Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a new nanofiber mat technology that increases fuel cell power output by 30 percent while reducing costs and improving durability. The technology is part of a $13 million DOE program to advance fuel cell performance and hydrogen storage technologies.
Researchers have found the oldest evidence of protein residue on stone tools used 250,000 years ago in Jordan, providing insights into the subsistence strategies of early humans. The discovery reveals that these ancient humans were adaptable and capable of taking advantage of various prey sources.
CNIO researchers identified a biochemical mechanism that enables cancer cells to survive without glucose, triggering a switch in proteins that control nutrient stress. This finding may help understand the resistance of cancer cells to anti-angiogenic agents and their ability to thrive in low-oxygen environments.
Tiger sharks exploit easy food sources during nesting season, turning into scavengers when abundant dead sea turtles are available. The research found that tiger sharks spend more time patrolling surface waters near shore, indicating they are searching for carcasses or weakened turtles.
A new study by Massachusetts General Hospital finds that college students who misuse prescription stimulant medications are more likely to exhibit clinically relevant psychiatric dysfunction. The report also highlights immediate-release stimulants as a particular risk factor for misuse.
A new laboratory model of Parkinson's disease has successfully replicated the phase that occurs long before diagnosis, revealing how abnormal alpha-synuclein proteins spread in the brain. The study demonstrates a possible link between Parkinson's and non-motor symptoms like cognitive impairment and gastrointestinal issues.
A global analysis of over 968,000 participants from 90 countries reveals that more than 30% of adults worldwide live with high blood pressure, with 75% living in low- and middle-income countries. The prevalence of hypertension is increasing in these countries, while decreasing or steady in high-income nations.
The Flint lead crisis resulted in $395 million in social costs, equivalent to 27 lives lost. Nationally, low-level lead exposure costs $4.5 billion annually, affecting lost economic productivity and welfare use.
Researchers propose deep underground rocks excavated by meteorite blasts as a promising place to find organic compounds indicative of past or present life on Mars. However, they found that some types of organic compounds are destroyed by impact pressures, while others undergo chemical changes but remain resistant.
A Queensland University of Technology road safety study found that bright light combined with caffeine improved driving performance and alertness in chronically sleep-deprived young drivers. The study also revealed that driver sleepiness accounted for 20% of all crashes in developed countries.
Researchers at the University of Washington aim to create fundamentally secure communications exploiting quantum mechanics. They will explore semiconductor-diamond nanophotonic transmitters for long-distance quantum communication, overcoming challenges such as signal amplification and scalability.
Researchers found that Miconia affinis maintains high genetic diversity and facilitates gene flow between forest fragments. The study suggests that this species' colonization capacity promotes ecosystem recovery despite human-altered landscapes.
Researchers at Tel Aviv and Harvard Universities developed a method to control collagen-cell proliferation that produces scarring, using short pulsed electric fields. This technique, called partial irreversible electroporation (pIRE), reduces scar area by 57.9% in animal models.
Researchers found a significant number of thyroid tumors carry a mutation in the EZH1 gene, leading to increased cell proliferation. The 'two-hit model' suggests that the first mutation increases tumor disposition and the second triggers disease progression.
A new study explores using colorants to maintain turf color throughout dormant periods. Colorants applied to zoysiagrass at various volumes showed an increase in persistence of green color, with the highest volume providing color for up to 167 days.
Scientists identified two types of olfactory receptors that dilate and contract bronchioles when activated by specific scents. The discovery could lead to new asthma treatments using compounds like amyl butyrate, which relaxes bronchi muscles.
Researchers found that cardinals act as 'supersuppressors' by drawing infected mosquitoes away from robins, reducing the risk of human infections with West Nile virus in Atlanta. The study suggests that preserving and enhancing old growth forests may also help prevent disease transmission.
Scientists have made a breakthrough in understanding the parasites that cause Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and human African trypanosomiasis, three neglected diseases affecting 20 million people worldwide. A new chemical has been developed to kill these parasites, offering hope for effective treatments.
Researchers used the K computer and advanced radar data to accurately predict torrential rains in localized areas. They achieved this by synchronizing data between large-scale simulations and observational data through 'big data assimilation', resulting in high-resolution maps of rain every 30 seconds.
A clinical trial found that thiamine-fortified fish sauce improved erythrocyte thiamine diphosphate concentrations in lactating women and their breastfed infants. The study suggests that fortified fish sauce could be a simple and sustainable vehicle for thiamine fortification throughout Southeast Asia.
Researchers have clarified the beneficial function of a brain protein associated with prion diseases, revealing its role in maintaining nerve cell insulation. The study found that properly folded proteins play a crucial role in keeping axons insulated, enabling rapid nerve signal propagation.
A team of international researchers has identified biophysical markers that could help assess the effectiveness of treatments for sickle cell disease. The study found improvements in red blood cells' shape and volume when treated with hydroxyurea, suggesting a new mechanism behind the drug's action.
A new MIT study reveals that brain regions dedicated to reading already exist with pre-existing connections even before children learn to read. These connections can predict the precise location where each child's word recognition area develops.
Magma-limestone interaction may help explain why volcanoes like Vesuvius are particularly explosive, as it releases CO2 that contributes to Earth's carbon cycle. The process also triggers extreme behavior in volatile elements, potentially driving eruptions and affecting the planet.
A new study finds that antiepileptic drugs used to control seizures can trigger psychotic symptoms in certain individuals, particularly women and those with temporal lobe epilepsy. Researchers screened the medical records of over 2,300 patients with epilepsy and identified a link between these medications and psychosis.
Researchers found that cracks tend to follow the path of least resistance and turn towards voids or portlandite particles, sapping energy from them. This interaction regulates competing deformation mechanisms, leading to increased strength and toughness.
Scientists have created a mini electro-optical switch that can change the spin of a liquid form of light by applying electric fields to a semiconductor device. This technology bridges the gap between light and electricity, enabling faster and more powerful electronics.
Researchers found students receiving negative attention from teachers experience emotional regulation, concentration problems and increased disruptive behavior. Teachers tend to give more negative attention to African-American students and those receiving free or reduced lunch.
A study published in PLOS ONE found a significant racial disparity in opioid prescriptions for black patients with vague pain-related conditions, suggesting discrimination and potential unintended consequences. Researchers used the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey to examine five-year data from 2007-2011.
Researchers used GIS mapping to identify areas with socially and medically vulnerable older adults in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. The study found that these populations often lack adequate access to healthcare services, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Scientists have identified a single compound that can kill parasites responsible for three neglected diseases: Chagas disease, leishmaniasis and sleeping sickness. The new study suggests a single class of drugs could be used to treat all three diseases.
Researchers at TSRI have developed a high-resolution view of how the ZMapp experimental therapy targets Ebola virus. The study revealed detailed images of the protein structures, providing new clues to improve the effectiveness of the antibodies in the treatment.
A study of four common medical conditions found that hospitals using intensive care units (ICUs) more frequently were associated with more invasive procedures, higher hospital costs, but showed no improvement in mortality rates. Smaller hospitals and teaching hospitals had higher ICU utilization rates.
Researchers recorded neural activity in human striatum, a key structure compromised in Parkinson's disease. The study provides new understanding of pathophysiology and potential treatments for PD.
A Georgia State University researcher is investigating how changes in intestinal bacteria may lead to obesity and metabolic syndrome. He aims to understand the role of dietary fiber in altering gut bacteria and promoting inflammation.
Research suggests removing drug use barriers to effective hep C treatment for opioid-addicted patients. The elbasvir-grazoprevir treatment showed high sustained virologic response rates in a randomized trial. In contrast, lipid screening evidence is lacking for younger adults.
A new analysis reveals the economic burden of undiagnosed sleep apnea in the US, with estimated annual costs including $86.9 billion in lost productivity and $30 billion in increased healthcare utilization. Treatment for sleep apnea can improve patient health and quality of life.
A recent study in Health Affairs highlights critical primary care shortcomings in Latin American countries, including high rates of skipping needed care and emergency department usage. The findings emphasize the urgent need for attention to address these gaps as populations continue to age.
Researchers from the University of New Hampshire have developed a geospatial approach to better understand the roles of pre-European archaeological monument sites in Michigan. By utilizing a modeling technique called Maximum Entropy, they were able to identify the distinct niches occupied by burial mounds and circular earthwork enclosu...
A study sent twice-weekly text messages to 1 million people in India advising them to exercise, eat less fat, and eat more fruits and vegetables, resulting in a 40% improvement in health behaviors. The intervention increased fruit and vegetable consumption and reduced fat consumption.
The NOvA collaboration has made a groundbreaking discovery that suggests the flavor and mass correlation of neutrinos may be more complex than previously thought. The data collected by the NOvA experiment indicates that one of the three neutrino mass states might not include equal parts of muon and tau flavor, as previously assumed.
A Johns Hopkins University cognitive scientist has discovered the brain's 'physics engine,' a set of regions involved in predicting physical outcomes, which is essential for survival. The findings suggest that the brain constantly runs physics simulations to prepare for action.
The Gayle Greve Hunt School of Nursing at TTUHSC El Paso has received a $430,780 grant from the USDA to offer free health education services via live video conferencing to 10 underserved communities in rural West Texas. The project aims to improve health outcomes and inspire young students to pursue careers in healthcare.
Researchers found a natural fruit extract, hydroxycitrate (HCA), dissolves calcium oxalate crystals, the most common component of human kidney stones. The study suggests HCA is an effective inhibitor and may be preferred over existing treatments.
A new study found that synchronized prescription refill programs increase medication adherence by three to five percent, with larger effects among patients with low initial adherence rates. The results suggest that such programs can be an effective strategy to reduce obstacles to medication adherence.
Dellingr will study Earth's outer atmosphere, creating a chemical and electromagnetic profile using its miniaturized mass spectrometer and magnetometer systems. The satellite's findings will help understand changes in our space weather and impact on satellites.
Two new studies found that uninsured or Medicaid-covered cancer patients experience delayed diagnoses, less optimal treatment, and shorter survival times compared to those with other forms of insurance. The research highlights significant disparities in cancer care across different insurance statuses.
A study by UMass Amherst researcher Alicia Timme-Laragy investigates the link between early life pollutant exposure and future diabetes risk. The researchers will expose zebrafish embryos to toxic chemicals, aiming to understand how environmental contaminants affect pancreas development.
The Mayo Clinic and ASU Team Science Grants will fund projects in Biomedical Sensing, Functional Restoration, and Biomedical Imaging/Informatics. Three collaborative teams were chosen, with each project receiving up to $900,000 in award funding.
Scientists have identified how prion proteins dock onto Schwann cells to maintain nerve integrity. The discovery resolves a 30-year-old question and holds promise for future treatments of Creutzfeld-Jakob disease and peripheral neuropathy.
Researchers have discovered a way to increase lithium-ion battery capacity by up to 2300 mAh/g, more than six times the current maximum for graphite-based batteries. Extremely thin layers of silicon can be sufficient to absorb high amounts of lithium, reducing material and energy consumption.
Soft materials can store and release elastic energy using bistable beams, allowing for signal propagation without dissipation. The developed system enables transmission of mechanical signals through long distances in autonomous soft systems.
Researchers identified a neural circuit that inhibits binge-like eating behavior in mice, suggesting a potential treatment for humans. A specific serotonin receptor, 2C, expressed by dopamine neurons, is crucial in suppressing binge eating.
Researchers at Rice University have created a method for producing extremely pure levoglucosan, an organic compound with potential applications in pharmaceuticals and synthetic chemistry. The team's process is more economical and operationally simpler than existing methods, offering new possibilities for the production of LGA.
New research from Queen Mary University of London found that polyploid hybrids in the Nicotiana genus can have wider flower openings, making them less vulnerable to extinction. This allows a wider range of pollinators to access their flowers.
Two insurance expansion approaches under ACA associated with increased outpatient and preventive care, reduced emergency department use, and improved self-reported health. The Medicaid expansion and alternative private option were linked to gains in coverage, primary care access, and reduced out-of-pocket spending.
Researchers at UW Medicine have identified a new type of neuron in the mouse retina that defies traditional categorization. The GluMI cell, which resembles one type of neuron but functions like another, has been found to convey information within the retina.
Researchers at Michigan Technological University and University of Maryland operated a tiny electrospray thruster under a microscope to study its behavior. The thruster, which creates a force less than the weight of a human hair, was found to form needle-like spikes that disrupt its function.
Researchers at Umeå University found that men with very high-risk prostate cancer treated at hospitals with a high proportion of radical local treatment had only half the mortality risk compared to those treated at low-proportion hospitals. Radical local therapy may prolong life for these patients.
Scientists at The Wistar Institute identified a critical pathway driving tumor adaptation in hypoxic conditions, enabling tumor cells to survive and proliferate despite low oxygen levels. This pathway, involving the protein Akt and PDK1, has implications for glioma treatment and potential therapeutic targets.