A systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies found strong evidence that e-cigarette use increases the risk of subsequent cigarette smoking among adolescents and young adults. E-cigarettes may mimic smoking behavior through similar hand-to-mouth movements and contain nicotine, potentially enhancing addiction.
Scientists have developed an electrocatalyst using less expensive ruthenium and nitrogen-doped graphene, promising better durability and reduced noble-metal usage than platinum-based alternatives.
The National Cancer Institute's Proteogenomic Translational Research Centers aim to bring proteogenomics to cancer patients. By analyzing blood samples, researchers hope to identify proteins that indicate response to specific treatments.
A new study suggests that genetic predisposition to type 1 inflammation protects against NAFLD, but type 2 inflammation actually worsens the condition. Targeted treatments for metabolic syndrome may need reevaluation due to this unexpected finding.
A new study found that long-term exposure to noise above 55 dB, equivalent to a suburban street, is significantly linked to male infertility. The researchers analyzed data from 206,492 men and found that those exposed to higher levels of noise had a greater chance of being diagnosed with infertility.
A multimodal optical spectroscopy probe has been developed to detect brain, lung, colon, and skin cancer cells with nearly 100% sensitivity. The probe's high accuracy enables surgeons to minimize cancer cells during surgery, improving patient outcomes and reducing the risk of recurrence.
A phase I clinical trial found that influenza vaccination using microneedle patches was as effective as traditional shots, generating robust immunity against influenza. The patches were well-tolerated, with no adverse events reported, and participants preferred them over traditional vaccination methods.
A recent study from the University of Michigan and Dartmouth found that over half of opioid prescriptions are written for adults with mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. The research highlights the concerning trend of vulnerable patients with mental illness being prescribed opioids.
Researchers have developed cotton candy-like fiber networks that dissolve in water below 32 degrees Celsius, enabling the creation of self-destructing circuit boards. These devices have potential applications in military and health fields, including implanted medical devices that can disintegrate with ice application.
A study by Sam Houston State University found that prison officials use disciplinary segregation as a punishment reserved for inmates with a history of misconduct. Inmates who were young, male, previously incarcerated, and serving longer sentences were more likely to receive disciplinary segregation.
The number of US hospitalizations for heart failure decreased by 30% from 2002 to 2013, but significant racial and gender disparities remained. Hospitalization rates were higher among men and blacks compared to women and whites.
The use of remote sensing technologies has the potential to revolutionize the management of the oil palm industry, providing quick and accurate information on huge areas of oil palms. Key applications include identifying lands suitable for expansion and improving yield prediction accuracy.
Researchers used 3D printing to create optimized milling jars for X-ray powder diffraction experiments. The new design improves background and angular resolution, reducing scattering from jar walls and milling balls.
Research found that health-care personnel assessed players in only 15 percent of head collisions during the last World Cup and for average 107 seconds. The study highlighted inadequate concussion assessment and player safety during the tournament.
Adults with autism spectrum conditions show reduced sensitivity to contextual information but may actually lead to more consistent choices. Participants with ASC made fewer switches and consistently chose the same option, suggesting less susceptibility to cognitive biases.
Researchers successfully improved an ambient-pressure photoelectron spectroscopy instrument using hard X-rays to measure samples under real atmospheric pressure for the first time. This achievement broadens the range of applications for photoelectron spectroscopy, enabling direct examination of reactions between solids and gases.
Researchers reconstructed green turtle skin in a lab to study tumor diseases and grow a virus called ChHV5. This breakthrough helps understand fibropapillomatosis, a deadly tumor disease affecting endangered turtles worldwide.
Researchers at IST Austria have developed a new method to create self-actuating, smooth, and free-form objects called CurveUps. These objects are made up of tiny tiles sandwiched between pre-stretched latex layers that transform into a continuous shell during the process.
Researchers found that geckos are subjected to impact forces that approach the safety factor of a single foot, leading to the possibility of injury or failed landing attempts. The study provides insight into the evolution of adhesion and may help understand the phenomenal adhesive power exhibited by these lizards.
A human enzyme, cyclophilin 40, unravels protein aggregates contributing to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Experimental expression preserves brain neurons and rescues cognitive deficits in a mouse model.
Researchers from the Naval Research Laboratory have created a new LiDAR system that can survey obscured ground using gated digital holography methods. This technology allows for 3D topography surveys through foliage or other obstacles, with potential applications in disaster relief and self-driving cars.
A study found that training enhances attention in the brain, leading to improved performance in tasks like reading x-rays and excelling in sports. However, after extended training, this initial gain in attention disappears, even though behavioral performance remains improved.
Scientists have successfully coated live bacteria with a conducting polymer to improve their conductivity, resulting in a 23 times smaller resistance and a fivefold increase in electricity generation. This coating scheme has the potential to revolutionize microbial fuel cell technology and wastewater treatment.
During the 2014 FIFA World Cup, more than 60% of players involved in head collisions were not assessed by sideline health care personnel. This study highlights the importance of independent assessment and management of suspected concussions in soccer players.
A team of researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center will use recent technological advances in proteogenomics to identify biomarkers predicting treatment response and novel therapeutic targets for ovarian cancer. The goal is to improve understanding of drug resistance and ultimately enhance patient outcomes.
A community-wide effort to reduce childhood obesity in two low-income Massachusetts communities resulted in modest improvements among schoolchildren, suggesting a comprehensive approach holds promise. The study found reduced obesity prevalence, healthier beverage choices, and less screen time in intervention communities.
A recent study calls for strengthened human-wildlife conflict management in India due to the damage caused by up to 32 wildlife species. The research identifies effective prevention techniques, improved compensation schemes, and open dialogue between communities, governments, and conservationists as key solutions.
Researchers have discovered that Pramel7 protein is responsible for maintaining embryonic stem cells' perfect pluripotency. This discovery holds promise for developing treatments for complex bone fractures.
Scientists used an evolutionary medicine approach to estimate Alzheimer's disease causative genes by focusing on ohnologs, duplicated genes vulnerable to change in number. The study successfully identified a group of genes related to the nervous system and high brain expression levels similar to known AD-causative genes.
A new study analyzed flu samples from four transplant patients with long-lasting infections, revealing certain viral changes that matched global flu evolution trends. The researchers found that some mutations fixed in these patients would eventually take over the worldwide population of viruses.
The project will establish a digital 'Online Cyber Security System' decision support service to rapidly bring together information on system vulnerabilities and alert organisations that may be affected. The system aims to address the acute shortage of cyber security experts by providing an up-to-date threat assessment and decision supp...
A clinical trial found that noninvasive brain stimulation and physical therapy alone or in combination improve some measures of walking ability in patients with Parkinson's disease. Walking speed increased by an average of 19 percent, with improvements lasting for at least eight weeks after treatment.
Researchers at Columbia University found that seizures in mice spread across the brain in a sequential pattern, unaffected by seizure duration, according to a new study published in Cell Reports.
A RAND Corporation study found that providing medical care to patients with opioid addiction using three quality measures can significantly reduce death rates. These measures include not prescribing opioids or common anxiety medications, receiving psychosocial counseling, and having quarterly visits with a physician.
Researchers have developed a new photoacoustic technique that can detect gases at the parts-per-quadrillion level using three resonances to amplify the signal. This breakthrough enables the detection of low-concentration pollutants and has potential applications in environmental monitoring.
Girls experience higher rates of digital dating abuse and report more negative emotional responses compared to boys. Digital sexual coercion victimization also disproportionately affects girls due to societal expectations of prioritizing relationships and feeling entitled to sexual power over girls.
A study from UT Southwestern Medical Center reveals a network of neurons vital for learning vocalizations in songbirds, which may hold clues to addressing speech disorders in humans. The discovery complements ongoing research into the brain's role in vocal learning and its potential applications for treating neurodevelopmental conditions.
A study analyzing genetic test results, family histories, and disease status of nearly 95,600 women found that eight mutations are positively associated with breast cancer, while eleven are linked to ovarian cancer. The research provides clarity on the relative risk of developing cancer for women carrying these mutations.
Researchers found complex structures in male butterfly ejaculates and the adaptive responses in female reproductive tracts, shedding light on human infertility. The study's findings suggest that understanding these biochemical relationships could aid in unlocking mysteries of human reproduction.
Researchers develop Affimer technology to replicate antibodies, providing a more robust, smaller, and easier-to-modify alternative. This tool enables scientists to study molecular behavior and reactions with ease, leading to breakthroughs in disease research.
Scientists at UC Berkeley and UC Riverside have developed a gene editing technique using CRISPR/Cas9 technology to suppress mosquitoes carrying diseases like malaria. The new technique, multiplexing, can target multiple locations in a gene simultaneously, increasing the effectiveness of gene drive systems.
A study by the University of Zaragoza found Giardia and Cryptosporidium in 55% and 70% of drinking water plants, posing a public health risk despite low concentrations. The pathogens are resistant to chlorination and can trigger diarrheic outbreaks.
Research published in Water Resources and Rural Development finds that access to water is worse now than in 1990, highlighting the need for stronger leadership from governments to implement long-term interventions. The study suggests that current approaches by NGOs, private companies, and other organizations are not aligned strategical...
A British exit from the EMA could delay the availability of new medicines to the UK market, according to an independent health economist. The author argues that removal from the EMA would jeopardize access not only to emerging treatments but also cheaper off-brand counterparts once patents expire.
Two studies published in JAMA found that electroacupuncture improved symptoms of stress urinary incontinence, with effects persisting beyond treatment. However, acupuncture did not increase the likelihood of childbirth among women with infertility, suggesting further research is needed to understand its long-term efficacy.
Research reveals dose-dependent gadolinium deposits in normal brain tissue of patients who underwent MRI with contrast agents, suggesting a widespread issue. The study's findings contradict previous assumptions about the blood-brain barrier's impermeability to gadolinium.
A Dartmouth study found that adolescents in medical marijuana states with many dispensaries are more likely to try new methods of cannabis use, such as edibles and vaping, at a younger age. The researchers used online surveys distributed through Facebook to collect geographically diverse data on cannabis-related questions.
A recent study found that video advertisements from top tech companies feature predominantly white males, reinforcing traditional gender roles and perpetuating a lack of diversity in the tech industry. The researchers analyzed 54 videos featuring products and services, highlighting the underrepresentation of women, racial/ethnic minori...
Scientists at Lomonosov Moscow State University found that avobenzone, a popular UV filter in sunscreen products, breaks down into hazardous chemical compounds when exposed to chlorinated water and ultraviolet radiation. These compounds can be toxic and have been linked to liver and kidney dysfunction, as well as nervous system disorders.
Researchers discovered that semen amyloids help dispose of excess and defective sperm, facilitating immune cell removal and quality control. This process may favor the survival of fittest sperm and contribute to successful reproduction.
A clinical trial published in PLoS One found that over-the-counter magnesium supplementation is a safe and effective treatment option for mild to moderate depression. The study, led by Emily Tarleton, MS, RD, CD, involved 126 adults who received either 248mg of elemental magnesium per day or a placebo for six weeks, with significant im...
Researchers have found high levels of manganese and arsenic in Indian groundwater, highlighting the need for further study into their relationship and potential health risks. The study suggests that processes between manganese and dissolved organic matter may contribute to the distribution of arsenic in groundwater.
A phase 1 trial involving 100 people found that a dissolvable microneedle patch for the flu vaccine was safe and acceptable, with participants reporting high acceptability and preferring it over conventional injection. The patches were stable for one year at 40 degrees Celsius, reducing delivery and storage costs.
A recent study has found that the HERV-K Gag capsid interferes with HIV-1 assembly, resulting in reduced particle release and infectivity. The researchers observed a correlation between coassembly of HERV-K Gag and decreased HIV-1 particle formation.
Researchers have developed a natural bioplastic from soy protein capable of absorbing up to 36 times its own weight. The new material is environmentally friendly and has the potential to replace synthetic polymers used in hygiene products.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have mapped over 1,100 years of metaphoric English language to identify patterns in how humans create and understand metaphorical meaning. This study paves the way for future advances in artificial intelligence and natural language processing systems like Siri.
A survey of newly covered Michigan residents reveals that expanded Medicaid improved their job performance, allowing them to better do their jobs or seek new opportunities. The coverage also had a positive impact on physical and mental health, with nearly half of participants reporting an improvement in health.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding life's nanoscale machinery by developing a diagnostic technique that can detect tiny molecules signalling the presence of cancer. This technique uses quantum technologies to observe the behavior of single biomolecules without damaging light intensities.
Søren M. Bentzen and Louis B. Harrison have made significant contributions in clinical patient care, research, teaching, and service to the profession. Dr. Bentzen focuses on personalized medicine using big data to tailor treatments, while Dr. Harrison is a renaissance man of radiation oncology with varied accomplishments.
Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a new approach to metal catalysis that selectively converts biomass into high-value chemical products under mild conditions. The method uses high-valent transition metals, which offers better control over reactivity and reduces side reactions.