Researchers at Rice University and the Italian Institute of Technology developed a skin-stretch device that provides tactile feedback to prosthetic hands. This 'muscle sense' allows blindfolded test subjects to more than double their ability to discern object sizes, opening up new possibilities for amputees.
Researchers used embryonic stem cells to study the effects of maternal smoking on liver tissue, revealing a potent cocktail of chemicals harms foetal organs. The study found that cigarette chemicals damage the liver differently in male and female foetuses.
Dr. Charles Bourque's research reveals vasopressin's role in regulating body hydration and its link to various health problems, including congestive heart failure and salt-dependent hypertension. The molecule is also involved in feed-forward mechanisms, producing anticipatory signals before sleep and dehydration.
Researchers use a live imaging system to track and monitor influenza virus infection in immunized mice, providing insights into the effectiveness of candidate vaccines and treatments. The study offers a promising alternative to traditional methods, enabling real-time monitoring of disease progression.
Researchers have discovered a key connection between circadian clocks in the brain and peripheral organs, revealing how they synchronize their rhythms. The study found that a specific neuropeptide pathway enables communication between the central clock in the brain and peripheral clocks in organs like the prothoracic gland.
Researchers at Aalto University and University of Oulu review the physics of frequency modulation in various quantum systems. The study highlights its importance in developing more accurate quantum devices and faster quantum gates for near-future small-scale quantum computers.
Researchers used Pan-STARRS telescope data to search for stars crashing into hard surfaces around supermassive black holes. No such transients were detected, supporting the existence of event horizons. The team plans to improve the test with a larger telescope.
A Dutch scientist has designed a nanomotor that can deliver and release drugs for cells, triggered by glutathione, a chemical signal inside cells. The nanomotor uses hydrogen peroxide to propel itself across the cellular membrane and releases its cargo upon encountering higher concentrations of glutathione.
A recent study finds that large areas of the Amazon forest are less susceptible to a tipping point into savannah, contrary to previous research. The key factor was controlling for seasonality and removing data points from human-influenced areas, revealing a more resilient ecosystem.
Researchers from Microsoft Research and HRL Laboratories developed a method to curve off-the-shelf image sensors, significantly improving digital camera image quality. The new approach enables the creation of cameras with curved sensors that produce higher resolution images across the entire field of view.
A recent study led by Boston Children's Hospital suggests that repealing the individual mandate in AHCA could undermine dependent coverage for young adults. Without an individual mandate, more young adults may lose health insurance and struggle to maintain coverage as they transition into adulthood.
Two Clemson University engineers, John Ballato and Lin Zhu, are receiving a combined $3.2 million from the Department of Defense to create high-energy lasers that can be used as weapons. The military has already deployed some lasers as defensive weapons to shoot down incoming missiles and drones.
A new plasmonic sensor developed by researchers at the University of Illinois has been proven reliable to detect biomarkers for many forms of cancer, including lung and prostate cancers. The device uses a combination of plasmonic sensing and optical cavity properties to detect lower concentrations of biomarkers.
A new study reveals that the main evolutionary force driving the shape of duck, goose, and other waterfowl beaks is their diet. The research, which analyzed the 3-D form of over 136 specimens of waterfowl, found a strong correlation between dietary preferences and beak shape.
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology researchers identified JunB as a key target to selectively disable toxic T Helper 17 cells, reducing the risk of auto-immune diseases. By inhibiting JunB, these cells can still accumulate in the gut and respond to infections without turning rogue.
Nuclear physicists at Brookhaven National Laboratory's STAR detector have revealed new details about the fundamental particles that make up our world. They found more heavy particles emerging from the fat part of a collision, indicating that heavy particles get caught up in the flow of quark-gluon plasma.
The ISTplus program is an interdisciplinary and international research environment that supports postdocs from various scientific fields. The two-year fellowships offer competitive salaries and additional funds for research and travel expenses.
The approved flash glucose monitoring system provides accurate data on demand, reducing the need for calibration, and offers a clinical benefit for individuals with type 1 diabetes. The technology has been shown to improve insulin dosing and overall glycemic control.
A new tool enables identification of high-end caviar from Beluga sturgeons by analyzing DNA from a single caviar egg, contributing to conservation and fair international trade. The development helps distinguish Beluga caviar from Bester and other species using targeted genetic variants.
Researchers at German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) found a substance that blocks cancer-promoting metabolic products in leukemia and brain tumors. The investigational compound BAY1436032 is effective against AML and glioblastomas, reducing stem-cell properties and tumor cell growth.
Plant biologists at Utrecht University have discovered how the plant metabolises jasmonic acid, issuing the signal 'safe'. The discovery of four related enzymes that break down jasmonic acid reveals a crucial mechanism for controlling its levels.
A RAND Corporation study found that LGBQQ college students are more likely to seek off-campus mental health services due to concerns over confidentiality and uncertainty about on-campus eligibility. Despite this, they experience higher rates of psychological distress, academic impairment, and stress compared to their heterosexual peers.
The new tool enables users to build customized legged or wheeled robots using 3D-printed components and off-the-shelf actuators. It provides a physical simulation environment to test the robot before fabrication, allowing for iterative design adjustments.
Researchers found that people with type 2 diabetes have bacteria that penetrate the mucus lining of their colon, leading to insulin resistance and abnormal blood glucose levels. The study's results provide a new understanding of how metabolic diseases like diabetes develop.
A study led by Dr. Allysha C. Maragh-Bass found that transgender patients prioritize disclosing their gender identity over sexual orientation in healthcare, highlighting the importance of creating a safe environment for these individuals.
A team of scientists found that massive volcanic eruptions may have caused the end-Ordovician extinction, which wiped out 85% of marine animal species. The eruptions released sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide, interacting in complex ways to affect the climate.
Scientists are developing chickpea varieties that can thrive in arid conditions, aiming to improve yields from 1.5 tonnes to 5 tonnes per hectare. The research uses low-cost imaging and computing techniques to identify resilient traits and develop algorithms for breeding high-performance varieties.
Researchers at the Wyss Institute have developed a bacterial sensor that retains long-term memory of gut inflammation, detecting tetrathionate up to six months after administration in a mouse model. This innovation could lead to non-invasive diagnosis and monitoring of conditions like IBD using probiotics.
A team of researchers at KAUST has created a computational model to simulate soot production in gasoline engines, allowing car makers to test potential changes to reduce emissions. By analyzing the chemical reactions involved in soot formation, the model can help manufacturers optimize engine design and improve fuel efficiency.
A new tobacco hybrid device, iFuse, produces a vapour with similar toxicant profile to e-cigarette Vype ePen, but with enhanced flavour. The vapour's toxicity levels are significantly lower than those in cigarette smoke.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal argues that marijuana legalization will jeopardize young people's health due to its toxic effects on brain development. The journal calls for restrictions on potency and quantity to minimize risk, citing evidence that the human brain continues to mature until age 25.
A new study found that CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing can cause hundreds of unintended mutations, including single nucleotide changes and deletions in non-coding regions. The researchers emphasize the importance of using whole genome sequencing to detect off-target effects and encourage others to use this method for safer editing.
The study found dual therapy with lamivudine and a boosted protease inhibitor to be effective as second-line treatment in patients infected by HIV with multiple mutations. The combination resulted in lower rates of treatment failure, increased CD4 cell count, and better tolerability compared to monotherapy.
Researchers found that prolonged maternal stress can alter placental metabolism and accelerate fetal growth, potentially leading to mental or physical illnesses. The study suggests seeking support from a therapist for pregnant women experiencing longer-term stress situations.
A recent study by Dr. John Peever has found a link between REM sleep disorders and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's Disease and Lewy bodies dementia. The research suggests that sleep disorders may be an early warning sign for these conditions, which can appear up to 15 years later.
Researchers at University of Utah have discovered that organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites possess contradictory properties necessary to make spintronic devices work, enabling exponentially more data processing and overcoming size limitations in traditional electronics.
Researchers at ICFO have developed a graphene-QD CMOS image sensor that can capture visible and infrared light simultaneously. This breakthrough technology enables applications such as night vision, food inspection, fire control, and environmental monitoring, while also reducing production costs and enabling mass-market production.
A new study found that species from groups with high ongoing diversification are at greater risk of extinction than slowly diversifying lineages. Saving just 20 species could safeguard an estimated 1.4 billion years of evolutionary history for fast-speciating amphibian groups.
Researchers at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Centre discovered a way to modify white blood cells to accelerate cutaneous healing. The treatment uses a special protein called MFG-E8 to control macrophage behavior, promoting anti-inflammatory and pro-reparatory reactions.
Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark have found that cormorants can detect sounds under water, which may help protect these birds from man-made noise pollution. This new ability is comparable to that of seals and whales, and could also benefit other aquatic bird species.
The 'Keep Control' project aims to improve understanding and diagnosis of balance and gait deficits in older adults, with a focus on developing innovative treatment options. The initiative, coordinated by Kiel University, brings together experts from Europe to enhance diagnosis and therapy for fall-prone individuals.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have discovered a way to make vancomycin, an existing antibiotic, even more potent by adding three independent mechanisms of action. This new version has a 1,000-fold increase in activity against bacteria, making it a promising alternative to combat antibiotic-resistant infections.
The study suggests that patients with rheumatoid arthritis should use a combination of drugs known as triple therapy instead of biologic therapy, due to the high costs involved. The analysis found that triple therapy is as effective as switching directly to biologics, but at a significantly lower cost.
Researchers have successfully developed a non-peptide compound that promotes wakefulness and remedies narcoleptic symptoms in mouse models. The compound, YNT-185, penetrates the blood-brain barrier and induces significant wakefulness without desensitization or sleep rebounds.
Researchers at Kyoto University identified a key gene that regulates iron uptake, revealing a functional defect in the duodenum and potentially leading to new treatment methods for anemia. The study found that Regnase-1 degrades iron-controlling genes, such as TfR1, which can help prevent debilitating disorders like hemochromatosis.
Researchers at Osaka University have discovered a clear connection between quantum fluctuations and the effective charge of current-carrying particles in exotic phase transitions. This breakthrough provides insight into quantum phase transitions, potentially unlocking applications in superconductivity and other areas.
Researchers at Lanzalab developed a compact model to describe the functioning of RRAM devices using graphene/h-BN/graphene van der Waals structures. The model accurately predicts the device's behavior and explains dispersion in cycle-to-cycle data, enabling simulation and mass production.
A new study reveals that vegetation can alter climate and weather patterns by up to 30 percent. The researchers found substantial feedback loops in semi-arid regions, where vegetation growth enhances heat transfer and increases cloudiness, affecting surface radiation.
Six abstracts selected for their innovative therapy approaches and basic research providing knowledge to improve treatment or clarify mode of action. These include a new functional treatment for chronic low back pain and stimulation effects on postural instability in Parkinson's disease.
Children at Swedish 'gender-neutral' preschools show reduced tendencies for gender-stereotypical assumptions when interacting with peers of the opposite sex. This is attributed to the norm-conscious practices used by teachers, which also promote increased interest in playing with unfamiliar peers.
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a test sensitive enough to detect 'hidden' HIV, which reveals that people who appear cured may still carry a larger virus reservoir than previously estimated. The test, called TZA, is faster, less labor-intensive and less expensive than existing tests.
Scientists demonstrate novel protocol using crystals to emit and store quantum light for extended distances, paving the way for a future quantum repeater. This breakthrough enables secure communication over longer ranges by harnessing the properties of quantum superposition.
A new species of frog has been discovered in the Neotropics, featuring transparent skin that allows its heart to be visible. The species, Hyalinobatrachium yaku, is characterized by dark green spots on its head and body, and a unique call. Its distribution is uncertain due to its small size and habitat destruction.
A study at Lund University reveals individual neurons can learn precise timed intervals, expanding the brain's learning capabilities and potential applications in AI research. This breakthrough may also shed light on autism, ADHD, and language disorders in children.
A team of engineers at UCR has created a self-heating carbon nanotube-based membrane that can recover nearly 100% of the water from highly concentrated salt solutions, alleviating water shortages in arid regions. The new system also prevents degradation of the carbon nanotubes in saline environments.
Scientists from Kyoto University and UC San Diego discovered that early 20th century sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific and North Atlantic warmed more than previously thought. The researchers found that rising Pacific-Atlantic temperatures were the major driver of rapid Arctic warming during this period.
A new study from the University of Helsinki suggests that climate change may increase the damage caused by a naturally circulating fungal disease in Norway spruce trees. The researchers found that future climate changes can alter the impact of forest pathogens, highlighting the need for further research on this topic.
A study by University of Leeds researchers found that heart attack patients without heart failure did not live longer with beta blockers, but were still prescribed the medication at a rate of 95%. The findings raise concerns about unnecessary medication costs and the need for further research.
The visual cortex develops until late 30s or early 40s, contradicting previous expectations that it matures in first few years of life. This discovery extends the timeline by 4.5 years, challenging current understanding of brain function and sensory areas development.
First Nations and Inuit babies were hospitalized at twice the rate of non-Indigenous infants for preventable illnesses like respiratory diseases and infections. This disparity highlights substantial unmet needs in Indigenous infant disease prevention and medical care.