Scientists at the University of Sussex have invented a new method to build large-scale quantum computers using voltages on microchips, rather than aligning laser beams. This breakthrough enables the construction of universal quantum computers with potentially revolutionary applications in fields like materials science and medicine.
Researchers have identified the cluster of genes responsible for reproductive traits in Primula flowers, which Charles Darwin first noted as important over 150 years ago. The study reveals that these genes, controlled by a supergene known as the S locus, are specific to one form of flower and date back 51.7 million years.
A dose-response analysis found that pregnant women who take selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in early pregnancy are at a small but significantly greater risk of having babies with major congenital anomalies or stillbirths. The study analyzed data from over 500,000 infants and recommended enhanced scans for women prescrib...
The study introduces tunneling modulation of a quantum well transistor laser, enabling fast carrier transport and recombination. This technology relies on intra-cavity photon-assisted tunneling, which enhances optical absorption and modulation in transistors and lasers.
Researchers found that only 20% of applications and publications reported use of bias-reducing methods, but 86% of participants claimed to assign animals randomly to treatment groups. The study recommends more education and training for those involved in animal research to ensure scientific rigor.
A study published by the Radiological Society of North America found that short-term sleep deprivation in 24-hour shift workers can lead to significant increases in cardiac contractility, blood pressure, and heart rate. The researchers also observed increased levels of stress hormones and thyroid hormones.
Coastal Indigenous communities consume an average of 74 kilograms of seafood per capita, compared to the global average of 19 kilograms. The study emphasizes the importance of considering food sovereignty and cultural identity in fisheries policy and Indigenous human rights.
A recent study by University of Nevada, Reno geophysicists suggests that the Kathmandu region is vulnerable to a more powerful earthquake than the 2015 Gorkha quake. The research indicates that the Himalayan Frontal Fault has reached a stage of strain accumulation prior to a potential major thrust earthquake.
A longitudinal population-based study found that menopausal women experience an accelerated decline in lung function, with declines in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second comparable to severe smoking. The study highlights the importance of maintaining respiratory health long after the menopausal transition.
Johns Hopkins researchers have identified a critical cellular switch that turns on the inflammatory immune response contributing to asthma attacks. By inhibiting this pathway, they may be able to prevent continued inflammation and long-term structural changes in the lungs.
A study published in Optometry and Vision Science found that cataracts are associated with higher rates of depressive symptoms in older adults, regardless of education level or socioeconomic status. Symptoms were more common in women and those with lower vision acuity.
E-cigarettes are effective at delivering nicotine, particularly for experienced users. The study found that newer generation e-cigarettes outperform first-generation devices in terms of nicotine delivery. However, the efficacy of e-cigarettes also depends on individual behavior and vaping habits.
An international team of scientists has discovered that the biggest galaxies in the universe develop in cosmic clouds of cold gas. The study used radio telescopes to investigate an embryonic galaxy cluster, where they found a cloud of very cold gas where galaxies were merging.
UCLA researchers Patricia Keating and Jody Kreiman analyzed recordings from 50 women to identify acoustic parameters distinguishing their voices. The study aims to understand which characteristics make a speaker's voice recognizable and how much change is perceptible to listeners.
A randomized, controlled study found that sodium thiosulfate prevents cisplatin-induced hearing loss in children and adolescents with cancer, with a 29% reduction in hearing loss compared to cisplatin alone. The greatest benefit was seen in children younger than 5 years old.
A new test has identified a gene signature related to the immune response in liver tissue of patients with high-risk Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC), a rare autoimmune condition. The test allows for early intervention with alternative treatments, increasing chances of success and potentially staving off the need for a liver transplant.
A new study suggests that maintaining a few orange-lined triggerfish increases the ability of coral reefs to grow by preying on reef-eroding sea urchins. This finding is significant as coral reefs face threats from rising sea levels and ocean temperatures.
Researchers developed a high-precision sensor to measure small variations in strong magnetic fields, enabling the detection of mechanical processes in the body. The technique has broad applications in medicine and biological research, including the development of new contrast agents for MRI.
Mothers with repetitive and self-focused negative thoughts have poorer-quality relationships with their babies. Researchers found that rumination reduces maternal sensitivity to infants, regardless of depressive symptoms. This study suggests strategies can help manage rumination and improve parenting.
Researchers identified altered genes and noncoding genetic material that could serve as predictive treatment biomarkers or targets for therapy. The study found that ATRX mutations were associated with aggressive NF1-related brain cancers, while a microRNA called miR-487b was underexpressed in tumor tissue.
University of North Carolina researchers sequenced the genes of a harmful algae bloom, revealing new interactions between algae and bacteria that can help predict their growth. The technique opens up the possibility of forecasting blooms and taking measures to prevent them, saving millions in economic losses.
A Norwegian diet intervention study found similar health effects of diets high in carbohydrates or fats, with substantial improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors. The study suggests that the quality of food is more important than the quantity of fat or carbohydrates, and that most healthy people can tolerate a high intake of satur...
Researchers have developed free online tools to improve crop breeding, including molecular breeding tools that enable breeders to select the best parental lines and perform marker-assisted backcrossing. These tools are being used in Africa to develop corn varieties with greater resistance to viruses.
A comprehensive analysis of existing drugs has identified areas where human genes and proteins could be promising targets for new treatments, as well as gaps in current medicine. The study also found that 70% of targeted drugs work on just four families of proteins, leaving vast swathes of human biology untouched.
Researchers discovered a material exhibiting macroscopic quantum effects, shedding light on the relationship between classical and quantum worlds. Topological insulators may hold the key to understanding this fundamental scientific riddle.
A new study estimates that coastal Indigenous people consume 74 kg of seafood per capita, 15 times more than non-Indigenous populations in the same country. This highlights the need to consider Indigenous food sovereignty and cultural identity as part of fisheries policy.
Researchers at Cornell University developed a chemical tool that controls inflammation using UV light, allowing for targeted therapy with minimal side effects. The method has potential applications in treating inflammatory diseases such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers at Kazan University have developed a novel gene therapy approach that combines demineralized bone with genetic material to stimulate blood vessel and bone growth. The treatment shows promise in treating pseudarthrosis and other bone defects, with plans to offer innovative treatments at the Kazan University Clinic.
Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology aim to develop cement substitute from steel slag, a massive CO2-reduction opportunity. The new cement has potential to replace 'normal cement' and reduce emissions by tens of millions of tons annually.
A study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology found that black gay men (BGM) have a flattened diurnal cortisol curve and elevated evening levels, suggesting an unhealthy stress response. The research highlights the need for more expansive studies on HPA-axis functioning among racial/ethnic and sexual minority men.
Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center discovered that dysfunctional N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) brain receptors cause hearing deficits in schizophrenia. Patients who received training and administration of an amino acid, D-serine, significantly improved their ability to distinguish subtle differences in pitch.
Researchers from Penn Medicine present early results from studies of CAR T cell therapy for multiple myeloma and relapsed/refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia, showing high efficacy and safety profiles. The findings build on the team's work in CAR T cell therapies dating back to 2010.
A novel imaging agent, Zr-89-Df-IAB2M, has been shown to detect metastasis of prostate cancer in both bone and soft tissue lesions with high accuracy. The agent targets PSMA on the exterior of prostate cancer cells, allowing for faster and more accurate detection than conventional methods.
A new review of 55 kidney stone studies suggests alpha blockers may be useful in facilitating stone passage, particularly for patients with larger stones. The findings indicate a 57% higher risk of stone passage for larger stones with an alpha blocker, but no benefit for smaller stones.
Scientists mapped the probability of Rubidium atoms absorbing photons with rising and decaying shapes. The results show a significant increase in excitation at moments when the photon arrives dimly and ends brightly, indicating that photon shape plays a crucial role in light-matter interactions.
A team of researchers has found evidence of early pollution caused by copper combustion in a 7,000-year-old dry riverbed in southern Jordan. The discovery sheds light on the Chalcolithic period, when humans transitioned from stone tools to metal production, and highlights the environmental impact of industrial-scale metal production.
Researchers have deciphered the electronic properties of transition metal dichalcogenides, a promising alternative to graphene for next-generation transistors. The discovery sheds light on how electrons behave in these materials, offering hope for future applications.
Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina discovered that pericytes contribute to capillary damage and blood leakage during ischemia, which can lead to neurological conditions involving ischemia. The study used advanced imaging techniques to track MMP-9 activity and plasma leakage in intact brains of live mice.
The American Mathematical Society has awarded the 2017 AMS Levi L. Conant Prize to David Bailey, Jonathan Borwein, Andrew Mattingly, and Glenn Wightwick for their 2013 article on calculating binary or hexadecimal digits of Pi using the BBP formula.
Scientists create arrays of nanocontainers with tailored interaction strengths by mimicking electron valency in atoms. The approach enables plasmonic sensors and electrocatalysts, showcasing a new aspect of atom mimicry for nanotechnology applications.
New research reveals the mechanism by which probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei DG promotes health. The probiotic releases a novel polysaccharide that stimulates the immune system to release anti-inflammatory chemicals.
A mobile app developed by researchers at the University of Oklahoma uses real-time risk estimation to predict tobacco cessation lapses, achieving an 80% accuracy rate. The app combines six questions to identify lapse-risk factors and delivers tailored messages to help smokers overcome triggers.
A research group led by Prof. Dr. Benjamin Judkewitz is working on a new approach to overcome light scattering limitations in optical microscopy, enabling images of deeper tissue layers. The European Research Council has allocated €1.49 million over five years to fund this endeavor.
A group of TIFR scientists have discovered superconductivity in pure Bismuth crystal at an extremely low temperature of 0.00053 K. The discovery cannot be explained by standard models of superconductivity, highlighting the need for a new theory.
Renowned researchers Fergus Couch and Max Wicha are being honored by AACR for their significant work in breast cancer etiology, detection, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention. Their research has led to the identification of inherited genes and mutations that predispose to breast cancer.
A new study has discovered a novel route to improve the stability of protein drugs, significantly extending their shelf life. Stability increases from 14 hours to over 100 days while maintaining activity under stressed conditions, offering potential treatment solutions for diseases in developing countries.
AIM observes early noctilucent cloud season on Nov. 17, 2016, tied with the earliest start yet in the Southern Hemisphere's record. The earlier seasonal change at lower altitudes sparks complex atmospheric responses.
Researchers create new sensors that detect proteins and induce blood flow changes, allowing for non-radiative imaging of molecules in the brain. This approach enables detection of biologically low-level molecules and monitoring of dynamic processes in the brain.
Researchers from Mount Sinai Health System presented various studies on multiple myeloma and other hematological disorders at the American Society of Hematology's Annual Meeting. The studies focused on treatment protocols, biomarkers, and gene expression in these diseases.
The PolyU-Huawei Joint Laboratory focuses on high-capacity optical communication systems, computer networks, and big data computing to pioneer research in optical communication systems. This collaboration aims to develop system infrastructure and algorithmic solutions for computing-driven innovation.
Scientists at Cornell University developed a system where enzymes are attached to nanoparticles to mimic the efficient energy-producing mechanism of sperm tails. The tethered enzyme system processes glucose to lactate more efficiently than free-floating enzymes, with potential applications in powering devices that carry out various jobs.
Researchers at the Stowers Institute discovered Orb2's role in encoding memory and forming long-term memory in fruit flies. The protein's prion-like ability transforms into clusters under certain conditions, which helps stabilize memories.