteria use a 'volume control' mechanism to switch between two types of metabolism, adapting to survive in different environments. This discovery provides potential new treatments for diseases like tuberculosis and leprosy.
A recent study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that students who feel safer at school are more attentive and have fewer symptoms of depression. The researchers suggest that factors such as bullying, poverty, and neighbourhood environment also impact feelings of safety and academic engagement.
Researchers created open-source, web-based visualizations of nocturnal bird migrations using weather radar networks. These new tools depict the timing, direction, and speed of bird movements at scales previously impossible to achieve.
Researchers at Helmholtz Zentrum München have developed a new test to diagnose the specific venom causing an allergic reaction, enabling the creation of personalized vaccines. This breakthrough has the potential to improve treatment options for patients with allergies to wasp stings.
Researchers at Harvard University have created the first autonomous, entirely soft robot called the octobot. The small, 3D-printed robot is powered by a chemical reaction controlled by microfluidics, eliminating the need for electronics.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a protein called Perilipin 5 that promotes the efficient breakdown of fat. This discovery could lead to new ways to treat obesity and type 2 diabetes, as excess fat can accumulate in tissues not specialized for storage and cause dysfunction.
Developed by an antibody that blocks clot formation without triggering bleeding, the new blood thinner could be used to treat patients with heart and vascular diseases. Researchers also created a second antibody to rapidly reverse its effects, addressing safety concerns.
An international team of researchers identified eight additional types of cancer linked to excess weight and obesity, including stomach, liver, gall bladder, pancreas, ovary, meningioma, thyroid cancer, and multiple myeloma. Limiting weight gain may help reduce the risk of these cancers.
A Penn study identifies Morrbid, a special RNA molecule, as key controller for immune health when fighting infection or preventing inflammatory disorders. The discovery offers a potential drug target for several inflammatory disorders characterized by an abnormal lifespan in white blood cells.
Scientists at UNC School of Medicine have mapped a serotonin-driven anxiety circuit that worsens fear and anxiety in SSRI patients. A new compound blocks this pathway, potentially eliminating the side effect.
A clinical trial at the University of Iowa will compare the effects of two popular diets on multiple sclerosis-related fatigue. The 36-week trial will recruit 100 people with relapsing-remitting MS and follow their health for 24 weeks, monitoring their health and activities.
A team led by CSU engineers aims to provide a low-cost, high-fidelity communications system for miners that eliminates the need for expensive equipment. The system will use standard smartphones and low-cost wireless sensing to improve miner safety in underground environments.
Research from North Carolina State University shows that traveling honey bees have shorter lives and greater oxidative stress levels than stationary bees. Access to readily available food or supplemental nutrition can mitigate these negative impacts, particularly during periods of high flower scarcity.
Researchers study how parents cope with NICU stress using secular and spiritual strategies, finding that negative religious coping can lead to lower levels of connection with family. Effective coping fosters bonding with the baby, while spiritual support provides a sense of meaning and connection.
A recent study published in JAMA Cardiology found that HIV-infected adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) were more likely to experience a heart attack than those without MDD. The study, which included over 26,000 HIV-infected veterans, revealed a 30% increased risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in those with MDD.
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory developed a new technique to quantify force transmission through 3D granular materials. The findings suggest that forces move spatially through these materials in patterns consistent with theory and simulations.
A recent study has found that four biomarkers in the blood are associated with an increased risk of stroke. These biomarkers include homocysteine, vascular endothelial growth factor, C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor receptor 2. Adding these biomarkers to existing methods of predicting stroke risk improved accuracy.
Researchers at Georgia State University are investigating how the human brain has evolved to support technological learning. The study aims to identify unique aspects of the human brain and understand the factors that cause individuals to acquire technological skills differently.
Researchers identified genetic markers associated with a fast rate of nicotine metabolism in smokers, leading them to smoke more cigarettes to maintain stable nicotine levels. This finding could identify smokers at greater risk for lung cancer, enabling doctors and public health leaders to improve prevention strategies.
Researchers at Lehigh University have discovered a high-speed nano-avalanche in glass, which can lead to more energy-efficient manufacturing and applications. The phenomenon involves transformations in glass under intense electrical and thermal conditions.
Research suggests that genetic influences on asthma are more pronounced when exposed to early life environmental factors, such as viral respiratory infections. Children with a specific variant of the PAI-1 gene and a history of severe lower respiratory tract infections have an increased risk of developing asthma.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that MRI-guided focused ultrasound significantly improves tremors and quality of life for patients with essential tremor. The treatment was shown to achieve nearly 50% improvement in tremors after three months, while retaining a 40% improvement after a year.
The American Geriatrics Society has released a virtual journal issue featuring 20 seminal articles that have shaped geriatric research since the new millennium. The studies focus on topics such as cognition, physical disabilities, frailty, and medication use, and have had significant impacts on eldercare expertise.
Climate change may cause ragweed pollen allergy to more than double in Europe, affecting 77 million people by 2050. The number of people suffering hay fever is already estimated at 40% of Europeans, and the severity of symptoms may increase due to higher pollen concentrations and longer seasons.
A nurse-initiated protocol to improve timeliness of care can significantly decrease ER stays for patients with certain conditions, including fever and hip fractures. The study found that average length of stay was reduced by almost 4 hours by implementing such a protocol.
Researchers found that THC increases laziness in rats, making them less willing to perform challenging tasks, but CBD had no effect. The study's findings highlight the importance of understanding cannabis' impact on cognitive effort and decision-making.
A new study reveals that human stem cells have pluripotency superior to some types of mouse-derived cells. Researchers mapped gene expression patterns in crab-eating monkeys to understand the developmental counterparts of primate stem cells.
A 25-year-old man recovering from a coma made remarkable progress after receiving an ultrasound treatment at UCLA. The technique, called low-intensity focused ultrasound pulsation, targets the thalamus to excite brain tissue and improve consciousness. Researchers plan to test the procedure on additional patients this fall.
Researchers found that rats rely heavily on their whiskers to locate airflow sources, even when other sensory cues are available. The discovery could lead to the development of artificial flow sensors for robots.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University suggest that fast radio bursts could provide clues to dark matter by detecting black holes of a specific mass. The team argues that the brief flashes of radio-frequency radiation can detect black holes with masses predicted for dark matter, offering a direct probe of this phenomenon.
The study found that calcium channel blockers like verapamil and amlodipine work differently to treat heart arrhythmias and hypertension. Verapamil physically blocks pores to restore normal heart rhythm, while amlodipine indirectly prevents pore opening, relaxing blood vessels without affecting the heart.
A new study finds human activity has been causing global warming since the early stages of the Industrial Revolution. The research suggests that greenhouse gas levels rose in the atmosphere during the 1800s, leading to rapid and measurable warming in tropical oceans and the Arctic.
A new scientific study finds that wars and civil unrest are subverting improved health conditions in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Conflicts have destroyed infrastructures, displaced millions of people, and slowed immunization campaigns, posing major obstacles to public health efforts.
Archaeologists have discovered a rare Etruscan inscription naming female goddess Uni, possibly the patron deity of the Poggio Colla cult. The 500-pound stele contains one of the longest Etruscan texts ever found, shedding light on ancient fertility rituals and writing systems.
Researchers found that plants from high-CO2 springs had differences in gene expression, leading to increased growth and photosynthesis, and potentially paving the way for 'planetary greening'. Stomatal pores on leaves also increased in number after exposure to future CO2 levels.
A new study finds that trade liberalization could buffer economic losses in agriculture due to climate change, with potential savings of up to 2.5 trillion US Dollars. The research highlights the importance of trade as a key measure to reduce climate change impacts on the agricultural sector.
A Saint Louis University study found that modest weight loss via diet, exercise, or both reduces cardiovascular disease risk by 10%, regardless of the strategy. The researchers suggest a combination of healthy eating and exercise is key to heart health.
The Gerontological Society of America has awarded Dr. Daniel L. Smith Jr the 2016 Nathan Shock New Investigator Award for his outstanding contributions to basic biological research on aging. He is exploring the impact of reduced carbohydrate exposure and calorie restriction on cellular lifespan in model organisms.
Perls is recognized for his research on exceptional longevity, which reveals strong family clustering, compressed disability, and a genetic influence on survival that increases with age. He has published extensively on the subject and is a vocal critic of the anti-aging industry.
Macrophages have been shown to play a crucial role in enthesitis, inflammation of tendons. Researchers found that blocking JAK inhibitors can prevent the increase of STAT1 and successfully treat Achilles enthesitis. This discovery may offer new treatment options for patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
A new study has questioned the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare's recommendation to raise blood pressure targets for diabetes patients. The study found a linear relationship between blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, with lower blood pressure levels associated with fewer cases of stroke and myocardial infarction.
Researchers created novel scaffolds with aligned ceramic nanofibers to control stem cell development and cancer cell behavior. The unique hybrid nano-network selectively guides stem cells towards specific lineages while suppressing inflammatory factors in cancer cells.
Researchers at Michigan State University discovered melatonin suppresses breast cancer tumor growth, providing proof for the link between sleep deprivation and increased risk. The study showed that melatonin treatment significantly decreased mammosphere size when combined with estrogen or BPA.
New research shows coral larvae cannot survive a 5,000-kilometer trip across the Pacific to replenish eastern corals. Simulations indicate reefs in the Eastern Tropical Pacific are isolated and vulnerable to disturbances.
Researchers have demonstrated silicon nanoparticles that can manipulate and switch light, enabling ultrafast all-optical signal processing in optical communication systems. The nanoantennas can transmit, reflect, or scatter incident light in a specified direction, showing potential for high-speed data transmission.
A new study by Duke University researchers creates an analog DNA circuit that can add, subtract and multiply in a test tube, using concentrations of specific DNA strands as signals. The technology has the potential to be used in diagnosing and treating diseases, with applications including sensing vital signs and detecting molecular si...
A new experiment reproduces nature's patterns with a specially designed system called an H-shaped dielectric barrier discharge system. The system produces filaments of discharge plasma that can assume vast ranges of patterns in 3D, allowing scientists to explore complex mechanisms behind nature's diverse designs.
Geophysicists at the University of Bonn have visualized plant root activity using electrical impedance tomography, allowing for non-invasive monitoring of nutrient uptake. The method provides insights into plant behavior under different conditions, such as drought or nutrient stress.
Scientists have created a new material called Nanofur that mimics the water-repellent and oil-absorbing properties of aquatic fern leaves. This innovative material is highly effective in cleaning up oil spills, with some leaves absorbing up to 30 seconds' worth of oil.
A team of Penn State materials scientists has developed a unique three-dimensional sandwich-like structure that protects the dense electric field in the polymer/ceramic composite from dielectric breakdown. The material has been shown to have high energy density, power density and excellent charge-discharge efficiency, making it highly ...
Researchers discover that five hours of sleep deprivation leads to a loss of connectivity between neurons in the hippocampus, a region associated with learning and memory. However, blocking the protein cofilin and allowing recovery sleep restores neuronal connections and improves memory processes.
Tropical Storm Lionrock is consolidating and strengthening under NASA's Terra satellite imagery. The storm has tracked south-southwestward at 5.7 mph, with maximum sustained winds near 63 mph.
A new diagnostic test analyzes ribonucleic acid (RNA) expression in the bloodstream to distinguish bacterial infections from other causes of fever in infants up to 2 months old. The test has shown high sensitivity and specificity, potentially reducing painful exams, unnecessary antibiotic treatments, and hospitalizations.