A study analyzing over 1.5 million Medicare records found that ICU care for COPD, heart failure, and heart attack patients may not be more beneficial than regular hospital care, with significant differences in cost of care.
Researchers sequenced over 1,000 stick insect genomes to study early phases of speciation, finding that genetic differences across the genome are crucial for distinguishing between species. The study suggests that rapid reversals of speciation can occur when distinct species cross paths again.
Most US radiologists receive favorable satisfaction scores from their patients, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Roentgenology. The study analyzed over 1,800 reviews and found that patients tend to have either strongly positive or strongly negative opinions about their radiologists.
Researchers have developed a new method to characterise internal structures of natural materials and replicate their interaction with light using 3D printing of ceramics. This technique enables the design of new materials with different functionalities dependent on need.
A systematic review of existing literature suggests that antibiotics are an effective alternative to surgery for acute non-complicated appendicitis in children. No safety concerns were reported, but a recurrence rate of 14% was noted.
A new study found that fathers' brain activity increases when viewing photos of their toddlers, suggesting a link between the hormone oxytocin and paternal nurturing. The research also suggests that oxytocin may be used to normalize deficits in paternal motivation, such as in men suffering from post-partum depression.
Researchers at KFU's bionanotechnology lab used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to create 3D images of nematode cuticles. The study revealed new insights into the surface anatomy of Caenorhabditis elegans, a widely used model organism in genetics and biology research.
Digital fabrication in architecture promises substantial contributions to sustainability and productivity, enabling new forms of architectural expression. Researchers are developing interdisciplinary research connections to form a digital building culture, leveraging domain-specific robotic technology and advanced materials.
The study examines the impact of ultrafast laser pulses on ferromagnetic La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 thin films with epitaxial grown BiFeO3 coating layers. Researchers observe distinct oscillations in magnetization precession, which are attributed to the suppression of anisotropy by BFO coating layers and exchange interaction across the interface.
A study by the University of Central Florida found that peer milk-sharing parents take precautions to keep their children safe, with 35.4% using all five safe practices and 40.6% using at least four. Despite this, researchers suggest more study is needed, particularly for online classifieds where milk is exchanged for money.
The study found that when a gun is used in domestic disputes, women are less likely to incur injury but substantially more likely to be frightened. This highlights the coercive control aspect of using a gun to intimidate and maintain power dynamics.
Regulatory agencies struggle to balance public concerns with their authority, as society demands clearer guidelines for advanced technologies like gene editing. Arizona State University expert Gary Marchant proposes incorporating ethical and social aspects into regulations.
A University of Missouri-Columbia professor developed a mandatory medical school curriculum focusing on indigenous health, addressing significant health inequalities among Native Americans. The curriculum was implemented in 2014 and has been recognized as a model for other universities to follow.
Researchers have successfully delivered a gold catalyst to a target organ in a mouse, enabling in vivo metal-complex catalysis. This innovation paves the way for potential biomedical applications, including therapy and diagnostics.
A new framework developed by the University of Queensland has improved the accuracy of biodiversity models in ecology, conservation biology, and global change research. The framework assesses species interactions and detects higher-order interactions that were previously overlooked.
The NIST study identified 27 low-GWP fluids, but all are at least slightly flammable, posing a challenge for replacing current refrigerants. The findings highlight the need for trade-offs in selecting replacement refrigerants, considering factors like safety codes and environmental impact.
A new study confirms PAK4's role in enabling pancreatic cancer cells to grow and spread, highlighting potential new targets for therapy. Researchers found a close relationship between PAK4 and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase pathway, which could lead to combination therapies targeting both.
A study published in eLife found that differences in gene activity between the left and right hemispheres are responsible for handedness. The researchers also discovered that environmental influences during pregnancy can affect the development of precursors to handedness.
A genomic study in the lower Congo River finds that fishes are evolving into distinct species due to the intense hydraulics of the river's rapids and deep canyons. The researchers discovered that fishes living less than a mile away from their relatives are exchanging few genes, indicating strong genetic separation.
Researchers found that stem cells collected directly from human fat (ASCs) can make more proteins, replicating and maintaining their stability. This discovery holds promise for new therapies against aging-related diseases, with the goal of understanding how ASCs maintain an open chromatin profile with aging.
A new model developed by Georgia Tech professor Eva Lee recommends response strategies for infectious diseases like Zika, with a focus on early intervention and containment methods. The model suggests that 20% compliance rate can reduce total infections by half in Brazil during the Zika outbreak.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have discovered a molecular phenomenon where a guanosine derivative changes its supramolecular structure upon transitioning from solution to solid state and vice versa. This defies chemical precedent, suggesting a complex interplay between molecular interactions in different environments.
Researchers created a material that reduces signal losses in photonic devices, boosting the efficiency of lasers and other light-based technologies. The discovery addresses a key challenge in photonics by incorporating a semiconductor material into plasmonic metamaterials.
Chemical engineers and chemists at Pitt and Penn State create a system that utilizes chemical reactions to drive fluid flow, enabling controllable transport of particles and cells. This breakthrough could lead to rapid and efficient chemical assays.
Researchers at MIT have designed a power converter that maintains efficiency across a wide range of current levels, reducing resting power consumption by 50%. The converter uses a variable clock and advanced control circuitry to accommodate high-power transmissions, enabling new possibilities for energy-harvesting devices.
Researchers found that local atmospheric conditions and ocean circulation are the main drivers of ocean temperature changes in the critical depth range, leading to increased melting. The study used a five-year record to track the interactions between ocean and atmosphere, revealing an annual cycle in heat exchange that drives melting.
Researchers have identified 3207 consistent confusions in English listeners, revealing types of word misperceptions in noise. The corpus provides valuable insights into speech perception processes and their technical clinical applications.
Gene drives have the potential to address persistent problems like eradicating mosquito-borne diseases and conserving endangered species. However, they also pose risks to entire ecosystems, highlighting the need for careful public engagement and regulatory policies.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have discovered a strong link between yeast in babies' guts and an increased risk of developing asthma. The presence of Pichia, a microscopic fungus or yeast, was more strongly linked to asthma than previously identified gut bacteria.
A new biocompatible 3D tracking system has shown promising results in improving the accuracy of robot-assisted surgery. The system, which uses near-infrared fluorescent markers, enables accurate tracking of tissue and surgical tools with millimeter accuracy.
A team of UA researchers used RFID tags to study bumblebee behavior, discovering that individual workers specialize on one food source per day. The results show vast variations in foraging activity among bees, with the most active foragers making 40 times more trips than less active workers.
A panel of experts will examine the pros and cons of seafloor mining, its engineering feasibility, and legal and societal implications at the AAAS meeting. Current exploration contracts have been signed by 27 countries, with the first project set to begin in 2019.
A new study found that diversity training programs can have immediate positive effects on participants' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors, but long-term results are often inconsistent. The research suggests that training is most effective when it is mandatory, delivered over time, and combined with other initiatives.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh's Roslin Institute have successfully developed egg-free surrogate chickens using gene-editing techniques. These genetically modified hens can carry and deliver eggs from other breeds, aiming to boost breeding of endangered birds and improve commercial chicken production.
Researchers at RMIT University have developed a new technique using liquid metals to create ultra-thin electronic chips, paving the way for the next generation of electronics. The process enables the production of large wafers just 1.5 nanometres in depth, increasing processing power and reducing costs.
A new study from the Center for BrainHealth at UT Dallas reveals that a gist reasoning test is more sensitive than traditional tests in identifying cognitive deficits in TBI patients. The test, which requires participants to summarize complex texts, accurately identified 84.7% of chronic TBI cases.
A new study found that international collaboration in scientific research has grown dramatically, with more than doubling of cross-border studies between 1990 and 2015. The fields of soil science and virology saw the highest growth rates, with a 550% increase in collaborating partners in soil science.
A new study by Northeastern University psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett found that the neurotransmitter dopamine plays a crucial role in human bonding. The research, which used a novel technology to scan mothers' brains while interacting with their infants, showed that strong social relationships can improve outcomes for individuals w...
An international team of physicists has made a breakthrough in understanding heat transport at the nanoscale by studying a chain of gold atoms. The study confirms the validity of the Wiedemann-Franz law, which describes the relationship between electric and thermal conductance.
A new study by MIT Professor César Hidalgo and colleagues found that the complexity of a country's exports is a strong predictor of its level of economic equality. The researchers analyzed data from 1996 to 2008 and found that countries with more diverse export portfolios and higher technological infrastructure tend to have greater inc...
Scientists conclude that the organics are most likely native to Ceres, originating from its interior. The discovery has broad implications for astrobiology and suggests that Ceres contains key ingredients for life.
Researchers found that NHS performance data showed clear evidence of health system failures, including missed targets and staff shortages. The analysis suggests that the cuts resulted in a substantial increase in mortality, particularly among older populations.
Researchers at NYU Tandon are developing a deep learning system that enables self-driving cars to navigate and respond to changing road conditions. The system uses data from onboard sensors and information from HERE HD Live Map, a cloud-based service for automated driving.
A new facial recognition system, LemurFaceID, can correctly identify individual lemurs using photos of their faces, offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional methods. The system shows high accuracy in identifying lemurs across different species, with potential applications for conservation and research.
Drs. Marco Gallo and Greg Delgoffe receive ACGT Young Investigator Grants to study glioblastoma and metastatic melanoma, focusing on gene therapy and T cell metabolism to boost immune responses against cancer.
A study found that adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with acute leukemia had significantly worse survival rates if not treated at specialized cancer centers. AYAs treated at these centers had outcomes comparable to children, suggesting treatment quality can mitigate poor outcomes.
A large study found that long-term estrogen-based hormone therapy reduced the risk of Alzheimer's disease and improved cognitive function in postmenopausal women. The protective effect may depend on starting hormone therapy at the time of menopause, when neurons are healthy.
Scientists successfully delivered CRISPR-Cas9 to the eyes of mice with wet AMD, modifying the VEGF gene and reducing choroidal neovascularization (CNV) by 58%. This breakthrough could lead to a new therapeutic modality for non-hereditary degenerative diseases.
The use of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology is restricted due to competing claims over foundational patent rights. Exclusive licenses granted to spinoff companies formed by institutions and researchers could bottleneck the development of human therapeutics.
A Princeton University study found that social exclusion leads to superstitious beliefs and conspiracy theories, suggesting a cycle of exclusion that can entrench beliefs. The researchers propose that addressing social exclusion could help counteract these theories.
A team led by Case Western Reserve University researchers found a tight correlation between observed acceleration and gravitational acceleration from visible mass in various galaxy types. This discovery suggests a universal law governing galactic systems, similar to Kepler's planetary law. The findings require rethinking dark matter an...
A new study reveals that seagrass meadows can reduce bacteria pathogenic to humans and marine life by up to 50%. The presence of seagrasses also reduces the prevalence of disease in corals located nearby, with field surveys showing a 2-fold decrease in disease compared to coral without seagrass neighbors.
Researchers used 'resurrection ecology' to revive and study Daphnia, a freshwater crustacean. They found that sensitivity to copper and cadmium increased as heavy metal levels rose in lakes, challenging evolutionary theory.
Research from UM Frost School of Music found that infant-directed singing fosters a strong bond between mothers and infants. Engaging infants through song stimulates their attention, while also benefiting the mother by providing a distraction from negative emotions and thoughts associated with postpartum depression.
A randomized crossover trial found that limiting sodium intake reduced systolic blood pressure by an average of 11mmHg and excess fluid retention. The study suggests that simple dietary advice may help slow the progression of chronic kidney disease.
New research reveals that seagrass meadows can combat bacteria in water, reducing disease associated with marine organisms. The study found lower levels of disease on reefs with adjacent seagrass beds than those without nearby grasses.
A Michigan State University study found that smokers who viewed a nostalgic public service announcement showed greater emotional engagement and stronger negative attitudes towards smoking. The researchers argue that nostalgia-themed messages could be an effective way to promote healthy behaviors.
A new study published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery found that the most attractive female lips have a 53.5% increase in surface area and an ideal upper to lower lip ratio of 1:2. This guideline aims to help achieve optimal outcomes in lip augmentation procedures.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center successfully treated patients with deadly, treatment-resistant blood cancers using gene-guided therapy. The targeted approach identified specific genes fueling the diseases and prescribed molecular drugs to put them into remission.
A mouse study has identified granzyme A as a protein that promotes arthritic inflammation after chikungunya virus infection. The study suggests that granzyme A could serve as a potential target for new drugs to treat chikungunya-related arthritis in humans.