A new study finds that variation within species can have significant ecological effects, rivaling those of the entire species. This challenge traditional views on biodiversity and highlights the importance of preserving trait variation within species.
Dr. Peii Chen has been awarded a $600,000 NIDILRR grant to develop a Virtual Reality Spatial Retraining Therapy (VR-SRT) System to improve rehabilitation outcomes for individuals with spatial neglect after stroke. The therapy aims to be accessible, affordable and flexible, enabling more stroke survivors to access treatment.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a novel RNA nanotechnology to decorate exosomes for effective cancer therapy. The technology uses antibody-like RNA nanoparticles to deliver siRNA specifically to cancer cells, overcoming the challenge of delivering therapeutics directly to tumor cells.
A high-dose live oral vaccine has been found to be more effective in rapidly protecting individuals from cholera than the standard two-dose killed vaccine approach. This breakthrough could lead to improved control of outbreaks and lower mortality rates, particularly in low-income countries.
An international team of researchers identified a specific mechanism leading to Zika virus-associated microcephaly, involving protein misfolding and endoplasmic reticulum stress. This triggers the unfolded protein response, promoting apoptosis in neuronal cells and reducing cortical neuron development.
Researchers developed a method to determine human sex from tooth enamel using peptides. The approach successfully identified sex chromosome-linked isoforms of amelogenin, an enzyme-forming protein, from acid-etched samples, confirming sex in archaeological and legal contexts.
Researchers found that labeling people and objects in books enhances infant attention and retention. The study, led by Lisa Scott, suggests that shared reading with labeled books can support cognitive development in the first year of life.
A new study from Nationwide Children's Hospital found nearly 17,000 children under six were treated for window blind-related injuries between 1990 and 2015. Parents are advised to replace blinds with cordless options or retrofit existing ones to reduce the risk of strangulation.
Rice University statisticians developed a method to integrate neuroimaging scans to identify patients at high risk of continued seizures before surgery. The study found a subgroup with 5.8 times greater odds of postoperative seizures due to differences in brain networks.
Researchers propose using titanium nitride to replace gold and silver in optoelectronic devices, offering improved anti-corrosion and thermal stability properties. The material has shown significant Q-factor improvement in plasmon resonance, enabling the preservation of energy and wave oscillations.
A new consortium aims to accelerate clinical trials and find new treatments for Alzheimer's disease by implementing efficient participant recruitment methods. The collaboration will provide centralized services, enabling researchers to run innovative clinical trials, manage data, and recruit participants from diverse backgrounds.
A nationwide cohort study found a link between maternal rheumatoid arthritis and increased risks of thyroid disease, epilepsy, and rheumatoid arthritis in offspring. The study's results highlight the importance of monitoring child development if exposed to rheumatoid arthritis in utero.
A new study finds that presenting a scientific consensus on climate change can bridge the conservative-liberal divide, reducing polarization and increasing belief in scientific accord. Exposure to the simple fact of a scientific consensus neutralizes negative interactions between higher education and conservatism.
Researchers found that SHARPIN increases PRMT5 activity, boosting transcription factors that contribute to melanoma growth. SHARPIN acts as a counterbalance to reduced PRMT5 activity in tumors with deleted genes.
A study found that young adults rely on food increasing neurotransmitter precursors like meat for a mood boost, while mature adults require antioxidant-rich foods and avoidance of stress-activating foods to maintain good mental health. Regular consumption of these specific foods can help prevent mental distress.
Researchers add boron to gas mixture to create nanostructured diamond film with increased grain size, exhibiting diamond-like properties. The addition of boron also changes the film's electrical properties, offering new control for various applications.
Researchers found that higher physical activity prior to diagnosis and increased activity after diagnosis significantly improved overall and lymphoma-specific survival. Decreased perception of physical activity also led to poorer outcomes.
Motorcyclists are advised to ride with extra care during a full moon due to an increased risk of fatal crashes, according to a new study. The research found that for every two full moon nights, there was one additional fatal crash.
Research suggests that actively disagreeing with statements can lead to reduced bias. By prompting people to question their assumptions, individuals become more skeptical of their initial preferences. This counter-arguing mindset is essential for creating a healthier perspective.
A comprehensive study published in PeerJ reveals the cheetah's precarious situation in southern Africa, with only 3,577 adult cheetahs estimated to exist. The research identifies two habitats that support a majority of individuals and highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect these majestic predators.
A study published in Schizophrenia Research found a positive association between corpus callosum integrity and musical aptitude, while reduced integrity was linked to hallucination proneness. Researchers suggest that musical training could potentially counteract an individual's predisposition to hallucinations.
Researchers found that consumers with high levels of trust view misspellings as 'errors of knowledge', while those with low trust see them as indicative of careless writing. Consumers also react differently to typos, viewing typographical errors as signaling a lack of conscientiousness.
Researchers used a newly developed interpretive technique to analyze neural networks trained for machine translation and speech recognition. They found that lower-level tasks, such as sound recognition or part-of-speech recognition, are prioritized before higher-level tasks like transcription or semantic interpretation.
Researchers found that low PUMA expression distinguishes stem-like cells in cancer patients who experienced tumor recurrence. Reducing PUMA restores metastasis in cultured cells, highlighting a possible Achilles heel in aggressive breast cancers.
A study has identified an agent that can reverse resistance to a targeted therapy in some cases of leukemia. Azacitidine was found to reactivate cells that had become resistant to the treatment SL-401 by reversing DNA methylation, making them vulnerable to the drug again.
A study published in Journal of Cell Biology identifies SUV420H2 as an epigenetic orchestrator of pancreatic cancer cells' aggressive behavior. Reducing SUV420H2 levels makes pancreatic cancer cells more vulnerable to existing therapies.
Dr. Peii Chen, a research scientist at Kessler Foundation, has been awarded a 2017 Switzer Research Fellowship to investigate the impact of family-clinician collaboration on stroke rehabilitation outcomes. Spatial neglect affects approximately half of stroke survivors and can lead to poor rehabilitation outcomes.
A survey of patients found that those reporting higher levels of patient satisfaction with their care were significantly less likely to be readmitted. Good communication with healthcare providers was also linked to a lower risk of readmission. The study highlights the importance of engaging patients in an assessment of their communicat...
Researchers have discovered a promising new strategy to program the immune system to fight cancer by leveraging the novel function of the protein Runx3. This allows killer T cells to locate and persist in infected tissues or tumors, helping to eradicate infections or slow growth of malignancies.
Researchers from the University of Notre Dame found that sharing major life events on social media revives dormant connections and increases indegree centrality. The study also reveals that major life events provide an opportunity for users to revive communication with their dormant ties, reducing embeddedness.
Scientists from Konstanz, Princeton and Maryland successfully created a stable quantum gate for two-quantum bit systems using silicon. The research demonstrates the ability to control and read out the interaction of two quantum bits with high fidelity, paving the way for more efficient quantum computers.
A study published in Nature Communications found that reduced individual plant growth can benefit overall communities by controlling herbivore populations and indirectly supporting pollinators. This counterintuitive effect helps explain the persistence of some plant communities despite theory predicting their extinction.
Researchers used a combination of advanced imaging techniques to examine a second-century Egyptian painting, revealing details about the artist's materials and techniques. The study provided insights into fashions and artistic methods popular at the time.
A meta-analysis of trials involving nearly 5,000 patients found no differences in mortality between percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass grafting. Percutaneous coronary intervention is less burdensome on patients, enabling rapid return to work without long-term hospitalization.
A study from the University of Sheffield found that breastfeeding rates increased by six percentage points in areas where a shopping voucher scheme was offered. The scheme provided £120 worth of vouchers for every breastfeeding milestone reached, and saw a 46% uptake among eligible mothers.
Research published in CMAJ found that payment incentives introduced in Ontario in 2011 did not increase access to care for new patients. Despite a 15% premium and $200 annual fee, psychiatrists showed no significant change in the number of monthly visits for those discharged from hospital or with previous suicide attempts.
A large genetic study found a significant link between delay discounting and ADHD, obesity. Delay discounting refers to the tendency to undervalue future rewards, which was found to be correlated with various psychiatric and behavioral traits.
The National Institutes of Health is awarding up to $70 million to launch the Alzheimer's Clinical Trials Consortium, a network of 35 trial sites aiming to find new treatments for Alzheimer's disease. The consortium will improve recruitment strategies and infrastructure to accelerate clinical trials.
The study provides concrete guidelines for patient care, including adding specific questions to intake forms and communicating with patients without re-traumatizing them. The authors hope to encourage more survivors to share their experiences with primary care physicians.
A new animal model has been developed at Texas Biomedical Research Institute to mimic key features of the Zika virus infection, including lingering presence in bodily fluids. The marmoset model is useful for testing new drugs and vaccines, and may help identify places where transmission can be blocked.
A study of over 4,000 Michigan Medicaid enrollees found that nearly half are employed, while 11% are unable to work due to serious health issues. Those who cannot work face significant health challenges and may be more likely to experience worsening conditions without treatment
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism by which Earth's atmosphere breaks down meteors as they approach the planet. The new finding reveals that air particles penetrating the meteor's porous interior can create pockets of high pressure, ultimately leading to the rock's explosion in the upper atmosphere.
Researchers propose a revised cancer staging approach that incorporates liquid biopsy to improve diagnosis and treatment accuracy. The new system has shown promising results in guiding cancer care, particularly in detecting early-stage cancer and tracking treatment response.
A new technology from UC3M's SoftLab research group has made Broadway musical comedies like 'The Addams Family' accessible to over 2 million deaf and blind people in Spain. The system uses augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and audio description to provide a synchronized and immersive experience.
Ocean researchers discovered 'smoke rings' that can transport small marine life at high speeds across vast distances. These linked eddies are ten times faster than regular ocean currents and were found in the Tasman Sea and South Atlantic.
Scientists discovered an anorexigenic neural circuit involving medial septal complex and paraventricular hypothalamus projections, associated with reduced nighttime and daytime food intake in mice. The study suggests a potential new approach to treating eating disorders without inducing maladaptive behaviors.
A multicenter study shows that a personalized Survivorship Care Plan can significantly reduce patients' stress levels related to their cancer treatment. The study found that the intervention decreased distress over a 6-month period compared to those who did not receive the care plan. This innovative approach empowers transplant survivo...
Researchers developed a deep learning tool to automatically analyze road behavior and create searchable databases. The system accurately labeled and tracked objects in traffic videos, identifying potential close encounters between vehicles and pedestrians.
Scientists are exploring multi-functional gene-editing technology by analyzing molecular features of Cpf1 and Cas9 proteins. The study reveals the high-resolution structure of these molecular scissors to better understand their working mechanism, including target DNA recognition and cleavage.
Researchers found that plants react to anesthetics by losing autonomous movements and being immobilized. This study suggests that plants can serve as a suitable alternative test system for human anesthesia.
Scientists found that thinning small areas of floating ice at Antarctica's coast can trigger accelerated movement of grounded ice hundreds of kilometers inland. The study reveals that warming ocean waters and increased stress on the grounding line can lead to catastrophic ice loss, threatening cities worldwide.
A new drug approach targets breast cancer's stem-like cells, slowing their spread before metastasis occurs. Researchers found co-expression of integrin αvβ3 and Slug identifies these cells in up to 20% of primary breast cancers.
A Cancer Research UK study found that health warnings on cigarette packaging can significantly reduce the likelihood of young people trying cigarettes. The study revealed that young people were around three times less likely to want to try cigarettes with a health warning compared to standard cigarettes.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a new way to produce high-density DC current, vastly improving over existing triboelectric nanogenerators. The discovery enables continuous flow of electricity from nanoscale movement and vibration, opening up potential applications in sensors, wearable devices, and more.
Teenagers with incontinence are at greater risk of underachieving academically due to frequent toilet visits and anxiety about accidents. Researchers recommend increasing teachers' awareness and providing guidance on supporting these students, including unrestricted access to toilets during the school day.
A Canadian academic investigated the claim of man flu, suggesting adult men have a higher risk of hospital admission and influenza-associated deaths compared to women. Men also exhibit higher rates of complications and mortality from acute respiratory diseases due to their less robust immune system.
Researchers found that mTOR stimulates liver tumor formation through increased lipid synthesis. The study shows how mTORC2 promotes the new synthesis of fatty acids and lipids in hepatocytes, enabling rapid cell growth and energy production.
Researchers have found that combining pembrolizumab with high-dose chemotherapy can lead to complete remissions in a significant percentage of relapsed acute myeloid leukemia patients. The study suggests that identifying biomarkers for patients responding to pembrolizumab may improve treatment outcomes.
A team of scientists used a novel microscope to measure the orientation of integrins on cell surfaces in real-time, revealing that actin flow inside the cell aligns with external forces. The study provides new insights into how cells migrate towards wounds or pathogens, shedding light on the fundamental mechanisms of cellular movement.
Researchers discovered that high-pressure air in front of meteoroids seeps into their pores, cracking them and causing explosions. A unique computer code allowed the team to simulate this phenomenon, explaining why some meteoroids disintegrate before reaching Earth's surface.