A new mechanism has been discovered that allows white blood cells to recognize and expel pathogens, preventing the spread of infections like Cryptococcosis to the brain. Researchers have identified a key molecule called ERK5 that can be manipulated to enhance this process, offering potential therapies for diseases such as this.
A recent VA study presents original research and perspectives informing efforts to ensure high-quality patient-centered care for vulnerable veteran populations. The research highlights disparities in healthcare access and outcomes among racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ veterans, homeless veterans, and others.
Australian scientists argue that the current PCOS definition brings no clear benefit to women, despite higher levels of depression, anxiety, and negative body image. The authors recommend reevaluating diagnosis and treatment based on individual characteristics and symptom severity.
Researchers have discovered a new brain area, the retrosplenial cortex, that plays a crucial role in spatial memory and navigation. This finding could lead to a better understanding of how our brains process spatial information and may shed light on neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.
A new study published in Nature Communications reveals genetic variants that affect the immune response to infections, linking genetics and environment to disease risk. The research identified hundreds of genes where gene expression changes depend on individual genetic variants, shedding light on the genomic elements underlying immune ...
Researchers report finding similarities among classes of materials with phenomena like electronic symmetry breaking, which helps establish essential ingredients for novel functionalities. A new nematic-like state is observed in heavy-fermion superconductor CeRhIn5, correlating with unconventional superconductivity.
Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that consuming walnuts activates the right insula, a brain area linked to cognitive control and salience. This activation is associated with reduced hunger and increased feelings of fullness.
Researchers discovered that combining a novel drug MI-773 with traditional chemotherapy cisplatin destroyed salivary gland tumor cells and prevented recurrence within 300 days. This combination therapy showed promise in treating adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare cancer affecting 3,000-4,000 people annually.
Researchers at the Netherlands Cancer Institute discovered that PD-L1 is stabilized by protein CMTM6, making it a potential new therapeutic target for cancer treatment. This finding may also improve the prediction of treatment success in patients with current PD-L1 blockers.
Mothers experiencing significant prenatal stress are at a higher risk of their child developing behavioral issues such as hyperactivity and conduct disorder. The study found that these changes can be long-lasting or permanent due to alterations in brain development caused by maternal stress.
Research highlights the disproportionate impact of beauty product-related chemicals on women of color, who face higher levels of exposure and health risks. The study suggests that marketing practices and societal pressure contribute to this issue, emphasizing the need for improved testing and disclosure to advance environmental justice.
Giant larvaceans, a type of plankton, consume tiny pieces of plastic and pass them in their fecal pellets, which sink to the ocean bottom. This process suggests that these filter feeders may contribute to faster transfer of plastic pollution from surface to sea floor.
A recent study published in JAMA Surgery found that the attrition rate among general surgery residents was lower than previously thought, with only 8.8% leaving their training programs compared to 20%. The study also identified a significant difference in program directors' attitudes and support for struggling residents between high- a...
A recent paper analyzes security issues in smart electrical grids, highlighting potential consequences of cyber attacks on advanced metering infrastructures. The report provides crucial keys to ensuring the security of our power supply.
A new blood test developed by Johns Hopkins Medicine accurately identifies more than half of people with early-stage colorectal, breast, lung, and ovarian cancers. The test distinguishes between cancer-specific DNA and altered DNA that can be mistaken for biomarkers.
A team at MIT has carried out detailed tests that resolve the questions surrounding a compound called lithium iodide, a possible solution to some of the lithium-air battery's problems. The study finds that LiI can enhance water's reactivity and interfere with charging, but suggests ways to suppress these reactions to make it work better.
A team of astronomers used the MUSE instrument on the VLT to study how gas can be stripped from galaxies, focusing on extreme jellyfish galaxies. Six out of seven jellyfish galaxies were found to host a supermassive black hole feeding on surrounding gas.
Researchers at the University of Illinois are using satellite data to estimate crop yield in the US Corn Belt. By integrating various spectral bands and analyzing them together, they've uncovered valuable information on crop biomass and environmental stresses related to drought and heat.
A recent study has made a groundbreaking discovery in the treatment of anal cancer, suggesting that current methods of checking for lymph node spread may be overestimating survival rates. This finding has significant implications for patient care, potentially leading to more targeted and effective treatments.
Researchers have developed a method using mosses (bryophytes) to evaluate atmospheric conditions in urban areas, including nitrogen pollution severity and drought stress. The study found that bryophytes can indicate the degree of nitrogen pollution and drought levels, making them a valuable tool for assessing environmental changes.
Researchers from Australian National University discovered ancient sedimentary rocks revealing molecular fossils that indicate the emergence of algae, a pivotal moment in ecosystems. This event led to the evolution of complex life, including humans.
Daily e-cigarette use was found to be the strongest predictor of smoking cessation among established smokers. Over half of daily e-cigarette users had quit smoking in the past five years, compared to just 28% of those who never tried e-cigarettes.
Scientists use radioactive 129I to track ocean currents in the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. The tracer's long half-life allows precise tracking of water circulation patterns, including the 'Arctic loop' and deep-water flows southward to Bermuda.
Researchers analyzed online trends, incidence, and health risk communication during the Zika pandemic and found that press releases were reactive and hard to read. They recommend improving readability and involving public representatives in assessing documents before releasing them to the public.
Computer scientists at the University of Washington have developed CovertBand, a software that can transform smart devices into active sonar systems, tracking personal activity and movements through walls. The technology uses repeating pulses in the audible range to gather detailed data on body position and movements.
A mathematical model of embodied consciousness predicts states of consciousness and behavior, analyzing free energy and projective geometry. The model, developed by an international team of experts, has potential industrial applications in robotics, AI, and healthcare.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a new multicolor MRI method that enables simultaneous detection of two different contrast agents, allowing for immediate comparisons of diseased and healthy tissue. This breakthrough has the potential to transform molecular imaging and aid disease diagnosis.
A five-year federal research grant will fund studies on the gut microbiome's role in MS, led by Yanjiao Zhou. The research aims to investigate how intermittent fasting alters the gut microbiome and may reduce MS symptoms.
A new analysis of national public opinion polls reveals that Republican divisions on health care issues hindered major legislation. The study also finds growing support for a federal role in ensuring universal coverage, with six in ten Americans now believing it is the government's responsibility.
A new critically endangered tree species, Melicope stonei, has been discovered on Kaua'i, with unique habitat features and limited distribution. Threats to its survival include habitat degradation, predation by invasive species, and environmental events.
A study published in JAMA Network found that acupuncture and electrotherapy can potentially reduce and delay opioid use after total knee replacement. The analysis of drug-free interventions revealed moderate evidence supporting the effectiveness of these non-pharmacological treatments.
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) will capture an image of the Moon's shadow on Earth during a solar eclipse on Aug. 21. The public can participate by waving at the Moon, with the camera resolution able to see continents and large surface features.
A Brazilian company's device uses low-field NMR to analyze food products in a few seconds, measuring sugar content, fat content, moisture, tenderness, flavor, and succulence. The technology has been used to analyze beef and palm oil without dehydrating samples.
Research links elemental sulfur use to poorer respiratory health in children living near farms that apply the pesticide, with significant associations found between sulfur use and asthma-related symptoms. The study suggests urgent need for more research and possible changes to regulations and application methods.
The Sungazer lizard is critically endangered due to poaching and habitat loss, with its population declining by over a third in the last decade. A conservation assessment found that only half of the species' habitat has been irreversibly transformed by humans.
Accelerated growth rates in farmed salmon are linked to a common inner ear deformity causing up to 50% hearing loss. Reducing growth rate can reduce the incidence of the deformity by three times.
Researchers have created a biocompatible fertilizer from carbon dots derived from rapeseed pollen, increasing plant biomass by 50% in treated plants. The process was found to be relatively inexpensive, costing just 3 cents per gram.
A novel lineage-restricted stem cell was identified in the mammary gland, maintaining ER+ lineage expansion during pubertal development and long-term renewing capacities in adult mice. This finding challenges the current model of cellular hierarchy governing tissue development and maintenance.
Researchers found that impaired DNA replication can lead to genome-wide epigenetic changes, resulting in the inheritance of new gene expression states for up to five generations. These epigenetic alterations establish new gene expression patterns that can be passed down through multiple generations.
A new type of plant, 'Shetland's monkeyflower', has been discovered in the Shetland Isles, resulting from the doubling of its chromosomes. The plant, a descendant of a non-native species, produces larger flowers and changes in leaf size and flowering time.
Researchers found that volcanic eruptions can cause ozone depletion until 2070, despite declining levels of human-made CFCs. Natural sources of halogen gases from marine plankton and microalgae become important in the lower stratosphere after CFC concentrations decline.
A study found that more than half of heart patients are admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) for noncardiac conditions such as sepsis or renal failure. This shift in patient composition requires providers to reassess training and staffing models, with implications for care and outcomes.
The Mars 2020 mission utilizes advanced techniques developed from studying early life on Earth to detect biosignatures in ancient Martian rocks. By mapping elemental and organic composition at high spatial resolution, scientists aim to determine if these features were formed by life.
A UTSA professor has received a $1.5 million grant to study spermatogonial stem cells in a cutting-edge way. The goal is to understand how these cells form and support sperm production, leading to earlier diagnoses and more effective treatments for male infertility.
A new study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery found that smoking significantly increases the chance of brain aneurysm recurrence. Former and current smokers had a higher rate of recurrence compared to never smokers, emphasizing the importance of quitting smoking after endovascular treatment.
A team of international archaeologists has re-examined a c. 8,500-year-old by-product from metal smelting and found conclusive evidence of an incidental copper firing event. The discovery provides new insights into the origins of metallurgy in the Near East.
Research in mice suggests that eating at abnormal times can weaken the daytime potency of an enzyme protecting against UV radiation, leading to increased risk of sunburn and long-term effects like skin cancer. A normal eating schedule may provide better protection from UV rays during the day.
A new study reveals that subsea permafrost in the East Siberian Arctic Shelf (ESAS) degrades at a rate of 18 cm/year, exceeding previous estimates. This suggests that massive methane emissions into the atmosphere may occur due to the destruction of hydrates, contradicting IPCC climate model predictions.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a substrate-specific method to detect electron transfer in photovoltaic devices. The new approach uses deep-ultraviolet continuum pulses to probe the excitonic transitions of transition-metal oxide substrates, providing a route to studying solid-state-sensitized solar cells.
The school has awarded over $3.5 million in grants since its opening in 2014, with the latest grant targeting breast cancer treatment. Dr. Kamaljit Kaur's research aims to develop peptides that target specific receptors on cancer cells, reducing toxic side effects and improving patient survival.
Researchers will investigate regulatory mechanisms and biomarkers of healthy aging, aiming to understand why the immune system weakens with age. The study may lead to new treatments for age-related health issues, such as increased vulnerability to infections and cancers.
Researchers developed a new inlet design for Hall thrusters that significantly increases thrust by creating a vortex in the discharge channel. The design improvement resulted in higher gas density and uniformity, leading to improved performance and increased specific impulse of up to 53.5%.
Researchers in the Netherlands have created efficient green solar panels using soft imprint lithography, which scatter green light and maintain a 10% power reduction. The technology has potential to widen solar panel use as an architectural design element.
A meta-analysis of randomized-clinical trials found that full-dose bivalirudin infusion post-PCI for four hours is associated with improved net adverse clinical events and all-cause mortality. Bivalirudin exhibits a lower risk of bleeding compared to unfractionated heparin, but also increases the risk of acute stent thrombosis.
A new study reveals that thriving in elite sports requires a combination of internal and external factors, including optimism, focus, and high motivation. The research found that athletes who are highly motivated, develop holistically, and have a sense of belonging tend to thrive at the highest level.
Researchers at the University of Queensland have discovered that adult brains can produce new cells in the amygdala, a region important for processing emotional memories. This finding has significant implications for understanding the brain's ability to adapt and regenerate.
Typhoon Banyan's eye became visible again in satellite imagery from NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite, showing a tight concentration of strong thunderstorms around its center. The storm is expected to become a strong extra-tropical storm in the open waters of the Northwestern Pacific Ocean by August 17.
The Biophysical Society has announced its 2018 Society Fellows, recognizing distinguished members who have made significant contributions to the field of biophysics. The 2018 Fellows include Patricia Bassereau, James Bowie, Astrid Graslund, Roderick MacKinnon, and others.
University of Nevada, Reno researchers are developing mosquitoes that can detect and avoid human odors, potentially breaking the transmission cycle of mosquito-borne diseases. The goal is to create genetically modified mosquitoes that feed on other animals, reducing resistance development.
The new data resource center will accelerate novel treatments for childhood tumors by making genetic sequences available on the cloud. Researchers expect to identify beneficial mutations that allow some children to survive longer than others.