A recent study published in Sexuality & Culture explores how LGBQ* women's sexual desire is influenced by sociocultural factors such as sexism, religion, and body image. The research reveals that these factors have a significant impact on the lives of LGBQ* women, particularly those who identify as women of color or bisexual.
A new method developed by Harvard Medical School researchers can tease out cause-and-effect relationships between gut bacteria and disease, a major hurdle in microbiome research. The approach identified a previously unknown gut microbe that protects against severe colitis.
A new study finds that bamboo lemurs, giant pandas, and red pandas share 48 gut microbes in common, highlighting the importance of diet in shaping their microbial ecosystems. The researchers discovered these microbes by analyzing feces from each species and comparing them to those of closely related animals.
Researchers tracked 19 loggerhead turtles in the South Atlantic Ocean, discovering they don't passively ride currents but instead swim to remain offshore. The study sheds light on the 'lost years' of sea turtle life cycle, where young turtles survive several years at sea before returning closer to shore as large juveniles.
A new guideline based on patient data and education has been shown to effectively reduce opioid prescribing in surgery patients by up to 66%, while maintaining similar levels of pain control. The study's findings have the potential to significantly impact the national opioid crisis, with estimates suggesting over 13,000 excess pills ha...
During a two-week top-to-bottom survey of Penang Hill's rainforest, scientists discovered several previously unknown species, including a new scorpion and likely new fly, water bear, and bacterium. The expedition logged over 1,400 species observations, contributing valuable data for mapping the region's distribution of wildlife.
The study highlights that since 2011, the conflict has claimed an increasing number of civilian child deaths due to the systematic use of aerial bombing on populated areas. The majority of civilian deaths were men, followed by children and women, with barrel bombs causing a high proportion of civilian deaths.
Researchers discovered that enhancing mitochondrial defenses can reduce amyloid plaque formation and improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease. The approach targets the mitochondrial unfolded protein response and mitophagy mechanisms to restore cellular energy production and protect against neurodegeneration.
A happy working mom is one who feels competent and has a warm relationship with her child. Her sense of well-being depends on meeting her own psychological needs, rather than her baby's temperament. Mothers should prioritize their daily needs to interact with their children in a more sensitive and positive way.
A study published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health found that prolonged convulsive seizures in childhood can lead to lasting neurological conditions, including epilepsy, learning disabilities, and movement problems. Children with pre-existing neurological issues were more likely to experience chronic problems after a seizure.
Craftsman Tools Ltd aims to boost tool-holding sector turnover from £1.2m to £4m within five years through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) grant. The project, led by Daniel Emsley, will focus on introducing advanced technology and manufacturing systems, including intelligent tool-holding with internet of things sensing technology.
Researchers have devised a method to scan walls without prior knowledge of their material composition, exploiting symmetry for effective resolution. This approach enables inexpensive devices to locate conduits, pipes, and wires in construction, with potential applications in security and industry.
Researchers at Queen's University have successfully used magnetic fields to direct magnetotactic bacteria against strong currents, opening up the potential for these microbes to deliver pharmaceuticals directly to tumors. The team aims to bind therapeutic drugs to the bacterial bodies and release them once they reach their destination.
A study found that plants prioritize flower protection over leaf defense and increase hormone concentrations in flowers to deter attackers. Dual attacks by caterpillars and bacteria leave plants more vulnerable to aphid attacks.
Researchers have discovered that microbes in Antarctica can scavenge hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide from the air to sustain their energy needs. This discovery has significant implications for the search for life on other planets, suggesting that extra-terrestrial microbes could also rely on trace atmospheric gases.
Researchers at Rice University found that purified carbon nanotubes enhance wheatgrass growth by up to 13% in water solutions. However, contaminated particles can concentrate toxins and hinder plant development. The study highlights the need for understanding nanomaterials as part of a system rather than in isolation.
Researchers from Carnegie Institution for Science found that climate models projecting greater amounts of warming are more likely to align with current observations. The study suggests that models simulating reduced cloud cooling in the future tend to predict greater future warming.
Researchers from UK and US institutions have set out six guiding principles for clean energy investment, emphasizing autonomy, stability, and adaptive strategies. The guidelines aim to provide more long-term stability when investing in clean energy.
A new recommendation algorithm uses cosine similarity to predict customer preferences in high-dimensional spaces, leveraging the angle between user rating lines. The approach balances signal gain with noise introduction, resulting in more accurate predictions and better performance, particularly when ratings data is sparse.
Astronomers have detected an extremely distant supermassive black hole with a mass 800 million times that of our Sun, pushing the boundaries of understanding the early cosmos. The discovery, based on data from Gemini Observatory, reveals the universe was only 5% of its current age at this distance.
Researchers Anthony Nash and Lauren von Blohn investigated the acoustic properties of exploding eggs in a microwave oven. They discovered that the yolk's temperature is consistently higher than the surrounding water bath, leading to superheated pockets that cause a chain reaction resulting in an explosion-like phenomenon.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have developed a new method for creating three-dimensional nanostructures using DNA 'bricks' that can self-assemble into structures with unprecedented complexities. The technology allows for the creation of nanostructures with complex cavities and potential applications in medicine and engineering.
Noise in hospitals is a significant problem, with alarms sounding an average of 133 times per day, leading to patient stress, impaired communication, and reduced healing. To address this issue, hospitals are developing noise control programs using engineering and administrative interventions.
NASA's GPM mission observed remnants of Tropical Cyclone Ockhi reaching the Indian coast with heavy rainfall exceeding 101.6 mm per hour. The storms' displacement indicates strong vertical wind shear, pushing them away from the center.
A recent review suggests humans have biological limitations that cannot be exceeded, despite advances in nutrition, medicine and science. Environmental changes, including climate change, could lead to decreased physical abilities and life expectancy.
A team of researchers from the University of Kansas is collecting fossilized plant remains in Antarctica to understand how plants will respond to contemporary climate change. By studying ancient plants, they aim to reconstruct the history of flora and ecosystems on a warming Earth.
A study found that a cancer medication can improve symptoms of Huntington's disease in mice, including increased mobility and longer lifespan. The drug targets mitochondrial health and protein removal, also relevant to other neurodegenerative disorders.
Two studies comparing buprenorphine and naltrexone found that both medications are equally effective in preventing relapse and reducing illicit opioid use. However, naltrexone can be more difficult to initiate due to the 'detox hurdle' faced by many patients.
Scientists at USC have developed a temperature-sensitive gel that can seal eye injuries, allowing for faster treatment and reducing the risk of complications. The reversible seal can be easily removed with cool water, making it a promising solution for treating ocular injuries on the battlefield.
Researchers developed an automatized strategy to separate circular molecules from their linear counterparts using microfluidic channels decorated with attractive spots. This separation technology is crucial for analyzing topology in biological systems and developing new materials.
A new genetics study from the University of Cambridge has found a strong association between higher educational attainment and reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that education may help build cognitive reserve, allowing individuals to better compensate for age-related brain damage.
A University of Houston researcher is developing a new approach to prevent esophageal cancer by targeting precursor lesions like Barrett's esophagus. By cloning stem cells from these lesions, the researcher hopes to identify drugs that can selectively kill them before they progress to cancer.
A team led by Purdue University anthropology professor Erik Otárola-Castillo used 3D imaging, shape analysis, and Bayesian statistics to accurately measure animal bone cut marks with an 88 percent success rate. This technique improves upon existing archaeological methods, enabling a more accurate understanding of human evolution.
The Cavendish Laboratory is set to receive a significant boost with £75 million government funding and an additional £85 million private donation, securing its position as one of the world's leading physics research facilities. The new facility will offer unrivalled resources for researchers in Cambridge and across the UK.
A study by Georgia State University found that black parents reported significantly fewer concerns related to autism symptoms than white parents. This disparity may affect healthcare providers' abilities to identify children who need further screening or evaluation, potentially leading to missed or delayed diagnoses in black children.
Researchers discovered the structure and functioning of a half-billion-year-old fossil trilobite's compound eye, showing similarities with modern compound eyes. The ancient eye consists of 100 subunits with eight sensory cells each, but lacks a lens, suggesting its development may have predated modern forms.
A multidisciplinary team at IUPUI is developing and testing compounds for potential treatment of hydrocephalus. They have identified a strong candidate compound that shows promise in preclinical evaluations.
A new study finds that psychosis incidence can be up to eight times higher in some regions compared to others, highlighting the role of environmental factors in contributing to the condition. The study's findings suggest that areas with social deprivation and owner-occupied housing have lower rates of psychosis.
Researchers at Osaka University identify a compound effective against drug-resistant HCV, inhibiting its maturation process. The dibenzoazepine structure is responsible for its effectiveness, allowing for potential modifications to combat other diseases.
Research reveals almost 40% of Aussies have used illicit drugs at some stage, with 17% using them in the past 12 months. Recreational users view themselves as different from habitual users, driven by social networking and performance enhancement.
A new genus and species of amphibious dinosaur, Halszkaraptor escuilliei, has been discovered in Mongolia. The fossil, found at Ukhaa Tolgod, exhibits a unique mix of features that suggests it was an aquatic predator, with flipper-like forelimbs and a long neck.
A team of researchers from the University of Minnesota has created lifelike artificial organ models through 3D printing, featuring integrated soft sensors. These patient-specific models can enhance pre-operative practice, allowing surgeons to better plan and execute surgeries, potentially reducing medical errors and saving lives.
Researchers at Caltech developed a method to assemble large DNA structures with customizable patterns, creating a 'canvas' that can display any image. They used fractal assembly to recreate the world's smallest Mona Lisa using DNA origami.
A new law aims to address contract cheating by placing strict liability on service providers, rather than students. This approach tackles the issue of 'intent' in contract cheating, where services use terms and conditions to protect themselves from student accusations.
Researchers used video observations to reveal that deep-sea jellies are key predators and play a crucial role in forming the principal forage base for many commercially-important meso-predators and apex species. The study also found that gelatinous animals have complex food habits spanning the entire food web.
Astronomers find two giant galaxies from the Big Bang era, forming stars at record rates and surrounded by massive dark matter halos. Their rapid star formation is triggered by close encounters with smaller companions.
Researchers will track ultra-heavy cosmic rays using the Super Trans-Iron Galactic Element Recorder (SuperTIGER) instrument. The mission seeks to understand how and where heavy elements are formed in stars.
A new study found that error-related negativity, a brain signal response, is related to social anxiety symptoms in youth with ASD. Those with more severe symptoms may have difficulty identifying their performance anxieties.
A new study published in PLOS ONE reveals that medications like opioids and antidepressants for chronic pain management increase the risk of obesity and poor sleep. The research found that these medications double the risk of obesity and are associated with poor sleep, highlighting the need to reduce their use.
A recent study found that certain brain changes following limb amputation in children can be reversed through bilateral hand transplantation. The lead author suggests that the brain preserves functional areas and reactivates them upon recovery of the hands.
Researchers found that precise timing patterns of brain activity distinguish between airflow-driven mechanical signals and those generated by odors. This discovery demonstrates the neural code underlying olfaction, revealing how neurons differentiate between air-flow information and odor information.
Researchers at Auburn University discovered that both children and adults rely more on their right ear for processing information in noisy environments. The study found that when cognitive demand increases, the right-ear advantage persists in mature auditory systems.
A new study examines the optimal amount and intensity of physical activity for patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Higher sub-maximal exercise capacity is associated with greater quality of life, while high-intensity exercise improves maximal exercise capacity.
A tool developed by University of Birmingham researchers identified a critical vulnerability in 400 security-critical apps, including those from major banks like HSBC and NatWest. The 'Man in the Middle Attack' flaw could allow attackers to decrypt and modify network traffic, compromising user credentials.
A South American amphibian, Siphonops annulatus, has a liver that produces blood cells throughout its lifetime and breaks down collagen. Researchers found melanomacrophages in the species' liver cells can remove and break down collagen, potentially helping to prevent cirrhosis.
A new gene therapy has successfully produced sustained levels of clotting factor in adult hemophilia B patients, eliminating the need for regular infusions. The treatment, which uses a highly active variant of the clotting factor, achieved significant clinical benefits with no adverse effects.
A new PET tracer has been developed to effectively gauge the effectiveness of promising Alzheimer's treatments in mouse models. The tracer binds to BACE1, a key enzyme involved in amyloid-β development, and accurately measures its effects on brain metabolism, neuroinflammation, and amyloid-β pathology.
Researchers found that dust-derived nutrients can be vital to mountain ecosystems, even when nutrient supply from bedrock is substantial. This phenomenon is not limited to the Sierra Nevada and has been observed worldwide.
A new gene therapy transplantation technique could improve treatment of neurodegenerative diseases by generating genetically engineered microglia-like cells in the brain. This technique has been tested on an experimental model for a metabolic disease and may have future therapeutic applications for other neurodegenerative diseases.
New research shows that decades-old logging restrictions have failed to reverse population declines of spotted owls in US national forests due to a 'tree deficit', requiring longer-term restoration efforts. The study found stable owl populations in nearby national parks with intact habitats.