Researchers develop 'tracking' nanoagents that can detect diseased tissues in tiny areas, outperforming conventional methods. The technology also has potential applications in image-guided surgery and monitoring drug effects.
A University of Guelph study reveals that monarch butterfly eggs are more abundant on milkweed grown in agricultural areas, with three and a half times the number found in urban gardens, natural areas, and roadsides. This finding suggests that roadside planting may not be an effective conservation strategy for this endangered species.
A new study analyzing the jaws of the extinct otter Siamogale melilutra found that its jaw bones were six times sturdier than expected, indicating a strong bite force. The discovery suggests that the massive otter may have been a top predator in its time, crushing shells and bones of birds and small mammals.
Ayahuasca users reported lower problematic alcohol use and higher general wellbeing compared to LSD or magic mushrooms users. The study found that ayahuasca's acute effects lasted six hours and were most strongly felt one hour after consumption.
A team from the Technical University of Munich found that complex agricultural techniques require professional training, but many Ghanaian pineapple farmers lack access to effective training. The researchers suggest increasing focus on intensive and sustainable training methods to improve yields and income for Ghana's small-scale farmers.
A study of 62 rhinoplasty patients found that they used an average of nine hydrocodone-acetaminophen tablets, with 46 patients using 15 or fewer tablets. The most common adverse effects were drowsiness, nausea, and constipation.
The summit brought together experts to define endoscopic therapies in obesity management and reframe the debate around obesity as a chronic disease. Key findings include the need for public health measures, reduced stigma, and increased collaboration among medical specialties.
Researchers found over 3,000 online e-cigarette vendors in 2014, offering cheap prices and health claims that may attract youth. The study highlights the need for effective age verification, payment restrictions, and regulation to prevent minors from accessing e-cigarettes.
A new study reports that much of western Canada was ice-free as early as 14,000 years ago, contradicting previous estimates. The research suggests that the Cordilleran Ice Sheet retreated more than a millennium sooner and holds implications for understanding climate patterns and human migration.
Researchers developed a new 'rule-book' to estimate the risk of different cholera strains causing epidemics. The study found that 7PET strains from Asia repeatedly introduced into two main regions of Africa: West Africa and East/Southern Africa, leading to massive epidemics in some cases.
A new study found that exposure to air pollution is associated with osteoporosis-related bone fractures, particularly in low-income communities. The researchers suggest that reducing air pollution could help prevent these fractures and improve bone health.
A team of McMaster University graduates has developed a skin cancer detection device called The sKan, which creates a thermal map on the region of interest on the skin. The device is made up of 16 temperature-sensitive components and assists physicians in detecting melanoma by providing quantitative information about skin spots.
Research presented at the 18th Annual Congress of the South African Heart Association found significant financial stress associated with a 13-fold higher odds of having a heart attack. The study included 106 patients with acute myocardial infarction and found both work stress and financial stress to be risk factors.
Research investments in five areas of study are needed to accelerate new innovations for neglected diseases, according to Dr. Peter Hotez. Strategic funding could jumpstart a new generation of translational medicine and control tools.
Researchers at Aalto University have successfully doped gallium nitride with beryllium, showing promise for reducing energy losses in power electronics. The findings suggest that the material can be controlled to achieve significant improvements in energy efficiency, potentially cutting global power consumption by up to ten percent.
A study involving Slovenian children found that using tablet computers during math lessons boosted learning outcomes and improved motor skills. The intervention group showed better performance than the control group taught with traditional methods.
Researchers from MIPT and their colleagues have created a mathematical model of information warfare, accounting for sporadic propaganda surges. The model predicts that brief surges in propaganda intensity have no long-term effects if the society can forget information, and successfully predicted advertising campaign outcomes.
Researchers have identified enzymes that regulate the speed of protein cargo trucks on cellular highways, a discovery with implications for spinal cord and nerve injuries as well as neurodegenerative diseases. The study found that these enzymes, TTLL-11 and CCPP-1, work together to control traffic flow on microtubule highways.
A new framework developed by MIT researchers guarantees stability in microgrids supplying local power to communities, reducing the reliance on main power grids. The design allows for modular power systems that can be easily reconfigured for changing needs, providing a lower-cost solution with guaranteed reliability and security.
Researchers at Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute found that patients with extreme blood pressure swings were more likely to die than those with stable blood pressure. The study suggests that controlling blood pressure on a regular basis is crucial to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Researchers developed an algorithm capable of analyzing the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in gut microbiota, revealing new evidence of gene transfer between bacterial species. This method can contribute to effective therapy schemes and curb superbug emergence.
Researchers at Ames Laboratory have discovered a metallic material, CaCo1.86As2, with a perfectly frustrated magnetic state that persists even at low temperatures. This finding offers a new pathway for studying frustrated magnets and their potential applications in quantum computing and high-temperature superconductivity.
A new Journal of the American Geriatrics Society article calls for increased research on elder abuse among US Military Veterans, who face high risk due to known risk factors. The study highlights the need for a national scope and partnerships with federal agencies to improve care and prevent abuse.
Researchers found that selective breeding for high yield reduced the flexibility of corn varieties to respond to variable environments. This reduction in plasticity comes at the cost of maximum productivity.
The University of Texas at San Antonio's Clinical Mental Health Counseling program will receive specialized training to serve underserved communities. Students will be trained in integrated behavioral healthcare settings, enabling them to provide critical mental health services to rural and vulnerable populations.
State cancer drug parity laws have had a mixed impact on treatment costs, with modest improvements for many patients and increased monthly out-of-pocket costs for others. The laws aim to ensure that oral cancer treatments are not more costly than infusions, but they may not fully address affordability concerns.
A joint Russia-US effort studied teacher-to-student knowledge transfer in lower secondary mathematics, finding significant differences in subject-related knowledge between Russian and US teachers. The research emphasizes the crucial role of teachers' knowledge in students' academic attainment.
Scientists are developing tools to map areas at risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks using machine learning and big data. The project aims to predict when and where pathogens will make the leap from animals to people, enabling a proactive approach to managing zoonotic diseases.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a new method for producing industrial-scale algal hydrogen, which could potentially replace fossil fuels. The innovative approach uses a linked Photosystem I-hydrogenase system to improve the efficiency of hydrogen production.
A recent study by Harvard University researchers found that even smaller media outlets can have a significant impact on the national conversation about major public policy issues. The study, which involved 48 news outlets and over 35 experiments, showed that discussion of a particular topic across social media rose by more than 62 perc...
A neighborhood's quality has a significant impact on the number of problem behaviors displayed by children during elementary and teenage years. The study found that children living in poor-quality neighborhoods had significantly more serious behavior problems compared to those in excellent neighborhoods.
The USDA has announced grants to support integrated pest management (IPM) projects, aiming to increase production and ensure food security. These projects focus on developing safer, more effective pest management approaches for various crops, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, and nursery crops.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for chronic pain that can reduce reliance on opioids and improve quality of life. By teaching patients coping strategies, CBT helps them manage their pain and behaviors associated with it.
Researchers at KU Leuven unravelled how the cell division timer is switched on and off, potentially leading to effective cancer therapy. The discovery involves a biochemical clock that gives cells time to fix attachment-related problems, allowing for more efficient cell division.
Researchers have found that crested pigeons produce a critical high-pitched sound as they fly away from danger, which serves as an alarm signal. The birds' wings produce alternating high and low notes in flight, with the high notes being crucial for sounding an alarm.
Researchers found that fruit flies raised on a low protein diet during early life lived more than twice as long as those fed throughout on a standard diet. Adult flies release toxic lipids from their skin, which were less toxic if they ate a low-protein diet earlier in life.
A new study reveals nearly 500 finger and toe bones belonging to tiny early primates, some as small as a mustard seed, dating back 45 million years. The fossils, representing nine different taxonomic families of primates, provide evidence that early anthropoids were minuscule creatures.
A new method enables rapid 3D printing of fully functional electronic circuits using a single inkjet printing process. The technique combines 2D printed electronics with additive manufacturing, allowing for the creation of complex structures with multiple materials, including metals and plastics.
A UK study published in Scientific Reports has identified a novel cell signaling interaction that may prevent a key step in lung cancer progression. The research, conducted by the University of Kentucky, found that microRNA molecules can alter TGFβ activity and prevent epithelial-mesenchymal transition, a critical process in metastasis.
Researchers at Salk Institute have found that fruit fly brains use an efficient method to perform similarity searches, expanding the dimension of odor information to improve detection. This approach could inform computer algorithms and enhance their ability to find similarities quickly.
A new study reveals that African-Americans experience racial stigma and stereotypes when shopping, with 80% reporting encountering racial bias. To navigate this landscape, many shoppers downplay their race or avoid certain stores altogether.
Frequent alcohol consumption can lead to the death of stem cells responsible for creating new nerve cells in adult brains. Females are particularly susceptible to this damage, which may help develop new approaches to treating alcoholism.
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to create reconstituted silk that is more than twice as stiff as its natural counterpart. The material has potential applications in medical sutures, scaffolding for new skin or other biomaterials, and sensing devices.
A national survey of pediatric primary care physicians found that while most address at least one parental health issue during child health visits, fewer feel responsible for doing so. The study highlights the need to better understand how health systems can support current practices and improve parental health promotion in pediatrics.
Researchers at Wits University found that the Willems method of dental age estimation is more accurate than the Demirjian method in different populations. The study highlights the need for population-specific standards for age estimation in Africa, where birth registry and date of birth challenges are common.
A new study at Queen's University is using a nipple-monitoring device to evaluate the feeding skills of high-risk newborns in intensive care. The goal is to better identify and address feeding difficulties, allowing for more accurate treatment recommendations and potentially shorter hospital stays.
A large-scale study found that articles from small news outlets can increase discussion by 63% and shift the balance of opinion by 2.3% in favor of the article's ideological direction. The impact is observed across different political affiliations, geographies, and social media intensity.
Research in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience found that challenging situations negatively impact the brain's ability to acquire spatial and sequential context. Participants performed poorly on tests after watching clips of positive, negative, and neutral situations.
Researchers developed a hybrid Th1/17 T cell that combines the strong effector traits of Th1 cells with the durability of Th17 cells, providing a potent and durable anti-tumor response in preclinical models. The hybrid cells maintained their effectiveness even after long-term persistence in the body.
A four-year study investigates how long-term exposure to airborne particulates relates to Parkinson's onset later in life, exploring the role of nasal inflammation and anti-inflammatory medications. The team aims to develop ways to evaluate an individual's risk for the disease and therapies to prevent or slow its progression.
Research published in Science shows climate warming reduced the mass of the Cordilleran Ice Sheet by half in 500 years, indicating a similar fate for the Greenland Ice Sheet. The study suggests that once ice sheets start to melt, they can do so quickly, causing significant sea level rise and changes in ocean circulation.
A high dose of hydroxyurea significantly increased fetal hemoglobin levels and reduced hospitalizations among young sickle cell anemia patients. The study found that maximizing the dose resulted in a substantial reduction in hospitalizations, with nearly all patients experiencing improved health outcomes.
A study published in Environmental Research found that while ambient air pollution decreased in Massachusetts between 2003 and 2010, exposure remained higher in predominantly Hispanic and non-Hispanic black communities. The researchers tracked disparities over space and time using data from the 2000 and 2010 Census and the American Com...
A recent study published in Diabetologia found that a diet rich in antioxidants, particularly from fruits and vegetables, tea, and moderate alcohol consumption, is associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Women with the highest antioxidant scores had a 27% reduced risk compared to those with the lowest scores.
New research suggests that early European farmers lived side-by-side with hunter-gatherers, slowly mixing and assimilating them over time. The study found that hunter-gatherer heritage increased in the farming populations, indicating a gradual integration rather than replacement or extermination.
A University of Maryland-led study reveals that China has significantly reduced its sulfur dioxide emissions, while India's have increased, putting the latter on track to become the world's top emitter. The findings suggest that China's efforts to control pollution are paying off, but air quality remains a concern.
A new study by U.S. and Chinese scientists found that coal ash from high-uranium deposits in China contains radiation levels 43 times higher than UN safety standards. The use of such ash in residential building materials is not suitable due to potential human health risks.
Researchers found that a dengue virus protein disrupts the protective lining of blood vessels, leading to severe disease symptoms. The underlying mechanism appears to be disruption of glycocalyx components, paving the way for new potential treatments.
Researchers developed better search algorithms using fruit fly brain's odor classification technique, which assigns similar neural activity patterns to similar odors. The fly-based approach outperformed conventional computer algorithms in sorting data with improved performance.
Researchers develop an approach to super-resolution photoacoustic imaging using advanced statistical analysis, breaking the barriers of conventional imaging hardware. This technique offers a practical and low-cost option for improving biomedical imaging for research and diagnostics.