A study by UCLA and University of Houston researchers reveals significant groundwater loss in the Central Valley during two droughts, with losses totaling 16.5 cubic kilometers and 40 cubic kilometers, respectively. The increase in groundwater loss was attributed to reduced precipitation, snowmelt, and changes in crop cultivation, high...
Scientists have discovered the remains of a previously unknown mammal, Baidabatyr, in Western Siberia. The animal is believed to be a herbivore and lived during the Early Cretaceous period, with its species going extinct around 20 million years ago.
A new study found that hospital-acquired anemia affects nearly a third of hospitalized patients, increasing the risk of death or readmission. The severity of anemia was independently associated with a 39% increase in readmission or death within 30 days after discharge.
Children of migrant families in Chinese cities have lower obesity rates due to lack of parental supervision and influence from grandparents. Migrant children have fewer opportunities for unhealthy snacking and more active play, contributing to their lower obesity rates.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have shown that antibodies to PD-1 and PD-L1 can also prompt immune cells called macrophages to engulf and devour cancer cells, expanding the use of this cancer treatment.
The Elsevier Foundation Green and Sustainable Chemistry Challenge has awarded two prizes to innovative projects that use bioresources to address environmental issues in Brazil and Nigeria. Dr. Dênis Pires de Lima won the first prize for his project using cashew nuts to produce environmentally friendly insecticides, while Dr. Chioma Bla...
A Penn study found that even small quantities of opioids prescribed for minor injuries increase the risk of long-term use. The research suggests that laws limiting opioid prescription pill amounts may help address the opioid epidemic.
A new study found that early-onset hypertension (before age 55) is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular death and may be linked to an inherited predisposition. This knowledge can help clinicians assess an individual's cardiovascular risk more effectively.
A study in Illinois found a link between glyphosate use and reduced monarch butterfly abundance, particularly during warmer springs. Wetter and cooler conditions also boosted summer monarch populations.
A University of Illinois project has identified a source of natural blue and purple corn, providing an affordable alternative to synthetic food dyes. The researchers found that anthocyanin concentrations in Peruvian corn lines remained stable across generations, paving the way for breeding high-yielding, colored corn hybrids.
Researchers at TU Wien and Heidelberg University have demonstrated how to test quantum field theories in a quantum simulator, using thousands of ultra cold atoms. This allows for unprecedented study of fundamental quantum processes and their correlations.
The University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering has received a $425,000 NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) grant to support a 10-week summer research program for undergraduates in Chemical and Petroleum Engineering. The program will provide students with hands-on research experience, stipend, and financial as...
A new study by Deakin University found that removing full sugar soft drinks from sports centers led to a significant decrease in sales volume of 'red' ready-to-drink beverages and an increase in sales volume of 'green' (healthy) drinks. Overall sales remained unchanged, but the proportion of green drinks sold increased.
A new study from the University of Liverpool has identified common 'cell messages' that can help diagnose osteoarthritis in both humans and rats. The research also found that these messages are strongly associated with diseased cartilage, suggesting a potential breakthrough in early diagnosis and personalized treatment for OA.
The researchers discovered that major biological signalling circuits can be made to resonate when driven at their resonant frequency, allowing for the control of cell signalling pathways. This method has potential relevance in the treatment of diseases and could guide the discovery of new therapeutic approaches.
A new WCS-led study analyzes camera trap time stamps to better estimate tiger abundance and understand their behaviors. The research uses a spatial capture-recapture model to incorporate the timing of tiger detections into analysis, offering crucial insights for effective conservation efforts.
A recent study found that HPV vaccination can prevent oral HPV infections by 88%, but low uptake rates among males limit its impact. The study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and found that only 6.9% of men had received at least one dose of the vaccine, compared to 29.2% of women.
A new USC study found that most US air travelers (60-80%) are unwilling to trade off convenience and wait longer for equal treatment in aviation security screenings. Only about half of respondents would be willing to pay up to $15 or tolerate more contraband on flights.
Researchers found T. rex could generate forces equal to three small cars while simultaneously applying world-record tooth pressures. The dinosaur's long conical teeth allowed it to drive open cracks in bone and produce catastrophic explosions.
Natural and artificial beaver dams can alter stream temperatures to benefit temperature-sensitive salmonid species. Beaver dams increase surface water storage, reducing high temperatures in streams.
A study published in the Journal of Addiction Medicine found that non-medical prescription opioid (NMPO) use is common among young adults with severe physical pain. Young men with high pain scores are at particularly high risk, while women who use benzodiazepines are also more likely to engage in frequent NMPO use.
A study reveals that recovery from bacterial pneumonia leaves behind immune cells called resident memory T cells, which may be responsible for increased susceptibility to pneumonia. Manipulating these cells could provide novel treatment options for curing pneumonia.
Researchers have discovered three new species of fungus gnats in Indian amber, closely resembling their European fossil relatives. This discovery disproves the concept of a strongly isolated Indian subcontinent, suggesting regular faunal exchange between India and Europe.
Researchers have developed a photoacoustic imaging technology that can produce detailed images of cells, allowing for more accurate assessment of tumor margins during surgery. The goal is to speed up the process and enable real-time feedback to surgeons, reducing the need for second surgeries.
A recent analysis of 16 studies found that fluoxetine use during the first trimester is associated with a 18% increased relative risk of major malformations and a 36% increased risk of cardiovascular malformations.
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have developed a method to generate healthy blood-forming stem cells from readily available cells lining blood vessels. This breakthrough enables the creation of an unlimited supply of new, healthy blood cells for transplantation, which may help cure patients with genetic and acquired blood diseases.
A phase III clinical trial shows gefitinib is effective in preventing recurrence after lung cancer surgery, with patients going about 10 months longer without disease-free survival. The treatment causes far fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy, with only 12% experiencing severe side effects versus 48%.
A study found significant racial disparities in neurologic healthcare access and utilization in the US. Black and Hispanic individuals had lower rates of outpatient neurologist visits and more hospital emergency department visits compared to white individuals.
A large study found that hip and knee osteoarthritis is the primary cause of difficulty walking in older adults. The condition increases with more affected joints, posing a significant barrier to physical activity and independence.
A study of 25,042 Medicare beneficiaries who underwent gastric band placement found that 4,636 (18.5%) required 17,539 reoperations over an average follow-up period of 4.5 years. Reoperation costs totaled $470 million, with 48% of payments going towards device-related procedures.
Researchers have developed a new cathode material that uses porous Ti4O7 nanoparticles to confine polysulfides, resulting in high specific capacity and stable performance. This material has the potential to replace expensive and toxic heavy-metal compounds used in traditional lithium-sulphur batteries.
A new research from Berkeley Lab found that the choice of pavement material can significantly impact carbon emissions. The study's decision tool helps cities understand the trade-offs of cool pavements and their potential environmental consequences. Cities may need to reconsider their cool pavement strategies, as the benefits may not o...
Researchers have found that Bitcoin's transparent and irreversible transaction features are also vulnerable to fraud, allowing dishonest traders to scam users. The study suggests designing improvements such as reputation management systems, third-party arbitration, and revealing identities of one-use only wallets to deter dishonesty.
The article explores the benefits and drawbacks of personalized medicine, highlighting concerns over data ownership and access to cancer treatments. It proposes changes within the industry to achieve a more value-based pathway to drug development, prioritizing low- and middle-income countries.
A new study found that a simple brain-training game can help children make healthier snack choices by creating an association between happy cartoon faces and healthy food. The game involves reacting to images of healthy food by pressing a button, and doing nothing if unhealthy foods are shown. Researchers tested over 200 schoolchildren...
Researchers at WPI will explore neural activity in Caenorhabditis elegans using the small worm's unique biology. The goal is to identify molecular mechanisms that contribute to gender-specific neuronal bias in neurological disorders.
Researchers developed a new model to analyze ancient lives using biological and cultural data from grave sites. They examined cranial characteristics, head shapes, isotopic analyses, and grave goods to understand individual identities and community shifts in northern Chilean society during the Middle Horizon and Late Intermediate Period.
A phase III trial of 447 patients with biliary tract cancers showed that giving capecitabine after surgery extended survival by a median of 15 months compared to surgery alone. The treatment was associated with a 20% lower chance of death, but the difference was not statistically significant for the overall population.
A field study in Malawi reveals that intrinsic excitement about learning is a stronger predictor of school attendance than extrinsic motivation. Stimulating girls' sense of competence and autonomy may be as effective as economic approaches in achieving behavioral change.
A new study published by the University of Southern California found that bystander CPR is associated with favorable neurological survival for drowning victims in cardiac arrest. The study showed that if bystanders initiate CPR, drowning victims are three times more likely to have a favorable neurological outcome.
Researchers in a new study are using football club loyalty to engage men aged 30-65 years to be more active. The EuroFIT program tests the effectiveness of culturally-sensitive lifestyle programs with over 1,200 middle-aged men across 15 European football clubs.
A study of schoolchildren found that overweight and obese kids drink more sugar sweetened soft drinks than their normal weight peers. The researchers suggest taxing such drinks could reduce consumption, particularly in children, and have the potential to impact the scale of childhood obesity.
A new study found that younger colorectal cancer patients have a higher tumor mutation load, with significant differences in gene mutations related to DNA repair, and may benefit from immunotherapies
Researchers at University of Guelph have found a hormonal imbalance in the brain causes breathlessness in heart failure patients. Using existing hormone-suppressing drugs, they were able to effectively treat this condition and improve patients' quality of life.
Research reveals survivin protein protects fat cells from death in obese individuals, potentially leading to new obesity and cancer treatments. The study found higher levels of survivin in obese subjects, suggesting it could be a target for therapy.
Researchers found that banknotes harbor a diverse range of bacteria, including pathogens like E. coli and Vibrio cholera. The banknotes also contain higher amounts of antibiotic-resistance genes than other environmental samples, highlighting the potential for currency to pose a health risk.
A recent study of 160 participants found that being overweight or obese increases the likelihood of having poor oral health. Patients with obesity were almost 6-times more likely to have severe periodontitis compared to normal-weight individuals.
A new study examines the effects of high-altitude nuclear explosion tests on Earth's magnetic environment, revealing similarities with natural radiation belts and auroras. The research sheds light on the impact of space weather on satellites and astronauts.
A study of over 48,000 stored tumor samples reveals that deficiencies in DNA repair mechanisms are common across various solid tumor types. The most commonly mutated genes were ATM, PTEN, BRCA2, BRCA1, and ATRX, which could lead to targeted therapies, including PARP inhibitors.
Scientists have identified two climate-resistant coral refuges in northern Mozambique and the Quirimbas Islands, which provide variability for corals to adapt to climate change. Maintaining sustainable fishing levels and reef fish biomass is crucial to preserve these reefs.
Researchers found that even small amounts of bird feces can significantly impact water quality by altering nutrient conditions and microbial communities. The study suggests that bird droppings may contribute to algal blooms, but further research is needed to fully understand the effects.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding the structure of the glucagon receptor, a key component in glucose regulation. The study provides detailed molecular information that can guide the development of more accurate and efficient diabetes drugs.
Surface ozone and anthropogenic aerosol haze pollution in China decrease the regional net primary productivity (NPP) by 9-16% of total NPP, accounting for 16-32% of total anthropogenic carbon emissions. Aerosol direct effects enhance annual NPP by 0.2 Pg C.
The iDiv Ecotron will examine the consequences of species loss on ecosystems, investigating interactions among plants, animals, microbes, and soil. By manipulating complex animal and plant communities in controlled conditions, researchers aim to understand how many losses ecosystems can cope with.
Researchers studied the effects of miniaturization on insect organs, finding that some systems remain constant in volume despite size reductions. The study, published in Scientific Reports, reveals insights into the adaptability of insect structure to scaling and reduction in body sizes.
A proof-of-principle study found that imatinib improved airway hyperresponsiveness and decreased mast cell presence in patients with severe asthma. Treatment also showed a small improvement in airway function.
The Emperor Science Award program recognizes 100 high school students who will conduct research in a lab or virtually on a multi-week cancer project, receiving a computer and $1,500 stipend. The program aims to inspire students to pursue careers in cancer research.
Researchers identified biomarkers that correlate with cognitive decline in early Parkinson's disease, including dopamine deficiency, brain atrophy, and genetic mutations. The study may improve clinical care and develop new treatments for cognitive impairments in Parkinson's disease.
An international team of researchers has identified two receptors on blood vessel cells in the brain that can be blocked to prevent pneumococci from entering. Blocking these receptors with antibodies may lead to a new therapeutic strategy for pneumococcal meningitis.
Researchers tracked orangutan nursing patterns and found some infants suckling until age 8, exceeding known non-human primate weaning ages. Barium testing in teeth revealed cyclical periods of high and low milk consumption.