New research finds children without health insurance are significantly more likely to be transferred to another facility after an ER visit compared to those with private insurance. The study challenges the effectiveness of EMTALA, a three-decade-old law requiring hospitals to make decisions on patient transfers independent of insurance...
Scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum München have discovered a mechanism used by the immune system to prepare for attacks on insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The team identified a signaling pathway triggered by miRNA92a, which leads to an increase in immune cells that promote autoimmunity. Targeted intervention using antagomirs may ...
Scientists at the University of Virginia have made new inroads on understanding the fundamental physics behind hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (HOIPs), a class of materials that are extremely lightweight and flexible. By discovering ways to stabilize their properties, researchers hope to expand the temperature stability range of H...
A recent study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that nearly half of concussion patients were playing football when they sustained their injury, and 71 athletes returned to play on the same day. Patients who immediately returned to play reported less severe symptoms initially, but these symptoms worsened over time.
Research by University of Exeter scientists reveals that climate change disrupts fish sensory systems, including smell, hearing, and vision. Fish may swim towards predator smells or ignore sounds that deter them from risky habitats.
Researchers analyzed blood plasma levels of tau protein in patients with early onset psychosis (EOP) aged 18 and under, finding higher levels than controls. The study suggests altered tau protein metabolism in EOP, which may have implications for understanding the pathophysiology and developing new treatment strategies.
Pediatric emergency departments are experiencing a growing trend of children presenting with headaches, leading to increased hospital admissions. Researchers found that female patients were more likely to be admitted for headache pain, while the use of CT scans has decreased, reducing radiation exposure.
Researchers found that states with higher unrestrained child rates and rural roads had higher mortality rates. A 10% improvement in child restraint use nationally could prevent over 1,500 child deaths over five years.
Researchers found that 30% of summer camps use outdated 'no nit' policies, excluding campers with lice eggs despite being ineffective. Most camp staff lack training in recognizing or treating lice, leading to a challenging treatment process for kids with live lice.
The Longitudinal Primary Care Track program provides medical students with hands-on experience caring for migrant farmworkers in Texas. The grant will help improve students' leadership and patient advocacy skills.
Plant breeders have struggled to combine high yield and resistance to Septoria in wheat varieties, but John Innes Centre researchers have found a genetic connection between the two traits. The study reveals that nearly 60 years ago, breeding decisions inadvertently linked increased susceptibility to Septoria with higher yields.
Dr. LeConté Dill received the Women's Caucus Highest Scoring Abstract award at the American Public Health Association conference for her research on gender-based inequities in violence experienced by teenage girls in their dating relationships. Her study explores the role of trauma and resilience among urban girls of color, highlightin...
Researchers at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health observed relationships between impaired glucose regulation, adverse cardiac measures, and early onset diabetes mellitus. The study suggests that targeting insulin resistance may be beneficial for optimal cardiac health and heart failure prevention.
A Rochester Institute of Technology researcher is developing a comprehensive model for affordable vaccines in low-income countries through a three-year grant. The model aims to simulate a coordinated vaccine market that balances affordability with sustainability and profit.
A new study published in Cell Reports identifies two proteins relevant to Alzheimer's disease, Interleukin-4 and STAT6, which play a crucial role in neural stem cell proliferation and formation of new neurons. This discovery offers hope for the development of regenerative therapies for Alzheimer's.
Photonics may provide solutions to NASA's pressing challenges in future spaceflight, including improved space communications and reducing mission payloads. Laser communications have the potential to increase data rates at least 10 to 100 times better than RF systems.
A Griffith University-led project aims to improve community engagement for renewable energy transitions in Korea. The research focuses on addressing local factors that complicate development and providing policy lessons for wind energy planning.
Researchers at MIT develop algorithms that automate key steps in big-data analysis, reducing time from months to days. The new approaches enable faster data preparation and problem specification, allowing data scientists to produce value quickly.
Researchers discovered that genetic variations in ATAD3A are associated with rare neurological syndromes, including global developmental delay and visual, neurological, and heart problems. A study using Drosophila melanogaster revealed that mutations in the gene cause an aberrant phenotype in mitochondria.
The American Academy of Pediatrics releases new recommendations for children's media use, encouraging families to create personalized Family Media Use Plans. The AAP suggests limiting screen time, prioritizing creative playtime, and monitoring online citizenship and safety.
A team of scientists found that the evidence for an accelerating expansion of the universe may be flimsier than previously thought, with data consistent with a constant rate of expansion. The study challenges the standard cosmological concept and suggests that dark energy, a mysterious substance driving this acceleration, may not exist.
A 10-year retrospective study at a level-1 trauma center found that competitive youth motocross athletes suffer life-threatening injuries despite wearing helmets and other safety gear. Most injuries occurred during competitions, with nearly half suffering concussions.
Scientists at the University of Basel discovered that chronic viral infections lead to an inadequate immune response due to prolonged inflammation. This hasty reaction by B cells produces antibodies quickly but also leads to their rapid depletion, resulting in a short-lived and unsustainable defense against the virus.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting digital media to one hour a day for children aged 2-5, while avoiding it in children under 18 months. Parents should also engage with their children during use, using devices as tools to support family connection and promote healthy habits.
Researchers emphasize the need for guidelines addressing digital footprints created for children, which can lead to unanticipated risks such as information theft or pedophile targeting. The authors propose public health-based best-practice guidelines for parents to protect their children's online identity.
Research suggests high-potency cannabis, with high THC and no CBD, increases risk of dependence. The study, which analyzed over 400 young cannabis users, found those who preferred high-potency cannabis were twice as likely to show problematic use.
African American men have higher incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer due to genetic factors and socioeconomic disparities. MNX1 is a new oncogene identified as more active in African American prostate cancer, which can lead to improved diagnostic tools and treatment approaches.
Rates of childhood pneumonia vary globally with solid fuel use; efficient stoves can reduce indoor pollution and improve child health. Improved cooking fuels may significantly benefit children's health worldwide.
Electron orbits are directly visualized in a high-magnetic field, showing a quantum fluid state with unique elliptical paths. The discovery could inspire new electronics technologies, particularly in valleytronics and two-dimensional materials.
Scientists at EPFL and PSI have discovered a new class of multiferroic Rashba semiconductors, which can be used to develop spintronics. These materials exhibit exotic properties, including the interaction between electric and magnetic fields, and could pave the way for future quantum computers.
Scientists at Baylor College of Medicine identified a potential new strategy to prevent Alzheimer's disease by inhibiting the enzyme Nuak1, which reduces tau accumulation in the brain. The study used a three-pronged approach and confirmed results in human cells, fruit flies, and mouse models.
Scientists have discovered that the Rap1 gene plays a crucial role in energy balance and that its inhibition can restore sensitivity to leptin, a hormone that regulates appetite and body weight. The study suggests that targeting Rap1 may be a potential therapeutic approach for treating human obesity.
A new study examines the effect of adverse childhood experiences on health and biological outcomes in children, finding associations with weight changes, asthma, and sleep disruption. Researchers highlight the importance of early detection to protect children's health and well-being before long-term adult outcomes occur.
A Canadian study found a significant increase in emergency department visits for suicidal behavior among teenagers starting in June 2011, but not among younger children. The research suggests that this trend cannot be attributed to social media publicity surrounding the cyberbullying death of 15-year-old Amanda Todd.
Typhoons Sarika and Haima brought extraordinary rainfall to the northern Philippines, with over 500mm of rain recorded by NASA's IMERG data. The storms also generated heavy winds and flooding, causing power outages and mudslides.
A new mouse study has identified nearly one-third of all genes in the mammalian genome as essential for life, shedding light on mammalian development and human disease. The research provides a comprehensive catalog of these genes and their functions.
Researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences aim to unlock the mystery of Alzheimer's disease in women, who are disproportionately affected by the neurodegenerative brain disease. The five-year National Institute on Aging program project grant will investigate biological transformations during perimenopause that may increas...
Scientists at MIPT have found that treating photodetectors with UV light can turn them into high-bandwidth devices, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. The process is quick, cheap, and efficient, and the acquired properties remain unchanged after manufacturing.
Two new papers published in Diabetologia found a 26% reduction in T2D risk among participants who achieved 11.25 MET hours/week, more than twice the recommended minimum. The studies also suggest that exercising after meals can deliver significant additional health benefits.
Researchers tracked a single bacterial cell as it grew into a mature biofilm of 10,000 cells. They found that the bacteria secrete a glue-like substance to keep from getting washed away and protect themselves from competing bacteria. A key gene, RbmA, plays a crucial role in developing a denser, stronger biofilm.
A recent study by Bangor University found that pharmaceutical companies marketing orphan drugs for rare diseases can be up to 15% more profitable than other drug companies. This is due to the lucrative market for these treatments, with some costing as much as £340,000 per patient per year.
Scientists have identified thousands of 'spliced epitopes', previously thought rare, which are highly prevalent and play a key role in the immune response. This discovery may lead to new understanding of autoimmune diseases and open opportunities for vaccine development.
Researchers found an unexpected method to control the thermal conductivity of two-dimensional (2-D) materials by introducing disorder through lithium ions. This approach allowed for a significant increase in the material's thermal anisotropy ratio, making it more efficient at dissipating heat in electronic devices.
A study by Pieter Moonen reveals that only a small group of Congolese farmers are driving deforestation, not for self-sufficiency but to sell crops on the market. The findings highlight the need for a more effective approach to deforestation, including local community support and sustainable land use practices.
A study published in the Journal of Marketing Research found that people will choose smaller portions of food when they are enticed by the multisensory pleasure of taste, smell, and texture. This approach can lead to positive outcomes for consumer satisfaction and health, while also benefiting profits in the food industry.
Researchers develop universal assay to detect cisplatin cross-linking sites in the genome. They found that mitochondrial DNA is a major target of cisplatin's action, while nuclear DNA is less affected.
Researchers at Buck Institute have found a sensor for reactive molecules linked to diabetic complications, providing a pathway to study many of the ravages of diabetes. Two natural compounds, including alpha-lipoic acid, prevented nerve damage in worms experiencing similar hypersensitivity to touch as humans with diabetic neuropathy.
Biologists at UMass Amherst have quantified the internal force during cell division, resolving a decades-long debate on how much force is involved. The study found that kinetochore fibers exert hundreds of piconewtons of poleward-directed force, settling the matter of how much force is brought to bear.
A new multiyear study found that warmer ocean temperatures cause Synechococcus cells to divide faster, leading to earlier annual blooms. Despite this, the overall size of the bloom remains stable, and the balance between producers and consumers is maintained through a tight lockstep.
A new genetic testing method, LipidSeq, has been developed to identify a genetic basis for high-cholesterol in almost 70% of targeted patient populations. The method uses next-generation sequencing technology to pinpoint specific areas of a person's DNA and provides a more cost-effective way to diagnose genetic forms of high-cholesterol.
Researchers found that different species can evolve the same beneficial trait through unique genetic mutations, challenging the predictability of evolutionary changes. High-altitude bird species developed red blood cells with hemoglobin proteins that bind oxygen more efficiently.
Researchers at Duke University found that male mice carrying a genetic mutation known to affect human speech struggle with sequencing phonemes into words. The study used new statistical tools to analyze the structure of ultrasonic mouse songs, revealing a similar impact on sequence complexity as seen in humans.
Researchers transform protein data into musical sounds, called sonifications, to reveal insights into their structures and functions. By analyzing these melodies, scientists can identify anomalies and gain a better understanding of protein behavior.
The ADVANCE grant aims to create an inclusive academic culture to encourage women and underrepresented minorities in STEM fields. Clemson will implement measures to improve the campus climate, mentorship, and family-friendly policies to retain female faculty members.
Scientists have developed thin, flexible lithium ion batteries that can self-heal after breaking, overcoming common wearables' power source limitations. The new batteries feature a self-healing polymer and gel electrolyte, allowing for safe use on the body.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine discovered that a diet deficient in the amino acid valine can effectively deplete blood stem cells in mice, allowing for successful transplantation. This finding may lead to new ways to treat certain cancers and bone marrow disorders without chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Researchers explore why human oocytes frequently have abnormal numbers of chromosomes, which can cause genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. Studies found that age-related deterioration of chromosome structure contributes to these errors.
EPFL scientists have discovered a way to convert lignin from plant biomass into valuable molecules for biofuels and plastics using formaldehyde. The method resulted in yields 3-7 times higher than those without formaldehyde, offering a potential solution for sustainable energy production.
A portable device enables medical staff to genetically modify blood stem cells at a lower cost and with reduced staffing requirements. The technology has the potential to make gene therapy more accessible to patients in developing countries, reducing the need for expensive clean rooms.
Scientists have identified thousands of previously unknown epitopes on the surface of cells, which could lead to a deeper understanding of the immune system and new avenues for therapies. The discovery of 'spliced' epitopes could provide new targets for immunotherapy and vaccine design.