A randomized, Phase III study will enroll 600 people with suboptimal diets to evaluate the effects of a specific diet on cognitive abilities and brain health. The MIND diet, which includes foods like fish, berries, nuts, and leafy greens, aims to improve brain health by developing new dietary guidelines.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have created a technique to produce chemically functionalised spider silk that can be tailored for drug delivery, regenerative medicine, and wound healing. The synthetic silk can be 'clicked' with antibiotics or fluorescent dyes using 'click-chemistry', allowing for controlled release.
SourceUniversity of Nottingham·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 4, 2017
A new crystal structure of organic-inorganic hybrid materials has been discovered, offering promise for the development of optoelectronic devices such as light-emitting diodes and lasers. The material displays interesting optical properties, including high photo luminescence, making it a potential candidate for efficient light emission.
SourceFlorida State University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 4, 2017
Researchers at University of Chicago and Wayne State University reaffirm the reliability of Type Ia supernovae for measuring cosmic distances. The findings contradict recent claims that these supernovae are inconsistent in their brightness.
SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society·DateJan 4, 2017
Cornell University researchers have identified a distant cosmic source of 'fast radio bursts' emitting massive energy pulses from across the universe, exceeding 3 billion light-years away.
Researchers found that the Inuit gut microbiome is remarkably similar to that of urbanized Westerners, with subtle differences in relative abundances of individual taxa. Dietary fiber is identified as a major factor driving the overall composition of the microbiome.
SourceAmerican Society for Microbiology·JournalmSphere·DateJan 4, 2017
Researchers developed a sensor that uses Raman spectroscopy to detect molecular markers of IBD in the colon, helping to distinguish between ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. The device could provide an objective gold standard for diagnosis and guide personalized treatment approaches.
SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateJan 4, 2017
A team of researchers from York University, NASA, and Johns Hopkins University have identified icy features on Pluto, including penitentes, which are bowl-shaped depressions with spires around the edge. The study suggests that these features may exist on other planets where environmental conditions are similar.
A new study found humpback whales traveling further in the southwest Indian Ocean than previously thought, revealing important breeding habitats off Madagascar. The research also showed different movement patterns for males and females, with potential implications for conservation efforts.
SourceNew England Aquarium·JournalMarine Ecology Progress Series·DateJan 4, 2017
A new study by Duke University found that increasing politicians' pay does not encourage more working-class people to run for office. Research shows that high-paying jobs attract professionals rather than lower-paid individuals, making it difficult for blue-collar workers to break into politics.
SourceDuke University·JournalAmerican Political Science Review·DateJan 4, 2017
Katherine High discusses gene therapy progress for hemophilia and inherited retinal disorders, highlighting key scientific, regulatory, and commercial challenges. Her leadership in the field has been critical to its current success.
SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalHuman Gene Therapy Clinical Development·DateJan 4, 2017
A new study by Drexel University found that lower neighborhood socioeconomic status increases heart disease and stroke risk among black residents. Every step down on an established disadvantage scale resulted in a 25% increase in risk of cardiovascular disease.
SourceDrexel University·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJan 4, 2017
Patients with mental health emergencies in Massachusetts wait an average of 16.5 hours for hospital admission and 21.5 hours for transfer to another facility compared to 4.2 hours for medical patients.
SourceAmerican College of Emergency Physicians·JournalAnnals of Emergency Medicine·DateJan 4, 2017
The University of Illinois Chicago will continue its research on risk and protective factors for drinking among lesbian or bisexual women, led by Tonda Hughes. The five-year study aims to examine the impact of stressful experiences on psychological suffering and hazardous drinking in adult sexual-minority women.
A systematic review confirms Zika virus infection as a cause of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) and congenital brain abnormalities. The study analyzed 72 studies on Zika and GBS, finding at least eight criteria for causality met, while another 36 studies showed seven out of ten criteria satisfied.
The new special issue of Future Oncology explores the field of psycho-oncology, which aims to integrate biomedical and psychosocial aspects of cancer care. The issue highlights the importance of developing a multi-disciplinary approach to cancer care, from both social and biomedical standpoints.
SourceFuture Science Group·JournalFuture Oncology·DateJan 3, 2017
Patients taking antidepressants for depression are more likely to report gastrointestinal and cardiovascular side effects if they also have panic disorder, according to a new study. Co-occurring panic disorder is associated with an increased risk of worsening depressive symptoms.
SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalJournal of Clinical Psychiatry·DateJan 3, 2017
This study investigates molecular changes in the OTOF gene in patients with auditory neuropathy and identifies the c.35delG mutation in the GJB2 gene. Cochlear implants show excellent outcomes, with improved speech development and language acquisition in patients with severe/profound hearing loss.
SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Neurology Journal·DateJan 3, 2017
A team of researchers at Ohio State University has developed a device that converts waste heat into electricity, producing a voltage output 10 times higher than previous results. The innovation uses a composite material of nickel and platinum to amplify the voltage output through magnetism.
SourceOhio State University·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 3, 2017
A study found that maternal depression in early childhood increases children's susceptibility to psychopathology and social-emotional problems. Mother-child interaction patterns also play a crucial role in this effect. Improving mother-child interactions may help reduce the effects of maternal depression on children's development.
SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry·DateJan 3, 2017
Researchers studied groundwater hydrology of proglacial valleys in the Andes, finding that 29% of stream discharge comes from groundwater. The study aimed to improve hydrological modeling of proglacial catchments throughout South America.
SourceSyracuse University·JournalHydrological Processes·DateJan 3, 2017
Researchers found substantial inequities in care practices for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients across seven European countries. The standard of care for DMD typically includes corticosteroid medication, physiotherapy, regular echocardiograms, and regular check-ups, but adherence to guidelines was low, particularly among non-...
SourceIOS Press·JournalJournal of Neuromuscular Diseases·DateJan 3, 2017
Researchers at the University of Illinois used quantum simulation to replicate the properties of a topological insulator, directly observing its protected boundary state. This breakthrough enables further investigations into topological systems and their unique transport properties.
SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 3, 2017
Researchers have developed a 3D printable sonic tractor beam that can trap small beads, insects, and even biological samples using sound waves. The device is created by designing a metamaterial with tubes of different lengths, which shape the sound waves to create a trapping environment.
SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJan 3, 2017
A new study has confirmed the presence of ticks carrying Lyme disease in nine eastern national parks, highlighting the need for visitors to take precautions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Park Service collected ticks along hiking trails and found all nine parks had infected blacklegged ticks.
SourceEntomological Society of America·JournalJournal of Medical Entomology·DateJan 3, 2017
Researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles found a correlation between reduced regional cerebral blood flow in the Broca's area of the frontal lobe and more severe stuttering. The study also suggests that disturbances in speech processing areas of the brain are likely central to stuttering.
SourceChildren's Hospital Los Angeles·JournalHuman Brain Mapping·DateJan 3, 2017
Researchers at Rice University have made breakthroughs in understanding how concrete responds to stress at the atomic level. By studying the internal structure of tobermorite, they found that defects can lead to increased strength and toughness by allowing layers to glide past each other.
SourceRice University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJan 3, 2017
Researchers found that consuming zinc-enriched foods can reduce oxidative stress and DNA damage in humans. The study suggests a new strategy for measuring the impact of zinc on health, with implications for mitigating micronutrient deficiencies worldwide.
SourceChildren's Hospital & Research Center Oakland·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateJan 3, 2017
Researchers identified MMP9 as a tumor suppressor role in colitis-associated cancer (CAC), which is driven by chronic inflammation. The study found that MMP9 suppresses tumors by activating the MMP9-Notch1-ARF-p53 axis pathway.
SourceGeorgia State University·JournalOncoTargets and Therapy·DateJan 3, 2017
A new study predicts that California will experience three more extreme precipitation events per year by 2100 as the Earth's climate warms. The researchers developed a technique to identify large-scale patterns in atmospheric data, significantly reducing uncertainty in extreme storm predictions.
SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Climate·DateJan 3, 2017
A new study found that educating diners about the environmental impact of food waste reduces waste, but this benefit disappears when participants know their scraps will be composted. The study highlights the complexity of managing food waste and suggests a nuanced approach to address the issue.
Researchers identify opposing signaling pathways that determine the formation of hair follicles and sweat glands in humans, similar to mice but separated by time. This discovery has potential to improve methods for culturing human skin tissue used in grafting procedures.
SourceRockefeller University·JournalScience·DateJan 3, 2017
Research reveals that genes affecting social communication in children overlap with those for autism and schizophrenia, but influence risk differently at various stages of development. This study provides new insights into the genetic basis of psychiatric disorders and their relationship to social competence.
SourceMax Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics·JournalMolecular Psychiatry·DateJan 3, 2017
New analysis suggests US is unlikely to experience large-scale Zika outbreak due to access to clean water and air conditioning. However, localized outbreaks remain a concern, particularly in southern states with lower socioeconomic conditions.
SourceEntomological Society of America·JournalJournal of Medical Entomology·DateJan 3, 2017
Researchers estimate that up to 76 percent of the world's population is overfat, including normal-weight individuals with increased risk factors for chronic disease. The study suggests a new pandemic has quietly overtaken the world, and argues for a change in global health efforts against chronic and metabolic diseases.
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Public Health·DateJan 3, 2017
Recent years have seen a substantial increase in articles within radiology journals addressing patient-centered care, with only a limited number of journals publishing multiple original research articles. The study identified four journals that had published more than one original research article on the topic.
SourceHarvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute·JournalJournal of the American College of Radiology·DateJan 3, 2017
Research by Imperial College London suggests targeting specific brain pathways may lead to future treatments for gambling addiction. The study found connections between the parts of the brain that control impulses are weakened in people with gambling addiction.
SourceImperial College London·JournalTranslational Psychiatry·DateJan 3, 2017
A large study found that 45% more women with breast cancer experience cognitive impairment compared to healthy individuals. Factors like anxiety, younger age, and black race contribute to cognitive decline.
SourceUniversity of Rochester Medical Center·JournalJournal of Clinical Oncology·DateJan 3, 2017
Scientists have discovered that a man-made version of soluble gp130, or sgp130, can inhibit inflammation in the eye and prevent retinal destruction associated with diabetes. The new molecule, called sgp130-Fc, has been shown to reduce inflammation and improve vision in mouse models of diabetic retinopathy.
SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·DateJan 3, 2017
The latest collection of articles in JAMA Internal Medicine explores firearm violence in urban areas, with studies focusing on adolescent firearm homicides and social contagion through networks. The research aims to reduce the disproportionate impact of firearm violence on minority populations.
SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Internal Medicine·DateJan 3, 2017
Severe thunderstorms spawned tornadoes and generated flooding rainfall over the Southeast, with up to a foot of rain falling in five days. At least 13 deaths were blamed on the violent weather, according to NASA's Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) program.
Researchers from Dresden and Basel have developed a novel memory chip concept that can store data magnetically without continuous refreshing, reducing energy consumption and heat generation. The breakthrough uses an electrical voltage instead of current to activate the magnetic material, enabling more efficient data storage.
SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 3, 2017
Feral cat population in Australia is estimated to be around 2-6.3 million, with densities higher on islands and in inland areas with low rainfall. The research also found that feral cats are undermining conservation efforts, driving species extinctions across the country.
SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalBiological Conservation·DateJan 3, 2017
A new study published in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism found that commercial weight loss programs including both diet and exercise resulted in greater improvements in metabolic syndrome. The research suggests that a synergistic approach to diet and exercise is essential for both weight loss and improved health outcomes.
Researchers have applied physics models to understand economic systems, but results show that universal features may be the exception rather than the rule. Econophysics has led to discoveries like the inverse cubic law describing stock price fluctuations.
SourceSpringer·JournalEPJ Techniques and Instrumentation·DateJan 3, 2017
The consortium aims to develop predictive spray models for fuel sprays in the engine cylinder, addressing uncertainties associated with fuel injection equipment. By understanding flow within the fuel injector nozzle and dispersion of liquid outside the nozzle, researchers hope to improve engine efficiency and reduce emissions.
Researchers create large sample size of ST12-germanium, confirming its semiconductor and optical properties. The material has a tetragonal structure and indirect band gap, making it suitable for infrared detection and imaging technology.
SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 3, 2017
Researchers have found a way to make memory chips perform computing tasks, leading to faster and thinner mobile devices and computers. The new computing circuit uses state-of-the-art memory chips to process data in four states instead of two, boosting processing speeds by at least two times.
SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 3, 2017
Chemical modification of insulin enables faster release and improved availability, maintaining efficacy. The study uses computer simulations and experiments to confirm the effect, demonstrating potential for optimizing diabetes treatment.
SourceUniversity of Basel·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateJan 3, 2017
Researchers found that a mobile, tablet-based game called Project: EVO improved cognitive benefits and mood in people with late-life depression. A second study showed similar results, with improvements seen in all groups, including the placebo.
SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalDepression and Anxiety·DateJan 3, 2017
Researchers at Duke University have created a new method for printing conductive films using silver nanowire inks, eliminating the need for heat. The resulting printed electronics can be used in various applications such as solar cells, displays, and implantable bio-electronic devices.
SourceDuke University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJan 3, 2017
A recent study examining 1,600 instances of phenotypic change worldwide shows that urbanization is affecting the genetic makeup of species crucial to ecosystem health. The research highlights the importance of understanding human-induced trait changes and their implications for ecological and human well-being.
SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 3, 2017
A new Duke University study reveals that global emissions targets can only be met if green technologies are developed and implemented at an unprecedented pace. To limit warming below the Paris Agreement's 2 degrees C target, green innovations must be accelerated by a full order of magnitude, or about ten times faster than in the past.
Researchers found that PQQ reduced fat in livers and inflammation, protecting adult mice from fatty liver even after stopping supplementation. The antioxidant may work by impacting pathways critical to early onset of diseases associated with maternal obesity and high-fat diets.
SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalThe FASEB Journal·DateJan 3, 2017
Researchers argue that sugar-free versions of soft drinks are no healthier for weight loss or prevention, and may even be detrimental to the environment. Current evidence does not support claims that ASBs aid in weight loss or prevent weight gain compared to full-sugar drinks.
SourceImperial College London·JournalPLOS Medicine·DateJan 3, 2017
Researchers studied data from Lake Malawi to confirm that rifting has occurred slowly over the past 1.3 million years, utilizing a series of faults millions of years older. The team's findings provide a unified geologic framework for exploring the East African Rift system and shed light on other continental rift systems.
SourceSyracuse University·JournalJournal of Structural Geology·DateJan 3, 2017
Richard Myers is investigating the Cyclin G-associated kinase (GAK) gene and its role in Parkinson's disease. His research aims to understand how increasing GAK levels may prevent cell death in PD.
SourceBoston University School of Medicine·DateJan 3, 2017
A study found gun violence research receives significantly less funding and publication volume than other leading causes of death, including sepsis and motor vehicle accidents. This disparity affects vulnerable communities disproportionately.
SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalJAMA·DateJan 3, 2017
A University of Illinois study found that 19 out of 20 tropical bird species in Panama may experience significantly fewer birds if conditions become drier, due to longer dry seasons and more intense seasonal droughts. The scaly-throated leaftosser is the only species that tends to increase with dryer conditions.
SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJan 3, 2017
Researchers at KAUST develop a process to print high-performance silicon-based computers on soft, sticker-like surfaces for flexible electronics. Decal electronics enable easy integration of device components into compliant systems.
SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 3, 2017