A University of Bristol-led study has revealed new details about the ancient dinosaur Anchiornis, including its fluffy and primitive feathers. The findings suggest that the animal's feathers would have increased drag when gliding and affected its ability to control temperature and repel water.
A Harvard Medical School study found that a pay-for-performance program inadvertently shifted funds away from physicians treating sicker patients, exacerbating disparities in healthcare delivery. The program's design did not account for differences across patient populations, leading to no improvements in performance or care quality.
Researchers found that abbreviated breast MRI (AB-MR) detected five additional cancers in asymptomatic women with dense breast tissue after a negative mammogram. AB-MR may be a better option than whole breast ultrasound for supplemental screening.
A study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology found that diabetes and high BMI were responsible for 544,300 new cancer cases globally in 2012. The authors project a significant increase in the proportion of cancers attributable to these risk factors, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
The ASERF Gluteal Fat Grafting Task Force identified key factors that add risk or provide preventative techniques. The task force's findings led to the adoption of specific guidelines to increase safety during gluteal fat grafting procedures, including proper cannula usage and patient positioning.
The discovery of a large defensive ditch at Ebbsfleet, Kent suggests that the site was once a Roman base used to protect Caesar's fleet. The team believes the first landing took place in Pegwell Bay, matching Caesar's own account and consistent with topography clues.
New research finds that eating breakfast decreases genes involved in fat metabolism and increases sugar uptake in fat cells. This may lead to lower diabetes and cardiovascular risk in obese individuals.
A multidisciplinary neuroscience study found that low frequency brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus can improve cognitive symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease. The research also reveals a new connection between the frontal cortex and the subthalamic nucleus, which may be targeted to improve cognitive function.
The Dellingr spacecraft, designed to demonstrate the viability of CubeSats for scientific research, has begun its checkout process after being released into low-Earth orbit on November 20. The spacecraft is equipped with a suite of miniaturized instruments to gather data on the Sun's influence on Earth's upper atmosphere.
A new study from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business found that people tend to award less compensation for emotional suffering when a small economic loss is present. The researchers suggest that victims should focus on emotional losses, rather than combining them with economic losses, to receive more favorable compensati...
A review of 13 studies on war's impact on pregnancy found that mums-to-be in conflict areas are at higher risk of giving birth to underweight babies. However, the evidence for other complications like miscarriage and premature birth is less clear.
Researchers will evaluate a promising experimental assay and novel research into microRNAs to predict breast cancer risk. The study aims to develop personalized treatment and improve outcomes for tens of thousands of women annually.
New research published in Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine found that basic communication breakdowns can lead to catastrophic failures in the NHS. The study revealed that 709,000 items of clinical correspondence failed to be delivered between 2011 and 2016, with potential harm suffered by around 1,788 patients.
UT Southwestern scientists have developed a method to map protein changes that occur in different subtypes of breast cancer cells in response to DNA damage from new chemotherapy drugs. This could lead to a test to predict an individual patient's response to a particular drug, potentially revolutionizing personalized medicine.
Xiaocheng Jiang will use the $450,000 grant to develop innovative method of observing fundamental cellular and molecular processes using atomic-resolution electron microscopic methods. The platform could enable new insights about biologically significant processes such as bioelectrical signaling and cancer metastasis.
Business schools in Africa must develop students' pragmatic political skills to counter bribery and corruption. The onus is on African business schools to empower future business leaders to strengthen State institutions and eradicate corruption.
Bioengineers examine genomic diversity of microbes, exploring how mutation and recombination influence evolution. They find a balance between opposing forces that determine whether a species remains stable or diverges.
ALS research reveals over-connected brain regions, reduced activity in specific areas as networks disintegrate. This breakthrough technology links dynamic EEG changes with anatomical changes captured by MRI scans.
A study by Vanderbilt University and Johns Hopkins researchers found that testosterone hinders an immune cell linked to asthma symptoms in women. This is due to the effects of testosterone on lung cells, which are more prevalent in asthmatic women than men.
A multi-disciplinary team of researchers is exploring natural compounds from marine organisms to develop non-opioid drugs for chronic pain management. The team aims to identify novel drugs with the beneficial effects of opioids but lack the adverse actions, such as addiction and respiratory depression.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have discovered a genetic mutation in the FluMist intranasal flu vaccine that has the potential to be altered to enhance its protective effect. The mutation reduces virus production, but reversing it makes the virus more active and induces a stronger immune response.
A recent simulation study by Texas A&M AgriLife Research team found that winter wheat is a viable cover crop option for Rolling Plains cotton production. The study showed no significant impact of winter wheat on soil moisture and yield in both irrigated and dryland systems.
András Tilcsik, a professor at the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, has been awarded a Canada Research Chair to investigate biases in organizational processes and policies for hiring. His research will provide evidence and information to help build more diverse and equitable workplaces.
The new species, named Pseudoliparis swirei, thrives at depths of up to 8,000 meters and is found in groups feeding on tiny crustaceans and shrimp, adapting to extreme pressure with success.
This special issue highlights innovations in MALDI mass spectrometry for characterizing proteomes, detecting analytes, and screening non-covalent binding of small molecules to target proteins. MALDI imaging is used to study diseases and therapeutics, including the distribution of glycosphingolipids in a Gaucher Disease model mouse brain.
Researchers have successfully visualized terahertz radiation by converting it into bright, visible light using the rattling motion of oxygen ions in a cage-like structure. The crystal, called mayenite, is composed of calcium, aluminum, and oxygen, making it an inexpensive material with potential applications in T-ray detection.
Astronomers have discovered eleven low-mass protostars forming close to the Milky Way's supermassive black hole, defying predictions of hostile environment. These newly formed stars are about 6,000 years old and represent the earliest phase of star formation in this highly turbulent region.
A synthesis of 15 studies found that married people had a lower risk of developing dementia compared to lifelong singletons and widowers. The researchers suggest that marriage may promote healthier lifestyles and social engagement among couples, which can contribute to a lower risk of dementia.
A study found that allowing unethical customers to open multiple accounts benefits both the retailer and ethical customers, increasing purchasing power and engagement.
Researchers discovered H. pylori's two additional strategies to target mitochondria, which maintain an environment conducive to bacterial proliferation and worsen gastric lesions in mice. The findings suggest new avenues for developing effective strategies to combat H. pylori infection and reduce its pathogenic potential.
Researchers found nearly 1 in 7 adult patients reported using marijuana at least once a year, with young adults more likely to use daily. Daily cannabis use was linked to higher risks of addiction and complications, particularly among young men with depression.
Archaeologist Alan Sullivan argues that prehistoric people used fire to promote the growth of edible plants such as amaranth and chenopodium. Lab analysis found ancient pollen from clay pots with only six out of 6,000 grains identified as corn.
The shift from public to private funding in biomedical research poses significant challenges, including collaborative research models, intellectual property rights, and oversight. Researchers must navigate conflicts between private benefactors, institutions, and scientists to ensure the integrity of research.
A new NYU report reveals that the phase-out of Teflon-like coatings, which contain PFOA, has led to a significant decrease in low-birth weight babies and related brain damage. The study estimates that this shift has saved over $13 billion in healthcare costs and improved educational prospects for thousands of children.
Researchers have identified a factor limiting the conductivity of fluorine doped tin dioxide, a material used in touch screens, solar cells, and energy efficient windows. The discovery could lead to coatings with up to five times higher conductivity, reducing cost and enhancing performance.
Scientists have discovered that heterogeneities in the Earth's mantle are at least a kilometer in size, enabling the survival of their chemical signature during magma transport. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of mantle convection and its impact on tectonic plate movement.
Naloxone administered in the field by EMS personnel is safe and effective for reversing opioid overdose symptoms, according to a systematic evidence review. Research is needed to determine the optimal dose and route of administration.
Researchers found that high temperatures weaken plant defenses while strengthening bacterial attacks, making plants more vulnerable to infection. However, treatment with a chemical that mimics salicylic acid can effectively protect plants from infection at elevated temperatures.
Researchers at Georgia Tech found that physical stress drove the evolution of multicellular bodies in yeast cells, allowing them to grow larger and more robust. This process was mainly driven by forces within the cells' physical structures, which pushed the snowflakes to evolve towards bigger, tougher bodies.
Research found that British citizens who fear immigrants were more likely to have voted for Brexit, and that collective narcissism is a new predictor of political behavior. The study identifies three groups: authoritarians, social dominance orientation, and collective narcissists, with the latter group linked to a strong desire for pri...
Scientists studied how intestinal epithelial stem cells respond to varying glucose levels, discovering a switch from renewal to growth mode triggered by higher glucose. This finding has implications for understanding cancer cell proliferation and developing new therapeutic strategies.
Researchers at Northeastern University are working to bridge the 'practice science gap' by connecting practitioners with biodiversity research. The goal is to improve restoration project outcomes by applying scientific knowledge to practical implementation.
Researchers at Aalto University developed a new computational method to address the challenge of computing realistic indirect illumination in real-time computer graphics. The novel method accurately computes indirect illumination using sparse radiance probes, enabling fast and accurate lighting simulations.
Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark found that widespread feminization among male brown trout in Danish streams had completely disappeared between 2004 and 2016. The improvement was attributed to better wastewater treatment practices, particularly the connection to municipal wastewater treatment plants.
A recent study published in Biological Conservation highlights the effects of selective logging on great ape populations before, during, and after timber extraction. The research found that western lowland gorillas avoided areas during logging but returned after it passed through, while chimpanzees were less likely to return to their n...
Researchers discovered Ryk's chaperone, Smek, which regulates key genes transforming stem cells into brain cells. The study sheds light on the mechanisms of brain development and may lead to new therapies for neurological diseases and brain cancer.
Researchers from Bigelow Laboratory discovered nitrite-oxidizing bacteria to be key players in the global carbon cycle, capturing more than 1.1 gigatons of CO2 annually. These large, relatively rare bacteria outperform archaea in carbon capture, highlighting a significant shift in our understanding of oceanic carbon cycling.
A recent Australian discovery identified genes expressed in grapevine roots that limit sodium uptake, leading to more robust salt-tolerant rootstocks. This breakthrough allows for early screening of new genotypes at the seedling stage, supporting the local wine sector's sustainability.
Researchers used fMRI to study neurofeedback training's potential in treating tinnitus, finding a significant relationship between controlling the primary auditory cortex and attentional processes. The training involved participants focusing away from sound to decrease brain activity.
The German Research Foundation will fund TRR 83 for a further four years to study biological membranes and their functions. Biological membranes with proteins and lipids mediate various functions, from barriers to signal transduction platforms.
Scientists developed adsorption-energy-based activity descriptors to improve electrocatalytic activity in energy storage. The descriptors are linked to interfacial electronic coupling, providing a new method for selecting high-activity catalysts and understanding structure-activity relationships.
Bruna Tavares, a MIT Portugal Program PhD student, has developed an innovative monitoring method that uses advanced sensors to better understand the conditions of the Portuguese power grid. The method aims to increase the quality of service and reduce failures in the electric network.
A new study used MRI imaging technology to plot diverse changes in body organ fat storage pools during 18 months of Mediterranean/low-carb and low-fat diets, with and without moderate physical exercise. The results showed that even with modest weight loss, the Med/LC diet was significantly superior to a low-fat diet in reducing some fa...
New study reveals that five babies per 1,000 born in England may have sustained brain injury at or soon after birth, leading to serious conditions like cerebral palsy and blindness. The research, using routine NHS data, aims to better understand how to prevent brain injuries in preterm and full-term babies.
Scientists at the University of Edinburgh have identified two molecules, SMAD2 and SMAD3, that enhance cellular reprogramming efficiency. This breakthrough could accelerate production of induced pluripotent stem cells for studying diseases like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.
Researchers have developed a new method to study thermal transfer, enabling more efficient numerical simulations and revealing deeper mechanisms of heat flow. This breakthrough opens up important research possibilities and potential applications in various fields.
A study found that genetic determinants of puberty timing are associated with lower bone mineral density in childhood and adulthood. Later puberty is linked to lower bone mineral density, especially in the lower spine, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures.
A large cohort study found that patients with low-level viremia are at increased risk of treatment failure and developing virological failure. Clinical interventions should take place at lower viral loads than current WHO guidelines to prevent poor outcomes.
Researchers have found that zebrafish can survive despite mutations by using workarounds such as regulating expression of related genes or skipping errors in DNA transcription. This study provides guidelines for designing targeted mutations and accelerating the development of diagnostics and therapeutics for human diseases.
A new study found that elevated oral pathogens and decreased bacterial diversity are associated with precancerous stomach cancer lesions. The researchers suggest that treating chronic periodontal disease and controlling pathogen infections may help prevent stomach cancer.