A study published in JAMA found that the proportion of US nursing home residents with advanced dementia receiving feeding tubes decreased by approximately 50% between 2000 and 2014. Feeding tube use declined across racial groups, but remained higher among black residents.
Researchers from LMU Munich analyzed data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey to calculate the dynamics of cosmic voids. Their findings demonstrate that the analysis of voids is a suitable approach to investigating gravity in empty regions and determining the total density of matter in the universe.
A new study published in Social, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience suggests that many dogs prefer praise from their owners over food. The study, led by Gregory Berns at Emory University, used brain-imaging data and behavioral experiments to investigate canine reward preferences.
Pittsburgh-based researchers receive $350,000 grant to develop fast computational methods for additive manufacturing. The goal is to reduce design optimization time from days or months to minutes, improving the economic sustainability of the process.
A study published in PLOS Medicine found that unhealthy habits in Canada result in an estimated six years of lost life expectancy. The study identified the top risk factors for premature death as smoking and lack of physical activity, which accounted for a significant proportion of deaths.
Scientists at Gladstone Institutes discovered that phosphorylation of the huntingtin protein prevents loss of critical brain cells and protected against behavioral symptoms in a mouse model of Huntington's disease. The study suggests a potential therapeutic target for treating the devastating neurodegenerative disorder.
A study published in Geophysical Research Letters reveals that slower snowmelt in the western US is reducing streamflows and impacting downstream water availability. The research found that areas with significant snowfall are most sensitive to changes in snowmelt rates, with some regions experiencing more significant decreases in strea...
A new study published in JAMA found that daily injection of the drug abaloparatide significantly reduced the risk of new vertebral and nonvertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. The treatment also showed a more pronounced anabolic effect on bone compared to other osteoporosis drugs.
A new study using data from Britain found that taller people are more likely to support conservative political positions and vote for Conservative politicians. The researchers controlled for various factors, including income, cognition, and public health care, but the link between height and voting remained robust.
A wearable neurotechnology device has been shown to improve sleep quality and lower the risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in military personnel. The study, published recently, found that sleep improvement may be a strategic approach to reducing new-onset cases of PTSD in service members deployed to combat zones.
A fossil discovered in the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History has revealed a new genus and species of dolphin, Arktocara yakataga, which lived in subarctic waters around 25 million years ago. The finding confirms that the South Asian river dolphin belongs to one of the oldest lineages of toothed whales still alive today.
A new study published in the Journal of AAPOS found a modest but significantly increased risk of retinopathy in very premature infants who received steroid treatment. The study analyzed data from 1,472 neonates and found that steroid-treated infants had a higher incidence of ROP than untreated infants.
Research reveals common causes of chronic pain and depression in partner relationships, shedding light on potential diagnostic tests and treatments. The study analyzed data from over 100,000 participants, identifying shared genetic and environmental risk factors.
Researchers have reevaluated satellite data and found that low clouds in the tropics were fewer in warmer years, indicating a possible increase in cloud thinning under global warming. This suggests that climate sensitivity is likely higher than previously estimated, potentially leading to earlier threshold breaches.
A research team led by Rebecca Schnall is developing a mobile app using existing in-person intervention MyPEEPS to deliver HIV prevention information to diverse young men. The five-year clinical trial will test the effectiveness of the mobile version among 700 racially and ethnically diverse adolescent MSM.
Researchers discovered most snakes have three visual pigments, making them dichromatic in daylight. Their lens structure allows UV light through for nocturnal species, while daytime hunters have UV-filtering lenses.
Researchers argue that data sharing is crucial for effective response to public health emergencies and that routine practice will be needed. Three major impediments limit data sharing, including lack of standards for data users, concerns over scholarly stature, and inadequate technology or human capacity.
The study found that the marsupial lion's elbow joint had a unique rotational capacity, similar to arboreal mammals, but also features not seen in living climbers. The researchers suggest this allowed the animal to use its dew claw to kill prey. The incisors were blunt and functioned better for gripping than piercing flesh.
Scientists discovered that aquatic ferns' hairy leaves can selectively absorb oil while repelling water. They developed a synthetic version of these hairy surfaces called 'nanofur', which is superhydrophobic and superoleophilic.
Researchers at the University of Missouri developed a model that enables newspapers to maximize revenues from advertisements and subscriptions by offering diverse subscription plans. The study found a potential increase of 17% in profits for one major US newspaper, suggesting this new approach can boost revenue for media platforms.
A new study reveals how immune cells access specific genes to fight inflammation and infections, using the cellular snowplow mechanism. The researchers found that nucleosome remodelers clear away blizzards of nucleosomes, allowing genes to be expressed.
A new regenerative bandage heals diabetic foot ulcers faster and promotes healing without cancer risk, according to Northwestern University researchers. The bandage delivers a protein that recruits stem cells and creates new blood vessels, improving wound repair.
A six-person research team will observe four differently-organized social housing projects in downtown Rio de Janeiro, including state-planned and self-managed cooperatives. The study aims to understand the impact of affordable housing models on low-income residents' lives.
A new MRI technique, Plug-and-Play MR Fingerprinting (PnP-MRF), has been developed to eliminate artifacts and create high-quality images. This innovation enables accurate diagnoses and reveals disease patterns that are consistent from patient to patient, promising superior imaging with less expensive machines.
MIT scientists developed a technique to interpret Raman spectra, identifying samples with high hydrogen-to-carbon ratios that may preserve ancient microbial life. The new method enables the 2020 Mars rover to select ideal samples for further study, potentially revealing signs of past life on Mars.
Researchers have discovered three newly dead specimens of the scaly-tailed squirrel, hinting at its evolution over 49 million years. The study reveals that Zenkerella is a distant cousin of two other squirrels with gliding abilities, leading to the creation of a new family name.
Scientists at IRB Barcelona have rediscovered the utility of disordered regions in proteins as drug targets for various diseases. The study reveals that certain disordered proteins can be highly structured in their natural context, making them potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers at IBS Centre for Correlated Electron Systems have revised existing theories on iron-based superconductors. By doping electrons onto the surface of a material, they found no correlation between the transition temperature and the nesting effect, challenging current understanding of these materials.
A recent study published in Postgraduate Medical Journal found that female physicians in the US were reimbursed around $18,677.23 less than their male counterparts in 2012, with the largest gaps found in nephrology, rheumatology, and pulmonary medicine.
A new study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that medications improved work productivity in most patients with depression, but those who showed rapid improvement had more significant reductions in depressive symptoms and were more likely to recover. The study suggests that patients requiring additional treatments l...
A new Yale-led study estimates that by mid-century, over 82 million people will experience 'smoke waves,' or consecutive days with high air pollution related to fires. The regions likely to receive the highest exposure include northern California, western Oregon, and the Great Plains.
A new technique detects methane leaks in real time, informing strategies to meet federal limits on emissions from the oil and gas industry. The approach identified 250 methane plumes emanating from various sources, including natural gas processing facilities and pipeline leaks.
A brief blast of heat can kill bedbugs on the exterior of soft-sided luggage, according to a study by University of California, Irvine entomologist Catherine Loudon. The six-minute treatment at temperatures between 158 and 167 degrees effectively killed all bedbugs on the exterior, including those under zipper flaps and decorative piping.
Neuroscientists at the University of Pittsburgh identified key brain regions influencing the adrenal medulla, shedding light on the mind-body connection. The study provides a neural basis for psychosomatic illness and suggests meditation and exercise can modulate stress responses by targeting specific cortical areas.
A study of 1000 scientific studies reveals that oil palm plantations have reduced ecosystem functions, particularly gas regulation and water supply. However, the production of marketable goods, such as palm oil, can increase the provision of food and raw materials.
African American participants in the Jackson Heart Study show lower risks for heart attacks and strokes with more heart-healthy metrics, yet only 17% meet these criteria. The study highlights a persistent inequity in heart health among this group, despite known prevention strategies.
Graphene nanoribbons exhibit properties similar to those of biological materials when in solution, forming folds and loops. The researchers found that their rigidity increases as oxide molecules are removed, making them suitable for designing and fabricating GNR-biomimetic interfaces.
A new approach uses computational tools and machine learning to compare patients' genomes to existing gene databases, accelerating diagnosis in rare genetic diseases. Comparing patient genes to their parents' also helps identify new disease-causing mutations.
Researchers have discovered that secondary infection with MRSA often kills influenza patients due to altered antibacterial response of white blood cells. The flu virus can cause extensive lung damage by suppressing the ability of macrophages and neutrophils to kill bacteria, leading to lethal inflammation.
A new study reveals that China is facing a significant increase in cardiovascular disease cases due to factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, and an increasingly sedentary lifestyle. The study found that these risk factors are associated with a substantial burden of heart attacks and strokes in the Chinese population.
Activated B cells play a crucial role in the formation of immune memory, with some cells persisting for months after initial exposure. The study reveals that while plasmablasts dominate early responses to infections or vaccinations, activated B cells take center stage later on.
Thermally conditioned sewage sludge serves as an excellent fertilizer improving soil properties and reducing phosphorus waste. The nutrient-rich sludge stimulates microbial activity, inducing competition between microorganisms and plant roots for phosphorus uptake.
The USC Cancer Report Card highlights the decline of prostate and lung cancer among men, while stomach cancer is on the rise globally. Breast cancer risk increases for women, particularly Korean women, due to westernized lifestyles. The report also shows that many cancers are preventable and curable if caught early.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a previously unknown function of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) proteins, which regulate gene activity and RNA synthesis. This finding has therapeutic implications for cancer treatment and may also lead to new avenues for treating inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases.
A new study has found that GPs lack knowledge and confidence in dealing with parents who have lost a child to suicide, leading to feelings of isolation and stigma. The research highlights the need for training and support for primary care practitioners to better respond to these vulnerable families.
The discovery of 25 little bones in India suggests that primates native to the region played a crucial role in the early evolution of primates. The bones, dated to around 54.5 million years ago, show primitive features that do not clearly belong to either clade and may represent an early stage of primate evolution.
A study found that 40 children needed medical treatment for injuries sustained at an indoor trampoline park over a six-month period. Most injuries were minor but highlighted the need for national design and safety standards to prevent further injuries.
A study of over 14,000 childhood cancer survivors reveals a significant increase in cumulative incidence of lung complications up to 25 years after diagnosis. The findings highlight the need for follow-up health care and suggest potential impacts on quality of life.
The Van Allen Probes detected a sudden pulse of high-energy electrons energized by an interplanetary shock, and five days later, an increased number of even higher energy electrons. Researchers can now better understand the unique energization processes following a geomagnetic storm.
A major study found that having longer-lived parents is associated with lower rates of heart conditions and some cancers. The study, involving almost 190,000 participants, showed an increased chance of survival by 17% for each decade a parent lived beyond 70.
Researchers found that virus replication increases at certain times of the day, with peak replication occurring in the morning. This suggests that shift workers, whose body clocks are disrupted, may be more prone to viral diseases.
New research on brown dwarfs has found that atmospheric properties may be behind their incredible variation in size, temperature, chemistry, and more. The discovery may also apply to planets outside the solar system, making brown dwarfs a valuable tool for studying exoplanet evolution.
A Swedish study of over 2 million children found that those born in spring had a higher risk of developing coeliac disease, especially before age 2. The risk was also higher among girls and in the south of the country where sunlight is more intense, suggesting possible links to viral infections and vitamin D.
A biomedical engineer from the University of Houston is using a $1.2 million grant to develop technology platform for axonal regeneration in nervous system. The goal is to understand how shifts in chemical gradients affect axonal growth, with potential applications for neurodegenerative diseases and neural prosthetics.
The sequencing of the tobacco hornworm's genome marks a major milestone in understanding insect biology. The genome provides valuable insights into the insect's physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology, with potential applications in developing new methods for insect pest management.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that prenatal acetaminophen use was associated with increased risk of conduct problems and hyperactivity symptoms in children. Maternal acetaminophen use at 32 weeks of pregnancy also linked to higher risk for emotional symptoms and total difficulties in children.
A new study by Duke University found that future climate warming will likely cause only minor cuts in energy output at most US coal- and gas-fired power plants. The study contradicts previous modeling-based studies that predicted significant drops in plant efficiency due to rising temperatures.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that green light puts mice to sleep quickly, while blue light stimulates them. The researchers suggest that light may play a similar alerting role in mice as it does in humans, with implications for designing the lighting of the future.
Researchers have developed a new approach to limit side effects of stem cell transplants by stimulating the formation of regulatory T cells in recipients. Pretreating mice with STAR2 protein protected them from developing GvHD, while donor-derived cells retained their ability to kill recipient's tumor cells.
A severe low-pressure system brought intense tropical moisture to the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in record-breaking rainfall totals over southern Louisiana. At least 4 people have died in the floods, which also affected southeastern Mississippi and western Louisiana.