A team of researchers led by David Cinabro found that Type Ia Supernovas can be used to measure the pace at which the universe expands. The study challenges recent headlines suggesting these explosions cannot be relied upon for this purpose.
A new plant species, Espeletia praesidentis, has been discovered in Colombia's Páramo de Presidente region. The plant was named in honor of President Juan Manuel Santos due to his Nobel Peace Prize achievements, which made the area safe for researchers.
A new mouse model has revealed the role of CCN6 protein in developing metaplastic breast cancer, a rare and aggressive subtype of triple-negative breast cancer. The study identified potential genes to target with therapeutics, offering hope for better treatment options for patients.
Researchers found tablet use to be safe and engaging for nearly all patients with dementia, reducing symptoms of agitation. The tablets demonstrated significant effectiveness in improving mood and behavior, particularly among patients with milder forms of dementia.
A new study from Intermountain Medical Center found that using longitudinal data improves predictive accuracy for kidney transplant patients. Four predictive models were developed by layering available data, achieving accuracy improvements of nearly 16% and up to 83.8% in predicting kidney loss or death.
A new study published in JAMA Dermatology found that non-heterosexual black male teens engage in indoor tanning at levels equal to those of heterosexual white females. This discovery highlights a surprising new group at risk for skin cancer, which may be linked to psychological distress and discrimination.
A Dartmouth-led study published in Sociology of Education found that college completion rates, not student loan debt, are more strongly associated with the 'boomeranging' effect. Black youths who take on debt face a higher risk of returning home due to limited access to fair credit and economic strain.
Researchers have characterized the critical function of the Zf-GRF domain in manipulating DNA during repair processes. The domain is essential for APE2 enzyme activity, enabling it to bind to single-stranded DNA and facilitate its 3'-5' resection.
A new study found that parents' motivation for buying prepackaged, processed foods goes beyond time savings. Nearly half of parents reported choosing frozen meals because their families enjoy them, while a quarter preferred the cost savings.
Solar storms can charge up soil in moon's permanently shadowed regions, potentially producing sparks that could vaporize and melt the soil. This process, known as dielectric breakdown, could alter the regolith and provide clues to the moon's history.
Researchers at Boston University have discovered patterns of biomarkers that predict how well people age and their risk for future age-related diseases. The study, led by Paola Sebastiani and Thomas Perls, used data from over 5,000 participants to identify 26 different predictive biomarker signatures.
A UK-based international team of researchers has made a breakthrough in understanding the mechanism of mcr-1 gene-mediated resistance to colistin. They identified key features necessary for the protein that modifies bacterial surface to reduce colistin binding, and constructed computer models to block MCR-1 function.
University of Utah researchers explore the connection between gut microbes and birds' unique breathing patterns. The team found that diverse gut microbes play a critical role in allowing herbivorous woodrats to process naturally occurring toxins, with promising implications for human health and animal husbandry.
A review of 207 studies found that therapeutic interventions led to an average decrease in neuroticism and increase in extraversion. Emotional stability was the primary trait domain showing changes as a result of therapy, with patients with anxiety disorders changing the most.
Researchers found a bacterium can convert CO2 to CO, opening up new avenues for recycling greenhouse gas into biofuels. The discovery establishes nitrogenase enzyme as template for energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly fuel production.
The Brazilian census details 958 distinct morphological types of jellyfish, including their habitats, occurrences, and ecological data. The most toxic species belong to the class Cubozoa, while the class Scyphozoa includes a common Brazilian species.
Researchers found that a common species of zooplankton can develop higher tolerance to road salt, which may help protect ecosystems from salt's impacts. This rapid evolution suggests that freshwater ecosystems possess some resilience amid rising deicing salt applications.
Researchers have made significant progress treating anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis with a new regimen, including patients who previously did not respond. The treatment, which includes bortezomib, has shown to quickly improve clinical symptoms and reduce antibodies responsible for the disease.
A new personality model, Trait-Reputation-Identity (TRI), combines self and peer ratings to gather feedback on big five personality traits. The model provides a robust method to determine agreement or divergence about an individual's personality traits, helping organizations improve hiring and employee performance.
The brain can distinguish between expected and unexpected visual motion by selectively silencing neurons sensitive to yaw during intentional turns. This allows flies to stabilize their flight path and shift their gaze without interference. The study provides insights into how the brain processes visual information to control behavior
The University of Utah is part of a national coalition aiming to reduce embodied energy and decrease emissions in US manufacturing. The goal is to achieve a 50% improvement in energy efficiency by 2027, saving billions in energy costs and creating new jobs for American workers.
Researchers found that B cells can capture proteins from pathogens and the body's own cells, leading to autoimmune inflammation. This error in protein uptake can trigger autoaggressive T cells, potentially causing autoimmune diseases.
Astronomers use Hubble observations to characterize the interstellar medium along Voyager 1 and 2's trajectories. The study reveals a rich, complex ecology with multiple clouds of hydrogen and other elements.
The American Thyroid Association has published new evidence-based recommendations for diagnosing and managing thyroid disease during pregnancy. The Guidelines cover thyroid function testing, iodine nutrition, and treatment of thyroid disease during pregnancy and lactation.
Researchers found that Legionella pneumophila grows well in warm tap water installations with ample dissolved organic matter, supporting biofilm formation. The study suggests that microgram-per-liter concentrations of biodegradable compounds can induce bacterial growth on surfaces, promoting proliferation of the bacteria.
A new study from University of Utah researchers finds a correlation between drought and high-elevation aerosols in the western US, suggesting that wildfires are driving the increase in summer haze. Aerosol particles can trigger cloud formation, exerting their own influence on global temperature and climate.
A study published in Neurology suggests that elevated levels of brain protein tau following a sport-related concussion are associated with a longer recovery period and delayed return to play. Tau levels measured in blood may serve as a marker to help physicians determine an athlete's readiness to return to the game.
Researchers at MIT have designed a strong and lightweight material by compressing graphene flakes into sponge-like configurations, achieving 10 times the strength of steel while maintaining a low density of just 5%. The new material's unusual geometric configuration is key to its exceptional properties.
Researchers have created an open-source database to facilitate bioenergy research, confirming Miscanthus as the top US bioenergy crop. The database, BETYdb, contains over 40,000 records of yield data for various biomass crops, revealing that Miscanthus is 2.4 times more productive than switchgrass under different environmental conditions.
The USDA has allocated $2.9 million for research into integrated biorefineries, which aim to create biofuels and bioproducts from renewable energy sources. This funding will support projects that address the challenges of scaling up and operating these facilities, with the goal of enhancing US energy security and economic growth.
Researchers found a significant increase in large-scale tornado outbreaks in the US, with the number of extreme events doubling over the last half-century. The study suggests that vertical wind shear is driving this trend, rather than climate change.
Researchers at Cornell University have created a modular immune organoid that can replicate the anatomical structures found within lymph nodes. The 3-D organoid enables quicker and more plentiful replication of B cells, which are antibody-producing lymphocytes.
A new study by the British Psychological Society finds that people with different personality preferences experience varying degrees of stress when using email. Those with a big picture focus tend to check emails outside work hours, leading to increased stress levels.
Research by the British Psychological Society found that employees working for psychopathic and narcissistic leaders experience lower job satisfaction, higher depression rates, and more workplace bullying. These toxic bosses can create a hostile environment, leading to unhappy and dissatisfied employees seeking revenge.
A new national survey by Northeastern University and Harvard University found that 22% of current US gun owners acquired a gun within the past two years without a background check. The study also revealed significant differences in private firearm sales with and without background checks between states with and without regulations.
A study by Yale researchers found that older adults who visit the emergency department (ED) are at increased risk for disability and decline in physical abilities up to six months later. The discharged group had significantly higher disability scores than the control group, and were also more likely to be living in a nursing home.
A study integrating field and laboratory experiments with computer simulations found that perception plays a key role in the evolution of counterintuitive traits. Proportional perception limits the evolution of traits by making it difficult to perceive changes in large stimuli.
Astronomers have discovered three young star systems with doomed comets, suggesting a common mechanism for exocomet destruction. The study provides new insights into the past and present activity of comets in our solar system, potentially making life possible on terrestrial planets.