A long-term experiment found that plant mixtures with high diversity alleviated flooding effects on crops, while monocultures were more vulnerable. Soil properties improved in diverse mixtures, allowing for faster water drainage and higher oxygen levels.
Researchers have found a way to produce realistic sensations of touch in two human amputees by directly stimulating the nervous system. The study verifies earlier research on how the nervous system encodes intensity and determines perceived sensation through activation charge rate.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have found that neonatal vaccination with certain bacteria can prevent adult asthma in mice. The protective effect is due to the selection of specific immune system B cells that produce IgA antibodies, which bind and inhibit allergens before triggering asthma.
The University of Houston is using a $1.45 million National Science Foundation grant to bolster its teachHOUSTON math and science teacher preparation program. The new program will offer scholarships, professional development, and mentoring to support future teachers in the STEM fields.
Advances in nanomaterials and nanoparticles may lead to effective treatments for infectious diseases, neurological disorders, and cancer. Nanotechnology also holds promise for increasing energy efficiency, producing sustainable energy, and improving food safety.
A new study proves that Gaétan Dugas was one of many thousands infected in the years before HIV was recognized. The term 'Patient Zero' was created inadvertently in the earliest years of investigating AIDS, and Dugas's global defamation is attributed to this mistake.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center identified a pathway essential to heart formation, unveiling a mechanism that explains how non-coding DNA regulates neighboring genes. The discovery may have implications for understanding cardiac development and other genetic processes.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital discovered that stimulating dopamine neurons in mice receiving general anesthesia triggers signs of arousal, including movement and increased respiratory rate. This finding could lead to the development of new therapies to treat conditions like traumatic brain injury and coma.
A team of researchers led by Wayne State University will use naturalistic observations and next-generation genetic sequencing techniques to identify everyday family behaviors that impact youth asthma. The study aims to develop novel, developmentally sensitive interventions to reduce asthma morbidity and inform family-based interventions.
A study by Georgia State University found that the perception of e-cigarette harm among US adults has tripled over the last few years. Adult smokers now believe e-cigarettes are equally or more harmful than traditional cigarettes, a significant increase from nearly 12% in 2012.
Researchers at James Cook University have identified a protein secreted by hookworms that suppresses asthma in mice and shows promise as a treatment for humans with allergies. The study builds on previous research into possible treatments for inflammatory bowel disease.
New research suggests that early-life stress can impair learning and memory in later life, but improving nutrition may help prevent these effects. Early micronutrient supplementation has been shown to improve cognitive function in adult offspring of stressed mice.
A small molecule can turn short-lived T-cells into long-lived, renewable cells that destroy tumour cells. Researchers have identified a way to increase the life-span of these T-cells, overcoming a key hurdle in immunotherapy.
A rare triple-star system has been discovered by a University of Oklahoma-led research team using ALMA observations, providing insights into the formation of young binary and multiple star systems. The team found that the disk surrounding the tri-star system appeared susceptible to fragmentation, leading to the creation of newborn stars.
Researchers identified 13 gene groups common to all three mental disorders, including those involved in protein production, immune response and brain cell communication. The study suggests that targeting these shared pathways could lead to new treatment strategies.
A genetic survey of nearly 450 jaguar scat samples found moderate levels of variation, with low diversity in Mexico and Honduras. The study suggests limited gene flow between Selva Maya and Honduran jaguars, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts to reconnect populations and mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
Research found a strong correlation between high resting heart rate and blood pressure with an increased risk of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), schizophrenia, and anxiety disorders. Men with higher resting heart rates were 21-69% more likely to develop these mental health conditions.
Researchers at Binghamton University will continue to investigate brain biometric technology with a new $900,000 grant. The project aims to strengthen understanding of the human brain's unique cognitive and psychological properties to improve secure authentication.
An international study has revealed that the UK and France experience the highest number of malaria cases imported from other countries. The research found that countries with the highest average number of imported infections per year were France, UK, and USA.
A new study shows that cranberry extract successfully interrupts the communication between bacteria associated with problematic infections, reducing their severity. Cranberries' proanthocyanidins (PACs) may help control virulence and spread of potentially dangerous bacterial infections worldwide.
A study highlights common and less common errors in pediatric chest radiography, emphasizing the importance of a systematic approach to image interpretation. The authors recommend clear understanding of a child's development and anatomy to avoid significant interpretive errors.
A Dartmouth study categorizes college students into three friendship networks: tight-knitters, samplers, and compartmentalizers. These networks impact academic and social success, with tight-knitters facing potential negative influence from peers. Samplers often transition to tight-knit groups after graduation.
Research by the University of Plymouth found that adolescents are more likely to take online risks, despite being framed as either potential winners or losers. The study suggests that this is due to their limited ability to draw upon qualitative 'gist' representations, rather than quantitive calculations.
The new CHIRPT microscope enables deep-tissue imaging in three dimensions with better depth of field than comparable techniques, reaching 600 frames per second. This allows for sharp, 3-D images of cells or tissue over a larger volume than conventional fluorescence microscopy methods.
Researchers found higher levels of estrogen in lung tissue of postmenopausal women with synchronous multiple lung adenocarcinoma (SMLA) compared to those with single tumor lung adenocarcinoma. The study suggests an association between estrogen and SMLA, potentially leading to gene therapy development.
A study by Hubert Gatignon found that customer-oriented firms are more likely to adopt environmental management practices, such as environmental audits and ISO14001 certification. The extent of a firm's customer orientation determines its environmental innovation, with values and information-gathering capabilities playing a crucial role.
A pediatric otolaryngologist is developing a mouse model to identify the most effective treatment for respiratory papillomatosis, a rare condition that can cause chronic hoarseness and breathing problems in children. The goal is to provide personalized medicine and reduce the need for frequent surgeries.
A new study found that curtailing sleep for four hours a night altered the abundance of bacterial gut species in healthy men, previously associated with metabolic diseases. Insulin sensitivity also decreased, but this was unrelated to changes in gut microbiota.
The ZikaPLAN consortium aims to address knowledge gaps, prevent disease spread, and educate affected populations in Latin America. The global network will also build sustainable response capacity for Zika and other emerging infectious diseases.
A study published in The Lancet found that parent-led early intervention for autism can significantly reduce symptom severity, especially social communication and repetitive behaviors. The six-year follow-up analysis showed a reduction of 17% in severe symptoms among children who received the intervention.
Research by Rice University finds that consumers with a local identity are more willing to pay more for goods and services, even when the country of origin is unknown. This suggests that companies can increase revenue without lowering prices or modifying products by triggering a sacrifice mindset in customers.
Researchers from Binghamton University have found a vulnerability in the Haswell CPU component that allows hackers to gain control of individual, company, and government computers. The team identified a weak point in address space layout randomization (ASLR) software that can be exploited by manipulating a CPU's branch predictor.
Two Cornell engineering professors, Paul Steen and Michel Louge, are sending experiments to the International Space Station (ISS) to study the behavior of water in microgravity. Their research aims to gain insights into contact-line mobility and inertial spreading of water droplets, which is important for manufacturing and coating oper...
A recent study published in Frontiers presents a brain-to-text system that decodes speech from brain signals with high accuracy. The technology uses electrocorticography and language models to match patterns of neural signals to spoken words, offering potential benefits for individuals with speech disorders or locked-in patients.
Researchers at NYIT will study new techniques for secure and energy-efficient smartphone authentication. They aim to reduce the battery drain on smartphones while protecting user identity and privacy.
Treating homeless individuals as an environmental contaminant exacerbates their marginalization and limited access to essential services. The study highlights the human costs of environmental indifference towards marginalized groups.
Dr. Jeanne M. Zanca's three-year project aims to boost the quality of personal care assistance services for people with SCI. The online course will provide a foundation of knowledge about SCI, addressing unique care needs and improving communication between individuals with SCI and their caregivers.
Psychobiotics examines emerging strategies for planting brain-altering bacteria in the gut to provide mental benefits. Researchers agree that key players, including the nervous system and immune system, are involved in the gut-brian axis.
The International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation has published guidelines for the safe use of various drugs in mountain environments. The guidelines cover a range of drug types, including alcohol, steroids, and oxygen, and aim to provide evidence-based advice for medical professionals and climbers.
Researchers will develop a situation-based prevention approach to address campus sexual assault, identifying and addressing risk factors. The project aims to provide culturally responsive practices and policies for survivors of domestic violence.
Researchers have discovered a huge dome in the central Andes formed by a massive magma body beneath it. The Altiplano-Puna plateau, which includes parts of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile, has been uplifted by about one-fifth due to the injection of magma from below.
A large-scale program combining interpersonal counseling, mass media, and community mobilization significantly improved breastfeeding practices in Bangladesh and Viet Nam. Breastfeeding rates rose from 18.9% to 57.8% in Viet Nam and from 48.5% to 87.6% in Bangladesh, with positive impacts on early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding.
Five Wayne State University research teams received MTRAC funding for their biomedical innovations, accelerating commercialization of medical devices and materials. The program supports projects from $50,000 to $100,000, promoting entrepreneurship and economic growth.
Researchers found that Th17 cells protect against the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, which causes Chagas disease, by activating the immune system. This discovery offers a new approach to developing more protective vaccines for these diseases.
Research found that exposure to fine particulate matter air pollution is associated with abnormal changes in the blood, including increased micro-particles indicating cell injury and death, and proteins that inhibit blood vessel growth. This suggests that living in a polluted environment could promote the development of high blood pres...
Researchers at Washington State University have developed a new catalyst that efficiently produces hydrogen from water, a crucial step in making renewable energy production and storage viable. The catalyst, made from low-cost materials, outperforms precious metal-based catalysts used today.
Researchers at MIT have created tiny, star-shaped structures that shrink in size when heated to 540 degrees Fahrenheit. The structures, made from interconnected beams with different thermal expansion coefficients, exhibit negative thermal expansion and may enable applications in heat-resistant circuit boards.
A research team at Toyohashi University of Technology has developed the world's smallest extracellular needle-electrodes, measuring 5μm in diameter. These tiny devices can record and analyze the electrical activities of microscale neuronal circuits in the brain, offering new experimental neurophysiological concepts.
Researchers mapped under-5 mortality rates across 28 African countries using data from 82 US Agency for International Development surveys. They found local-level factors like climate and malaria exposure were predictive of child mortality.
Researchers at MIPT have created a compound screening technique that quickly determines how chemicals affect plant growth, accelerating the process by pollen germination. The new method allows for the identification of 65 chemicals that promote or inhibit tobacco growth in just two hours.
Researchers have created a new type of switch that can instantly connect and disconnect electrical flow, reducing power waste by up to 50% in devices like smartphones and laptops. This technology has the potential to significantly improve energy efficiency and prolong battery life.
Researchers at TU Wien have developed a method to produce permanent magnets using a 3D printer, enabling precise customization of magnetic fields. The process involves depositing tiny magnetic particles into a polymer matrix, which is then exposed to a strong external magnetic field to create a permanent magnet.
The Critical Path Institute's CPTR initiative and the WHO Global TB Programme partnered to develop quantitative analyses of TB-PACTS database data. The collaboration, called TB-ReFLECT, will extract key lessons and package them as tools for future trial design.
A NASA-funded study found that prolonged spaceflight leads to significant atrophy of the muscles supporting the spine, resulting in increased back pain and spinal disc disease. Despite no change in disc height, these changes may be preventable through core-strengthening exercises or yoga.
Researchers at McGill University found that taking beta blockers can increase the success rate of dental implants by up to 89%, while avoiding heartburn medication may also improve results. The study involved over 700 patients and confirmed its findings in rat studies.
A study by Purdue University found that adding whole eggs to a salad increases Vitamin E absorption, particularly when consuming vegetables high in fat. This research supports the idea of combining foods to improve nutrition value and absorption.
A team of scientists has identified three new enzymes responsible for terpene production in corn, which attracts parasitic wasps that consume caterpillars. This discovery could lead to the development of more caterpillar-resistant corn varieties.
Dr. Phillips' review suggests that protein sources high in leucine, such as whey protein, can maximize muscle protein synthesis and growth. Whey protein's high-quality amino acid profile and digestibility make it an ideal supplement for strength trainers and those looking to preserve muscle mass with age.
The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group is recruiting medical facilities for the Tomosynthesis Mammography Imaging Screening Trial (TMIST), a large-scale breast cancer screening trial comparing digital breast tomosynthesis with standard digital mammography. The study aims to provide a modern basis for continued use of mammography.
Search engine algorithms can be modified to better target users at risk of suicide, according to a study by LMU researchers. The findings suggest that algorithms should be regularly updated to take into account objective factors that increase the risk of suicide, making a greater contribution to prevention.