Scientists observed atomic-level cracking in 2D MoS2, revealing dislocations at the crack tip that can't be explained by existing theories. The study suggests a new theory is needed to understand 2D material behavior.
SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 18, 2017
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a novel mechanism by which the stress hormone FGF21 protects the pancreas from damage caused by digestive enzymes. This discovery may lead to new treatments for pancreatitis, a potentially life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas.
SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJan 18, 2017
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a molecule that neutralizes bacteria's genetic resistance to antibiotics. The PPMO molecule restores the effectiveness of an ultra-broad-spectrum drug, meropenem, against three different genera of bacteria with NDM-1 enzyme.
SourceOregon State University·JournalJournal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy·DateJan 18, 2017
The UK Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund has awarded £9 million in grants to five promising research projects aimed at developing new treatments and diagnostic tools for pancreatic cancer. These projects focus on improving clinical trials, investigating innovative therapies, and understanding the genetic causes of chromosomal instability.
A study of over 100,000 surgical cases at UVA Health System found patients' pain scores improved even as opioids were given fewer times. The average amount of opioids given per surgery declined 37%, while non-opioid pain medications increased by 120%.
Researchers investigate Tambora's effects on coastal fish and commercial fisheries in the Gulf of Maine, revealing parallels with current climate change phenomena. The study suggests that past extreme events can inform resilience strategies and that complex solutions require a multi-faceted approach.
SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 18, 2017
Researchers developed a method to produce a metal nanopowder fuel with high energy content, stable in air and igniting only when ignited. The resulting material has an energy density of at least 89 kilojoules/milliliter, significantly superior to hydrocarbons.
SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnergy & Fuels·DateJan 18, 2017
A team led by Prof Dr Aiden Haghikia and Prof Dr Ralf Gold report two patients who developed severe symptoms under alemtuzumab, a common MS treatment. The researchers successfully treated the side effects with a new algorithm that could benefit other patients worldwide.
SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalThe Lancet Neurology·DateJan 18, 2017
A study found that concession stands with healthier options saw a significant increase in sales and customer satisfaction. On average, 77% of students purchased healthier foods when available, while revenue also rose by 4%. This game-changing approach benefits both schools and students.
SourceCornell Food & Brand Lab·JournalJournal of School Health·DateJan 18, 2017
The Philadelphia Pediatric Medical Device Consortium awarded $50,000 grants to three companies developing innovative medical devices for children. These devices include a powered orthotic arm brace, a hand-operated rapid blood delivery system, and an ear reshaper designed to correct deformed ears in babies.
A new skin patch has been developed to monitor blood glucose levels and release insulin automatically when necessary for people with diabetes. The patch, tested on mice, maintains consistent insulin concentrations in the blood and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateJan 18, 2017
A new dental implant has been developed with a built-in reservoir that gradually releases antimicrobial drugs to prevent the formation of biofilms. This helps reduce the risk of infections in patients with traditional dental implants.
SourceKU Leuven·JournalEuropean Cells and Materials·DateJan 18, 2017
A new imaging technique allows researchers to visualize and monitor the behavior of immune cells used to treat cancer patients. The technique reveals whether T cells have found a tumor, how many T cells have arrived, and whether they are alive. This breakthrough could improve our understanding of why immunotherapy doesn't always work.
SourceStanford Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 18, 2017
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture is investing $1.85 million in regional potato breeding research to create new, high-value varieties. The project aims to develop potatoes with improved yield, storability, consumer quality, and water efficiency, as well as high-throughput methods for rapid trait selection.
SourceNational Institute of Food and Agriculture·DateJan 18, 2017
University Jena researchers have launched a project to create 3D representations of cultural objects from museums and collections, including historical globes and other unique artifacts. The goal is to make these treasures accessible to the public and enable scientific investigation through accurate replicas created via 3D printing.
Scientists have improved measurements of the antiproton's magnetic moment, finding it extremely close to that of the proton with six-fold higher accuracy. The findings suggest the standard model of particle physics holds up, contradicting theories on baryonic asymmetry.
Scientists identified collateral lethal vulnerability in pancreatic cancers that can be targeted pharmacologically in certain patient populations. ME3 inhibitors may provide an effective therapy for many cancer patients.
SourceUniversity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center·JournalNature·DateJan 18, 2017
Researchers identified a new molecule that alleviates anxiety and depressive behavior in rodents by inhibiting JNK protein. This discovery provides fresh insight into the brain's regulation of mood and indicates potential for new anti-depressant drug development.
SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJan 18, 2017
Researchers have developed a new nano-sized semiconductor that concentrates visible light energy, increasing the efficiency of solar cells. This breakthrough doubles current efficiencies to at least 40%, offering benefits in energy efficiency and design.
SourceKyoto University·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 18, 2017
New research from Emory University School of Medicine found that estrogen modulates gene activity to protect against post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Women with low estrogen levels during certain stages of their menstrual cycle may be more susceptible to PTSD, while high estrogen levels offer protection.
SourceEmory Health Sciences·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJan 18, 2017
A new grant will help increase range of motion for individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy by developing an exoskeleton that provides intuitive robotic guidance controls and motorized assistance. The device aims to spare muscle deterioration, keeping people stronger for longer.
The Berkeley Tsinghua Joint Research Center on Energy and Climate Change has received a $5 million donation to support its scientific research and analysis on clean energy solutions for China. The gift also establishes the first endowed chair at Berkeley Lab, the Nat Simons Chair in China Energy Policy.
SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·DateJan 18, 2017
A large study published in Depression and Anxiety found that gestational diabetes increases the risk of postpartum depression (PPD) in first-time mothers. Women with a history of depression are more than 20 times more likely to experience PPD, highlighting the importance of considering these conditions together.
SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalDepression and Anxiety·DateJan 18, 2017
Researchers have grown a new type of titanium surface that repels blood, potentially reducing the risk of rejection and complications in medical implants. The 'superhemophobic' material is made by altering the surface chemistry of titanium, which normally attracts blood.
SourceColorado State University·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·DateJan 18, 2017
A new study suggests that China's success in sustaining large catches is due to reducing predatory fish populations, allowing preyed-upon species to increase. This approach can lead to increased harvests, but may also have negative impacts on biodiversity.
SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 18, 2017
Experts discuss four core ethical issues: whether death is beneficial, PAS/E vs. WWLST, intentional causation of death, and reasonable accommodations. Proponents argue for legalization, while opponents highlight moral differences.
SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalCritical Care Medicine·DateJan 18, 2017
A University of Iowa physicist is searching for the 'bottom quark', a subatomic particle expected to arise from a Higgs boson's decay. Evidence of this particle could confirm the existence of the Higgs boson, a theory about how the universe works.
A study by Katie Holloway and colleagues found that therapists identify significant gender differences in therapy, with men wanting a quick fix and women wanting to discuss their feelings. Researchers also surveyed the general public, revealing key differences in preferred therapies and coping strategies between men and women.
A new study from the University of Montreal found that antidepressants prescribed to pregnant women may increase the chance of having a baby with birth defects. The risk is significant enough to merit caution in their use, especially considering the marginal effectiveness of these medications.
SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalBMJ Open·DateJan 18, 2017
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that humans and primates both have an ability to distinguish between large and small quantities of objects. The research showed that this bias is strongest in humans and correlates with increasing age and math education, suggesting a possible evolutionary basis for number perception.
SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 18, 2017
A study published in JAMA Dermatology found that neither a beach umbrella nor SPF 100 sunscreen alone prevented sunburn completely, with 78% of those under an umbrella and 25% of those using sunscreen developing sunburn. The study highlighted the importance of combining sun protection practices for optimal protection against UV rays.
A new study found that measuring neuron-specific enolase levels soon after cardiac arrest can help guide patient care decisions. The protein biomarker is a strong predictor of brain recovery in patients who are unconscious for three or more days.
A comprehensive report warns of dire prospects for many nonhuman primates due to habitat loss, hunting, and poaching. Conservation efforts are crucial to address local poverty and population growth, as well as humanity's agricultural footprint and mining activities.
SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 18, 2017
Scientists have uncovered a continuous record of the Green Sahara period's rainfall patterns, revealing that the region was 10 times wetter than today. This discovery provides critical climate context for understanding human migration and lifestyle changes during this period.
SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalScience Advances·DateJan 18, 2017
Researchers developed a customizable soft robotic sleeve that fits around the heart and helps it beat, reducing the risk of clotting and improving cardiac function. The device may one day aid in cardiac rehabilitation and recovery, potentially restoring quality of life for patients with heart failure.
SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateJan 18, 2017
A new study found that male baboons resort to infanticide and feticide when faced with scarcity, reducing their waiting time to breed. Researchers observed a spike in infant deaths and lost pregnancies after new males arrived in troops, targeting pregnant females and nursing infants.
A study published in Medical Hypotheses found that female soccer players were more likely to close their eyes while heading the ball, increasing their risk of injury. Researchers suggest that vision training methods, such as improving eye discipline, may help mitigate concussion rates among women's soccer players.
SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalMedical Hypotheses·DateJan 18, 2017
A new MSU study found significant yield gaps between alternative agricultural practices in small experimental plots and commercial fields. The research highlights the challenges of scaling up low-input and organic farming methods to achieve similar yields as conventional practices.
SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 18, 2017
A phase 3 trial found regorafenib significantly improved overall survival in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a form of liver cancer. The study showed that regorafenib can improve survival in patients whose HCC progressed during treatment with sorafenib, an existing drug.
SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalThe Lancet·DateJan 18, 2017
The DART trial is a national immunotherapy clinical trial testing leading-edge treatments for rare cancers. Patients will receive ipilimumab and nivolumab combination therapy to fight cancer, with the goal of shrinking tumors and evaluating side effects.
Researchers have discovered a pathway to produce nitrogen gas without microbial involvement, challenging long-held assumptions about nitrous oxide formation. This breakthrough could lead to practical applications for reducing excess nitrogen in the environment and mitigating eutrophication.
SourceVirginia Institute of Marine Science·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 18, 2017
Researchers have mapped large oceanic valleys beneath massive glaciers flowing into the Amundsen Sea in West Antarctica. The discovery reveals channels that enable warm water to reach the undersides of glaciers, fueling their rapid retreat.
SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateJan 18, 2017
A study has identified a new target for controlling cell division, which could lead to insights into diseases such as cancer. The research found that enzymes responsible for lipid synthesis are synthesized at higher efficiency when cells are ready to divide.
SourceTexas A&M AgriLife Communications·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateJan 18, 2017
Researchers at Rochester Institute of Technology study how cells respond to shear stress in blood vessels, aiming to understand biological mechanics and develop effective therapeutic strategies. The work could lead to breakthroughs in treating diseases like cancer metastasis and heart failure.
The Chapman Perelman Foundation has awarded a $1 million gift to Columbia Psychiatry to expand on-site clinical psychiatric services at NYC Family Justice Centers. This partnership aims to provide comprehensive care and healing to survivors of domestic violence, helping them rebuild their lives.
SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·DateJan 18, 2017
A combination of steroids and sirolimus with immune checkpoint inhibitors may help prevent organ rejection in kidney transplant patients undergoing cancer treatment. This discovery shows promise for people with cancer who have also had a kidney transplant, potentially allowing them to receive full benefits from immunotherapy.
SourceNorthwell Health·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·DateJan 18, 2017
The Universidad Carlos III de Madrid has been granted the HR Excellence in Research Award by the EU for its high-quality human resources policies for researchers. The institution has implemented a Human Resources Strategy for Researchers, which aligns with the European Charter and Code of Conduct for researchers.
Researchers mapped premature infant brains using MRI scans to predict future disabilities. A greater volume of white matter injury was linked to movement and thinking problems at 18 months.
SourceAmerican Academy of Neurology·JournalNeurology·DateJan 18, 2017
Scientists analyzed 20 durian chemical ingredients to find that two compounds can re-create the overall smell. The strongest odor compounds were fruity ethyl and oniony 1-(ethylsulfanyl)ethanethiol, which combined effectively resembled the fruit's entire set of odoriferous and fragrant compounds.
SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateJan 18, 2017
A new classification system for glioblastoma, a lethal brain cancer, has been developed by incorporating molecular variables. The refined model significantly improves the prognosis of patients treated with radiation and temozolomide, offering better clinical decision-making options.
SourceOhio State University Wexner Medical Center·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateJan 18, 2017
The new Republican-led Congress and Trump's presidency may lead to changes in science policies, including energy and climate issues, research budgets, and trade. Expert predictions suggest rollback of programs and alterations in existing laws like the Toxic Substances Control Act.
SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News·DateJan 18, 2017
A study found that AYA patients with small intestine GISTs had improved survival rates compared to older adult patients with stomach GISTs. Surgical management was also associated with improved survival in AYA patients, even those with metastatic cancer.
SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJAMA Surgery·DateJan 18, 2017
Researchers have discovered that localized vibrations in amorphous silicon dioxide contribute substantially to the material's thermal conductivity, contradicting previous assumptions. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient forms of everyday materials and even superconducting materials.
SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 18, 2017
Researchers found an altered blood-brain barrier and increased intestinal permeability in individuals with autism, supporting the hypothesis that impaired barriers contribute to ASD. The study also revealed reduced expression of barrier-forming cellular components and higher expression of molecules increasing intestinal permeability in...
SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalMolecular Autism·DateJan 18, 2017
Research suggests that high-volume medical centers can recover significantly more organs from deceased donors than low-volume centers. On average, these hospitals have an organ yield rate of 0.4 higher than low-volume centers. This could lead to recovering an additional 3,000 vital organs yearly.
SourceAmerican College of Surgeons·JournalJournal of the American College of Surgeons·DateJan 18, 2017
Scientists found that reduced TMEM108 protein expression leads to imprecise communication between neurons, contributing to schizophrenia-like symptoms. Adding AMPA receptor-boosting drug restored healthy spines in mice.
SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 18, 2017
Researchers analyzed two thylacine brains and compared them to those of Tasmanian devils, finding larger caudate zones in the former. This indicates that thylacines devoted more cortex to complex cognition associated with predation, fitting their hunting strategy.
A Stanford-led study found that astrocytes, once thought to be supporting cells, can become toxic and destroy nerve cells, driving many neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery has profound implications for treating these diseases by blocking or countering the toxin secreted by harmful astrocytes.
Researchers at the University of Bath have gained important insights to improve the performance of lithium batteries by adding charged metal atoms. This discovery could lead to faster charging batteries for portable electronics and electric vehicles, benefiting consumers and reducing carbon emissions.
SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 18, 2017
Researchers at Michigan State University found that liver injury activates blood clotting, which then stimulates liver repair using an experimental model of high-dosage acetaminophen. The study identified fibrinogen as a critical protein in this process.
SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Hepatology·DateJan 18, 2017