Plasmonic lasers use metal films to confine light energy and have potential applications in integrated optics and ultrafast digital processing. The researchers developed a scheme that emits radiation at extremely long wavelengths with a narrow beam divergence angle of just 4 degrees, the narrowest achieved for such terahertz lasers.
A field study suggests a personalized privacy assistant app can simplify managing smartphone app permissions, with users adopting almost 80% of recommended settings. The app learns user preferences and provides quick recommendations, improving comfort with privacy settings.
NASA's GPM core satellite analyzed rainfall rates, while RapidScat measured wind speeds near or above 30 meters per second around the center of the storm. The typhoon intensified over warm sea surface temperatures with minimal wind shear and good outflow, eventually reaching Category 5 hurricane status.
Male beetles have evolved to keep their penis tips soft for faster sex, exploiting the female's duct for efficient breeding. Researchers found that a softer tip is better for penetrating the female duct due to its narrow tube, which slows down penetration.
Curza Global, a pharmaceutical startup company, has received a Phase I SBIR grant to develop new antibacterials against Gram-negative infections. The two-year project will focus on structure-based drug design and medicinal chemistry to create potent antimicrobials with high selectivity for bacterial ribosomes.
The EMODnet Workshop Report highlights the importance of historical biodiversity data for ecological models and future predictions. The workshop aimed to fill gaps in European marine species occurrence data availability by implementing data archaeology and rescue activities.
New research reveals that ancient Brazilians continuously occupied oversized pit houses in the southern Brazilian highlands for over two centuries. The homes were extended by adding new floors on top of old ones, and occupants used different techniques to renovate their homes.
A Yale-led study found that efforts to lower hospital admission rates also reduce readmissions, despite patients being sicker when hospitalized. The research used Medicare data and found strong associations between reduced hospital admissions and decreased 30-day readmissions.
Trauma researchers emphasize the importance of increased funding to develop evidence-based interventions and enhance disaster preparedness. The US is experiencing a surge in mass casualty events, including natural disasters and gun violence incidents.
Researchers have created an atlas of gene expression during early mammalian development using single-cell sequencing. This new tool allows for direct observations of individual cells, enabling scientists to map healthy cells against those with genetic abnormalities, shedding light on the causes of birth defects.
Researchers at the University of Houston have reported record thermoelectric performance from a rare bismuth-based Zintl compound. The material boasts high efficiency, converting heat to electricity with an impressive figure of merit value.
A Buck Institute study found that boosting a broccoli-related compound, palmitoleic acid, may be a possible treatment for age-related macular degeneration. The research identified indole-3-carbinol as a starting point and used a virtual screen to find a more potent activator of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor protein.
Research suggests that anti-inflammatory therapies targeting the CCL2 chemokine may be effective in treating epilepsy. The study highlights the link between inflammation and epileptic seizures, providing a potential new target for anticonvulsant therapy.
Researchers discover that AMPK, a protein activated during fasting, regulates 'hunger' neurons involved in feeding behavior, leading to increased food intake and body weight. Blocking AMPK activity reduces hunger and AgRP neuron firing, even after fasting.
Researchers have developed a new type of two-dimensional layered perovskite with outstanding stability and more than triple the material's previous power conversion efficiency. The breakthrough involves flipping crystals during casting, eliminating a gap in electron flow that previously reduced efficiency.
A study published in Public Health Nursing highlights the cognitive factors that inhibit effective driving among older adults with dementia. The authors propose a three-pronged approach to testing for safety, including patient assessments and medication reviews, computerized simulations, and road tests. This evaluation program aims to ...
Researchers from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology used mass spectrometry to identify components in an ancient bitumen sample from a 5th century BCE amphora. The analysis revealed a prolonged period of biodegradation due to bacterial activity, leading to increased oxygen content in the sample.
Researchers have developed a blood-based screening test to gauge colon cancer recurrence and monitor chemotherapy effects. The test detects tumor DNA fragments in the blood, which can identify patients at high risk of relapse and track treatment efficacy.
Researchers used radiocarbon dating to find that human cartilage is an essentially permanent tissue in healthy and osteoarthritic adults alike, which may explain limited success of cartilage transplant therapy for osteoarthritis.
A conceptual model by Amanda L. Stone and Anna C. Wilson suggests that genetic factors, early neurobiological development, and social learning play a role in the transmission of chronic pain from parents to children. The researchers propose five plausible mechanisms for this risk, including genetics, early neurobiological development, ...
Researchers found that a genetic risk score was associated with worse memory and smaller hippocampus volume in healthy younger participants. A higher polygenic risk score was linked to greater longitudinal memory and executive function decline and clinical progression of the disease.
Labradors with elbow dysplasia showed improved mobility and stride characteristics after hydrotherapy, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic tool. The study also found benefits in healthy control groups, indicating swimming can be beneficial for dogs.
A new special issue by Yale's Journal of Industrial Ecology investigates the widening gap between where products are made and where impacts occur. The articles analyze environmental impacts such as water, energy, and land use, as well as economic and social indicators like child labor and carbon emissions.
A comprehensive review article examines the role of gut bacteria and viruses in MS development and progression. Alterations in gut microbiome composition may influence immune system activity and autoimmune disorders like MS.
The research team will explore the biological and genetic underpinnings of breast cancer in African-American women, with a focus on identifying novel genes and gene pathways. The study aims to improve knowledge of breast cancer biology, particularly for this population.
Researchers are using DNA origami to create large, two-dimensional honeycombs and tubes with precise structures. They aim to develop new medicines by exposing the immune system to DNA origami scaffolds holding virus pieces, and explore protein arrangements for sophisticated medicines and electronic devices.
A recent study by the University of Sydney found that obese preschoolers have 60% higher healthcare costs and are two to three times more likely to be hospitalized. The research highlights the significant economic impacts of childhood obesity, which can lead to serious chronic diseases.
A special issue of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery defines common physical and functional changes in cats during aging. The issue provides assessment criteria for veterinary practitioners to provide the best care to ageing pet cats, as well as resources for future clinical research.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine developed a diagnostic test that can distinguish between bacterial and viral infections using just seven human genes. The seven-gene test is more accurate, cheaper, and faster than earlier tests, with the potential to reduce antibiotic misuse and save healthcare systems money.
Global health advocates call for aligning medical intelligence, national security, and global health priorities to prevent blurring of boundaries. A pathway for cooperation, highlighting health threats with national security implications before policy action, is proposed to mitigate adverse consequences.
Water fleas, such as Daphnia, grow defensive structures like helmets and spines in response to predator chemical cues. This 'arming' process allows them to tailor their defenses to specific predators, potentially affecting ecosystem composition and population dynamics.
Standard BMI may underestimate global obesity levels by over 400-500 million, particularly in East Asian populations with slimmer builds. Researchers propose adjusting BMI cutoffs for basal slenderness to better estimate obesity and undernutrition rates worldwide.
Researchers have discovered that swordfish use a large oil gland at the base of their bill to reduce drag and achieve super-fast speeds. This gland produces a surface that is super water-repellent, reducing drag by over 20%.
A new Duke University study examines how early childhood characteristics affect academic performance, finding that children with attention problems were 40% less likely to graduate from high school. Social acceptance by peers also predicted grades in fifth grade.
Early life forms on Earth are likely to have mutated and evolved at much higher rates than they do today, thanks to a hotter planet billions of years ago. The rate of spontaneous DNA mutation was at least 4,000 times higher than it is now, according to a new analysis from the University of North Carolina.
A study published in July Health Affairs found increased out-of-pocket expenditures among people aged fifty and older in eleven European countries between 2006-07 and 2013. The study revealed that those in lower income quintiles incurred less out-of-pocket expenditure compared to higher-income populations.
Researchers at the Buck Institute discover metformin reduces toxic acid levels associated with Maple Syrup Urine Disease, a disorder identified 1 in 180,000 births. Metformin treatment significantly reduced ketoacid buildup in skeletal muscle of mice and toxic acid levels in human skin cells.
The NY State Dept of Health AIDS Institute has funded $3.75 million in grants to support HIV/AIDS prevention among at-risk youth in NYC. Project STAY, a comprehensive health program, aims to provide education, screenings, and linkages to care for young people engaged in risk-taking behaviors.
A study by Jennifer Estall and Aurèle Besse-Patin explores how female mice respond to FGF21, a hormone that improves metabolism and insulin sensitivity. The researchers aim to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the effect of sex on drug treatment for metabolic diseases.
Researchers from the University of Exeter and Bath investigated noise in Falmouth Bay for 14 months, finding varied noise levels affected by natural conditions. This study highlights the need for long-term monitoring to understand human impact on marine environments.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland has developed a computational model that can predict the onset and progression of knee osteoarthritis in overweight people. The model analyzes the degradation of the collagen fibril network in articular cartilage and simulates the effect of various loadings on cartilage cells.
A study of wild female bonobos found that their sexual swellings are unreliable signals of fertility, allowing females to manipulate mate choice. The findings suggest that male bonobos may not be able to successfully compete over females due to the variability in swelling patterns.
The domesticated yeast that makes cold-brewed lager beer is a complex mix of two species, with scientists discovering new strains in Europe and the Americas. Genetic analysis reveals the organism's origins are more geographically diverse than initially thought.
A study found that about 15% of complex postoperative pain patients develop moderate to severe chronic pain, consuming 90% of healthcare's pain-related resources. The annual projected total cost linked to TGH surgical patients who develop moderate-to-severe chronic post-surgical pain could range from $2.5 million up to a possible $4.1 ...
Researchers have developed a systematic approach to studying monkey morphology, syntax, and semantics using methods from theoretical titi monkeys linguistics. This allows them to compare one monkey species to another and analyze the meanings of their calls in detail, revealing complex formal properties and syntax.
A phase II study evaluates the safety of palbociclib in African American patients, including those with benign ethnic neutropenia. The study aims to determine if these patients can safely use the drug, which was previously excluded due to risk of infection.
A new study by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers found that Medicaid status has little effect on inpatient costs, length of stay, and use of intensive care units for children hospitalized for asthma. The study analyzed over 17,000 pairs of pediatric asthma patients from 40 major US children's hospitals.
A recent study by researchers at the Universities of Exeter and Leeds found that a drought completely shut down the Amazon Basin's carbon sink, killing trees and slowing their growth. The study used long-term measurements from the RAINFOR network to examine tree responses during two large-scale droughts occurring in 2005 and 2010.
A recent special issue of Future Oncology examines the field of oncofertility, highlighting its importance in cancer survivors' well-being. The focus on preserving fertility in cancer patients has revolutionized reproductive medicine and biology, with direct impact on oncology.
A study found that women with early-stage breast cancer prioritize their own judgments over surgeon and partner input when making surgical decisions. The majority of women with mastectomies identified themselves as the most influential factor in their decision, while those with lumpectomies prioritized surgeons.
A Kyoto University study shows tsunami-borne EM fields can extract key information about earthquake hypocenters, including fault dip direction, which helps with early warning systems. This discovery could lead to improved tsunami forecasting and timely evacuations.
A recent study reveals that nearly 60 percent of people have preclinical heart failure stages A and B, with stage B individuals at increased risk for death. The findings highlight the importance of targeting prevention efforts at the earliest HF stages to avoid death, particularly among men and older adults.
A QUT study of over 1000 Australian women found younger and more educated sperm donors are preferred, despite women having more freedom to choose. This suggests that resources and financial stability remain important considerations in reproductive decisions.
Researchers are seeking to understand why African-American women die at a higher rate and experience more aggressive breast tumors than white women. The new study aims to identify genetic variants related to breast cancer in African-American women, which may lead to better treatments and prevention.
Researchers discovered that cells can pack and release ephrins and Eph receptors through extracellular vesicles, allowing them to transmit signals over a distance. This discovery has significant implications for understanding cell communication and developing new treatments for diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
Researchers have selectively bred domesticated rat strains to exhibit tame behavior, with no instances of biting reported. The study also reveals hormonal responses and sex differences in aggression between male and female rats, shedding light on the physiological changes during domestication.
A recent Michigan State University study found that stressed dairy cattle are more likely to shed deadly Shiga toxin-producing E. coli bacteria, which can cause serious illnesses in humans.
Researchers have discovered a chemical trail on Saturn's moon Titan that could indicate the presence of prebiotic conditions. The trail was found in the form of hydrogen cyanide, an organic chemical that can react with itself or other molecules to form long chains called polyimine.
Scientists at Salk Institute discovered that microRNA miR-19 regulates new neuron placement in adult brains and is disrupted in schizophrenia patients. The study paves the way for understanding how adult brains control new neuron growth and its potential link to neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia.
Researchers found poor standing balance and 4-meter walk test performances strongly associated with late-age dementia. The study suggests that impaired physical performance may be an early sign of developing late-age dementia.