Materials scientists at Duke University have resurrected an online cookbook of crystalline structures, featuring 288 entries with data on symmetry, properties, and unit cells. The revamped website provides a flexible platform for researchers to explore and create new materials.
A Georgia State University researcher has received a $7.7 million federal grant to develop three-dimensional human brain models called organoids for studying West Nile and Zika virus infections. The study aims to understand the differences between these two neurotropic viruses, which have distinct disease effects in humans.
A new study led by Giulia Righi identified key factors that put young people with autism at high risk of seeking inpatient psychiatric care. Disrupted sleep and mood disorders were found to be significant predictors, while adaptive functioning had a slightly protective effect.
Rice farmers in Taiwan value eco-labels more than financial incentives, according to a study by the Technical University of Munich. The study found that offering an eco-label can encourage farmers to reduce chemical fertilizers and adopt sustainable cultivation methods.
Weidong Zhou is developing a high-power semiconductor laser that is compact, efficient and power-scalable. The goal of this project is to address the challenges associated with scaling laser power towards kilo- and mega-watts level while maintaining excellent beam quality, high-energy efficiency and compact size.
Researchers have developed a new composite catalyst that reduces the use of rare earth elements, such as Cerium, in catalytic converters. The catalyst showed improved oxygen storage and release capabilities compared to traditional catalysts, providing better buffering effects during fuel-rich and lean exhaust conditions.
A study found that combining therapies targeting polyADP ribose polymerase (PARP) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK) inhibitors showed promise in treating RAS-mutant cancers. The combination therapy was effective in multiple tumor models, regardless of mutations in tumor suppressor genes.
Researchers have successfully 'turned off' the immune response that causes allergic reactions in animals using gene therapy. The treatment, which targets specific immune cells, has shown promise in de-sensitizing the immune system to proteins, potentially treating severe allergies like asthma and peanut allergies.
Tropical Depression Beatriz strengthened into a tropical storm for half a day before weakening, bringing heavy rainfall to southeastern Mexico. The depression's center of circulation is uncertain due to onshore flow, which may impact the state of Oaxaca.
Older adults with UTIs often don't show symptoms, but antibiotics can still cause harm. New research suggests that natural microorganisms in the body may help prevent UTIs. However, certain groups like pregnant women and those undergoing surgery may benefit from antibiotic treatment.
Experts say international variation in brain death definition must be cleared up to improve management of patients at end-of-life and increase successful organ donation. A universal definition and procedure are needed to reduce confusion and restore professional and public trust.
Scientists at the NIH discovered that each memory is encoded by a unique firing pattern of individual neurons in the brain. The studies also found that the brain replays memories faster than they are stored.
A study published in Journal of Palliative Medicine suggests that patients with life-limiting illnesses may not feel abandoned if their doctor wants to discontinue statin medications. Most patients reported benefits from stopping statins, including improved quality of life and reduced medication costs.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that follistatin promotes decidualization and supports embryo implantation. In a mouse model, female mice lacking follistatin produced fewer pups and failed to attach embryos to the uterine wall.
A new paper aims to establish a global standard for social responsibility in the seafood sector by focusing on human rights violations and improving food and livelihood security. The initiative calls for governments, businesses, and nonprofits to work together to address these social challenges.
A recent study found that long-term bisphosphonate therapy did not significantly reduce the risk of bone fractures in older women. The research team examined data from over 5,000 women and discovered that those taking bisphosphonates for 10-13 years had higher fracture rates compared to shorter-term users.
Researchers have created a method to produce P450 enzymes in bacterial cell factories, which are also involved in the biosynthesis of active ingredients used in cancer drugs. The process could facilitate large-scale production of these enzymes, allowing for more efficient treatment of diseases such as cancer and psoriasis.
Researchers applied novel method to test 'Einstein's equivalence principle' using rubidium atoms in quantum superposition states, confirming its validity with high precision. The study has potential applications in navigation, time measurements, and searching for mineral deposits.
Researchers have designed a molecular system that incorporates individual components specialized for light absorption, charge separation, and catalysis into a single supramolecule. The seven-metal system with six Ru centers produces more hydrogen and remains stable for longer periods than the four-metal system with three Ru centers.
KAIST researchers directly observed the phase transition of topological defects formed by liquid crystal materials for the first time. The defect structures have radial, circular, or spiral shapes centering on a singularity and can be easily observed with an optical microscope.
David F. Dinges, a renowned expert in sleep research, has been awarded the Nathaniel Kleitman Distinguished Service Award for his contributions to advancing sleep science. The award recognizes his extensive work on sleep restriction, circadian biology, and its impact on human physiology and behavior.
A team of citizen scientists using a new tool discovered a previously unknown brown dwarf, about 100 light years away from the Sun. The object was confirmed via an infrared telescope and published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters.
Researchers have developed ultralight ceramic nanofiber sponges that can maintain resilience after compressive strain up to 50% and withstand temperatures of up to 800 degrees Celsius. These sponges also show promise as insulating materials with flexibility and for water purification applications.
Researchers found that oleic acid stimulates miR-7 production, which prevents MSI2 from stopping it and helps form tumors.
The University of Texas at Arlington team will inspect 350 concrete manhole shafts for corrosion, measuring hydrogen sulfide and other parameters to prioritize protection. The study aims to develop a system for prioritizing manhole protection, benefiting the city's infrastructure and water engineers.
Phytolith dating suggests rice domestication occurred at Shangshan in China around 9,400 cal yr BP, or possibly earlier. The study found that rice bulliform phytoliths with more than nine fish scales were present in early occupation stages, indicating the beginning of rice domestication.
A study by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that one in three hospitalized patients experience symptoms of depression. Depressive symptoms can delay recoveries, increase hospital stays, and lead to readmissions. The study emphasizes the importance of initiating a depression screening program in hospitals.
Astronomers study properties of debris disk around sun-like star by analyzing light passing through it. The transit allows scientists to infer characteristics of the disk and potentially discover analogues in our Solar System.
Researchers at University of Washington develop SeaGlass to detect anomalies in cellular landscape indicating IMSI-catchers usage. The system identified dozens of anomalies consistent with patterns from cell-site simulators during a two-month deployment in Seattle and Milwaukee.
A systematic review of 25 studies found that recreational running is not associated with osteoarthritis, but competitive running increases the risk. Recreational runners are less likely to develop knee and hip osteoarthritis compared to sedentary individuals.
A new study from Tufts University's Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging has found that dairy products, including milks, yogurts, and cheeses, contain appreciable amounts of vitamin K in two natural forms: phylloquinone (PK) and menaquinones (MK).
Soft robots can adapt to unstructured space environments, satisfy different tasks demands, and improve safety and reliability. Novel actuation methods and control schemes are proposed to address the challenges of soft robot configuration and manipulation.
A census of medium and large mammals found in 22 forest remnants surrounded by sugarcane plantations in São Paulo State, Brazil revealed that 90% of expected species were recorded. The study found rare animals such as the giant armadillo not present, but generalist species like white-eared opossums adapted to disturbed environments.
A new study quantifies CO2 emissions from Sydney Harbour for the first time, finding 1000 tonnes annually, equivalent to 200 cars. The research also reveals that during periods of high rainfall, the harbour becomes a carbon sink.
Researchers from Poland's Institute of Physical Chemistry found that quantum rotations can follow classical rules under specific conditions. The discovery confirms a new model describing jump rotations in molecules.
Researchers at Carnegie Institution identified KIB1 as a crucial component of the brassinosteroid signaling chain, essential for maximizing plant growth and survival. The discovery sheds light on the complex system of hormones guiding plant development and could lead to engineering high-yield crops.
A new study published in PLOS Computational Biology suggests that targeting vaccination efforts at children and the elderly during flu season can have the greatest overall benefit, saving lives and money. The researchers developed a synthetic population model to capture indirect effects of vaccination on community transmission.
Researchers at Weizmann Institute of Science establish a clear causal link between prenatal stress and the onset of eating disorders. Female mice exposed to maternal stress during pregnancy develop compulsive eating disorder when challenged with a Western diet, highlighting an epigenetic marker introduced prenatally.
A study published in Cell found that exposure to common aldehydes can break down DNA repair mechanisms, increasing cancer risk. People with faulty BRCA2 genes are particularly sensitive to this damage, as these chemicals trigger the degradation of BRCA2 protein.
A WSU study reveals that US consumers are interested in using more renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions, with many willing to shift their appliance usage to achieve this goal. The researchers propose developing an app prototype to monitor electricity sources in real-time, empowering consumers to make informed decisions.
The Sensor Suitcase is a portable case that contains sensors and equipment to identify energy-saving opportunities in small commercial buildings. It helps users find cost-effective measures to save about 10% on their energy bills, making it easier for building owners to make their facilities more energy efficient.
Research on mango consumption found potential benefits for metabolic disorders and inflammation, with improved blood pressure and gut health observed in human studies. The superfruit's galloyl derivatives showed anti-inflammatory activities and altered the gut microbiota and metabolism in lean and obese subjects.
Georgia State neuroscientists rewired the brain of one species to have the connections of another, finding distinct neural circuits underlying swimming behavior in two closely related sea slugs. The study's results suggest that behaviors can be conserved while their neural basis shifts over evolution.
The study revealed how Mis18 protein complex controls the accumulation of CENP-A, a protein that collects at the site where chromosomes connect and divide. Researchers determined the molecular mass of constituent proteins to form a functional Mis18 complex, shedding light on its assembly process.
A new study found that even brief exposure to tobacco during pregnancy can lead to long-term negative impacts on executive function in adolescents. The study controlled for demographics and other substance exposures, showing a strong association between tobacco exposure and impaired executive functioning.
Researchers discovered massive craters in the Arctic sea floor that were formed 12,000 years ago, with methane still leaking profusely. The study found over 600 gas flares releasing methane into the water column, with similar processes ongoing under ice sheets today.
A recent study by the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center found that physicians paid by pharmaceutical companies had higher odds of prescribing their drugs for two types of cancer. The researchers analyzed prescription patterns for Medicare patients with metastatic kidney cancer and chronic myeloid leukemia, and found a consiste...
Research suggests that anesthesia may work by decreasing available information within brain areas, rather than disrupting connection between them
Researchers found that delayed meal times significantly affect blood sugar levels, with later meals causing a delay of over 5 hours in internal rhythms. The study suggests that timed meals could be beneficial for individuals with circadian rhythm disorders.
Researchers at UNH found that rising sea levels pose a new hazard to seacoast roads, even two miles from the shore, due to groundwater rise. The study identifies sections of NH roads as vulnerable to deterioration and closure without improvements.
Physicists at the University of Maryland contribute to the detection of a third gravitational wave event, GW170104, using data from Advanced LIGO detectors. The merger occurred approximately 3 billion years ago and produced a single, more massive black hole.
Scientists from Granada and Almería discover a new species of plant in the Málaga region, previously misclassified as Linaria salzmannii. The plant, Linaria becerrae, has distinct flower characteristics and is found in sandy substrates in the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes natural area.
Researchers identified BPTF as a protein essential for mammary stem cell maintenance and found that removing or inhibiting it causes stem cells to differentiate and die. This discovery provides hope for developing a drug that targets BPTF in breast cancer cells, potentially leading to the differentiation and death of these cells.
A study by Michigan Technological University found that transitioning to solar photovoltaics (PV) could save up to 51,999 American lives at $1.1 million invested per life. Solar power also has economic value, producing electricity that can be profitable to invest in, sometimes as much as several million dollars per life.
Researchers identified mutations in the KDSR gene, which disrupts ceramide production, leading to dry, scaly skin. Isotretinoin, a commonly used acne medication, counteracts this effect, allowing patients to produce ceramides and alleviate symptoms.
MIT researchers create temporally interfering (TI) stimulation, a new technique that stimulates neurons in the brain without implants. This method uses low-frequency electrical signals to target specific areas of the brain, offering new possibilities for brain research and potential treatments for conditions like Parkinson's disease.
Scientists have dated prehistoric rock paintings in southern Africa up to 5500 years old, surpassing previous estimates. The technique used reveals that these paintings were made over a long period, with some sites producing similar art for over 1,000 years.
A new study published in Springer's Journal of Gambling Studies found that men and women experiencing problem gambling display different signs of distress. Women tend to be more emotional and display visible signs of sadness and depression, whereas men exhibit aggression and territorial behavior.
Researchers dated flood basalts to confirm magmatic activity coincided with mass extinction, linking CO2 release and climate change to species disappearance.
Researchers developed a technique called entanglement distillation to enhance quantum entanglement, confirming its effectiveness across two meters. The approach accounts for interactions between particles and environment, enhancing the connection by iterating on raw states.