A new type of conductive concrete has been developed that can melt ice and snow in winter storms while remaining safe to the touch. The concrete is made with a pinch of steel shavings and carbon particles and conducts enough electricity to de-ice roads, reducing the need for salt and chemicals.
Researchers developed statistical methods to analyze HIV-infected infant data, showing early ART treatment preserves immune system function. The study suggests better treatment strategies can be initiated shortly after birth.
Bacterial restriction-modification systems can overreact, leading to autoimmunity issues, according to a new study published in Current Biology. The researchers discovered that more efficient systems are prone to making mistakes, which can contribute to genetic variation and adaptive evolution.
Dr. James Poulet, a neuroscientist at the Max-Delbrück Center, has received a €2 million ERC Consolidator Grant to continue his research on how the brain generates sensory perception. The funding will support his team's efforts to understand how different sensory inputs are integrated to create a coherent percept.
IL-17A and Th17 cells contribute to renal injury, which can lead to permanent scarring in kidneys. Blocking IL-17A/F signaling shows promise as a novel therapy for immune-mediated renal diseases.
Researchers at Virginia Tech developed a beetle-inspired method to control frost growth on surfaces using chemical micropatterns. By attracting water to specific areas and repelling it from others, they created dry zones around frozen dew drops, preventing frost from spreading.
Researchers discovered normal p53 gene action restrains transposons, mobile genetic elements that can lead to genomic instability. Disabling p53 allows transposons to erupt, causing disease.
Researchers have identified two proteins controlling heart growth and adaptation to hypertension. The study reveals p38 gamma and p38 delta regulate left ventricle growth, enabling normal hearts to respond to external stimuli.
A new study finds that the influx of freshwater from Greenland is 'freshening' the North Atlantic Ocean and could disrupt the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), an important component of global ocean circulation. This could lead to changes in climate, including cooler winters and regional sea level increases.
Researchers discovered an abnormal gene expression in the lining of the womb that is associated with IVF failure. This finding could lead to a new test to predict treatment success and guide patient counseling, helping women understand their chances of achieving a pregnancy before starting treatment.
The TPP may drive up pharmaceutical prices in low-income countries, diminishing access to essential medications. The agreement also raises concerns about individual country litigation against multi-national pharmaceutical companies.
A historic blizzard is forecast for Washington, D.C., while states from Texas to Florida experience severe weather due to a developing winter storm. Severe weather, including hail and at least one reported tornado, has been observed along the Gulf Coast.
Scientists have developed a method to detect and preserve human pluripotent stem cells, which can become any cell type, for potential use in treating diseases. The technique allows researchers to isolate and maintain these cells, which are difficult to cultivate, using a reporter linked to fluorescent protein.
Researchers reject longstanding hypothesis that zebra stripes provide camouflaging protection, citing limited visibility for zebras and their predators. The study suggests alternative explanations for the evolution of striped patterns in zebras.
UAB researchers have identified a protein called IL-37 that suppresses the inflammatory response after spinal cord injuries, minimizing tissue degeneration and functional disabilities. This discovery opens the door to a new treatment for acute spinal cord injuries, which currently has no effective treatment available.
The Syrian-American Medical Society has helped over two million people with $25-million in aid, providing 24/7 telemedicine consulting and training on portable ultrasound. The healthcare situation in Syria is grim, with 75,000 civilians dying from war injuries and life expectancy plummeting by 20 years.
Tropical Cyclone Victor has weakened to a tropical storm due to increased vertical wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center predicts the cyclone will continue to weaken over the next two days and dissipate.
A recent study reveals the discovery of five extinct rail species in Madeira and Azores, highlighting the fragile nature of island ecosystems. The species evolved flightlessness due to habitat changes caused by human arrival, leading to their extinction.
Female gelada monkeys are more attracted to male vocal sequences containing acoustically elaborate calls, such as moans, wobbles, and yawns. These complex calls lead to females lingering longer and spending more time near the speaker.
Researchers found African-American children and adolescents with Hodgkin lymphoma had significantly lower overall survival rates at 25 years compared to their white and Hispanic counterparts. The study, published in Pediatric Blood & Cancer, analyzed data from over 7,800 patients across Florida and the US.
A new gravity dataset covering 73% of Antarctica has been released, providing geoscientists with a tool to investigate the deep structure of the continent. The dataset will aid in studying subglacial geology, tectonic structures and their impact on ice sheet dynamics.
A University of Alberta study found that patients without opioid prescriptions experienced improved physical functioning and reduced disability compared to those who received opioid treatment for neuropathic pain. The research suggests a graded approach to physical activity may help improve function despite chronic pain.
Researchers found that most cases of severe brain damage in newborns occur after birth, despite proper resuscitation. Infections and anemia before birth do not cause the damage, but rather trigger devastating outcomes that can be prevented with timely medical attention.
New research reveals that neurons in the gut play a crucial role in regulating inflammation and protecting intestinal tissue from over-reacting. The study, published in Cell, found that specific types of macrophages are activated by signals from neurons to prevent excessive inflammation.
Researchers have developed new humidity sensors with antibacterial properties to prevent biofilm formation and biofouling in high-humidity environments. The sensors combine nanotechnology and fibre optics, offering biocompatibility, low cost, and long-distance measuring capabilities.
A recent Grand Valley State University study found that college and professional football players have gained an average of 60 pounds in body mass since 1942. The research highlights the risks associated with excess body fat, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
A new long-term simulation study confirms that partial replacement of lead pipes with copper can increase lead exposure to harmful levels. The study found that elevated lead from corrosion worsened over time for the 50% copper configurations, exceeding health safety thresholds.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge found that reed warblers employ a 'neighbourhood watch' system to detect and eject cuckoo eggs, taking into account both personal and social cues. By combining information from close surveillance and neighbourly mobbing, warblers can assess levels of risk and protect their nests.
Corentin reached hurricane strength on January 22, 2016, with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph. The storm was centered near 20.2 degrees south latitude and 71.6 degrees east longitude, about 758 miles from Diego Garcia.
A team of scientists has discovered twenty-four new beetle species in Australian rainforests, shedding light on the conservation of highly localized species. The newly described weevils are thought to have originated in Australia, with some species found only in a single locality.
A new species of leech from Australia has been named Chtonobdella tanae in recognition of best-selling author Amy Tan. Using computed tomography (CT) scanning, researchers were able to describe the internal anatomy of a soft-bodied animal for the first time.
Researchers have successfully synthesized a material with a distinctive woven structure, providing special elastic properties. The new material's flexibility increases tenfold when threads slide against each other, making it promising for various applications.
Researchers at Columbia University's Zuckerman Institute have created a safer strain of rabies virus that can map brain activity in real-time, allowing for a more complete understanding of brain cellular circuits. This innovation has far-reaching applications for brain research and disease treatment.
Arnold L. Gordon selected as Fellow of The Oceanography Society for fundamental contributions to understanding ocean interconnectedness, drawing from observations of the Southern Ocean and Indonesian Seas. Dr. Gordon's work has had a lasting impact on our understanding of global ocean circulation.
Unqualified practitioners posing as doctors are widespread in India, particularly in rural areas. Trained quacks could alleviate the country's doctor shortage by providing basic care while referring complex cases to qualified doctors.
A study suggests that changing dosing instructions from teaspoons to milliliters can significantly reduce the risk of dosage errors. The researchers found that using measuring cups with milliliter markings leads to more accurate dosages, resulting in a 50% decrease in errors.
A new study using Google Street View assesses pedestrian safety in NYC, finding intersections with heavy pedestrian traffic have lower injury rates. Billboards and bus stops increase risk of injury.
Researchers discovered that Venus flytraps use action potentials to determine the size and nutrient content of struggling prey. The plants then balance the cost and benefit of hunting by adjusting their production of costly ingredients.
A paper by Gugliotti et al. in Science reported on RNA-mediated metal-metal bond formation, but an investigation found authors falsified research data. The journal is taking steps to address the concerns and ensure the integrity of its publications.
Cloud top temperatures are warming in Tropical Cyclone Victor, suggesting weakening convection and loss of uplift. Forecasters expect the storm to dissipate by January 24 as it moves southward.
Researchers at Dartmouth College used fMRI to explore neural mechanisms behind filling in missing details of sensory information. The study found that intermediate object features are reconstructed in neural responses at early stages of cortical processing.
Tropical Cyclone Corentin developed with intense showers dropping rain at rates of over 71 mm/hour in strong storms. NASA's GPM mission provided a 3D view of the storm, revealing heights of 13 km (8 miles) in its feeder band.
Astronomers discover invisible structures shaped like noodles or hazelnuts, which could radically change ideas about interstellar gas. The shapes were estimated using innovative new technique and observations of a quasar lensing event.
Researchers developed a potential therapy using adipose-derived stem cells to promote blood vessel growth and revascularization. The study successfully treated animals modeled with CLI, showing improved tissue reperfusion and reduced morbidity.
Food pantry clients make choices based on factors such as limited resources and unintentional design. Simple adjustments like raising healthier products' profiles and making them easy to access can nudge clients towards healthier options.
A new theory suggests that life on other planets would become extinct quickly due to unstable planetary environments. The Gaian Bottleneck model proposes that most fossils in the universe are from extinct microbial life, not complex species like dinosaurs or humans.
Researchers discovered that human macrophages can divide and self-renew by activating a gene network similar to one found in embryonic stem cells. This finding could provide new directions in regenerative medicine and therapies, potentially replacing diseased tissue without using embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells.
MIT scientists have developed a theory to predict transparency in materials, which could lead to cheaper smart window alternatives. The researchers created a polymer structure that changes transparency when stretched or inflated, and their equation accurately predicts the amount of light transmitted through the material.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo found that slowing down typing improves essay writing sophistication and vocabulary, possibly due to more time for internal word search. The study's results suggest that excessive speed can impair writing quality, regardless of tools used.
A study by researchers at William & Mary's Virginia Institute of Marine Science shows that removal of derelict crab pots and lobster traps can increase landings by 293,929 metric tons and boost annual revenues by $831 million. The effort generated more than $20 million in harvest value for area watermen in Chesapeake Bay.
Researchers analyzed over 113 literary works, finding fractal and multifractal patterns in sentence length and narrative structure. The study suggests that literary texts exhibit hierarchical organization and correlations among data at various complexity levels.
Researchers at Oxford University conducted a series of experiments that challenged traditional economic game assumptions. The results showed that people are more generous towards computers, which cannot benefit from cooperation, and that misunderstanding the game can lead to altruism in some cases.
A recent study found that deep convective storms transport ozone-rich air parcels to the surface of the Amazon rainforest, rapidly increasing surface ozone levels. This process can initiate and accelerate cloud formation via interactions with plant-emitted hydrocarbons.
Researchers have successfully woven the first three-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (COFs) from helical organic threads, displaying significant advantages in structural flexibility and reversibility. The woven COFs can be switched between two states of elasticity reversibly without degrading or altering the structure.
Researchers discovered a strong link between HPV-16 presence in the mouth and increased risk of oropharyngeal cancer. Detecting oral HPVs may help predict people's risk for developing head and neck cancers.
A new study using the MIVES method has assessed the sustainability of various energy sources, including conventional and renewable power plants. Renewable energies consistently score higher in sustainability indices compared to conventional power plants.
A new study from Georgia State University found that college students with Problematic Internet Use report positive effects on family connectedness when apart, but negative effects when together. The study also highlights the need for parents to set limits on internet use in families.
New studies show that cells in mouse mammary tissue compare notes and share chemical signals before making a move. This collective communication process increases the accuracy of cell sensing, allowing cells to detect subtle changes in their environment.
A European multicenter study found that intravenous thrombolysis is safe and effective for ischemic stroke patients with preexisting dependency, despite concerns of higher complication rates. The study suggests that these patients should be considered for IVT treatment in randomized-controlled trials.
Weed blasting, a new control method for organic farmers, has been shown to be surprisingly effective in reducing final weed biomass by 69-97% compared to non-weeded control plots. The method involves blasting weed seedlings with tiny fragments of organic grit using an air compressor.