A recent study suggests that re-wetting dried riverbeds releases dissolved carbon and greenhouse gases, including methane and CO2. This process may also contribute to ocean acidification. However, restoration of wetlands is expected to outweigh the negative effects, supporting biodiversity and mitigating storm erosion.
A group of researchers warns against DIY use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) due to its unpredictability and potential for unintended consequences. The study highlights the need for caution when applying tDCS outside a lab setting, as it can affect brain function in unforeseen ways.
A national study led by Michigan State University scholar William Chopik found that living among people with opposing political viewpoints can affect ability to form close relationships and accept perspectives. The study also suggests that segregating into 'red' and 'blue' states may stifle healthy political discourse.
Research at the ESA Annual Meeting highlights the complex relationships between mosquitoes and their environments. Mosquito life cycles are connected to temperature and humidity, but warming climates may not always increase disease transmission. A study found that invasive mosquito species can even help break the spread of parasites.
A new study of over 1,000 primary care melanoma screenings found no significant increase in surgical treatments or specialist referrals. The practice did result in a 79% increase in per-patient melanoma diagnoses among the most trained group, but this was not associated with an increase in dermatologist visits or surgeries.
Researchers created a comprehensive map of genetic and epigenetic lesions in human tumors, predicting responses to various cancer drugs. The study integrated 1,000 tumor cell lines with genetic, epigenetic, and expression alterations, validating results in 11,000 additional human samples.
Researchers have created an expandable, open-access database to study human cultural diversity. The D-PLACE database brings together information on over 1,400 societies, allowing users to search and analyze data on language, geography, culture, and environment.
A new study found that wearing a wearable neuromuscular device improved postural control in athletes without limiting performance. The devices, used with regular training programs, also prevented any ACL injuries during the season.
A new study found that people with high sensation-seeking personalities are more likely to engage in prank behavior when encountering the color red. This contradicts previous research suggesting that red leads to compliant behavior. The findings have implications for health campaigns, such as anti-smoking and safe sex initiatives.
Researchers at Jülich have found a way to produce nanomagnets with low zero-point energy, leading to higher stability. They investigated the connection between atomic properties and magnetic fluctuations caused by zero-point energy.
Patients who underwent bariatric surgery experienced a reversal of premature aging, characterized by longer telomeres and reduced inflammation. Two years after surgery, patients had telomeres that were 80% longer than before the procedure.
Researchers from Scripps Florida have discovered a link between bipolar disorder and the striatum, a brain region involved in motor planning and reward perception. The study identified 14 genes differentially expressed in bipolar patients compared to non-bipolar controls, suggesting a causal role in the disorder.
Male cicadas use their calls to attract mates, but they also draw in pregnant female flies looking to lay eggs. The study found that both males and females demonstrated reproductive intent and successfully mated with each other.
Scientists with NASA's Dawn mission have identified permanently shadowed regions on the dwarf planet Ceres, which are likely cold enough to trap water ice for a billion years. The regions, occupying about 695 square miles of the northern hemisphere, may be colder than those on Mercury or the moon.
A study found that using hamstring injury prevention programs can reduce hamstring injuries by 40% and lost playing time by up to 45.3% in minor league players, with a 65% reduction in major league players.
A new diagnostic tool uses short-strand DNA library preparation to analyze cell-free DNA in plasma, enabling transplant recipients to get an idea of how their new organ is responding via a simple blood test. This method can help determine whether the transplanted organ is injured or being rejected.
A team of scientists developed a system that forecasts dengue fever outbreaks by analyzing citizens' calling behavior on public-health hotlines. The system achieved high accuracy in predicting disease cases and locations two to three weeks ahead.
Tropical Depression 4E intensified into Tropical Storm Celia, with a better-organized cloud pattern and increased winds. The storm is expected to pass near an area of cooler sea surface temperatures, slowing its intensification before potentially strengthening into a hurricane by Sunday.
A deadly bacteria, Burkholderia pseudomallei, can travel to the brain and spinal cord within 24 hours, according to a new Griffith University study. The findings could lead to discoveries on how other common bacteria enter the spinal cord.
Researchers found a statistically significant 20% increase in childhood asthma cases exposed to the Great Smog in utero or early childhood. The study suggests a strong possibility of a causal link between early childhood exposure to air pollution and later development of adult asthma.
A study mapped the transmission of MERS virus in a South Korean hospital, identifying an 'super-spreader' patient linked to 82 cases. The outbreak highlights the risks of overcrowding and super-spreaders in healthcare settings.
A study published by the Society for Personality and Social Psychology found that agreeableness is a key predictor of prosocial behavior, including helping others. People with high agreeableness are more likely to exhibit empathic concern and volunteer their time to help those in need.
A team of University of Florida researchers has successfully used light to grow gold nanoprisms, enabling better control over the growth process. The discovery has significant implications for pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and solar panels.
Researchers from RIKEN successfully attach a biologically active molecule to a titanium surface, inspired by the adhesive properties of mussels. The hybrid protein showed strong binding capabilities to the metal, even when washed with water-based solutions.
A new web-based database, AERSMine, has been developed to analyze clinical responses of over 5 million patients to FDA-approved drugs. The tool identifies unexpected benefits and harm, as well as alternative treatment choices for individual patients.
The National Institutes of Health is launching a landmark longitudinal research effort, the Precision Medicine Cohort Program, with $55 million in funding. The program aims to engage 1 million or more U.S. participants to improve disease prevention and treatment based on individual differences in lifestyle, environment, and genetics.
Researchers found that incorporating an unfertilized winter wheat cover crop into annual crop rotations can significantly reduce nitrogen and phosphorus lost from row crops, enhancing downstream water quality. The strategy may also help alleviate the Mississippi River's nutrient load contributing to the Gulf Dead Zone.
A study published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology found that eating the same food as a companion increases sense of closeness and trust. This strategy can be applied to various social situations, such as first dates or business negotiations, and may even influence marketing effectiveness.
CuRE's dental adhesive incorporates copper iodide particles to curb infections and promote healthy tooth bonding. The technology has the potential to reduce secondary caries formation under existing restorations, a major contributor to costly restoration failures.
Researchers at University of Chicago conducted a field experiment with over 14 million players, offering quantity discounts on virtual goods. The results showed that discounts had virtually no effect on the share of players making purchases and actually led to some customers spending less.
Researchers discover northern oak hairstreaks consume non-nectar sources like galls and aphid honeydew. This finding suggests the species may be more common than thought.
A new gene called Wars2 has been identified as a key player in blood vessel formation, providing a potential target for new therapies against cancer and heart disease. The discovery was made by researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School who found that inhibiting Wars2 function impaired blood vessel formation in rats and zebrafish.
A seven-year experiment in Oregon's Bridge Creek Watershed demonstrates the positive impact of beaver dams on stream restoration and fish habitat. The study found significant increases in juvenile steelhead numbers, survival, and production in restored streams with beaver dam analogs.
A new study by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine found that surgical treatment for shoulder instability in collegiate athletes can lead to high return-to-play rates, especially for those who played at high levels previously. Athletes with scholarships were more likely to return as starters after surgery.
Scientists have discovered that tiny cilia on specialized cells create complex networks of dynamic flows that transport molecular 'freight' to specific destinations in the brain. These flows, powered by synchronized beating movements, could play a crucial role in distributing essential messenger substances.
Scientists have discovered a molecular component in plant cells that senses electric voltage, enabling them to respond to threats. This finding has implications for understanding how plants defend against pathogens like Ebola viruses.
Autoinflammatory diseases are characterized by recurrent acute inflammatory episodes due to deregulation of the inflammatory process. Researchers have identified epigenetic alterations in cryopyrin-associated periodic syndromes (CAPS), which could lead to the development of novel biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment.
A recent study projects that approximately 30% of current Adélie colonies may decline by 2060 and 60% of the present population may dwindle by 2099. The penguins at more southerly sites in Antarctica are less affected by climate change.
A study found that artificial turf surfaces with higher infill weights (above 9 pounds per square foot) resulted in lower injury rates among high school football players. The research, led by Michael Clinton Meyers, PhD, recommends a minimum of 6.0 pounds per square foot of infill weight to optimize player safety on artificial surfaces.
The first study assessing the clinical impact of ESMO-MCBS in a real-life context shows that the scale works reliably and reproducibly in advanced or metastatic disease. The study encourages its use in daily routine for novel treatments like immunotherapy.
A new study from the University of Manchester found that suicide deaths by mental health patients are lower at the weekends, contradicting previous government claims. The study analysed 5,613 suicide deaths between 2001 and 2013 and found a reduced risk in all groups, including those admitted at the weekend.
An expert argues that economic inequality and austerity, not immigration, are the root causes of worsening health and declining living standards in Britain. The UK's public spending cuts have led to a decrease in education and training funding, increasing student loans and debt.
A new study found that major green donors allocate most of their climate mitigation funding to developing countries with large carbon sinks and good governance. This funding often overlooks least-developed countries, diverting public finance from poor nations and exacerbating global inequality.
A new study confirms the efficacy of the RV144 HIV vaccine in macaques, disproving the notion that a stronger adjuvant yields better results. The study found that changing the adjuvant did not improve the vaccine's effectiveness, but instead triggered an immune response at the site of infection.
Scientists discover that chewed plants by mountain gorillas can be used to test for viruses, providing a simple way to monitor the health of endangered apes. The new non-invasive method is effective for detecting both RNA and DNA viruses and has implications for conservation management.
A recent study has combined data from patients, laboratory cancer cell lines, and drug sensitivity to predict how tumours are likely to respond to new drugs. The findings suggest that cancer cell lines can be used to identify the most effective treatment for individual patients, leading to improved success rates for developing personal...
Researchers have identified potential new antimalarial drugs targeting the parasite's heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), a key player in its survival and resistance to treatments. The study uses innovative modelling technology to isolate compounds that can destroy the pathogen without affecting human cells.
Researchers have developed a unique approach to trapping platinum atoms, reducing the need for expensive platinum in chemical reactions. The new method uses cerium oxide to create nano-scale traps that keep platinum atoms stable, improving catalyst efficiency and performance.
A study by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine found that surgery after a first-time shoulder dislocation lowers re-injury risks and need for follow-up surgery. The average age of patients was 19 years old, with a postoperative dislocation rate of 29% compared to 62% in those who did not have surgery.
Researchers from GW University developed a conceptual model for acute, unscheduled care, identifying issues with current care delivery and proposing ways to improve it. The model incorporates social determinants and care-seeking decisions to optimize outcomes and reduce costs.
The Crab Nebula is home to a spinning neutron star with a 'heartbeat' radiation signature, emitting clock-like pulses of energy. The neutron star is surrounded by expanding debris and glowing gas, revealing the intricate details of this cosmic object.
A study published in International Journal of Nursing Studies found that first professional degree was a baccalaureate or higher, greater variety and autonomy, and better perceived RN-MD relations are positively associated with nurse retention. The internal turnover rate for new nurses was nearly 30%, significantly higher than previous...
Two studies suggest that frogs' ability to withstand high temperatures can help them survive disease outbreaks, such as the deadly fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. Climate change may outpace deforestation as a habitat threat in tropics, and species with high thermal tolerance are less susceptible to infection.
Researchers found that female patients under 25 with graft sizes less than 8mm are more likely to experience an ACL re-tear. This is due to factors such as estrogen levels, anatomical differences, and decreased knee strength.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have identified a new type of filament-forming protein in fruit flies that shares similarities with intermediate filaments in human cells. This discovery may provide insights into how insects survive without traditional IF proteins.
Shannon Estenoz, Director of Everglades Restoration Initiatives, receives the Ecological Society of America's Regional Policy Award for her collaborative work protecting the Florida Everglades from pollution, climate change, and invasive species. The award recognizes her decades-long commitment to conservation.
Researchers have created a robotic mimic of a stingray that's powered and guided by light-sensitive rat heart cells, demonstrating a new method for building bio-inspired robots through tissue engineering. The robotic stingray can be controlled using pulses of light, with different frequencies used to control its speed.
Researchers found that early combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) blunts gastrointestinal inflammation and immune activation in acutely infected HIV patients. However, cART did not restore CD4+ T cell counts in the gut, suggesting that earlier therapy may be beneficial but with limited long-term benefits.
A new government study suggests that the graying of the biomedical workforce is driving younger scientists away from academia, but found no evidence of a preference for older applicants in NIH grant funding. The study's authors conclude that other factors, such as changes in academic training and payment, are more likely to be contribu...
A new study co-led by Salk Institute scientists found that some people with autism spectrum disorder have brains that grow faster than usual, often before diagnosis. The researchers used stem cell reprogramming technologies to model the earliest stages of complex disorders and evaluate potential therapeutic drugs.