Research at University of Colorado Boulder reveals nicotine reverses hypofrontality in mice with schizophrenic characteristics, suggesting novel non-addictive treatment option for 51 million people worldwide affected by the disease.
Researchers find a positive correlation between belief in free will and happiness among Chinese teenagers, contrasting with previous Western studies. The study suggests that believing in free will may lead to increased perceived autonomy, self-control, and deliberate effort to achieve goals, ultimately contributing to happiness.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have created a new technology that can precisely control gene expression by light illumination, overcoming existing limitations. The method uses ultraviolet and blue light to start and stop protein production in embryos, enabling precise timing and duration of gene expression.
Researchers have found that Zika virus alters the expression of hundreds of genes responsible for guiding brain cell formation, leading to microcephaly. The study reveals new therapeutic targets by analyzing molecular interactions in infected brain cells.
Researchers produced artificial silk fibres with tailored properties by self-assembling nanofibrils formed from cow's whey protein under heat and acid. The fibre's strength depends on the balance between nanostructure and fibril entanglement, with curved nanofibrils forming stronger fibres than straight ones.
A team of UNIST researchers has developed a new method to enhance the catalytic activity of provskite, a potential substitute for platinum in metal-air batteries. By physically mixing provskite with polypyrrole, they were able to achieve a synergistic effect that rivals that of platinum.
A PPPL physicist has discovered that motion in nearby magnetic fields can trigger magnetic reconnection, a process releasing energy when magnetic field lines snap together. This research may aid fusion reactions and better understand solar phenomena.
A study by the University of Texas at Austin found that blacks are more likely to lose a parent during childhood and experience multiple family member deaths by mid-life. This trend is expected to have long-term damaging effects on black Americans' health.
University of California Riverside researchers identify amino acid taste receptor Ir76b playing key role in insect identification of umami taste. The discovery sheds light on insect food choice and potential targets for controlling insect populations.
Researchers at the University of Utah discovered how Arctic melt ponds form by clogging ice pores with freshwater. This process lowers permeability, allowing meltwater to pool on top of the ice, which affects climate modeling and sea ice dynamics.
A new preclinical study suggests that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy could help people overcome drug addiction by teaching them new behaviors. VNS was found to reduce drug cravings in addicted rats, with the animals pressing the lever less frequently over time.
Researchers found that attackers can crack Android Pattern Lock within 5 attempts using video and computer vision algorithm software. Complex patterns are actually easier to crack than simple ones, making shorter, simpler patterns a more secure option.
J.-C. Chiao, a UTA electrical engineering professor, has been recognized by SPIE as a Fellow for his work on micro medical devices and systems. He has secured $5 million in research funding and holds 11 US patents in MEMS technologies.
Researchers at UC Davis have made significant discoveries about the complex process of meiosis, where chromosomes undergo a intricate dance to produce sperm and eggs. The team found that SUMO and ubiquitin proteins play a crucial role in selecting crossover sites, allowing for accurate chromosome distribution.
Researchers discovered a reduction in brain tissue and increased fluid accumulation in the upper brain of Zika-infected fetuses. The study, which included 7 cases, found a significant difference in total brain volume and intracranial volume between Zika-exposed fetuses and healthy controls.
The National Sleep Foundation has established key indicators of good sleep quality, including sleeping for at least 85% of the time and falling asleep within 30 minutes. The report highlights areas where research is needed to further define good sleep quality across age groups.
Researchers found that concussion patients exhibit significantly slowed central and peripheral vision reaction times, with PVRT being disproportionately prolonged. This study suggests a useful diagnostic method to objectively assess concussion symptoms, providing potential benefits for patient recovery and athlete safety.
Biomedical engineers at Johns Hopkins create a method to deliver and release concentrated amounts of drugs to the brain using ultrasound pulses. The technique has the potential to advance many therapies and research studies, minimizing side effects and potentially bringing new treatments to humans within a year or two.
Researchers analyzed over 45 million pregnancies to find an association between day of delivery and maternal-fetal mortality. Maternal deaths were found to be significantly higher on weekends than weekdays, suggesting a 'spill-over' effect that is present on both weekend and weekday deliveries.
Researchers compared two suture types for cesarean wound closure and found that poliglecaprone reduces wound complications. The study involved 550 patients and found a significantly lower rate of complications with monocryl suture compared to vicryl suture.
Scientists at the University of the Witwatersrand have made a groundbreaking discovery that allows for real-time error correction in quantum communications. By utilizing classical entangled light, they can establish secure quantum links over long distances, paving the way for major advances in data transfer and encryption.
A new study published in the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine's annual meeting found that a weight loss intervention did not improve pregnancy outcomes despite reducing maternal weight gain. The study, MOMFIT, tested an intensive lifestyle behavioral intervention to help overweight and obese women limit gestational weight gain.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have created the first stable semisynthetic organism that can hold onto synthetic base pair X and Y indefinitely as it divides. This breakthrough uses a combination of genetic tools, including CRISPR-Cas9, to enable the organism to stably maintain the new base pairs.
Researchers at UEA and Glasgow found that a low-cost, home-based therapy produces marked improvements in visual neglect, even after four months. Patients who received the therapy showed significant gains in finding items on their neglected side of space and experienced long-lasting improvements in daily activities.
Researchers at UNC have engineered platelets to carry cancer-fighting antibodies, allowing them to target and kill microtumors before they can grow or spread. This innovative approach has shown promising results in animal studies, potentially offering a new hope for patients with recurring cancer after surgery.
In two studies, researchers compared the cryopreserved human umbilical cord patch to acellular dermal matrix and conventional suturing methods for in-utero spina bifida repair. The results showed improved spinal cord function with decreased meningeal scar formation and better preservation of spinal cord tracts.
Researchers have developed a high-precision chronology that sheds new light on the Maya collapse patterns, with both Classic and Preclassic collapses following similar trajectories.
A new species of extinct otter, Siamogale melilutra, has been discovered in China with a body size comparable to that of a wolf. The discovery provides insights into the evolutionary history and functional morphology of this ancient lineage.
A recent study in Science highlights a devastating crisis in Asian forests due to snaring, causing unprecedented extinctions. The authors recommend managing this issue by regulating homemade snares and preventing 'empty forests', emphasizing the urgent need for conservation action.
New research suggests cervical cancer death rates are higher among older and black women in the US, particularly due to exclusion of women who have had hysterectomies. This discrepancy highlights the need for better screening and treatment options for these groups.
A University of California, Riverside graduate student has discovered several new species of wasps that feed on ants, including one named after musician Ani DiFranco. These wasps have a unique association with extrafloral nectaries and can potentially control invasive ant populations.
Research by Waljit Dhillo at Imperial College London discovered that kisspeptin stimulates limbic brain areas associated with mood and emotion, influencing reproductive behavior. Kisspeptin treatment also enhanced brain activity during assessments of reward, drive, and mood in healthy heterosexual men.
Researchers developed a new PET imaging technique that can detect changes in olfactory neuron populations, which are sensitive to neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. The technique uses GV1-57 radiotracer to quantify neuron generation and degeneration, providing insights into disease progression.
Scientists from North Carolina State University have successfully isolated and sequenced additional collagen peptides from an 80-million-year-old Brachylophosaurus specimen, lending further support to the idea that organic molecules can persist in fossils for tens of millions of years. The study demonstrates that peptide sequences can ...
A new study from Iowa State University researchers found that individuals with a gym membership were more likely to meet muscle-strengthening guidelines and had better cardiovascular health outcomes. Gym members spent an average of nearly six hours per week on cardio workouts, compared to non-members.
Researchers identified novel genomic characteristics of cervical cancer, including cell signaling pathways and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The study also found amplification of genes involved in immune responses and potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers at Cornell University developed a new technique using high-resolution mass spectrometry to detect 112 micropollutants in New York state waterways. The approach identified eight common chemicals in every sample and dozens more in most samples, revealing widespread contamination.
Researchers found that specific changes to maternal diet alter the milk microbiome and human milk oligosaccharide composition, potentially affecting infant gut health. The study suggests a link between maternal diet and infant gut microbiome development during breastfeeding.
A study found that satirical news reinforces pre-existing attitudes as much as serious news, with liberal views strengthened by liberal satire. However, conservative views were undermined by conservative satire, affecting political efficacy differently for Democrats and Republicans.
A team of researchers from the University of Basel has clarified the role of the enzyme MPO in fighting infections. They found that MPO produces a highly aggressive acid that kills pathogens without damaging surrounding tissue, providing new approaches for immunity strengthening therapies.
Scientists used a mouse model to study nicotine's impact on brain cells involved in schizophrenia. Administering nicotine restored normal activity in prefrontal cortex neurons, similar to observed deficits in patients with psychiatric disorders.
Researchers developed an improved Fatty Liver Index (FLI) to predict non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with high accuracy. The new index includes parameters such as age, waist circumference, and triglyceride levels, as well as a gene variant for fatty liver, to provide more precise diagnosis and risk assessment.
A study led by Wei Guo has identified Sec3 as a key activator that speeds up the binding of SNAREs, allowing vesicles to fuse with the plasma membrane. The researchers used a combination of molecular biology and crystallography to understand the mechanism of exocytosis and have potential implications for endocrinology, neurotransmissio...
A study found that glucose supplementation significantly reduces the length of induced labor in nulliparous women without increasing complication rates. The researchers tested whether adding glucose to intravenous hydration solution could accelerate labor, concluding it's a low-cost and safe intervention.
University of Washington researchers have made a breakthrough in building electrically pumped nanolasers, critical for high-performance parallel computing and data center efficiency. By integrating atomically thin monolayer materials with nano-cavities, they have achieved efficient light emission and modulation.
Researchers identified that mesalamine, a medication for ulcerative colitis, works by targeting the bacterial stress response system and reducing polyphosphate production. This study reveals potential new insights into how mesalamine treatment improves the gut microbiome.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have developed new diagnostic screening and treatment recommendations for high-risk pediatric patients with acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL). The study identified three genetic alterations that can predict treatment success, enabling personalized medicine approaches.
Researchers found that blocking the enzyme responsible for hydrogen sulfide production can prevent or reduce apneas during sleep. This approach has potential to help people with multiple forms of sleep-disordered breathing, including obstructive and central apneas.
Scientists at the University of North Carolina have discovered a promising new avenue for fighting gastrointestinal cancers by unmasking the previously misunderstood gene Gpr182. The study reveals that Gpr182 could be a key regulator of intestinal stem cell proliferation, and its protein code for a potential drug target.
A study found that women with preeclampsia exhibit early signs of cardiac dysfunction, which persist after pregnancy. The research suggests a higher risk of heart disease in African-American women, emphasizing the need for close follow-up care.
Analysis of US data from 2002 to 2012 reveals significantly higher cervical cancer mortality rates among black women (77% higher) and white women (47% higher), with disparities increasing over time. Black women's corrected mortality rate is 10.1 per 100,000 women, compared to 5.7 for uncorrected rates.
A new study suggests that yoga and aerobic exercise interventions did not significantly reduce objectively measured sleep disturbances among midlife women experiencing hot flashes. Despite the lack of improvement in sleep quality, women in the study still experienced disturbed sleep at night.
Research has identified Ovo as a critical regulator of germline development in both mice and fruit flies, with the protein essential for the proper formation of eggs and sperm cells. This discovery suggests that Ovo acts as part of a conserved mechanism controlling reproductive cell development across different animal species.
Researchers use simulation tools to analyze and optimize soft robotic systems, increasing their utility through predictive approaches and thermodynamic perspectives. The study highlights the importance of considering machine design and performance in achieving widespread adoption.
A novel mechanism has been identified for how stress-induced anxiety affects the brain's hippocampus, leading to increased anxiety behavior. The study found that stress impairs the release of an anti-anxiety neuropeptide, which could lead to new therapeutic targets.
A recent study by University of Utah Health investigators found that up to three-quarters of surgery patients may not need anti-clotting medications, which could lead to harm. High-risk patients, however, showed significant benefits from the treatment.
Researchers at Lund University successfully incorporated transplanted neurons into a stroke-injured rat brain, showing they formed normal connections with the host brain. The study used human skin cells reprogrammed to become healthy neurons and demonstrated functionality in response to touch.
Researchers with the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative present a study showing that a state-wide perinatal collaborative can significantly reduce severe maternal morbidity from hemorrhage. The project involved 99 hospitals and resulted in a 21% reduction in severe hemorrhage after one year, with smaller hospitals showing t...
Researchers found that eastward travel had significant negative effects on MLB players' performance, particularly in base running and home runs allowed. The study's findings suggest that jet lag can have a substantial impact on team performance, even erasing the traditional home field advantage.
A new Harvard study found that 4.9% of Americans with chronic diseases gained insurance coverage under the ACA, while nearly 1 in 7 remained uncovered. The study also showed significant barriers to regular medical care for those without coverage.