Researchers have identified a micro-gene called miR-211 that protects the brain from developing epilepsy. Elevated levels of this gene may act as a protective mechanism to reduce the risk of epileptic seizures.
Researchers suggest that massive star explosions can expel newborn black holes with strong natal kicks, affecting their spin and alignment. This phenomenon could help explain years of tentative evidence suggesting black holes receive such kicks.
Researchers used X-ray techniques and atomic resolution electron microscopy to study bridgmanite, the dominant mineral in Earth's mantle. They found that changes in iron composition at certain pressures cause bridgmanite to become more viscous, leading to slowed flow patterns.
The new UNOS system reduced disparities in national kidney transplant rates for blacks and Hispanics, with significant increases in transplant rates for these groups after implementation. However, disparities may return if the most disadvantaged patients are cleared from the list.
A new study links late-night tweeting by NBA players to poorer game performance, including lower scores and reduced shooting accuracy. The research analyzed Twitter data from over 30,000 tweets and found a significant correlation between late-night tweeting and decreased basketball skills.
The GelSight sensor uses physical contact to provide a detailed 3-D map of an object's surface, enabling robots to judge the hardness of surfaces they touch. Researchers also use it to enable robots to manipulate smaller objects than previously possible.
Research found midpelvic operative vaginal deliveries associated with 80% higher severe complications for babies, compared to cesarean delivery. The study also revealed five- to ten-fold higher rates of birth trauma in midpelvic forceps and vacuum deliveries.
A large research study reveals that older people are not being referred for mental health support nearly as frequently as their younger counterparts. Despite this, studies have shown that older people may benefit the most from 'talk therapies', with over three-quarters of people around the age of 64 experiencing significant clinical im...
Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research discovered direct cross-regulatory feedback between Nanog and Hox genes, which regulate pluripotency and differentiation. This study provides important insight into tissue formation processes and holds relevance for regenerative medicine and cancer therapy.
Researchers at UCSF found that black heart attack patients suffered higher mortality rates when ambulances were diverted due to hospital overcrowding. In contrast, better coordination between correctional and community health care systems can help reduce these disparities. A separate study also found that released prisoners who receive...
Researchers have developed a novel photoswitch that restores visual function in blind mice by activating retinal neurons. The light-sensitive molecule, DAD, targets bipolar cells, offering advantages over previous approaches. This breakthrough provides a promising alternative for treating vision loss.
Researchers from Rice University and the Texas Heart Institute have developed a battery-less pacemaker that can be implanted directly into a patient's heart. The device harnesses energy wirelessly from radio frequency radiation transmitted by an external battery pack, reducing complications related to traditional lead-based pacemakers.
A new study reveals a group of cells acting as a 'brain' in plant embryos, assessing environmental conditions and dictating germination timing. The plant's decision on when to germinate is controlled by two types of cells promoting dormancy or germination, communicating through hormone signals.
A research team at NUS developed an app to deliver postnatal educational programmes and provide supportive care on-the-go. The 'Home-but-not-alone' app improved parenting confidence, perceived social support, and satisfaction among new parents, highlighting a gap in existing postnatal care in Singapore.
A study analyzing police body camera footage found that officers consistently use less respectful language with black community members than with white community members. The racial disparities in language use remained even after controlling for other factors, highlighting the need for solutions to improve police-community relations.
A Phase 1/2 clinical trial of an experimental Chikungunya vaccine, MV-CHIKV, is underway in the US. The trial aims to assess the safety and immune response of the vaccine in healthy adults.
Professional baseball players who received short-term sleep extension demonstrated improved visual search abilities and faster response times to different types of pitches. The study found that sleep extension reduced fatigue, tension, and daytime sleepiness by more than one-third.
Researchers from IU and Regenstrief Institute are conducting a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a 12-week telemedicine program combining cognitive training and physical exercise for older ICU survivors. The study aims to decrease dementia, anxiety, and improve quality of life in this vulnerable population.
The iSeeFlood app, developed in 2016, is designed to gather data on flash floods, which can be dangerous to pedestrians and motorists. The app, which has now been made available for iPhones, encourages users to report flooding incidents, providing valuable information for cities and emergency services.
Scientists discovered a signaling system by which organs in C. elegans communicate their need for heme, an essential biological process. The study found that HRG-7 and BMP-5 proteins facilitate two-way communication between tissues, promoting systemic heme homeostasis.
A treatment for depression using the Emotional Faces Memory Task resulted in a significantly greater reduction of major depressive disorder symptoms compared to a control group. The digital therapeutic targets an imbalance in brain regions involved in emotion processing and cognitive control.
Parents' understanding of antibiotic risks and watchful waiting approaches can significantly impact their adherence to delay antibiotic use for common childhood illnesses. By enhancing physician instruction, compliance rates with this approach could be increased, potentially reducing unnecessary antibiotic overuse.
A recent study investigates the association between prenatal alcohol exposure and child craniofacial shape at 12 months, emphasizing the need for safe drinking habits during pregnancy. The research underscores the risks of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and provides guidance for pregnant women and their families.
A 30-year study of Murray-Darling Basin wetlands reveals a 72% decline in waterbird numbers due to dam construction and water diversion. Reduced water flow has significant implications for river management worldwide.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a new approach to locate oil and gas in shale, reducing production time and cost. Additionally, the team has discovered a link between electrochemistry and ferroelectricity, enabling new materials for electronics and energy applications.
A new study found that quarter-dose combinations of blood pressure lowering medications are effective in treating hypertension, resulting in fewer side effects than single doses. Researchers analyzed data from 42 trials involving over 20,000 people with high blood pressure.
A study by Carnegie Mellon University found that adults from families where parents were separated and never spoke during childhood are more susceptible to respiratory illnesses. The team's research suggests that early life stress can increase inflammation and heighten the risk of chronic illness.
Researchers develop new protocol using PaCO2 to amplify myocardial blood flow, offering an alternative to injectable pharmacological agents. The study shows a safe and effective method for widening heart blood vessels during stress tests, benefiting patients with severe side effects from traditional methods.
A new study by Cleveland Clinic researchers found that delays in initiating cancer therapy are associated with a substantially increased risk of death. Patients who wait more than six weeks for treatment have significantly worse survival rates, with some cancers experiencing declines of up to 40% in five-year survival rates.
Researchers found a 12 percent decline in sodium content of households' purchases over the 15-year period, with declines observed for all top food sources of sodium. However, less than 2% of U.S. households had optimal sodium density, highlighting the need for continued efforts to reduce sodium in packaged foods.
The new technology uses AI to automatically select highly visible parts from multiple images and combine them, enhancing the smallest characteristics in non-visible images. This allows for instant visual clarification even under harsh conditions.
Researchers Troy Zars and Elizabeth King will use advanced genomic technologies and behavioral techniques to identify genes influencing learning and memory performance in fruit flies. The study aims to uncover the genetic basis of complex traits and shed light on brain function.
European countries with higher healthcare expenditure experienced lower amenable mortality rates, with declines of up to 3.5% for men and 2.1% for women, according to a Health Affairs analysis.
Researchers at the University of Central Florida have developed a new screening tool for Parkinson's disease using CRISPR technology. The tool allows scientists to monitor brain protein alpha-synuclein levels, which can help identify potential treatments.
Researchers at Michigan State University discovered that decomposing leaves in soil are a surprising source of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. The team found that large soil pores create micro-habitats perfect for bacteria to produce nitrous oxide.
A study found that patients with insomnia and depression who slept for seven or more hours showed increased chances of depression and insomnia remission. Longer pre-treatment sleep duration was predictive of remission when combined with CBTI and antidepressant medication.
A study analyzing SWOG treatment trials from 1965 to 2012 found positive trials resulted in substantial gains in patient survival, with estimates suggesting over 3.34 million life-years were saved through these trials.
Researchers found that two FDA-approved immunotherapy drugs, dabrafenib and trametinib, are well-tolerated and result in a 50-54% response rate among patients with advanced BRAF-mutated papillary thyroid cancer. This breakthrough could change the standard of care for this rare but aggressive form of thyroid cancer.
A clinical trial found that adding vemurafenib to treatment with cetuximab and irinotecan significantly improved progression-free survival for patients with BRAF V600E mutation, from 2.0 months to 4.3 months. The study suggests combining BRAF inhibitors with EGFR inhibitors may be a more potent approach.
The USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is providing up to $6 million in funding for sustainable energy research, focusing on perennial grasses and woody plants. This investment aims to develop more options for producing biofuels and biobased industrial products, creating jobs and rural prosperity.
Two exoplanets, WASP-67 b and HAT-P-38 b, have distinct atmospheric compositions, with one being cloudier than the other. The team's findings suggest that their past formation histories may be responsible for these differences.
A study by University of Illinois Chicago sociologist finds that parental infertility is associated with lower test scores and grade point average at age 16. The research suggests a cumulative physical and social experience of infertility affecting child outcomes beyond the point of birth.
A study published in Nature reveals a previously unknown connection between pathways that prevent heart cell renewal. The discovery opens the possibility of developing strategies to promote heart cell growth and regeneration. This finding may also lead to improved cardiac function in children with muscular dystrophy.
A phase III clinical trial found that alectinib, a next-generation ALK inhibitor, extended the median time to progression by about 15 months compared to crizotinib. Alectinib also caused fewer severe side effects and was more effective in preventing brain metastases.
Scientists have discovered an exoplanet, KELT-9b, hotter than most stars, with a day-side temperature of 4,600 Kelvin. The planet's atmosphere is being evaporated due to intense ultraviolet radiation from its host star.
Marine reserves can help protect wildlife, support fisheries, and promote carbon storage to slow climate change impacts. The study evaluates existing research on the benefits of large, long-established marine protected areas in reducing the effects of ocean acidification, sea-level rise, and other climate change drivers.
NASA has adopted a 'sneaker depth' method to visualize and communicate water clarity, inspired by Bernie Fowler's data. The algorithm relates satellite measurements of red light reflection to physical measurements of shoe visibility.
A new study published in Nature Communications estimates that the ancient network of valleys on Mars required at least 10 times more water than previously thought to carve out. The research suggests that Mars once had a warmer climate and active hydrologic cycle, with an ocean playing a key role in shaping the planet's landscape.
Researchers have discovered frozen methane domes on the Arctic Ocean floor that could indicate an increased risk of new methane blow-outs. The domes are stable due to high pressure but can collapse with a small change in water temperature, posing a threat to the environment.
Scientists have observed room-temperature superfluidity in light, a phenomenon previously only seen at extremely low temperatures. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new photonic devices with reduced losses and enhanced performance.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new method to produce plastics precursors using environmentally friendly catalysts and hydrogen peroxide. This approach can reduce the use of olefin molecules derived from fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
A new app is being developed to stop voice hacking using a smartphone's compass, which can detect magnetic fields and prevent replayed voices from being convincingly impersonated. The app aims to provide an additional layer of security for users and protect against growing digital security threats.
A new type of immunotherapy using CAR T cells targeting B-cell maturation protein (BCMA) has shown promising results in treating multiple myeloma, achieving a 100% objective response rate and 94% clinical remission. Most patients experienced mild side effects, with only one case of disease progression among those in complete response.
A global study suggests that highly protected marine reserves can slow down the rate of climate change and protect marine ecosystems. These areas can provide critical resilience benefits to rapid climate change, including reducing ocean acidification and supporting productive fisheries.
A population-based study found that a 2014 consensus statement endorsing minimal negative margins led to decreased reoperations and increased rates of breast-conserving surgery. Final surgical treatment rates also shifted towards mastectomy, resulting in overtreatment reduction.
A new two-part system turns embryonic or adult stem cells into the desired target cell type, reproducing flawlessly. The system uses a DNA plasmid that makes cells glow green when exposed to blue light, allowing researchers to track its removal and control gene expression.
A team of scientists has discovered a remarkable mechanism that enables cells to repair severely damaged chromosomes, preventing cell death and cancer. The 'Hail Mary' mechanism involves the creation of a DNA tether to keep the broken fragment connected to the chromosome.
A new study finds social jet lag, delaying sleep on weekends, associated with increased risk of heart disease and worsening mental health. The research suggests that maintaining a regular sleep schedule may be an effective preventative treatment for these health problems.
A phase III clinical trial suggests a potential new treatment for patients with advanced EGFR-positive non-small cell lung cancer. Dacomitinib delayed cancer growth by 5.5 months compared to gefitinib, but also caused more side effects.
A study of over 2,000 surgical weight-loss patients found that opioid use increased within 7 years after surgery, surpassing pre-surgery rates. The study highlights the need for alternative pain management approaches in post-surgical patients.